Athenian slingers

[Vantha]

What historical units are the Athenian slingers supposed to be? I am writing the text for the encyclopedia and couldn't find any information about specific slingers fighting for Athens. Do they just represent Athenian skirmishers in general or am I missing something?

[Gurken Khan]

Just a guess, but as they're called "militia" just regular dudes (citizens/peasants) called in times of conflicts?

[Vantha]

Yes. All the Athenian skirmisher troops were drawn from the lowest class of Athenian society. But why slingers? For gameplay reasons?

[wowgetoffyourcellphone]

We already wanted them to have Thracian Peltasts for javelinists, so we chose Slingers to represent the poorer skirmishers. In truth, at this time, "skirmishers" consisted of all ranged types: bowmen, slingers, and javelinists. 

[Vantha]

So they're slingers because Athens can't have two javelinist units? I understand, that makes sense. They represent skirmishers in general, that's why they are named 'Psilos' (light infantry/skirmisher) rather than 'Sphendonetes' (actual word for slinger)?

[wowgetoffyourcellphone]

1 hour ago, Vantha said:

So they're slingers because Athens can't have two javelinist units? I understand, that makes sense. They represent skirmishers in general, that's why they are named 'Psilos' (light infantry/skirmisher) rather than 'Sphendonetes' (actual word for slinger)?

Correct

[RangerK]

I love the respect for historic accuracy, and even more so -- curiosity, demonstrated throughout these forums.