After the age of the hoplites and before the rise of Rome, the Greek world saw the emergence of the Thureophoroi. These adaptable warriors appeared in the 3rd century BC, during a time when armies needed soldiers who could do more than just fight in rigid formations.
Armed with the distinctive oval thureos shield (inspired by Celtic designs), javelins, a long thrusting spear, and a sword, the Thureophoroi were built for flexibility. They could skirmish at range, form a solid shield wall in battle, or drive off enemy cavalry, making them the perfect link between the dense phalanx of pikemen and the fast-moving cavalry wings.
Their versatility made them invaluable. They were used not only on the battlefield but also as border guards, garrison troops, and raiders in rough terrain where heavy infantry struggled. Kings like Philip V of Macedon and Antiochus of the Seleucid Empire deployed them in swift-moving strike forces, leaving slower troops behind as these warriors stormed towns and seized key ground.
The Thureophoroi remained a key part of Hellenistic armies until the 1st century BC, when the unstoppable Roman legions swept aside the last of the Greek successor states. They represent a fascinating moment in military history, the soldiers of a world caught between Classical Greece and Imperial Rome.
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As always we have a full range of Thureos shield transfers from Little Big Men to adorn your figures (transfers sold separately).