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    Arrow Preview: The Boii (II)

    " style="float:left;margin:0 10px 0 0;" />Greetings Europa Barbarorum fans.

    Today we are proud to present our second preview of the Boii, the oldest of all Celtic peoples in Europa Barbarorum. In this preview, we will show four new units: the Acus Eporedoi or "Swift cavalry", the old Leuce Epos from EB-I. The Kombaragoues, or "Those who share bread", retinue fighters for the celtic nobles, the equivalent of EB-I Neitos. The Klappagnetoi or "stone killers", the EB-I Iaosatae, and the Londo Epatoi or "Savage riders", a new unit of celtic light cavalry.
    In addition, we will show some more interesting data regarding this faction, such as the origins of their name, and the oppida location, along with some very nice videos!

    Enjoy!

    (For more information on this faction, go to the first Boii preview linked here)





    Etymology

    What does Boii mean?

    Boios, pl. Boii, (Boius in Latin, Βόϊοι in Greek) probably derives from Proto-Celtic *bouios, *bouii ‘a man who possesses cows’. Hence, in a pre-currency Celtic economy in which wealth was often reckoned in livestock, cattle in particular, a *bouios was a legally competent freeman. Compare the Old Irish legal term ambue ‘outsider, one not legally competent’, etymologically the negative of the same term, Proto- Celtic *ambouios ‘not a cattle-owner’ (cf. McCone, CMCS 12.11). It is therefore likely that the name originally signified an elite class rather than a tribe or people and that the significance changed as a result of migration and/or cultural expansion.

    An ancient form of Bohemia is Tacitus’s Boihaemum (Boii + proto-Germanic *haimoz, "home") ‘the home of the Boii’ (Germania 28.2). Other toponymns that feature 'Boii' are Boiodurum (modern Passau), and possible Bavaria, where Bayern is derived, like Bohemia, from a mixture of Celtic and Germanic elements- in this case *baio (proto-Germanic version of Boii) and *warioz, "Dwellers". However, this etymology has some critics.

    Julius Pokorny devised an alternative etymology for Boii: from Indo-European *bhei(ə)-, *bhī-, "hit;", which becomes *bhoi- through apophony. In this scenario, Boii means something like 'Warriors', or 'Fierce People'.

    A shard of a late La Tene vessel bearing the inscription Boios ‘a Boian’, dating to the 1st century bc, has been found in the oppidum of Manching in Bavaria (Kramer, Das keltische Jahrtausend 250). This is the most direct evidence that we have for what the people called themselves.




    Where were the Boii oppida located?


    This map shows the location of the settlements listed below.

    Zavist/Envy Oppidum


    Site Name: Lhota Cadastre, south of Prague -Točná District
    Possible Reference: Boiodorum
    Tribal Confederation: Boii
    Location: 49°58'2.04"N 14°24'14.40"E
    Site Type: Large Oppidum with an Acropolis
    Structural Type: Hill Fort
    Occupation: Approximately between 600 BC and 25 BC
    Area: 170 ha
    Status: Capital of the Boii Conderation
    Note: Need info on gate placement

    Stradonice Oppidum


    Site Name: Hradiště, Beroun District
    Possible Reference: RedintoÚinon (Rēdi(o?)-dūnon)
    Tribal Confederation: Boii
    Location: 49°59'30.85"N 14° 0'10.83"E
    Site Type: Large Oppidum with an Acropolis
    Structural Type: Hill Fort
    Occupation: Approximately between 120 BC and 25 BC
    Area: 90 ha
    Status: Second tier or district capital

    Nevězice Oppidum


    Site Name: Hrad, Pí#sek District
    Possible Reference: ?
    Tribal Confederation: Boii
    Location: 49°27'58.35"N 14°10'6.95"E
    Site Type: Small Oppidum
    Structural Type: Hill Fort
    Occupation: Approximately between 100 BC and 50 BC
    Area: 13 ha
    Status: Refugum

    Hrazany Oppidum


    Site Name: Radí#č cadastre, Příbram District
    Possible Reference: ?
    Tribal Confederation: Boii
    Location: 49°44'1.18"N 14°24'12.36"E
    Site Type: Oppidum
    Structural Type: Hill Fort
    Occupation: First occupation between 550 BC and 450 BC; second occupation from 120 BC to 25 BC
    Area: 40 ha
    Status: Minor capital of a local noble

    Třísov Oppidum


    Site Name: Hradiště - V hradišti, Český Krumlov District
    Possible Reference: Fourgisat…j
    Tribal Confederation: Boii
    Location: 48°53'13.06"N 14°21'12.34"E
    Site Type: Small Oppidum
    Structural Type: Hill Fort
    Occupation: from 50 BC to AD 1
    Area: 26 ha
    Status: Minor capital of a local noble

    Staré Hradisko Oppidum


    Site Name: Staré Hradisko
    Possible Reference: Streuint…a
    Tribal Confederation: Boii
    Location: 49°29'54.29"N 16°53'43.89"E
    Site Type: Small Oppidum
    Structural Type: Hill Fort
    Occupation: from 150 BC to 50 BC
    Area: 37.5 ha
    Status: Minor capital of a local noble



    The Warriors

    Klappagnetoi

    " style="float:left;margin:0 10px 0 0;" />
    Klappagnetoi ('Stone killers'). Renowned for their use of slings, the Celts bring excellent slingers with them. Although small in number, they are considered the best in all of Northern Europe. However, these men are not true warriors; and unfit for mêlée except against other slingers and light units. If kept at a distance these men can inflict significant damage on the enemy in little time; making armoured opponents think twice before entering shooting distance of these men.

    Historically, the slinger was a common sight on ancient battlefields. The sling and stone can certainly be more deadly than javelins or arrows when used correctly; and for troops with small or no shields, slingers are among the deadliest opponents to face. The Celts seem to have favoured the sling and bullet over the bow and arrow. Caches of sling shots have been found in for example Britain, which evidences their common usage among Celts. Whether in the defence of the Dunon (or Oppidum), or taking the fight to the field, slingers are valuable in any form of warfare and not to be underestimated. Especially not at a distance!



    Londo Epatoi

    " style="float:left;margin:0 10px 0 0;" />
    (Lon-doh E-pat-oy. ‘Savage Riders’). The Celts of Eastern Europe are known for their savage nature in war and this, combined with their long standing and famous cavalry tradition, produces great cavalry of like minded temperament. Renowned for their large numbers and daring ambushes, the Londo Epatoi are quick, agile horsemen that spearhead any campaign or raid, no matter how great or small. Seated in the Gallic saddle, they can deliver a greater charge than most other horsemen of similar armament and can melee like cavalry of greater rank. These riders fulfill the need of bridging cavalry that excels in fast hit-and-run strikes with that of notable staying power during melee.

    Historically, these riders spread far and wide. Images come to us from modern day southern Germany and Turkey showing bare-chested, spiky haired, and sword bearing cavalry that appear nearly identical to each other despite their discoveries being thousands of miles apart. While the Gauls in the West perfected their own style of horsemanship, parallel developments occurred in the East as well with cavalry becoming a symbol of the prestigious and successful warrior.


    Acus Eporedoi

    " style="float:left;margin:0 10px 0 0;" />
    Acus Eporedoi (Ak-us E-po-red-oy 'Swift Horsemen') are fast and well armed cavalrymen: a staple force in Iron Age warfare. In Celtic Europe, the emphasis on cavalry is well known and rightly feared. The Acus Eporedoi are among the great horsemen of tribe and state. Their weapons of choice are charging spears and javelins, and their constant training as well as good/excellent horsemanship allow them to perform well in battle with admirable staying power. Similar to other wealthier or noble units, their skill and access to superior equipment improves through various reforms as time progresses, which enables them to remain the medium cavalry of choice among Celts.

    Historically, Celtic middle class consisted mostly of the freemen within the tribe or state. These men were free to choose their own way of life within local law or constitution. This included devoting their lives to farming, trading or other occupations. Warfare was just one such occupation, especially as it was never far away. Wealthier members among this middle class often afforded the ownership of Gallic ponies for use in fighting as semi-professional cavalrymen during the campaigning season. Those who did are represented by the Acus Eproedoi.

    Although larger breeds of horses were known among the Western Gauls and Eastern Celts, doubtless bred from larger Scythian breeds from the east and the exclusive property of nobles, the overwhelming number of Gallic mounts were small by modern standards, similar in size to ponies. However, they are incredibly hardy, agile, resistant to disease and very strong relative to their size. These wonderful characteristics in their mounts, augmented with a four-pronged Gallic saddle allow the Celts a perfect combination for battle in hills, dense forests and the varied features of the terrain of their homeland.

    Early:



    Middle:



    Late:



    Kombaragoues

    " style="float:left;margin:0 10px 0 0;" />
    (Kom-bar-ag-o-wes. ‘Those Who Share Bread’). Kombaragoues are bodyguards and chief vassals of the mighty Argoi. Elite in status, Kombarargoues furnish the Argoi with veteran warriors bound by the ethos of protecting their chieftain while furthering his aims of glory and prestige. In turn, they receive varied gifts and honor from their chief and remain in supreme standing among other warriors. Their infantry based panoply is second only to the Argoi and as time progresses, advances in Celtic technology and iron working enable chainmail to become more common as well as iron helmets, resulting in a more deadly and formidable group of bodyguards.

    Historically, Celtic societies were major proponents of vassalage. The most successful warriors and generals would be praised and lauded within the tribe or state and as such, would attract or indebt others into their service. Each vassal or man-at-arms would have varying abilities in and out of combat. Not all clients were natural warriors, however, but those with combined qualities of superior swordplay and combat skills, coupled with utmost loyalty and devotion, would quickly earn themselves a place within the leading and most rewarded vassals of nobles and kings. Men such as these are represented by the Kombaragoues.

    Early:



    Middle:



    Late:






    Videos

    We are proud to present a couple of videos showcasing the Boii in action. In the first video, you will be able to see the four new units in the M2TW engine, in their respective variants. In the second video, you will see them fighting against the Getai! Courtesy of JMRC!


    Unit Video:

    Cast (in order of appearance):

    • Acus Eporedoi Late
    • Acus Eporedoi Middle
    • Acus Eporedoi Early
    • Londo Epatoi
    • Kombaragoues Early
    • Kombaragoues Middle
    • Kombaragoues Late
    • Klappagnetoi




    Download it!

    Combat Video:



    Download it too!



    Signature Banners

    In case you haven't done so already, show your support for Europa Barbarorum in style with these three new signature banners, featuring the mighty Boii! Courtesy of Gustave.








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