ANCIENT WARS Faction Preview - ROME

[KLAssurbanipal]

FACTION PREVIEW - ROME

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Roman Republic. Lots of small, italian city-states tremble with fear, hearing the name of the mighty country of the Capitoline Wolf’ Sons. Since they banished Etruscian kings in 509 BC, the significance and influence of Rome had increased. This development took place mostly because of the brave army, but also a very clever alliance system, in which everyone had an alliance with Rome, but nobody had any connections with other allies. Only terrifying Gauls from north could stop the expansion of the Roman Wolves.

Since Gauls nearly leveled Rome, many things have changed. The army gave up with the phalanx - the greek way of fighting. A new strategy of fighting was invented – the maniple formation. It was based on three groups of soldiers - Hastati, Principes and Triarii and light-armoured units, cavalry and allies. Because of the giant mobilization potential, Roman armies are larger than the lazy Greek’s and merchant Carthaginian’s ones. Hellenistic armies were based on expensive mercenaries and a few native Greeks. Romans generously granted citizenships and every Republic’s inhabitant had a duty of a military service. These Roman citizens and inhabitants of Latin colonies are the greatest power in the Republic Army.

When you take over the power in Rome, the country seems to take the full control of the Italian Peninsula. However, the Republic got into trouble. In the north, still unbridled Etruscans are laying siege to the main Roman fortress there – Arretium, situated near the Eternal City colonies – Vulci and Volsinii are rebelling, in the south there is still war with Samnite tribes. For Tarentian appeal for help, Pyrrhus, king of Epirus appears. He had to stop the Roman march. Samnites and Etruscans formed a coalition against Rome and gathered a large army. The Republic formed several new legions. Pyrrhus with his army is on a plain near the Heraclea. He wants to wage a battle.
Therefore, Rome is surrounded with enemies, and tired of incessant wars. As a new leader of Rome, you have to manage the challenges assigned to you from the Senate and Roman people. You have to defeat the rebels, show gladius’ abilities to the lazy Greeks and seize Punic treasures. Let your legionaries bring Pax et Lex Romana to all lands all across the world. Let the war begin!

Roman Velites

Velites are roman light infantry, armed with few small javelins and gladius. Protective equipment consist of a round shield and leather helmet or fur (usually from the wolf) on their heads. Velites are recruited from young man, that comes from poor families. During battle they fight in front of main forces and they throw their javelins. Before the main fight they go withdraw behind the line of heavy infantry. The poorest group of soldiers usually begins their military carrier in velites units. They are swift and nimble. They are integral part of roman legions.

Latin Velites

Velites are Latin light infantry, armed with few small javelins and gladius. Protective equipment consist of a round shield and leather helmet or fur (usually from the wolf) on their heads. Velites are recruited from young man, that comes from poor families. During battle they fight in front of main forces and they throw their javelins. Before the main fight they go withdraw behind the line of heavy infantry. The poorest group of soldiers usually begins their military carrier in velites units. They are swift and nimble. They are integral part of roman legions.

Roman Hastati

In legions Hastati are a first line of heavy infantry. They are armed with pilum and gladius. Protective equipment consist of scutum shield, greave on the left leg, montefortino helmet and light plastron made from bronze plate attached to body by leather stripes. Hastati are recruited mostly from peasants families, that not always are rich. They are the biggest part of recruits in roman army. They are still young and they did not capture any spoils of war nor gained glory in battle. It is them who goes to battle as first ones. They are persistent and little impetuous but they lack experience.

Latin Hastati

Hastati are first line of roman's latin ally cohorts. They are armed with pilum and gladius. Protective equipment consist of scutum shield, greave on the left leg, montefortino helmet and light leather plastron attached to body by leather stripes. Hastati are recruited mostly from peasants families, that not always are rich. They are the biggest part of recruits in roman army. They are still young and they did not capture any spoils of war nor gained glory in battle. It is them who goes to battle as first ones. They are persistent and little impetuous but they lack experience.

Roman Principes

In legions Principes are a second line of heavy infantry. They are armed with pilum and gladius. Protective equipment consist of scutum shield, greaves, hellenic helmet and lorica hamata (chain mail). Principes are recruited from medium rich families - mostly from peasant ones - from strong man who have fought in battles in their past. They support first line when it has problems. In legions they form a core of roman infantry. They are experienced and perfectly trained.

Latin Principes

Principes are second line of roman's latin ally cohorts. They are armed with pilum and gladius.
Protective equipment consist of scutum shield, greaves, etrusco-corinthian helmet and "musculum" plastron. Principes are recruited from medium rich families - mostly from peasant ones - from strong man who have fought in battles in their past. They support first line when it has problems. They form a core of latin heavy infantry. They are experienced and perfectly trained.

Roman Triarii

In legions Triarii are a third line of heavy infantry. They are armed with spear and gladius.
Protective equipment consist of scutum shield, greaves, etrusco-corinthian helmet, lorica hamata (chain mail) and greaves. Triarii are recruited from rich families - mostly from peasant ones, from very strong who have fought in battles in their past. They support first and second line when they have problems and oftne they decide about the result of battle. They are the oldest and the best armed legionaries. They have big experience and they are perfectly trained.

Latin Triarii

Triarii are third line of roman's latin ally cohorts. They are armed with spear and sword. Protective equipment consist of scutum shield, greaves, montefortino helmet, lorica hamata (chain mail) and greaves. Triarii are recruited from rich families - mostly from peasant ones, from very strong who have fought in battles in their past. They support first and second line when they have problems and oftne they decide about the result of battle. They are the oldest and the best armed heavy infantry in latin infantry. They have big experience and they are perfectly trained.

Equites

Equites are a roman cavalry. They come from upper classes of roman society and because of their wealth they are armed with spears and swords of good quality. Protective equipment consist of beotian helmet and lorica hamata. Though the lack of experience and equestrian traditions in Rome, or lesser importance in combat they are rather brave and quick-tempered. Lack of experience they make up with their spirit. The only reason for what this formation of young nobles exists is protecting flanks and chasing after the enemy that flee after fight with heavy infantry from legions.

Consul's Equites

This is cavalry unit that consist of the best riders from Rome. They form guards of consuls in battle. This is the unit that one can rely on it because they proved they value in battle many times. Though cavalry tradition in Rome does not exist those riders are the best protection to consul that one can dream. They are armed with musculum armour, beotian helmets, small shields - that give protection in battle, their swords and spears are of the best quality so one can be sure that their strikes will be mortal ones. Charge of general's cavalry many times have changed the result of battles when with one move they smashed the whole wing of enemy army.

Extraordinarii Cavalry

Extraordinarii cavalry is an elite unit in full meaning of this words in roman army.
Not only that they are recruited from allied allies (Socii) that often have long cavalry traditions, but also only one from every three riders is chosen from allied regiments to have the privilege to serve in that formation. So only the bests could join to this unit, because of tasks that are given to them are not simple at all. They have to protect of the most dangerous terrain during march and they always have to be at disposal of consul. This was an unit to special tasks, as the name of it says. Even their tents in the camp stood in the closest distance to general's quarters. Because they come from nobles in their nations they are armed with equipment of high quality. Phrygian helmets bronze plastrons "musculum" and little shield perfectly fits to equipment of heavy cavalry. To fight they have spears and swords

Signifer

Proud of roman legions are perfect organization, good command, splendour victories and fear that is in their enemies before they come. That large pride can be seen in sign of every legion, cohorts, maniples, centuries or even dekturies. Ever unit has its sign (signum) that unites them. Such sign are carried by Signifers, the bravest from brave. The honour to carry legion's sign can not be given to anybody, and usually it is him, not anyone else, who goes first into fierce battle. They are armed with gladius, lorica hamata (chain mail), helmet covered with fur from bear and greaves it is good equipment but in defending himself in is incomparable to scutum. That is why Signifer has to be good swordsman to manage without it. The duty of every other miles is to protect him at all cost.

Centurion

Officers of lower rank fight together with normal soldiers and because of their courage, will-power and discipline there is an aura of might around roman legions. After many years of military service, some of veterans takes up that position. They are example for all legionaries, they fight bravely without a fear. They are armed with hellenic helmet of good quality, lorica hamata (chain mail), greaves, gladius and small shield. Because all of this there are now infantryman who can stand against them to equal fight. Many Centurions are owners of large farms and they are richer then almost every legionaries.

Praetor

He is a replacement of consul when he can not lead legions. As captains of the army they have to be well armed - gilded etrusco-corinthian helmet with transverse crest, "musculum" plastron and greaves are easy to see them even from the other side of battle field. Because he is armed only with gladius he does not rush into combat, he prefers to command from the second line, to be ready to crush the enemy with reserves when there are problems. By dint of many tactical and strategic victories many praetors received social advancement and in elections they became consuls.

Consul

One from two man elected to be a commander of Rome and its legions. Because he is strong, experienced and very well equipped, he sets an example to all soldiers of Eternal City. He wears gilded armour - "musculum", greaves and hellenic helmet with crest so he it is easy to be seen. Everyone has to see consul when he is giving orders or when he charge, leading his equites to final and crucial attack. He is armed only with gladius, so he will not do a lot when he his alone but when he leads consular army together with allies support he can conquer in the name of Rome every city and every land in condition that his enemy does not have units as powerful as he has.

Units by Saniol