New Faction Preview: The Armenians
Roma Surrectum Presents...
Armenia
https://i151.photobucket.com/albums/...Untitled-1.jpg
Levy Spearmen
https://i151.photobucket.com/albums/...levyspears.jpg
These guys are the lowest of the low. Recruited from the peasant class in desperate situations when I could not afford high tier infantry, these men will not hold out very long against higher class troops and will collapse if not supported by other units. However, these men are Armenian, so they won’t tire out easily being attuned to living in mountainous regions. They are armed with a short spear and a thureos shield. The thureos was made popular around the Black Sea area after the Gallic invasions of the area.
Armenian Highlanders
https://i151.photobucket.com/albums/...levyaxes-1.jpg
These men come from the heart of Armenia, her mountains. These troops are armed with the traditional axe. They are effective in ambushes and are pretty good at holding out against other infantry, but don’t count on them for every situation, these guys are still just levies. Their defense leaves a lot to be desired due to the small shield, but on offense they can cause a lot of damage.
Armenian Skirmishers
https://i151.photobucket.com/albums/...d/Armskirm.jpg
Armenian skirmishers are armed with another traditional weapon, the javelin. These men prefer to lob death at their enemies instead of fighting hand to hand. Try your best to keep them out of a melee, because they will collapse fairly easily, reducing my other troops’ morale significantly. They are used most effectively in ambush or distracting situations.
Hellenism has had a profound influence on Armenian culture, so much that Armenia could be called a Hellenistic state instead of an Eastern one. Armenia has utilized Greek for writing due to lack of an Armenian written language (which was invented in 401AD) and has also utilized Greek style warfare. Armenia in the time period of Roma Surrectum experienced a Hellenic Renaissance during the period of the Artaxiad dynasty (189-14), and are frequently depicted as Greek-style warriors. That was the inspiration for the creation of this unit in the Armenian roster (no other mod has this!!!).
Azat Infantry
https://i151.photobucket.com/albums/...Armlegions.jpg
Azat - (azat, verbatim - "free", initially, apparently, "godly" from the the Aryan yazata) noble, aristocrat. Term goes back to the Aryan yazata, which verbatim indicates "godly", "having godly origin", "worthy of worship". Sometimes (in the late history of Armenia) by azats was understood small nobility, in contrast to nakharars, the representatives of Great Nobles it was ancestral. They are effective in most situations and if deployed correctly can be the deciding factor in many a battle. They fight in the style of the Roman legionaries, first lobbing a javelin, then proceeding to charge at the enemy with swords. Lucius Licinius Lucullus encountered some of these men in his failed attempt at conquering Armenia and called them “imitation legionaries” even though they were around far before his arrival. They are armed with a short sword and a thureos shield. Due to having metal armor, they are pretty heavy troops and can hold a battle line against most other foes. That doesn’t mean they can go up against the front of an argyraspid phalanx though.
Kentronakan Spearmen
https://i151.photobucket.com/albums/...kentgund-1.jpg
The soldiers of this unit were the best of the best, picked up almost individually from all Armenian Spearmen units.
In Kentronakan Gund were soldiers from Royal lands, they were the most brave with highest morale chosen soldiers. Also in Kentronakan Gund were low rang nakharars and bdeshkhs. Armenian Kentronakan Gund- (in translation means Central Soldiers/Units) were the elite of infantry in battlefield. They were always in the center of armenian battle formation. The Kentronakan Gund were used from Argishti I (which is 785 BC) till the end of Cilician Armenian Kingdom (1375AD). Soldiers were equipped with heavy armour which developed with the years, + they had long & wide shields and long spears.
During Armenian battle history the cavalry were placed on the flanks with the rest of Armenian infantry, axemen, spearmen, swordsmen etc, but behind Kentronakan Gund were the King with his boddyguards or Sparapet (Gundstabel in Cilicia) with his boddyguards, so there were no healp or reinforcement for Kentronakan Gund in case someting went wrong, because King's or Sparapet's (Gundestabel's) buddyguard's head task were to defend the King or Sparapet and not to crush and help the infantry units. That's why Kentronakan Gund's soldier were kind of "kamikazes", for them it was like win or die. Their strength (skill) were very high morale, heavy and well armed chosen soldiers with 60% defence 40& attack.
Dismounted Nakharars
https://i151.photobucket.com/albums/...Armnakhinf.jpg
These men are Nakharars. Nakharars are the result of Armenia’s ancient feudal system, which has existed at least since the time of the ancient Vannic kings of Nairi in 1300BC. Nakharars are the highest class of nobles, and they only answer to the Armenian Arkah. Nakharar was a hereditary title of the highest order for the ancient and medieval Armenian nobility. Armenia was divided into large estates, which were the property of an enlarged noble family and were ruled by a member of it, to whom the title of nahapet “chief of the family” or tanuter master of the house was given. Other members of a nakharar family in their turn ruled over smaller portions of the family estate. Nakharars with greater authority were recognized as ishkhans (princes). This system has often been labeled as feudal for practical purposes; however, there are differences between this system and the feudal system later adopted in Western Europe. The estate as a whole was actually ruled by a single person, it was nonetheless considered the property of his whole enlarged family, so that, if the ruler died heirless, he was succeeded by a member of a different branch of the family. Furthermore, it was allowed to alienate a part of the family estate only to another member of the family or by permission of the whole enlarged family. This may also explain why Armenian feudal families were normally endogamic, in order not to scatter parts of their property, as would have happened if they had to give a part of their property to another family as dowry. It must also be noted that endogamic marriages had a religious reason too, particularly before Christianity, because Armenian paganism favored marriages between relatives very highly. In 4th century Armenia, as in Parthia, large estates were hereditarily possessed by noble families and actually ruled by a member of them. The whole enlarged family was devoted to the worship of the same ancestors, lived in small fortified villages and spent most part of their time in hunting and in banqueting. Furthermore, each nakharar family had a particular social function: in Armenia a member of the Arshakuni family was chosen as king, who was consequently a sort of primus inter pares; among the Mamikonians the chief general of the army (sparapet) was chosen, one of the Bagratunis was the chivalry chief (aspet) and king crowner (tagadir), and so on. The nakharar structure remained unchanged for many centuries and was finally eliminated during the Mongol invasions in the thirteenth century. Certain aspects of the nakharar system remained intact in Armenia until the early 20th century, when the noble class was altogether abolished by the Bolsheviks.They will fight to the death to protect their possessions, and are the most fearsome infantry that I can field. They are armed with maces, another traditional Armenian weapon. These particular Nakharars like to fight on foot.
(A portion of this description is courtesy of Wikipedia.)
Scythian Foot Archers
https://i151.photobucket.com/albums/...mscytharch.jpg
The Scythians arrived in Armenia during the decline of Urartu. They destroyed the ailing state (if I was king who knows what would have happened?) and some settled in Armenia. Even after the mass retreat of the Scythians from the Middle East, their communities remained, and why not utilize such talented archers? They are armed with the powerful compound bow which will allow them to kill even the most heavily armored opponents with ease. However, their lack of armor leaves them susceptible to counter missiles as well as light cavalry.
Armenian Heavy Archers
https://i151.photobucket.com/albums/...mheavyarch.jpg
Armenian Heavy Archers are the best archers in Asia Minor, certainly better than the terrible toxotai fielded by the stinky Greeks who are always babbling about nonsense to me. They have incredibly long range and are effective in any situation. Rome fielded many of my Armenian Archers. The emperor Vespasianus used them in his campaign against Germania. Like the Scythian levies, they are armed with the compound bow, allowing them to defeat even the toughest opponents with ease. Their armor inhibits quick movement, but allows them to take on enemy archers and possibly even light cavalry while not taking too many casualties.
Caucasian Slingers
https://i151.photobucket.com/albums/...Caucslings.jpg
These are the highlanders from the western regions (especially Artsakh) of Great Armenia which is a part of the Caucasus. They where born in the parts of Highland areas and united as a units in Armenian army.These are the men who have taken up flinging rocks as a profession, and you better believe it, these men are not to be underestimated. I learned that the hard way… They wear the signature Armenian Hershey’s Kisses helmet, and go into battle with some metal plating, allowing them to dish out as well as take some damage.
Armenian Mounted Archers
https://i151.photobucket.com/albums/...mmountarch.jpg
Armenia, being right next to the nomadic nations of the Russian steppe, have faced many invasions in its lifetime, and have forced me to fight fire with fire. Armenian Mounted Archers are not as good as their nomadic counterparts, but with my, I mean, Armenia’s, superior economy, those nomads don’t stand a chance. They wear the signature cap of the long gone Phrygians. Armenia continued to utilize horse archer tactics until the Kingdom of Armenian Cilicia (1071-1377) when the Turkish Horse Archers were terrorizing Western armies.
Median Mounted Skirmishers
https://i151.photobucket.com/albums/...rmmedskirm.jpg
These men hail from the lands of the Armenian province of Atropatene. They are Medians, the same Medians who once held sway over the majority of the Middle East. Their state might be a thing of the past, but their people live on and fight bravely for the Armenian Arkah. They made up the left flank of Tigranes II’s army at Tigranocerta. Maybe that’s not the best example of their courage, since they fled the battle, but make no mistake, these men will kill if placed under a competent commander. They fight for me skirmisher style, lobbing javelins first and then, if need be, closing in for hand to hand combat. They wear the signature vanilla headdress of the Easterners, which allows them to do absolutely nothing of importance.
Armenian Mounted Skirmishers
https://i151.photobucket.com/albums/...mountskirm.jpg
These Armenians enjoy lobbing javelins at people, but instead of fighting on foot, these men prefer to do it while on horseback. These men have the ability to kill and then avoid being killed themselves, a good investment if you ask me. I like them because they don’t die very easily and I don’t have to replace them as often. Armenian horses are faster and more fiery than those of their Parthian and Median counterparts, so you can depend on them to escape even the quickest threat.
Azat Cavalry
https://i151.photobucket.com/albums/...azatnobles.jpg
Azat - (azat, verbatim - "free", initially, apparently, "godly" from the the Aryan yazata) noble, aristocrat. Term goes back to the Aryan yazata, which verbatim indicates "godly", "having godly origin", "worthy of worship". Sometimes (in the late history of Armenia) by azats was understood small nobility, in contrast to nakharars, the representatives of Great Nobles it was ancestral. These Azats are mounted on Armenian horses, some of the best horses around. These men are not able to hold up against the cataphracts of Parthia nor the argyraspids of Seleucia, but their charge is fierce and regular infantry will not stand up to them. They bear the sign of the Armenian Arkah on their shields, and you can be sure that they won’t fail him. As most Armenian troops do, they wear the Hershey’s Kisses helmet descended from the Vannic armies of old.
Nakharar Cavalry
https://i151.photobucket.com/albums/...mmountnakh.jpg
These men are Nakharars. Nakharars are the result of Armenia’s ancient feudal system, which has existed at least since the time of the ancient Vannic kings of Nairi in 1300BC. Nakharars are the highest class of nobles, and they only answer to the Armenian Arkah.Nakharar was a hereditary title of the highest order for the ancient and medieval Armenian nobility. Armenia was divided into large estates, which were the property of an enlarged noble family and were ruled by a member of it, to whom the title of nahapet “chief of the family” or tanuter master of the house was given. Other members of a nakharar family in their turn ruled over smaller portions of the family estate. Nakharars with greater authority were recognized as ishkhans (princes). This system has often been labeled as feudal for practical purposes; however, there are differences between this system and the feudal system later adopted in Western Europe. The estate as a whole was actually ruled by a single person, it was nonetheless considered the property of his whole enlarged family, so that, if the ruler died heirless, he was succeeded by a member of a different branch of the family. Furthermore, it was allowed to alienate a part of the family estate only to another member of the family or by permission of the whole enlarged family. This may also explain why Armenian feudal families were normally endogamic, in order not to scatter parts of their property, as would have happened if they had to give a part of their property to another family as dowry. It must also be noted that endogamic marriages had a religious reason too, particularly before Christianity, because Armenian paganism favored marriages between relatives very highly. In 4th century Armenia, as in Parthia, large estates were hereditarily possessed by noble families and actually ruled by a member of them. The whole enlarged family was devoted to the worship of the same ancestors, lived in small fortified villages and spent most part of their time in hunting and in banqueting. Furthermore, each nakharar family had a particular social function: in Armenia a member of the Arshakuni family was chosen as king, who was consequently a sort of primus inter pares; among the Mamikonians the chief general of the army (sparapet) was chosen, one of the Bagratunis was the chivalry chief (aspet) and king crowner (tagadir), and so on. The nakharar structure remained unchanged for many centuries and was finally eliminated during the Mongol invasions in the thirteenth century. Certain aspects of the nakharar system remained intact in Armenia until the early 20th century, when the noble class was altogether abolished by the Bolsheviks. They will fight to the death to protect their possessions, and are the some of the most fearsome cavalry that I, the Armenian Arkah, can field. They are armed with maces that will shatter the skulls of even the most thick headed opponents They have horse armor and they themselves have tons of armor, so basically the only way to take these guys out is a flank attack or a shot to the exposed eye socket. I’m sure you won’t be stupid enough to let that happen… or will you?
(A portion of this entry is courtesy of Wikipedia)
Armenian Bodyguard Cavalry
https://i151.photobucket.com/albums/...Armbodycav.jpg
These men are the personal bodyguards of my Zoravars. They are heavily armored from head to toe and with their armored horses are extremely tough to take down. They have not failed me, and I am sure they will not fail you. They also have horse armor like the nakharars, and are almost invincible from the front, and are only vulnerable on the flanks.
Armenian Zoravar
https://i151.photobucket.com/albums/...Armgeneral.jpg
My troops are led by the finest men available. An Armenian Zoravar is a man of great ability, both physically and mentally. When I am too tired to lead the royal army myself, I choose from only the finest selection of men in Armenia, and you can bet on it that I chose right. An Armenian general is mounted on the finest steeds available and has the best equipment in Europe, Armenian iron.
Armenian Cataphracts
https://i151.photobucket.com/albums/...ataphracts.jpg
Before Armenia got access to T-72’s in 1991, cataphracts were Armenia’s tanks. Armenia began using cataphracts probably after its incorporation into the Achaemenid Persian Empire by Darius I. Armenia copied a few aspects of military from their Persian overlords and used it well against their powerful future neighbors of Rome and Parthia. Armenian cataphracts broke the Parthians in the Battle of Mesopotamia, protected Armenia from Lucullus’s wrath near Artaxata, destroyed Mark Antony’s army in an ambush, and ended Roman influence in Armenia at the Battle of Rhandeia. Armenian steeds are known to be smaller than their Persian and Median counterparts, but more fiery and energetic. They have the most fearsome charge of any other cavalry in the world, and their armor makes them nearly impervious. Beware all those who make Armenia their enemy once these troops are deployed.
Armenian Heavy Mounted Archers
https://i151.photobucket.com/albums/...ataarchers.jpg
This cavalry is the most frustrating opponent to face when you are the enemy of Armenia. These are the elite horse archers of the Arkah, and are not to be underestimated. They have extremely long range that can only be matched by their Parthian foes, yet are also clad in Armenian iron, making them nearly impervious to a frontal missile barrage. With these men at Armenia’s disposal, Rome will tremble and the Spartans will wet their skirts. If need be, these men can also be used for a powerful frontal attack, making them an ideal unit for any Armenian army. If only they were cheaper…
Credits:
Tone-For creating nearly the entire unit roster, the largest and greatest Armenian roster ever!
Antiochus Epiphanes-For the cataphracts and cataphract archers and historical input.
Spirit of Rob-For a couple of elements from his textures
Drtad-For guidance throughout the creation of the units and the roster, and all of the unit descriptions except for one
Armenios-For pictoral references and all new ideas for the roster, as well as a few descriptions
Europa Barbarorum- For their cataphract horse model.
Dvk- For creating the mod in the first place. Yay, Dvk!
