Greetings Europa Barbarorum fans-
We are proud to present the third preview of our late campaing mod
Europa Barbarorum : Novus Ordo Mundi
Today we will present the
Ptolemaic Kingdom
https://i841.photobucket.com/albums/...t/bigptoly.gif
Does the symbol need an introduction? :clown:
Faction Description:
It has been almost 250 years since we Macedonians established ourselves as pharaohs in Egypt. Pharaos such as our ancestors Ptolemy Soter, Ptolemy Philadelphus and Ptolemy Epiphanes were during their reigns the strongest kings in the world, a title which only the contemporaray Seleucid Kings could challenge. The great king Epiphanes even managed to conquer Babylon, but was forced back home by uprisings. Uprisings that would shape much of our history. But our Empire was the strongest and richest in the known world, and perhaps even the borders beyond. Such was the power of the great house of Ptolemy ruling from the banks of the Nile.
Yet things have changed now.
The Ptolemaic dynasty has lost much if not all of it's former strenght. The alliance with the once strong city, now world superpower Rome, has degraded us to such a point, that the once mighty kings bow before the yearly voted consuls of the republic. The security of the state is at the mercy of the Romans, who dictate the policies of our kingdom. The once mighty state has became nothing but a breadbasket for the city of Aeneas.
Yet things can change again.
Civil strife was the main reason the Ptolemaic dynasty became so weak. The Greeks have proven they can live side by side with the natives. If this can be reached again, if the Ptolemaic kings can stop the home uprisings, then the power of the dynasty may be regained once more.
The Romans are in constant turmoil and yet they keep an eye watching over us. We can stop that. People around the Mediteranean have seen what a plague the Romans are. In the north of our lands, the mighty king Mithridates Eupator Dionysios regains his strenght even now while allied to the Mighty King of Kings Tigran, and in from the far west rumors are being whispered of a great leader who has seen the mistake in Roman ways, and has an army large enough to devastate the Republic.
But like us, the greatest fear the Romans have is that of civil strife. If a full scale civil war brakes out, that would be time to strike my pharaoh. Attack the Romans when they have no strenght to retaliate. Bring many lands to your domain which will bring with themselves many riches and soldiers to fuel your power.
Yet be warned. If you fail with your timing, the doom of our nation may be near. Even tough the Romans should be the main source of worry in the long run, at the moment there are neighbours that may not be as dangerous, yet are far closer to our homes.
But do not dispair great Pharaoh! Our kingdom is still rich and pround, and the armies an able king can recruit are still vast and well trained. Perhaps we may see the resurrection of our kingdom, as the leading power in the mediteranean, and the academic center of the world.
Perhaps...
https://i841.photobucket.com/albums/...ptolymap-1.jpg
(the map is purely WIP. The Ptolies probably won't have that much influence to the south)
The Ptolemaic Army
https://europabarbarorum.com/i/units...pantodapoi.gifhttps://europabarbarorum.com/i/units...akontistai.gifhttps://europabarbarorum.com/i/units...hendenotai.gifhttps://europabarbarorum.com/i/units...ol_toxotai.gifhttps://europabarbarorum.com/i/units...l_machimoi.gifhttps://europabarbarorum.com/i/units...halangitai.gifhttps://europabarbarorum.com/i/units..._peltastai.gifhttps://europabarbarorum.com/i/units...ureophoroi.gifhttps://europabarbarorum.com/i/units...thorakitai.gifhttps://europabarbarorum.com/i/units...oi_hippeis.gifhttps://europabarbarorum.com/i/units...nchophoroi.gifhttps://europabarbarorum.com/i/units..._cav_agema.gifhttps://europabarbarorum.com/i/units...ikon_agema.gif These are units from EB. you can see their descriptions at www.europabarbarorum.org
https://i841.photobucket.com/albums/...hureoPtoly.jpg
Thureophoroi
The Thureophoroi are the new class of infantry that was developed in the Hellenistic kingdoms. While they are not as armoured as in EB (they represent the less armoured Thureophoroi), they are still a decent line unit, but their lack of armour means they are more vulnerable than their heavier armed counterparts, the - and the Thorakitai.
They are armed with a Thureos shield, heavy javelins, a good quality spear and a helmet. They are a very mobile unit, that can be used for many tasks, altough it might crumble under severe pressure. The best use for the Thureophori is for flanikng an harrasing manouvers, but they hold their own against all but the heaviest cavalry.
https://i841.photobucket.com/albums/...oroi_Ptoly.jpg
Machairaphoroi
The Machairaphoroi are the regular sword-armed troops of the Hellenistic states. They are used both in battlefields and as a stationary police force, through the Diadochi kingdoms. They are basically thureophoroi with swords, or at least they can be used as such. These men are fairly cost efficient, and can be used in many battlefield roles, but they can't be expected to turn the tide in the thick of the battle, especially againts higher quality infantry.
Nonetheles, they are in invaluable part of the late succesor armies, and greatly complement the other mobile troops.
https://i841.photobucket.com/albums/...-tarantino.jpg
Tarantine Cavalry
Over time, the Tarentine cavalry became a sinonime to a well trained light skirmisher cavalry unit. While the ties to the city of Tarentum was lost, these men became a regular force for the Diadochoi armies. They are very well trained swift horsemen, employed especially to harass and demoralize the enemy army.
https://i841.photobucket.com/albums/...egio_ptoly.jpg
Ptolemaic cohortes Reformata/Gabiani
After the defeat of Carthage and the great Hellenistic kings Phillip V. and Antiochus III. the Great, Rome became the dominant power in the Mediteranean. The Ptolemaics were one of the first international allies of Rome, and they remained so trought their history. Once the Ptolemies were the most powerful state in the Mediteranean, but now they are almost a vassal to Rome.
Since the 2 nations were allied for almost 200 years at the start of the game, they became very close. And as such, Romans fought in the armies of the pharaoh many times; sometimes as auxiliary forces from the republic, other times as deserters, and also as a standing army of the Pharaoh. We have reports of Romans leaving their army in the service of the Ptolemaic kings (the Gabiniani), which had became over time completly allianeted with their homeland, and fiercly loyal to their new master. The Ptolemaics also welcomed any Roman that was willing to join their army, since they knew how good warriors they were.
For this reason we have decided to allow the Ptolemaics recruitment of Roman Legionaires.
Of course making this men loyal to the Pharaoh took it's toll. They were spoiled by the ruling classes, and forgo their discipline that made them the best regular infantry in the world. Yet this men are still great warriors, capable of not only holding a battle line, but to decisevely rout the enemy.
https://i841.photobucket.com/albums/..._general-1.jpg
Agema Hippeon
These men are the Agema, which means they are the elite part of any army. They are the fiercest warriors in the entire Ptolemaic kingdom, and are what enemies of the pharaoh fear most. While they may not be the same strenght as the Hetairoi of old, they are still battle winning shock troops, that can put to a bloody fight even the best cavalry in the world. Composed by various nationalities, they are loyal to the pharaoh to the death. They are armed with a stout aspis shield, a long lance, excellent quality armour and they also have a well armoured horse. If one want's to go to war with Rome, these are the men you should try to use to most, in order to bring yourself victory.
https://i841.photobucket.com/albums/...y_galatian.jpg
Galatian Heavy Swordsmen
A new version of the Galatians of EB
https://i841.photobucket.com/albums/..._cav_Ptoly.jpg
Hellenistic Skirmisher Cavalry
These are the medium skirmisher cavalry of the hellenistic kingdoms. They are decently armoured with a lynothorax, a good quality helmet and a strong aspis shield. They carry javelins and a sword? for close combat, and make a good adition to any army. They are best employed harrasing enemy troops, and striking at them, once their morale is down. They will give a good account of themselves in melee, but shouldn't be expected to fight spearmen or other heavy infantry. They are also good against cavalry.
These type of cavalrymen were common sight in late hellenistic armies. While they are far from an elite unit, they are very usefull and come in handy in many tasks. It would be wise to use them often.
Of course this is not the entire roster of the Ptolemaioi. Most of these units will be recruitable from the Ptolemaic starting domains. If a pharaoh were to expand, his armies would became much more diverse. I should also mention, that in EB NOM, the Ptolemaic Empire's color will be white.
Here's also a Sig, in order to show support for our mod:sweatdrop:
https://i841.photobucket.com/albums/...t/ptolyftw.jpg
I hope you enjoyed this mini-preview. Of course everything is WIP. Special thanks to FinnMacCumhail, who made these great units, and to LDC, who made the great looking Agema Hippeon.
