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- Feb 2, 2011
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JJDESIGNS NEWS UPDATE 1st SEPTEMBER 2025
CRETAN ARCHERS
Cretan archers were a well known class of warrior whose specialist skills were extensively utilized by many ancient armies. They were especially valued in armies such as those of the Greek city states, notably Athens, Sparta and later Macedonia, as well as Rome as these armies could not draw upon substantial numbers of skilled archers from their native populations.
Cretan archers carried a composite bow, which consisted of a wooden core with laminated layers of sinew and horn. These bows while difficult to string and use, they gave the professional Cretan archers greater range over the simple wooden bows of the citizen levies of other armies.
Cretan archers were widely recognized as being amongst the best light missile troops in the ancient world, and as such found employment as mercenaries in many armies, including the armies of Alexander the Great.
Eurybotas was the toxarch, meaning the captain of the archers employed by Alexander.
During the retreat of the ten thousand following the Battle of Cunexa in 401 BC, Xenophon’s hoplites were able to hold off pursuing Persian troops, with the aid of the Cretan archers who formed part of the Greek mercenary army.
On this occasion the Cretans, cut off from supplies, were able to gather and reuse the spent Persian arrows while seizing bowstrings from local peasantry.
Following the conquest of Macedonia and the independent Greek city-states, Cretan archers served as auxiliaries in the Roman army, as reformed by Gaius Marius under the Republic, and later that of the Empire.
They were armed with secondary weapons for use at close quarters, included a sword and small round shields. This undoubtedly gave the Cretan warriors a huge advantage in skirmishing with other light troops.
Crete remained part of the Byzantine Empire until seized by Venice in the aftermath of the Fourth Crusade. During much of this period the island was a Theme (military province), providing both archers and sailors for the Byzantine forces.
In 1452 Venice granted specific permission for Byzantium to resume recruitment of Cretans. One of the last occasions on which Cretan archers are known to have played a significant role was as part of the garrison defending Constantinople against the Turkish army of Mehmet II in May 1453.
THE ACHAEMENID PERSIAN ARMY
PERSIAN SLINGERS
Adding support to the recent Kardake Light Infantry will be some new Achaemenid Persian slingers.
Xenophon records the slings shot stones “as big as one’s fist” but which had only half the range of the smaller Rhodian lead sling-bullets.
Later Macedonian and Seleucid Kyrtii slingers, which escorted their elephants were in similar dress.
THE CARTHAGINIANS
BALEARIC SLINGERS
The Balearic slingers launched bullets that had a speed of 160 kilometers per hour (one hundred miles per hour). They could hit their opponents at a distance of 400 meters (1,300 feet) but were deadliest at a distance of 120 meters (400 feet).
An experienced slinger could make seven shots per minute.
They carried three slings, one around their head, one around their waist, and the third in their hands. Different slings were used to hit targets at different distances. The longer the sling, the larger distance it could cover.
They manufactured the bullets for slings from stone, lead, or clay.
Some sling bullets had holes to give off a buzzing sound, reminiscent of an agitated wasp. This was an ancient form of psychological warfare.
Often, the bullets contained inscriptions and images. The most common were the images of a lightning bolt, a snake, or a scorpion. Some bullets had inscriptions such as: “Take this”, “Catch”, “Ouch”, or “Get pregnant with this".
The Balearic Islands are a Spanish archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. Today, these islands are best known as tourist destinations, with the islands of Ibiza and Mallorca being especially popular.
However, in antiquity, the Balearic Islands were best known for the deadliest slingers in the Mediterranean.
The Balearic slingers were a coveted asset of every army of antiquity.
The name for the Balearic Islands originated from the Greek word “ballo” which means “to launch.”
The Balearic slingers started training as soon as they could walk. Supposedly, mothers didn’t give their children food until they could hit their targets.
Years and years of practice made slinging their second nature and turned these slingers into game-changing warriors on the battlefield.
During the second Punic War (218-201BC) the Carthaginian master general Hannibal wreaked havoc in Roman Italy. The Romans were terrified of the invisible killers, the Balearic slingers.
The Carthaginians recognized the skill of the slingers and tried to hire as many of them as possible. Interestingly the slingers didn’t want gold, they demanded to be paid with wine and women.
Once the Romans defeated the Carthaginians they made sure that the Balearic slingers became part of the auxiliary units of the Roman legions.
The use of slings slowly faded away. It took years and years of practice to train warriors to efficiently use this weapon. In the Middle Ages, bowmen required less effort to train than slingers. Eventually, bows were replaced by firearms, the usage of which could be taught in a matter of weeks.
We could say technological advancement made the Balearic slingers obsolete. However, history will remember them for their skills, terrifying reputation, and admiration from foes and friends alike.
PLEASE NOTE THE FIRST OF THE CRETAN ARCHERS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN OCTOBER.
THE NEW BALEARIC SLINGERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM JANUARY 2026
THE PERSIAN SLINGERS WILL BE AVAILABLE NEXT SUMMER.
Best wishes,
john jenkins
CRETAN ARCHERS
Cretan archers were a well known class of warrior whose specialist skills were extensively utilized by many ancient armies. They were especially valued in armies such as those of the Greek city states, notably Athens, Sparta and later Macedonia, as well as Rome as these armies could not draw upon substantial numbers of skilled archers from their native populations.
Cretan archers carried a composite bow, which consisted of a wooden core with laminated layers of sinew and horn. These bows while difficult to string and use, they gave the professional Cretan archers greater range over the simple wooden bows of the citizen levies of other armies.
Cretan archers were widely recognized as being amongst the best light missile troops in the ancient world, and as such found employment as mercenaries in many armies, including the armies of Alexander the Great.
Eurybotas was the toxarch, meaning the captain of the archers employed by Alexander.
During the retreat of the ten thousand following the Battle of Cunexa in 401 BC, Xenophon’s hoplites were able to hold off pursuing Persian troops, with the aid of the Cretan archers who formed part of the Greek mercenary army.
On this occasion the Cretans, cut off from supplies, were able to gather and reuse the spent Persian arrows while seizing bowstrings from local peasantry.
Following the conquest of Macedonia and the independent Greek city-states, Cretan archers served as auxiliaries in the Roman army, as reformed by Gaius Marius under the Republic, and later that of the Empire.
They were armed with secondary weapons for use at close quarters, included a sword and small round shields. This undoubtedly gave the Cretan warriors a huge advantage in skirmishing with other light troops.
Crete remained part of the Byzantine Empire until seized by Venice in the aftermath of the Fourth Crusade. During much of this period the island was a Theme (military province), providing both archers and sailors for the Byzantine forces.
In 1452 Venice granted specific permission for Byzantium to resume recruitment of Cretans. One of the last occasions on which Cretan archers are known to have played a significant role was as part of the garrison defending Constantinople against the Turkish army of Mehmet II in May 1453.
THE ACHAEMENID PERSIAN ARMY
PERSIAN SLINGERS
Adding support to the recent Kardake Light Infantry will be some new Achaemenid Persian slingers.
Xenophon records the slings shot stones “as big as one’s fist” but which had only half the range of the smaller Rhodian lead sling-bullets.
Later Macedonian and Seleucid Kyrtii slingers, which escorted their elephants were in similar dress.
THE CARTHAGINIANS
BALEARIC SLINGERS
The Balearic slingers launched bullets that had a speed of 160 kilometers per hour (one hundred miles per hour). They could hit their opponents at a distance of 400 meters (1,300 feet) but were deadliest at a distance of 120 meters (400 feet).
An experienced slinger could make seven shots per minute.
They carried three slings, one around their head, one around their waist, and the third in their hands. Different slings were used to hit targets at different distances. The longer the sling, the larger distance it could cover.
They manufactured the bullets for slings from stone, lead, or clay.
Some sling bullets had holes to give off a buzzing sound, reminiscent of an agitated wasp. This was an ancient form of psychological warfare.
Often, the bullets contained inscriptions and images. The most common were the images of a lightning bolt, a snake, or a scorpion. Some bullets had inscriptions such as: “Take this”, “Catch”, “Ouch”, or “Get pregnant with this".
The Balearic Islands are a Spanish archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. Today, these islands are best known as tourist destinations, with the islands of Ibiza and Mallorca being especially popular.
However, in antiquity, the Balearic Islands were best known for the deadliest slingers in the Mediterranean.
The Balearic slingers were a coveted asset of every army of antiquity.
The name for the Balearic Islands originated from the Greek word “ballo” which means “to launch.”
The Balearic slingers started training as soon as they could walk. Supposedly, mothers didn’t give their children food until they could hit their targets.
Years and years of practice made slinging their second nature and turned these slingers into game-changing warriors on the battlefield.
During the second Punic War (218-201BC) the Carthaginian master general Hannibal wreaked havoc in Roman Italy. The Romans were terrified of the invisible killers, the Balearic slingers.
The Carthaginians recognized the skill of the slingers and tried to hire as many of them as possible. Interestingly the slingers didn’t want gold, they demanded to be paid with wine and women.
Once the Romans defeated the Carthaginians they made sure that the Balearic slingers became part of the auxiliary units of the Roman legions.
The use of slings slowly faded away. It took years and years of practice to train warriors to efficiently use this weapon. In the Middle Ages, bowmen required less effort to train than slingers. Eventually, bows were replaced by firearms, the usage of which could be taught in a matter of weeks.
We could say technological advancement made the Balearic slingers obsolete. However, history will remember them for their skills, terrifying reputation, and admiration from foes and friends alike.
PLEASE NOTE THE FIRST OF THE CRETAN ARCHERS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN OCTOBER.
THE NEW BALEARIC SLINGERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM JANUARY 2026
THE PERSIAN SLINGERS WILL BE AVAILABLE NEXT SUMMER.
Best wishes,
john jenkins
