Toxotai

Toxotai (Greek: Τοξόται) refers to an ancient Greek military class.

Armament

The Toxotai were armed with a short bow and a short sword ( kopis ). However, they had no armor, only a tunic with a belt . Their only weapon of protection was a pelte . This equipment was very similar to the armament used by Cretan archers , known throughout the ancient world as dangerous ranged fighters.

Tactical

The Toxotai were a class of the Psiloi . These troops included poorer soldiers who could not afford expensive equipment. Mainly, the Toxotai formed the vanguard of a Greek army: they shot the first line of arrows at the enemy and then retreated behind the better-armed hoplites before the enemy army could strike back. They were often used to support the Thorakitai on the battlefield.

literature

• Peter Connolly : The Greek Armies (1977). Tessloff Verlag, Hamburg 1977, ISBN 3-7886-0181-7 .