Peltasts are a type of missile infantry unit available to Macedon, Thrace, Carthage, Armenia and the Greek Cities in Rome: Total War.
Description[]
Greek peltasts advance at speed to pepper an enemy with javelins, and then withdraw in good order before a counter-attack can be organised. They are skirmishers and it is their task to harass and disrupt enemy units before the main battle lines clash. They are also adept at staging tactical ambushes.
Peltasts are equipped with a clutch of javelins, a sword and a light shield, the pelte, which gives them their name as "pelte-bearers". They wear no other armour, and rely on speed as the best form of protection, and this isn't much protection should they be caught by cavalry.