Argyraspidai


 * Not to be confused with the later Seleucid units, Argyraspides Phalangitai or Thorakitai Argyraspides.

Argyraspidai are an elite corps of Macedonian Hoplites, named so after their silver-plated shields. Like Napoleon's Old Guard, they are the veterans of the Macedonian army, hardened through years and years of faithfully serving their anax and basileus. These units are in effect a super-hoplite unit that can exceed even the Spartans in battle - as very grizzled veterans, they are slow on foot, but they, in addition to conventional Hypaspistai capabilities, are also a fearsome unit to attack if using melee infantry, for they have an attack bonus versus infantry.

Very few units, let alone Greek ones, can fight a picked body of Hypaspistai toe to toe. As a result, attacking Argyraspidai in single combat is a dangerous proposition - if you see a Macedonian opponent raising these units, you should prepare chariots or other missile cavalry to counter them.