Peltast

A Peltast is traditionally a lightly armoured infantry man who throws his javelins at the enemy from afar. They are fast and agile and able to outrun any heavy infantry. The name comes from the Thracian shield pelte which was used by most peltasts. It was made of wicker and reinforced by oak and covered by animal skin.

During the times of EoA the peltasts are not to be mixed up with the akontistai, who share a similar role. The peltasts are adept at swordfighting and are sometimes armed in a light cuirass, such as linen. Akontistai, on the other hand, are purely javelinmen who rarely, if ever, engage in close combat.

The peltasts would later be replaced by thurephoroi and thorakitai. Both were a blend between hoplite and peltast tactics, where somewhat heavier armor was used but with more focus on melee combat.