spirit_of_rob
02-01-2006, 01:48
https://img334.imageshack.us/img334/5012/hegemoniabannerfinal3x8002ke.jpg
Faction Preview:
Lacedaemon (Sparta)
Models : Dark Fernir , Skins: Dark Fenrir , Additional Art :Lupus
https://img113.imageshack.us/img113/4908/lacedaimoniconfaction9hi9wr.jpg
Here we have the Greek letter "Lamda" for the faction icon. Even though the "Lambda" wasn't used at the time of the Persian Invasions and was only introduced roughly about the time of the Pelloponesian Wars, we decided to use it because everyone is already familiar with it...
- "If I would fight by numbers, then the whole of Hellas would be insufficient, for she is only a small part of the Persians numbers, but if I am going to fight by valor, then even this number is enough !"
- Leonidas, son of Anaxandridas, king of Sparta, descendant of Hercules : answering to somebody who asked him, how so few would risk with so many...
Sparta
Before the Dorian domination of Hellas, Sparta was a Mycenean city, home of the Homerical king Menelaos, the brother of Agamemnon. Traditionally, the Heraclide brothers, descendants of the heroes Heracles, Kresephontes, Temenos and Aristodemos tried to conquer Peloponnesos. After Aristodemos' death, his twin sons Eurysthenes and Procles, were given Laconia as lot. Sparta in the 8th and 7th century BC was open to foreigners. She had good relations with Samos, which helped her in the war with Messenia, and also with Cyprus, Rhodes, Cyrene and more. She was a highly cultured city, with her own architects and artisans. The arts were highly developed with celebrated sculptors in wood, pottery, metal workers, weavers, leather workers, many of them foreigners. Spartan musicians, dancers and singers were also renowned. Sparta was also famous for the production of purple dyed clothes. From 720 BC to 576 BC, she had 46 Olympic winners out of 81 total victors. But during the 6th century BC the arts progressively started to decline. Lycurgus' laws eventually strained Sparta.
The legend of Sparta would not have existed without Lycurgus' retra, which was brought from Delphi. Lycurgus' unwritten laws transformed the Lacedaimonian society into what comes to mind when one thinks of Sparta today. The decisions about civil issues were a duty of the "Gerousia" (Senate) which was later substituted by the five "ephorai" (elders). The citizen assembly, made up of Spartan citizens over 30 years old, would then reject or approve loudly.
The Spartans had a very peculiar form of government which enabled them to be professional soldiers. To be more precise: it not only enabled them, it even forced them to be superior soldiers, as a small group of Spartans had to dominate an enormous amount of subjects and unwilling allies. After the subjugation of the whole of Laconia, the population became either perioikoi or helots; the perioikoi who remained free citizens were also given lots of land and had in their hands the trade and arts. In times of war, they were naturally allied to Sparta and followed them into battle, since they were part of the Lacedaemonian army. The helots worked the farms, the streets, and any job too vile for a free citizen. These were public slaves under a different name, the only difference being the slim chance of promotion or liberation. Helots also played a part in battles. They carried spare equipment, dragged out wounded soldiers, flung missiles over the front lines and, in desperate situations, filled in the holes in the ranks.
After the annexation of Messenia in 724 BC and the failure of the Messenian revolt in 668 BC which were troubling Sparta for several decades, they turned against the Argive province of Kynouria, which they eventually conquered after lengthy wars with Argos. Argos was a difficult foe but the Spartans eventually reduced them. When Kleon was asked the reason that Spartans didn't completely exterminate the Argives several times they had the chance to, he replied that with no Argives, the younger, inexperienced Spartan soldiers wouldn’t get good practice in real battle conditions !
Spartans also attempted several expeditions against Arcadia but were totally unsuccessful in the wars with Tegea at first. When the tide of the war turned, the proud Tegeans lost every battle and finally acknowledged the supremacy of Sparta, but they were never reduced to subjection and continued to be masters of their city, becoming only dependant allies.
The Spartan soldier was supreme in Hellas, and also in the rest of the known world. No other army was so well trained, and had such excellent equipment. They believed that their traditional training was the key to success, and for a considerable time they were right, as they had never lost a battle in spite of their small numbers. As soon as a child was born in Sparta, the mother would wash it with wine, in order to make sure that it was strong. If the child was weak, it would die soon. Later it was brought by his father to the elders, who inspected carefully the newborn infant. If they found that the child was deformed or weak, they abandoned it in Kaiada, the so called Apothetai, a chiasm at a cliff on mount Taygetos, to die of exposure.
Up to the age of 7 the child was raised by its mother, who did not use the special clothes for children in order not to deform the body or make the child nervous or stubborn. They also made sure to remove anything that would make the child cry or feel fear or disgust.
After the age of 7, it was taken from its mother and given to the state to complete the "agoge" (training). During the 12 years of "agoge", they were dressed winter and summer, with the same piece of cloth, which the state gave them once a year. They would not use blankets and would sleep on top of straws and reeds, which they would cut from the banks of the river Eurotas without knives. They were trained in gymnastics, running, jumping, and were also taught to endure pain and hardship, hunger, thirst, cold, fatigue and lack of sleep along with stealing, counterspying and stealth techniques. The main purpose of the "Agoge" was to discipline the youth.
At the age of 20, when the Agoge ended, the military service of the Spartan begun. At the age of 30, the Spartan will become a citizen with full rights and duties and would be able to take part in the assembly of the people (the Apella) and hold public office. Till the age of 60 they shared the same food and sleep with their comrades in war and remained professional soldiers. As for the girls, they were also educated in classes under a similar system, but without as much rigor and also took part in public competitions. Their education was ended when they married, also usually at the age of 20. It is a well known fact that some of the best warriors of the ancient world came out of Sparta; her legendary hoplites. In fact, the whole city population was a perfect fully-trained army ! So… it’s not too difficult to understand why rival cities feared them ! The Lacedaimonian units had the greatest moral and skill, fighting off every other faction’s similar units. Naturally, many other Hellenic factions had great troops, but the Lacedaimonians were the best army in Ancient Hellas, before of course Phillip II and Alexander the Great’s armies…
There are many mixed opinions about the city of Sparta and her people. Take up any world history textbook and read: you'll find that the Spartans were "an armed camp," "brutal," "culturally stagnant," "economically stagnant," "politically stagnant," and other not so complimenting phrases. Others, however, have a much more positive view about the place.
For all the contradictions and conflicting opinions surrounding Sparta, none can dispute the sheer military might she wields. This was displayed by the extraordinary dedication to their duty as professional soldiers shown at the battle of Thermopylae, where a few thousand Greeks, led by the elite corps of 300 Spartans led by their king, Leonidas, held of the multitudes of the Persian invasion. After some days, only the remnants of the Spartans and some allied Thespians remained. They were all wiped out in the Persian advance, but their sacrifice left the main Greek army enough time to prepare, and elevated themselves to the stuff of legend. The Spartans were hard traditionalists and clung dearly to the old ways.The later Sparta did not produce art or philosophy, neither left us any written work, but its people were admired for their valor and for keeping alive the Hellenic values, and most of all, they are known as the most famous infantry of all times....
Locations/Regions around Sparta
https://img460.imageshack.us/img460/4368/s25nx.th.jpg (https://img460.imageshack.us/my.php?image=s25nx.jpg)https://img472.imageshack.us/img472/5290/s49fl.th.jpg (https://img472.imageshack.us/my.php?image=s49fl.jpg)
https://img475.imageshack.us/img475/5489/00077pm.th.jpg (https://img475.imageshack.us/my.php?image=00077pm.jpg)https://img464.imageshack.us/img464/1332/s10if.th.jpg (https://img464.imageshack.us/my.php?image=s10if.jpg)
Spartan Units
Spartan Homoioi Hoplites
The main power of the lacedaemonian army are the "homoioi" (the equals). These Spartans have completed the "agoge" training and are fully professional soldiers. They have full rights and obligations in Lacedaemonian society and they are the most disciplined and feared fighters in the Hellenic world, and with good reason...
https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a254/DarkFenrir/Presentation/homoioi.jpg
Spartan Hippeis Hoplites
These men are the best 300 homoioi selected for their valour and combat abilities by the 3 "hippagretai". They form the Spartan king's personal guard and their name means horsemen, but of course they always fight on foot as hoplites.
https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a254/DarkFenrir/Presentation/hippeis.jpg
Spartan Family Member Bodyguards
These hippeis fight nearest the king. They are the best of the best and are truly awesome on the battlefield.
https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a254/DarkFenrir/Presentation/lacsbodyguards.jpg
Tegean Hoplites
The Spartans had a hard time dealing with the city of Tegea. After the end of the wars which lasted several decades the two cities became allies and the Tegeans fought by the Spartan's side and were placed in the honourable position in the phalanx, and continued to give good accounts of themselves.
https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a254/DarkFenrir/Presentation/tegean.jpg
Skiritai
The skiritai are "perioikoi" (locals) recruited from the province of Skiritis which lies between Laconia and Arcadia. They carry the hoplon shield and can fight as hoplites, however they became famous due to their commando-like skills and their abilities to fulfill special operations. They are some of the most hardy, agile and fast moving soldiers around, and later they served as hamippoi in the Lacedaimonian army. They carry a leaf shaped sword and a couple of spears to throw as a missile weapon.
https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a254/DarkFenrir/Presentation/skiritai.jpg
Neodamodeis Hoplites
The name means "new citizens" and most likely they were liberated helots (but not always). In times of need the Spartans liberated a number of helots to fill their ranks. Also some of them had earned their freedom by excelling in war or by providing special services to the Lacedaemonians. They will fight well to prove themselves.
https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a254/DarkFenrir/Presentation/neom.jpg
ZOR UNITS
Lacedaemonian Perioikoi Hoplites
They are chosen hoplites recruited from the cities in Laconia and Messenia under Spartan rule. Their name means "who lives around" and are free citizens who control the trade and the commerce. Although they are not the awesome force of the Homoioi, they are still very capable warriors.
https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a254/DarkFenrir/Presentation/perioki.jpg
Ekdromeis Hoplites
These are light hoplites who are best used to counter the fast missile troops of the enemy.
https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a254/DarkFenrir/Presentation/lacek.jpg
Helot Mothones
These are slaves who grew up along with the Spartans. From a young age they serve their masters and they are the most loyal Helots.
http://www.webprostor.cz/volny_cas/Hegemonia/mot.jpg
Helot Javelinthrowers (or Helot Skirmishers) and Helot Slingers
The numerous helots who are public slaves mostly, follow the Lacedaemonian army in war and fight as "psiloi" (light troops). It is said that the "helot psiloi" were the most well equipped of all the greek psiloi.
https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a254/DarkFenrir/Presentation/hilotsjavelins.jpg
- "Foreigner, go tell the Lacedaemonians that here we lie obedient to their commands !"
- Funeral poem by Simonidis, on the tombstone of the 300 fallen Spartans, in Thermopylae 480 B.C.
We hope you have enjoyed yet another faction preview, and as always, your comments are welcome...
If you would like to learn more about Hegemonia-City States, visit us at our development forum (http://s14.invisionfree.com/Hegemonia_forum/index.php).
Thank you,
The Hegemonia Team
Faction Preview:
Lacedaemon (Sparta)
Models : Dark Fernir , Skins: Dark Fenrir , Additional Art :Lupus
https://img113.imageshack.us/img113/4908/lacedaimoniconfaction9hi9wr.jpg
Here we have the Greek letter "Lamda" for the faction icon. Even though the "Lambda" wasn't used at the time of the Persian Invasions and was only introduced roughly about the time of the Pelloponesian Wars, we decided to use it because everyone is already familiar with it...
- "If I would fight by numbers, then the whole of Hellas would be insufficient, for she is only a small part of the Persians numbers, but if I am going to fight by valor, then even this number is enough !"
- Leonidas, son of Anaxandridas, king of Sparta, descendant of Hercules : answering to somebody who asked him, how so few would risk with so many...
Sparta
Before the Dorian domination of Hellas, Sparta was a Mycenean city, home of the Homerical king Menelaos, the brother of Agamemnon. Traditionally, the Heraclide brothers, descendants of the heroes Heracles, Kresephontes, Temenos and Aristodemos tried to conquer Peloponnesos. After Aristodemos' death, his twin sons Eurysthenes and Procles, were given Laconia as lot. Sparta in the 8th and 7th century BC was open to foreigners. She had good relations with Samos, which helped her in the war with Messenia, and also with Cyprus, Rhodes, Cyrene and more. She was a highly cultured city, with her own architects and artisans. The arts were highly developed with celebrated sculptors in wood, pottery, metal workers, weavers, leather workers, many of them foreigners. Spartan musicians, dancers and singers were also renowned. Sparta was also famous for the production of purple dyed clothes. From 720 BC to 576 BC, she had 46 Olympic winners out of 81 total victors. But during the 6th century BC the arts progressively started to decline. Lycurgus' laws eventually strained Sparta.
The legend of Sparta would not have existed without Lycurgus' retra, which was brought from Delphi. Lycurgus' unwritten laws transformed the Lacedaimonian society into what comes to mind when one thinks of Sparta today. The decisions about civil issues were a duty of the "Gerousia" (Senate) which was later substituted by the five "ephorai" (elders). The citizen assembly, made up of Spartan citizens over 30 years old, would then reject or approve loudly.
The Spartans had a very peculiar form of government which enabled them to be professional soldiers. To be more precise: it not only enabled them, it even forced them to be superior soldiers, as a small group of Spartans had to dominate an enormous amount of subjects and unwilling allies. After the subjugation of the whole of Laconia, the population became either perioikoi or helots; the perioikoi who remained free citizens were also given lots of land and had in their hands the trade and arts. In times of war, they were naturally allied to Sparta and followed them into battle, since they were part of the Lacedaemonian army. The helots worked the farms, the streets, and any job too vile for a free citizen. These were public slaves under a different name, the only difference being the slim chance of promotion or liberation. Helots also played a part in battles. They carried spare equipment, dragged out wounded soldiers, flung missiles over the front lines and, in desperate situations, filled in the holes in the ranks.
After the annexation of Messenia in 724 BC and the failure of the Messenian revolt in 668 BC which were troubling Sparta for several decades, they turned against the Argive province of Kynouria, which they eventually conquered after lengthy wars with Argos. Argos was a difficult foe but the Spartans eventually reduced them. When Kleon was asked the reason that Spartans didn't completely exterminate the Argives several times they had the chance to, he replied that with no Argives, the younger, inexperienced Spartan soldiers wouldn’t get good practice in real battle conditions !
Spartans also attempted several expeditions against Arcadia but were totally unsuccessful in the wars with Tegea at first. When the tide of the war turned, the proud Tegeans lost every battle and finally acknowledged the supremacy of Sparta, but they were never reduced to subjection and continued to be masters of their city, becoming only dependant allies.
The Spartan soldier was supreme in Hellas, and also in the rest of the known world. No other army was so well trained, and had such excellent equipment. They believed that their traditional training was the key to success, and for a considerable time they were right, as they had never lost a battle in spite of their small numbers. As soon as a child was born in Sparta, the mother would wash it with wine, in order to make sure that it was strong. If the child was weak, it would die soon. Later it was brought by his father to the elders, who inspected carefully the newborn infant. If they found that the child was deformed or weak, they abandoned it in Kaiada, the so called Apothetai, a chiasm at a cliff on mount Taygetos, to die of exposure.
Up to the age of 7 the child was raised by its mother, who did not use the special clothes for children in order not to deform the body or make the child nervous or stubborn. They also made sure to remove anything that would make the child cry or feel fear or disgust.
After the age of 7, it was taken from its mother and given to the state to complete the "agoge" (training). During the 12 years of "agoge", they were dressed winter and summer, with the same piece of cloth, which the state gave them once a year. They would not use blankets and would sleep on top of straws and reeds, which they would cut from the banks of the river Eurotas without knives. They were trained in gymnastics, running, jumping, and were also taught to endure pain and hardship, hunger, thirst, cold, fatigue and lack of sleep along with stealing, counterspying and stealth techniques. The main purpose of the "Agoge" was to discipline the youth.
At the age of 20, when the Agoge ended, the military service of the Spartan begun. At the age of 30, the Spartan will become a citizen with full rights and duties and would be able to take part in the assembly of the people (the Apella) and hold public office. Till the age of 60 they shared the same food and sleep with their comrades in war and remained professional soldiers. As for the girls, they were also educated in classes under a similar system, but without as much rigor and also took part in public competitions. Their education was ended when they married, also usually at the age of 20. It is a well known fact that some of the best warriors of the ancient world came out of Sparta; her legendary hoplites. In fact, the whole city population was a perfect fully-trained army ! So… it’s not too difficult to understand why rival cities feared them ! The Lacedaimonian units had the greatest moral and skill, fighting off every other faction’s similar units. Naturally, many other Hellenic factions had great troops, but the Lacedaimonians were the best army in Ancient Hellas, before of course Phillip II and Alexander the Great’s armies…
There are many mixed opinions about the city of Sparta and her people. Take up any world history textbook and read: you'll find that the Spartans were "an armed camp," "brutal," "culturally stagnant," "economically stagnant," "politically stagnant," and other not so complimenting phrases. Others, however, have a much more positive view about the place.
For all the contradictions and conflicting opinions surrounding Sparta, none can dispute the sheer military might she wields. This was displayed by the extraordinary dedication to their duty as professional soldiers shown at the battle of Thermopylae, where a few thousand Greeks, led by the elite corps of 300 Spartans led by their king, Leonidas, held of the multitudes of the Persian invasion. After some days, only the remnants of the Spartans and some allied Thespians remained. They were all wiped out in the Persian advance, but their sacrifice left the main Greek army enough time to prepare, and elevated themselves to the stuff of legend. The Spartans were hard traditionalists and clung dearly to the old ways.The later Sparta did not produce art or philosophy, neither left us any written work, but its people were admired for their valor and for keeping alive the Hellenic values, and most of all, they are known as the most famous infantry of all times....
Locations/Regions around Sparta
https://img460.imageshack.us/img460/4368/s25nx.th.jpg (https://img460.imageshack.us/my.php?image=s25nx.jpg)https://img472.imageshack.us/img472/5290/s49fl.th.jpg (https://img472.imageshack.us/my.php?image=s49fl.jpg)
https://img475.imageshack.us/img475/5489/00077pm.th.jpg (https://img475.imageshack.us/my.php?image=00077pm.jpg)https://img464.imageshack.us/img464/1332/s10if.th.jpg (https://img464.imageshack.us/my.php?image=s10if.jpg)
Spartan Units
Spartan Homoioi Hoplites
The main power of the lacedaemonian army are the "homoioi" (the equals). These Spartans have completed the "agoge" training and are fully professional soldiers. They have full rights and obligations in Lacedaemonian society and they are the most disciplined and feared fighters in the Hellenic world, and with good reason...
https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a254/DarkFenrir/Presentation/homoioi.jpg
Spartan Hippeis Hoplites
These men are the best 300 homoioi selected for their valour and combat abilities by the 3 "hippagretai". They form the Spartan king's personal guard and their name means horsemen, but of course they always fight on foot as hoplites.
https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a254/DarkFenrir/Presentation/hippeis.jpg
Spartan Family Member Bodyguards
These hippeis fight nearest the king. They are the best of the best and are truly awesome on the battlefield.
https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a254/DarkFenrir/Presentation/lacsbodyguards.jpg
Tegean Hoplites
The Spartans had a hard time dealing with the city of Tegea. After the end of the wars which lasted several decades the two cities became allies and the Tegeans fought by the Spartan's side and were placed in the honourable position in the phalanx, and continued to give good accounts of themselves.
https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a254/DarkFenrir/Presentation/tegean.jpg
Skiritai
The skiritai are "perioikoi" (locals) recruited from the province of Skiritis which lies between Laconia and Arcadia. They carry the hoplon shield and can fight as hoplites, however they became famous due to their commando-like skills and their abilities to fulfill special operations. They are some of the most hardy, agile and fast moving soldiers around, and later they served as hamippoi in the Lacedaimonian army. They carry a leaf shaped sword and a couple of spears to throw as a missile weapon.
https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a254/DarkFenrir/Presentation/skiritai.jpg
Neodamodeis Hoplites
The name means "new citizens" and most likely they were liberated helots (but not always). In times of need the Spartans liberated a number of helots to fill their ranks. Also some of them had earned their freedom by excelling in war or by providing special services to the Lacedaemonians. They will fight well to prove themselves.
https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a254/DarkFenrir/Presentation/neom.jpg
ZOR UNITS
Lacedaemonian Perioikoi Hoplites
They are chosen hoplites recruited from the cities in Laconia and Messenia under Spartan rule. Their name means "who lives around" and are free citizens who control the trade and the commerce. Although they are not the awesome force of the Homoioi, they are still very capable warriors.
https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a254/DarkFenrir/Presentation/perioki.jpg
Ekdromeis Hoplites
These are light hoplites who are best used to counter the fast missile troops of the enemy.
https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a254/DarkFenrir/Presentation/lacek.jpg
Helot Mothones
These are slaves who grew up along with the Spartans. From a young age they serve their masters and they are the most loyal Helots.
http://www.webprostor.cz/volny_cas/Hegemonia/mot.jpg
Helot Javelinthrowers (or Helot Skirmishers) and Helot Slingers
The numerous helots who are public slaves mostly, follow the Lacedaemonian army in war and fight as "psiloi" (light troops). It is said that the "helot psiloi" were the most well equipped of all the greek psiloi.
https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a254/DarkFenrir/Presentation/hilotsjavelins.jpg
- "Foreigner, go tell the Lacedaemonians that here we lie obedient to their commands !"
- Funeral poem by Simonidis, on the tombstone of the 300 fallen Spartans, in Thermopylae 480 B.C.
We hope you have enjoyed yet another faction preview, and as always, your comments are welcome...
If you would like to learn more about Hegemonia-City States, visit us at our development forum (http://s14.invisionfree.com/Hegemonia_forum/index.php).
Thank you,
The Hegemonia Team