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Faction Preview:
Syracuse
Units:Idomeneas, Models:Ellyssian Warrior, Map: Uranos, Historial info:Apostate & Team, Italian Mercs models & Skins:Snevets, Additional Art:Lupus.
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Syracuse
Syracuse was founded in 734 BC, by Corinthian settlers. The settlers found the land to be fertile and the native tribes to be reasonably well-disposed to their presence. The city grew and prospered, and for some time stood as the most powerful Hellenic city anywhere in the Western Mediterranean! From the 5th century BC till 211 BC, the city-state was ruled by tyrants, with a few democratic intervals in between. The Syracusians soon deployed cities and outposts to strengthen their position and their interests in Sicily. However, the most important colony of theirs, Kamarina, rebelled in 548 BC against their mother city and was eventually destroyed and deserted in mid 6th century BC after the Syracusians recieved help from the native Sicanians. Kamarina was uninhabited until it was resettled by the neighbouring city of Gela, also a Dorian colony.
One of the most important figures in Syracusian history was definitely Gelon, the son of Deinomenes, who during the 5th century BC became ruler of Gela and Syracuse. On the death of Hippocrates, tyrant of Gela (491 BC), Gelon, who had been his commander of cavalry, succeeded him; and in 485 BC, his aid having been invoked by the Gamori of Syracuse -the land owners aristocrats- who had been driven out by the populace, he seized the opportunity of making himself despot.
From this time Gelon paid little attention to Gela, and devoted himself to the aggrandizement of Syracuse, which attained extraordinary wealth and influence. One by one he exterminated his opponents in other Greek cities of Sicily and became the leading power of western Hellenism. When the Greeks solicited his aid against Xerxes, he refused it, since they would not give him command of the allied forces. In the same year the Carthaginians invaded Sicily, but were totally defeated at Himera, when they faced the strategical genius of Gelon. The Greek ancient historians attest that none of the 300,000 barbarians escaped death or captivity according to Diodoros. Gelon himself, during the main part of the battle before his enemies withdrew from Himera, had ordered his troops to take no prisoners. The result was that the Carthaginian war machine was disabled and their general fell in the field. After his famous victory, Gelon became lord of all Sicily. After he had thus established his power, he made a show of resigning it; but his proposal was rejected by the multitude, and he reigned without opposition until his death in 478 BC. He was honoured as a hero, and his memory was held in such respect that when all the brazen statues of tyrants were condemned to be sold in the time of Timoleon, 150 years later, an exemption was made in favour of the statue of Gelon. After the death of this supreme Hellene, the Syracusian military force continue to undertake the defence of Italian Hellenism against the Carthaginian Phoenicians, but none of the future generals were as effective as Gelon!
Syracuse was a wealthy and powerfull city. Plenty of materials, metals, cattle, anything a community always needs. So besides Carthage, many Hellenic factions had Syracuse as a target of their expansionist plans. But, many died during the process! Like the Athenians, in their Sicilian Expedition (between 415-413 BC), when they suffered their greatest catastrophy from the Syracusians, with the help of the Corinthians and Athens’ eternal foe, the Lacedaimonians. The Syracusian cavalry and navy managed to slow down the Athenian advance until they ensured the help from overseas. From the total 40,000 troops deployed (Athenians, allies and mercenaries), only a few survived! Many died as slaves, in the "hell" of Syracucian mines! Many thousands of prisoners were executed (including generals Demosthenes and Nikias) to satisfy the angry mob, against the orders of Gylippos, the Spartan military advisor sent from the Peloponnese to bring reinforcements to Syracuse and to coordinate the city's defence. This was the final blow to the mighty city of Athens, which never restored its hegemony. Syracusians had a complete army. It was as effective as the other Hellenic factions’ armies from the Greek mainland. But, Syracusians had nearly all types of troops available; hoplites, peltasts, javelinthrowers, slingers, archers, light infantry units and most kinds of auxilia, heavy units, cavalry of all types even sieging machines in later ages, anything that existed in military warfare!
Syracuse did not produce only good governors, armies, fleets and merchants. They also gave to humanity many philoshophers, inventors and scientists.
One of the greatest minds of all times, was Archimedes of Syracuse. Philoshopher, physicist, astronomer, mathematician, engineer and many more, this genius has been marked from his discoveries and inventions. In 401 BC, 3000 Hoplites joined the famous Ten Thousand Army, the strong Hellenic mercenary army, which Cyrrus the Younger hired, in his war against his brother, the Great King of Persia.
In the early 4th century BC, the tyrant Dionysios the Elder managed to fight a close war against Carthaginians, Syracuse's greatest enemy. The intense wars against the Carthaginians kept going by Agathocles who tried to move the war to Africa but eventually was defeated by the barbarians. Syracuse remained the only Hellenic stronghold by controling the eastern third of the island, when the increasing might of Rome was ready to challenge the Carthaginians for the dominance of Sicily.
In the Hellenic mainland, the defences against the Persian invasion are based on the Lacedaimonian might on land, while at sea, Athens and Corinth keep the largest and most capable fleets. However in Sicily, the Syracusians have to raise and keep both a strong army of many unit types, capable to face the numerous Carthaginians, and a strong navy to ensure that the sea routes remain open for troops and trade. They have the resources to succeed, since they were one of the strongest Greek forces during the 5th century BC!
Regions
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Units
Allied Hoplites
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Hoplites from nearby allied lesser cities
Syracusian Hoplites
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Syracusian hoplites are very experienced troops, having taken part in many battles over Sicily against other Greeks, Phoenicans, Sicanians and other Italian people, also many of them have served as mercenaries as far away as in the battle of Cunaxa, in the famous mercenary army of the "ten thousand", hired by Cyrrus the Younger, who had claims on the Persian throne.
Syracusian Cavalry
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Unlike most of the Greeks on the Greek mainland, the Greeks of Italy and Sicily used strong cavalry and had developed such tactics in warfare, to a degree that their cavalry played a major role in the final outcome. The successful use of cavalry made it famous and it was feared by their enemies. The Syracusian cavalry was distinguished both against Carthaginians and against Sicilian Greeks and of course the invading Athenians against whom they did their best to prevent them from taking over the city in the first year of the Athenian offensive. The Syracusians could raise an impressive 5000 cavalry (including their allies), which most likely included heavily armoured cavalry, with horsemen who wore full metal breasts. Even the famous tyrant of Syracuse, Gelon, started his carreer as a cavalry commander in the city of Gela.
The work of the cavalry varied, and some of its roles were scouting, hit and run tactics, backing infantry, covering retreating infantry, demoralizing the enemy, raiding, flanking and nailing down the enemy, guarding resources and also probably directly engaging the enemy for a number of cavalry units as well. Although the use of cavalry directly against heavy infantry was not the norm, it has been recorded to directly attack and force back hoplites, which requires close fighting and face to face combat. Especially against disorganized hoplite formations, cavalry was deadly and could charge and shatter them! Moreover it's recorded that the Syracusian cavalry fought on the right wing of the formation and often successfully routed the enemy's left wing. Cavalry equipment was developed accord to its role, so some horsemen were protected with breasts, semi-open helmets and shields as well, while others with lighter scouting and harassing duties were lighter armed. Their weapons though had few differences and were a spear or two which could be thrown or thrusted and in lesser cases a cavalry sword. The horse itself sometimes was protected with metal plates on its breast and forehead. The impact of the strength of the Syracusian Cavalry, which numbered more than 1000 very capable horsemen when deployed in battle, to the Athenians in their Sicilian expedition was very big and at once they also started looking for mounted reinforcements along with specialized missile troops in order to deal with the deadly threat. It's stated that one of the lies which the Athenians were told in ordered to be allured by the foes of Syracuse and campaign against them, was about the numbers of their cavalry. The harassing enemy cavalry made it difficult for them to use their psiloi and auxiliary units efficiently, it made them feel insecure and also created many problems for them while they were setting up camp, and of course were a deadly menace to them or anyone else not familiar with cavalry tactics.
Syracusian Family Member Bodyguards
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The generals guard consist of the finest horsemen available.
Gela Hoplites
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These hoplites come from one the strongest Greek cities of Sicily.
Himera Hoplites
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Himera was originally a city founded by Chalkidians, near the most eastern located Phoenician settlements in Sicily, located on a very strategical position which controlled a large part of north Sicily. The city was eventually controlled by tyrants from Rhodian cities and Syracuse.
Leontinian Hoplites
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These hoplites come from a nearby Chalkidian city which was often hostile towards Syracuse.
Syracusian Marines
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The Syracusians, being a naval force themselves, can afford marines of the highest quality
Syracusian Archers
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The Syracusians used a variety of ranged missile units, including archers, which could harass heavier enemy troops from a distance.
Hippodromoi Psiloi
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In order to maximise the efficiency of their cavalry, the Syracusians formed squads of light and fast troops to fight in cooperation with the cavalry.
Italian Mercenaries
After gaining access to areas of southern and central Italy, the Syracusians started hiring mercenaries from Campania and other nearby areas.
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We sincerly hope you have enjoyed our 13th faction preview.
The Hegemonia Team
