Xanthippos

[HamilcarBarca]

I just love the Xanthippos scripted character in the Carthaginian game. A terrific solution to the challenge of adding a Spartan mercenary to the Punic army! Well done!

I was hoping someone could explain the triggers to his arrival. I have looked in the FAQ, but could find no explanation there.

I assume Carthage must first be at war with Rome? Does it only happen in 255 BC?

H.

[bovi]

Yes.

[Dumbass]

I like his spartan hoplite bodyguard, nice addition and flavour for Carthage. Anyway to make his portrait that of a Greek?

[Pharnakes]

No, you can't control portraits except to give a group to a culture.

[Geoffrey S]

I like his spartan hoplite bodyguard, nice addition and flavour for Carthage. Anyway to make his portrait that of a Greek?

Did Xanthippos arrive with Spartan troops? I was always under the impression he was there alone or with only a very small group. I guess as head of a group of mercenaries he must have had a decent amount of troops with him, but are they explicitely mentioned to be Spartans?

[Eduorius]

When the recruitment officer arrived from Greece (possibly Cape Tainairon) in the winter of 256 BC, he arrived with around 50 - 100 Greek mercenaries.

Polybius doesnt tells what this Greek mercenaries were, but I assume they were probably hoplites.

Because they were so few, because they were mercs, because of their number, and because of the engine limitations, we tought that the best way to represent this troops was to made them the bodyguards for Xan.

I think that nobody here wants Xan using a Sacred Band Cav as bodyguards like the other Carthaginian generals. Giving Spartans, for a Spartan general was the best option in my mind.

[Sarkiss]

wasnt he historically on a horse back?

[Eduorius]

Not from the sources I got, but I will love to know yours. I dont know all and surely havent read all.

[Geoffrey S]

When the recruitment officer arrived from Greece (possibly Cape Tainairon) in the winter of 256 BC, he arrived with around 50 - 100 Greek mercenaries.

Polybius doesnt tells what this Greek mercenaries were, but I assume they were probably hoplites.

Because they were so few, because they were mercs, because of their number, and because of the engine limitations, we tought that the best way to represent this troops was to made them the bodyguards for Xan.

I think that nobody here wants Xan using a Sacred Band Cav as bodyguards like the other Carthaginian generals. Giving Spartans, for a Spartan general was the best option in my mind.

Giving him Spartan troops seems somewhat extreme, especially considering the small amount of mercenaries he apparently arrived with. If I've got time I'll try to look around for more details, but at first glance I'd have thought realism would be better served by a group of regular hoplites; or perhaps a random type of bodyguard, ranging from Spartans to peltasts (or even no Xanthippus at all), keeping in line with EBs motto that the starting position is correct, but the rest of history isn't predetermined?

[skuzzy]

I agree that standard hoplites should be used as his bodyguard as compared to Spartan hoplites.

[Poulp']

No, you can't control portraits except to give a group to a culture.

How about scripting some force diplomacy, bribing a greek-culture general ?
the problem of the general's portrait is solved (by creating a huge load of new problems...)

[Spoofa]

Xanthippos was alive when the game starts, thats why they included him.

[HamilcarBarca]

Did Xanthippos arrive with Spartan troops? I was always under the impression he was there alone or with only a very small group.

Well the sources are unanimous in describing Xanthippus as either a "Spartan" or as a "Lakedaemon", having been "brought up in the Spartan discipline", and strongly suggest that he was a Spartiate and that he arrived as the leader of a significant company of mercenaries.

While these mercenaries were likely a miscelleny of Greek mercenary hoplites (the Peloponnese, particularly Arcadia and Achaea being rich recruiting grounds for Greek mercs).

So the EB version of Xanthippos, depicting him and his men as Spartans, is likely a stretch, but I think there is enough historical material to justify it, as it makes the game a historically richer and more entertaining experience.

"Just about this time there arrived at Carthage one of the recruiting-officers they had formerly dispatched to Greece, bringing a considerable number of soldiers and among them a certain Xanthippus of Lacedaemon, a man who had been brought up in the Spartan discipline, and had had a fair amount of military experience" (Polybius, 1.32.1).

In the person of Regulus, Fortuna wanted to to give an example of both sides of fate: he was defeated and captured by Xanthippus, a Spartan leader that had been invited by the Carthaginians to support them" (Livy, 18.255.2).

"the Carthaginians, considering that their misfortunes were due to bad generalship, asked the Lacedaemonians to send them a commander. The Lacedaemonians sent them Xanthippus." (Appian, 3.2).

"... various allies came to the Carthaginians, among them Xanthippus from Sparta. This man assumed absolute authority over the Carthaginians, since the populace was eager to entrust matters to his charge and Hamilcar together with the other officials stepped aside voluntarily" (Zonaras, 11.13).

H.

[johhny-turbo]

Just curious but slightly related,


Is there any event associated should the Epirotes capture Sparta? If I recall correctly there was an exiled Spartan that asked Pyrrus to put him to the throne.

[Bootsiuv]

That sounds like a stretch....but I'm all for scripted events...I smile everytime that little guy pops up in the corner.

Which is ironic in a sense, cuz after the first time playing Rome (and needing it to learn), I was enormously annoyed to see him pop up in the corner, having then realized that I forgot to turn off advice.

[HamilcarBarca]

Is there any event associated should the Epirotes capture Sparta? If I recall correctly there was an exiled Spartan that asked Pyrrus to put him to the throne.Is there any event associated should the Epirotes capture Sparta? If I recall correctly there was an exiled Spartan that asked Pyrrus to put him to the throne.

Pyrrhos campaigned in the Peloponnese in 272, unsuccessfully attacking Sparta, trying to put the Spartan pretender Cleonymus on the throne of Sparta.

Pyrrhos abandoned the attack on Sparta after being repulsed, and opportunistically attacked nearby Argos, where he was killed.

H.

[Centurion_275]

I don't know what I could have done wrong, but in my Carthaginian game it is in the 240's and I don't have Xanthippos!

I was really looking forward to having him capture Rome, but I have been waiting so long and I have no idea where he is or when he is supposed to come.

I just started war with the Romans in around 248 if that helps.

[Leão magno]

So to Xantiphos appear Carthage must be at war with Roma and it needs to be year 255? Does it need the player to be ROman, does it work with player as Karthage? it only happens in 255? Are these the only triggers?

So many doubts :) :) :)

[Atilius]

Xanthippos may be recuited by the Qarthadastim during the years 256 and 255 if they are at war with the Romans and if he has not already been offered. The player is notified of his availability by the advisor.

[Eduorius]

Ok guys common we are not sure what he brought, but for gameplay reasons do you really want a general with normal hoplites or peltasts as bodyguards?! I think that the Spartans are the best option for Xan.

On a sidenote and tought that maybe some of you guys may be interested.

Some scholars say that Xanthippos was defending Sparta during the attack of Pyrrhus and it is said that the elephant tactics that he used against Regulus were learned from what he saw from Pyrrhus.

Other interesting fact is that after his service with Carthage, he went under the service of the Ptolemies because he was causing a lot of envy between the Carthaginian aristocracy.

[Kingsilver]

whew! glad to hear this is supposed to be in the game. when i saw a unit of spartan hoplites in a carthaginian army, i about peed my pants!

[Watchman]

Meh, the Sacred Band is about as tough anyway. Worry about them instead, nevermind now the mounted kind.

[Leão magno]

Xanthippos may be recuited by the Qarthadastim during the years 256 and 255 if they are at war with the Romans and if he has not already been offered. The player is notified of his availability by the advisor.

Great I did not know that and was not at war with rome by that period! nest time I shall have Xantipphos devastatins the red army

[Leão magno]

Are there any other events like this in EB 1.0? Where can I find a list of them and their requirements?

[Bonny]

Are there any other events like this in EB 1.0? Where can I find a list of them and their requirements?

as Aedui or Averni your are asked by Epirus to help them take some Eleutheroi settlements. An advisor will popup and if you accept your diplomatic standing to several factions will change. If you finish the mission you will get soem cash as reward.

As Pontus you will be asked by an Hellenic Eleutheroi town (Olbia(?) for help if a Sauromatae army advances near the town. If you crush the sauromatae you will be rewarded with the city.

As Makedonia/AS you can bring the body of Alexander from Alexandria to Pella/Seleukia.

Several Conflicts are scripted if certain towns are attacked (Messena, thermon, and some other East greek Eleutheroi cities).

[Atilius]

As Pontus you will be asked by an Hellenic Eleutheroi town...

It's Chersonesos.

[Leão magno]

Tuly fascinating! As Karthadastim, what are the others, please, let me know so I wont let them ass as I let, by ignorance of its very existence, the Xantipphos event