Greek Skirmishers

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Thracian Peltast.  The name comes from a round shield with a semi-lune cut out of it, the Pelta.  He carries some heavy short spears,  and each is wrapped with a long strip of leather.  He will hold one end of the strip as he throws it, giving the spear a spiral.  At 30 yards these things punch through hoplite armor like it is not there.  A few of these guys in front of an advancing phalanx could lay the whup on the enemy.  He wears a foxskin hat and a boiled leather cuirass.  The hoplites had no defenses against these guys except


The Balearic Slinger.  The naked skirmishers carried a sling with a pouch of lead bullets, football shaped.  There is one in the British Museum with the word Dexa inscribed on it.  (Catch).
These men trained their entire life to use the sling, and it was more effective than bows except for formation use.
These things would kill at about 150 yards.


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