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Thread: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

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    Default Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    Greetings Europa Barbarorum fans.

    This is the second part of the Getai faction preview, where we present information not covered in the first preview.






    An old enemy of those "civilised" cities has once more returned.





    The History of the Getai

    At the end of the Aeneolithic Age, around 3500 BC, an important ethnic and cultural synthesis took place that led to the appearance of new peoples and cultures in Central Europe and the Balkans. These peoples can be identified with the traditional ethnic groups of Old Europe: the Hellenes, the Illyrioi, and the Thraikes. The Thraikes came to inhabit the vast territory from the south of Poland, to the north of Hellas and from Slovakia to north-western Anatolia. The historian Herodotus speculated that "the population of Thraike is greater than that of any other country in the world except India. If the Thraikes could be united under a single ruler, or to a common purpose, they would be the most powerful nation on earth and no one could cope with them."

    The next historical period, the Bronze Age (3500 to 1200 BC) saw the development of the Thraikes. A spectacular demographic growth occurred, as proven by archeological discoveries of many large settlements, some of them fortified. The metallurgy practiced in Bronze Age Getia, learned from their neighbors, attained high levels of craftsmanship, as evidenced by the rich deposits of bronze and gold items found in parts of Transylvania. Rich sanctuary sites belie the existence of a powerful priestly class and religious culture, while rich sanctuary deposits and a handful of noble burials offer some glimpse into the vibrant tribal aristocracy that emerged in this period. The lower classes spent most of their efforts in agriculture and pastoralism, but the latter part of this period saw the emergence of mining and metallurgy, as well as simple handicraft manufacture and trade.

    Beginning in 1400 BC, important ethnic and cultural developments took place in the Carpathian-Danubian territory over a period of several hundred years. Nomadic tribes from the Sabatinovka culture moved towards the west while the creators of the mound tomb culture (hugelgraber-kultur) came from the regions of central Europe toward the east and southeast, causing the dislocation of some Thracian tribes and the massive movement of peoples toward southeastern Europe, to north-eastern Anatolia and beyond to Egypt and the coastlands of the Levant. Many of these migrant peoples interacted with the various Thraikes, which led to greater capacity for metallurgy and more skill in architecture. The northern Thraikians continued much as they had before, though the emergence of small fortifications and a switch from a mixed economy to one focused more heavily on pastoralism during the Dark Ages indicates that war had come to this region as well. The nobility remained wealthy, benefiting from the value of salt extracted from the region and sold abroad. Their wealth is evidenced by fortified villages and several significant deposits of high quality goods from the transitional period between the Bronze and Iron Ages: single-edged swords, axes, fibulae, buckles, and the like. The most significant invasion, toward the close of this period, was a devastating Skythian invasion of Inner Carpathia around 700 BC, which despite its negative effects also introduced new technologies, many of them military, to the emerging Getai. Iron smelting became much more significant from this point, and the technologies of both horsemanship and archery were either introduced or much advanced due to the contact with the Skythians.

    Strabo reports that "the Getai are those who occupy the territory toward the sea and the east, while the Dakoi are those who live in the opposite part toward Germania and the source of the Donaris." Despite this they spoke the same language and belonged to the same ethnic group. The different names may reflect changing identification over time, or could signify some slight differences in ethnic identities between the regions separated by the massive Carpathians. The last phase of the first Iron Age (650 to the latter half of the fifth century BC) and the first two phases of the second Iron Age (the latter half of the fifth century BC to the beginning of the second century BC) denote a distinct historical period in the evolution of these northern Thraikes. They were still divided, passing through stages of political development that differed from region to region. They were greatly influenced by the people with whom they came in contact: most prominent among them the Hellenes, Skythai, Halstatt-era Keltoi, and even Persai.

    The Hellenes founded several colonies (apoikia) and commercial settlements (emporia) such as Histria on the shore of Lake Sinoe, Tomis (today Constanta), Argamon, Kallatis (today Mangalia), and Tyras (today Cetatea Alba), on the western and northern shores of the Pontos Euxeinos in the mid-to-late seventh century BC. These settlements, referred to as the "Hellenes beyond the seas," played a vital role in the development of the Getai and Skythai due to their multiple economic contacts, political relationships, cultural developments, and economic exchanges with the local communities. Close relationships formed between the Getai and Hellenes that led to the gradual Hellenization of the native tribes. Hellenic ceramic goods, luxury items, and superior oils and wines spread throughout Dobrogea and beyond to Moldavia, Muntenia, and Oltenia. Rapid cultural progress took place. Some tribes, including the Getai, founded powerful political organizations led by dynasts during the sixth to the third centuries BC. Herodotos relates that during the expedition King Dareios I led against the Skythai north of the Black Sea in 513 BC, the Getai alone resisted the advance of the Persian Army. Though they fought valiantly enough for Herodotos to declare them “the manliest and most just of the tribes of the Thraikes,” they were eventually defeated and at least some of their number enslaved by the king of kings. Later, Thoukydides speaks of the same Getai fighting alongside the Odrysian King Sitalkes against the allies of Athenai in the Peloponesian War of 429 BC.

    Philippos II of Makedonia, in order to punish the Skythian king Atias for his treachery, concluded an alliance with the Getic king Kothelas. This alliance was consecrated by the marriage of Kothelas's daughter Meda to Philippos in 339 BC. The Getai and Makedones drove the Skythai from Kallatis and Kothelas became the master of the colonies on the Pontos Euxeinos. Philippos's son, Megas Alexandros, undertook an expedition against the Triballoi in the year 335 BC in preparation for his great Persian campaign. The legendary general defeated the Triballoi and made a brief expedition north of the Istros (Danube) against the Getai, who mustered an army of 4,000 horseman and 10,000 infantry to resist the young war-king. A peace was made without bloodshed, and the Getai were spared the military governorship installed over the other Thraikes. The peace was short-lived, however, as around 325 BC the military governor of Thraike was killed together with his entire army by a Getic-Skythian combined force.

    This victory, combined with the death of Megas Alexandros in 323 BC, weakened Makedonian control in the region and allowed the Getai to become the dominant political force. The tribes offered vital assistance to the Hellenic colonies on the coastline of the Pontos Euxeinos, led by Kallatis, in their struggle against the Makedonian Lysimachos, the King of Thraike. But the most important episode, related by several ancient authors (Diodoros Sikilios, Strabo, and Trogus Pompeius) was the conflict between Lysimachos and the Getian kingdom of Dromichaites. The kingdom of Dromichaites was located in Eastern Muntenia, having its capital at Helis (Sveshtari, Bulgaria). The Makedonian king tried to make the Donaris his northern frontier, while the Getian tried to maintain his control over the colonies on the Pontos Euxeinos, as Kothelas had done a generation or two earlier. Lysimachos organized two campaigns into the north, in 300 and 292 BC. The result was a military disaster as both Lysimachos and his heir Agathokles were captured. The Makedones finally recognized Getic supremacy over the lower Istros and Pontos Euxeinos. A royal marriage concluded the alliance between the two powers. Shortly thereafter the kingdom of Dromichaites, the people of the Getai in general, faced a great blow. The Galatai, who laid low the king of Makedonia in 279 BC and sacked Delphoi the following year, wrought ruin among the Getai who dwelt along and south of the Donaris. Helis was abandoned, and the southern banks of the Donaris truly became the “desert” it had seemed to those who had formerly sought to invade it.

    Development for the Getai was pushed north of the Istros, or east of it into the region of Mikra Skythia. A sort of wild period followed, as tarabostes of the many regions carved out petty kingdoms of their own, and at one another's expense. Two Getic rulers (Zalmodegikos and later Rhemaxos) continued to exercise control over Histria, like the kings of the Getai before them, and may represent a continuation of the ruling traditions of Dromichaites and Kothelas, whether by birth, tribal affiliation, or propoganda. Still others ruled petty fiefdoms from fortified villages in the northeast, while unnamed rulers led their people in war and trade with the Keltoi settlers working their way into Inner Carpathia. Around the year 200 BC King Oroles from southern Moldavia opposed the advance of the Bastarnai, and while he stopped their advance the two peoples would war against--and sometimes alongside--one another many times in years to come. Another king, Rubobostes, ended the Celtic domination in Transylvania early in the second century, even as Getai in southwestern Getia developed better and better relationships with their former enemies, the Skordiskoi. Forging alliances among the tarabostes and negotiating power relationships with hostile peoples in all directions, the rulers of the Getai acquired significant political experience during this period, which presaged the expansion of Getic power in the following century.

    By the middle of the second century BC the Geto-Dacians entered a new period of development, the most advanced in their entire history. The most interesting part of this period is the appearance of proto-urban settlements known as davas. They were organized areas, being political, commercial, religious and military centers of the Getic tribes. Some used an amalgamation of Roman, Greek, and Celtic fortification techniques, known as Murus Dacicus. The Dacian fortresses found north of the Danube, like the complex of fortifications in the Sebes mountaines, formed the strongest defensive systems in the "barbarian" world. The Getic craftsmen had ties with the Roman and Hellenic worlds, which brought an unprecedented level of economic development. The Dacian goldsmiths even exported to far-off Scandinavia. The society clearly stratified into two social groups: the komatai (the free people) and tarabostes (the nobility). The leaders of the state were selected from the nobility, which was distinguishable by the fur caps they wore. A powerful but smaller third social class, the priests, served as intermediaries between god and man, and oversaw the vibrant cultic centers of Getic religion, of which that at Sarmiszegethusa is most renowned. This was part of the transition to the cult of Zalmoxis, which became fully incorporated into the state structure. Like noblemen, priests wore fur caps to express their position. The high priest was an important position second only to the king. It was this cult that allowed the unification of the Getic tribes to occur.

    During the first century BC they were finally united under the rule of King Burebista (70-44 BC). As his power increased, he opposed Roman supremacy north of the Balkans. He is referred to by the people of Dionysopolis as "the first and the most powerful among the kings who ever reigned in Thraike, master of the entire region this side of the great river." His kingdom, centered at Argedava, gradually expanded in all directions. Getic armies crushed the Boioi and Tauriskoi, led by Kritosiros, in the winter campaign of 60 BC. He later (in 55 BC) conquered the Hellenic colonies on the Black Sea coast, defeating the Bastarnai and securing the shoreline from Olbia in the north to Apollonia in the south. Now Getia was a force to be reckoned with. Previous military successes inspired the Getai to mount a campaign south of the Istros around 48 BC. The result of this was contact between the Roman and Getic worlds. Burebista could afford to interfere in the Roman civil war by supporting Pompey in his struggle against Julius Caesar. Thus, the Getai were now united against a common foe. When the threat of an invasion ended with the death of Caesar on the Ides of March in 44 BC, the sense of common purpose collapsed, and the tarabostes assassinated Burebista. His successor, the high priest Dekeneus, failed to keep the tarabostes from civil war. In the following decades four minor kingdoms emerged from the civil war and none of them was individually strong enough to halt the Roman advance in the Balkans.

    A capable strategist, diplomat and politician, King Decebalus united the Getai, or Daci, once more under his rule (87-106 AD). He introduced a centralized administrative system, which led to the development of the most well-organized barbarian states in the first century AD. The fledgling Dacian state became a menace to Roman authority as Decebalus mobilized the tribes in a raid against the Roman garrisons of Moesia Inferior in 87 AD. Oppius Sabinus, the Roman governor, along with his entire legion, were slain. He later repelled the Roman counter-offensive led by Cornelius Fuscus, capturing the Roman eagle. The line of victories ended at Tapae, where the Roman army of Tettius Iulianus finally defeated the army of Decebalus. The Roman Emperor Domitian was forced however to conclude a peace treaty with the Dacians in 89 AD. Dacia became a “client kingdom” and received Roman war machines, engineers and even financial assistance to improve the Dacian fortresses. When Marcus Ulpius Traianus became emperor in 98 AD, he decided to eliminate the Dacian kingdom. Apart from desire for vengeance, the new ruler needed to secure his flank along the Istros and gain the rich gold mines of the Apuseni mountains.

    The result was a series of Daco-Roman wars (AD 101-102, 105-106), at the end of which Dacia would become a Roman province, bringing about the end of Zalmoxianism. The emperor's 150,000 men from Illyria and Moesia crossed a bridge of boats at Berzovia. The Dacians suffered a crushing defeat at Tapae. Only the break of winter halted the Romans from reaching the Dacian capital of Sarmisegetuza. In the spring the Dacians, aided by Roxolani Sauromatai, went on the offensive to relieve their capital. They failed as the Romans defeated them at Tropaeum Traiani and Nicopolis. Decebalus sued for peace. The peace terms were so humiliating for the Dacians that a new conflict was inevitable. Three years later the conflict broke out after Decebalus refused to dismantle his fortresses. Marching his troops on the bridge across the Danube, Trajan reached the walls of Sarmisegetuza a second time, this time aided by Mauran auxiliary cavalry who were more than competent at fighting uphill battles with the Getai. The capital fell to the Romans and Decebalus was forced to retreat north. Pursued by Roman cavalry the king chose to commit suicide rather than fall prisoner. Getia was no more; Rome became the sole authority in the Carpatho-Danubian region, pressed only by the wilder Getic tribes north of the mountains. Their colonists later merged with the shattered tribes to form the Romanian people of today.




    Basileion ton Getikon
    Imagine a Centum language that had acquired Satem features over time. Imagine a civilization at the crossroads, influenced by Steppe people, Hellenes and Keltoi, permanently divided and always in a perpetual war with its neighbors or with itself.
    This is Getia, and this is the story of its Basileion.


    The nobility of Getia and Mikra Skythia at the start of EB II:

    ZALMODEGIKOS – In the first half of the third century BC Zalmodegikos is mentioned in a Histrian decree. The decree gives the impression that he was a powerful Getai Basileus. He held 60 citizens hostage and prevented the Hellenes from cultivating the land, using land routes for trade, and fishing at Halmiris, which proved catastrophic for the empoika. Three Histrian presbyteroi were able to persuade him to release the hostages and allow economic life return to normal.
    Age: 50
    Ethnicity: Ordes (Faction Leader)
    Location: E. Getia

    RHEMAXOS – By the middle of the third century BC, the Histrian Decree for Agathokles mentions Rhemaxos as protector of the Hellenic empoika after he successfully defended it from Zoltes with 100 horsemen. Later, Phradmon, the Kleomonos Basileus, annihilated the remaining Thraikes with an additional 600 riders.
    Age: 19
    Ethnicity: Ordes (Faction Heir)
    Location E.Getia

    MOSKON – Is the first Getai Basileus who issued coins. The inscription on them is “BASILEUS MOSKON”. He ruled in southern Moldova, in the contact zone with the Pontic Hellenes and the Skythians. He will be aligned with the Eleutheroi at the start of the game and his presence symbolizes the power struggle between different tribal confederations in Getia following the destruction of Helis.
    Age: 20
    Ethnicity: Eleutheroi (Rebel)
    Location: E.Getia

    ZOLTES – Is the Zibythides who decided to wage war against Histria and invaded Mikra Skythia with a large Thraiko-Moisian army. He was vanquished by the combined armies of Rhemaxos and Phradmon. If he survived, we know nothing of his later career.
    Age: 20
    Ethnicity: Eleutheroi (Rebel)
    Location: Thraikia Hyperterra


    The Getai Kingship, being subjected to a whole array of cultural influence, developed a unique flavor which would later inspire generations of historians and poets from Herodotus to Iordannes.Being subjected to the Persian/Hellenic and later Makedonian influence from the South the Getai kingship developed a slight despotic nature, with a Basileus controlling from his central dava a number of Tarabostes which ware leading their own tribes.

    Though initially organized as tribal unions like in Gaul, this political formation began under foreign invasion and political savvy to evolve slowly from a collection of loosely associated, nominally independent tribes into a more centralized state, dominated by the Sarmis Basileus and the high priest of Zalmoxis, who siphoned the power of the tarabostes and sought to incorporate them into a stable governing system. So while some interests constantly pursued centralization, the impetus of most others was toward maintaining considerable local independence. The Getic kings Dromichaites, Burebista, and Dekebalos each saw short-lived success, but the tarabostes would always try and carve their own holdings out of the larger kingdom. This would be evident after the fall of Helis as petty kings emerged in several regions, and again after the assassination of Burebista, when his grand kingdom split into five political factions, like unto the Diadochoi kingdoms forged after the death of Megas Alexandros. These smaller kingdoms would often wage war on each other and seldom united under a common banner, while their constituent lower nobility and davas might wage small wars and skirmishes against one another as well. An excellent example is that of Rholes and Dapyx, two Getai Basileis. Rholes, a Roman ally, used his connections to call a Roman legion in his conflict with Dapyx, who commited suicide as a result of his defeat.

    The tribal nature of the Getai often forced the kingship to go to great lengths to gain approval for their desired course of action. After all, while Herodotos said that the Thraikian peoples, if united, would be the most formidable in the earth, he also considered such a unification entirely unfeasible, given the fractious nature of Thraikian tribal politics. A great example comes from the reign of Basileus Komosikos, who when pressured by the tarabostes to wage war on the Romaioi during a time of civil upheaval in Italia, only pulled the tribes and their lords from the war-path by overwrought symbolism: a wolf was introduced into a pen where two dogs were already fighting, and upon its entrance the dogs left to their quarrel to attack the wolf; similarly, the Romaioi would surely set aside their differences and fight any Getic raiding party. The initial form of organization was a loose tribal union, with individual tribal aristocracies and sacred sanctuaries, local petty kings and sometimes even regional deities. Just like Christianity helped unite the Romance-speaking world, so did Zalmoxianism helped unite the ever-divided Getai tribes. The position of High Priest drew obedience from all the Polemachoi, as demonstrated in the aftermath of Burebista’s assassination. Even as leading tarabostes divided the spoils amongst themselves, all continued in service to the priests as Sarmiszegethusa, and those most closely tied to the priests eventually gained dominance over the others.




    The Warriors of the Getai (part II)
    Getikoi Stratiotai <<late>> (Dacian Light Phalanx)




    The tribes that came into contact with the Hellenic poleis founded on the western shores of the Pontos Euxeinos formed a distinct breed of warriors. These men were renowned for their fierceness, and all Makedonian expeditions sent against them effectively disappeared in the "Getic wasteland", while Makedonian kings like Lysimachos knew Getic captivity. Their contact with the Hellenic poleis made them well familiarized with the phalanx formation. These men are equipped with a variety of Phrygian, Chalcidian and Montefortino helmets, various types of leather armour and the thureos shield. Their main weapon is the taru, the stout and strong-bladed war-spear of Thracian warriors, and many carry a sica or short knife should they be forced into fighting close-quarter battles in sieges or mountain skirmishes.

    Historically, Getai tribes, such as the Krobyzoi and the Ordes, who traded with the Hellenes were more heavily Hellenized. They were praised and feared as mercenaries by Odrysai and Hellenes alike. The experience they gathered during the invasion of Makedonia as well as the expeditions of Phillipos and Megas Alexandros against them proved to be a decisive into shaping their distinct battlefield role in the Getai armies and allowed them victories over both Hellenes and Romanii. Due to the more relaxed phalanx they adopted and favored by their light armor the Hellenes often engaged them against non-phalanx medium infantry, like peltastai or thureophoroi. Impressed by their prowess Herodotos wrote that these Getai were “the bravest and most righteous of all Thraikians”. Most take this to mean they were the most dogmatic of the Thraikians, well befitting the religious zeal the Getai often showed later. They often showed pragmatism when dealing with the Hellenic colonies, often forcing these into a protectorate status; their direct commercial and cultural contacts with the poleis helped them to rapidly advance to high degrees of civilization, although their tribal traditions still held strong.

    The Getikoi Stratiotai are dependable, phalanx-capable medium infantry, drawn from the more Hellenized Getic tribes.





    Mezenai (Dacian Horsemen)





    The position occupied by the lowland Getai tribes is a precarious one, as it irresistibly attracts unwanted attention from the Alazones, Skythai and other wanton raiders, from the Hellenes to the Galatai. So the Getai of the lowlands have taken to breeding and trading in horses, once the prized possession of only the ruling elites. Even if they lack the cavalry traditions of the steppe peoples, the Getai have surely developed a taste for mounted combat. Those who can afford it ride into battle with some leather armor or even a helmet, while others wear only trousers and a wool shirt. They carry javelins, spears and sica, and have grown capable in the use of each through hunting, martial games, and experience in tribal skirmishes. Their nimble horses allow for very good performance in any type of terrain, being often used to screen flanks, harry slower enemy formations, charge home and pursue a broken enemy. They are also expert scouts and perfectly suited for the scorched-earth raiding tactics commonly used by the Getai. While they can pose problems to heavy cavalry when using javelins, they’ll also carve a bloody path through most medium cavalry with their spears.

    Historically, the word ‘mezena’ is a purely Thracian one meaning rider or horseman as a tomb inscription reveals. As Plato observed, the Thraikes were so fond of husbandry and horsemanship that they even introduced a ritualistic race to honor Bendis in Athens, where the competitors would pass torches to one another while on horseback by midnight. Already armed with the standard pile of javelins for harassment, the standard spear was an essential weapon for all. Most carried a ceremonial sica as well, though such a weapon had limited value in mounted combat. Their numbers fluctuated, and could at times be considerable. When Alexandros pushed up to the Danube, many thousands from the Mezenai confronted him there.

    The Mezenai are cavalry on the border between light and medium, useful for scouting, pursuit, skirmishing, harrying, screening, and even melee.




    Komatai Toxotai(Dacian Archers)




    The bow had an important role in Getic rituals relating to Gebeleizis and thus experienced archers would always be appreciated within their community. Also, hunting helped the shepherds and farmers to supplement their diet with meat when the farms and flocks had to be abandoned to an invader, and the population was forced to disappear into the wilderness. In times of war, hunters and skilled archers thus formed into war bands. Apart from the bow they only have a sica and baggy trousers for protection. While more than excellent archers, they should not be expected to perform equally well in close-combat, even if the cleaving sica forms a solid deterrant to any unarmoured foe that dares approach them.

    Historically, Getic archers were a valorous force, superior in skill to all their neighbors, save possibly the Skythians. Archery was a fairly common skill, and arrowheads feature in even the richer burials. Archery in the region reached its pinnacle around the first century AD, by which time the composite bow had been widely adopted. As Ovid reminds us, the Getai archers are also famed for anointing the tips of their arrows with adder venom so that a wounded foe that lived would be disabled by the next engagement.

    The Komatai Toxotai are valuable archers, superior to many of their neighbors in ranged exchanges, but vulnerable in close quarters.



    Drapanai (Dacian Falxmen)


    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


    The Drapanai contingents are made up of resolute warriors, well aware of their role on the battlefield as shock troops. Herodotos informed us of the Getic belief in the immortality of their souls and the confidence it bestowed on their warriors in battle. These, more than any others, are fearless. They fight bare-chested and with only baggy trousers, not for protection but to keep some warmth. Their trademark weapon is the falx, a vicious blade capable of severing limbs and causing horrible wounds with a single, crushing blow. These warriors are best used as shock troops against enemy infantry. If carefully screened from enemy missiles and properly deployed, they may hew clean through the heart of enemy force. Their blades leave devastating wounds, and following the initial assault, their foes are as likely to flee as to offer up their limbs to the falx blades.

    Historically, a soldier of the Drapanai constitutes the archetypal Getic warrior: brawny, bare-chested and armed with the cruel falx. The falx weapon was likely developed from the Thraikian rhomphaia, or vice versa, and it became a traditional weapon among the Getai. The ones wielding it and who often made up the Drapanai were vigorous warriors in the prime of life, striving to achieve recognition among their kin and fellow men. The religious aspect of their martial activities should not be overlooked. The zeal of the Getai was well known in ancient times, and these men more than any offered themselves fearlessly to death in the frontlines of the assault. Death was the gateway to the prophet-god Zalmoxis. Their valor and impact on the field of battle were best demonstrated during the Second Dacian War, when the Roman soldiers were issued new types of armor: greaves, modified helmets and especially stronger armguards to protect themselves against the falx, and Roman troops stationed in Dacia, as the Romans called Getia, in the later first century AD were still issued these armguards and armor pieces so as not to lose their limbs!

    The Drapanai are shock troops par excellence, able to create massive holes for other troops to exploit, but they should be screened from enemy missile fire, else these proud devotees of Zalmoxis might be wasted on the field of battle.




    Stratmap General Models





    Video

    As a special treat, we have got a video featuring the Getai in battle against the Boii. Click here to download the high-quality video!

    If you don't want to wait, then you may watch it on YouTube:

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 




    We hope you have enjoyed this preview of the Getai Faction in Europa Barbarorum II.

    Please note that unless stated otherwise, ALL pictures, names, and descriptions shown in our previews are works in progress. We continue to improve on all parts of EB, and we will continue to do so long after our initial release.

    Since some areas where these news items are posted cannot handle wide images, we appreciate your restraint from quoting full-size images.

    As always, if you have questions or comments, the best place to post them is here, where the EB team is most active:

    Europa Barbarorum ORG forum

    Europa Barbarorum TWC forum

    A special thanks to Tux for his excellent models and renders, Gustave for the wonderful unit skins and the sig banners, to -Praetor- for many new animations, to Paullus and Cronos Impera for the historical info and text work and to Cmacq for the map.

    Have a great day!


    Regards,

    The Europa Barbarorum team.



    "Death Smiles at Us All,all a Man Can Do Is Smile Back."
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  2. #2
    Member Member anubis88's Avatar
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    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!! AWESOME!!!

    I must admit i didn't see this one coming... GREAT WORK, GREAT!!!! Now i must read the descriptions insted of just looking at the pretty pictures;P

    EDIT: Read all of it. Awesome. Guys you should sticky the thread, since you can't realy see it if your not careful :)
    Last edited by anubis88; 03-21-2010 at 12:32.
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    Member Member stratigos vasilios's Avatar
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    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    *faints*....Looks amazing! Heheh I like it how the warriors have chest hair, I can relate to that :P
    We love you because you died and resurrected to save us...
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    Member Member jazstl's Avatar
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    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    Thanks, to the team.
    The soldier who runs away, will RUN away another day...

  5. #5
    Member Member Macilrille's Avatar
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    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    :-)
    But are those arms not somewhat too long on those Drapanai? Seems to me the hands would be at knee level if straight?

    Just in case you had not noticed.

    Apart from that, good job, me likes.
    'For months Augustus let hair and beard grow and occasionally banged his head against the walls whilst shouting; "Quinctillius Varus, give me my legions back"' -Sueton, Augustus.

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  6. #6

    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    Great preview! Loved to read about the Getic history. Battle video is very nice too. Drapanai has very nice cheering animations for the soldiers not yet fighting, looks really cool when they are inspiring their comrades on the first rows chopping off the limbs of the enemy. The hippotoxotai animations are amazing too - the amount of detail is astonishing. The archer actually takes out the arrow of the quiver, pulls the bow and shoots. The only thing I did not like was when drapanai charged (or maybe it was something else; in which case I take back my words), but only a few guys really charged, the rest joined them later - doesn't really fit with the ferocious drapanai charge image in their description. A part from that - excellent work! Eager to see more.

  7. #7
    Member Member Noble Wrath's Avatar
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    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    They sure look beautiful. And the video is pure bliss.The parts with the Drapanai need some kind of metal soundtrack. Manowar anyone? :)
    I was wondering if the political struggles between the Getic Basileus and the tarabostes are going to be depicted in game. Maybe a series of "buildings" representing a gradual centralisation of power? Or in order to emphasize the role of religion into shaping the way Getai fought, maybe temples to Zalmoxis could affect the replenishment rates of certain "zealot" units like the Drapanai?
    Anyway, thanks for your hard work.
    Πόλεμος πάντων μέν πατήρ εστι, πάντων δέ βασιλεύς
    καί τούς μέν θεούς έδειξε, τούς δέ ανθρώπους
    τούς μέν δούλους εποίησε, τούς δέ ελευθέρους.

  8. #8
    EBII PM Member JMRC's Avatar
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    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    Quote Originally Posted by Macilrille View Post
    But are those arms not somewhat too long on those Drapanai? Seems to me the hands would be at knee level if straight?
    No, they are not. All our models are created over a base model, so they all have the same proportions. The "effect" that you noticed is due to the camera angle when rendering the model.

    Quote Originally Posted by Silence Hunter View Post
    The only thing I did not like was when drapanai charged (or maybe it was something else; in which case I take back my words), but only a few guys really charged, the rest joined them later - doesn't really fit with the ferocious drapanai charge image in their description
    This is an engine issue. It happened because they were ordered to charge too close to the enemy, so not all individuals had time to perform the required animation (at least that's what I think). In any case, if the charge order is issued sooner, they will charge simultaneously, with a very high charge value. You may see a full charge, closer to the end of the video, where they appear from the right side of the screen.



    "Death Smiles at Us All,all a Man Can Do Is Smile Back."
    Maximvs Decimvs Meridivs, Commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, Iberian Gladiator.

  9. #9
    Bored Member Tux's Avatar
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    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    Quote Originally Posted by Macilrille View Post
    :-)
    But are those arms not somewhat too long on those Drapanai? Seems to me the hands would be at knee level if straight?

    Just in case you had not noticed.

    Apart from that, good job, me likes.

  10. #10
    Involuntary Gaesatae Member The Celtic Viking's Avatar
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    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    Err, the video on youtube is set to be private. Nice preview, though.

  11. #11
    Member Member Horatius Flaccus's Avatar
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    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    Great preview, and so soon after the Boii.
    Exegi monumentum aere perennius
    Regalique situ pyramidum altius
    Non omnis moriar

    - Quintus Horatius Flaccus

  12. #12

    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    Very good preview. If I may suggest something, then change the background of small UI cards to old-paper-yellowish-white, not boring grey of MTW2.

    The battle looked intense, although it suxx that we can't hear the sounds. Personally, I would prefer shorter vids, but with proper sounds, unless Vanilla unit sound set is still in ("Sire, only half of enemy forces remains!").

    BTW I hope that you will turn up the volume of background and fighting sounds. They were rather quiet in Vanilla.

  13. #13
    iudex thervingiorum Member athanaric's Avatar
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    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    Seeing as the late Stratiotai are now considerably heavier than their predecessors, will they replace the "Thorakitai Stratiotai" of EB I, i.e. are they simply the Thorakitai Stratiotai?




    Swêboz guide for EB 1.2
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    from Hannibal Khan the Great, Brennus, Tellos Athenaios, and Winsington III.

  14. #14
    Member Member Maximus of Phoenicia's Avatar
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    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    Excellent preview!!!but i have one little concern,isn't the falx supposed to be a bit longer(sorry i don't want to sound critical)

  15. #15
    busy mercenary Member darius_d's Avatar
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    Thumbs up Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    it is encouraging and sweet to see battle in such historically reenacted details. waiting will be again more difficult.

  16. #16
    Member Member WinsingtonIII's Avatar
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    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    Awesome! Everything looks great!

    Keep up the good work!
    from Megas Methuselah, for some information on Greek colonies in Iberia.



  17. #17
    master of the wierd people Member Ibrahim's Avatar
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    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    perfect!
    I was once alive, but then a girl came and took out my ticker.

    my 4 year old modding project--nearing completion: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=219506 (if you wanna help, join me).

    tired of ridiculous trouble with walking animations? then you need my brand newmotion capture for the common man!

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  18. #18
    lictor Member Urg's Avatar
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    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    Nice.

    I love the detailed history.

  19. #19
    Counter-Revolutionary Member BerkeleyBoi's Avatar
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    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    Oooh, beautiful thanks for the update!

  20. #20

    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    Quote Originally Posted by Maximus of Phoenicia View Post
    Excellent preview!!!but i have one little concern,isn't the falx supposed to be a bit longer(sorry i don't want to sound critical)
    This

    Aren't those drapanai his arms a bit.... crude? In comparison with the komatai toxotai.

  21. #21
    Member Member Gustave's Avatar
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    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    Aren't those drapanai his arms a bit.... crude? In comparison with the komatai toxotai.
    I think this is because of the animation, there's not much we can do.

  22. #22
    Member Megas Methuselah's Avatar
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    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    Holy holy holy holy holy holy sweet GOD THANK YOU for allowing the EB Team members to be born, you know?!

  23. #23
    Member Member Tuuvi's Avatar
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    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    very nice, the video is beautiful, the combat almost seems real...

  24. #24
    Bored Member Tux's Avatar
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    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    Quote Originally Posted by Gustave View Post
    I think this is because of the animation, there's not much we can do.
    Yes that is true, the pose for the toxotai is with it arms straigther where at the drapanai a lot of the of bending of the bones.
    Only way would be to increase the poly count.

  25. #25

    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    Looks wonderful as always. Another congrats to the team.
    from plutoboyz

  26. #26
    The Rhetorician Member Skullheadhq's Avatar
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    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    Nice, 2 previews in just one month, and this big!
    "When the candles are out all women are fair."
    -Plutarch, Coniugia Praecepta 46

  27. #27
    Legatvs Member SwissBarbar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    Yeaaaaaaaaaaaah
    Balloon-Count: x 15


    Many thanks to Hooahguy for this great sig.

  28. #28
    Bassist, Swordsman, Gentleman Member Klearchos's Avatar
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    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    Awesome preview! The Drapanai look great!
    "They told him to throw down his sword and return to the earth. Hah! Time enough for the earth in the grave."

  29. #29
    Member Member justinius's Avatar
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    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    Wow looks awesome. Is there anywhere where you can view each preview? (like part 1?)

  30. #30
    Member Member anubis88's Avatar
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    Default Re: Preview: The Getai (part 2)

    Quote Originally Posted by justinius View Post
    Wow looks awesome. Is there anywhere where you can view each preview? (like part 1?)
    here you go https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=122736
    Europa Barbarorum Secretary

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