RS 2.0 MINI-PREVIEW: Hyrcania and the East

Hyrcania and the East in Roma Surrectum 2.0

When Alexander conquered the Achaemenid Persian Empire, he did not only conquer Persians. The Empire the Macedonians subdued encompassed a wide variety of cultures and ethnicities. In Roma Surrectum 2.0, the team aims to capture this variety of cultures through the use of Free Peoples factions, as well as AOR units. For this mini-preview, we are focusing on the peoples in the Seleucid and Parthian domains. Among them are the Hyrcanians of the south Caspian, the Medes of Persia, the Sogdians of Samarkand, and the Massagetae near the Aral Sea. While the map of RS 2.0 may not (in some instances) include all of these peoples' territory, there is enough represented to warrant some units. The team's goal is to have these 'mini-factions' inhabit the map, inside and outside of the playable factions' territory, to further immerse the player in the world of 218 BC.

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Hyrcanians
The Hyrcanian units can be found in the regions surrounding the southern shore of the Caspian Sea. In history, Hyrcania was known for its fertile lands, fierce tigers, and tropical climate. Hyrcania was also the site of a large fortification wall known as "the Wall of Alexander," which was built to keep the northern nomads out. This wall was most likely an Achaemenid construction that was later rebuilt. Hyrcanians played a role in the battle of Gaugemela, and the Persian nobles fled to this land after the death of Darius III. The Hyrcanian units previewed here are not recruitable by the player, but instead are the Free Peoples units you must defeat!

Hyrcanian Foot Archer
This lightly armed archer is speedy but weak in close combat--take care to deal with them before their arrows inflict too much damage!
https://img103.imageshack.us/img103/452/96839788pu5.jpg

Hyrcanian Hillmen
These skirmisher troops may be light, but they are fast. These Hillmen can make quick work of enemy skirmishers, and heavier units as well, if they are given the chance.
https://img356.imageshack.us/img356/...9256305iz4.jpg

Hyrcanian Slingers
This unit is a standand slinger. As always, the enemy will find them to be very useful--you certainly won't appreciate the continuous barrage!
https://img103.imageshack.us/img103/...1068462dk9.jpg

Aryan Archer-Spearmen
The Aryans are situated just to the west of Bactria and are an Iranian people that have long served the empires of the east. Their weaponry is exemplary of the strong archery tradition which dominates the eastern militaries. Armed with a powerful bow and a thrusting spear, these soldiers can fend for themselves in the melee. However, their lack of armour makes it hard for them to survive a forceful assault. They will be seen first at the far eastern limits of the RS 2.0 map.
https://img516.imageshack.us/img516/...6115552jj1.jpg

Sogdians
The Sogdians were an Iranian people that lived north of modern-day Afghanistan. The westernmost extent of their lands will be represented in the RS 2.0 map, and will be first encountered there. Their land is known for its fertility, as well as its powerful archers. Sogdia's geography allowed for more maneuverable warfare than their more sedentary Bactrian cousins to the south. Caught between the commonly urbanized Bactrians, and the vicious nomads of the north, the Sogdians were forced to develop a fighting style that could compete with both fast horse archery and static battle lines. As such the Sogdian warriors are fierce soldiers capable of multiple styles of battle.

Sogdian Mounted Javelineer
These are low-tier light cavalry, but their speed makes them perfect for harassing the flanks of the enemy line.
https://img103.imageshack.us/img103/...3169614uc3.jpg

Sogdian Armoured Archer-Spearmen
Going east certainly has its benefits, as seen in this unit. These Archer-Spearman are able to more than adequately fend for themselves, whether it be against light troops or light cavalry. Not to mention their bows are very powerful...
https://img353.imageshack.us/img353/...6216084lb0.jpg

Sogdian Heavy Horse Archer
In case the Seleucids didn't have enough reasons to fear the east, this horse archer provides another great example. Heavily armored and with a powerful bow, these units can be the doom of a slow-moving army--or even a quick one!
https://img353.imageshack.us/img353/961/38313416ox8.jpg

Medes
These proud people once ruled an empire that covered an expanse that was the greatest of its day. But with the rise of Persia, the Median empire was subdued. Nevertheless, the Medes still played a prominent role in governmental and military affairs. Media itself was famous for producing the finest horses in the world; the Nisean steed was prized for its ability to carry a fully armoured man, along with its own barding, and still maintain a high degree of stamina. Under the Seleucid rulers, Media proper started to become increasingly Hellenised. This is an AOR unit, recruitable by the player.

Median Spearmen
These spearmen are a unique blend of past and present Media, as is made apparent by their linothorax and wicker shield. They are competent troops and will provide a good addition to the armies of whoever controls Media.
https://img103.imageshack.us/img103/...9000819wm4.jpg

Massagetae
These peoples lived to the south and east of the Aral Sea. Herodotus states: In their dress and mode of living the Massagetae resemble the Scythians. They fight both on horseback and on foot, neither method is strange to them: they use bows and lances, but their favourite weapon is the battle-axe. Their arms are all either of gold or brass. For their spear-points, and arrow-heads, and for their battle-axes, they make use of brass; for head-gear, belts, and girdles, of gold. So too with the caparison of their horses, they give them breastplates of brass, but employ gold about the reins, the bit, and the cheek-plates. In Roma Surrectum 2.0 they will be represented by cataphract and horse archer units, which will belong to the Free Peoples.

Massagetae Cataphract
Heavily armed and even more heavily armored, these cataphracts are an infantry unit's worst nightmare. They are however quick to tire, and therein their weakness lies. But can this weakness be exploited before it is too late?
https://img356.imageshack.us/img356/231/68114425hi2.jpg

Massagetae Horse Archer
The Steppes will be extremely hard to conquer for the player, and these Massagetae horse archers are one of the chief reasons. Their light armor is made up for in their speed, which will leave most Hellenistic armies as little more than glorified pincushions.
https://img177.imageshack.us/img177/...5072762xw6.jpg

Persians & Others
The Persians did not disappear after the collapse of their empire, and continued to provide strong and reliable soldiers for their new rulers. With the Persians came other, more ancient peoples such as the Babylonians.

Sparabara
The Sparabara were taken largely from feudal farmers who worked in service to the local lord. The land which they worked on was usually given to them in reward for military service, and they were bound by this honor to fight for their master.

They are armored with scale iron corslets and large wicker shields as a form of light manoeuvrable defence. This leaves them at a disadvantage against heavily shielded opponents such as the hoplite, and the Sparabara's six foot spear will not give him enough range to plausibly engage a trained phalanx. However, against opponents in the east, the Sparabara can deal with any conscript unit, and most trained units will be hard pressed to break through his tough scale armour.
https://img215.imageshack.us/img215/...arabaraps1.jpg

Takabara
The Persians recruited a particularly ferocious Iranian tribe (known to them as the Takabara) for a strong offensive front, as well as for garrison forces. They were called Takabara because of the arms which they carried. The 'Taka' is the crescent moon shaped shield, which eventually many Persian units would adopt because of the better manoeuvrability afforded by its shape. The Takabara were also armed with axes capable of cleaving through bronze.

As they do not wear much armour other than thick linen clothes, they are vulnerable to missile attacks, and their short ranged weapons mean that phalanxes and cavalry can make short work of them. However, when used to counter attack pinned down troops or other light infantry, the Takabara's axe charge is a fearsome sight.
https://img87.imageshack.us/img87/85...aorunitmg8.jpg

Babylonian Horsmen
The Babylonian Horse Archers are the richer, older aristocrats who can afford good armour and are experienced enough on the field to engage in the melee more frequently. With a scale mail cuirass to protect them, these cavaliers can be a very effective anti - cavalry force. But again, their lack of shields means attacks on suspecting infantry formations are not advisable. They also carry bows to engage the enemy from a distance, and with this extra dimension to their skills, their combat effectiveness soars in comparison to regular cavalry. With more experience in the field, these men do not take so quickly to panic and flight, but hold the line and fight to protect their honor and their country.
https://img214.imageshack.us/img214/...earcherdj9.jpg

Credits:
Skins: pacco, tone
Models: tone
Historical research: Keravnos, pacco, RS team
Preview Assembly: The Fuzz
Big thanks to: whole RS team for their tireless work and of course our wonderful fans!