Peltasts skirmishing with hoplites. There is no actually drill manual passed down on how this was done, but skirmishing Asian practices were similar and those are chronicled.

1. The peltasts were in loose order, eight ranks deep. Asklepiodotos in Taktika calls this "unnamed order" and says it was six feet apart in ranks and files.

2. The first two or three ranks would advance, while the remaining ones stood in order.

3. After the first two ranks exhausted their missiles, the next two would advance while the first fell back through the file gaps. This rotation would continue until the target broke from fear or casualties, or the peltasts ran out of missiles.

The phalanx had three options

1. Advance slowly through the rain of missiles keeping their shields up, hoping that the peltasts would eventually run out of missiles and disperse

2. Send the front rank men out to disperse the peltasts. Sometimes this worked, sometimes the peltasts evaded far enough to fire out the pursuers, then turn on them before they could reach the safety of the phalanx.

3. Retreat to higher ground so it would take more energy to throw the javelin, so the peltasts would tire, and disperse.

Original concept by Stonecastle Graphics @ 1980. Improved on by Stephen Phenow

The Peltast in Classical Greece

Preface and Introduction
What is a Peltast?
Speed and Maneuverability
Equipment and Function
Effectiveness in Battle
Conclusion and Bibliography
Peltasts in Action Diagram (27K)
Peltasts on Attic Amphora (86K)
Peltasts on Attic Cup (73K)