Description
Thracians are a people who in ancient times inhabited the areas of today's Bulgaria, as well as southern Romania and the European part of Turkey. Disputes as to whether it was an indigenous people or one who came from outside and conquered them continue in historiography to this day. The situation - with all the differences - is similar to the discussion about the origin of the Etruscans. For the sake of accuracy, it can be added that the supporters of the Thracians' migration indicate the time of their arrival in the areas they occupy either very distant times or in the 9th-8th centuries BC. However, these are only research hypotheses. What is certain is that they are attested in Greek sources from the classical and Hellenistic periods. It is also certain that the Thracians were a people known for their fighting qualities - they had a reputation for great and tough warriors who specialized in ranged combat, as infantry and light cavalry. Already in the classical period, they served as mercenary units in the armies of the Greek polis. They also served in the same capacity in the army of Philip II of Macedon and Alexander the Great. In the Macedonian army, they served primarily as light infantry. They were usually armed with two light javelins and a specific sword (sometimes classified as a long knife) with a curved blade called a sica. As a defensive weapon they used only shields - very often pelt. They did not use helmets or greaves.
