Thraikioi Mezenai (Thraikian Horsemen)

Thraikioi Mezenai (Thraikian Horsemen)
Thraikioi Mezenai (Thraikian Horsemen)
Primary Weapon	Type: spear Attack: 8 Charge: 11 Lethality: 1
Secondary Weapon	Type: sword Attack: 9 Charge: 5 Lethality: 1 Attributes: armor piercing
Defence	Armour: 5 Shield: 3 Skill: 6
Recruitment	Soldiers: 40 Cost: 1906 Upkeep: 476 Turns: 1
Mental	Morale: 6 Discipline: normal Training: trained
Other	Hit Points: 1 Mass: 1 Attributes: Can board ships, Improved hiding in forests Formation: square Side/Back spacing: 3.7/3.6 Mount effects: elephant -3 Ownership: Epeiros, Getai, Makedonia

Drawn from the lower Thraikian nobility, lured by land grants and higher pay, these horsemen can charge, skirmish and fight fairly well in melee.

Description

These horsemen provide an extremely versatile cavalry force. They are armoured with good quality linen and helmets, while at the same time they carry oval shields. They are great all-round cavalry, but will not fare well against heavier cavalry or infantry.

Historically the Thraikes were known since the Bronze Age as a nation of horsemen. The Odrysai alone could outnumber in the 5th century BC all their opposition in cavalry forces alone, such was the importance of horsebreeding in Thraike. The Thraikes were also credited as the first to use shields on horseback, although originally it probably was the smaller Peltes. Only with the advent of the Galatai larger shields were adopted. Still Thraikian cavalry enjoyed a justifiable renown, Thraikian horses were bred for racing and during festivals the Thraikes held downhill horseraces. Even the Thraikian cavalry clothing was adopted by the Hellenes, namely cloaks, headdress and boots. Perhaps owing to their training and experience in religious games, allowed the Thraikian horsemen to react quickly to any circumstance and perform any role on the battlefield.