Editing Peltast (section)

==Development==
[[File:Peltast.jpg|thumb|300x300px|A ''peltast'' with the whole of his [[panoply]] (on a [[Red-figure pottery|red-figure]] ''[[kylix (drinking cup)|kylix]]'')]]
In [[Archaic Greece]], the Greek martial tradition had been focused almost exclusively on the heavy infantry, or [[hoplites]].

The style of fighting used by ''peltasts'' originated in [[Thrace]], and the first Greek ''peltasts'' were recruited from the Greek cities of the Thracian coast.<ref name=":0" /> They are generally depicted on vases and in other images as wearing the typical Thracian costume, which includes the distinctive [[Phrygian cap]] made of fox-skin and with ear flaps. They also usually wore patterned tunics, fawnskin boots and long cloaks, called ''zeiras'', decorated with a bright, geometric, pattern. However, many [[ancient Greek mercenaries|mercenary]] peltasts were probably recruited in Greece. Some vases have also been found showing hoplites (men wearing [[Corinthian helmet]]s, greaves and [[cuirass]]es, holding hoplite spears) carrying ''peltes''. Often, the mythical [[Amazons]] (women warriors) are shown with peltast equipment.

Peltasts gradually became more important in Greek warfare, in particular during the [[Peloponnesian War]].

[[Xenophon]], in the ''[[Anabasis (Xenophon)|Anabasis]]'', describes ''peltasts'' in action against [[Achaemenid Empire|Achaemenid]] [[cavalry]] at the [[Battle of Cunaxa]] in 401 BC, where they were serving as part of the mercenary force of [[Cyrus the Younger]].{{blockquote|[[Tissaphernes]] had not fled at the first charge (by the Greek troops), but had instead charged along the river through the Greek ''peltasts''. However he did not kill a single man as he passed through. The Greeks opened their ranks (to allow the Persian cavalry through) and proceeded to deal blows (with swords) and throw javelins at them as they went through.<ref name="1.10.7"/>}}

Xenophon's description makes it clear that these ''peltasts'' were armed with swords, as well as javelins, but not with spears. When faced with a charge from the Persian cavalry, they opened their ranks and allowed the cavalry through while striking them with swords and hurling javelins at them.<ref name="1.10.7">Xenophon. ''Anabasis''. [1.10.7].</ref>

{{multiple image
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| header=''Peltasts'' on the Tomb of Payava
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| image1   = Tomb of Payava Battle scene (detail).jpg
| image2   = Tomb_of_Payava,_east_side_peltasts.jpg
| footer=''Peltasts'' on the [[Tomb of Payava]] ({{circa|360}} BC), around the time of [[Iphicrates]]. They are equipped with the ''[[exomis]]'', the ''[[pilos]]'' with crest and cheekpiece, and the round ''pelte'' shield, thrusting overarm with a spear.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=A.H. |title=A Catalogue of Sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities |publisher=British Museum |page=[https://archive.org/details/acataloguesculp00magoog/page/n61 49] |url=https://archive.org/details/acataloguesculp00magoog |language=English}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=The Numismatic Chronicle |date=2005 |publisher=Royal Numismatic Society |page=83 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v2waAAAAYAAJ |language=en}}</ref>
}}
''Peltasts'' became the main type of Greek mercenary infantry in the 4th century BC. Their equipment was less expensive than that of traditional hoplites and would have been more readily available to poorer members of society. The Athenian general [[Iphicrates]] destroyed a [[Sparta]]n [[Phalanx formation|phalanx]] in the [[Battle of Lechaeum]] in 390 BC, using mostly ''peltasts''. In the account of [[Diodorus Siculus]], [[Iphicrates]] is credited with re-arming his men with long spears, perhaps in around 374 BC. This reform may have produced a type of "''peltast''" armed with a small shield, a sword, and a spear instead of javelins.

Some authorities, such as [[J.G.P. Best]], state that these later "''peltasts''" were not truly ''peltasts'' in the traditional sense, but lightly armored hoplites carrying the ''pelte'' shield in conjunction with longer spears—a combination that has been interpreted as a direct ancestor to the [[Macedonian phalanx]].<ref name="autogenerated1">Diodorus Siculus, Bibliotheca Historica, XV.44</ref> However, thrusting spears are included in some illustrations of ''peltasts'' before the time of Iphicrates and some ''peltasts'' may have carried them as well as [[javelins]] rather than as a replacement for them. As no battle accounts describe ''peltasts'' using thrusting spears, it may be that they were sometimes carried by individuals by choice (rather than as part of a policy or reform). The [[Tomb of Payava|Lykian sarcophagas of Payava]] from about 400 BC depicts a soldier carrying a round ''pelte'', but using a thrusting spear overarm. He wears a ''[[pilos]]'' helmet with cheekpieces, but no armour. His equipment therefore resembles Iphicrates's supposed new troops. Fourth-century BC ''peltasts'' also seem to have sometimes worn both helmets and [[linen armour]].

[[Alexander the Great]] employed ''peltasts'' drawn from the Thracian tribes to the north of Macedonia, particularly the [[Agrianes|Agrianoi]]. In the 3rd century BC, ''peltasts'' were gradually replaced with ''[[thureophoroi]]'' infantrymen. Later references to ''peltasts'' may not in fact refer to their style of equipment as the word ''peltast'' became a synonym for ''[[mercenary]]''.