Romaioktonoi: The mighty Group AAR

[Amyntor Parthenias Panton]

Chapter: Agema Soteros Hellenon

Leader: Megas Strategos Hellenon (and his retinue)

Situated on: Kroton (Main base of Operation), Syrakousai

Deeds:
Megas Strategos Hellenon, the founder of the Agema Soteros Hellenon, was a Hellen and formerly Misthophoros Strategos, serving for pay for Syrakousai (before its fall to the Romaioi) and Taras (before its fall to the Romaioi). He took a risk of minimalizing the number of Somatophylakes so that he can save up for a business so that he can raise funds for his chapter of the Romaioktonoi. He succeeded, risking his life countless times while he was a Misthophoros. This had 2 ramifications: it made him wily and closer to his less elite soldiers, but it also allowed him to save up for his own trading fleet. Initially, pirates have victimized his fleet, but later as he saved up for his convoy fleets of Trieres, Megas Strategos started to make a profit. His trading fleet allowed him to establish relations with many merchants (some ended up joining his retinue). Megas Strategos now was able to be independent, just before the fall of those two patron cities one time or another. Megas Strategos Hellenon went to hiding, secretly raising fund out of Romaioi watch. Then he raised his own army (didn't have the name yet) and liberated Kroton from the Romaioi. Romaioi sent armies to take back Kroton, which were repulsed as the Strategos gained experiences from his countless wars. Megas Strategos, now having a retinue of engineers, strategists, merchants, and blacksmiths, established the Megale Schole in Kroton (mentioned more at the Social segment) whose tuitions were much lower than a standard Schole (allowing for a massive increase in human capital for the Romaioktonoi cause). After the liberation of Kroton, The Megas Strategos declared that the Agema Soteros Hellenon is here and hopefully a part of Romaioktonoi. Later on, Megas Strategos liberates Syrakousai and fortifies it (along with a larger port).

Economics:
Agema Soteros Hellenon derives most of its income from taxes from trade, as the Megas Strategos Hellenon encourages trade with his public trading fleet. He takes a revolutionary stand: a government-maintained trading fleet that a merchant can rent a portion of for a price much lower than the cost to buy a ship. Merchants still can choose a private choice, which was often cheaper to compete, but merchants choosing the government choice often were better protected as government knew when the ships leave (it negotiated with the renters when to set sail), making the navy better informed of the rented fleets' locations. This allowed for a rise in entrepreneurship (and successful businesses too). Agema Soteros Hellenon has its own fleet of trading fleet specifically for its use, and 6 fleets of 8 pentereis to guard the water between Syrakousai and Kroton. It saves up for a fleet of Poliremes. It also wants to establish official trading relations with other Romaioktonoi and the Karchedoi.

Social:
Socially Agema Soteros Hellenon makes the government involved in the average life of a citizen. Although it leaves citizens alone generally, it expects them to pay taxes and contribute to the public works (free volunteers are paid, although most are rented slaves from private slaveowners). It also established the Megale Schole of Kroton (something very reminiscent of a public school) that charges a low tuition (affordable by most middle-class) to encourage a more educated body of people. In fact, the retinue of Megas Strategos often teach in the Megale Schole of Kroton (which can house up to 1500 people with its 20 rooms and a main hallway)

Military:
Agema Soteros Hellenon burrows heavily from the Maks, having its own body of elite phalangitai named Choreutai Theou 2000 men strong. Agema Soteros Hellenon alsofields a talantiaios lithobolos and 48 pentereis (and 96 tetrereis). It however lacks a strong cavalry arm, as there is a dearth of horses, as well as a lack of trained men suited to cavalry. It has a strong defense, having a large port on both cities that it holds, along with large walls (Megale Teichea) to protect them.

Quotes:
"Romaioktonoi! 'Clap 5 times'"
"Κυνες Ρομαικοι προσβαλλεσιν!" - Roman dogs are attacking!
"φορετε θανατον πολεμιοις!" - Lit. carry deaths to the enemy!
"You will be like the Karchedoi: Barbaropolis will be showered with salt."