Greetings, Europa Barbarorum fans.
Today we of the Novus Ordo Mundi team are very proud to present you:
Hayastan - The Kingdom of Armenia
https://i1215.photobucket.com/albums...hayasdan-1.jpg
--- History ---
Hayastan is the native name of a country known to outsiders as Armenia. Existing today in the form of a nation-state, Armenia has a long, rich history that is still understudied to this day. A quick look at the historiography of Armenia shows just how much more attention is paid to the modern history of Armenia
(and the Caucasus) as compared to ancient Armenia. Much of this, arguably, is likely due to how intertwined and interconnected regional politics and history are in the Caucasus.
One cannot consider Armenia without considering its geography, which has played such a great role in local identity and history. Armenia lies on a plateau
ranging from about 3000 to 7000 feet, with terrain features ranging from plains to valleys to slopes. With limited rainfall, Armenians have historically resorted to irrigation techniques known in the greater Near Eastern region for millennia. Armenia has oftentimes been described as being encompassed by three major lakes: Lake Sevan to the north (modern-day Armenia), Lake Van to the west (modern-day Turkey), and Lake Urmia to the south (modern-day Iran). The
Caucasus mountain range has historically acted as a barrier for Armenia from the nomadic tribes that roamed to the north. Despite this natural defensive feature, the country remained vulnerable to invading armies primarily from the west (Rome) and the east (Persians), although invasions from the south (Assyrians) were also prominent.
Politically, the ancient Kingdom of Armenia acted as a successor to the Caucasian Kingdom of Urartu, which was a 2nd-1st millennium BCE confederation of local tribes referred to as the Nairi. The Indo-European Armenian-speaking people evidently lived in the eastern part of the Hittite Kingdom by the late 2nd
millennium BCE, and rose to political dominance soon after the fall of Urartu in the 6th century BCE. The archaeological piece that links ancient Urartu with
ancient Armenia is the Behistun Inscription, ordered by King Darius of ancient Persia sometime in the 6th or 5th century BCE. In this multi-lingual document, the Old Persian refers to Armina, what in the Babylonian is referred to as Urashtu (Assyrian: Urartu).
The first Armenian royal dynasty was the Yervanduni, ruling as kings of Armenia, a major satrap of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. Armenia was prized for its
many resources, but especially for its prime horse production (particularly warhorses). During the Hellenic period, Armenia enjoyed an influx of Hellenic
traditions, arts, and culture. Pre-Christian Armenia was religiously very much in tune with other Indo-European traditions, particularly the Indo-Iranian
Zoroastrian traditions. With the Hellenic period came religious syncretism, matching Armeno-Iranian gods with Greek gods.
In Europa Barbarorum: Novus Ordu Mundi, we begin in 80 BCE, at the height of not the first, but the second Armenian royal dynasty: the Artaxid dynasty. This
dynasty begins with the story of Artaxias I (Armenian: Artashes), who in 190 BCE was Strategos (Governor) of Armenia under the Seleucids. Claiming to be
descended from the Yervanduni line, Artashes I expands the territories of the Armenian kingdom into Caucasian Iberia, Atropatene (Armenian: Atrpatakan),
Vaspurakan, Taron, and other valleys; this he does following the loss of the Seleucids in 189 BCE at Magnesia against the Romans.
Fast forward to the end of the second century BCE, the Artaxid king Artavazd is defeated by Mithradates II, an Arsacid Parthian king, and is forced to not only
recognize Arsacid overlordship in the region, but to also return the previously conquered valleys in Atropatene along with his son Tigran as hostage.
Tigran, later known as Tigran the Great, comes to power in 95 BCE. He begins action by attacking and consolidating Sophene into his kingdom. Following this
he invades Cappadocia with his new ally: the Pontic King Mithradates Eupator. This will later cause issue with the Romans, who viewed Cappadocia as part of
their sphere of influence. King Tigran proceeded to recapture the “seventy valleys” in and around Atropatene mentioned above, and went beyond this by
capturing regions in northern Mesopotamia and entering the gates of Ecbatana herself. At his height, Tigran ruled through Cilicia, Syria, Phoenicia and Palestine.
Thus he reclaimed from the Arsacids the title, “King of Kings,” an old term of authority first introduced in the region by the Urartians. As a symbol of his
power, Tigran built his new capital of Tigranakert, based on Hellenic city styles, and populated the new city with displaced people from Cilicia and Cappadocia.
The Romans, meanwhile, having successfully defeated the Pontic armies of Mithradates, who by now had fled to Tigran (his son-in-law now), were marching
toward Armenia for battle. The famous Pompey eventually succeeded in defeating the Armenian forces and drew a treaty with Tigran. Among the
conditions of this treaty, Tigran was to return the eastern lands to the Parthians and to retain control of Armenia proper only, while retaining the title “King of
Kings.” Much revered to this day, King Tigran the Great of Armenia is cherished for bringing to Armenian history a golden age of triumph in which a small
kingdom, even if for a short while, arose to become a powerful empire.
--- Haykakan Zork' - The Armenian Army ---
The armies of Hayastan are a blend of Hellenistic, Persian, and traditional Caucasian methods of warfare. Among their ranks can be counted simple hillmen from the mountains of Atûrpatêkan, Azatk' equipped with fine scale and Hellenistic panoply, and the great Nakharark' mounted on the finest of Nisean stock and covered head to toe in iron. A diverse force indeed, the armies of Armenia can be turned to any task, but they are at their strongest in cavalry, particularly the fine heavy horse that serves as the ace in the hole for a proper Zoravar.
--- Infantry ---
While typically of lower stature than their mounted counterparts, infantry are an important component of Armenian armies as their cavalry is neither as elite nor as numerous as that of their eastern neighbors. These are a diverse bunch and can fill most roles, though the Hai army is somewhat lacking in the numerous medium infantry that serve as the spine of a Western force.
"Thureophoroi of the East" - The once-modern thureos shield proved extremely suitable to the style of warfare the hill-peoples of the Orient had been accustomed to for centuries. The simple agriculture in which rural communities engaged did not produce nearly enough surplus with which to buy armor; hence many tribesmen would head into battle unprotected. A large shield such as a thureos would cover the body from neck to knees, providing a strong defense for even a conscript with little training, and as such proved ideal for warriors from Celtic Gaul to the Caucasus and beyond.
From behind his shield, an Eastern Thureophoros throws several javelins and wields his spear overhand. Unsuited and untrained for formation fighting, these men can nonetheless form a sort of irregular shield wall in order to last longer against superior opponents, but modernized sparabara such as these are more suited to individual fighting. This makes them useful as a cheap unit capable of flexible operations, filling gaps and flanking enemies, fitting considering the fact that these troops are, at their core, irregular hillmen.
Much like their thureos-bearing counterparts, the Gund-î Paltâ are drawn from rural communities that mainly engage in subsistence farming of various kinds. Usually, however, these troops are younger and somewhat less experienced than the Thureophoroi. They fill the role of skirmishers, running out in front of the main lines to pelt javelins at the enemies' ranks, and try to withdraw before they incur any serious damage. Given that they only have a small shield for personal defense, however, this is very likely to happen. As long as you can keep these guys out of melee (especially with cavalry), the Gund-î Paltâ will do their job and wear the enemies' morale down with a hail of javelins and, if need be, serve as meatshields or pincushions.
Slings are cheap and easy to make; the real investment in a slinger is in a skilled man able to hurl a stone accurately, be it at a wolf or at a man. Fortunately for any ruler looking to raise a unit of inexpensive but skilled missile troops, most rural communities and villages have a few old hands capable of hitting a sheep's ankle at 50 meters' distance, and a fair number of young shepherd-boys able to get the stone flying in the right direction.
Slingers were an important force on ancient battlefields; unlike archers, they were able to make do with what they could find in the local environment, though ideally each man would have a number of well-shaped stones ready to loose in battle. Depending on the skill and strength of the slinger, a sling bullet can kill a man in armour by delivering a devastating blow to the head, dealing blunt force trauma through the helmet. And even if you're not immediately killed, sticks and stones will still break your bones.
In the mountains of the Caucasus and the highlands below the people have lived a long and healthy existence, sustained as they are from the surplus fruits of the fertile valleys and rich mineral seams. But their history has also seen strife, for their mountain kingdoms are highly prized by those of the fertile crescent below. Not only the spear and sling, but also the bow are used by these hardy mountain-men, who protect their land from foreign looking for dominion and even rival kingdoms within the Caucasus region who seek to expand their lands. Lightly equipped, these archers are used to the trying terrain of the Caucasus and their training is more for light skirmishes than heavy battle upon an open field. Yet though they may find themselves fighting outside of home territory on the flat plains of the lands to the south, they should not be underestimated. Their bows are well made, learnt from the steppe nomads beyond the northern mountains and the Persians who conquered them later. They wear little in the way of armour, a leather jerkin over a warm woolen tunic, which offers little in the way of protection. Other than the bow, they carry a short knife, or other such simple melee weapon as they are not trained for and not meant for combat at close-quarters.
Historically the Caucasus region was not well known for its archery, it was the cavalry that they were famous for. However, they undoubtedly used the bow just as they used the sling and javelin. Xenophon was unlucky enough to find himself at the wrong end of worrying tactics of such a people, the Karduchi, who may have been the ancestors of the modern day Kurds, as he and his force battled through the Caucasus highlands to the southern shore of the Black Sea. Xenophon mentions that the bow the Karduchi used was the three cubits long, whilst the arrow was two cubits itself. Xenophon further reports that "When discharging the arrow, they draw the string by getting a purchase with the left foot planted forward on the lower end of the bow. The arrows pierced through shield and cuirass, and the Hellenes, when they got hold of them, used them as javelins, fitting them to their thongs." Powerful weapons indeed.
The Tabargân are steadfast warriors, aggressive and impetuous in temperament, valued by Iranians, and Hellenes alike for their ferociousness and courage. These hillmen are recruited as irregulars from the mountains of Iran, not least from the Zagros and Elburz ranges, areas that breed toughness and have done so for centuries. Though certainly not as disciplined as Hellenic heavy infantry, nor even comparably attired, They are armed with the Sagaris, or the "Persian pick-axe" (Ironically being Scythian in origin) which they wielded with skill, and a bundle of javelins, they were prepared for guerilla warfare tactics such as ambushes, surprise attacks and particularly fond of broken terrain where disciplined troops accustomed to fighting in formation would fare badly. This is facilitated by their light attire, as they bear no armour and the only true means of protection is a light shield, nimble movement and dauntless impetus, casting themselves into the fray. Distinguished by traditional Iranian highlander garb such as the Kyrbasia cap, baggy trousers, a woolen tunic, boots and a thick sheep-skin jerkin, these tough hillmen could almost be mistaken for shepherds or nomadic herders. However these hardy hillmen are nothing to scoff at, as the pick-axe could puncture helmets, and penetrate bronze and iron armour. The Tabargân were no less skilled with their javelins, in which the usage of javelin-thongs increased the stopping power and accuracy of the javelin, giving it a spin during flight. Using them properly, they will give a good account of themselves. Using them poorly on the other hand may prove suicidal and their dauntless bravery may quickly turn into fragile bravado.
Historically, the northern Iranian highlands are known for their hardy mountaineers who held all transgressors at bay. These men of the mountains were lightly ruled by all Persian Grandees who valued their warrior skills over what meagre income their mountain homes might bring. These men would be recruited from the warlike G�l�n� and Dailam� tribesmen of Verkhânâ (Hyrcania), and other similar peoples of northern Media. The earliest origins of these people are unknown, although the Dailamites could be the descendants of such ancient peoples as the Delumioi mentioned by Ptolemy in 2 AD. Classical historians mention Dailamites, 'Dolomites' or other very similar names repeatedly and their name is particularly mentioned in context with the later Byzantine Varangian Guard. Due to the mingling of migrant tribes with the indigenous residents of the region, several new clans were formed, of which, the two tribes of 'Gill' and 'Daylam' formed a majority. In the 6th century BC, the inhabitants of G�l�n allied with Kuroush (Cyrus) the Great and overthrew the Medes helping to establish the Achaemenid Persian Empire. The Dailamites would later during the Sassanid dynasty form a core of heavy infantry with fine equipment including brightly painted shields and two-pronged javelins, meant to be pitted against the finest Roman infantry. However, that is a long way from the continuously more declining irregular force, the Takâbarâ as they were called by the Achaemenids, and in Parthian history, the Tabargân are merely the residue of the Iranian highlander spirit, not exclusive to the Elburz range but to all areas of Iran where the environment bred toughness.
These troops are armed in more of a traditional Persian style, echoing the Sparabara of times long past. Yet these men are Armenians, through and through, descendents of the Nairi tribes who formed part of Urartu in elder days. Most of them, however, are raised from the folk who dwell in the rich valleys, who proudly guard their fertile land from hillfolk. For their fighting equipment, they wield a long spear and carry a large wicker shield for protection from the various javelins and arrows flying around the field. In battle, once again following the Persian tradition, they form a shield-wall for mutual protection and maintain discipline, the product of basic training. In some ways, one could compare them to the hoplites of times past; but this is very generous, and these men will still give way to better armed and better disciplined Greeks and Romans any day of the week. Despite this, a Hai commander would do best to make effective use of these troops until he can muster the resources to replace them with superior armoured professionals.
The military reforms of Tigran Metz included the introduction of heavy infantry to the Armenian army, as part of something of a Hellenization effort designed to make the infantry more effective. Hellenistic military equipment, however, was far from universally adopted in the Hai armies and this can be seen in the heavy infantry that resulted from these reforms. In essence, the Armenian "Phalangites" are a heavy version of the Nizakamartik. Everything about them is bigger, heavier, and more expensive - they wield longer spears, carry reinforced spara shields, and wear heavy scale armor. This makes them a formidable defensive force easily capable of turning aside enemy cavalry and pushing back lighter infantry as well.
Historically, one of the main distinctions between the Parthian and Armenian empires was the presence of a large standing army with numerous infantry. Estimates by Plutarch and Appian put its size at 300,000 men and Josephus mentions an army of 500,000 invading Syria; more reasonable estimates, such as that given by Memnon of Heraclea Pontica, put the size of the Armenian army at 60,000, but this still dwarfed anything most of Hayastan's rivals assembled, save Rome. The majority of this army was composed of non-Armenians, drawn from the lands that had been subjugated by previous kings, and the majority of these were poorly equipped compared with Roman or Hellenistic troops. This left the Armenians reliant on their excellent and numerous cavalry to deal a decisive blow to the enemy. Forces such as these "Phalangites" were created to provide a solid infantry backbone to the army, but they were never particularly numerous.
Transcaucasia is linguistically and ethnically one of the most diverse regions in the world, and hence the men in the armies raised from it are a mixed bunch indeed. These spearmen, hailing from Kartli, fight in a manner characteristic of the rugged Caucasian peoples, with javelin, spear, and short sword. For protection, they rely on a traditional shield, a Chalkidian helmet, their gods, and their own skill. These men function as a hardy and versatile light infantry unit, useful for combat with comparable enemies; they possess exceptional stamina and high morale, but this will not let them overcome well armored infantrymen if they engage in frontal combat. Properly used, though, these men are a valuable part of any army they are a part of.
Historically, life in the Caucasus Mountains bred a fierce people and the men of the Kartveli tribes - born of the loins of Kartlos, the great hero of old - were no exception. For centuries the Kartveli had warred amongst the competing tribes of the Caucasus and their rugged lifestyle, and the equal toughness of the terrain they inhabited, gradually honed them into a truly hardy people, well disposed to combat and harsh conditions. After being brought together beneath the dynasty of the Pharnavazian kings and they posed an increased threat to the neighbouring tribes and kingdoms of that region, particularly Hayasdan, their long standing enemy. Beneath the Pharnavazian dynasty Iberia survived as an independent kingdom until 93 BCE, when Arshak, a prince of Hayasdan, overthrew Pharnajom and established his own dynasty. Pharnajom’s son would a later take back his father’s throne in 32 BCE and the second Pharnavazian dynasty lasted well into the Common Era.
These Kartveli Dashnit Meombrebi are fierce professional soldiers of the tribes who were born of Kartlos, the great hero of the Kartveli (Georgians). They are armed with javelins, a versatile and widely used weapon, a short sword and a Thureos shield, made popular in the Anatolia region with the coming of the Galatians. As true warriors they understand the need for protection and wear a studded-leather coat over a thick woollen tunic. Highly trained and experienced, these men are shock troops of the highest calibre; fierce and brave they are best used to break the enemy formation from the flanks or rear as their charge is fearsome. However, do not underestimate their ability to hold rank and withstand a charge themselves; truly these Kartveli Dashnit Meombrebi are versatile fighters.
Historically, life in the Caucasus Mountains bred a fierce people and the men of the Kartveli tribes - born of the loins of Kartlos, the great hero of old - were no exception. For centuries the Kartveli had warred amongst the competing tribes of the Caucasus and their rugged lifestyle, and the equal toughness of the terrain they inhabited, gradually honed them into a truly hardy people, well disposed to combat and harsh conditions. After being brought together beneath the dynasty of the Pharnavazian kings and they posed an increased threat to the neighbouring tribes and kingdoms of that region, particularly Hayasdan, their long standing enemy. Beneath the Pharnavazian dynasty Iberia survived as an independent kingdom until 93 BCE, when Arshak, a prince of Hayasdan, overthrew Pharnajom and established his own dynasty. Pharnajom’s son would a later take back his father’s throne in 32 BCE and the second Pharnavazian dynasty lasted well into the Common Era.
One of many units seemingly 'armed in the Roman fashion' to the eyes of Western witnesses, the Sooseramartik' are a skilled unit of noble swordsmen. In a fashion long established since the Galatian invasion of the early 3rd century BC, these men carry a bronze-coated thureos for protection as well as several javelins and a sword. For armor though, these nobles turn to fine scale corselets and bronze conical helmets in yet another long-established tradition. Protected by their fine panoply, these men advance and throw their javelins into enemy formations before closing with swords for close combat.
Historically, swordsmen such as these were drawn from the somewhat numerous Azatk', the lower nobility of Armenia. Unlike the great landlords, the nakharark', the Azats did not have the funds for Nisean chargers and cataphract armor. Instead, they would head into battle as armored horsemen with lance or javelin; or, if they were less well off or disinclined to mounted combat, as armored swordsmen. The equipment they used was rather similar to that used by the Romans and while their fighting style probably originated independently, the states of the East increasingly turned to the Roman model for infantry tactics and equipment. That said, the Azat classes were not numerous enough to field a large force of such men, leaving the Armenian army reliant on its heavy cavalry to deal a powerful blow to the enemy.
--- Cavalry ---
The Hai army's strength was historically in its cavalry. Comparable in numbers to the cavalry armies fielded by the Parthians, the cavalry encompassed both light skirmishers and heavy cataphracts. Its core, however, lay in the lower nobility, the azatk', who provided the majority of the Hayastan's horsemen, and the wealther ramik, who provided swift light horsemen.
Among the wealthier classes of Armenian society, the tendency was to go to battle mounted if possible. The Nizakahar Ayrudzi represent the lower cadres among the nobility, as well as a number of wealthier peasants and freemen who owned horses. Though skilled horsemen, they are not particularly well outfitted in comparison with their wealthier compatriots, usually carrying a wicker Taka shield and wearing only light armor, if any, as protection. Their best defense is their mobility, which they use to run circles around their enemies, pelting javelins at them as they dart by and flee before they have a chance to retaliate. If necessary they can close with a spear and engage in close combat with comparably light opponents, and they are very capable of riding down light infantrymen, but are of little use against heavy troops except perhaps as a flanking force.
Armenia, despite its rugged geography, is a land of rich meadows and they are able to support cavalry in great numbers. The horse archers of Armenia tend to fire their volleys while motionless but are very capable of the harassing tactics of the steppe nomads. Indeed, some of these men hail from the Scythians enclaves along the Pontic coast or the grasslands of Atropatene. They are expert archers and expert horsemen, being able to shoot a bow accurately from horseback, and they are the masters of the ‘Parthian shot’, being able to shoot backwards at full gallop. They are best used at weakening enemy formations so that the heavy cavalry can finish them off. Almost impossible to destroy and unwilling to come to grips with well ordered infantry these horsemen use marauder tactics to bring down their enemies. Dense formations of infantry are their favoured target.
Historically, they used probably the best weapon for the light horseman, which was the composite horse bow. Plutarch wrote that Armenian archers were deadly from 200 meters with their devastating hail of arrows. These horsemen are not well suited for hand-to-hand combat and best used in their traditional role. If forced into combat they will do poorly against anyone but a broken enemy.
Among the wealthier classes of Armenian society, the tendency was to go to battle mounted if possible. Though there were exceptions, the richest members of the Azat nobility typically rode to battle as lancers equipped in full Hellenistic attire, bearing a round aspis on their left arm and a longche in their right. Essentially these men are the descendants, in both style and lineage, of the Median and Armenian cavalry of old. Essentially, they fill the same roles as their predecessors - charging flanks, fighting comparable enemy cavalry, trampling light troops, running down routing enemies - but these men are much more of a shock-oriented unit. The new Aspet, with lances held in an underhand grip, charge boldly onwards to do their duty and stay in melee against inferior foes with their kopides. Their large aspis shield and good armor make these simple tasks. The trade-off is in mobility and stamina, as these men are neither as nimble in combat as their antecessors nor as suited to pursuit or repeated action.
Historically, Armenia was in something of a Hellenistic renaissance during Tigranes' reign. As with the Parthians, Hellenistic culture was popular among the upper classes, who enjoyed Greek drama and poetry. Tigranes himself spent massive funds in order to make his newly built capital, Tigranakert, into a nexus of Hellenistic culture. This influx of Hellenism was mirrored in the battle attire of the nobility - Hellenistic helmets and shields such as the thureos and aspis became the norm, as did the longche, the shorter, single-hand lance that had become popular with Hellenistic cavalry. In essence, the upper cadre of the Azat nobility became Lonchophoroi, though they were in all likelihood superior to their greek counterparts thanks to their fine Caspian mounts and the excellent cavalry tradition that was the pride of Armenia's army.
Aspet Zrahavor and Zrahavor Netadzik
https://i1215.photobucket.com/albums...nomarmcata.jpghttps://i1215.photobucket.com/albums...eniacataha.jpg
Perhaps the most feared soldier type in antiquity was the Cataphract, and any nation that could field a force of cataphracts was one to be reckoned with. Originating from Transoxiana, where Hellenistic metallurgy and Alexandros' heavy xyston-wielding horsemen met the cavalry tradition of Eastern Iranian tribes, the cataphract evolved over two centuries into one of the heaviest troopers the world has ever seen. They were superbly equipped and armoured, with a conical helm and attached aventail protecting the head and neck; a corselet of iron scale armour protecting the torso; laminated guards encasing the shoulders and arms; and similar defenses shielding the legs. For weapons, they wielded a bow, a massive, two-handed lance nicknamed the "kontos" by the Greeks and carried a sword or a mace.
Though it may be tempting to refer to them as 'tanks,' this is somewhat misleading. Cataphracts were often as much hindered by their armor as helped by it, thanks to its massive weight; unhorsed cataphracts were extremely vulnerable to enemies and they had difficulty fleeing if the situation became unfavorable. Such was the fate of many of the Seleucid cataphracts at Magnesia, whom Livy says were caught and killed after they were caught unawares and routed by a Roman charge. In addition, the armor limited their utility in close combat, as it quickly fatigued the wearer. The real strength of the cataphract, thus, was in the devastating impact of the charge, aided by the great momentum of the horse, rider, and heavy lance. Well-disciplined infantry would be able to withstand such an onslaught from the front, but lesser enemies would be routed on contact or run before getting impaled or trampled. Any charge by these men on the flank or rear of an enemy produced a quick rout, as demonstrated by the Seleucids at Panion in 200 BC.
Historically, Armenian cataphracts were recruited from the Nakharark', the great landlords. The term nakharar originates from the Parthian 'naxvadar,' a term meaning 'holder of the primacy' and refers to the highest class of nobility in Hai society, similar to the great clan-leaders who dominated Parthian society. Logically, the wealthiest men in society headed into battle in the finest equipment available, and would often bring a large retinue of lighter horsemen with them as a sign of his wealth, for personal protection, and to serve the king. Hence, the cataphract was always accompanied by a larger number of light horsemen, with whom he was used tactically; the horse-archers and javelin cavalry would be used for harassment and weakening the enemy and the cataphracts would charge in for the kill when the moment was right.
Such tactics were used by Tigran and the Armenian cavalry against the Romans, though the Parthians were most famous for them. Sallustius Crispus wrote that in the Armenian army in particular the regiments of horsemen were 'remarkable by the beauty of their horses and armor'. Xenophon mentions the finely bred Armenian horse which he says was smaller than the Persian type. This seems to describe the horse now referred to as the 'Caspian' horse which has been recently recognized in Iran as an ancient breed. Although, only about 12 hands in height, when compared with the images of early Persian horses, it has the same small ears, prominent forehead and cheekbones and large nostrils.
The innovations of later armorers served only to make the cataphract an even fiercer weapon than before. Protected by a veil of iron chain, among other things, the late Nakharar cavalry are a fearsome force indeed.
