The Carthaginian Army

[Antek]

I know it may sound silly but there is a good reference in Polish lenguage (it surly drops off) titeled "Wojna Hannibala" (War of Hannibal) by K. Kęcieka. The author auffalen his atantion on interesting formation in the Punic army. I mean lonchophoroi (javelins in my version). They were mainly scouting, collecting supplise, and sed ambushes. However they had great influance on victory on the Trebia and Trasimene Lake. This formation included Numidans, Iberians, Moorish (ofcourse not all, only best of them). But most interesting unit were Balearic slingers. Armed in three types of slinges, one wraped around the head, second around belly, third one was usually in hend. Slinges were chanched according to type of fire and distance from enemy. Maximum rage of their weapon was about 180-200 meters, so they were as effecitve as Cretan archers. And if we are talking abaout hoplites in Punic army I think taht we should focuse atantion on "Sacred Band", about 2 500- 3 000 youth from noble families trained in gree hoplite syle, each wearing white tunic. Some of them served also in cavalery. But from what I know, this formation didn't exist in the times of the second punic war.