Ilergetes - A case for a new faction

[Bucefalo]

ILERGETES – A CASE FOR A NEW FACTION


This is the faction proposal for one of the most warlike of all the coastal iberian tribes, they played an important role participating actively during the second punic war, siding first with the Carthaginians and later with the Romans. The coastal Iberian tribes (such as the turdetani, bastetani, edetani, etc.) were quite different from the tribes of the interior of the peninsula, and I think they should be represented separately. That´s why I propose the Ilergetes, who were one of the tribes who opposed most resistance against the invaders of all the iberian coastal tribes.


Ilergetes, Indiketes and Iacetanos: Iberian camps next to the walls of Emporion

Of Iberian origin with Celtic influences, the Ilergetes were one of the most powerful peoples of the East of the Peninsula.
His ethnic root begins in the a.c Xth century, key date since he supposes the end of the Age of the Bronze and the beginning of that of Iron.
The Ilergetes settled in the current provinces of Lleida, Huesca, and long ago also in the North of Saragossa and even of Castellón.
His capital was still not open Atanagrum, but nevertheless his most well-known cities were Iltirta (Lleida) and Esoi.
His society was divided in classes much hierarchised, with a strong component military and directed by a king or régulo.
This Iberian people developed an economic potency in his area of influence and minted proper currency, taking advantage of the commerce that they were supporting with the Greek city of Emporion (Ampurias). Also they developed the gold work and the metallurgy.
His most important historical figure was king Indibil allied of Carthage during the Second Punic War.
They were definitively defeated by Rome in the year 194 a.c by the intervention of the consular legions of Catón.

The indiketes occupied the coast gerundese, and taking advantage of the closeness of the Greek cities of Rhode (Roses) and Emporion developed a trade policy that allowed them to mint proper currency, your capital was Indika (Iberian part of Emporion) and they were much influenced by the Hellene ones in many fields of his society.

The Iacetanos were of Gallic origin and they were related with the French aquitanos. They occupied the provinces of Saragossa and Huesca.
During the IIIrd and IInd centuries a.c carried frequent operations of pillage out against the peoples of aldrededor, especially against the suessetanos, what I create to them reputation of barbarian and backward people. Nevertheless also, like the previous ones, minted proper currency and thanks to the rubrics that appear in them we know that his language was Iberian with influences vasconas. His society was matrilineal, or probably led by women in the domestic matters and for men in the warlike matters.
They were defeated by Catón in 195 B.C.

Location of the Ilergetes




Linguistic differences between the iberian tribes (in Spanish)

http://www.geocities.com/linguaeimpe...spanic_es.html

Iberian and Celtic names (in Spanish)
http://hispanismo.org/geografia-y-et...-y-celtas.html

Possible faction symbol

This is a coin found in Iaca (Jaca), actual Aragón. The faction symbol could be the rider depicted on the coin.




The Ilergetes in the Second Punic War (in Spanish)

http://descargas.cervantesvirtual.co...030.pdf?incr=1

Victory conditions



Military

They would have a roster composed of mostly Iberian troops (iberi caetrati, velites, scutari etc.) with some exterior influences, like the use of celtic long swords or some greek style armour.
Here is a depiction of a Ilergete warrior.



And some reconstructions







Sources

http://www.satrapa1.com/paginas/anib...ispania206.htm
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilergetas
http://piedraantigua.blogcindario.co...-emporion.html
http://www.enciclopedia-aragonesa.co...sp?voz_id=7047
http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/vie...21543&start=40
http://www.pasapues.es/aragonesasi/h...rerromanos.php

[Kara Mustafa]

An interesting idea! I would love to see a new faction in Hispania

[caetrati]

Actually I think that it would be ok to represent both cultures in Iberia (celtic and iberic). And it is really interesting this case for a new faction. Because of the interesting greek and celt influences it have.

I think that the Turdetani are most relevant between the Iberian tribes, but I think they werent so war-friend as the Ilergetes.

Anyway the best case for a new faction in Iberia are the Arevaci, because of a lot of reasons.

Grettings.

[Andy1984]

Nice pictures but euhm... I wonder how many more factions EB is going to place right in the way of Roman expansion. By putting Massalia where it is, and making Syracuse a faction, Rome is even more likely to be stuck on it's peninsula. While I definitly don't want Rome to blitz the world, confining her to Italy isn't perfect either. Maybe that's why I would prefer to have extra factions not interfering with the early-Roman influence (like Asian nomads, a Baltic tribe, a second Arabian faction, Pergamom, ...).

[Scud]

Nice pictures but euhm... I wonder how many more factions EB is going to place right in the way of Roman expansion. By putting Massalia where it is, and making Syracuse a faction, Rome is even more likely to be stuck on it's peninsula. While I definitly don't want Rome to blitz the world, confining her to Italy isn't perfect either. Maybe that's why I would prefer to have extra factions not interfering with the early-Roman influence (like Asian nomads, a Baltic tribe, a second Arabian faction, Pergamom, ...).

I must of missed that, but when did Syracuse get comfirmed as being a faction we'll see in EBII?

[Saldunz]

I have to say that I really like the idea of having both a new in-land Celtiberian faction and a coastal Iberian faction to complement the Lusitanian and Carthaginian presence in Iberia. In fact, I often feel that the Lusitani do a little too well in my games, practically uniting most of Iberia by the time the Romans get there.

The only thing that I'm not entirely sure of, however, is how the province of Lacetania is represented in the game. It would be held by an Iberian faction but have a (independent) Greek capital? How would that work?

EDIT: And Syracuse wasn't confirmed to being a faction (yet).

[athanaric]

By putting Massalia where it is, and making Syracuse a faction, Rome is even more likely to be stuck on it's peninsula.

AFAIK Massalia is an unlikely candidate for inclusion in EB II. Perhaps you meant (Numidian) Massylia? One is in Europe and the other is actually a potential ally for the Romaioi, being a thorn in the side of Qart-Hadast's African core provinces.

[Cartaphilus]

Great idea.
I support (at least) a new faction in our beloved Peninsula. This could be one good possibility, and the "celtiberians" another nice choice.

[Andy1984]

AFAIK Massalia is an unlikely candidate for inclusion in EB II. Perhaps you meant (Numidian) Massylia? One is in Europe and the other is actually a potential ally for the Romaioi, being a thorn in the side of Qart-Hadast's African core provinces.

You're right. Until now Syracuse hasn't been confirmed by EB. Though I think it is most likely to be implemented, given the positive reactions from EB-members in that thread.

[Moros]

Now that's atleast an original choice for a faction, and the faction has a good case as well if you ask me!

[madbriton]

It has to be pointed out that the EBII team have already decided on the new factions, they just haven't all been announced yet.

That said, it might be interesting to have another faction in that area, although it might corner the Lusitanns a bit.

[Leão magno]

Nice option!!! I loved then when I played IBTW!!!! And they already have the proper art work (for RTW anyway)!