The Elite Royal Companion is the level 4 Greek unique Heavy Cavalry unit unlocked at the Gunpowder Age. It can be upgraded to the Stradioti.
Trivia
- This is a "what if" unit introduced in the game, as the Companions were long gone during the Modern Age. The Companions (Greek: ἑταῖροι, hetairoi) were the elite cavalry of the Macedonian army from the time of king Philip II of Macedon and achieved their greatest prestige under Alexander the Great, and have been regarded as the best cavalry in the ancient world and the first shock cavalry. Chosen Companions/Hetairoi formed the elite guard of the king (Somatophylakes).
- In the 10th century, the Byzantine Empire fielded an elite unit known as 'The Company.' This unit was compromised mostly of foreigners and acted as part of the imperial guard(giving one idea of how much the rulers trusted their own people.) This unit served with distinction until the 12th century.