

Iapygian Hoplites
Iapygian hoplites lose no ground to their Greek counterparts.Like the Siculi tribe to the west in Sicily, Messapian warriors favoured large shields and open-faced, Illyrian style helmets, albeit with more crests and, on occasion, horns. Their weapon of choice was the spear; some Iapygian tribes, like their Illyrian ancestors, adopted the Greek style of hoplite phalanx combat, whilst others fought in a less organised style, using shorter, multi-purpose spears. Short melee weapons were also used, such as the curved 'kopis' swords and one-handed axes. Messapian warfare was a mixture of their Illyrian heritage and the influence of their Oscan neighbours. The former employed skirmishers, who were useful for raiding and piracy, while the latter wasn't able to field javelinmen and slingers in any numbers, instead relying on mounted nobles supported by their retainers. According to Herodotus, Oscan tribal cavalry was crucial in holding off Taras' invasion of Messapian and Peucetian towns in 473BC, an action which extended the conflict until 467BC. The king of Messapia later made two alliances with Athens, around 430BC and again in 418 BC, supplying the Athenians with javelinmen for the war against Syracuse.
![]() |
Unit Name Iapygian Hoplites |
Main Unit Key inv_app_hoplites |
Land Unit Key inv_app_hoplites |
Naval Unit Key pel_transport |
Soldiers 160 |
Category Melee Infantry |
Class Spear Infantry |
Custom Battle Cost 700 |
Recruitment Cost 700 |
Upkeep Cost 140 |
Melee Attack 35 |
Weapon Damage 26 |
├ Melee Weapon rome_hoplite_spear |
├ Melee Damage Base 20 |
├ Melee Damage Ap 6 |
├ Armour Piercing No |
├ Bonus vs. Large 15 |
├ Bonus vs Elephants 15 |
└ Bonus vs Infantry 0 |
Charge Bonus 15 |
Melee Defence 45 |
├ Base Defence 30 |
├ Shield hoplite |
└ Shield Defence 15 |
Armour 80 |
├ Armour spolas |
├ Armour Defence 35 |
└ Shield Armour 45 |
Health 60 |
├ Man Entity rome_infantry_hoplite |
├ Man Health 45 |
└ Bonus Hit Points 15 |
Base Morale 40 |
Abilities
Iapygian Hoplites- Hoplite Wall
The unit moves into close wall formation.
Bracing, melee defence, shield strength
Acceleration, speed
Attributes
- Disciplined
This unit does not suffer a morale penalty when the general dies. It can also rally after routing more often. - Formation Attack
The unit will try to stay in formation when in melee. - Hide (forest)
This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Transport- Very poor hull strength
- Very slow speed
- Weak ramming
- Very good defensive unit
- Low damage but average armour penetration
- Average attack
- Good morale
Requires Buildings | |
---|---|
![]() |
![]()
Holosidderos Barracks
(inv_gre_military_2) Level 1 ![]()
Hoplite Barracks
(inv_gre_military_3) Level 2 ![]()
Royal Barracks
(inv_gre_military_4) Level 3 |
Faction Availability | |
---|---|
Rise of the Republic |