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Glite Dictionary
🛡️ A light soldier 🏹 Light infantry style
peltast

peltast

1 9.9
A light ancient Greek soldier who used a small shield and short spears
  • noun
  • /ˈpɛltæst/
  • Archaic
: peltasta
  • The peltast excelled at ambush tactics, quickly striking the enemy before retreating into safety.

Examples

  • As a peltast, he preferred to remain mobile, launching javelins from a distance rather than engaging in close combat.

  • Leonidas, junior scout and peltast.

    Centurion (2010)

  • During the battle, the peltasts used their agility to move swiftly around the heavier infantry.

Surface Forms

peltast singular
peltasts plural

Etymology

Peltast comes from the Greek pelta meaning 'small shield'. A peltast was a light soldier who carried a small shield and javelins, so the name helps explain why these troops fought fast and at a distance.