Cretan archers

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cretan archers were famed military soldiers in ancient and medieval warfare.[1] Though they could be theoretically outranged by Rhodian slingers,[2] they were widely recognized as among the best archers in the world for a number of years, and as such found employment as mercenaries in many armies, including Alexander the Great's and many of the Diadochi. During and after the conquest of Macedonia and the independent Greek city-states, Cretan archers served in the Roman army through the Republic and Empire.

In popular culture

Cretan Archers, along with Rhodian Slingers, are included in the game Rome Total War, where they are available to be hired as mercenaries.

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Bigwood, "Ctesias as Historian of the Persian Wars," 35.
  2. ↑ Echols, "The Ancient Slinger," 228.

References

  • Bigwood, J.M. "Ctesias as Historian of the Persian Wars." Phoenix 32, no. 1: 19–41.
  • Echols, Edward C. "The Ancient Slinger." The Classical Weekly 43, no. 15: 227–230.

Further reading

  • McLeod, W. "The Ancient Cretan Bow." Journal of the Society of Archer-Antiquaries 11 (1968): 30-31.
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