Hegemonia City-States Faction Preview: Carthage (Part 2) Western Mercenaries
This preview contains not only units that can be found in Carthage's sphere of infleunce outside of North Africa. But also Mercernaries in the surrounding areas. Some of these will be unique to Carthage others will be recruitable by anyone in the appropriate area.
Celtic warbands are bound to the service of a strongman or petty village head. They are the basic "unit" to be found in the Celtic armies. They fight well, as glory and loot are the road to status, but are often difficult to control. They care little for discipline and less for restraint, but they can be relied on to fight, and fight hard. In warfare it is up to each man to prove his own bravery and worth, so the savage charge into the enemy is about as sophisticated as they ever want to be! Warriors tend to carry a stabbing spear and a large shield, while the swords and the helmets are mostly used by the higher class and their elites. The Gauls do not usually wear heavy armours and their main body protection is their native oval shields (called by the Greeks "thyreos"). Due to this fact and according to the ancient Greek writer Pausanias, the Gauls were vulnerable to missile attacks. According to the ancient Greek sources the Gauls are a dreadful, warlike and somewhat mysterious people. They are tall and muscular with very white skin and fair hair. They are reported to be extremely addicted to wine which, unlike the Greeks, drink it without mixing it with water. Oftenly they drink until they fall into a state of madness. Once the defeated and wounded Gallic warlord, Brennos, committed suicide by drinking a huge quantity of wine. Historically the Gauls invaded the Italic peninsula and the Haimos peninsula (Balkans) coming from the north. They divided their army in three parts, the first attacked the Triballoi and the Thracians, the second campaigned against the Paionians and a thrid one moved against the Macedonians and the Illyrians. The Macedonian army suffered heavy losses and their king fell in the battle. Afterwards the Gauls decided to move even more southwards deep into Hellas and gathered an army reported to number more than 200000 infantry and cavalry to do so. The Greeks were terrified by he reports coming from the regions already attacked by the Gauls and were convinced that even if they did not resist at all, the invasion, they would still perish by the barbarian cruelty. Therefore they gathered a united force of around 25000 coming from various Hellenic states, in order to repel the enemy or die in the attempt. The Greek army stationed in the Thermopylai and was backed by Athenian triremes firing missiles from the sea. The Gauls marched against the Greek forces full of wrath and wild anger. The fought with passion and rage, even when badly wounded until they died or fade away. However their numerous armies after an initial success eventually suffered a series smashing defeats against the allied Greek forces and according to Pausanias "none of them made it back home!" slaughtered in the retreat or died from the severity of their injuries. The Greeks of Pergamos in Asia Minor defeated the Gauls once more. However the Gauls retained their presence in Thrace, northern Illyria and Anatolia.
The Ligurians are related both to the Celts and the Italic people. They are tough and proud warriors and therefore used as mercenaries in the Carthaginian armies. The fight on foot both as skirmishers and close combat infantry, however they seem to prefer guerilla tactics and raids. Their equipment is similar to that of the nearby Gallic tribes.
Iberian infantry are fast moving close combat infantry. They may not be the best trained troops, but they are cost effective warriors. They are one of the basic units available to generals in the Carthaginian-influenced world. Every Iberian infantryman carries a shield in addition to his short sword, but his only other protection is a helmet and a small breastplate; he relies on speed and agility instead of armour. They are best employed against enemy spearmen and, like other infantry, can be vulnerable to cavalry attacks. They fight with heavy javelins and swords, peppering the enemy with missiles before closing up for hand-to-hand combat. Centuries of feuding among the hill tribes have hardened the people so there is no shortage of tough and cunning warriors - they are quite handy when springing tactical ambushes on enemy units. The Greeks who faced the Iberian mercenaries serving in the Carthaginian army, were shocked by their practising of mutilating the bodies of their dead enemies and impale limbs and heads to show them off. They are vulnerable to cavalry though, due to their lack of anti-cavalry weapons.
These superior mercenaries from the Balearic Isles are famed for their ability as slingers. They can maintain a sustained and concentrated barrage on an enemy before rapidly falling back to avoid hand-to-hand combat. Slingers carry a bag with lead shot and several spare slings suitable for various ranges (a shot typically weighs no more than 55g - a couple of ounces). Trained from infancy, these missile troops have little or no protection, and are best kept out of hand-to-hand combat. They are, however, highly mobile and don't tire easily. Historically, Balearic mercenaries didn't always get paid in gold for their services. They weren't averse to payments in kind, such as wine and women!
The Phoenicians had established several settlements and trading posts in Sardenia which was rich in resources. They dominated over the local population and they expanded their power all over the island. The Phoenicians of Carthage after taking over Sardenia and destroying the few Greek cities there, not only exploited the natural resources of the island but they used native Sardenian warriors in their struggles with the Greeks of Sicily. The Sardenians are equipped with javelins and long swords. They wear no armour but they protect themselves with a shield.
Sikanians are the largest group of the native Sicilian population living there prior the establishment of the Greek cities. The Greeks settlers mingled with the Sikanians and usually had trading relationships which were based in mutual benefit. However once a hellenised Sikanian leader named Duketios, founded organised cities and laid sieges to Greek cities threatening the Greeks of Sicily. They fight in quite ordered formations and with short spears and javelins in order to break up the formations of the enemy. They are not particularly reliable soldiers and their equipment is cheap but they can give a good account of themselves in battle if deployed properly. They wear little to no armor, and have only a simple helmet and a light shield for protection. They can face most light infantry on equal terms and fend off light cavalry for a time, if needed.
Kyrnos is the ancient Greek name for the island of Corsica. They Carthaginians recruited from this region skillful light skirmishers. Archers are rightly feared for the casualties they can inflict, but they are vulnerable in hand-to-hand combat. Learning to use a bow well is something that takes a lifetime and constant practice, and putting food on the table provides good practice. They are best used to weaken enemy formations, or placed in a spot where they can retreat and find protection from other troops.
Samnite mercenaries are relatively dependable light infantry but should not be expected to hold crucial sections of a battle line. They are not capable of standing up to professional heavy infantry, but their spears, bronze breastplates and large shields make them suited to fighting against light and medium cavalry. The Samnites come from the Apennine highlands of central and southern Italy. Historically having lost the battle for regional supremacy to the Romans, they often served in the invading armies of Rome's enemies. Samnite mercenaries are dependable light infantry, but should not be expected to hold crucial sections of a battle line.
These men wear heavy bronze breastplate and wield spears as their primary weapon, they also carry a sword and a handful of javlins. Many of the Italian states could field excellent cavalry…particularly the Campanians and Lucanians. Italian cavalry are able to turn the tide of several crucial battles if used correctly and are a hardy and capable force. They are best used to break light enemy formations, drive off skirmishers and pursue fleeing foes.
Swords were, at first, a very uncommon weapon in the armies of the Italian states. No swords seem to have been used by the Italians until the Greek colonies on the coast of the Adriatic came under Samnite influence, which resulted in the blending of the two cultures. Almost immediatly, Greek swords like the kopis and the xiphos began to appear among the armaments of the Italians. "Italian Swordsmen" are the direct result of this influence, blending Greek equipment (the hoplon and xiphos) with the more flexible tactics of the Italians. They are also equipped with javelins, which they throw before a charge like most Italian foot soldiers. Italian Swordsmen are excellent troops, among the best locally recruited infantry that can be found in Italy. Italian Swordsmen are steadfast and reliable warriors and capable against most foes.
The Samnites and other Italian peoples made good use of skirmisher units in the rough terrain of central Italy. Spears and javelins were the primary weapons of the Italians, as swords were not commonly seen until they were introduced to the peninsula by the Greeks. The "skirmishers" of the Italians tended to be better equipped than the light troops of most other nations, often wearing "attic" style helmets and intricate bronze armor. Historically Italians served in the armies of the Greeks, Epriots, Romans, and Carthaginians, most commonly as light spearmen or skirmishers. Skirmishers rush forward to pepper an enemy with javelins, and then withdraw in good order before a counter-attack can be organised. They are light infantry, equipped with small throwing javelins, a short sword.
We sincerly hope you have enjoyed this the second part of our 14th faction preview
The Hegemonia Team
Re: Hegemonia City-States Faction Preview: Carthage (Part 2) Western Mercenaries
whoa, great work as usual, keep it up:2thumbsup:
Re: Hegemonia City-States Faction Preview: Carthage (Part 2) Western Mercenaries
wow... a great diversity there, it'll surely make carthage a fun faction to play as, keep it up :thumbsup:
