Preview : Senatvs Popvlvsqve Romanvs

Greeting Europa Barbarorum : Novus Ordo Mundi fans...

Today we will present our first Romani preview:

SENATVS POPVLVSQVE ROMANVS
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The First century BC is an age of turmoil in the Roman Republic. The weakness of the Republic was shown for the first time since Hannibal rampage through Italian soil when the wealthy Numidian King Jugurtha was able to bribe Roman officials and evade the undisciplined Roman army for several years. Hordes of the barbarian Cimbri and Teutones inflicted huge defeats on the armies of SPQR, defeats that the republic was barely able to recover from.
Seeing this weakness of the great nation even their longest lasting allies rebelled against their former masters, creating a capital in Corfinium in the very homeland of the republic and waged a bloody war on the people they called brothers for so long. Like with the two wars before, this war again shook the Urbs to it’s core. At the same time a new threat rose from the East. The Pontic king Mithridates Eupator openly challenged Rome for the supremacy in the eastern Mediterranean and was very successful at first, driving the Romans out of Greece proper, and was able to see Italian soil with the naked eye.
The First century BC was a time of great Roman Warlords. Gaius Marius was elected a consul for 7 times and during that time he reformed the Roman army in to a professional fighting force. Yet the man to whom the start of our mods timeframe belongs hears to the words of Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix.
Sulla was first noted serving under Marius during his campaign in Numidia. Arranging the capture of the African king, Sulla gained much political influence. He was elected consul during the Social war, and then proceeded with doing the unthinkable; he marched with his armies on Rome. He did that because his old mentor and now enemy Marius wanted to march on Mithridates himself, which Sulla would not allow. After settling the situation in Italy Sulla marched on Mithridates and crushed his armies in 2 great battles, thus forcing the Pontic king to retreat back to Asia. Yet Sulla was unable to finish him since problems stirred up in Rome, so he had to return again and in 82 he defeated his opposition at the battle of the Collina gates.
After the battle Sulla was elected as dictator, now having all the power in Rome in his hands. At first glance the Romans might have thought the time of endless battles and civil war was over, but they were in for a nasty surprise.
New threats combined with enemies of old arose for Rome in 80 BC. The Roman general Quintus Sertorius was able to start a rebellion in Hispania with the help and support of a fierce local population. Mithridates the Greatwon a brief war with Rome, and had himself return some pride he had lost. The Pontic Empire was still a formidable nation, controlling the Black sea and the surrounding areas. He also allied with the great king of Armenia, Tigranes II, and this alliance formed a new superpower in the east. Further east, the Parthian Kings also continued their rise in power, and could potentially become a real threat to Rome. It was becoming clear to the Romans that war will have to be waged on multiple fronts yet again, and this time with more powerfull enemies than ever before… And there was always the fear of local rebellion that a dictator had to be aware of…

The Marian Army

Gaius Marius reformed the Roman army so that it became a professional standing army paid by the state. The old division between the Hastati, Principes and Triarii remained only by name, as now all of the legionaires were equipped in the same manner. Of course the army was supported by various non-legionary troops, so these armies were as versatile as any found in the world at the time.

Antesignani (Post Marian Elite Legionary Light Infantry)
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Antesignani are elite legionaries trained to fight outside the heavy infantry's battle formation. Armed with spears, several light javelins, and a gladius they are more lightly armoured with a simple bronze breastplate instead of lorica hamata, a new Coolus bronze helmet, and carry smaller oval shields instead the heavy scuta to increase their agility. On march the duties of the Antesignani are to cover the columns as well as to scout and secure the area in front of the army. In a battle they can be used to screen the legions advance, to counter enemy skirmishers, or to support the cavalry if no specialised auxiliaries are available.

Cohors Reformata (Post Marian Legionary Cohort)
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Roman legionaries are during the Marian period uniformly equipped with two pila, a gladius, and an elliptical scutum around 1.28m high. Their main armour still remains a coat of lorica hamata (chain mail) and a Montefortino-type helmet. The high quality of the legions equipment has become one of the great strengths of the Roman infantry, besides their strict discipline. In battle they will throw their pila as soon as the enemy comes in range to soften his formation and then engage at close quarters.

Cohors Evocata (Post Marian Reenlisted Veterans Cohort)
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A Cohors Evocata consist of former legionaries that have reenlisted again, forming now a veteran corps within the army. They are liberated from the many routine duties of a normal soldier and their weapons and armour are of high quality. Besides a an oval scutum, Evocati wear a suit of lorica hamata (chain mail), the new Coolus bronze helmet and two greaves for protection and are fighting like normal legionaries with a gladius and pila.

Eqvites Thracvm (Thracian Auxiliary Cavalry)
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The Thracians field a versatile medium cavalry equipped for both, skirmishing and shock actions. Besides their swords, every rider carries several light javelins to skirmish with the enemy flank guards or simply weaken the formations before the roman infantry engages or the Thracian horsemen charge to finish them. Compared to most Thracian cavalry, the well paid and supplied horsemen serving with our legions are equipped with considerably better gear. Most of their equites wear lorica squamata (scale mail) with iron scales and good quality bronze helmets. Additionally the Thracian fight with a large oval shield, rarely used by most nations cavalrymen. Although this heavy shields are difficult to handle in most combat situations, and limiting the use of the reigns, they have proved their enormous value in battle, by offering a vastly increased defence in close combat as well as against missile fire. Together with other auxiliaries the Thracian horsemen give our legions the much needed effective cavalry support and are a worthy replacement for the roman equites of previous centuries.

Eqvites Hispanorvm (Hispanic Auxiliary Cavalry)

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Equites Hispanorum are a versatile medium cavalry equipped for skirmishing and close combat. The tribes of Iberia have strong equestrian traditions and their breeds are famed in many countries. Usually every rider carries multiple light javelins and a fine Iberian falcata sword for close combat, while riding a excellently trained horse. The horsemen recruited in our provinces are comparably well protected and prepared to fight the enemy even in a prolonged melee. Each eques defensive gear consists of a good quality bascinet type bronze helmet, the widely used caetra round shield and a shirt of lorica hamata (chain mail). Hispanic cavalry can ride down skirmishers, protect the flanks of the infantry, prepare their attack with their javelins or skirmish with the enemy's light troops, while they are always capable to charge at the right opportunity. The Spanish auxiliary cavalrymen are trained to form the cantabrian circle, the famous javelin attack formation named after one of their tribes credited with it's invention, which allows the cavalrymen to stay mobile while providing a concentrated continuous missile fire against a single point at the enemy formation. However the Equites Hispanorum are still medium cavalry and a supporting force, it should never be expected that they alone can win a battle.

Eqvites Germanorvm (Germanic Auxiliary Cavalry)

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While the majority of Germanics mainly rely on their infantry some tribes are famous for the horsemen and good quality cavalry. Their manoeuvres are surprisingly well executed and the horsemen are taught to fight as a unit even without roman training. The Equites Germanorum in roman service are an excellent light to medium cavalry force, suited to fight in skirmishes as well as shock actions. As most of the other tribal warrior these men are armed with several frame, long spears with a iron tip that can be thrown as well, and a wooden shield but other than ordinary Germanic cavalry the roman auxiliaries are usually also equipped with chain mail shirts and often ride bigger horses of Mediterranean breeds. Thus they can fight at close quarters for an considerably longer time and with much higher chances to succeed.

Eqvites Gallorvm (Gallic Auxiliary Cavalry)
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Equites Gallorum are a versatile medium cavalry equipped for both, skirmishing and shock actions. Besides their main lances, every rider carries several light javelins to weaken the enemy formations and some of them also a Celtic long sword for close combat. Other than many of their counterparts from free Celtic tribes the horsemen recruited in our provinces are comparably well protected and better prepared to fight the enemy at close quarters. Each eques defensive gear consists of a good quality bronze helmets, a small round shields and a shirt of lorica hamata (chain mail). Additionally Equites Gallorum now use the four horned saddle, a new and very useful supplementation to cavalry equipment, that enables a firm seat in almost all situations. Drawn from the upper classes of local Celtic societies these are well trained and respected warriors that have become an integral part of many armies of the Res Publica. Together with other auxiliaries they give our legions the much needed effective cavalry support and are a worthy replacement for the roman equites of previous centuries. Gallic cavalry can ride down skirmishers, protect the flanks of the infantry or prepare their attack with their javelins while they are always capable to charge at the right opportunity. However they are still medium cavalry and a supporting force, it should never be expected that they alone can win a battle.

Eqvites Consvlares (Republican Consular Guard Cavalry)
https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/u...consvlares.gif
Consuls, and other high Roman officials, are escorted by small mounted bodyguards. Most of these horsemen share a similar background and strong social ties with their general, and loyally fight with him as heavy cavalry.Magnificent, prestigious Greek armour is predominantly used by the Equites Consulares. Most of them wear shining bronze muscle cuirasses, Etrusco-Corinthian helmets, and greaves on both legs. Besides the traditional Roman round parma equestris shield they carry a hasta lance and swords as weapons. Each eques has at least three horses and is accompanied by two grooms.

The Augustan Army

The Augustean legion was in full size around 6000 men strong. At the end of Augustuses reign the Empire had 25 legions, since 3 were lost in the battle Teutoburg Forest. The numbers of legions varied a bit in the future, reaching 30 under Trajan, then again under Marcus Aurelius, and 33 during the time of Septimius Severus.

In the age of Augustus 65% of the soldiers were from of Italian origin, while that number declined to a 1 %! during the reign of Caracalla. Each legion consisted of 10 cohortes, each 6 centuries strong. Every legion had a smaller cavalry detachment of 120 men.
The legion leader, Legatus legionis, was of senatorial rank, while the second in command, the praefectus castrorum, was of the equites.

The Auxilia were arranged in units of 500 men (Auxilia), or 1000, the double auxilia, named cohors militaria. This was the larger part of the imperial army, consisting of about 250.000 men. These men were usually in the first lines of battle, since the Romans didn't value them enough as the Legionaires, since they weren't considered of the same social status. At first, the auxilia were known from the place the came from, which changed in the second century AD, where the original ethnic predispositions of an auxilia group were lost.

The commanders of the auxilia were the preafectus cohortis of the Equites class. The alae, in the size of 500 men (ala quingenaria) or 1000 men (ala militaria), commanded by the preafecti alae, had the best reputation in the army. Also the cohors equitata were used – these were joint footmen and cavarly, in a ration of 3:1 in favour of the footmen.
The auxilia were becomming more and more like the legionaries in terms of armament, tactics and training. Nonetheless, some local ways were retained in arms and such, especially in the East.
In the 2nd century AD, a new unit, theNumerii appeared. They were simmilar to the auxilia, but retained their native arms and had commanders who was from their ranks, so they would speak the same language. Of these men, the most important were the cavalry detatchments, the so called Vexillationes. The increasing use of this units, the best of whom were the units of Maurian cavalrymen (vexillationes equitum Maurorum), the Germanic bodyguards, and the cavalry detatchments from the Arabians and Parthians led to the eventual barbarisation of the Roman military.

The Roman army reached it's peak of power in the late 1. century and 2. century AD. Even tough they lost a few battles, in the long run the Romans always proved victorious. The success didn't really solely on their number, but their discipline (it felt drastically during Commodus), training, armament and technical knowledge.
From Hadrian onwards, heavier cavalry began to be fielded, the so called catafractarii (we hear mention of a»praefectus alae Gallorum et Pannoniorum catafractatae«)

Vigiles (Town Watch)
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Besides the regions of Italia, that now have collectively gained citizenship, they can be recruited in all fully Romanized provinces of the Imperium Romanum, where great numbers of our citizens have now their home.Vigiles are paramilitary units that mostly act as fire fighters and night watches, and sometimes have additional police duties. Most of them are lightly armed with a spear and a gladius and carry an ovular shield and a bronze Montefortino helmet for protection. With this equipment they can be used as an emergency defence, but these men are not soldiers and they should not be expected to defeat real warriors on even terms.

Cohors Imperatoria (Imperial Legionary Cohort)
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Legionary infantry is still the backbone of the imperial army and it is now easily considered as the most disciplined and most versatile heavy infantry in the world. Their broad training and famous discipline offers them many tactical possibilities in battle, but normally legionaries will fight in the traditional way: throw their pila as soon as the enemy comes in range to soften his formation and then engage at close quarters. While not designed to do so, the pilum can be used like a normal spear as well to make it possible for the legionaries to defend themselves more readily against heavy cavalry attacks. The legion's high quality equipment has become one of the great strengths of the Roman infantry, besides their strict discipline. Most legionnaires are now equipped with Coolus bronze helmets, shirts of lorica hamata or squamata (chain or scale mail) as main body armour and a half ovular scutum, slightly lighter than old republican oval type, while being armed with a type Mainz gladius, two pila and a short dagger called a pugio.

Cohors Imperatoria (Imperial Legionary Cohort)
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The request of many EB fans has finally seen light. This Segmentata cohors will be available throught the Roman Empire. They are using the same equipment as other legionaires, with the obvious difference of being armoured with Lorica Segmentata instead of Hamata or Squamata.

Cohors Imperatoria Levantinorum (Eastern Roman Imperial Cohorts
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After Rome's defeat at the battle of Carrhae, the Romans started using more heavily armoured legionaires on their easter front. These men diverge from the regular legionaire by being more heavily armoured and have predominantly used the scale Squamata armour. That way they were less vulnerable to the missiles of the horse-archer Parthian armies, with which the Romans always had trouble.
You will be able to recruit these legions in the east, to help you fight your enemies on the eastern front.

Cohors Praetoriana (Cohort of the Imperial Praetorian Guard)
https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/u...raetoriana.gif
New Praetorians can only be trained in their garrisons in Latium, the Empire's heart, where they protect Roma, the seat of the imperial government. The Cohortes Praetoriae are the highest ranked units in the whole imperial army. Their infantry is the core of the Emperor's Guard in Roma and is considered the best in the empire. Praetorians are equipped as, and fight in, the same manner as the normal legionaries, but their look is often somewhat more magnificent. Their lack of experience in actual combat is compensated by excellent, continuous training, and capable officers. High quality equipment has become one of the great strengths of the Roman heavy infantry, besides their strict discipline. The soldiers of the cohortes praetoriae wear coats of lorica hamata, greaves on both legs, imperial Gallic iron helmets and half ovalur scuta for protection. Their weapons, the same as in contemporary legions, are a type mainz gladius, two pila and a short dagger called the pugio.

Cohors Validvm Avxiliarivm (Imperial Heavy Auxiliary Infantry Cohort)-Western
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Soldiers for the auxiliary cohorts can be drafted into the army in all provinces of the Imperium Romanum. Auxiliary infantry is a cheaper supplement of the legionary troops and a good way to better participate the provinces at the huge burdens of the empire to defend it's people. The soldiers of most of these cohorts fight as heavy spearmen in close formation similar to the legionary infantry, but without the tactical flexibility offered by their larger scutum and the pilum. However other than the pilum the hasta, commonly used by the auxiliaries, is a true thrusting spear and as such a better defence against cavalry attacks. Other than the hasta they are equipped with the gladius, long flat mostly oval shields and well protected by shirts of lorica hamata (chain mail) and old style bronze montefortino helmets, often out phased from the legions.

Cohors Validvm Avxiliarivm (Imperial Heavy Auxiliary Infantry Cohort)-Eastern
https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/u...rn_auxilia.gif
Soldiers for the auxiliary cohorts can be drafted into the army in all provinces of the Imperium Romanum.Auxiliary infantry is a cheaper supplement of the legionary troops and a good way to better participate the provinces at the huge burdens of the empire to defend it's people. The soldiers of most of these cohorts fight as heavy spearmen in close formation similar to the legionary infantry, but without the tactical flexibility offered by their larger scutum and the pilum. However other than the pilum the hasta, commonly used by the auxiliaries, is a true thrusting spear and as such a better defence against cavalry attacks. Other than the hasta they are equipped with the gladius, long flat mostly oval shields and old style bronze montefortino helmets, often out phased from the legions. Greek and Asian soldiers in the east are much less influenced in their appearance by western roman culture than their European comrades. Although used in Europe, the lorica squamata (scale mail) armour is more widely in use among the eastern troops and offers a better protection against arrows than chain mail shirts.

Cohors Sagittariorvm Levantinorvm (Imperial Eastern Archer Auxilia)
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Specialised archer units for the imperial army can be enrolled in all provinces in which skilled bowyers and a population familiar with the traditions of archery can be found. These are mainly in Asia and the fringes of the steppes. Archers now have become an integral part of any well composed roman army. Normally they are placed behind a wall of protective heavy infantry in the battle formation. From there they can provide a supporting barrage fire above the infantry's heads to weaken the enemy and break his charge before the main lines engage. The imperial army's archers are more heavily armoured than their counterparts, with shirts of lorica squamata or hamata (scale or chain mail), conical iron or bronze helmets and small shields protecting their left arm. They use long ranged recurved composite bows with bone ends and bracers to protect their forearms from the sinew, together with multiple types of arrows: three bladed heads to inflict heavy wounds at un armoured targets, thin needle like, pyramidal shaped armour piercing heads and flaming arrows, carrying an ignition load in a kind of small metal cage incorporated into the arrowhead. Additionally the archers are armed with a gladius for self defence, but despite this and their armour it should not be expected that they fight well at close quarters for any longer time.

Cohors Validvm Avxiliarivm (Imperial Heavy Auxiliary Infantry Cohort) - universal
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Over time more and more Roman Auxiliari troops began using simmilar equipment of the standard legions, since it was clear that the Roman soldier was universal in it's skills. Carrying a large shield and being well armoured, this units will represent a large portion of Roman Imperial armies. While they are not as skilled as the Legionaires, they are cheaper to recruit and in greater numbers. They will outfight most of the levy units that Romans will face, so they will make an excellent all round unit.

Cohors Auxiliarium Batavorum (Batavian Auxilia)

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The Batavians were one of the fiercest tribes the Romans encountered. That's why they used them in their armies in larger numbers. Those numbers became so large overtime, that they sparked the famous Batavian revolt.
This man are one of the best Auxiliary troops available to any Roman commander and it would be wise for Roman generals to use them when they can. These men are very well trained and hardened soldiers, so their use will be mandatory at the Roman northern border.

Eqvites Praetoriani (Cavalry of the Imperial Praetorian Guard)
https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/u...raetoriani.gif
New Praetorians can only be trained in their garrisons in Latium, the Empire's heart, where they protect Roma, the seat of the imperial government.The Cohortes Praetoriae are the highest ranked units in the whole imperial army. The equites praetoriani are their attached cavalry arm. They are equipped and fight in the same way as normal units of the auxilia. Their riders wear scale or chain mail shirts, iron helmets and long hexagonal shields for protection, while everyone is armed with a either type Mainz gladius or Celtic style long sword, ancestors of the spatha, the first real roman cavalry sword, a hasta lance and several iacula, light javelins. Like most of the roman cavalry units they use the famous four horned saddle, which enables a firm seat in almost all occasions. In the field the equites praetoriani often proved to be an efficient force. Their lack of experience in actual combat is largely compensated by excellent continuous training and capable officers.

Ala Imperatoria (Imperial Cavalry Wing)
https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/u...mperatoria.gif

New auxiliary cavalry wings can now be formed in all provinces of the Imperium Romanum, where the local population is practicing horse breeding and riding in a degree to support such a move. The alae of the auxilia are the imperial army's first rate cavalry units. Their riders wear lorica hamata (chain mail) or lorica squamata (scale) armour, iron or bronze helmets and large hexagonal or oval shields for protection, while everyone is armed with a sword, a hasta lance and several iacula, light javelins. The helmets they wear are still from the same type as the legionary infantry's gear, either variants of the Coolus bronze or iron imperial Gallic helmets, and less than optimal for cavalry warfare. Especially the large neck guards can be disastrous if the riders falls from his horse. In a few decades, in the first half of the 1st century AD they will be replaced with true cavalry helmets. Narrowly Enclosing nearly the whole head, except the face, they will offer good protection against attacks from all sides in a prolonged cavalry melee. Their swords are either type Mainz gladii or Celtic long swords, ancestors of the spatha, the first real roman cavalry sword. Introduced around the midst of the 1st century AD the fine and well balanced spatha will become the main sword of the cavalry for the remaining centuries of the empire's existence and even replace the gladius as primary infantry weapon in the late roman army. With its two-sided narrow blade the spatha is considerably longer than the gladius and much better suited for the use from horseback. The use of the one handed hasta lance as primary weapon allows the horsemen to handle large shields with their left hand. The hasta's compactness allows it to use the weapon mainly overhand, to stab from above at the enemy besides rarer attacks in the conventional way and even to throw in emergency situations. Like most of the imperial army's cavalry, they use the famous four horned saddle, which enables a firm seat in almost all occasions. The training of the alae is excellent and extensive, their equipment makes them multifunctional. They can weaken enemy formations with javelin showers and than attack with their lances in the very next moment. However this versatility has its price. Their horsemen are comparably lighter armoured than the former Hellenistic cavalry or even the heavy cataphractarii of the east and the hasta is shorter than many of the cavalry lances used by our enemies. The alae should only be used with care against such opponents.

Eqvites Singvlares (Picked General's Guard Cavalry)
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Equites Singulares are provincial horse guards formed with the best horsemen a regional army has to offer and accompany their commanders into battle. These units are mostly equipped and fight in the manner as normal Roman cavalry. However sometimes better or additional armour, such as greaves, is worn, that is most times even more highly elaborated than in the ordinary Alae. Besides their body armour the horsemen of the equites singulares, wear iron helmets and long oval or hexagonal shields for protection, while every rider is armed with a either type Mainz gladius or Celtic style long sword, ancestors of the spatha, the first real roman cavalry sword, a hasta lance and several iacula, light javelins. Like most of the imperial army's cavalry, they use the famous four horned saddle, which enables a firm seat in almost all occasions. In battle the equites singulares often proved to be one of the most powerful units. When a capable general leads them personally they can turn the fight in critical moments.

Afterword

A few things that i can now reveal about the Roman faction.

1) Late Principate Reforms

The Romans in EBNOM will get a third reform, which will happen around the year 100 AD, give or take a few years depending on where your campaign will be headed, if certain criteria will be met. This way there will always be new things to look forward to in the Romani campaign.
Here's a little taste of what you might see
Cohors Imperatoria Danuviorum (Danubian Roman Imperial Cohorts)
https://i841.photobucket.com/albums/..._legionary.jpg
One of the predominant battlefields for the Roman Empire was on it's border on the river Danube. Due to the constant fighting these men were one of the best in the Empire. They were very heavily armoured with the Lorica Segmentata armour, so they were less vulnerable to the falxes of the Dacians, against which the standard armour was less effective.
You will be able to recruit these legions in the areas around the Danube, to help you fight with the Barbarian invasion there.
Equites cataphractarii (Roman cataphracts)
http://www.shrani.si/f/43/Vg/47OHTRI...tafractari.jpg

2) Roman Rebels

Given the fact that Civil wars were very "popular" in Rome during our timeframe, we have decided that Rome will have it's own rebel faction in EBNOM. Like the Romans, you won't be able now to concentrate on your outer wars without carefully looking at what's happening close to you power centers. There will probably be some civil wars that will be harder to win then the war against the fiercest outer enemy... Heck, perhaps even some gladiators might think that they can revolt this days, who knows :tongue:

I hope you enjoyed the preview... I'll post some more units in the near future, like our African Equites and such, which i don't have access to right now since they are still wip, and of course we'll gladly answer any questions you might have. Like i said, this isn't the complete Roman roster, you'll be in for some more surprises in the future. I just wanted to show you our progress so far.

Special thanks to Finn for making the units and of course everybody who chiped in.