The Wizard
06-22-2005, 00:31
Greetings Europa Barbarorum fans!
Yes, the preview is late. But hey, it’s here. And it’s hot. Don’t sit inside waiting for the preview, go out, frolic in the fields, chase some girls!
Okay, enough excuses. Personal reasons as well as some complications at school caused the delay. I apologize dearly for that and pledge myself to make the deadline this week.
Internally, our closed beta testers, modelers, skinners and historians are enjoying the fruit of our work culminated in the newest internal release, with a lot of new features. Be patient, the open beta is coming closer to your PC every minute there’s an EB member online!
A while ago, the EB forum at the Trivium boards went online. Finally there was a platform where our closed beta-testers could freely discuss the problems and quirks of our latest internal build. This helps efficiency and developing speed. What does that relate to you? You’re right – it means you get your beta quicker, folks!
This week, the preview is a bit different. I’m not going to tell you right now – it’s pretty obvious since you’ve already checked out the logo!
This week, the EB team is proud to present:
http://img54.echo.cx/img54/6391/logorebel1medium5uz.jpg
The Eleutheroi. You know them well. Indeed, they are your most common enemy. The many small nations and regional powers you will face in your initial expansion all belong to the Eleutheroi. But not only in your rise to power will you come across this myriad of peoples, but wherever you choose to expand, independents will stand in your way.
It is impossible to name every single tribe and people which will resist your dreams of conquest. From the great western ocean to the peaks of the Altai, you will encounter these little empires and proudly independent tribes. One thing binds this great band of enemies: their fear and revulsion of your wish to expand your borders.
But don’t expect the great collection of Eleutheroi to be pushovers. They will resist you with all their heart and spirit once you decide the time has come to incorporate them into your rising empire. You are a threat to their very existence, and they will not give up until you have completely destroyed them – or convinced them that it isn’t that bad being under your suzerainty.
It depends on your guile and willpower how much of a problem the Eleutheroi will be. Watch out! An army of marauding Scythians has assaulted your city! What will you do? Will you let them have a go at your walls, while you bypass them and take their settlements? Will you bribe them? Or will you lift the siege of your bastion? The choice is yours – just remember that while you think, they move. Indecisiveness will play you right into their hands.
But, then again, you might not be just another power struggling for a place in the sun. You might be the great leader of the greatest power on the face of the earth. Who, then, are the Eleutheroi to you? Surely they are just little rodents trying to gnaw away at your extensive borders? Perhaps – but that does not mean you should treat them as such. There are many that want to be independent – and a big pack of rodents can bring the sturdiest of trees to come crashing down.
However you choose to treat the Eleutheroi, remember one thing: for every one you strike down, there are a hundred more waiting from where that one came from. Beware!
The Eleutheroi, as you may have realized, are all those factions that didn’t make it into the mod. Here are a couple of them:
Pergamon - One of the most famous cities in the Ancient World. The site where the ancient settlements developed is situated in a fertile plain irrigated by the waters of the river Bergama Cayl (the ancient Selinus) and of the rivers Kestel and Bakır. Even though historical mention of Pergamon has not been ascertained prior to the 4th century BC, the opinion generally held is that the origins of the city are by far earlier. Various archaeological finds datable to the Stone Age testify to the antiquity of the first human settlements. The history of what then became one of the most flourishing Hellenistic cities began with the dismemberment of the immense Persian Empire, after the death of Alexander the Great. Lysimachos, who received the western part of Anatolia, chose the impervious site of Pergamon as the hiding place for a considerable treasure. Philetairos, a faithful follower, succeeded in preserving the integrity of the treasure and the possession of the city when Lysimachos died, despite attempts on the part of Antiochus I. His grandson Eumenes I proclaimed the independence of the new realm of Pergamon (3rd cent. BC), which with his successors, in particular Eumenes II, shone in the fields of economy, the arts, the sciences and culture. With the death of Attalus II, in 133 BC, the Kingdom of Pergamon, lacking natural heirs, was pacifically taken over by the Roman Senate which thus reaped the harvest of old agreements and alliances. Under the Capitoline standard the city enjoyed a great new period of development which manifested itself in the construction of splendid buildings and in the restoration of various monuments of the past. Later Marc Antonius presented Cleopatra with the city's rich library, the books of which, of incalculable value, were eventually destroyed in a fire in Egypt. The decadence of Pergamon, now known as Pergamum, followed the disintegration of the Roman empire step by step.
Belgae - The Belgae are a product of the Cubi-Biturge Confederacy collapse. In the northeast of the lands that'd be called Gaul, they formed a confederation of tribes. Most notable are tribes like the Nervii, Menapii, Remi, and Bellovacii. The Belgae were expansionistic, invading and raiding the lands around them, spreading to many different areas. They had a tendency to be absorbed by the peoples whose lands they spread to. They had a unique military affected by Britons, Gauls, and Germans, as well as their own innovations. They had a tendency to adopt good ideas, attack the Gauls, lose, and give up the good idea because it lost a few times. The Belgae were fickle that way. Most Belgae fought shirtless, some painted themselves, and they used a number of disciplined, well-trained soldiers; swordsmen, pikemen, spearmen, cavalry, and even sometimes they used axemen, as well as bowmen levies, as well as armored bowmen. The majority of their warriors would look pretty much the same, only variation would be their weapons, and occassionally chain shirts. Caesar notes their ferocity; the Nervii particularly were hardcore terrifying warriors, somewhat Spartan in their manner; music was used only to drill to, drugs were forbidden because they thought it'd make them soft, entertainment of most types was simply forbidden. They, like Gaul, were conquered by Rome, and were at a bad disadvantage when it had happened. They were allied with the Aedui for a period, and had sent many soldiers to fight with them, against both Germanic, Roman, and Arverni incursion, but this in the end simply bled Belgica dry; they had little left to fight with when Rome came, and similar to the fracturing of the Aedui tribes, the Belgic tribes had begun to infight as well, due to a loss of faith, over the loss of so many men in the wars in the Aedui lands. The Belgae would begin with Belgica Bellovaccii and Belgica Nervii.
Scythians - Iranian, former nomads, but mostly settled and substantially hellenized at EB's start. Kingdom heir to the very large and powerful Scythian kingdom of former times, but much reduced by now. They repeatedly try to expand and bring nearby Greek cities of the Black Sea coast under their control, often clashing with the neighboring Bosporan kingdom and the Sarmatians too. Around the 310's BC the Scythians were still reasonably active. They figure in enterprises of certain scale, though by no means comparable to what they had done in the distant past or even in the days of Atheas (middle 4th ct BC). Also, they tend to appear as part of alliances. They got involved in an uprising against Lysimachos and in a Bosporan dinastic war. In both cases, the sides the Scythians supported eventually lost and that may have hurt them because we don't hear much of them for a while. Some evidence, mostly archaelogical, suggests increased Sarmatian pressure, but this is not well recorded in the sources. Around the middle 2nd ct there is a sort of minor resurgence under the kings Skilouros and his son Palakos although they actually control less land. They are involved in diverse local conflicts with Greek cities and the Bosporan kingdom. This is a heavily Hellenicized kingdom with a largely settled population and some authors question the extent to which it represents continuity with the earlier Scythian kingdom. After Palakos they don't really do much else. In my opinion, the overall picture is one of decline, but putting up a fight. Reversing this trend could be the challenge for a potential Scythian player. A Scythian faction could have the provinces of Taurica and Scythia.
Some of the units you will encounter in your campaigns against the Eleutheroi:
http://img262.echo.cx/img262/4113/judeanrebels2rj.th.jpg (http://img262.echo.cx/my.php?image=judeanrebels2rj.jpg)
The Jews are a proud people, bent on maintaining their independence and distinct culture. The same was true in Ioudaia when it was lorded over by Hellenic invaders. While Jews in the diaspora embraced Hellenism, the Jews who remained in their ancestral homeland were fervently encouraged by their rabbis to maintain their ancient ways and resist Hellenism. Some of the Jews therefore, found themselves called to the banner of rebellion against their overlords. Depending how stubborn they and their leaders were, their rebellions had different outcomes. In the 2nd century BC these men succeeded in throwing off Hellenic fetters under the famed Judah Maccabee.
http://img232.exs.cx/img232/4293/08yd.jpg
Dahae, coming from old Persian Daha, was a name used for every bandit and raider that drove fear into the hearts of the peoples of the Iranian plateau. These men came in assorted bands to pillage and steal whenever the opportunity presented itself, and their horses provided the mobility needed to be effective raiders. They could also be convinced by a passing general to fight alongside him, provided the pay was good and the plunder rich.
http://img104.exs.cx/img104/8753/000009po.jpg
Pezhetairoi are the bread and butter military unit of the Successor states. They are well disciplined and highly motivated pikemen that are armed and armored to the teeth. They are armored in a linen cuirass, a Phrygian cap, a bronze greave on the right leg, stout boots, good bracers, and reinforced shoulder pads made from hardened linen (due to their experience with the deadly curved swords of Thraikia). They have Illyrian style round shields attached to their bodies by leather straps that help support the weight of the shield and keep their hand free to grasp the sarissa. They are defensive infantry par excellent. They are the anvil of the two part Makedonian system of warfare, the heavy cavalry being the hammer. They should be used to anchor enemy soldiers while the thureophoroi harass the flanks and the heavy cavalry smashes into the flanks and rear.
Historically, the pezhetairoi are the classic Alexandrian phalanx. They were used to great effect against the Persians, Medes, Baktrians, Indians, Phoenicians, and many, many others. They are an effective force and have not changed much over the centuries. The Romans were able to defeat them as easily as they did for two main reasons. One, the Roman army was at a high state of readiness and tactical prowess after defeating the Karchedonioi. Two, the heavy cavalry arm of the Successor armies had degenerated to the point where they were no longer able to field significant numbers to fulfill their part of the hammer and anvil tactic of Alexandros. There were many small reasons, numbering among them the misuse of the thureophoroi, the under use of peltastai, and the lax state of warfare that the Successor states were used to. In any case, the phalanx was not as anachronistic or inflexible as widely believed; it was simply used in the wrong way. In the thirteenth century onwards, pikemen in similar formations were able to work wonders with more capable generals and a better cavalry arm. Do not under appreciate pikemen, for they are still a war winning force.
Like amongst their successors of the sixteenth century, there were also many mercenary pezhetairoi. They fought for one thing: money. Money is a cruel mistress, and therefore these men are wily and experienced, veterans of more than a few battles. But remember: they are mercenaries, never to be trusted to hold the part of the line where it will come down to it.
http://img208.echo.cx/img208/5503/rebelindogreek1cs.jpg
After the kingdom of Baktria attacked and seized its Indian possessions, it found the Hellenics who had been living there had adapted somewhat to native ways. Gone were the close phalanx formation and the long spear, replaced by a somewhat looser but more skilled melee formation. They adopted a Phrygian style helmet, light cotton Thraikian trousers, and javelins, in addition to a smaller and lighter shield. This allows them to be excellent elephant killers, as well as defeat the more lightly armored infantry of the east. They can be used as a good medium infantry, to screen the flanks and protect against elephants and cavalry while the thureophoroi deliver the fatal melee blow.
Historically, the Indo-Hellenics adapted quite well to the environment of India and prospered. Many became Buddhists, though they still remained fierce warriors, true to their Hellenic forbearers. They are an excellent medium infantry, well able to compliment other troop types and provide a versatile unit against light cavalry and elephants.
The Indo-Hellenics were a people who were proud of their heritage, and quite willing to rebel to preserve their independence from other cultures. Be sure to watch what these fowl warriors do – they might seriously disrupt your plans as Baktrian king in India!
http://img177.echo.cx/img177/8986/goidilicgaernaght5lj.th.jpg (http://img177.echo.cx/my.php?image=goidilicgaernaght5lj.jpg)
The Daernaght (Dor-nukt; Spearmen) are the most basic warriors of the Goidilic (Gaelic or Goedelic) tribes. They fight as spearmen, with a single heavy javelin to throw before attacking, or at a charging enemy, to weaken them, before engaging with their spears. The Daernaght are only semi-professional. They work and train about four months a year (as the Celtic calendar works differently), than rotate back to working as farmers, craftsmen, fishermen, etc., while their replacements go to train and fight.
Historically, the Daernaght were used well into the dark and middle ages, and the inheritors of an ancient fighting tradition. While young Goidils always played games that honed fighting skills, these semi-professionals also spent much time at work, so were not as skilled as the better trained, year-round professional Laech, but were not as unskilled as the all but untrained militias that were used as impromptu forces.
Some Daernaght found themselves without masters, in lands they did not know, and became roving bandits and rebels. But their skills are also employable by those with a good coin to throw about…
http://img177.echo.cx/img177/7633/goidilicordmhornaght6dn.th.jpg (http://img177.echo.cx/my.php?image=goidilicordmhornaght6dn.jpg)
The Ordmhornaght (Ord-mer-nukt) are a type of Goidilic (Gaelic or Goedelic) heavy infantry; they're rare, experienced, and very wealthy. They wield massive, two-handed hammers, imitating Dagda, 'the good god'; they smash and crush attackers, break armor, and smash cavalry mounts. These men are small in number, but they serve a strong purpose on a battle field, though they are slow to be mustered, and small in number. However, their weapons, skill, and fair quality armor, allow them to be used as strong anti-armor infantry. Their main disadvantage is impetousness; Celtic religious fanatics are not known for their restraint in most matters, combined with the essence of a Celtic warrior's lust for glory, they are extremely impetous, and are quick to break their loose formation.
Historically, the Goidils used hammers in large numbers; they were popular enough that later Irish and Scots still used them widely as the favored weapon of many field officers. The reason behind the favor given to the hammer is two-fold. It is a religious symbol. The god of the Goidils wields a massive hammer from which he forged all creation, and with which he defends his people. It is also a practical weapon. It requires minimal craftsmenship, it's sure to kill or incapacitate its target in a single blow, and it can be used to kill cavalry, light infantry, and smash the armor of heavy infantry. Such warriors large disadvantage was the lack of a shield and their over-eager nature to fight. They would be at a great disadvantage at range, where arrows could cut them down, as they lack a shield, and are slowed by the weight of their weapons, but in a melee, they would be quite fearsome.
In lands not their own, Ordmhornaght could occasionally be found without any leaders and be seen roving and terrorizing the local populace. Be sure to quickly put to heel these cruel barbarians, for they are formidable indeed!
http://img177.echo.cx/img177/8344/corinthianhoplites7ks.th.jpg (http://img177.echo.cx/my.php?image=corinthianhoplites7ks.jpg)
The polis of Corinth produces its own variant of the classic Hellenic hoplite. These soldiers are trained to the same level as other hoplites, but have slightly differing equipment. They still use the old argive shield and have linen greaves. They can be used as any other hoplites would be, with a remembrance of the disadvantages.
Historically, the Corinthians had a professional army of citizens that were extremely dedicated to the defense of the city. They are famous for their defensive ability, holding out against the Roman invasion for many years.
As Hellenic society evolved, some of the army of a polis would be composed of professionals. In peacetime, these tough men would be without anything to do, and would hire themselves out to others, such as the Persians, who spent much money having Hellenics defending their lands from invaders such as Alexandros.
http://img177.echo.cx/img177/4450/caledonianrhyfelwyr8dh.th.jpg (http://img177.echo.cx/my.php?image=caledonianrhyfelwyr8dh.jpg)
The Caledonians are a fierce people on the edge of the world. Beyond Caledonia stretches a great, empty ocean, and Caledonia itself is home to a rather isolated people. They are seemingly relics of a former era of Celtic history, they do not have great deals of iron, and so do not produce many swords. They instead fight with more practical weapons, spears, javelins, and slings. Rhyfelwyr (Rh-eye-vell-wir; Warriors) are a vast number of men, of many ages and varying levels of experience. Seemingly fearless, and wild, their bodies are tattooed in esoteric spiral designs, their hair is spiked and red, and they are remarkably fearsome. They are very hardy and brave; their lifestyle demands it. Alone, a disciplined army would destroy them, but if incorporated into a more tactics minded commander of the more advanced Britons, they may prove more useful.
Historically, the Caledonians were never conquered by the Romans, despite Romans successfully defeating them in numerous engagements. The small amount of iron available to them left swords only for the most wealthy or greatest of champions. Even bronze armor was a luxury. The Caledonians did not have much cavalry, or any chariots, they only had their own fierce nature as their greatest weapon. Any chariots were likely imported from Hibernian tribes, or Britons fleeing Roman rule, and any cavalry was really just these men mounted on ponies. They were a true relic of a bygone period, still fighting without much in the way of tactics beyond ambushing and mad rushes at their enemies. These people would exist for a long time, until invading Gaels, Germans, Normans, and Norsemen would eventually conquer and assimilate them.
In the harsh conditions these men lived in, one could choose to embrace the path of war as a way of life, not as a necessity. With skill and a quite a bit of luck, these men could become far richer and more powerful than their normal life could ever have made them.
Above all, the Caledonians were a proud people. They wish to be independent from all others, and it is this spirit which kept their independence for a long time. This fierce spirit is also a nightmare for any would-be conqueror, so heed this!
http://img177.echo.cx/img177/1418/skythianrebels0av.th.jpg (http://img177.echo.cx/my.php?image=skythianrebels0av.jpg)
These light cavalrymen are from the Scythian tribes to the north of the Pontus Euxine, the Black Sea. They rely on a long spear, bow and shield (typically, the crescent shaped, leather faced, taka shield of the Scythian peoples) and are some of the most effective light horse available. There is also the long sword typical of the nomads, a Scytho-Sarmatian weapon with a ring-pommel. They are at their best when fighting in loose open formations, harassing the enemy, but ready in an instant to descend like lightning on any foe rendered vulnerable. Against unbroken infantry these light horsemen will prove of little value in a hand to hand clash and care should be taken not to waste them in such a way.
Historically, during the Persian invasion of the Pontic steppe, the Scythian cavalry swept ahead of the invaders destroying anything of use to them. They led a Royal Achaemenid army into a futile chase across the steppe until overstretched Persian supply lines and scorched-earth tactics allowed them to turn from pursued into pursuers. The mauled Persian army managed to avoid destruction and regain the safe southern bank of the Danube, but the Scythians had borne the brunt of Achaemenid might and had remained unconquered and masters of their lands. Also, even in their decline, they totally destroyed a 30,000 strong army sent by Zopyrion, one of Alexander’s generals, in 331 BC.
The Scythians have always been bent on independence. They were once lord and master over all the steppes, but now they are being displaced by their more vigorous eastern cousins, the Sauromatae. Still, the Scythians are a proud people, refusing to let anyone control them without a fight. Their great mobility made them great rebels, and it will definitely be a hard struggle for any conqueror wishing to take control of the lands of these powerful warriors.
Some monuments to remind you that not all is blood and gore:
http://img235.echo.cx/img235/6989/altarsscreen17nn.th.jpg (http://img235.echo.cx/my.php?image=altarsscreen17nn.jpg)
http://img235.echo.cx/img235/5828/gebelscreen22em.th.jpg (http://img235.echo.cx/my.php?image=gebelscreen22em.jpg)
http://img235.echo.cx/img235/5864/goldenhornscreen33zq.th.jpg (http://img235.echo.cx/my.php?image=goldenhornscreen33zq.jpg)
Some goodies for y’all to enjoy:
http://img200.echo.cx/img200/8913/logorebel1small3dn.jpg
We hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s preview!
Please note that unless stated otherwise, ALL pictures shown in our previews are of 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:
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=70 (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=70)
Or here:
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=31 (http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=31)
Or here:
http://207.234.213.122/forum/viewforum.php?f=13 (http://207.234.213.122/forum/viewforum.php?f=13)
We give special thanks to http://www.imageschack.us (http://www.imageschack.us/) that provides us with a simple, foolproof, and free way to show you all these pictures each week.
Have a great day y’all!
Sincerely,
The Europa Barbarorum team
Yes, the preview is late. But hey, it’s here. And it’s hot. Don’t sit inside waiting for the preview, go out, frolic in the fields, chase some girls!
Okay, enough excuses. Personal reasons as well as some complications at school caused the delay. I apologize dearly for that and pledge myself to make the deadline this week.
Internally, our closed beta testers, modelers, skinners and historians are enjoying the fruit of our work culminated in the newest internal release, with a lot of new features. Be patient, the open beta is coming closer to your PC every minute there’s an EB member online!
A while ago, the EB forum at the Trivium boards went online. Finally there was a platform where our closed beta-testers could freely discuss the problems and quirks of our latest internal build. This helps efficiency and developing speed. What does that relate to you? You’re right – it means you get your beta quicker, folks!
This week, the preview is a bit different. I’m not going to tell you right now – it’s pretty obvious since you’ve already checked out the logo!
This week, the EB team is proud to present:
http://img54.echo.cx/img54/6391/logorebel1medium5uz.jpg
The Eleutheroi. You know them well. Indeed, they are your most common enemy. The many small nations and regional powers you will face in your initial expansion all belong to the Eleutheroi. But not only in your rise to power will you come across this myriad of peoples, but wherever you choose to expand, independents will stand in your way.
It is impossible to name every single tribe and people which will resist your dreams of conquest. From the great western ocean to the peaks of the Altai, you will encounter these little empires and proudly independent tribes. One thing binds this great band of enemies: their fear and revulsion of your wish to expand your borders.
But don’t expect the great collection of Eleutheroi to be pushovers. They will resist you with all their heart and spirit once you decide the time has come to incorporate them into your rising empire. You are a threat to their very existence, and they will not give up until you have completely destroyed them – or convinced them that it isn’t that bad being under your suzerainty.
It depends on your guile and willpower how much of a problem the Eleutheroi will be. Watch out! An army of marauding Scythians has assaulted your city! What will you do? Will you let them have a go at your walls, while you bypass them and take their settlements? Will you bribe them? Or will you lift the siege of your bastion? The choice is yours – just remember that while you think, they move. Indecisiveness will play you right into their hands.
But, then again, you might not be just another power struggling for a place in the sun. You might be the great leader of the greatest power on the face of the earth. Who, then, are the Eleutheroi to you? Surely they are just little rodents trying to gnaw away at your extensive borders? Perhaps – but that does not mean you should treat them as such. There are many that want to be independent – and a big pack of rodents can bring the sturdiest of trees to come crashing down.
However you choose to treat the Eleutheroi, remember one thing: for every one you strike down, there are a hundred more waiting from where that one came from. Beware!
The Eleutheroi, as you may have realized, are all those factions that didn’t make it into the mod. Here are a couple of them:
Pergamon - One of the most famous cities in the Ancient World. The site where the ancient settlements developed is situated in a fertile plain irrigated by the waters of the river Bergama Cayl (the ancient Selinus) and of the rivers Kestel and Bakır. Even though historical mention of Pergamon has not been ascertained prior to the 4th century BC, the opinion generally held is that the origins of the city are by far earlier. Various archaeological finds datable to the Stone Age testify to the antiquity of the first human settlements. The history of what then became one of the most flourishing Hellenistic cities began with the dismemberment of the immense Persian Empire, after the death of Alexander the Great. Lysimachos, who received the western part of Anatolia, chose the impervious site of Pergamon as the hiding place for a considerable treasure. Philetairos, a faithful follower, succeeded in preserving the integrity of the treasure and the possession of the city when Lysimachos died, despite attempts on the part of Antiochus I. His grandson Eumenes I proclaimed the independence of the new realm of Pergamon (3rd cent. BC), which with his successors, in particular Eumenes II, shone in the fields of economy, the arts, the sciences and culture. With the death of Attalus II, in 133 BC, the Kingdom of Pergamon, lacking natural heirs, was pacifically taken over by the Roman Senate which thus reaped the harvest of old agreements and alliances. Under the Capitoline standard the city enjoyed a great new period of development which manifested itself in the construction of splendid buildings and in the restoration of various monuments of the past. Later Marc Antonius presented Cleopatra with the city's rich library, the books of which, of incalculable value, were eventually destroyed in a fire in Egypt. The decadence of Pergamon, now known as Pergamum, followed the disintegration of the Roman empire step by step.
Belgae - The Belgae are a product of the Cubi-Biturge Confederacy collapse. In the northeast of the lands that'd be called Gaul, they formed a confederation of tribes. Most notable are tribes like the Nervii, Menapii, Remi, and Bellovacii. The Belgae were expansionistic, invading and raiding the lands around them, spreading to many different areas. They had a tendency to be absorbed by the peoples whose lands they spread to. They had a unique military affected by Britons, Gauls, and Germans, as well as their own innovations. They had a tendency to adopt good ideas, attack the Gauls, lose, and give up the good idea because it lost a few times. The Belgae were fickle that way. Most Belgae fought shirtless, some painted themselves, and they used a number of disciplined, well-trained soldiers; swordsmen, pikemen, spearmen, cavalry, and even sometimes they used axemen, as well as bowmen levies, as well as armored bowmen. The majority of their warriors would look pretty much the same, only variation would be their weapons, and occassionally chain shirts. Caesar notes their ferocity; the Nervii particularly were hardcore terrifying warriors, somewhat Spartan in their manner; music was used only to drill to, drugs were forbidden because they thought it'd make them soft, entertainment of most types was simply forbidden. They, like Gaul, were conquered by Rome, and were at a bad disadvantage when it had happened. They were allied with the Aedui for a period, and had sent many soldiers to fight with them, against both Germanic, Roman, and Arverni incursion, but this in the end simply bled Belgica dry; they had little left to fight with when Rome came, and similar to the fracturing of the Aedui tribes, the Belgic tribes had begun to infight as well, due to a loss of faith, over the loss of so many men in the wars in the Aedui lands. The Belgae would begin with Belgica Bellovaccii and Belgica Nervii.
Scythians - Iranian, former nomads, but mostly settled and substantially hellenized at EB's start. Kingdom heir to the very large and powerful Scythian kingdom of former times, but much reduced by now. They repeatedly try to expand and bring nearby Greek cities of the Black Sea coast under their control, often clashing with the neighboring Bosporan kingdom and the Sarmatians too. Around the 310's BC the Scythians were still reasonably active. They figure in enterprises of certain scale, though by no means comparable to what they had done in the distant past or even in the days of Atheas (middle 4th ct BC). Also, they tend to appear as part of alliances. They got involved in an uprising against Lysimachos and in a Bosporan dinastic war. In both cases, the sides the Scythians supported eventually lost and that may have hurt them because we don't hear much of them for a while. Some evidence, mostly archaelogical, suggests increased Sarmatian pressure, but this is not well recorded in the sources. Around the middle 2nd ct there is a sort of minor resurgence under the kings Skilouros and his son Palakos although they actually control less land. They are involved in diverse local conflicts with Greek cities and the Bosporan kingdom. This is a heavily Hellenicized kingdom with a largely settled population and some authors question the extent to which it represents continuity with the earlier Scythian kingdom. After Palakos they don't really do much else. In my opinion, the overall picture is one of decline, but putting up a fight. Reversing this trend could be the challenge for a potential Scythian player. A Scythian faction could have the provinces of Taurica and Scythia.
Some of the units you will encounter in your campaigns against the Eleutheroi:
http://img262.echo.cx/img262/4113/judeanrebels2rj.th.jpg (http://img262.echo.cx/my.php?image=judeanrebels2rj.jpg)
The Jews are a proud people, bent on maintaining their independence and distinct culture. The same was true in Ioudaia when it was lorded over by Hellenic invaders. While Jews in the diaspora embraced Hellenism, the Jews who remained in their ancestral homeland were fervently encouraged by their rabbis to maintain their ancient ways and resist Hellenism. Some of the Jews therefore, found themselves called to the banner of rebellion against their overlords. Depending how stubborn they and their leaders were, their rebellions had different outcomes. In the 2nd century BC these men succeeded in throwing off Hellenic fetters under the famed Judah Maccabee.
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Dahae, coming from old Persian Daha, was a name used for every bandit and raider that drove fear into the hearts of the peoples of the Iranian plateau. These men came in assorted bands to pillage and steal whenever the opportunity presented itself, and their horses provided the mobility needed to be effective raiders. They could also be convinced by a passing general to fight alongside him, provided the pay was good and the plunder rich.
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Pezhetairoi are the bread and butter military unit of the Successor states. They are well disciplined and highly motivated pikemen that are armed and armored to the teeth. They are armored in a linen cuirass, a Phrygian cap, a bronze greave on the right leg, stout boots, good bracers, and reinforced shoulder pads made from hardened linen (due to their experience with the deadly curved swords of Thraikia). They have Illyrian style round shields attached to their bodies by leather straps that help support the weight of the shield and keep their hand free to grasp the sarissa. They are defensive infantry par excellent. They are the anvil of the two part Makedonian system of warfare, the heavy cavalry being the hammer. They should be used to anchor enemy soldiers while the thureophoroi harass the flanks and the heavy cavalry smashes into the flanks and rear.
Historically, the pezhetairoi are the classic Alexandrian phalanx. They were used to great effect against the Persians, Medes, Baktrians, Indians, Phoenicians, and many, many others. They are an effective force and have not changed much over the centuries. The Romans were able to defeat them as easily as they did for two main reasons. One, the Roman army was at a high state of readiness and tactical prowess after defeating the Karchedonioi. Two, the heavy cavalry arm of the Successor armies had degenerated to the point where they were no longer able to field significant numbers to fulfill their part of the hammer and anvil tactic of Alexandros. There were many small reasons, numbering among them the misuse of the thureophoroi, the under use of peltastai, and the lax state of warfare that the Successor states were used to. In any case, the phalanx was not as anachronistic or inflexible as widely believed; it was simply used in the wrong way. In the thirteenth century onwards, pikemen in similar formations were able to work wonders with more capable generals and a better cavalry arm. Do not under appreciate pikemen, for they are still a war winning force.
Like amongst their successors of the sixteenth century, there were also many mercenary pezhetairoi. They fought for one thing: money. Money is a cruel mistress, and therefore these men are wily and experienced, veterans of more than a few battles. But remember: they are mercenaries, never to be trusted to hold the part of the line where it will come down to it.
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After the kingdom of Baktria attacked and seized its Indian possessions, it found the Hellenics who had been living there had adapted somewhat to native ways. Gone were the close phalanx formation and the long spear, replaced by a somewhat looser but more skilled melee formation. They adopted a Phrygian style helmet, light cotton Thraikian trousers, and javelins, in addition to a smaller and lighter shield. This allows them to be excellent elephant killers, as well as defeat the more lightly armored infantry of the east. They can be used as a good medium infantry, to screen the flanks and protect against elephants and cavalry while the thureophoroi deliver the fatal melee blow.
Historically, the Indo-Hellenics adapted quite well to the environment of India and prospered. Many became Buddhists, though they still remained fierce warriors, true to their Hellenic forbearers. They are an excellent medium infantry, well able to compliment other troop types and provide a versatile unit against light cavalry and elephants.
The Indo-Hellenics were a people who were proud of their heritage, and quite willing to rebel to preserve their independence from other cultures. Be sure to watch what these fowl warriors do – they might seriously disrupt your plans as Baktrian king in India!
http://img177.echo.cx/img177/8986/goidilicgaernaght5lj.th.jpg (http://img177.echo.cx/my.php?image=goidilicgaernaght5lj.jpg)
The Daernaght (Dor-nukt; Spearmen) are the most basic warriors of the Goidilic (Gaelic or Goedelic) tribes. They fight as spearmen, with a single heavy javelin to throw before attacking, or at a charging enemy, to weaken them, before engaging with their spears. The Daernaght are only semi-professional. They work and train about four months a year (as the Celtic calendar works differently), than rotate back to working as farmers, craftsmen, fishermen, etc., while their replacements go to train and fight.
Historically, the Daernaght were used well into the dark and middle ages, and the inheritors of an ancient fighting tradition. While young Goidils always played games that honed fighting skills, these semi-professionals also spent much time at work, so were not as skilled as the better trained, year-round professional Laech, but were not as unskilled as the all but untrained militias that were used as impromptu forces.
Some Daernaght found themselves without masters, in lands they did not know, and became roving bandits and rebels. But their skills are also employable by those with a good coin to throw about…
http://img177.echo.cx/img177/7633/goidilicordmhornaght6dn.th.jpg (http://img177.echo.cx/my.php?image=goidilicordmhornaght6dn.jpg)
The Ordmhornaght (Ord-mer-nukt) are a type of Goidilic (Gaelic or Goedelic) heavy infantry; they're rare, experienced, and very wealthy. They wield massive, two-handed hammers, imitating Dagda, 'the good god'; they smash and crush attackers, break armor, and smash cavalry mounts. These men are small in number, but they serve a strong purpose on a battle field, though they are slow to be mustered, and small in number. However, their weapons, skill, and fair quality armor, allow them to be used as strong anti-armor infantry. Their main disadvantage is impetousness; Celtic religious fanatics are not known for their restraint in most matters, combined with the essence of a Celtic warrior's lust for glory, they are extremely impetous, and are quick to break their loose formation.
Historically, the Goidils used hammers in large numbers; they were popular enough that later Irish and Scots still used them widely as the favored weapon of many field officers. The reason behind the favor given to the hammer is two-fold. It is a religious symbol. The god of the Goidils wields a massive hammer from which he forged all creation, and with which he defends his people. It is also a practical weapon. It requires minimal craftsmenship, it's sure to kill or incapacitate its target in a single blow, and it can be used to kill cavalry, light infantry, and smash the armor of heavy infantry. Such warriors large disadvantage was the lack of a shield and their over-eager nature to fight. They would be at a great disadvantage at range, where arrows could cut them down, as they lack a shield, and are slowed by the weight of their weapons, but in a melee, they would be quite fearsome.
In lands not their own, Ordmhornaght could occasionally be found without any leaders and be seen roving and terrorizing the local populace. Be sure to quickly put to heel these cruel barbarians, for they are formidable indeed!
http://img177.echo.cx/img177/8344/corinthianhoplites7ks.th.jpg (http://img177.echo.cx/my.php?image=corinthianhoplites7ks.jpg)
The polis of Corinth produces its own variant of the classic Hellenic hoplite. These soldiers are trained to the same level as other hoplites, but have slightly differing equipment. They still use the old argive shield and have linen greaves. They can be used as any other hoplites would be, with a remembrance of the disadvantages.
Historically, the Corinthians had a professional army of citizens that were extremely dedicated to the defense of the city. They are famous for their defensive ability, holding out against the Roman invasion for many years.
As Hellenic society evolved, some of the army of a polis would be composed of professionals. In peacetime, these tough men would be without anything to do, and would hire themselves out to others, such as the Persians, who spent much money having Hellenics defending their lands from invaders such as Alexandros.
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The Caledonians are a fierce people on the edge of the world. Beyond Caledonia stretches a great, empty ocean, and Caledonia itself is home to a rather isolated people. They are seemingly relics of a former era of Celtic history, they do not have great deals of iron, and so do not produce many swords. They instead fight with more practical weapons, spears, javelins, and slings. Rhyfelwyr (Rh-eye-vell-wir; Warriors) are a vast number of men, of many ages and varying levels of experience. Seemingly fearless, and wild, their bodies are tattooed in esoteric spiral designs, their hair is spiked and red, and they are remarkably fearsome. They are very hardy and brave; their lifestyle demands it. Alone, a disciplined army would destroy them, but if incorporated into a more tactics minded commander of the more advanced Britons, they may prove more useful.
Historically, the Caledonians were never conquered by the Romans, despite Romans successfully defeating them in numerous engagements. The small amount of iron available to them left swords only for the most wealthy or greatest of champions. Even bronze armor was a luxury. The Caledonians did not have much cavalry, or any chariots, they only had their own fierce nature as their greatest weapon. Any chariots were likely imported from Hibernian tribes, or Britons fleeing Roman rule, and any cavalry was really just these men mounted on ponies. They were a true relic of a bygone period, still fighting without much in the way of tactics beyond ambushing and mad rushes at their enemies. These people would exist for a long time, until invading Gaels, Germans, Normans, and Norsemen would eventually conquer and assimilate them.
In the harsh conditions these men lived in, one could choose to embrace the path of war as a way of life, not as a necessity. With skill and a quite a bit of luck, these men could become far richer and more powerful than their normal life could ever have made them.
Above all, the Caledonians were a proud people. They wish to be independent from all others, and it is this spirit which kept their independence for a long time. This fierce spirit is also a nightmare for any would-be conqueror, so heed this!
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These light cavalrymen are from the Scythian tribes to the north of the Pontus Euxine, the Black Sea. They rely on a long spear, bow and shield (typically, the crescent shaped, leather faced, taka shield of the Scythian peoples) and are some of the most effective light horse available. There is also the long sword typical of the nomads, a Scytho-Sarmatian weapon with a ring-pommel. They are at their best when fighting in loose open formations, harassing the enemy, but ready in an instant to descend like lightning on any foe rendered vulnerable. Against unbroken infantry these light horsemen will prove of little value in a hand to hand clash and care should be taken not to waste them in such a way.
Historically, during the Persian invasion of the Pontic steppe, the Scythian cavalry swept ahead of the invaders destroying anything of use to them. They led a Royal Achaemenid army into a futile chase across the steppe until overstretched Persian supply lines and scorched-earth tactics allowed them to turn from pursued into pursuers. The mauled Persian army managed to avoid destruction and regain the safe southern bank of the Danube, but the Scythians had borne the brunt of Achaemenid might and had remained unconquered and masters of their lands. Also, even in their decline, they totally destroyed a 30,000 strong army sent by Zopyrion, one of Alexander’s generals, in 331 BC.
The Scythians have always been bent on independence. They were once lord and master over all the steppes, but now they are being displaced by their more vigorous eastern cousins, the Sauromatae. Still, the Scythians are a proud people, refusing to let anyone control them without a fight. Their great mobility made them great rebels, and it will definitely be a hard struggle for any conqueror wishing to take control of the lands of these powerful warriors.
Some monuments to remind you that not all is blood and gore:
http://img235.echo.cx/img235/6989/altarsscreen17nn.th.jpg (http://img235.echo.cx/my.php?image=altarsscreen17nn.jpg)
http://img235.echo.cx/img235/5828/gebelscreen22em.th.jpg (http://img235.echo.cx/my.php?image=gebelscreen22em.jpg)
http://img235.echo.cx/img235/5864/goldenhornscreen33zq.th.jpg (http://img235.echo.cx/my.php?image=goldenhornscreen33zq.jpg)
Some goodies for y’all to enjoy:
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We hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s preview!
Please note that unless stated otherwise, ALL pictures shown in our previews are of works in progress. We continue to improve on all parts of EB, and we will continue to do so long after our initial release.
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As always, if you have questions or comments, the best place to post them is here, where the EB team is most active:
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Or here:
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=31 (http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=31)
Or here:
http://207.234.213.122/forum/viewforum.php?f=13 (http://207.234.213.122/forum/viewforum.php?f=13)
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Have a great day y’all!
Sincerely,
The Europa Barbarorum team