Thessalian army list probable error

[the_iron_duke]

There is probably an error in the Thessalian D.A.G. army list (Immortal Fire). The Javelinmen and Peltasts have exactly the same equipment/points cost and the number available goes from 12-90. The other Greek army lists have the Javelinmen as poor quality, half the cost of the Peltasts, and the number available as 0-9. I expect the Thessalians were intended to be the same.

[Okie]

I think the Thessalians were considered some of the best light-medium infantry and Cavalry around. Thats more then likly why they are rated so good and so meany. Okie

[the_iron_duke]

The Greek hoplite armies all have similar builds and otherwise identical light infantry choices which makes this 12-90 figure really stand out. If someone's got Immortal Fire for tabletop could they check the Thessalians in there, please?

[deeter]

The DAG list agrees with the TT list.

Deeter

[the_iron_duke]

Thanks for checking. Every classicist knows of Thessalian prowess in horsemanship but their javelinship isn't so widely publicised. Supporting evidence from the internet is rather sparse, although I did find the following tidbits:

the Thessalians could also provide a great number of slingers and javelinmen. The hill peoples around the Thessalian Plain would be well versed in the use of slings and javelins from a young age

and:

the javelin was known from Homeric times, but in Classical and Hellenistic Greece was mainly used by troops from the wilder areas of Greece that were not dominated by the hoplite (e.g. Aetolia, Acarnania, Arcadia, Thessaly and Thrace).

Still, I'm a bit surprised at the high upper limit for the troop allowance, which allows them to field ten times as many javelinmen as their neighbouring kinsmen (or over 70% of their army composition). It certainly makes the Thessalians quite a quirky FoG army, unique for the period.