Stefan the Berserker
07-03-2004, 11:05
Microsoft Word - File (http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/sd/Germanic%20Units.zip)
I uploaded my Unit information, you can get it via this link containing also the Pictures. The Pure-Text comes here:
Zitat[/b] ]Germanic Units
Lancemen
--- Formed by the Frydmen of Germania, who have learned to life with the icy Winters and short Summers of their Lands, these Lancemen are known for their Sacrifice on their Masters. Julius Caesar discribes them as disciplined, hard-nosed Warriors fighting in a dense formation he called a "Phalanx". Their mantall Shields, packed one at the other, indeed supplied an almost perfect Protection while their Lances belonged to the deadlyest in the Ancient World. ---
The Germanic Lancers are similar to Hellenistic Hopilites and later English Fyrds (while the Fyrds are their decendants).
“After they had overthrown the Roman cavalry with a densely packed formation, they formed their shield wall (phalanx) and attacked our first battle line from below” (Caes. BG I, 24,2: »REIECTO NOSTRO EQUITATU, PHALANGE FACTA SUB PRIMAM NOSTRAM ACIEM SUCCESSERUNT.«).
Shortly afterwards “they quickly formed their shield wall as they are used to, and repelled our sword attack” (Caes. BG I, 52,4: »AT GERMANI CELERITER EX CONSUETUDINE SUA PHALANGE FACTA IMPETUS GLADIORUM
EXCEPERUNT.«).
Caesar here discribes a Battle he had with them under Ariovistus. As you can see Jules Caesar definatly said Phalange / Phalanx and he intends that this "Phalanx" was trained, throughout he says the Shield wall was formed "quickly".
the dreadful Germanic lances that “inflict wounds from a formidable distance” (Tac. ann. I, 64: »HASTAE INGENTES AD VULNERA FACIENDA QUAMVIS PROCUL«) Germanic graves have revealed specimens of a length of 41-45 cm with lateral cut-outs If this type of thrusting lance is mentioned they are called “enormous” or “over-long lances” (Tac. ann II, 14: »ENORMIS HASTAS«; ann. II, 21: »PRAELONGAS HASTAS«). These expressions may refer to the length of the shaft and respectively to the length and width of the point. In the battle at the Angrivarian Wall (16 AD) the Imperial Guard was not able to storm the Wall because they received severe thrusts from above, and Germanicus Caesar had to withdraw them (cf. Tac. ann. II, 20: »QUIS INPUGNANDUS AGGER, UT SI MURUM
SUCCEDERENT, GRAVIBUS SUPERNE ICTIBUS CONFLICTABANTUR. SENSIT DUX INPAREM COMMINUS PUGNAM…«). The weapons that inflicted those blows from above may well have been such “enormous” and “over-long” lances.
The Germanic Lance Tacitus mentioned is a deadly Weapon with long (about 41-45 Cm) Spearheads, making the Warriors able to break almost any Armor from the Distance.
Abilities:
Bonus against armored Enemys
Disciplined
Large Shield
Bonus against Cavallary
Good Morale
Good Charge
Skirmishers (Light Arms)
„As long distance weapons Germanics used javelins. Each warrior carried several of them, and threw them “extremely far” as Tacitus remarks full of admiration (Tac. Germ. 6). The “framea” that Tacitus describes (Germ. 6: “They carry spears that they call frameas, with a short and narrow, but very sharp point, very practical for use. As circumstances require they fight with the same weapon at short or long range” – »HASTAS VEL IPSORUM VOCABULO FRAMEAS GERUNT ANGUSTO ET BREVI FERRO, SED ITA ACRI ET AD USUM HABILI, UT EODEM
TELO, PROUT RATIO POSCIT, VEL COMMINUS VEL EMINUS PUGNENT.«), was used as a throwing spear as well. It was about 6 foot long, had a rather small iron head, and could be used as a throwing or thrusting weapon. Some javelins had barbed heads as grave deposits reveal.“
Along with the Framea, lightly armed germanics also used the „Sasha“ or „Sax“-Sword which Tacitus doesn’t know (but is prooved through Artifact-Founds). The Sax was a thin blade which was very sharp and easy to produce, the negative fact is that it could break more easy if a Combatant tried to block the enemy’s Strike. For simplification, just see the Pictures an you will recognise that the Sax is a light but fine Melee-Weapon being similar to modern Sabres.
Two Pictures of the Sax::
Abilities:
Fast
Small Shield
Good Morale
-> -> ->
For both, the Lancemen and the Skirmishers it should be regarded that the Suevian.-Knot was the mostly common male Hairsyle in Germania. Their Heads should be designed that way, that this typical Hairstyle appears to additionally display their origins.
Comitati Lancemen / Comitati Swordsmen
Aslike Knights for medieval Armies, the Comitati were the Heart of the Army in ancient Germania. The Comitati belived or better claimed to be decendants of the God Heimdall / Mannus, mainly to justify their Aristocrathic Status. They see themselves to be superior to their Enemys, they even thought to be superior to any other Human due to their divine Source. Maybe they were wrong, but this way of thinking made them become dangerous and terrible Warriors
„...whom they call soldurii, the conditions of whose companionship are that they share all the conveniences of life with those to whose friendship they have devoted themselves and if anything violent happen to them, either they endure the same destiny together, or commit suicide: up to now, in the memory of men, there has never been found anyone who refused to die, upon the death of one to whose friendship he had so devoted himself,..“ – Caesar about gaulish Soldurii
„They transact no public or private business without being armed. It is not, however, usual for anyone to wear arms till the state has recognized his power to use them. Then in the presence of the council one of the chiefs, or the young man's father, or some kinsman, equips him with a shield and a spear. These arms are what the "toga" is with us, the first honour with which youth is invested. Up to this time he is regarded as a member of a household, afterwards as a member of the commonwealth. Very noble birth or great services rendered by the father secure for lads the rank of a chief; such lads attach themselves to men of mature strength and of long approved valour. It is no shame to be seen among a chief's followers. Even in his escort there are gradations of rank, dependent on the choice of the man to whom they are attached. These followers vie keenly with each others as to who shall rank first with his chiefs, the chiefs as to who shall have the most numerous and the bravest followers. It is an honour as well as a source of strength to be thus always surrounded by a large body of picked youths; it is an ornament in peace and a defence in war. And not only in his own tribe but also in the neighboring states it is the renown and glory of a chief to be distinguished for the number and valour of his followers, for such a man is courted by embassies, is honoured with presents, and the very prestige of his name ofen settles a war.“ - Tacitus
As Tacitus refers here the Germanics had a very Warlike Aritocrathy, those „Fellows“ (Comitati in Latin) where rich Landowners and/or People who have been regarded for their Noble behaviour. Aslike Knights have been in the Middleages, also Comitati within the germanics had one problem: Their personal thirst for Honor and „Glamour“, making them undisciplined. The Soldurii and the Comitati were mostly identical, expecially in Belgicae and Raetia were Germanics and Gauls lived together the romans didn’t make any diffrence between them.
As Tacitus said: „These arms are what the "toga" is with us, the first honour with which youth is invested.“. Their Weapons and Armor had become a Symbol for their Aristocrathic-Status, expecially their Swords and the animal-shaped Helmets (see Pictures).
I combined all neccessary Details to one Picture:
Much stronger as on the previous Pictures (Drawings from a history-Book, and two aritifacts) this Picture provides a good Image of a single Comitatus. Wearing a beautiful Shirt with Ornaments, a decorated Helmet (Horsehead in this Case), a Cloak, Armor, Belts with golden Clasps, a Woolthrowser with Letherstrings (see his Knee), a good sword and a Rune-decorated Shield. A very helpful Case is that the Helmet for the Character Theoden in the Movie „Lord of the Rings“ was designed after the Image of the germanic’s Animal-Helmet, the two Pictures below show this Helmet and contain urls to larger Images on the Internet. The third Picture is a Frameshot from the Movie “Die Nibelungen” showing Queen Brunhild of Isenland, she also wears a decorated Helmet in the Germanic Fashion (Snake formed creature in place where the LoTR-Helmet has a Horsehead).
As you’ll certainly have recognised on the Pictures the Comitati were no pure Swordsmen, identical to Knights or Samurai they fought in various organisation Types. Through there’s no place for them all they must be seperated to their main groups: Spearmen, Swordsmen and Cavallary. Making a Comitati Cavallary wasn’t sensible for Gameplay, through the germanics already have the Gastiz as their heavy Cavallary.
So I would suggest to make two Units: Comitati Lancemen and Comitati Swordsmen. While the Lancemen should be displayed as an improoved Version of the „normal“ Lancemen, with Comitati-charcteristics (similar to armored Spearmen compared to normal Spearmen in Viking Inavasions). The Swordsmen on the other Side are needed to form a counterpart against the roman Legionaires, so they need to be an Elite of Warriors.
Abilities (Spearmen) Abilities (Swordsmen
Armored Armored
Good Defense Good Charge
Good Morale Good Defense
Good Melee Perfect Morale
Large Shield Perfect Melee
Bonus against Cavallary Shield
Gastiz Cavallary
Somehow many Comitati followed „invitations“ of Warlords to fight for a reward and became Mercenaries. Called „Gastiz“, which ment Guest these Men spend most of their Lifetime in Warfare. The many succsessful Battles brought them a high social status and wellfare, resulting that they formed the most expensive but also most efficent germanic Trooptype. In the Society they were seen as the perfected Comitati, sacrificing their whole life in Combat after Tiwaz’s Prayers (In negative Effect this made them very arrogant and difficult to command). The Romans recognised the Power of the Gastiz and „invited“ them byself many times: Jules Caesar hired these Cavallary to fight in Alesia and the famous Arminius was the commander of Gastiz in roman Service. This caused that they used strongly romanised Arms and Armor, diffrently to the two lower Comitati Types.
They need no further discription, through they chare most Charcteristics with the two other Comitati types.
Abilities
Armored
Perfect Charge
Good Defense
Perfect Morale
Good Melee
Uncontrolled
For the case of the Units already created, I can confirm Barbarian Archers, Barbarian Axemen and Barbarian Cavallary for beeing Historic in sight of the Germanics. Those Units should be kept in.
Germanic Symbol
As fort he Discussion on a Symbol fort he germanic Faction in the Game, I would prefer something based on this Banner. This is the Coat of Arms used by the medieval Noblemen of Throta: A Raven, the animal of Wodèn, is keeping a Ring in his mounth. A Ring symbolises Freedom in the Germanic Culture, the Scene is ment to express that Wodèn/War is the source of Freedom in Opinion of the Germanics.
Additional Information and Pictures
Additionally I include extra pictures and informations which could be interesting for creating Things in RTW, belonging to Germanics and other northern Barbarians.
Hagen of Tronia from the Movie “Die Nibelungen”
The Völospà, a Song related to the Wodèn-Cult
Germanics used to sing heroic poems like this one, when they went off for Combat. Maybe this piece can be used by creating Music for the Barbarians.
Glosary of Asatru-Gods
The Names of Asatru-Gods, first with their scandinavian (Viking) Name and secondly with their german (Roman-Era) Name:
Odin / Wotan (English = Wodèn) – God Chieftan / God of Death
Thor / Donar – God of Thunder
Baldr / Phol – God of Moon
Freyer / Fro – God of Love
Tyr / Ziu (English = Tiwaz) – God of War
Heimdall / Mannus – Divine Protector
Hoedr / Hother – God of Darkness
Forseti / Fosite – God of Justice
Frigg / Fria – Godess of Earth
Freyja / Frouva – Godess of Love
Sol / Sunna – Sungodess
The Text needs its pictures and Word-Doc Format to look good.
I uploaded my Unit information, you can get it via this link containing also the Pictures. The Pure-Text comes here:
Zitat[/b] ]Germanic Units
Lancemen
--- Formed by the Frydmen of Germania, who have learned to life with the icy Winters and short Summers of their Lands, these Lancemen are known for their Sacrifice on their Masters. Julius Caesar discribes them as disciplined, hard-nosed Warriors fighting in a dense formation he called a "Phalanx". Their mantall Shields, packed one at the other, indeed supplied an almost perfect Protection while their Lances belonged to the deadlyest in the Ancient World. ---
The Germanic Lancers are similar to Hellenistic Hopilites and later English Fyrds (while the Fyrds are their decendants).
“After they had overthrown the Roman cavalry with a densely packed formation, they formed their shield wall (phalanx) and attacked our first battle line from below” (Caes. BG I, 24,2: »REIECTO NOSTRO EQUITATU, PHALANGE FACTA SUB PRIMAM NOSTRAM ACIEM SUCCESSERUNT.«).
Shortly afterwards “they quickly formed their shield wall as they are used to, and repelled our sword attack” (Caes. BG I, 52,4: »AT GERMANI CELERITER EX CONSUETUDINE SUA PHALANGE FACTA IMPETUS GLADIORUM
EXCEPERUNT.«).
Caesar here discribes a Battle he had with them under Ariovistus. As you can see Jules Caesar definatly said Phalange / Phalanx and he intends that this "Phalanx" was trained, throughout he says the Shield wall was formed "quickly".
the dreadful Germanic lances that “inflict wounds from a formidable distance” (Tac. ann. I, 64: »HASTAE INGENTES AD VULNERA FACIENDA QUAMVIS PROCUL«) Germanic graves have revealed specimens of a length of 41-45 cm with lateral cut-outs If this type of thrusting lance is mentioned they are called “enormous” or “over-long lances” (Tac. ann II, 14: »ENORMIS HASTAS«; ann. II, 21: »PRAELONGAS HASTAS«). These expressions may refer to the length of the shaft and respectively to the length and width of the point. In the battle at the Angrivarian Wall (16 AD) the Imperial Guard was not able to storm the Wall because they received severe thrusts from above, and Germanicus Caesar had to withdraw them (cf. Tac. ann. II, 20: »QUIS INPUGNANDUS AGGER, UT SI MURUM
SUCCEDERENT, GRAVIBUS SUPERNE ICTIBUS CONFLICTABANTUR. SENSIT DUX INPAREM COMMINUS PUGNAM…«). The weapons that inflicted those blows from above may well have been such “enormous” and “over-long” lances.
The Germanic Lance Tacitus mentioned is a deadly Weapon with long (about 41-45 Cm) Spearheads, making the Warriors able to break almost any Armor from the Distance.
Abilities:
Bonus against armored Enemys
Disciplined
Large Shield
Bonus against Cavallary
Good Morale
Good Charge
Skirmishers (Light Arms)
„As long distance weapons Germanics used javelins. Each warrior carried several of them, and threw them “extremely far” as Tacitus remarks full of admiration (Tac. Germ. 6). The “framea” that Tacitus describes (Germ. 6: “They carry spears that they call frameas, with a short and narrow, but very sharp point, very practical for use. As circumstances require they fight with the same weapon at short or long range” – »HASTAS VEL IPSORUM VOCABULO FRAMEAS GERUNT ANGUSTO ET BREVI FERRO, SED ITA ACRI ET AD USUM HABILI, UT EODEM
TELO, PROUT RATIO POSCIT, VEL COMMINUS VEL EMINUS PUGNENT.«), was used as a throwing spear as well. It was about 6 foot long, had a rather small iron head, and could be used as a throwing or thrusting weapon. Some javelins had barbed heads as grave deposits reveal.“
Along with the Framea, lightly armed germanics also used the „Sasha“ or „Sax“-Sword which Tacitus doesn’t know (but is prooved through Artifact-Founds). The Sax was a thin blade which was very sharp and easy to produce, the negative fact is that it could break more easy if a Combatant tried to block the enemy’s Strike. For simplification, just see the Pictures an you will recognise that the Sax is a light but fine Melee-Weapon being similar to modern Sabres.
Two Pictures of the Sax::
Abilities:
Fast
Small Shield
Good Morale
-> -> ->
For both, the Lancemen and the Skirmishers it should be regarded that the Suevian.-Knot was the mostly common male Hairsyle in Germania. Their Heads should be designed that way, that this typical Hairstyle appears to additionally display their origins.
Comitati Lancemen / Comitati Swordsmen
Aslike Knights for medieval Armies, the Comitati were the Heart of the Army in ancient Germania. The Comitati belived or better claimed to be decendants of the God Heimdall / Mannus, mainly to justify their Aristocrathic Status. They see themselves to be superior to their Enemys, they even thought to be superior to any other Human due to their divine Source. Maybe they were wrong, but this way of thinking made them become dangerous and terrible Warriors
„...whom they call soldurii, the conditions of whose companionship are that they share all the conveniences of life with those to whose friendship they have devoted themselves and if anything violent happen to them, either they endure the same destiny together, or commit suicide: up to now, in the memory of men, there has never been found anyone who refused to die, upon the death of one to whose friendship he had so devoted himself,..“ – Caesar about gaulish Soldurii
„They transact no public or private business without being armed. It is not, however, usual for anyone to wear arms till the state has recognized his power to use them. Then in the presence of the council one of the chiefs, or the young man's father, or some kinsman, equips him with a shield and a spear. These arms are what the "toga" is with us, the first honour with which youth is invested. Up to this time he is regarded as a member of a household, afterwards as a member of the commonwealth. Very noble birth or great services rendered by the father secure for lads the rank of a chief; such lads attach themselves to men of mature strength and of long approved valour. It is no shame to be seen among a chief's followers. Even in his escort there are gradations of rank, dependent on the choice of the man to whom they are attached. These followers vie keenly with each others as to who shall rank first with his chiefs, the chiefs as to who shall have the most numerous and the bravest followers. It is an honour as well as a source of strength to be thus always surrounded by a large body of picked youths; it is an ornament in peace and a defence in war. And not only in his own tribe but also in the neighboring states it is the renown and glory of a chief to be distinguished for the number and valour of his followers, for such a man is courted by embassies, is honoured with presents, and the very prestige of his name ofen settles a war.“ - Tacitus
As Tacitus refers here the Germanics had a very Warlike Aritocrathy, those „Fellows“ (Comitati in Latin) where rich Landowners and/or People who have been regarded for their Noble behaviour. Aslike Knights have been in the Middleages, also Comitati within the germanics had one problem: Their personal thirst for Honor and „Glamour“, making them undisciplined. The Soldurii and the Comitati were mostly identical, expecially in Belgicae and Raetia were Germanics and Gauls lived together the romans didn’t make any diffrence between them.
As Tacitus said: „These arms are what the "toga" is with us, the first honour with which youth is invested.“. Their Weapons and Armor had become a Symbol for their Aristocrathic-Status, expecially their Swords and the animal-shaped Helmets (see Pictures).
I combined all neccessary Details to one Picture:
Much stronger as on the previous Pictures (Drawings from a history-Book, and two aritifacts) this Picture provides a good Image of a single Comitatus. Wearing a beautiful Shirt with Ornaments, a decorated Helmet (Horsehead in this Case), a Cloak, Armor, Belts with golden Clasps, a Woolthrowser with Letherstrings (see his Knee), a good sword and a Rune-decorated Shield. A very helpful Case is that the Helmet for the Character Theoden in the Movie „Lord of the Rings“ was designed after the Image of the germanic’s Animal-Helmet, the two Pictures below show this Helmet and contain urls to larger Images on the Internet. The third Picture is a Frameshot from the Movie “Die Nibelungen” showing Queen Brunhild of Isenland, she also wears a decorated Helmet in the Germanic Fashion (Snake formed creature in place where the LoTR-Helmet has a Horsehead).
As you’ll certainly have recognised on the Pictures the Comitati were no pure Swordsmen, identical to Knights or Samurai they fought in various organisation Types. Through there’s no place for them all they must be seperated to their main groups: Spearmen, Swordsmen and Cavallary. Making a Comitati Cavallary wasn’t sensible for Gameplay, through the germanics already have the Gastiz as their heavy Cavallary.
So I would suggest to make two Units: Comitati Lancemen and Comitati Swordsmen. While the Lancemen should be displayed as an improoved Version of the „normal“ Lancemen, with Comitati-charcteristics (similar to armored Spearmen compared to normal Spearmen in Viking Inavasions). The Swordsmen on the other Side are needed to form a counterpart against the roman Legionaires, so they need to be an Elite of Warriors.
Abilities (Spearmen) Abilities (Swordsmen
Armored Armored
Good Defense Good Charge
Good Morale Good Defense
Good Melee Perfect Morale
Large Shield Perfect Melee
Bonus against Cavallary Shield
Gastiz Cavallary
Somehow many Comitati followed „invitations“ of Warlords to fight for a reward and became Mercenaries. Called „Gastiz“, which ment Guest these Men spend most of their Lifetime in Warfare. The many succsessful Battles brought them a high social status and wellfare, resulting that they formed the most expensive but also most efficent germanic Trooptype. In the Society they were seen as the perfected Comitati, sacrificing their whole life in Combat after Tiwaz’s Prayers (In negative Effect this made them very arrogant and difficult to command). The Romans recognised the Power of the Gastiz and „invited“ them byself many times: Jules Caesar hired these Cavallary to fight in Alesia and the famous Arminius was the commander of Gastiz in roman Service. This caused that they used strongly romanised Arms and Armor, diffrently to the two lower Comitati Types.
They need no further discription, through they chare most Charcteristics with the two other Comitati types.
Abilities
Armored
Perfect Charge
Good Defense
Perfect Morale
Good Melee
Uncontrolled
For the case of the Units already created, I can confirm Barbarian Archers, Barbarian Axemen and Barbarian Cavallary for beeing Historic in sight of the Germanics. Those Units should be kept in.
Germanic Symbol
As fort he Discussion on a Symbol fort he germanic Faction in the Game, I would prefer something based on this Banner. This is the Coat of Arms used by the medieval Noblemen of Throta: A Raven, the animal of Wodèn, is keeping a Ring in his mounth. A Ring symbolises Freedom in the Germanic Culture, the Scene is ment to express that Wodèn/War is the source of Freedom in Opinion of the Germanics.
Additional Information and Pictures
Additionally I include extra pictures and informations which could be interesting for creating Things in RTW, belonging to Germanics and other northern Barbarians.
Hagen of Tronia from the Movie “Die Nibelungen”
The Völospà, a Song related to the Wodèn-Cult
Germanics used to sing heroic poems like this one, when they went off for Combat. Maybe this piece can be used by creating Music for the Barbarians.
Glosary of Asatru-Gods
The Names of Asatru-Gods, first with their scandinavian (Viking) Name and secondly with their german (Roman-Era) Name:
Odin / Wotan (English = Wodèn) – God Chieftan / God of Death
Thor / Donar – God of Thunder
Baldr / Phol – God of Moon
Freyer / Fro – God of Love
Tyr / Ziu (English = Tiwaz) – God of War
Heimdall / Mannus – Divine Protector
Hoedr / Hother – God of Darkness
Forseti / Fosite – God of Justice
Frigg / Fria – Godess of Earth
Freyja / Frouva – Godess of Love
Sol / Sunna – Sungodess
The Text needs its pictures and Word-Doc Format to look good.