Javelin to wear the Spartans down, eventually routing them and killing just under half. This marked the first recorded occasion in ancient Greek military history in which a force entirely made up of peltasts had defeated a force of hoplites. The thureophoroi and thorakitai, who gradually replaced the peltasts, carried javelins in addition to a long thrusting spear and a short sword. Javelins were often used as an effective hunting weapon, the strap adding enough power to take down large game. Javelins were also used in the Ancient Olympics and other Panhellenic games. They were hurled in a certain direction and
Thracian language by ancient sources considered explicitly of Thracian origin and known meaning An additional 180 Thracian words have been reconstructed. The proposed Thracian words in the Ancient Greek lexicon are not numerous. They include the "parth-" element in Parthenon; "balios" ("dappled"; < PIE "*bhel-", "to shine", Bul. "bel/bial" (бял) "white" or "bljaskav" 'bright, shiny'; Pokorny also cites Illyrian as a possible source, the non-Greek origin is argued on phonological grounds), "bounos", "hill, mound". The Thracian horseman hero was an important figure in Thracian religion, mythology, and culture. Depictions of the Thracian Horseman are found in numerous archaeological remains and artifacts from