I'm about 20 years into my first Greek campaign and I'm having great fun fighting off those pesky "Maks" and Epirotes. However, I have a quick question regarding the recruitment of hoplitai.

I have Level 1 govt. types in places such as Sparta, Corinth and Athens and have reached the Askesis Polemike kai Skeuothekai in Sparta. The hopitai available for recruitment are Taxeis (basic/peasant); Ekdromoi (light); and Thorakitoi (armoured) but, so far, no "mid-range/standard" models (even though there are two or three mercenary options available).

My question is; is this by design? Are "standard" hoplitai only available via the rather pricey mercenary route?

On another issue, my spies tell me that I am pretty much surrounded by "rebel" cities with full stacks. So it looks like I've an expensive siege-fest to look forward to once I've dealt with Makedon and Epiros! Ah well, laughing and smiling (and watching out for them sharp pointy things).