khelvan
04-30-2005, 07:45
Greetings Europa Barbarorum fans!
As you know, leading up to the release of the open beta, we are highlighting a different faction every week. For those of you who are concerned: No, it will not take 20 weeks to release the beta. However, we cannot yet give you a definitive date. I will announce a release date to everyone when the team is ready to do so.
Please forgive the lack of attributions here; Prometheus and Adherbal worked on a good number of these, but this is a team effort. All of our artists are all very talented, and each artist will be properly recognized for contributions in our readme files. Also, please forgive both the unfinished look of some of the units, and the improper grammar/spelling - these are all considered WIPs. Today the focus is on the faction.
http://img252.echo.cx/img252/7213/carthage5shield12848248vr.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)http://img252.echo.cx/img252/8826/mapcarthage8zt.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
This week we are proud to present Tsorim: The people of Kart-Hadasht.
Some units in action:
http://img252.echo.cx/img252/5978/actiontsorimadvance5vw.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
http://img252.echo.cx/img252/1402/actiontsorimunderfire4fn.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
http://img177.echo.cx/img177/73/actionforbaal1dc.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
http://img177.echo.cx/img177/7185/actionhastatibiteit1lp.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
http://img252.echo.cx/img252/7905/actionmilitiatriarii1ru.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
http://img252.echo.cx/img252/2616/actionpoorequites8rh.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
http://img252.echo.cx/img252/6371/actionpoorhastati29ar.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
http://img252.echo.cx/img252/1803/actionpoorhastati7ri.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
http://img252.echo.cx/img252/3228/actionprincipessurprise9io.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
(Unit camera shy!)
The Phoenician citizens of Carthage decided long ago that they were too few in number to make up a major part of the regular army of the city. Their wealth made it possible for them to hire vast amounts of mercenaries to fight for them. Because of this, most Carthaginian citizens only fight when there is a need for the defense of Carthage itself. When they do fight, they fight as a particularly well armored militia phalanx. They wear linen armor and attic style helmets, copied from the Greeks of Sicily. The Carthaginian citizens favor the light and handy ovular thureos shield instead of the large bronze hoplon. Still, they are militia, and should not be expected to hold crucial portions of the battle line for any significant amount of time. They are brave, but it is a bravery borne of desperation. They will not hold long if flanked or if hit with a better Phalanx.
Historically, a Carthaginian citizen phalanx was of poor quality. They lived pampered lifestyles in comparison to citizens of other nations, and their abilities reflect this. Carthage did not use citizens outside of elite military units unless there was a dire need to do so. They were used during the Roman invasion in the first Punic War and at the battle of Zama to little effect. Citizens who wished a martial career could join the cavalry or the Sacred Bands. There was little incentive for merchants to fight wars…
http://img260.echo.cx/img260/2180/unit8caetratii3am.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
The Iberians are famous the world over for their extremely versatile and excellent quality light infantry. Both the native Iberian chieftains and the Carthaginians take advantage of these falcata and buckler (caetra) armed men. They carry excellent quality swords and are armored with good bronze helmets and a bronze breastplate. These men are a step above normal light infantry, and they can be relied upon to defeat far more heavily armored opponents in battle. They are vulnerable in the extreme to cavalry though, due to their lack of armor and anti-cavalry weapons.
Historically, Iberian Caetratii were among the most feared opponents of the Romans. With their martial art of sword and buckler fighting they were excellent in single combat and were often able to ambush and kill Roman soldiers in this manner. In unit combat, they were almost as fierce, easily equaling the Roman Hastati. They were generally drawn from the poorer classes, since those who had more money would become Scutarii. Hannibal lavished upon his Caetratii, and many of them wore white linen tunics with a crimson border, whereas the poorer Iberian Caetratii wore off-white wool tunics.
http://img260.echo.cx/img260/7481/unit9scutarii0pp.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
Iberian Scutarii are the rank and file heavy infantry of both Carthage and the Iberian tribes. They are armed with spears and two solifera. They wear good quality leather armor with a bronze disc (in the Gallic style) protecting their chest. The Scutarii carry an ovular shield, showing obvious Celtic influence. They also have good quality bronze helmets that protect them from the rigors of battle. When all this equipment is put together you are left with an extremely versatile and quick heavy infantry. The Scutarii fight in a densely packed formation, much like the Romans they most often fight. The Scutarii have the advantage of speed over their Roman enemy, an advantage that they exploit in the sort of hit and run warfare that characterizes the combat in the hills of the Iberian Peninsula. The only real difference between those in Carthaginian service and those in Iberian service is that Carthaginian commanders issue white tunics with crimson borders to differentiate them and make them appear uniform with the rest of a Carthaginian army.
Historically, the Scutarii were present at many major battles throughout the Punic wars and the guerilla campaigns in Iberia after the Carthaginian presence there was extinguished. They gave a good account of themselves and were much feared by their Roman enemy. The Romans incorporated the design of the javelins they used into their own pilum.
http://img260.echo.cx/img260/8571/unit10libyanspearmen9pw.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
http://img260.echo.cx/img260/6949/unit12libyanheavyspear3yz.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
Due to the practical unwillingness of its citizen body to fight, the Carthaginians have trained and equipped these Libyan peasants to fight as reliable spearmen. In the early part of the third century, they were re-equipped to fight in the same manner as Greek Thureophoroi. They are armored with good linen, Thracian style helmets, and do not tire easily. They have sturdy spears and good javelins, but lack the élan and professionalism of the Greek Thureophoroi. Battle tested Libyans can prove themselves against the deadliest of foes, however. For all this, they are not a good match for heavier infantry or good heavy cavalry. They can be relied upon as good medium infantry, able to skirmish and fight with their spears to good effect.
Historically, Libyan spearmen were recruited by the Carthaginians in large numbers. They came from both client kingdoms under the proverbial Carthaginian thumb and the Libyan peasantry that worked Carthage’s fields. They were not particularly prone to rebellion and civil strife, but there are notable exceptions (after the first Punic War, for example). Carthage relied upon these men quite extensively, and they usually formed the backbone of the infantry when Carthage conducted campaigns in Africa.
http://img260.echo.cx/img260/6353/unit3lpinf1lk.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
The Liby-Phoenicians are a result of a mixing of Phoenician and Libyan races, and are the product of many a Phoenician lord ‘dallying’ with his peasants and slaves. There were a huge number of these half-breed men, so the Carthaginians used them in the army. They were armed and armored much the same as their Greek enemies on Sicily. They were armored in a linen cuirass, Thracian helmets, and bronze greaves. They have the traditional round shield of the Greek hoplite, but use longer spears with the underhand thrust, much like the reformed hoplites of the Greek mainland. They are a quality phalanx, able to stand up to both Romans and their Greek counterparts. They lack the heavy armor necessary to provide a huge amount of staying power on the battlefield against heavier infantry, however. This is a problem that led to the adoption of mail armor later.
Historically, the Liby-Phoenicians were present at every major battle of the Carthaginian wars. They gave good accounts of themselves against Romans, Libyans, Italians, Greeks, and Iberians. They were and are great phalanx spearmen, well able to stand up to most other regular infantry. They were later armored with captured or copied Roman style armor.
http://img260.echo.cx/img260/527/unit6lpheavyinf9gp.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
The Liby-Phoenicians are a result of a mixing of Phoenician and Libyan races, and are the product of many a Phoenician lord ‘dallying’ with his peasants and slaves. There were a huge number of these half-breed men, so the Carthaginians used them in the army. They were armed and armored much the same as their Greek enemies on Sicily. They were armored in a mail shirt, Thracian helmets, and bronze greaves. They have the traditional round shield of the Greek hoplite, but use longer spears with the underhand thrust, much like the reformed hoplites of the Greek mainland. They are a quality phalanx, able to stand up to both Romans and their Greek counterparts. These Liby-Phoenicians have been re-armed with mail shirts, allowing them to take a role as a heavy phalanx infantry. Additionally, their training has improved due to Greek advisors and better Phoenician commanders, so they are well able to double as sword-armed close combat infantry as well.
Historically, the Liby-Phoenicians were present at every major battle of the Carthaginian wars. They gave good accounts of themselves against Romans, Libyans, Italians, Greeks, and Iberians. They were and are great phalanx spearmen, well able to stand up to most other regular infantry. They were later armored with captured or copied Roman style armor.
http://users.skynet.be/Carthaginian/EB/eliteafr6.jpg
The elite African Infantry represent both an adaptation to Roman tactics, and a force of extremely well trained and motivated soldiers whose purpose is to fight as a tough and seasoned heavy infantry. They wield good Iberian short swords, carry Iberian Scuta, and wear Roman mail armor with greaves and bracers. They fight much like Roman legionaries, but with a level of Élan and discipline rarely seen in any army. They’re made up of tough Liby-Phoenicians or poor Carthaginian citizens who made a career for themselves in the Army. They’re extremely loyal and simply vicious in attack or defense. They are also experts at ambushing enemy soldiers. These men are at the top of their class, and can be relied upon in any situation. If they have one weakness it is the same as the Roman soldiers they most often fight, heavy cavalry.
Historically, these men were used to great effect in the momentous battle of Cannae. They surrounded and slaughtered the Roman soldiers in what is today recognized as the classic double envelopment. Without the tremendous skill and élan that these men were possessed of, it would simply have been impossible. Their heavy handed guerilla tactics proved to be a constant thorn in the Roman side. They were deserving of the moniker that Livy gave them: ‘The flower of the Carthaginian army’.
http://img177.echo.cx/img177/3425/unit5eliteafricaninf9hz.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
The Elite African Pikemen are two things: an elite infantry of picked men and a reply to the Successor's tactics. Although recruited from the Carthaginian population to be part of their infantry, these men are the ones that distiguished themselves in battle in many occasions. As very experienced and prized veterans, they are supported by the state, and as such, have extremely good equipment. Like most of the Successor's battle line, they fight as Macedonian-style phalangites weilding the long sarissae. They are a nearly impervious wall from the front, and, although like any phalangite unit, vulnerable from the sides or back, can hold their own in closer combat due to their proficiency with swords. Even the heaviest cavalry is no match for the Elite African Pikeman as long as they’re presenting their spears in the direction of their attacker. Only a flanking maneuver by heavy cavalry or heavy infantry has a chance of breaking them in a melee.
Historically, together with the famed Elite African Infantry, these men were used to great effect in many important battles. Their imperviousness, esprit de corps and élan secured many times the Carthaginian line. Their rareness did not allow them to distinguish themselves in more situations against the Roman opponent. Had they been trained in greater quantities and used in a more frequent and supported role, history would, perhaps, say otherwise. In any event, they were deserving of the moniker that Livy gave to their bretheren: ‘The flower of the Carthaginian army’.
http://img177.echo.cx/img177/2003/unit2citizencav8qs.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
Carthaginian citizens have a tradition of fine cavalry from the lower nobility, and these men are the embodiment of that tradition. They are good horsemen with good equipment, enough to put them on a par with most other medium cavalry. They are armed with a lance (a Greek xyston), which makes their charge deadly in the extreme. They are disciplined and have high morale, for they are fighting for their homeland. For all this, they cannot stand up against heavier cavalry or good spearmen for very long, due to their lack of a shield and their light linen armor. They are best used as a medium shock cavalry, and since their fast horses are crossbreeds of Iberian and Numidian breeds, they are able to run down most fleeing soldiers.
Historically, these men were of great use in the Mammertine War that followed the first Punic War. They were able to hold the flanks at tremendous odds. They were a well trained group of lancers who formed a reliable medium cavalry for the Carthaginian State.
http://img177.echo.cx/img177/5079/unit4sbinfantry3iy.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
The Sacred Band are an elite infantry of a different kind than the Elite Africans. Trained from a young age to be tough phalanx spearmen, these men are from wealthy Carthaginian families, and as such have extremely good equipment. They are trained from birth to be great warriors and they are able to afford high quality armor and weapons. They fight as a traditional Phalanx organized in the Spartan style. They are a nearly impervious wall from the front and are extremely hard to flank due to the fact that they are as proficient with their swords as with their spears. Even the heaviest cavalry is no match for the Sacred Band as long as they’re presenting their spears in the direction of their attacker. Only a flanking maneuver by heavy cavalry or heavy infantry has a chance of breaking them in a melee. They are good with their swords as well, often able to provide an elite assault infantry when required. They’re really too heavy for the role, but can excel as a shock infantry when needed.
The Sacred Band was a group of soldiers that were dedicated to Baal, the great father God of the Phoenician/Canaanite pantheon. They were all members of the nobility, and were called upon to fight their country’s wars as an elite unit that formed the right wing of the phalanx. They were all slaughtered in Sicily by the armies of Syracuse in the fifth century BC, but many records speak of an elite unit that fought on the right wing of the Phalanx long after their demise. Perhaps the Carthaginians simply did not wish to tempt fate with a name like the Sacred Band again…
http://img177.echo.cx/img177/5571/unit11sbcav6tq.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
The Sacred Band Cavalry are trained from birth to be a superb heavy cavalry force. Their superbly bred Iberian horses are barded with fine lacquered lamellar and are trained by the finest Iberian horse trainers. The men themselves are picked at birth from noble families to serve the priesthood of Astarte and are trained from the outset as horsemen. Their training and discipline is such that they can be included among the world’s finest heavy cavalry. Armed with finely forged lances and falcate swords they are nearly irresistible in the charge and versatile in melee, though not so versatile as the heavy Iberian cavalry. They usually do not use the shield in mounted combat, preferring to sling it over the shoulder and use both hands to manipulate their fearsome lance. Their lack of a shield is made up for by their superb training and fine lacquered steel breastplates, bracers and greaves. They fight with a level of élan and ferocity that is seldom matched, if ever.
Historically, these men served in small units during every one of Carthage’s major campaigns. They were kept out of the battle of Zama due to the machinations of the anti-Barcid party in the Senate. Had the thousand strong Sacred Band been present, the battle might have turned out very different…
Some surprises may be found in Carthaginian territory:
http://img228.echo.cx/img228/2101/balereasscreen19qn.th.jpg (http://img228.echo.cx/my.php?image=balereasscreen19qn.jpg)
Finally, Teleklos has put together some wallpaper as a little bonus for the fans:
http://img41.echo.cx/img41/13/carthagewallpaper16lj.th.jpg (http://img41.echo.cx/my.php?image=carthagewallpaper16lj.jpg)
We hope you enjoyed this week's preview and look forward to our faction showcase next week.
Please note that unless stated otherwise, ALL pictures shown in our news posts are of works in progress. We continue to improve on all parts of EB, and will do so long after our initial release.
As always, if you have questions or comments, the best place to post them would be here:
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=70
Or here:
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/index.php?showforum=60
We give special thanks to http://www.imageshack.us who provide us with a simple, foolproof, and free way to show you all these pictures each week.
Have a wonderful day!
Sincerely,
-the EB team
As you know, leading up to the release of the open beta, we are highlighting a different faction every week. For those of you who are concerned: No, it will not take 20 weeks to release the beta. However, we cannot yet give you a definitive date. I will announce a release date to everyone when the team is ready to do so.
Please forgive the lack of attributions here; Prometheus and Adherbal worked on a good number of these, but this is a team effort. All of our artists are all very talented, and each artist will be properly recognized for contributions in our readme files. Also, please forgive both the unfinished look of some of the units, and the improper grammar/spelling - these are all considered WIPs. Today the focus is on the faction.
http://img252.echo.cx/img252/7213/carthage5shield12848248vr.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)http://img252.echo.cx/img252/8826/mapcarthage8zt.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
This week we are proud to present Tsorim: The people of Kart-Hadasht.
Some units in action:
http://img252.echo.cx/img252/5978/actiontsorimadvance5vw.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
http://img252.echo.cx/img252/1402/actiontsorimunderfire4fn.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
http://img177.echo.cx/img177/73/actionforbaal1dc.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
http://img177.echo.cx/img177/7185/actionhastatibiteit1lp.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
http://img252.echo.cx/img252/7905/actionmilitiatriarii1ru.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
http://img252.echo.cx/img252/2616/actionpoorequites8rh.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
http://img252.echo.cx/img252/6371/actionpoorhastati29ar.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
http://img252.echo.cx/img252/1803/actionpoorhastati7ri.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
http://img252.echo.cx/img252/3228/actionprincipessurprise9io.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
(Unit camera shy!)
The Phoenician citizens of Carthage decided long ago that they were too few in number to make up a major part of the regular army of the city. Their wealth made it possible for them to hire vast amounts of mercenaries to fight for them. Because of this, most Carthaginian citizens only fight when there is a need for the defense of Carthage itself. When they do fight, they fight as a particularly well armored militia phalanx. They wear linen armor and attic style helmets, copied from the Greeks of Sicily. The Carthaginian citizens favor the light and handy ovular thureos shield instead of the large bronze hoplon. Still, they are militia, and should not be expected to hold crucial portions of the battle line for any significant amount of time. They are brave, but it is a bravery borne of desperation. They will not hold long if flanked or if hit with a better Phalanx.
Historically, a Carthaginian citizen phalanx was of poor quality. They lived pampered lifestyles in comparison to citizens of other nations, and their abilities reflect this. Carthage did not use citizens outside of elite military units unless there was a dire need to do so. They were used during the Roman invasion in the first Punic War and at the battle of Zama to little effect. Citizens who wished a martial career could join the cavalry or the Sacred Bands. There was little incentive for merchants to fight wars…
http://img260.echo.cx/img260/2180/unit8caetratii3am.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
The Iberians are famous the world over for their extremely versatile and excellent quality light infantry. Both the native Iberian chieftains and the Carthaginians take advantage of these falcata and buckler (caetra) armed men. They carry excellent quality swords and are armored with good bronze helmets and a bronze breastplate. These men are a step above normal light infantry, and they can be relied upon to defeat far more heavily armored opponents in battle. They are vulnerable in the extreme to cavalry though, due to their lack of armor and anti-cavalry weapons.
Historically, Iberian Caetratii were among the most feared opponents of the Romans. With their martial art of sword and buckler fighting they were excellent in single combat and were often able to ambush and kill Roman soldiers in this manner. In unit combat, they were almost as fierce, easily equaling the Roman Hastati. They were generally drawn from the poorer classes, since those who had more money would become Scutarii. Hannibal lavished upon his Caetratii, and many of them wore white linen tunics with a crimson border, whereas the poorer Iberian Caetratii wore off-white wool tunics.
http://img260.echo.cx/img260/7481/unit9scutarii0pp.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
Iberian Scutarii are the rank and file heavy infantry of both Carthage and the Iberian tribes. They are armed with spears and two solifera. They wear good quality leather armor with a bronze disc (in the Gallic style) protecting their chest. The Scutarii carry an ovular shield, showing obvious Celtic influence. They also have good quality bronze helmets that protect them from the rigors of battle. When all this equipment is put together you are left with an extremely versatile and quick heavy infantry. The Scutarii fight in a densely packed formation, much like the Romans they most often fight. The Scutarii have the advantage of speed over their Roman enemy, an advantage that they exploit in the sort of hit and run warfare that characterizes the combat in the hills of the Iberian Peninsula. The only real difference between those in Carthaginian service and those in Iberian service is that Carthaginian commanders issue white tunics with crimson borders to differentiate them and make them appear uniform with the rest of a Carthaginian army.
Historically, the Scutarii were present at many major battles throughout the Punic wars and the guerilla campaigns in Iberia after the Carthaginian presence there was extinguished. They gave a good account of themselves and were much feared by their Roman enemy. The Romans incorporated the design of the javelins they used into their own pilum.
http://img260.echo.cx/img260/8571/unit10libyanspearmen9pw.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
http://img260.echo.cx/img260/6949/unit12libyanheavyspear3yz.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
Due to the practical unwillingness of its citizen body to fight, the Carthaginians have trained and equipped these Libyan peasants to fight as reliable spearmen. In the early part of the third century, they were re-equipped to fight in the same manner as Greek Thureophoroi. They are armored with good linen, Thracian style helmets, and do not tire easily. They have sturdy spears and good javelins, but lack the élan and professionalism of the Greek Thureophoroi. Battle tested Libyans can prove themselves against the deadliest of foes, however. For all this, they are not a good match for heavier infantry or good heavy cavalry. They can be relied upon as good medium infantry, able to skirmish and fight with their spears to good effect.
Historically, Libyan spearmen were recruited by the Carthaginians in large numbers. They came from both client kingdoms under the proverbial Carthaginian thumb and the Libyan peasantry that worked Carthage’s fields. They were not particularly prone to rebellion and civil strife, but there are notable exceptions (after the first Punic War, for example). Carthage relied upon these men quite extensively, and they usually formed the backbone of the infantry when Carthage conducted campaigns in Africa.
http://img260.echo.cx/img260/6353/unit3lpinf1lk.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
The Liby-Phoenicians are a result of a mixing of Phoenician and Libyan races, and are the product of many a Phoenician lord ‘dallying’ with his peasants and slaves. There were a huge number of these half-breed men, so the Carthaginians used them in the army. They were armed and armored much the same as their Greek enemies on Sicily. They were armored in a linen cuirass, Thracian helmets, and bronze greaves. They have the traditional round shield of the Greek hoplite, but use longer spears with the underhand thrust, much like the reformed hoplites of the Greek mainland. They are a quality phalanx, able to stand up to both Romans and their Greek counterparts. They lack the heavy armor necessary to provide a huge amount of staying power on the battlefield against heavier infantry, however. This is a problem that led to the adoption of mail armor later.
Historically, the Liby-Phoenicians were present at every major battle of the Carthaginian wars. They gave good accounts of themselves against Romans, Libyans, Italians, Greeks, and Iberians. They were and are great phalanx spearmen, well able to stand up to most other regular infantry. They were later armored with captured or copied Roman style armor.
http://img260.echo.cx/img260/527/unit6lpheavyinf9gp.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
The Liby-Phoenicians are a result of a mixing of Phoenician and Libyan races, and are the product of many a Phoenician lord ‘dallying’ with his peasants and slaves. There were a huge number of these half-breed men, so the Carthaginians used them in the army. They were armed and armored much the same as their Greek enemies on Sicily. They were armored in a mail shirt, Thracian helmets, and bronze greaves. They have the traditional round shield of the Greek hoplite, but use longer spears with the underhand thrust, much like the reformed hoplites of the Greek mainland. They are a quality phalanx, able to stand up to both Romans and their Greek counterparts. These Liby-Phoenicians have been re-armed with mail shirts, allowing them to take a role as a heavy phalanx infantry. Additionally, their training has improved due to Greek advisors and better Phoenician commanders, so they are well able to double as sword-armed close combat infantry as well.
Historically, the Liby-Phoenicians were present at every major battle of the Carthaginian wars. They gave good accounts of themselves against Romans, Libyans, Italians, Greeks, and Iberians. They were and are great phalanx spearmen, well able to stand up to most other regular infantry. They were later armored with captured or copied Roman style armor.
http://users.skynet.be/Carthaginian/EB/eliteafr6.jpg
The elite African Infantry represent both an adaptation to Roman tactics, and a force of extremely well trained and motivated soldiers whose purpose is to fight as a tough and seasoned heavy infantry. They wield good Iberian short swords, carry Iberian Scuta, and wear Roman mail armor with greaves and bracers. They fight much like Roman legionaries, but with a level of Élan and discipline rarely seen in any army. They’re made up of tough Liby-Phoenicians or poor Carthaginian citizens who made a career for themselves in the Army. They’re extremely loyal and simply vicious in attack or defense. They are also experts at ambushing enemy soldiers. These men are at the top of their class, and can be relied upon in any situation. If they have one weakness it is the same as the Roman soldiers they most often fight, heavy cavalry.
Historically, these men were used to great effect in the momentous battle of Cannae. They surrounded and slaughtered the Roman soldiers in what is today recognized as the classic double envelopment. Without the tremendous skill and élan that these men were possessed of, it would simply have been impossible. Their heavy handed guerilla tactics proved to be a constant thorn in the Roman side. They were deserving of the moniker that Livy gave them: ‘The flower of the Carthaginian army’.
http://img177.echo.cx/img177/3425/unit5eliteafricaninf9hz.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
The Elite African Pikemen are two things: an elite infantry of picked men and a reply to the Successor's tactics. Although recruited from the Carthaginian population to be part of their infantry, these men are the ones that distiguished themselves in battle in many occasions. As very experienced and prized veterans, they are supported by the state, and as such, have extremely good equipment. Like most of the Successor's battle line, they fight as Macedonian-style phalangites weilding the long sarissae. They are a nearly impervious wall from the front, and, although like any phalangite unit, vulnerable from the sides or back, can hold their own in closer combat due to their proficiency with swords. Even the heaviest cavalry is no match for the Elite African Pikeman as long as they’re presenting their spears in the direction of their attacker. Only a flanking maneuver by heavy cavalry or heavy infantry has a chance of breaking them in a melee.
Historically, together with the famed Elite African Infantry, these men were used to great effect in many important battles. Their imperviousness, esprit de corps and élan secured many times the Carthaginian line. Their rareness did not allow them to distinguish themselves in more situations against the Roman opponent. Had they been trained in greater quantities and used in a more frequent and supported role, history would, perhaps, say otherwise. In any event, they were deserving of the moniker that Livy gave to their bretheren: ‘The flower of the Carthaginian army’.
http://img177.echo.cx/img177/2003/unit2citizencav8qs.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
Carthaginian citizens have a tradition of fine cavalry from the lower nobility, and these men are the embodiment of that tradition. They are good horsemen with good equipment, enough to put them on a par with most other medium cavalry. They are armed with a lance (a Greek xyston), which makes their charge deadly in the extreme. They are disciplined and have high morale, for they are fighting for their homeland. For all this, they cannot stand up against heavier cavalry or good spearmen for very long, due to their lack of a shield and their light linen armor. They are best used as a medium shock cavalry, and since their fast horses are crossbreeds of Iberian and Numidian breeds, they are able to run down most fleeing soldiers.
Historically, these men were of great use in the Mammertine War that followed the first Punic War. They were able to hold the flanks at tremendous odds. They were a well trained group of lancers who formed a reliable medium cavalry for the Carthaginian State.
http://img177.echo.cx/img177/5079/unit4sbinfantry3iy.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
The Sacred Band are an elite infantry of a different kind than the Elite Africans. Trained from a young age to be tough phalanx spearmen, these men are from wealthy Carthaginian families, and as such have extremely good equipment. They are trained from birth to be great warriors and they are able to afford high quality armor and weapons. They fight as a traditional Phalanx organized in the Spartan style. They are a nearly impervious wall from the front and are extremely hard to flank due to the fact that they are as proficient with their swords as with their spears. Even the heaviest cavalry is no match for the Sacred Band as long as they’re presenting their spears in the direction of their attacker. Only a flanking maneuver by heavy cavalry or heavy infantry has a chance of breaking them in a melee. They are good with their swords as well, often able to provide an elite assault infantry when required. They’re really too heavy for the role, but can excel as a shock infantry when needed.
The Sacred Band was a group of soldiers that were dedicated to Baal, the great father God of the Phoenician/Canaanite pantheon. They were all members of the nobility, and were called upon to fight their country’s wars as an elite unit that formed the right wing of the phalanx. They were all slaughtered in Sicily by the armies of Syracuse in the fifth century BC, but many records speak of an elite unit that fought on the right wing of the Phalanx long after their demise. Perhaps the Carthaginians simply did not wish to tempt fate with a name like the Sacred Band again…
http://img177.echo.cx/img177/5571/unit11sbcav6tq.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
The Sacred Band Cavalry are trained from birth to be a superb heavy cavalry force. Their superbly bred Iberian horses are barded with fine lacquered lamellar and are trained by the finest Iberian horse trainers. The men themselves are picked at birth from noble families to serve the priesthood of Astarte and are trained from the outset as horsemen. Their training and discipline is such that they can be included among the world’s finest heavy cavalry. Armed with finely forged lances and falcate swords they are nearly irresistible in the charge and versatile in melee, though not so versatile as the heavy Iberian cavalry. They usually do not use the shield in mounted combat, preferring to sling it over the shoulder and use both hands to manipulate their fearsome lance. Their lack of a shield is made up for by their superb training and fine lacquered steel breastplates, bracers and greaves. They fight with a level of élan and ferocity that is seldom matched, if ever.
Historically, these men served in small units during every one of Carthage’s major campaigns. They were kept out of the battle of Zama due to the machinations of the anti-Barcid party in the Senate. Had the thousand strong Sacred Band been present, the battle might have turned out very different…
Some surprises may be found in Carthaginian territory:
http://img228.echo.cx/img228/2101/balereasscreen19qn.th.jpg (http://img228.echo.cx/my.php?image=balereasscreen19qn.jpg)
Finally, Teleklos has put together some wallpaper as a little bonus for the fans:
http://img41.echo.cx/img41/13/carthagewallpaper16lj.th.jpg (http://img41.echo.cx/my.php?image=carthagewallpaper16lj.jpg)
We hope you enjoyed this week's preview and look forward to our faction showcase next week.
Please note that unless stated otherwise, ALL pictures shown in our news posts are of works in progress. We continue to improve on all parts of EB, and will do so long after our initial release.
As always, if you have questions or comments, the best place to post them would be here:
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=70
Or here:
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/index.php?showforum=60
We give special thanks to http://www.imageshack.us who provide us with a simple, foolproof, and free way to show you all these pictures each week.
Have a wonderful day!
Sincerely,
-the EB team