Teleklos Archelaou
08-08-2005, 00:31
Greetings Europa Barbarorum fans!
I’ll be making the preview post this week, hope you’re not too disappointed though. The sun's still up on Sunday afternoon where I'm at, but I've been told this might be a little more like a "Monday Morning Hangover Cure" by some. ~D
For this week’s preview, a lot of thanks must go around. For units, most praise should be directed towards Spartan Warrior and our long lost friend chemchok as well (who, at an earlier date, was our faction coordinator). I can't say enough to praise SW, who as everyone knows already, keeps amazing us week after week, and is an absolute machine. ~D Our faction icon, which I think is possibly our best, is the work of Parmenio. Work on unit descriptions was mostly handled by Urnamma, with the help of others. Recent active historical advisors for this faction include QwertyMIDX and myself. For the most part I wrote the faction description, compiled the image for the faction banner, and have updated our .gif map to include this faction with our others released so far. So many other people have contributed heavily to this faction’s development though – in things we still aren’t releasing here. Thanks also go out to our scripting team and to Malrubius who has done a lot with our Hellenic traits (we will give you a little glimpse of what we have done with them below). Many others have contributed along the way, but the list grows so long, that we might never get to the preview itself if we keep going!
So, without further rambling, this week, the EB team is proud to present:
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The two urns on the floor of Zeus' palace do indeed hold a mixture of good and evil for all. The glorious summer of the fifth century, when the relatively small poleis of Athenai and Sparte turned away the combined might of a terrible empire, when each in turn possessed naval empires and controlled lands far from their native soils, is gone. Today they are but splendid memories perpetuated by the philosophers who walk the streets of Athena’s city on the hill. The gifts of Zeus have been full of sorrow for them from the day in 338 that a teen-aged boy named Alexandros led a successful cavalry charge into their midst at Chaironeia (and even then the Athenians were tricked into believing victory was theirs; "On to Makedonia!" was their cry before the young prince stormed the gap their rash charge had left open and smashed the ranks of their allies from behind). But the god turns his sorrow now towards the north and the Makedonian fetters have been partially broken at last! Athenai herself is freed, though Attike itself cannot rest from the threat of Antigonos’ soldiers. Sparte renews the agoge military training of its sons and has men strong enough to campaign as mercenaries far from their home in the Eurotas valley. Rhodos, who has rarely if ever looked outside the shores of her island except where money could be made, possesses naval might and trading clout that might be harnessed more efficiently in tandem with other powers. Realizing it is in her best interests at the time being to do so, Rhodos has joined the other two ancient cities in the hopes of warding off their common enemies. Individually, they are small, regional powers. But sharing common interests and facing their enemies together, there is hope at least.
To cope with Makedonian advances in phalanx warfare, changes in traditional hoplite equipment have been made. Lighter armed but faster hoplitai now can chase down and deal more effectively with the threat of peltastai, and the more elite hoplitai have a better chance, with some help, of staving off the Makedonian troops. Spartan hoplitai are still among the most feared troops in the Mediterranean, but they are not easy to come by, their numbers are greatly reduced, and it is arguable whether or not they are the equals of their ancestors on the field of battle. Something of a return to ancient styles has been brought to some cities, still retained by others, where shorter spears and javelins can deal better with the threat of Roman troops than hoplites, though their use still has not been perfected against those western forces. With the help of light armed peltastai and archers, and a few cavalry options that have evolved with the rise of Makedonian equipment and techniques, there is much hope in the renewed strength of Hellas.
This alliance of city-states is nowhere near as powerful as they once were individually. Each can contribute their share and while a second great age is a distant possibility, their enemies surround them and there is no foreign shore upon which they can assuredly rely for help. Makedonia is your first concern as a leader of the Hellenes, and you might feel their grip tighten before this very year is up; to allay fears at Pella by begging for their mercy or to smash the other fetters at Korinthos, Demetrias, and Chalkis will be one of the first decisions you must make. The best hope for Hellas probably lies in controlling the wine-dark seas that surround them, and the small rebel factions across it and on islands nearby. Krete, currently too divided by many factions to be firmly under your control, will surely join your cause if “coerced” and indeed Sparta’s king is there even at this moment, ostensibly attempting to hire other Cretans as mercenaries. His presence might be turned to your advantage if he is supplemented with other soldiers or he recruits mercenaries there effectively enough. Though it lies but a short distance from Rhodos itself, Halikarnassos is a tempting target for many Asian powers, and the Ptolemaioi have had some troops and diplomats in parts of Karia for some time now. Other Hellenic cities across the Mediterranean may appear to be tempting, but although Kyrene and Massalia and Emporion and Chersonesos and Sinope are homes for other sympathetic Hellenes, and although all seem to be sources of potential wealth and allies, you will face resistance wherever you go (unless money is no object of course!).
To the chief problem at hand: the Makedonians and their king, Antigonos Gonatas, have enemies, and if at all possible it would be best to exploit their weaknesses as quickly as possible. No other foes are immediate. The grasping hands of power-hungry Roman generals have eyes on our western coasts, but they also have their hands full with other peoples for the time being. The Ptolemaioi have some sympathy for your cause and their advisors and deep purses might be available, though they will ultimately only try to better their own expanding power base in the Aigaion by helping you. Beware the marauding general Pyrrhos. Although he is very talented, and he might be bought off to aid your cause, his huge forces would be expensive to maintain and he may well be regarded by both you and the Makedonians as a “rebel”, who will harm anyone that finds themselves close enough to him to be attacked. Whether or not you choose to free your kinsmen in Megale Hellas ("Italia," Hah!) and Sikelia, will be your choice, but remember and do not take lightly the sea power of the men of Karchedon. Have faith, Strategos! Zeus and the fates may yet return a share of good to Athena’s two favorite cities and to the shores of Rhodos. The war with Antigonos and his men will not soon abate, and it might be possible this time, if indeed we are favored by the god, that we will find truth in our cry of “On to Makedonia!”
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Historical Situation of the Koinon Hellenon “Alliance of the Hellenes” in 272 B.C.:
The former Greek faction is now made up of Athens, Sparta, and Rhodes. This selection has been chosen to represent the alliance formed by several poleis of Hellas prior to the outbreak of the Chremonidean War (c.266-260). The war is named after Chremonides, the Athenian statesman who formed the alliance in an effort to counter the threat of Makedonian hegemony.
Gods. In the archonship of Peithedemos, in the second prytany, that of (the tribe) Erechtheis, on the ninth (day) of Metageitnion, the ninth (day) of the prytany, (in) a statutory assembly. Of the prohedroi Sostratos, son of Kallistratos, of (the deme) Erchia, and his fellow prohedroi put the motion to the vote. Resolved by the demos: Chremonides, son of Eteokles, of (the deme) Aithalidai, spoke: Whereas in former times the Athenians and the Lacedaemonians and the allies of each, after making friendship and common alliance with one another, together fought many noble struggles alongside one another against those who were trying to enslave the cities, from which deeds they both won for themselves fair reputation and brought about freedom for the rest of the Greeks, and (whereas) now, when similar circumstances have overtaken all Greece on account of those who are trying to overthrow the laws and the ancestral institutions of each (of the cities), King Ptolemy, in accordance with the policy of his ancestors and his sister, shows clearly his concern for the common freedom of the Greeks, and the demos of the Athenians, having made an alliance with him, has voted to urge the rest of the Greeks toward the same policy; and, likewise, the Lacedaemonians, being friends and allies of King Ptolemy, have voted an alliance with the demos of the Athenians, along with the Eleians and Achaeans and Tegeans and Mantineians and Orchomenians and Phialians and Kaphyans and as many of the Cretans as are in the alliance of the Lacedaemonians and Areus and the other allies, and have sent ambassadors from the synhedroi to the demos (of the Athenians), and their ambassadors having arrived, make clear the zealous concern which the Lacedaemonians and Areus and the rest of the allies have toward the demos of the Athenians, and bring with them the agreement about the alliance; (and) in order that, a state of common concord having come to exist among the Greeks, the Greeks may be, along with King Ptolemy and with each other, eager contenders against those who have wronged the cities and violated their treaties with them, and may for the future with mutual good-will save the cities; with good fortune, be it resolved by the demos: that the friendship and alliance of the Athenians with the Lacedaemonians and the Kings of the Lacedaemonians, and the Eleians and Achaeans and Tegeans and Mantineians and Orchomenians and Phialians and Kaphyans and as many of the Cretans as are in the alliance of the Lacedaemonians and Areus and the rest of the allies, be valid for all {time, the one which} the ambassadors bring with them; and that {the} secretary of the prytany have (it) inscribed on a bronze stele and {set up} on the Acropolis, by the temple of Athena Polias; and that {the} magistrates {swear} to the ambassadors who have come {from them the oath} about the alliance, according to {ancestral custom}; and to send {the} ambassadors {who have been} elected by the demos to receive the oaths {from} the {rest of the Greeks}; and further, that {the demos immediately} elect {two} synhedroi {from among} all {the Athenians} who shall deliberate {about the common} good with Areus and the synhedroi {sent by the allies}; and that {those in charge} of public administration distribute to those chosen (as synhedroi) provisions for as long as they shall be away {whatever} the demos shall decide {when electing them}; and to Praise {the ephors} of the Lacedaemonians and Areus and the allies, {and to crown them} with a gold crown in accordance with the law; {and further, to praise the} ambassadors who have come from them, Theom {. . . of Lacedae}mon and Argeios son of Kleinias of Elis, {and to crown} each of them with a gold crown, in accordance with {the law, on account of their zealous concern} and the good-will which they bear toward {the rest of the allies} and the demos of the Athenians; and that {each of them} be entitled to receive {other} benefits from the boule {and the demos, if they seem} to deserve {any}; and to invite them {also to receive hospitality} tomorrow {in the prytaneion}, and that the secretary of the prytany have inscribed {this decree also and the agreement} upon a {stone} stele and have it set up on the Acropolis, and that those in charge of {public administration} allocate {the expense for the inscription and erection} of the stele, {whatever it} may be. The following were elected synhedroi: Kallippos of (the deme) Eleusis, {and- - - }.
The treaty and alliance {of the Lacedaemonians and the allies} of the Lacedaemonians with {the Athenians and the allies} of the Athenians, {to be valid} for all {time}: {Each (of the parties)}, being {free} and autonomous, {is to have its own territory, using its own political institutions in accordance with} ancestral tradition. If anyone {comes with war as their object against the land} of the Athenians or {is overthrowing} the laws, {or comes with war as their object against} the allies of the Athenians, {the Lacedaemonians and the allies} of the Lacedaemonians {shall come to the rescue in full strength to the best of their ability. If} anyone comes with war as their object {against the land of the Lacedaemonians}, or is overthrowing {the} laws, {or comes with war as their object against the allies} of the Lacedaemonians, {the Athenians and the allies of the Athenians shall come to the rescue in full strength to the best of their ability.} - - - The (following) Athenians swear the oath to the Lacedaemonians {and to those from each} city: the strategoi and the {boule of 600 and the} archons and the phylarchs and the taxiarchs {and the hipparchs}. “I swear by Zeus, Ge, Helios, Ares, Athena Areia, {Poseidon, Demeter} that I shall remain in the alliance that has been made; {to those abiding by this oath} may many good things befall, to those not, the opposite.” (Of the Lacedaemonians} (the following) swear the same oath to the Athenians: the {kings and the ephors (and)} the gerontes. And the magistrates {are to swear the same oath also in the other} cities. If {it seems preferable to the Lacedaemonians and) the allies and the Athenians (to add something) or to remove something in respect to (the terms of) the alliance, {then whatever is decided upon by both} will be in accord with the oath. (The cities are) to have {the agreement} inscribed {upon) stelai and have (them) set up in a sanctuary wherever they wish.
The alliance of these three city states brings together political entities that were not entirely cooperative (to put it mildly) during this time period, but they were not openly hostile to each other and they did agree very shortly after the opening of the game to ally themselves alongside the Ptolemaioi to fight the Makedonians. Even before the alliance was made these three groups had mutual enemies and mutual allies to a large degree. The Ptolemaioi were supplying a large proportion of the grain supplement of Athenai in 272, and were trying to thwart Makedonian growth and power whereever they could. The new alliance played up exactly what one would expect of a grouping of Athenai, Sparte, and Rhodos at this time: there was much talk of freedom of the Hellenes and a new crusade against the “barbarian” Makedonians. The term “Alliance of the Hellenes” or “Koinon Hellenon” will represent this alliance better in the long run than a temporary “Chremodian Alliance” would. This alliance however, while including certain other cities outside of those controlling these three regions, cannot include such regions as Krete, as certain cities were allied with Sparta and certain with the Ptolemaioi, and certain would best be considered havens for pirates who had the full blessing and aid of Antigonos Gonatas to raid Athenai and the islands of the Aigaion. The only certain diplomatic relations are an alliance with the Ptolemaioi and war with the Makedonians. They had close relations with many cities en route to the Euxine and still gained greatly from their contacts there and from the grain trade.
Outcomes:
Historically did this new alliance bear fruit? The Makedonians did not have to fear Pyrrhos or the Epeirotes greatly after they recovered from their perilous situation in 272. They were able then to direct their efforts towards maintaining control of the areas they already had somewhat subdued. Once the Spartan king Areus had returned to Sparte from Krete, he engaged the Makedonians in small attacks, but not in any large scale invasion. Ptolemaic aid was sent to both Sparte and Athenai once the alliance was ratified, but gave no immediate boost to the cause. The fleet under Patroklos (Makedonian-born himself) arrived in Attike to aid their cause against Antigonos, but the Makedonians had already closed off the Peiraieus (the Athenain port) and Patroklos was forced to put his fleet into smaller harbors along Attike (even today the main island he encamped upon, near Sounion, is called Patroklu by the Hellenes). Remains of Ptolemaic camps have been found also at Rhamnous, and we can tell that the Athenians even used the Ptolemaic system of weights and measures for at least three years during the war itself. Pirates under the pay of Antigonos still raided grain shipments and the Ptolemaic fleet was unable to deflect their attacks and deal with the Makedonians at the same time. The possession of Korinthos by Antigonos Gonatas remained one of the most important determinants of the outcome of the war. The Spartans, with their Peloponnesian and Cretan allies, were never able to break through the isthmus near Korinthos. He was unable to institute major reforms of the social, economic, and military affairs of the state and it affected the outcome of the war in general by the still dwindling numbers of Spartan citizens along with mounting social tension in the region. In 265 the Spartan king Areus met the Makedonians outside of Korinthos and was slain there. The Spartans, now led by Areus’ son, Akrotatos, made no further attempt to help the Athenians or their new alliance from that point onwards. While Ptolemaios gained some successes against the Makedonians, capturing a number of coastal cities in Asia Minor and throughout the Aigaion, he was reluctant to commit his forces to any large land battles. The Ptolemaic fleet was not able to break through the Makedonian blockade of Athenai and the city, starving, was forced to submit in 262. Antigonos was firmly in control. Chremonides and his brother Glaukon fled to Aigyptos and became advisors to Ptolemaios Philadelphos. Chremonides even attained the rank of a commander of the Ptolemaic fleet. Glaukon became an important priest of Alexandros there. Rhodos itself saw an increase in trade and commerce, but only because of the great decline in Athenai during this subsequent period and as a result of the outcome of the Chremonidian War. The rest of the interaction belongs to a history of the Ptolemaic and Makedonian wars, as the Hellenes were from that point onwards only pawns in their larger conflict.
Suggested Reading:
Hammond, N.G.L. 1989. The Macedonian State: The Origins, Institutions and History. Oxford.
Berthold, Richard M. 1984. Rhodes in the Hellenistic Age. Cornell.
Habicht, Christian. 1997. Athens from Alexander to Antony. Harvard.
Cartledge, Paul and Anthony Spawforth. 2002. Hellenistic and Roman Sparta: A Tale of Two Cities. Routledge.
Holbl, Gunther. 2001. A History of the Ptolemaic Empire. Routledge.
Green, Peter. 1993. Alexander to Actium: The Historical Evolution of the Hellenistic Age. California.
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-Unit Descriptions-
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Taxeis Hoplitai:
The poorest citizens of the Hellenic cities fought as a militia roughly organized along the lines of other, more professional hoplite soldiers. They are organized in the phalanx and are quite high quality for militia, due to the dogged Hellenic spirit and fighting tradition. They can be expected to hold a line against most light and medium infantry, though they can be cut to pieces by missile troops, as they have virtually no protection from missiles other than their shields. They are still useful against cavalry, because no horse will willingly charge a line of men armed with sharp pointy sticks! Hoplite militia, if used properly, can be an inexpensive and very valuable unit. Against heavier and more professional troops, they are simply outclassed. A wise commander will take this into account.
Historically, the poorest citizens of any polis were called up in defense of their homeland to fight as taxeis (militia units). They had been used to devastating effect in many ancient battles while forming the second battle line. They were good and courageous soldiers that fought with a degree of discipline that no average citizen before or since were able to expect without a fair degree of training. They were not cowards and did not break quickly, but were often annihilated if facing good missile troops or heavier, more professional infantry. Peltastai and other units armed with javelins were particularly devastating to the militia hoplites, due to their lack of protection on the battlefield.
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Ekdromoi Hoplitai:
Ekdromoi (Outrunner) Hoplites are a special version of the Hoplite soldier. They fight without armor and heavy equipment in order to be fast enough to catch and kill skirmishers and especially peltasts, who were the bane of the heavily armored hoplite. Their short spears carry a nasty punch for the usually lightly armed skirmisher and are able to outrange the better armored Peltast. They carry large shields in order to make up for some of this disparity, but they are not a type of soldier meant to do prolonged melee combat with standard hoplites. Their light weight leather armor is soft and layered with bronze plates and cloth in order to retard the missiles of the troops that they would likely be fighting (Hellenic ‘brigandine’ armor). Their purpose is to serve as a professional light infantry that can neutralize the effect of missiles on the heavy infantry. The combination of light armor and speed makes this infantry a great counter to pesky missile troops. They are not particularly useful against heavier infantry or even equivalent light infantry, due to their specialized nature.
Historically, these hoplites evolved almost overnight in response to large scale use of peltastai by Thebes and Athens after the reforms of Iphikrates. Their armor evolved as well over the years. They were originally armored with linen, but this was changed due to the fact that the linothorax was vulnerable to missile fire. The layered leather was developed after a period of trial and error and functions much like modern tank armor does against projectiles. It intersperses hard and soft layers to dissipate the effect of missile weapons. This armor, while exceedingly useful against missiles, is only marginally effective against most melee weapons, due to its lightness and the concentrated force of the arm behind the melee weapon. Once the initial force of a missile weapon is dissipated it falls away harmlessly, once the initial force of a melee weapon is dissipated its user pushes harder!
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Thureophoroi:
Thureophoroi were a new class of Hellenic infantry that was designed to both augment the phalanx and provide a type of soldier in between the phalangite and the peltast that was able to skirmish and fight in melee. They are an extremely mobile force that can hit hard with their heavy javelins then rush in to flank pike units. They are well armed and armored for the task, having stout bronze helms, linen armor, an almond shaped theuros shield, heavy javelins, and a stout spear. They are highly versatile infantry, akin in spirit to the legionaries of Rome. They are usually pezhetairoi, middle class property owners with voting rights. As such, they are well able to devote time to training and practice. They have good morale and are highly disciplined. They were often described by Latin writers as copies of the legion. It is debatable whether they were developed with knowledge of warfare in Italy or not, they are a highly effective force of heavy infantry that is in the forefront of Hellenic military know-how.
Historically, Thureophoroi were used as harassing and flanking troops by the successor states. There seemed to be a lot of confusion as to how to utilize these new soldiers, since they were deadly in the extreme to the less mobile phalanx units. Most of the successor states used them conservatively, except for the Seleukids, who took to these new soldiers quite well. The city-states of Hellas used them even more frequently against the armies of Makedon, and were often able to hold the more powerful kingdom at bay. Still, their uses were limited in scope and not as widespread as their versatile and deadly role would have indicated. This is the fault of period commanders, however, and any more astute or innovative commander might have realized their potential in conjunction with the more static phalanx.
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Thorakitai Hoplitai:
Descriptions => Some hoplites were able to afford better equipment and devote more time to warfare. Much of their equipment is similar to the less wealthy hoplites, with two notable exceptions. They were often armored in mail, which gave them better protection against most weapons in relation to the linothorax. They also tended to carry a kopis, a sword that took quite a bit of time to learn to use because of its peculiar design. The kopis is shaped much like an Iberian falcata, and its primary use is to cut through armor. The armored hoplites were most often those who fought against the heavy cavalry of their adversaries, and this made them adopt an armor piercing weapon with which to dispatch their enemies once they had broken the charge. The armored hoplites are among the best infantry in the world, if a bit tactically inflexible due to the slowness of movement of an armored phalanx.
Historically, the armored hoplites were the elite of most Hellenic armies, and tended to make up only a small percentage. They evolved in response to the Makedonian use of heavy cavalry and were most often used on the right flank of a Hellenic army (opposite the traditional position of the hetairoi in the Makedonian army). They were mostly grizzled veterans or wealthy citizens who had a penchant for warfare. They were almost never used against the Romans, because the Hellenic cities mainly accepted Roman hegemony without serious struggle. The exception was Korinthos, whose armored hoplites broke the Roman left during the battle for the city but were in turn checked and then promptly cut to pieces by Romans enveloping them on three sides and by the Numidian mercenaries being employed by the Romans respectively.
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Thorakitai:
The Thorakitai represent the second evolution of the concept of the Thureophoroi, and show definite Roman influence in their implementation. They are armored in mail and carry heavy javelins instead of the lighter javelins carried by the Theurophoroi. They are more expensive and less mobile than their more lightly armored companions, but make excellent shock troops for any Hellenic army. They are best utilized on the flanks of the phalanx, to either flank the enemy while the phalanx pins them or prevent enemy flankers from attacking. They are best used in combination with the lighter Thureophoroi, who can support them with extra javelins and more importantly speed, to make sure they are not surrounded.
Historically, the Thorakitai were used much like the Theurophoroi, only less often and later in the time period. They’re expensive soldiers, and were only used in any real numbers by the Seleukids and the city-states of Hellas. They were never used to their potential, until the Romans raised legions in Hellas, when the same type of fighting became the norm rather than the exception.
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Hoplitai Korinthioi
The polis of Korinthos 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 Korinthians 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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Akontistai:
Those unlucky enough to be extremely poor freedmen were pressed into service as psiloi, the lowest class of Hellenic infantry. The psiloi were divided into three parts: javelineers, slingers, and archers. The javelin-armed psiloi, the Akontistai, were a ragged bunch of peasants armed with javelins and small knives. Their function was simply to throw their missiles and run like hell! They were used for pre-battle skirmishing and for light missile fire. Never use Akontistai in melee except as diversionary fodder. They have their uses, as their javelins are still sharp and deadly, but they were often used only as light skirmishers or as a last resort in Hellenic armies for obvious reasons.
Historically, Akontistai did not play a particularly huge role on the battlefield. They had their uses, mainly for their ability to induce an enemy to attack prematurely. They are little more than an annoyance on the open field, but can be deadly if positioned in places where their javelins can be used for maximum effect.
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Sphendonetai
The slingers are the second part of the psiloi, and are only marginally more useful than their compatriots with javelins. Their slings can prove a deadly weapon, but they are mainly used to harass and annoy enemy soldiers to force a premature or rash action. They are mostly poor peasants that use this weapon to provide a meager amount of protein in their already poor diet.
Historically, slingers were uses pretty well. They were used in similar roles to the ones described above. Alexandros employed his slingers to harass the Persian heavy cavalry until it decided to give fight at Gaugamela, which promptly cut it off from the rest of the Persian army and allowed the better armed and armored Companions to cut it to shreds.
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Toxotai:
Toxotai are the third branch of the psiloi, the archers of Hellenic and Makedonian armies. They are generally from the upper end of the poor and are generally recruited from mountainous regions where the use of the bow is an essential skill to keep one’s flock of sheep safe from roving predators. Toxotai are well trained in a manner of speaking, that being that they are using their weapon of choice (often of necessity) from birth. They make decent archers, but are nowhere near as professional as the archers from the east and south. They generally use the short bow, which means that they are often outgunned by their counterparts from other lands. This reflects their secondary role on a Hellenic battlefield. As most archers, they will be cut to ribbons in melee, so they should be protected well from any harm.
Historically, the Hellenes did not use archers in any significant fashion. They did not have the composite bows of their neighbors, and their lands were not particularly suited to the cattle and horse farming that supplied the raw material for these bows. Therefore, archers had the effect of other psiloi, that of long range harassment. Hellenes and Makedonians had no real tradition of archers and could not recruit any but these shepherds to do this work for them, since they lacked any access to the archers of the east. Most Hellenic states relied on Skythian and most importantly Kretan archers to do this for them.
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Peltastai:
The peltast is a type of elite skirmisher that sacrifices heavy arms and armor for mobility and range. They are armored in linen and carry a medium sized ovular shield. Originally, they carried a crescent shaped ‘pelta’ that gave them their name, but this was phased out in the fourth century. Their armaments consist of several javelins and a sword. All this makes them light and mobile, but still easily able to engage in melee after their javelins have been thrown. They are a versatile unit but one must remember that their primary arms are javelins, and they are not equipped to stand toe to toe with heavier infantry. Their role is one of speed, harassment, and critical flanking maneuvers.
Historically, the Peltast was often a hoplite or pezhetairoi phalangite equipped to fight in the manner of a skirmisher. This meant that they were extremely adept melee combatants as well as being deadly with their javelins. Peltasts were used to great effect on ancient battlefields but by 270 B.C. the Thureophoroi was becoming the dominant ‘melee’ skirmisher and the Peltast was carrying more javelins and was used in a manner that was consistent with this. This was simply a matter of specialization, and it did not mean that peltasts would be any less effective if deployed correctly. Their light armament makes them extremely fast, but tends to be to their detriment in melee combat. They were mostly used in the role of supporting missile troops who charged in at the last moment, after they had spent all their javelins. The great Athenian general Iphikrates is credited with the invention of the peltast as a distinct unit, and it is he that first employed them in this manner to great effect against the heavier armored and better trained hoplites of Sparta.
https://img131.imageshack.us/img131/967/hippeisscreen10nr.th.jpg (https://img131.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hippeisscreen10nr.jpg)
Hippeis:
Hellenic cavalry is not the most awe inspiring and powerful in the world, but they are no slouches either. Hippeis are a mix of good old fashioned Hellenic know-how with the practical needs for an effective medium cavalry force. The result is the wedding of linen armor, attic helmets, and hoplon shields to cavalry spears and the kopis, which produces a warrior with excellent equipment. Since they are mainly drawn from elite nobility, these cavalrymen have high morale and good discipline. They ride stout horses whose stock was imported from the north. They are an able, if not spectacular, medium cavalry.
Historically, Hellenic cavalry was always thought of as better than Roman cavalry, even though it was not particularly significant. The Hellenes have enough trouble keeping the equestrian minded Makedonians to the north at bay without having to worry about doing much of significant note.
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Hippeis Xystophoroi:
The Hellenic heavy cavalry follows the practical need of a heavy cavalry to counter that of the hostile Makedonian neighbor. While not quite as well trained or lethal as the Makedonian heavy cavalry, they are still a battle-winning component of any army. They are armored in a bronze cuirass, helmet, and greaves and carry the deadly xyston lance and kopis sword. They should be used as any heavy cavalry should be, as a shock force to hit and roll up enemy flanks. They are particularly well suited for the job, but still lack the élan of the hetairoi that the Successor States posses.
Historically, the Hippeis Xystophoroi were a small, elite group of noblemen that were used in much the same way as the heavy cavalry of the Makedonians. They were never large in number, but served mainly to check the movements of other heavy cavalry and to hit the flanks of enemy soldiers. They were not used to any major effect, which is testament to their utility. They performed their tasks well enough to be used as a unit, and not exemplary enough to be used in a role that might not be fitting to men of their training and stature.
A few extra action shots:
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We also would like to present a glimpse of a special treat we have for not only the Koinon Hellenon faction, but for all the Hellenic ones: The Olympic Games. The Olympiad is held every four years and those generals and governors, from factions which may participate, who are not occupied with warfare and who possess a healthy nature, are best suited to compete. Though we will not reveal much about the games, we will give you a glimpse of some of the messages the leader of the Koinon Hellenon will receive *if* one of his generals is able to compete in the Olympiad:
https://img242.imageshack.us/img242/9862/olympiccompetitor35oz.th.jpg (https://img242.imageshack.us/my.php?image=olympiccompetitor35oz.jpg)
You will be alerted to the results of his participation, and *if* the character is successful, you would be notified in such a way:
https://img93.imageshack.us/img93/430/olympicwinner6tm.th.jpg (https://img93.imageshack.us/my.php?image=olympicwinner6tm.jpg)
But if, as most result, he is defeated:
https://img180.imageshack.us/img180/3831/olympicloser2ux.th.jpg (https://img180.imageshack.us/my.php?image=olympicloser2ux.jpg)
Let’s just be glad this one wasn’t a humiliating defeat.
Of course, this would take place at Olympia itself:
https://img301.imageshack.us/img301/3976/olympiascreen44xh.th.jpg (https://img301.imageshack.us/my.php?image=olympiascreen44xh.jpg)
Besides Olympia, there are other important locations that are more closely under the control of the Koinon Hellenon. Another famous site that we couldn't leave out of their preview is the Athenian Akropolis:
https://img301.imageshack.us/img301/2342/akropolisscreen35uy.th.jpg (https://img301.imageshack.us/my.php?image=akropolisscreen35uy.jpg)
And additionally, if you travel to the Akropolis, you're certain to be able to look off the north face, down onto a structure that the Hellenes can build in any of their cities (if they have the time and money and it's large enough):
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Plus, the campaign map with factions released so far:
https://img78.imageshack.us/img78/7905/mapfactionsreleasedsofar4al.th.jpg (https://img78.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mapfactionsreleasedsofar4al.jpg) or, if you prefer it this way... https://img276.imageshack.us/img276/5818/mapfactionsreleasedsofar28iu.th.gif (https://img276.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mapfactionsreleasedsofar28iu.gif)
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And we can’t forget the small SIG to prove your renewed allegiance to EB:
https://img161.imageshack.us/img161/7841/logogreeks1small3ir.jpg
We heartily invite our fans to use these sigs. They’re here for you, and we delight to see them be used by our great fans!
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We hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s update!
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:
Europa Barbarorum ORG forum (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=70)
Europa Barbarorum TWC forum (http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=31)
We give special thanks to Imageshack (http://www.imageshack.us) that provides us with a simple, foolproof, and free way to show you all these pictures each week.
Have a great day!
Sincerely,
The Europa Barbarorum team.
I’ll be making the preview post this week, hope you’re not too disappointed though. The sun's still up on Sunday afternoon where I'm at, but I've been told this might be a little more like a "Monday Morning Hangover Cure" by some. ~D
For this week’s preview, a lot of thanks must go around. For units, most praise should be directed towards Spartan Warrior and our long lost friend chemchok as well (who, at an earlier date, was our faction coordinator). I can't say enough to praise SW, who as everyone knows already, keeps amazing us week after week, and is an absolute machine. ~D Our faction icon, which I think is possibly our best, is the work of Parmenio. Work on unit descriptions was mostly handled by Urnamma, with the help of others. Recent active historical advisors for this faction include QwertyMIDX and myself. For the most part I wrote the faction description, compiled the image for the faction banner, and have updated our .gif map to include this faction with our others released so far. So many other people have contributed heavily to this faction’s development though – in things we still aren’t releasing here. Thanks also go out to our scripting team and to Malrubius who has done a lot with our Hellenic traits (we will give you a little glimpse of what we have done with them below). Many others have contributed along the way, but the list grows so long, that we might never get to the preview itself if we keep going!
So, without further rambling, this week, the EB team is proud to present:
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The two urns on the floor of Zeus' palace do indeed hold a mixture of good and evil for all. The glorious summer of the fifth century, when the relatively small poleis of Athenai and Sparte turned away the combined might of a terrible empire, when each in turn possessed naval empires and controlled lands far from their native soils, is gone. Today they are but splendid memories perpetuated by the philosophers who walk the streets of Athena’s city on the hill. The gifts of Zeus have been full of sorrow for them from the day in 338 that a teen-aged boy named Alexandros led a successful cavalry charge into their midst at Chaironeia (and even then the Athenians were tricked into believing victory was theirs; "On to Makedonia!" was their cry before the young prince stormed the gap their rash charge had left open and smashed the ranks of their allies from behind). But the god turns his sorrow now towards the north and the Makedonian fetters have been partially broken at last! Athenai herself is freed, though Attike itself cannot rest from the threat of Antigonos’ soldiers. Sparte renews the agoge military training of its sons and has men strong enough to campaign as mercenaries far from their home in the Eurotas valley. Rhodos, who has rarely if ever looked outside the shores of her island except where money could be made, possesses naval might and trading clout that might be harnessed more efficiently in tandem with other powers. Realizing it is in her best interests at the time being to do so, Rhodos has joined the other two ancient cities in the hopes of warding off their common enemies. Individually, they are small, regional powers. But sharing common interests and facing their enemies together, there is hope at least.
To cope with Makedonian advances in phalanx warfare, changes in traditional hoplite equipment have been made. Lighter armed but faster hoplitai now can chase down and deal more effectively with the threat of peltastai, and the more elite hoplitai have a better chance, with some help, of staving off the Makedonian troops. Spartan hoplitai are still among the most feared troops in the Mediterranean, but they are not easy to come by, their numbers are greatly reduced, and it is arguable whether or not they are the equals of their ancestors on the field of battle. Something of a return to ancient styles has been brought to some cities, still retained by others, where shorter spears and javelins can deal better with the threat of Roman troops than hoplites, though their use still has not been perfected against those western forces. With the help of light armed peltastai and archers, and a few cavalry options that have evolved with the rise of Makedonian equipment and techniques, there is much hope in the renewed strength of Hellas.
This alliance of city-states is nowhere near as powerful as they once were individually. Each can contribute their share and while a second great age is a distant possibility, their enemies surround them and there is no foreign shore upon which they can assuredly rely for help. Makedonia is your first concern as a leader of the Hellenes, and you might feel their grip tighten before this very year is up; to allay fears at Pella by begging for their mercy or to smash the other fetters at Korinthos, Demetrias, and Chalkis will be one of the first decisions you must make. The best hope for Hellas probably lies in controlling the wine-dark seas that surround them, and the small rebel factions across it and on islands nearby. Krete, currently too divided by many factions to be firmly under your control, will surely join your cause if “coerced” and indeed Sparta’s king is there even at this moment, ostensibly attempting to hire other Cretans as mercenaries. His presence might be turned to your advantage if he is supplemented with other soldiers or he recruits mercenaries there effectively enough. Though it lies but a short distance from Rhodos itself, Halikarnassos is a tempting target for many Asian powers, and the Ptolemaioi have had some troops and diplomats in parts of Karia for some time now. Other Hellenic cities across the Mediterranean may appear to be tempting, but although Kyrene and Massalia and Emporion and Chersonesos and Sinope are homes for other sympathetic Hellenes, and although all seem to be sources of potential wealth and allies, you will face resistance wherever you go (unless money is no object of course!).
To the chief problem at hand: the Makedonians and their king, Antigonos Gonatas, have enemies, and if at all possible it would be best to exploit their weaknesses as quickly as possible. No other foes are immediate. The grasping hands of power-hungry Roman generals have eyes on our western coasts, but they also have their hands full with other peoples for the time being. The Ptolemaioi have some sympathy for your cause and their advisors and deep purses might be available, though they will ultimately only try to better their own expanding power base in the Aigaion by helping you. Beware the marauding general Pyrrhos. Although he is very talented, and he might be bought off to aid your cause, his huge forces would be expensive to maintain and he may well be regarded by both you and the Makedonians as a “rebel”, who will harm anyone that finds themselves close enough to him to be attacked. Whether or not you choose to free your kinsmen in Megale Hellas ("Italia," Hah!) and Sikelia, will be your choice, but remember and do not take lightly the sea power of the men of Karchedon. Have faith, Strategos! Zeus and the fates may yet return a share of good to Athena’s two favorite cities and to the shores of Rhodos. The war with Antigonos and his men will not soon abate, and it might be possible this time, if indeed we are favored by the god, that we will find truth in our cry of “On to Makedonia!”
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Historical Situation of the Koinon Hellenon “Alliance of the Hellenes” in 272 B.C.:
The former Greek faction is now made up of Athens, Sparta, and Rhodes. This selection has been chosen to represent the alliance formed by several poleis of Hellas prior to the outbreak of the Chremonidean War (c.266-260). The war is named after Chremonides, the Athenian statesman who formed the alliance in an effort to counter the threat of Makedonian hegemony.
Gods. In the archonship of Peithedemos, in the second prytany, that of (the tribe) Erechtheis, on the ninth (day) of Metageitnion, the ninth (day) of the prytany, (in) a statutory assembly. Of the prohedroi Sostratos, son of Kallistratos, of (the deme) Erchia, and his fellow prohedroi put the motion to the vote. Resolved by the demos: Chremonides, son of Eteokles, of (the deme) Aithalidai, spoke: Whereas in former times the Athenians and the Lacedaemonians and the allies of each, after making friendship and common alliance with one another, together fought many noble struggles alongside one another against those who were trying to enslave the cities, from which deeds they both won for themselves fair reputation and brought about freedom for the rest of the Greeks, and (whereas) now, when similar circumstances have overtaken all Greece on account of those who are trying to overthrow the laws and the ancestral institutions of each (of the cities), King Ptolemy, in accordance with the policy of his ancestors and his sister, shows clearly his concern for the common freedom of the Greeks, and the demos of the Athenians, having made an alliance with him, has voted to urge the rest of the Greeks toward the same policy; and, likewise, the Lacedaemonians, being friends and allies of King Ptolemy, have voted an alliance with the demos of the Athenians, along with the Eleians and Achaeans and Tegeans and Mantineians and Orchomenians and Phialians and Kaphyans and as many of the Cretans as are in the alliance of the Lacedaemonians and Areus and the other allies, and have sent ambassadors from the synhedroi to the demos (of the Athenians), and their ambassadors having arrived, make clear the zealous concern which the Lacedaemonians and Areus and the rest of the allies have toward the demos of the Athenians, and bring with them the agreement about the alliance; (and) in order that, a state of common concord having come to exist among the Greeks, the Greeks may be, along with King Ptolemy and with each other, eager contenders against those who have wronged the cities and violated their treaties with them, and may for the future with mutual good-will save the cities; with good fortune, be it resolved by the demos: that the friendship and alliance of the Athenians with the Lacedaemonians and the Kings of the Lacedaemonians, and the Eleians and Achaeans and Tegeans and Mantineians and Orchomenians and Phialians and Kaphyans and as many of the Cretans as are in the alliance of the Lacedaemonians and Areus and the rest of the allies, be valid for all {time, the one which} the ambassadors bring with them; and that {the} secretary of the prytany have (it) inscribed on a bronze stele and {set up} on the Acropolis, by the temple of Athena Polias; and that {the} magistrates {swear} to the ambassadors who have come {from them the oath} about the alliance, according to {ancestral custom}; and to send {the} ambassadors {who have been} elected by the demos to receive the oaths {from} the {rest of the Greeks}; and further, that {the demos immediately} elect {two} synhedroi {from among} all {the Athenians} who shall deliberate {about the common} good with Areus and the synhedroi {sent by the allies}; and that {those in charge} of public administration distribute to those chosen (as synhedroi) provisions for as long as they shall be away {whatever} the demos shall decide {when electing them}; and to Praise {the ephors} of the Lacedaemonians and Areus and the allies, {and to crown them} with a gold crown in accordance with the law; {and further, to praise the} ambassadors who have come from them, Theom {. . . of Lacedae}mon and Argeios son of Kleinias of Elis, {and to crown} each of them with a gold crown, in accordance with {the law, on account of their zealous concern} and the good-will which they bear toward {the rest of the allies} and the demos of the Athenians; and that {each of them} be entitled to receive {other} benefits from the boule {and the demos, if they seem} to deserve {any}; and to invite them {also to receive hospitality} tomorrow {in the prytaneion}, and that the secretary of the prytany have inscribed {this decree also and the agreement} upon a {stone} stele and have it set up on the Acropolis, and that those in charge of {public administration} allocate {the expense for the inscription and erection} of the stele, {whatever it} may be. The following were elected synhedroi: Kallippos of (the deme) Eleusis, {and- - - }.
The treaty and alliance {of the Lacedaemonians and the allies} of the Lacedaemonians with {the Athenians and the allies} of the Athenians, {to be valid} for all {time}: {Each (of the parties)}, being {free} and autonomous, {is to have its own territory, using its own political institutions in accordance with} ancestral tradition. If anyone {comes with war as their object against the land} of the Athenians or {is overthrowing} the laws, {or comes with war as their object against} the allies of the Athenians, {the Lacedaemonians and the allies} of the Lacedaemonians {shall come to the rescue in full strength to the best of their ability. If} anyone comes with war as their object {against the land of the Lacedaemonians}, or is overthrowing {the} laws, {or comes with war as their object against the allies} of the Lacedaemonians, {the Athenians and the allies of the Athenians shall come to the rescue in full strength to the best of their ability.} - - - The (following) Athenians swear the oath to the Lacedaemonians {and to those from each} city: the strategoi and the {boule of 600 and the} archons and the phylarchs and the taxiarchs {and the hipparchs}. “I swear by Zeus, Ge, Helios, Ares, Athena Areia, {Poseidon, Demeter} that I shall remain in the alliance that has been made; {to those abiding by this oath} may many good things befall, to those not, the opposite.” (Of the Lacedaemonians} (the following) swear the same oath to the Athenians: the {kings and the ephors (and)} the gerontes. And the magistrates {are to swear the same oath also in the other} cities. If {it seems preferable to the Lacedaemonians and) the allies and the Athenians (to add something) or to remove something in respect to (the terms of) the alliance, {then whatever is decided upon by both} will be in accord with the oath. (The cities are) to have {the agreement} inscribed {upon) stelai and have (them) set up in a sanctuary wherever they wish.
The alliance of these three city states brings together political entities that were not entirely cooperative (to put it mildly) during this time period, but they were not openly hostile to each other and they did agree very shortly after the opening of the game to ally themselves alongside the Ptolemaioi to fight the Makedonians. Even before the alliance was made these three groups had mutual enemies and mutual allies to a large degree. The Ptolemaioi were supplying a large proportion of the grain supplement of Athenai in 272, and were trying to thwart Makedonian growth and power whereever they could. The new alliance played up exactly what one would expect of a grouping of Athenai, Sparte, and Rhodos at this time: there was much talk of freedom of the Hellenes and a new crusade against the “barbarian” Makedonians. The term “Alliance of the Hellenes” or “Koinon Hellenon” will represent this alliance better in the long run than a temporary “Chremodian Alliance” would. This alliance however, while including certain other cities outside of those controlling these three regions, cannot include such regions as Krete, as certain cities were allied with Sparta and certain with the Ptolemaioi, and certain would best be considered havens for pirates who had the full blessing and aid of Antigonos Gonatas to raid Athenai and the islands of the Aigaion. The only certain diplomatic relations are an alliance with the Ptolemaioi and war with the Makedonians. They had close relations with many cities en route to the Euxine and still gained greatly from their contacts there and from the grain trade.
Outcomes:
Historically did this new alliance bear fruit? The Makedonians did not have to fear Pyrrhos or the Epeirotes greatly after they recovered from their perilous situation in 272. They were able then to direct their efforts towards maintaining control of the areas they already had somewhat subdued. Once the Spartan king Areus had returned to Sparte from Krete, he engaged the Makedonians in small attacks, but not in any large scale invasion. Ptolemaic aid was sent to both Sparte and Athenai once the alliance was ratified, but gave no immediate boost to the cause. The fleet under Patroklos (Makedonian-born himself) arrived in Attike to aid their cause against Antigonos, but the Makedonians had already closed off the Peiraieus (the Athenain port) and Patroklos was forced to put his fleet into smaller harbors along Attike (even today the main island he encamped upon, near Sounion, is called Patroklu by the Hellenes). Remains of Ptolemaic camps have been found also at Rhamnous, and we can tell that the Athenians even used the Ptolemaic system of weights and measures for at least three years during the war itself. Pirates under the pay of Antigonos still raided grain shipments and the Ptolemaic fleet was unable to deflect their attacks and deal with the Makedonians at the same time. The possession of Korinthos by Antigonos Gonatas remained one of the most important determinants of the outcome of the war. The Spartans, with their Peloponnesian and Cretan allies, were never able to break through the isthmus near Korinthos. He was unable to institute major reforms of the social, economic, and military affairs of the state and it affected the outcome of the war in general by the still dwindling numbers of Spartan citizens along with mounting social tension in the region. In 265 the Spartan king Areus met the Makedonians outside of Korinthos and was slain there. The Spartans, now led by Areus’ son, Akrotatos, made no further attempt to help the Athenians or their new alliance from that point onwards. While Ptolemaios gained some successes against the Makedonians, capturing a number of coastal cities in Asia Minor and throughout the Aigaion, he was reluctant to commit his forces to any large land battles. The Ptolemaic fleet was not able to break through the Makedonian blockade of Athenai and the city, starving, was forced to submit in 262. Antigonos was firmly in control. Chremonides and his brother Glaukon fled to Aigyptos and became advisors to Ptolemaios Philadelphos. Chremonides even attained the rank of a commander of the Ptolemaic fleet. Glaukon became an important priest of Alexandros there. Rhodos itself saw an increase in trade and commerce, but only because of the great decline in Athenai during this subsequent period and as a result of the outcome of the Chremonidian War. The rest of the interaction belongs to a history of the Ptolemaic and Makedonian wars, as the Hellenes were from that point onwards only pawns in their larger conflict.
Suggested Reading:
Hammond, N.G.L. 1989. The Macedonian State: The Origins, Institutions and History. Oxford.
Berthold, Richard M. 1984. Rhodes in the Hellenistic Age. Cornell.
Habicht, Christian. 1997. Athens from Alexander to Antony. Harvard.
Cartledge, Paul and Anthony Spawforth. 2002. Hellenistic and Roman Sparta: A Tale of Two Cities. Routledge.
Holbl, Gunther. 2001. A History of the Ptolemaic Empire. Routledge.
Green, Peter. 1993. Alexander to Actium: The Historical Evolution of the Hellenistic Age. California.
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-Unit Descriptions-
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Taxeis Hoplitai:
The poorest citizens of the Hellenic cities fought as a militia roughly organized along the lines of other, more professional hoplite soldiers. They are organized in the phalanx and are quite high quality for militia, due to the dogged Hellenic spirit and fighting tradition. They can be expected to hold a line against most light and medium infantry, though they can be cut to pieces by missile troops, as they have virtually no protection from missiles other than their shields. They are still useful against cavalry, because no horse will willingly charge a line of men armed with sharp pointy sticks! Hoplite militia, if used properly, can be an inexpensive and very valuable unit. Against heavier and more professional troops, they are simply outclassed. A wise commander will take this into account.
Historically, the poorest citizens of any polis were called up in defense of their homeland to fight as taxeis (militia units). They had been used to devastating effect in many ancient battles while forming the second battle line. They were good and courageous soldiers that fought with a degree of discipline that no average citizen before or since were able to expect without a fair degree of training. They were not cowards and did not break quickly, but were often annihilated if facing good missile troops or heavier, more professional infantry. Peltastai and other units armed with javelins were particularly devastating to the militia hoplites, due to their lack of protection on the battlefield.
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Ekdromoi Hoplitai:
Ekdromoi (Outrunner) Hoplites are a special version of the Hoplite soldier. They fight without armor and heavy equipment in order to be fast enough to catch and kill skirmishers and especially peltasts, who were the bane of the heavily armored hoplite. Their short spears carry a nasty punch for the usually lightly armed skirmisher and are able to outrange the better armored Peltast. They carry large shields in order to make up for some of this disparity, but they are not a type of soldier meant to do prolonged melee combat with standard hoplites. Their light weight leather armor is soft and layered with bronze plates and cloth in order to retard the missiles of the troops that they would likely be fighting (Hellenic ‘brigandine’ armor). Their purpose is to serve as a professional light infantry that can neutralize the effect of missiles on the heavy infantry. The combination of light armor and speed makes this infantry a great counter to pesky missile troops. They are not particularly useful against heavier infantry or even equivalent light infantry, due to their specialized nature.
Historically, these hoplites evolved almost overnight in response to large scale use of peltastai by Thebes and Athens after the reforms of Iphikrates. Their armor evolved as well over the years. They were originally armored with linen, but this was changed due to the fact that the linothorax was vulnerable to missile fire. The layered leather was developed after a period of trial and error and functions much like modern tank armor does against projectiles. It intersperses hard and soft layers to dissipate the effect of missile weapons. This armor, while exceedingly useful against missiles, is only marginally effective against most melee weapons, due to its lightness and the concentrated force of the arm behind the melee weapon. Once the initial force of a missile weapon is dissipated it falls away harmlessly, once the initial force of a melee weapon is dissipated its user pushes harder!
https://img78.imageshack.us/img78/606/thureophoroiscreen10xr.th.jpg (https://img78.imageshack.us/my.php?image=thureophoroiscreen10xr.jpg)
Thureophoroi:
Thureophoroi were a new class of Hellenic infantry that was designed to both augment the phalanx and provide a type of soldier in between the phalangite and the peltast that was able to skirmish and fight in melee. They are an extremely mobile force that can hit hard with their heavy javelins then rush in to flank pike units. They are well armed and armored for the task, having stout bronze helms, linen armor, an almond shaped theuros shield, heavy javelins, and a stout spear. They are highly versatile infantry, akin in spirit to the legionaries of Rome. They are usually pezhetairoi, middle class property owners with voting rights. As such, they are well able to devote time to training and practice. They have good morale and are highly disciplined. They were often described by Latin writers as copies of the legion. It is debatable whether they were developed with knowledge of warfare in Italy or not, they are a highly effective force of heavy infantry that is in the forefront of Hellenic military know-how.
Historically, Thureophoroi were used as harassing and flanking troops by the successor states. There seemed to be a lot of confusion as to how to utilize these new soldiers, since they were deadly in the extreme to the less mobile phalanx units. Most of the successor states used them conservatively, except for the Seleukids, who took to these new soldiers quite well. The city-states of Hellas used them even more frequently against the armies of Makedon, and were often able to hold the more powerful kingdom at bay. Still, their uses were limited in scope and not as widespread as their versatile and deadly role would have indicated. This is the fault of period commanders, however, and any more astute or innovative commander might have realized their potential in conjunction with the more static phalanx.
https://img312.imageshack.us/img312/1041/thorakitaihoplitaiscreen18wc.th.jpg (https://img312.imageshack.us/my.php?image=thorakitaihoplitaiscreen18wc.jpg)
Thorakitai Hoplitai:
Descriptions => Some hoplites were able to afford better equipment and devote more time to warfare. Much of their equipment is similar to the less wealthy hoplites, with two notable exceptions. They were often armored in mail, which gave them better protection against most weapons in relation to the linothorax. They also tended to carry a kopis, a sword that took quite a bit of time to learn to use because of its peculiar design. The kopis is shaped much like an Iberian falcata, and its primary use is to cut through armor. The armored hoplites were most often those who fought against the heavy cavalry of their adversaries, and this made them adopt an armor piercing weapon with which to dispatch their enemies once they had broken the charge. The armored hoplites are among the best infantry in the world, if a bit tactically inflexible due to the slowness of movement of an armored phalanx.
Historically, the armored hoplites were the elite of most Hellenic armies, and tended to make up only a small percentage. They evolved in response to the Makedonian use of heavy cavalry and were most often used on the right flank of a Hellenic army (opposite the traditional position of the hetairoi in the Makedonian army). They were mostly grizzled veterans or wealthy citizens who had a penchant for warfare. They were almost never used against the Romans, because the Hellenic cities mainly accepted Roman hegemony without serious struggle. The exception was Korinthos, whose armored hoplites broke the Roman left during the battle for the city but were in turn checked and then promptly cut to pieces by Romans enveloping them on three sides and by the Numidian mercenaries being employed by the Romans respectively.
https://img78.imageshack.us/img78/3668/thorakitaiscreen19vx.th.jpg (https://img78.imageshack.us/my.php?image=thorakitaiscreen19vx.jpg)
Thorakitai:
The Thorakitai represent the second evolution of the concept of the Thureophoroi, and show definite Roman influence in their implementation. They are armored in mail and carry heavy javelins instead of the lighter javelins carried by the Theurophoroi. They are more expensive and less mobile than their more lightly armored companions, but make excellent shock troops for any Hellenic army. They are best utilized on the flanks of the phalanx, to either flank the enemy while the phalanx pins them or prevent enemy flankers from attacking. They are best used in combination with the lighter Thureophoroi, who can support them with extra javelins and more importantly speed, to make sure they are not surrounded.
Historically, the Thorakitai were used much like the Theurophoroi, only less often and later in the time period. They’re expensive soldiers, and were only used in any real numbers by the Seleukids and the city-states of Hellas. They were never used to their potential, until the Romans raised legions in Hellas, when the same type of fighting became the norm rather than the exception.
https://img179.imageshack.us/img179/149/korinthioihoplitaiscreen18dd.th.jpg (https://img179.imageshack.us/my.php?image=korinthioihoplitaiscreen18dd.jpg)
Hoplitai Korinthioi
The polis of Korinthos 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 Korinthians 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://img92.echo.cx/img92/3189/akontistaiscreen12di.th.jpg (http://img92.echo.cx/my.php?image=akontistaiscreen12di.jpg)
Akontistai:
Those unlucky enough to be extremely poor freedmen were pressed into service as psiloi, the lowest class of Hellenic infantry. The psiloi were divided into three parts: javelineers, slingers, and archers. The javelin-armed psiloi, the Akontistai, were a ragged bunch of peasants armed with javelins and small knives. Their function was simply to throw their missiles and run like hell! They were used for pre-battle skirmishing and for light missile fire. Never use Akontistai in melee except as diversionary fodder. They have their uses, as their javelins are still sharp and deadly, but they were often used only as light skirmishers or as a last resort in Hellenic armies for obvious reasons.
Historically, Akontistai did not play a particularly huge role on the battlefield. They had their uses, mainly for their ability to induce an enemy to attack prematurely. They are little more than an annoyance on the open field, but can be deadly if positioned in places where their javelins can be used for maximum effect.
https://img131.imageshack.us/img131/3940/slingersscreen19gc.th.jpg (https://img131.imageshack.us/my.php?image=slingersscreen19gc.jpg)
Sphendonetai
The slingers are the second part of the psiloi, and are only marginally more useful than their compatriots with javelins. Their slings can prove a deadly weapon, but they are mainly used to harass and annoy enemy soldiers to force a premature or rash action. They are mostly poor peasants that use this weapon to provide a meager amount of protein in their already poor diet.
Historically, slingers were uses pretty well. They were used in similar roles to the ones described above. Alexandros employed his slingers to harass the Persian heavy cavalry until it decided to give fight at Gaugamela, which promptly cut it off from the rest of the Persian army and allowed the better armed and armored Companions to cut it to shreds.
https://img131.imageshack.us/img131/21/archersscreen17xr.th.jpg (https://img131.imageshack.us/my.php?image=archersscreen17xr.jpg)
Toxotai:
Toxotai are the third branch of the psiloi, the archers of Hellenic and Makedonian armies. They are generally from the upper end of the poor and are generally recruited from mountainous regions where the use of the bow is an essential skill to keep one’s flock of sheep safe from roving predators. Toxotai are well trained in a manner of speaking, that being that they are using their weapon of choice (often of necessity) from birth. They make decent archers, but are nowhere near as professional as the archers from the east and south. They generally use the short bow, which means that they are often outgunned by their counterparts from other lands. This reflects their secondary role on a Hellenic battlefield. As most archers, they will be cut to ribbons in melee, so they should be protected well from any harm.
Historically, the Hellenes did not use archers in any significant fashion. They did not have the composite bows of their neighbors, and their lands were not particularly suited to the cattle and horse farming that supplied the raw material for these bows. Therefore, archers had the effect of other psiloi, that of long range harassment. Hellenes and Makedonians had no real tradition of archers and could not recruit any but these shepherds to do this work for them, since they lacked any access to the archers of the east. Most Hellenic states relied on Skythian and most importantly Kretan archers to do this for them.
http://img168.echo.cx/img168/6664/peltastaiscreen12gp.th.jpg (http://img168.echo.cx/my.php?image=peltastaiscreen12gp.jpg)
Peltastai:
The peltast is a type of elite skirmisher that sacrifices heavy arms and armor for mobility and range. They are armored in linen and carry a medium sized ovular shield. Originally, they carried a crescent shaped ‘pelta’ that gave them their name, but this was phased out in the fourth century. Their armaments consist of several javelins and a sword. All this makes them light and mobile, but still easily able to engage in melee after their javelins have been thrown. They are a versatile unit but one must remember that their primary arms are javelins, and they are not equipped to stand toe to toe with heavier infantry. Their role is one of speed, harassment, and critical flanking maneuvers.
Historically, the Peltast was often a hoplite or pezhetairoi phalangite equipped to fight in the manner of a skirmisher. This meant that they were extremely adept melee combatants as well as being deadly with their javelins. Peltasts were used to great effect on ancient battlefields but by 270 B.C. the Thureophoroi was becoming the dominant ‘melee’ skirmisher and the Peltast was carrying more javelins and was used in a manner that was consistent with this. This was simply a matter of specialization, and it did not mean that peltasts would be any less effective if deployed correctly. Their light armament makes them extremely fast, but tends to be to their detriment in melee combat. They were mostly used in the role of supporting missile troops who charged in at the last moment, after they had spent all their javelins. The great Athenian general Iphikrates is credited with the invention of the peltast as a distinct unit, and it is he that first employed them in this manner to great effect against the heavier armored and better trained hoplites of Sparta.
https://img131.imageshack.us/img131/967/hippeisscreen10nr.th.jpg (https://img131.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hippeisscreen10nr.jpg)
Hippeis:
Hellenic cavalry is not the most awe inspiring and powerful in the world, but they are no slouches either. Hippeis are a mix of good old fashioned Hellenic know-how with the practical needs for an effective medium cavalry force. The result is the wedding of linen armor, attic helmets, and hoplon shields to cavalry spears and the kopis, which produces a warrior with excellent equipment. Since they are mainly drawn from elite nobility, these cavalrymen have high morale and good discipline. They ride stout horses whose stock was imported from the north. They are an able, if not spectacular, medium cavalry.
Historically, Hellenic cavalry was always thought of as better than Roman cavalry, even though it was not particularly significant. The Hellenes have enough trouble keeping the equestrian minded Makedonians to the north at bay without having to worry about doing much of significant note.
https://img157.imageshack.us/img157/4545/xystophoroiscreen11nw.th.jpg (https://img157.imageshack.us/my.php?image=xystophoroiscreen11nw.jpg)
Hippeis Xystophoroi:
The Hellenic heavy cavalry follows the practical need of a heavy cavalry to counter that of the hostile Makedonian neighbor. While not quite as well trained or lethal as the Makedonian heavy cavalry, they are still a battle-winning component of any army. They are armored in a bronze cuirass, helmet, and greaves and carry the deadly xyston lance and kopis sword. They should be used as any heavy cavalry should be, as a shock force to hit and roll up enemy flanks. They are particularly well suited for the job, but still lack the élan of the hetairoi that the Successor States posses.
Historically, the Hippeis Xystophoroi were a small, elite group of noblemen that were used in much the same way as the heavy cavalry of the Makedonians. They were never large in number, but served mainly to check the movements of other heavy cavalry and to hit the flanks of enemy soldiers. They were not used to any major effect, which is testament to their utility. They performed their tasks well enough to be used as a unit, and not exemplary enough to be used in a role that might not be fitting to men of their training and stature.
A few extra action shots:
https://img78.imageshack.us/img78/4141/action17ct.th.jpg (https://img78.imageshack.us/my.php?image=action17ct.jpg)https://img78.imageshack.us/img78/190/action28by.th.jpg (https://img78.imageshack.us/my.php?image=action28by.jpg)https://img78.imageshack.us/img78/8340/action35ym.th.jpg (https://img78.imageshack.us/my.php?image=action35ym.jpg)
https://img290.imageshack.us/img290/4736/dividergreek27vk.gif
We also would like to present a glimpse of a special treat we have for not only the Koinon Hellenon faction, but for all the Hellenic ones: The Olympic Games. The Olympiad is held every four years and those generals and governors, from factions which may participate, who are not occupied with warfare and who possess a healthy nature, are best suited to compete. Though we will not reveal much about the games, we will give you a glimpse of some of the messages the leader of the Koinon Hellenon will receive *if* one of his generals is able to compete in the Olympiad:
https://img242.imageshack.us/img242/9862/olympiccompetitor35oz.th.jpg (https://img242.imageshack.us/my.php?image=olympiccompetitor35oz.jpg)
You will be alerted to the results of his participation, and *if* the character is successful, you would be notified in such a way:
https://img93.imageshack.us/img93/430/olympicwinner6tm.th.jpg (https://img93.imageshack.us/my.php?image=olympicwinner6tm.jpg)
But if, as most result, he is defeated:
https://img180.imageshack.us/img180/3831/olympicloser2ux.th.jpg (https://img180.imageshack.us/my.php?image=olympicloser2ux.jpg)
Let’s just be glad this one wasn’t a humiliating defeat.
Of course, this would take place at Olympia itself:
https://img301.imageshack.us/img301/3976/olympiascreen44xh.th.jpg (https://img301.imageshack.us/my.php?image=olympiascreen44xh.jpg)
Besides Olympia, there are other important locations that are more closely under the control of the Koinon Hellenon. Another famous site that we couldn't leave out of their preview is the Athenian Akropolis:
https://img301.imageshack.us/img301/2342/akropolisscreen35uy.th.jpg (https://img301.imageshack.us/my.php?image=akropolisscreen35uy.jpg)
And additionally, if you travel to the Akropolis, you're certain to be able to look off the north face, down onto a structure that the Hellenes can build in any of their cities (if they have the time and money and it's large enough):
https://img36.imageshack.us/img36/4238/theatron2screen26ux.th.jpg (https://img36.imageshack.us/my.php?image=theatron2screen26ux.jpg)
https://img290.imageshack.us/img290/4736/dividergreek27vk.gif
Plus, the campaign map with factions released so far:
https://img78.imageshack.us/img78/7905/mapfactionsreleasedsofar4al.th.jpg (https://img78.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mapfactionsreleasedsofar4al.jpg) or, if you prefer it this way... https://img276.imageshack.us/img276/5818/mapfactionsreleasedsofar28iu.th.gif (https://img276.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mapfactionsreleasedsofar28iu.gif)
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And we can’t forget the small SIG to prove your renewed allegiance to EB:
https://img161.imageshack.us/img161/7841/logogreeks1small3ir.jpg
We heartily invite our fans to use these sigs. They’re here for you, and we delight to see them be used by our great fans!
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We hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s update!
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:
Europa Barbarorum ORG forum (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=70)
Europa Barbarorum TWC forum (http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=31)
We give special thanks to Imageshack (http://www.imageshack.us) that provides us with a simple, foolproof, and free way to show you all these pictures each week.
Have a great day!
Sincerely,
The Europa Barbarorum team.