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View Full Version : Quick unit loss question - Germanic 2H Axeman


Eldgrim
11-18-2007, 18:51
Why was the Sweboz 2H axeman dropped? He seemed like a fitting unit for the faction and the Sweboz don't have any other axe units. However it seems the 2H axeman was replaced with yet another spear unit.

I was just wondering what was the point behind that unit being dropped?

Cheers,
Eldgrim
burn_again
11-18-2007, 19:18
As far as I know the unit was dropped because it was ahistorical. Someone mentioned that axes like these were used much later than EBs timeframe, like in the early middle ages. A team member can probably explain this better...
Olaf The Great
11-18-2007, 19:24
Spear/javelin and Oval shield seems to be the most common type of troops in those days.

Especially with Aedui, theres like 10 units of them(kinda annoying after a while)


And History Channel people think only the Romans had that type of Soldier :P
Watchman
11-18-2007, 19:32
IIC the big two-handed "Danish" axe was a fairly late Viking Age developement - and so cumbersome at least the Anglo-Saxon huscarles apparently preferred to tag-team the axe-man with a regular trooper who covered him with his shield.
Eldgrim
11-18-2007, 20:32
It's true danish style 2h axes were used more in the migration period onward, 2h axes weren't un-used before that period. A different axehead and a shortened staff would of been a good representation of what may of been used.
blank
11-18-2007, 20:34
Sweboz will get a new unit with an axe, although a one-handed axe. There :book:
Watchman
11-18-2007, 20:42
It's true danish style 2h axes were used more in the migration period onward, 2h axes weren't un-used before that period. A different axehead and a shortened staff would of been a good representation of what may of been used.Um... you know the "Danish" axe had only about a meter or so of shaft, right...?
Eldgrim
11-18-2007, 23:26
Um... you know the "Danish" axe had only about a meter or so of shaft, right...?

Around 1.2 to 1.8 m according to most speculation/sources. That's rather long really. 1.5 - 1.8m is about the average height of a man. I don't imagine the earlier axes would of been drastically shorter, but slightly shorter makes sense. More resembelance to the tool they evolved from, etc.


Sweboz will get a new unit with an axe, although a one-handed axe.

I look forward to seeing it!
Watchman
11-18-2007, 23:52
1.8m would be pollaxe territory, and those only started turning up rather later. Around a meter is what I've usually seen quoted as the average shaft lenght for earlier two-handers.
pezhetairoi
11-19-2007, 04:20
...isn't 1.8m with a double axe head practically a Scottish lochaber already? o.o

I'm looking forward to that unit of axemen too! Germans without axemen feels weird.
Zarax
11-19-2007, 12:46
IIRC Caesar mentions men throwing axes before melee, can't honestly remember which battle but I think it was against the germans...
Eldgrim
11-19-2007, 22:15
1.8m would be pollaxe territory, and those only started turning up rather later. Around a meter is what I've usually seen quoted as the average shaft lenght for earlier two-handers.

I think we're talking about different things here... Dane axe speculated length between 1.2m and 1.8m (at the longest). Average length and reproduction size is 1.4m or so. Earlier axes, not as long. Do we agree on that?


...isn't 1.8m with a double axe head practically a Scottish lochaber already? o.o

I have no idea. I'm sure the average length of the Dane axe was around 1.4m.