Hegemonia-City States - faction preview - CORINTH
- "Foreigner, We came from the fresh city of Korinthos, and here, in the sands of Ajax's island we now lie, defending our sacred Hellas, against the Phoenician ships of the Persians and Medians..."
Simonides' epigram for the fallen Corinthians in the naval-battle of Salamis...
Corinth
Corinth, on the north-eastern tip of the Peloponnese, the home of Sisyphos and the great hero Bellerophon, was one of the oldest Greek city-states and among the most important ones. The history of Corinth starts with the city being subdued by Argos. The Bakchidai royal house that freed Corinth ruled the city for 5 centuries. During that age, they established many colonies including Syracuse, Corkyra and Potidaia which evolved into significant cities for Hellenism all of which had very strong naval forces. In 657 BC the Bakchiadai rule ended. The polemarchos Kypselos –whose name means “chest” (Kypsele) because his mother saved him by hiding him in a chest when he was a child and the Bakchidai tried to kill him- supported by the Oracle of Delphi, took control of the city and he ruled thereafter for 30 years. The exiled Bakchidai fled to seek refuge to Corkyra but also to Sparta and Etruria.
Equated many times with the Homeric city of Ephyra, Corinth was the innovator and master builder of commercial and war ships, the city developed great wealth and became the richest commercial city in ancient Hellas, establishing a series of colonies .Most of their colonies were deployed in the sea west of the Peloponnese, known as the Ionian Sea and the surrounding islands.
The two greatest Greek cities on the Illyrian coasts, Epidamnos and Apollonia were both established by Corinthians as well. In order to maintain their influence and contact with their strongholds, they needed to keep a capable fleet. After all, it is believed that the first trireme was constructed by a Corinthian named Ameinocles.
The system of government changed from monarchy to oligarchy and then to tyranny. One of these tyrannts, who was in power for 44 years, was Periandros, son of Kypselos, who was considered to be one of the 7 sages of the ancient times. Periandros was harsh but wise, he even had good relations with Egypt and named his nephew who succeeded him with the name of a pharaoh !
When he died in 584 BC, Corinth was at the zenith of its power, having benefited from Periandros' backing and inclination to arts, trade, shipping and science. The citizens of Corinth made fortunes from evolving workshops and trade of porfyra, carpets, vessels and adopted a luxurious if not a lush life. It became one of the most populous cities in Hellas, with large numbers of slaves. The life in there was so extravagant that the Greeks used to say "not everybody can afford living in Korinthos".
This situation unfortunately resulted in a gradual loss of much of the power the city formerly held, Corinth weakened and started to decline. The colonies started to despise their mother city because of the Corinthians distaste of war, and trade was also damaged. However, Corinth is not to be underestimated. Not many Greek cities can provide 5000 heavy hoplites, like the Corinthians did at the battle of Plataia ! Moreover, at Salamis they played a key role to the Hellenic victory against the Phoenician ships, and the dead Corinthians were buried by their country in the most luxurious graves on the shores of Salamis, for their services to the Pan-Hellenic cause, they also took part in the battle of Mycale, where they came second in valour, only to the Athenians.
Corinth also keeps a marine force which is one of the strongest in the Hellenic world, if not the strongest of all, and the trade routes are still wide open as far as Etruria and Lydia. Furthermore Corinth holds the largest treasury of all the Hellenic factions.
The city is built upon a trapezoid plateau and it was connected to its seaport in the Corinthian gulf, which was named Lechaion, by a strong wall. Another wall which could be significantly enforced in a dangerous situation, protected not only Corinth, but the Peloponnesean Isthmus as well. The Corinthians in the time of Periandros found out a way to move their ships from one side of the Isthmus to the other by carrying them on a stone road, called the “Diolkos”, with wheeled platforms from the eastern port of Kenchreai in the Saronic gulf, to the western port of Lechaion in the Corinthian gulf.
The prosperous citizens are aware that their homeland is a valuable prize for any of their enemies, who envy their riches. They also know that the Isthmus is one of the most important strategical locations in Hellas and their colonies may not assist them in their future plans. To prevent this, the Corinthians should have a close look at their colonies and especially the rebel colony of Korkyra, which has grown into a force which is very dangerous for their interests in the west. Corinth after the tyranny was ruled by the aristocrats, under a Council of 80 members, and developed good relations with all the other city states. After the Persian wars Corinth prospered more than most of the other Greek cities, but the expansion of Athens under Pericles broke the good relations between them.
If they exploit their advantages and use their navy correctly, and make full use of the diplomatic abilities of their emissaries and the strong fortifications they have in place, the Corinthians have every reason to feel secure and able to handle the hostility and the age long hatred that their neighbours feel for them. It has always been profitable to establish new colonies and hold campaigns in the sea west of Peloponnesos whilst Sparta and Argos collide!
Locations/Regions around Corinth
Family-Members Bodyguards
These elite hoplites form the corinthian general's loyal guard, their shields are neatly decorated with the typical corinthian symbol, the famous Pegasus. They are well trained and highly disciplined.
Corinthian Hoplites
The city hoplites of Corinth are heavily armed soldiers who have fought both in the Peloponnese to defend their homeland, and in far away regions against natives in order to establish their colonies. Their city is not famed for their military deeds, but still they can raise a large number of hoplites, maybe second to Sparta in the whole of the Peloponnese. For their shield icon we have selected the 4-legged tetraskeles (tetraskelion), a symbol widely used by the tyrannt Periandros.
Corinthian Marine Hoplites
The Corinthian marines are armed with a typical hoplon shield which is decorated with an image of baby Hercules, strangling the snakes Hera sent to kill him. Protected by light armor and carrying the large "kopis" sword that make them effective in close combat on board ships, or on land if required.
Light Hippeis
Corinth is able to mobilize a small number of horsemen that are best used for harrassing skirmishers and screening/supporting other units.
Ambrakian Hoplites
Ambrakia is a Corinthian colony in western Greece. Their bonds with Corinth are very strong, and they also use the Pegasus on their soldiers shields. The Ambrakian hoplites reinforced their founding city in both the Persian and the Peloponnesian wars.
Leukas Hoplites
Leukas is a colony of Corinth on the island opposite Akarnania, the hoplites drawn from the city of Leukas also have on their shields the Pegasus, but they also include its rider Bellerephon, the mythical Corinthian hero.
Apollonian Hoplites
Established on the coasts of Illyria by Corinthians and Corkyrians, Apollonia faces danger from both the Illyrian natives and by the Corkyrians, who have risen in power and now compete with Corinth-their own metropolis(founding city) over trade and naval suppremacy in the sea, west of the Peloponnese.
If you would like to learn more about Hegemonia-City States, visit us at our development forum.
Again, thanks from the Hegemonia team.
Re: Hegemonia - City States, Faction Preview - Corinth
Post here if you have any questions or suggestions about the previews...
Re: Hegemonia - City States, Faction Preview - Corinth
wow, thats quite a lot of info right there. How long have you been developing this?
Re: Hegemonia - City States, Faction Preview - Corinth
Thanks Myrddraal, the mod? a few months now, were quite a large team and we seem to be moving at a steady pace now...
Re: Hegemonia - City States, Faction Preview - Corinth
