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Thread: Minor Factions Preview... Syracuse and the Kingdom of Bosporos

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    Default Minor Factions Preview... Syracuse and the Kingdom of Bosporos




    ----Kingdom of Syracuse----
    or as its Hellenic name would be at the time,

    ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΟΝ ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ



    Or as would be transliterated in English...



    BASILEION SYRAKOSION

    Sicily was wealthy, powerful, and sophisticated; the cosmopolitan city of Syracuse had long prided itself on the high quality of its artists-including its coin engravers-. The city itself was considered one of the best and finest in the Hellenistic world. It ruled over its part of Sicily, and ruled Supreme. Syracuse of 216 BCE is a state about to plunge into Chaos, but not many of its citizens know it. Its King, Hieron was the one who created the final glow of its glory. Here is what we know about him...
    E. Oteri, a reknown historian writes the following on Hiero: "The literary sources are minimal. It is mainly in the context of the First and Second Punic Wars, in particular the conflicts with the Mamertines -- the Campanian mercenaries of Agathokles who were plundering northeastern Sicily at the time -- that Polybios (I 8-12; VII 2-8) and later historians mentioned Hieron II. He fought with Pyrrhos in his unsuccessful Italian campaign, and, after the Epirote conqueror left Sicily in 272 B.C., Hieron was acclaimed general by the army. He married the daughter of an influential Syracusan, Leptines, and with his support gained control of Syracuse. The daughter's name is not given in the literature but she is usually identified with the queen attested on an inscription discovered in the theater of Syracuse, and also on issues of silver coins: "BASILISSAS PHILISTIDOS". After Hieron's victory over the Mamertines at the river Longanus in 269 B.C., he was proclaimed "basileus". Because there are inscriptions mentioning "the kings", in the plural, and also because Gelon on the coins is represented with the royal diadem, like his father, it is assumed that around 240 B.C. he became co-ruler. In 233/32 B.C. Gelon married the Epirote princess Nereis, daughter or granddaughter of Pyrrhos, whose name is also attested by an inscription in the theater and also by the ancient sources. At the beginning of the First Punic War (Pol. I 11.7) which took place mainly on Sicilian soil, Hieron, reversing more than three centuries of hostilities, sided with the Carthaginians. But, after the success of the Roman legions at the siege of Messana, he offered his support to the Romans and reached an agreement that allowed him a certain neutrality and a long peaceful reign (Pol. I 16-17). At the onset of the Second Punic War, Syracuse provided financial and military aid, and Hieron remained faithful to Rome until his death in 215 B.C., soon after the battle of Cannae. He was over ninety (Pol. I 7, 8), and, his son Gelon having predeceased him, he was succeeded by his grandson Hieronymos who, blinded by Hannibal's successes, switched allegiance to Carthage."

    Great works of "Hiero's Era" the final era of one of the greatest Hellenic Poleis, Syracuse,

    Syrakosia, (from www.mlahanas.de )
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


    and


    The Syracusia was probably the largest transport ship of antiquity build after an order of Hieron II, king of Syracuse, by Archias of Corinth around 240 BC, later it was given as a gift to Ptolemy III Euergetes of Alexandria and it was renamed to Alexandria (or Alexandris). Designed by Archimedes. Used a variant of his screw to pull the unfinished ship into the sea where the work was completed.
    One od the earliest mosaics mentioned in literature are those made for the ship of Hiero II. with scenes from the Iliad, which took 300 skilled workmen a whole year to execute (Athenaeus, 206 d). The stated goal of Syrakosia was to sail wherever in the Mediterranean there was famine and try to alleviate some of the pain and suffering by being able to transport 1900 tons of grain to whichever port needed it. Famine was something quite normal at that time. A failed crops, a pirate attack or better yet a neighbour who just wanted more, meant that the city would starve. Whether Syrakosia was actually ever used for that reason or not, we don't know, but the will to do it was there, stated by Hiero himself.
    Dimensions:
    55m x 14 m x 13 m.
    Material:
    Wood; Pine and fir from Mount Etna forests, cordage from Spain. Hemp and pitch for caulking from France (Rhone Valley). Hull fastened with cooper spikes, and also lead sheets used to cover the planks. The material used for the Syracusia was enough to build 60 conventional trireme ships.



    Archimedes screw was used as a bilge pump for the Syracusia, operated by only one man:
    The bilge-water, even when it became very deep, could easily be pumped out by one man with the aid of the screw, an invention of Archimedes.
    Athenaeus of Naucratis (c. AD 200), Deipnosophistae, Book V

    (That pump was used in Egypt for irrigational purposes for more than 2.000 years, until finally put to rest by modern electric and gasoline powered pumps)

    Transportation:

    400 soldiers on the first upper deck. 142 First Class passengers cabins on the second deck with a library and reading room, a gymnasium, a chapel dedicated to Aphrodite (maybe Aphrodite Pontia), a dining room and a bath. According to the archaeologist Marsia Sfakianou there were 15 rooms on each side each with 4 beds. Lower deck for cargo, example for the first trip from Syracuse to Alexandria: 60000 measures of grain, 10000 jars of pickled Sicilian fish, 20000 talents of wool, 20000 talents other cargo that adds up to 1900 tons of our time. Also separate stalls to transport 20 horses. Usually ships in the Hellenistic times transported less than 1/10 of this weight. A container with 78 tons water was used to provide water for the passengers and for the bathroom with a water container heated with steam.
    Arms for defense:
    Eight deck towers including a 18-foot arrow or 180 pound stone catapult build by Archimedes. (Athen. 5.206d-209b. )
    Although I have no information I can imagine that Archimedes used the Syracusia for his travel to Alexandria to the Library of Alexandria and his friend Eratosthenes.


    Hiero's Ara,
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Along with having the theater expanded, Hiero created a new and imense altar, Hiero's Ara.

    The Theatre, whose cavea is one of the largest ever built by the ancient Greeks: it has 67 rows, divided into 9 sections with 8 aisles. Only traces of the scene and the orchestra remain. The edifice (still used today) was modified by the Romans, who adapted it to their different style of spectacles, including also circus games. Near the theatre are the latomìe, stone quarries, also used as prisons in ancient times. The most famous latomìa is the Orecchio di Dionisio ("Ear of Dionysius").



    Euryalos fort, the strongest fortification in the Hellenistic world,
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    The following map shows Euryalos, one of the most fortified "redoubt" or wall part of the ancient world.



    Epipolai and the fortifications of Syracuse were considered among the best in the ancient world. Epipolai was started in a truce of one of the many wars between Carthage and Syracuse.
    ...the construction of the wall, begun in 401 B.C. during the truce of 405 B.C. between Dionysios and Carthage, the high plateau of Epipolai (measuring 1800 hectare) had become protected against hostile occupation. The Kastell, or citadel, that protected the western outermost point of the plateau, was continually being rebuilt in the following centuries up until the capture of the city by Rome in 211 B.C. This occurred elsewhere with the gates, the so-called »hexapylons«, to the north close to the coast and at the large harbor. The gigantic citadel, the most versatile and refined fortress from antiquity, above all else is a monument that symbolically represented the Hellenistic king of Syracuse. That would be Hieron II.
    http://www.dainst.org/index_573_en.html

    According to Tarn (HELLENISTIC NAVAL AND MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS), there were 3 outer defensive moats, on the last one, about 180 meters away, was the killing zone of the scorpions as it was well within their firing range. This is where and how most Romans died when assaulting Syracuse's Epipolai fortification. This was very important, and the following reason. For a lithobolos or stone throwing catapult to be effective, its range from the walls would need to be around 150 m as will be proven in the following paragraph. If the rance of the scorpions was set around 180 meters, then it stands to reason that not many stone throwing catapults/ ballistae could reach the 165 meters perimeter and operate effectively, or be cut into bits by the oxyboloi/scorpions waiting in the walls. It was this impossible problem which led to the construction of huge contraptions like the "Elepolis" whose main purpose was NOT to take the walls by unloading men into it, but rather to offer some protection to the oxyboloi/scorpions and lithoboloi/ballistae in it, and allow all of them a better shot, as it could go very near the walls it was aimed against.

    Philon Byzantios (in his monumental work describing sieges and besiegeing equipment of the Hellenistic times called "ΠΑΡΑΣΚΕΥΑΣΤΙΚΑ ΚΑΙ ΠΟΛΙΟΡΚΗΤΙΚΑ", ch. v, in 88.8 & 89.9 stresses that the Walls should be 4.6 meters or thicker (to be able to withstand the constant battering of the Lithoboloi/Ballistae, complimented by the obligatory constuction of a system of 3 moats of great depth, with a width of at least 32.3 meters, which are one plethron (30.8 meters) apart from one another, the next ones by 18.5 meters between them, with as many obstacles along the way as can be (big unmoveable rocks etc), so that the 1-talent (his era limit) Lithoboloi couldn't approach the city walls. Those observations reveal that the wall's safety limit from a Lithobolos/stone throwing ballista was about 165 meters. According to historians/archaeologists these are the exact measurements found in Euryalos fort. Philon wasn't imagining the ideal fort. He just described what he saw in Euryalos. The observations that Philon Byzantios draws from are based on the results of various sieges (according to Diodoros Sikeliotes' "IΣΤΟΡΙΚΗ ΒΙΒΛΙΟΘΗΚΗ", ch. xx, 112, succesful sieges which were 46% in the years 322-318 BCE increase to 95% in the last period he mentions, aka 307-303 BCE. This signifies just how much the counter sieging techniques were perfected by that time and what Archimedes was up against.

    Euryalos fort was the penultimate example of anti-siegeing warfare. Those walls couldn't be breached, and in fact never were. Romans under Appius Claudius Pulcher attacked the Epipolai plateau on the east of Euryalos, never Euryalos itself. That just was out of the question.


    Euryalos today...some tunnels by the walls probably service routes for the defenders and the oxyboloi/scorpions crews.


    Euryalos today, roads and buildings of the fort that survived.


    Euryalos reconstruction, part 1


    Euryalos, reconstruction, part 2


    The oxyboloi katapeltai/scorpions which were embedded in Euryalos' walls, probably the reason why the city fell from treason, not fight,


    How the "oxyboloi katapeltai" or "scorpions" (that's how the Romans called them for obvious reasons) worked...



    And now, a "EUREKA" moment... Archimedes. A mind so strong it could be a force of Nature. Few moments have been as famous in History as that when a crazed scientist ran through the streets of Syracuse, naked shouting... "EUREKA" to the world. It was this intellect which convinced Hiero to hire him and use his skills for the benefit of his polis. He was a relative, true, but it is safe to say that his mind mattered most than blood. Plutarch describes the incident which probably was the tipping point for Archimedes' rise.

    Plutarch writes: " Archimedes, however, in writing to King Hiero, whose friend and near relation he was, had stated that given the force, any given weight might be moved, and even boasted, we are told, relying on the strength of demonstration, that if there were another earth, by going into it he could remove this. Hiero being struck with amazement at this, and entreating him to make good this problem by actual experiment, and show some great weight moved by a small engine, he fixed accordingly upon a ship of burden out of the king's arsenal, which could not be drawn out of the dock without great labour and many men; and, loading her with many passengers and a full freight, sitting himself the while far off, with no great endeavour, but only holding the head of the pulley in his hand and drawing the cords by degrees, he drew the ship in a straight line, as smoothly and evenly as if she had been in the sea. The king, astonished at this, and convinced of the power of the art, prevailed upon Archimedes to make him engines accommodated to all the purposes, offensive and defensive, of a siege."


    Secret Weapons of Archimedes...
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Nobody can talk about Syracuse without mentioning the war works of Syracuse's most famous Son, Archimedes. A relative of Hiero, but nobody in his right mind can claim that he owned any of his reputation to that fact. A famous Mathematician, Physician and patriot he did what he could to defend his country against its enemies. He was unsuccesful in the end, but, because of his efforts, the siege of Syracuse lasted for 3 years against what was the Best army of the Ancient World. Not many cities can say that, in fact, none can.

    First, he improved the Lithobolos' catapult (modern reconstruction shown below) so that it could fire 78-81 Kg's worth of stone projectiles. (3 Talents). Those Lithoboloi were instrumental in driving back the Seaborne assault of the Romans, (Marcus Claudius Marcellus attacked the coastal walls of Syracuse with sixty quinqueremes (battleships with five-man oar banks)) along with the claws which will be shown next.


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn2wbZow8cw



    This reconstruction is currently on sale, here...
    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=180295129086

    Not many people liked the lithoboloi/ballistae very much, but those who used them. Most people at that time must have echoed the opinion of Aristotle...
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Aristoteles is actively proposing an abandonment of Hippodamian plan of city layouts (grid plan). (Aristoteles/ΑΡΙΣΤΟΤΕΛΗΣ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΚΑ, vii, 1327a). He considers a city with a grid plan whose walls have been breached undefensible, so a return to an anarchic layout might at least offer some defensive advantages to the grid whose squares and straight roads would deffinitely lead the attackers straight to the city center, effectively collapsing its resistance.

    and someone who liked the oxyboloi/lithoboloi very, very much,

    Demetrios the Besieger and two of his succesful sieges
    The siege of Athens and Salamis in Kypros/Cyprus By Demetrios son of Antigonos (the one eyed) are probably two of the best examples of just how sofisticated siegecraft had become in the Hellenistic world. It isn't farfetched to say that never were constructions of such magnitude erected (the famous "Mechanai" aka Machines") as in those years.

    Before mentioning the siege a small guide to siegecraft in the Hellenistic age. Both sides had bolt throwing (oxyboloi) and stone throwing (lithoboloi) catapults. Oxyboloi would often duke it out, trying to kill off each others crew. Sometimes they were too many that as is mentioned in Motya when Pyrrhos was besieging it, Polybios mentions that the oxyboloi were so many that their crew had no place to stand on the walls. THe stone throwers, aka Lithoboloi tried to destroy the ramparts, whereas the opposing oxyboloi tried to kill the lithobolos' crew, who was being defended by the friendly oxyboloi. Oxyboloi had an advantage because the effective range of the oxybolos (singular of oxyboloi) was 180 meters, whereas to do any damage to the wall the lithobolos had to approach to 165 meters. Elepolis and other Besieging machines were created to protect the lithoboloi and oxyboloi and allow them to focus to one particular section of the wall. Various stratagems were conducted both to enhance the besieging action and to thwart it. That included undermining, using naphta in hopes of burning the enemy "Mechanai" which even if covered with brass were wooden underneath, attacking an undefended part of the wall, attack by sea, diversions of any kind, anything one could imagine and was feasible would be used in a siege. The threat of eventual starvation to be followed by violent death or even worse a life or slavery must have worked wonders in the spirit of the besieged.

    Two sieges of Demetrios will be mentioned as the first was the inspiration for the ill fated assault at the port of Syrakosai by Marcus Claudius Marcellus and the second a measure of exactly what Syrakosai had to face from Appius Claudius Pulchers' army.

    Demetrios set out from Efesos to attack all the Southern cities of Greece and bring them over to his own hegemony. At 307 BCE, target was Athens. He enters Peiraieus with a squadron of 20 ships (probably quinciremes, armed with lithoboloi and oxyboloi) and after a heavy bombardment he is able to conquer the port before his main fleet arrives. Stunned by the audacity of the attack the athenian guard falls back on the Fort of Mounichia (Diodoros Sikeliotes- ΙΣΤΟΡΙΚΗ ΒΙΒΛΙΟΘΗΚΗ, xx, 45.1-3.), which is then besieged by Demetrios and conquered after two days of very heavy bombardment, which makes defense impossible as Diodoros says because the lithoboloi of Demetrios destroy systematically the ramparts (Diodoros Sikeliotes ΙΣΤΟΡΙΚΗ ΒΙΒΛΙΟΘΗΚΗ,[D.S.-I.B. from now on] xx, 45.7.

    Demetrios besieges Salamis in Kypros/Cyprus the same year. The general of Ptolemaios, whose territory Salamis is, Menelaos, has done some countersiege work. The engineer corps of Antigonos creates very heavy 3-talent lithoboloi (with weight of projectile 78,6 Kg.) and a missile platform-tower, the "Elepolis" after the designs of Diades and Poseidoneios. Its height is 42 meters, it has 9 floors ((D.S.-I.B. xx,48.1), in the lowest are the 3-talent lithoboloi (D.S.-I.B. xx,48.3) and on the next, porgressively smaller lithoboloi and eventually oxyboloi are placed. Like in Peiraius, the lithoboloi destroy systematically the ramparts, causing despair to the defenders until the situation is reversed when they manage to set the besieging towers on fire by crude naphta bearing arrow bolts ((D.S.-I.B. xx,48.6). The fate of Salamis in Kypros, however is sealed when the Ptolemaic navy carrying the relief force is defeated by Demetrios whose squadrons are all equipped with lithoboloi and oxyboloi. Without any resupply and reinforcement, Menelaos has no choice but to surrender Salamis. After this siege, Demetrios gets a new nickname which will forever be a part of his name. From now on he will be called "Demetrios o Poliorketes", Demetrios the Besieger.



    Second the claw,
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    The following pictures demonstrate how the claw could have worked. There are two historically and scientifically plausible explanations. First is shown in the first two pictures, (counterweight theory), second in the last two (bulls pulled the claw). Both could be correct, as both are plausible and for one reason. The ships at that time were very unstable, as most of their structure and weight was above water to allow for speed and ease of rowing. Tipping them over was easy and destruction would ensue as happened to the Romans many times during the first Carthagenian war.


    another one,

    another,

    and another,


    How those could be used in the Romani siege, but I consider the above as historically plausible, not the ones below...

    and

    and

    and the obligatory blast from the (medieval times) past...



    Third, Archimedes' DEATH RAYS...

    Not much I can say here. I think the experts have to speak. Read the article by M.I.T. 's own...
    http://web.mit.edu/2.009/www/experim...desResult.html
    The short burn period created a hole through the planks.
    Our 2.009 conclusion?
    Feasibility estimate confirmed!
    For those who want to read on about the Siege of Syracuse,
    http://www.math.nyu.edu/~crorres/Archimedes/Siege/Summary.html

    and from the sources themselves,
    Polybios,
    http://www.math.nyu.edu/~crorres/Archimedes/Siege/Polybius.html

    Livy,
    http://www.math.nyu.edu/~crorres/Archimedes/Siege/Livy.html

    Ploutarchos,
    http://www.math.nyu.edu/~crorres/Archimedes/Siege/Plutarch.html

    Dio Cassius,
    http://www.math.nyu.edu/~crorres/Archimedes/Siege/DioCassius.html

    As an epilogue to the Hellenistic Kingdom of Syracuse, the following coin...


    It depicts God Ares in a very characteristic Syrakosian helmet, with Nike on the other side of the coin and a bull being sacrificed for victory by the flying godess of victory, Nike itself. Alas this was not enough. Misled into alliance with the enemy of more than 300 years, Carthage, by two generals who were half Carthagenian, all the efforts of its finest son Archimedes went in vain. Even now, however, when one wants to know more about Archimedes, he has to find out more about his city and his era and all the things which led to his demise. Even from beyond, Archimedes stands guard for his City, not allowing it to be ever forgotten for as long as Archimedes is known so will Hellenistic Syrakosai. To all those reading this, all the work me and the RS team have done on Syracuse, trying to portray it as best we can and bring it to life, is nothing but a small homage to that man. If any of you reading this gains even a small measure of appreciation for that man and his time (because without the "knowledge explosion" that took part in Hellenistic world, fueled by immense wealth and the library of Alexandreia none of this would have happened) then this is a job well done. Romans grew so strong as they did, not because they destroyed Hellenistic civilisation but because they respected it, using its best parts to create what we now know as CrecoRoman world. If only we had more than the 16 of the 43 books Archimedes wrote.




    For more on Syracuse, and some other details on the technical and artistic achievements of Syracuse, the following, else a description of its army will ensue.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


    http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/bmcr/2002/2002-08-05.html

    This switch in allegiance was the bane of Syracuse, and the reason why it was destroyed in the end. Let us get back to Hieron for now.

    He was famous for many things, which are saddly what we know Syracuse today for. Syrakosia, Archimedes and his machines, the great Theater of Syracuse in which inscriptions on Hieron and his family are saved and how it all perished.

    Hieron was famous for his literary pursuits, as he was a patron of literature and the arts.
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    (for more on Hellenistic pursue of the arts,)
    http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/ipha/hd_ipha.htm

    Hellenistic poets and their lives,
    http://www.attalus.org/translate/poets.html

    overall links for them,
    http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1B1-366870.html
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


    Archimedes of Syracuse (ca. 287–211 B.C.), whom many consider the greatest mathematician of antiquity, made important contributions to engineering, including wondrous machines that were used against the Romans at the siege of Syracuse in 212 B.C.
    His contributions to science are the also the following... Physics.

    Prior to the third century b.c. physics had been a branch of philosophy. It was made a separate experimental science by Archimedes of Syracuse. Archimedes discovered the law of floating bodies or specific gravity and formulated with scientific exactness the principles of the lever, the pulley, and the screw. Among his memorable inventions were the compound pulley, the tubular screw for pumping water, the screw propeller for ships, and the burning lens. Although he has been called the "technical Yankee of antiquity," there is evidence that he set no high value upon his ingenious mechanical contraptions and preferred to devote his time to pure scientific research.
    http://www.greek-thesaurus.gr/hellen...e-science.html

    That pure scientific research is what led to his death, when he was too bothered with his geometry circles (drawn in the sand, as this was the blackboard of the time) to save his own life. The Roman soldier who killed him denied humanity of the glow of his mind. His last words were to that effect... "MH MOY TOYS KYKLOYS TARRATE" are saved as his last words, meaning literally "Don't ruin my circles".

    The scene of his death is depicted in the following Roman mosaic,


    The following link, speaks of Archimedes, celebrating his life and work,
    http://ecr.lausd.k12.ca.us/staff/llo...archimedes.pdf


    His funerary stele didn't have a name. Archimedes, even after he died, didn't consider himself that important. What he considered important was his ideas, his science, what he stood for. This is what was inscribed in his tomb. The shape of a sphere embedded in a cylinder, with the mathematical equation that explains the analogy in which the outer solid is bigger in volume than the inner (embedded), meaning that the Volume of the Cylinder is 3/2 the volume of the sphere, Archimedes' favorite theorem.

    His Funerary stele was for decades a holy pilgrimage for Roman and Greek engineers, but is abandoned by his own people, the Syrakosians, up until 75 BCE, when Cicero is appointe quaestor in Sicily and immediately refurbishes it and puts a fence around it.








    Units...

    Syrakosioi Aspidophoroi

    Syrakosai/Syracuse had always considered missile cavalry as an absolutely essential part of its fighting machine. Aspidophoroi represent the final evolution of the hippakontistai, as they are heavier than Tarantinoi and with a solid melee strength as well. It was horsemen like those who pestered and finally vanquished the Athenians when they tried to flee Syracuse at 415 BCE, after the failure of their siege effort.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Quote Originally Posted by Herodotos, Polymnia, 158
    ... ΑΛΛ' ΕΤΟΙΜΟΣ ΕΙΜΙ ΒΟΗΘΕΕΙΝ ΠΑΡΕΧΟΜΕΝΟΣ ΔΙΗΚΟΣΙΑΣ ΤΕ ΤΡΙΗΡΕΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΜΥΡΙΟΥΣ ΟΠΛΙΤΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΗΝ ΙΠΠΟΝ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΟΥΣ ΤΟΞΟΤΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΟΥΣ ΣΦΕΝΔΟΝΗΤΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΟΥΣ ΙΠΠΟΔΡΟΜΟΥΣ ΨΙΛΟΥΣ, ΣΙΤΟΝ ΤΕ ΑΠΑΣΗΙ ΤΩΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ ΣΤΡΑΤΙΗΙ, ΕΣΤ' ΑΝ ΔΙΑΠΟΛΕΜΗΣΩΜΕΝ, ΥΠΟΔΕΧΟΜΑΙ ΠΑΡΕΞΕΙΝ

    meaning...

    "But I am ready to help you by offering 200 triremes and 20000 hoplites and 2000 horse(hippeis) and 2000 archers and 2000 slingers and 2000 fast-light armed horsemen (quite possibly hippakontistai), and I also undertake the obligation to provide the whole of Greek troops with grain, for as long as we may fight."Gelon of Syracuse, speaking of the troops he would send when responding to the mainland Greeks asking for help in the eve of Xerxes assault on Greece (which led to the "300" final stand at Thermopylai).



    Syrakosioi Somatophylakes


    Syrakosai/Syracuse at 216 has prided itself of being a Hellenistic Kingdom to rival the Ptolemaioi or Seleukeis of Antiochos III. This is also evident in what was probably their "Basilikon Agema". Its finest troops protectint the King. The horse part of them would be the Syrakosioi Somatophylakes, most hardy of horsemen but most faithful as well to their King. The fact that none of Hiero's line died at battle indicates that they did their job to the fullest.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Quote Originally Posted by Herodotos, Polymnia, 158
    ... ΑΛΛ' ΕΤΟΙΜΟΣ ΕΙΜΙ ΒΟΗΘΕΕΙΝ ΠΑΡΕΧΟΜΕΝΟΣ ΔΙΗΚΟΣΙΑΣ ΤΕ ΤΡΙΗΡΕΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΜΥΡΙΟΥΣ ΟΠΛΙΤΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΗΝ ΙΠΠΟΝ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΟΥΣ ΤΟΞΟΤΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΟΥΣ ΣΦΕΝΔΟΝΗΤΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΟΥΣ ΙΠΠΟΔΡΟΜΟΥΣ ΨΙΛΟΥΣ, ΣΙΤΟΝ ΤΕ ΑΠΑΣΗΙ ΤΩΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ ΣΤΡΑΤΙΗΙ, ΕΣΤ' ΑΝ ΔΙΑΠΟΛΕΜΗΣΩΜΕΝ, ΥΠΟΔΕΧΟΜΑΙ ΠΑΡΕΞΕΙΝ

    meaning...

    "But I am ready to help you by offering 200 triremes and 20000 hoplites and 2000 horse(hippeis) and 2000 archers and 2000 slingers and 2000 fast-light armed horsemen (quite possibly hippakontistai), and I also undertake the obligation to provide the whole of Greek troops with grain, for as long as we may fight. Gelon of Syracuse, speaking of the troops he would send when responding to the mainland Greeks asking for help in the eve of Xerxes assault on Greece (which led to the "300" final stand at Thermopylai).





    Syrakosioi Lonchophoroi


    Syrakosai/Syracuse and all of the western Greeks were among the first to realise the value of shock cavalry. It is evident from all sources, that they had shielded cavalry whose purpose wasn't to throw javs and flee, but to attack the enemy. The rich and lush valleys of Trinakrie (three edged, the nickname of Sicily among the Greeks) were the perfect ground for any power that would grow strong enough to acquire heavy cavalry. Lonchophoroi were the pure assault cavalry of the Syrakosai, what in later times would be known as lancers.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Quote Originally Posted by Herodotos, Polymnia, 158
    ... ΑΛΛ' ΕΤΟΙΜΟΣ ΕΙΜΙ ΒΟΗΘΕΕΙΝ ΠΑΡΕΧΟΜΕΝΟΣ ΔΙΗΚΟΣΙΑΣ ΤΕ ΤΡΙΗΡΕΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΜΥΡΙΟΥΣ ΟΠΛΙΤΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΗΝ ΙΠΠΟΝ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΟΥΣ ΤΟΞΟΤΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΟΥΣ ΣΦΕΝΔΟΝΗΤΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΟΥΣ ΙΠΠΟΔΡΟΜΟΥΣ ΨΙΛΟΥΣ, ΣΙΤΟΝ ΤΕ ΑΠΑΣΗΙ ΤΩΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ ΣΤΡΑΤΙΗΙ, ΕΣΤ' ΑΝ ΔΙΑΠΟΛΕΜΗΣΩΜΕΝ, ΥΠΟΔΕΧΟΜΑΙ ΠΑΡΕΞΕΙΝ

    meaning...

    "But I am ready to help you by offering 200 triremes and 20000 hoplites and 2000 horse(hippeis) and 2000 archers and 2000 slingers and 2000 fast-light armed horsemen (quite possibly hippakontistai), and I also undertake the obligation to provide the whole of Greek troops with grain, for as long as we may fight." Gelon of Syracuse, speaking of the troops he would send when responding to the mainland Greeks asking for help in the eve of Xerxes assault on Greece (which led to the "300" final stand at Thermopylai).



    Syrakosioi Hipparchoi,


    Syrakosai/Syracuse of 216 BCE had many troops. There are very few we are absolutely certain about, as the Romans sacked everything which would help, and we have no account of the siege's opposing forces from the Syrakosian side (as for example we do of Asklo/Ausculum). The exception that certifies the rule is Hipparchoi. We know them from coins struck by Hieron, who was probably anxious to show of some of his best horsemen. Had the battle been in open ground we might have accounts of their bravery, but in a siege as that of Syracuse, there isn't much chance for Cavalry to prove its valor.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    From a Hiero coin, minted circa 230-218 BCE,

    http://www.coinarchives.com/a/lotvie...cID=293&Lot=98

    and the following in which the Etruscan inspired 3-layer linothorax is plainly visible,

    http://www.coinarchives.com/a/lotvie...cID=265&Lot=72

    Other coins with the same theme...
    http://www.coinarchives.com/a/lotvie...ID=328&Lot=120

    and
    http://www.coinarchives.com/a/lotvie...cID=330&Lot=51




    Syrakosioi Levy Thureophoroi

    Syrakosai/Syracuse had one solid resource. Its levies. While legion too originally meant "levy army" Syracuse's levies were actually that. Taken from the 300.000 population that Syracuse had at the time of 216 BCE, they would be the ones who would man the walls and utilize Archimedes' contraptions while the more elite units would be kept in reserve in case of a breach. Their emblem is the thunderbolt which was taken from Timoleon's coins. Timoleon was without a doubt Syracuse's greatest hero, and a giant slayer, if the Carthagenian armies he vanquished, and the size of his own forces are taken into account.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 





    Toxotai Kretikoi, originally for Krete mini faction, but recruitable from all, as happened back then...

    Syrakosioi/Syracuse Cretans? Well, if the accounts we have of them serving for King Menandros of the IndoGreek Kingdom (and actually being awarded a city to live in) are true, then Syracuse is just around the corner, for them. I consider Cretan archers the most possible candidates for the "Elite Veteran" archers who were sent by Hieron B' as assistance (along with Catapults) to the Romans about to fight at lake Transimene at 217, especially as Syrakosioi would send. If they weren't native Syrakosioi they would deffinitely be Cretans.
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    The emblem on their shield comes from this,


    A coin of the Aptera city in Crete, which aknowledged the fact that many of its men would leave Crete and become merc. archers who would serve anywhere, the most famous Greek Archers from Massalia to the IndoGreek Kingdoms. Romans too, created alae sagitarriorum from Cretans after a bloody conquest of Crete, when it took 2 years for the Romans to establish themselves on Crete.



    Thureophoroi,


    Syrakosai/Syracuse was always in the vanguard of new armor, shields and developments of them, wherever those happened. The thureos which evolved in Gaul, reached Syracuse about a century or so before Mainland Greece faced the Keltoi at 281 BCE, when Makedonia's king Ptolemaios Keraunos died fighting them. The thureophoroi of Syracuse will be the mainstay of all Free Greek minor factions, as they were in real life.


    Thorakitai,


    Syrakosai/Syracuse would use Thorakitai, much like any major or minor polis would in the ancient world, but wouldn't go the extra mile of replacing the hoplitai with thorakitai as many did. However, No chainmail for this guy but a bronze muscle cuirass. Thorax means armor, and especially the solid rigid bronze muscle cuirass. This break from norm is deliberate. As ancient writers described the same unit with different names, in the same way units who are equipped in similar manner sport different names in Roma Surrectum 2.0. As it happened in history.


    Syrakosioi Tarantinoi,


    Syrakosai/Syracuse has had an excellent tradition in missile cavalry, especially when that cavalry was throwing javelins at the enemy. Tarantinoi are basically evolved hippakontistai. While people don't realise this, its value for the ancients was as high as that of the Horse archers, and even higher at the time we are talking about, as prior to the Hunnic/asymmetric bow the only way for a horse archer to kill his target was to close in, but that would render him a target for an enemy javelin. Tarantinoi of Syracuse are of the Bareis kind, meaning they can also close in and fight in a melee, but a wise commander would not let that happen as their primal use would be to pepper the enemy with javelins and then let the heavier cavalry take over.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Quote Originally Posted by Herodotos, Polymnia, 158
    ... ΑΛΛ' ΕΤΟΙΜΟΣ ΕΙΜΙ ΒΟΗΘΕΕΙΝ ΠΑΡΕΧΟΜΕΝΟΣ ΔΙΗΚΟΣΙΑΣ ΤΕ ΤΡΙΗΡΕΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΜΥΡΙΟΥΣ ΟΠΛΙΤΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΗΝ ΙΠΠΟΝ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΟΥΣ ΤΟΞΟΤΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΟΥΣ ΣΦΕΝΔΟΝΗΤΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΟΥΣ ΙΠΠΟΔΡΟΜΟΥΣ ΨΙΛΟΥΣ, ΣΙΤΟΝ ΤΕ ΑΠΑΣΗΙ ΤΩΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ ΣΤΡΑΤΙΗΙ, ΕΣΤ' ΑΝ ΔΙΑΠΟΛΕΜΗΣΩΜΕΝ, ΥΠΟΔΕΧΟΜΑΙ ΠΑΡΕΞΕΙΝ

    meaning...

    "But I am ready to help you by offering 200 triremes and 20000 hoplites and 2000 horse(hippeis) and 2000 archers and 2000 slingers and 2000 fast-light armed horsemen (quite possibly hippakontistai), and I also undertake the obligation to provide the whole of Greek troops with grain, for as long as we may fight." Gelon of Syracuse, speaking of the troops he would send when responding to the mainland Greeks asking for help in the eve of Xerxes assault on Greece (which led to the "300" final stand at Thermopylai).

    Syrakosioi Tarantinoi are also mentioned in the expedition of Dionysios the Elder, Tyrrant of Syrakosai, at Peloponnese, 369-368 BCE
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Xenophon is more acute in his account of the Syrakosian military aid towards Sparta. Plutarch mentions it too but sparringly. Two military relief missions to Sparta's assistance are conducted, one in 369 BCE, the other in 368 BCE. Their purpose is to aid the Spartan alliance which at that time included Athens as well. As per Xenophon, the first "epikouria" (as reinforcements or reliefs are mentioned in Ancient Greek) arrives at 369 carrying Celts and Iberian mercenaries, accompanied by 50 Tarantinoi (it is those 50 Tarantinoi who find and relieve a besieged Spartan detachment by peppering its enemies with javelins, but without assaulting them in close combat). That "epikouria" stays in Peloponnese and is succesful in driving away Thebans and their allies from Korinthos' Syrakosian founding city or "metropolis"(mother city in Greek).

    Thebans retreat to Theba and the first "Epikouria" departs for Syrakosai. The second "epikouria" which is much more significant in size of forces sent over arrives at mainland Greece at 368 BCE and despite the insistence of the Athenians who want it to be sent to Thessaly and create a diversion near the Theban homeland, it remains in Peloponnese, under orders of the Spartan King Archidamos's forces, which are assembling in Korinthos.(Xenophon ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ VII, 1,20-21-22). Right after those forces occupy Karyai in Arkadia, Archidamos marches towards the capital of the Arkadian league, Megalopolis intending to capture it. Alarmed by their movements all of the Peloponnese Anti-Spartans, Messenians, Arkadians and Argives, march up to Milea hills to cut off the Spartan forces from retreating to Sellasia. In the ensuing battle, Anti-Spartan forces rout resulting in a "adakrys" (without tears, meaning without any losses) victory for the Spartans. Archidamos then, even if elated to be victorious, observes to Kisses (an actual name that, you are now witnessing the dangers of foreign names in a different language) who was the leader of the Syrakosian "epikouria" that personal valor isn't worth anything now, because of the oxyboloi/scorpions.(Ploutarchos, HΘΙΚΑ, 191,E)





    Thureophoroi hippeis,

    Syrakosai/Syracuse tradition of good light missile cavalry is really unopposed in Sicily and the outlying regions. Tarantinoi and quite possibly those, Thureophoroi hippeis, fought against the enemies of Sparta so well, that they managed to save a doomed detachment, without losses, during the relief operation mounted after Theba asserted its dominance in the Peloponnese. The Keltoi fighting for Syracuse are a historical reality, and were quite probably light cavalry and heavy infantry, swordmen mostly. Those would fit the fighting style of Syrakosai perfectly. Thureophoroi hippeis of Syrakosai, are heavier in armor than their namesakes in Greece proper with full body chainmail to increase their chances of survival in a much more "catapult rich" environment. So much so that they are edging in medium cavalry territory.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Xenophon ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ VII, 1,20-21-22.

    Celts are mentioned, along with Iberian mercs as part of the aid sent by the Syrakosian state at 369 and 368 BCE to aid the founder Korinthos who was fighting alongside Sparta against the Boiotians. First generation bolt throwing catapults were the main component of that help, which won the Spartans and their allies some astounding victories without a single man being killed from their side.

    For a more detailed account,
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Xenophon is more acute in his account of the Syrakosian military aid towards Sparta. Plutarch mentions it too but sparringly. Two military relief missions to Sparta's assistance are conducted, one in 369 BCE, the other in 368 BCE. Their purpose is to aid the Spartan alliance which at that time included Athens as well. As per Xenophon, the first "epikouria" (as reinforcements or reliefs are mentioned in Ancient Greek) arrives at 369 carrying Celts and Iberian mercenaries, accompanied by 50 Tarantinoi (it is those 50 Tarantinoi who find and relieve a besieged Spartan detachment by peppering its enemies with javelins, but without assaulting them in close combat). That "epikouria" stays in Peloponnese and is succesful in driving away Thebans and their allies from Korinthos' Syrakosian founding city or "metropolis"(mother city in Greek).

    Thebans retreat to Theba and the first "Epikouria" departs for Syrakosai. The second "epikouria" which is much more significant in size of forces sent over arrives at mainland Greece at 368 BCE and despite the insistence of the Athenians who want it to be sent to Thessaly and create a diversion near the Theban homeland, it remains in Peloponnese, under orders of the Spartan King Archidamos's forces, which are assembling in Korinthos.
    (Xenophon ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ VII, 1,20-21-22). Right after those forces occupy Karyai in Arkadia, Archidamos marches towards the capital of the Arkadian league, Megalopolis intending to capture it. Alarmed by their movements all of the Peloponnese Anti-Spartans, Messenians, Arkadians and Argives, march up to Milea hills to cut off the Spartan forces from retreating to Sellasia. In the ensuing battle, Anti-Spartan forces rout resulting in a "adakrys" (without tears, meaning without any losses) victory for the Spartans. Archidamos then, even if elated to be victorious, observes to Kisses (an actual name that, you are now witnessing the dangers of foreign names in a different language) who was the leader of the Syrakosian "epikouria" that personal valor isn't worth anything now, because of the oxyboloi/scorpions.(Ploutarchos, HΘΙΚΑ, 191,E)




    Celtic heavy swordsmen,


    Syrakosai/Syracuse has been hiring the best soldiers it could find. Its great relations to Massalia led to some of the troops near that area be transfered over to Syrakosai and fight for it. Especially when it would send over troops abroad, mercs were prefered. We know of Celts arriving at Peloponnese as part of reinforcements to aid Spartans contain the Boiotians.


    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


    Xenophon ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ VII, 1,20-21-22.

    Celts are mentioned, along with Iberian mercs as part of the aid sent by the Syrakosian state at 369 and 368 BCE to aid the founder Korinthos who was fighting alongside Sparta against the Boiotians. First generation bolt throwing catapults were the main component of that help, which won the Spartans and their allies some astounding victories without a single man being killed from their side.

    For a more detailed account,
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Xenophon is more acute in his account of the Syrakosian military aid towards Sparta. Plutarch mentions it too but sparringly. Two military relief missions to Sparta's assistance are conducted, one in 369 BCE, the other in 368 BCE. Their purpose is to aid the Spartan alliance which at that time included Athens as well. As per Xenophon, the first "epikouria" (as reinforcements or reliefs are mentioned in Ancient Greek) arrives at 369 carrying Celts and Iberian mercenaries, accompanied by 50 Tarantinoi (it is those 50 Tarantinoi who find and relieve a besieged Spartan detachment by peppering its enemies with javelins, but without assaulting them in close combat). That "epikouria" stays in Peloponnese and is succesful in driving away Thebans and their allies from Korinthos' Syrakosian founding city or "metropolis"(mother city in Greek).

    Thebans retreat to Theba and the first "Epikouria" departs for Syrakosai. The second "epikouria" which is much more significant in size of forces sent over arrives at mainland Greece at 368 BCE and despite the insistence of the Athenians who want it to be sent to Thessaly and create a diversion near the Theban homeland, it remains in Peloponnese, under orders of the Spartan King Archidamos's forces, which are assembling in Korinthos. (Xenophon ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ VII, 1,20-21-22). Right after those forces occupy Karyai in Arkadia, Archidamos marches towards the capital of the Arkadian league, Megalopolis intending to capture it. Alarmed by their movements all of the Peloponnese Anti-Spartans, Messenians, Arkadians and Argives, march up to Milea hills to cut off the Spartan forces from retreating to Sellasia. In the ensuing battle, Anti-Spartan forces rout resulting in a "adakrys" (without tears, meaning without any losses) victory for the Spartans. Archidamos then, even if elated to be victorious, observes to Kisses (an actual name that, you are now witnessing the dangers of foreign names in a different language) who was the leader of the Syrakosian "epikouria" that personal valor isn't worth anything now, because of the oxyboloi/scorpions.(Ploutarchos, HΘΙΚΑ, 191,E)


    As an indirect proof of the presence of Celtic swordsmen in S. Italy and sicily is this coin, the final mint of the city of Epizefyrioi Lokroi in Italy before its subjugation to the Romans at 272 BCE

    As can be clearly evident there are a celtic longsword and thureos in this picture. While the thureos can be explained as it was used by Hellenic troops as well, the celtic longsword can't as it wasn't used by Greeks. As such they both can be considered as an indirect proof of Celtic swordsmen in that region.




    Corsico-Sardinian infantry,


    Syrakosai/Syracuse would hire its enemy soldiers if they were captured and considered good fighters. Both cases applied for the Sardonioi/Sardenians and Kyrnioi/Corsicans that this unit represents. They were excellent fighters. The mention of King Hierons' reinforcing his Roman allies at 217 with 1000 elite archers and catapults and knowing that most of the times those sent would be mercenaries, leads to questions whether it was them or the Cretans who were sent. It might have been both.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Quote Originally Posted by [B
    Herodotos, Polymnia, 165[/b]]... ΕΠΗΓΕ ΥΠ' ΑΥΤΟΝ ΤΟΝ ΧΡΟΝΟΝ ΤΟΥΤΟΝ ΦΟΙΝΙΚΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΛΙΒΥΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΙΒΗΡΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΕΛΙΣΥΚΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΣΑΡΔΟΝΙΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΚΥΡΝΙΩΝ ΤΡΙΗΚΟΝΤΑ ΜΥΡΙΑΔΑΣ

    "In the same period, Phoenicians and Lybyans and Iberians and Elisyans and Sardenians and Corsicans numbering 300.000 men" were defeated at the Battle of Imera (by a coalition of Greek cities' forces led by a Syracusan Tyrrant), which legend has it happened on the same day as the battle of Salamis in mainland Greece (479 BCE).

    Otherwise known as Nuraghi warriors, those great bowmen fought against Syracuse, but for Syracuse as well. There is a well known trade establishment and small colony in Corsica called "Syrakosios limen"/Συρακόσιος λιμήν, (Diodoros V 13. 3) which probably served as the gateway for them to serve in Syracuse.



    Iberian caetrati:


    Syrakosai/Syracuse fought Carthage for 300 years. The odds stacked against it were immense, yet somehow it always managed to exist, despite Carthagenians stated intent to wipe the Greeks of Sicily completely as they had done already in Corsica and Sardinia. One of their most battle worthy units were the Iberians. Iberian Caetrati would be great soldiers to use for Syrakosai, and indeed they were, as it is probably them and Scutarii that Xenophon talks about.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Quote Originally Posted by Herodotos, Polymnia, 165
    ... ΕΠΗΓΕ ΥΠ' ΑΥΤΟΝ ΤΟΝ ΧΡΟΝΟΝ ΤΟΥΤΟΝ ΦΟΙΝΙΚΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΛΙΒΥΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΙΒΗΡΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΕΛΙΣΥΚΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΣΑΡΔΟΝΙΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΚΥΡΝΙΩΝ ΤΡΙΗΚΟΝΤΑ ΜΥΡΙΑΔΑΣ

    "In the same period, Phoenicians and Lybyans and Iberians and Elisyans and Sardenians and Corsicans numbering 300.000 men" were defeated at the Battle of Imera (by a coalition of Greek cities' forces led by a Syracusan Tyrrant), which legend has it happened on the same day as the battle of Salamis in mainland Greece (479 BCE).

    Xenophon ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ VII, 1,20-21-22.

    Celts are mentioned are mentioned, along with Iberian mercs as part of the aid sent by the Syrakosian state at 369 and 368 BCE to aid the founder Korinthos who was fighting alongside Sparta against the Boiotians. First generation bolt throwing catapults were the main component of that help, which won the Spartans and their allies some astounding victories without a single man being killed from their side.

    Iberians were also among those taken prisoner, when Carthagenians tried to capture Syracuse at the time of Tyrrant Agathokles. Of all the mercs who fought against them, Syracusans only spared Iberians from slavery and allowed them to fight for Syracuse on account of their bravery in combat.



    Iberian Scutarii:,


    Syrakosai/Syracuse fought against the Iberians many times. All of them they were part of a Carthagenian army sent forth from Africa to conquer. Sometimes, though, it even used them as Mercenaries of their own. Scutarii are great in battle, said to be able to outfight even the best Roman legionaires. Using that soliferum all iron javelin of theirs is one of the best ways to get through the enemy shields.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Quote Originally Posted by Herodotos, Polymnia, 165
    ... ΕΠΗΓΕ ΥΠ' ΑΥΤΟΝ ΤΟΝ ΧΡΟΝΟΝ ΤΟΥΤΟΝ ΦΟΙΝΙΚΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΛΙΒΥΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΙΒΗΡΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΕΛΙΣΥΚΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΣΑΡΔΟΝΙΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΚΥΡΝΙΩΝ ΤΡΙΗΚΟΝΤΑ ΜΥΡΙΑΔΑΣ

    "In the same period, Phoenicians and Libians and Iberians and Elisyans and Sardenians and Corsicans numbering 300.000 men" were defeated at the Battle of Imera (by a coalition of Greek cities' forces led by a Syracusan Tyrrant), which legend has it happened on the same day as the battle of Salamis in mainland Greece (479 BCE).


    Xenophon ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ VII, 1,20-21-22.

    Celts are mentioned are mentioned in that text, along with Iberian mercs as part of the aid sent by the Syrakosian state at 369 and 368 BCE to aid the founder Korinthos who was fighting alongside Sparta against the Boiotians. First generation bolt throwing catapults were the main component of that help, which won the Spartans and their allies some astounding victories without a single man being killed from their side.

    Iberians were also among those taken prisoner, when Carthagenians tried to capture Syracuse at the time of Tyrrant Agathokles. Of all the mercs who fought against them, Syracusans only spared Iberians from slavery and allowed them to fight for Syracuse on account of their bravery in combat.



    Akontistai:,


    Syrakosai/Syracuse had always use of skirmishing troops. It was them it would count on to keep its very own elite infantry, the hoplites, safe. The fact that Carthagenians had more light troops which many times overwhelmed the akontistai and other skirmishers, is a reason why the catapult might have been developed.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Quote Originally Posted by Herodotos, Polymnia, 158
    ... ΑΛΛ' ΕΤΟΙΜΟΣ ΕΙΜΙ ΒΟΗΘΕΕΙΝ ΠΑΡΕΧΟΜΕΝΟΣ ΔΙΗΚΟΣΙΑΣ ΤΕ ΤΡΙΗΡΕΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΜΥΡΙΟΥΣ ΟΠΛΙΤΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΗΝ ΙΠΠΟΝ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΟΥΣ ΤΟΞΟΤΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΟΥΣ ΣΦΕΝΔΟΝΗΤΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΟΥΣ ΙΠΠΟΔΡΟΜΟΥΣ ΨΙΛΟΥΣ, ΣΙΤΟΝ ΤΕ ΑΠΑΣΗΙ ΤΩΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ ΣΤΡΑΤΙΗΙ, ΕΣΤ' ΑΝ ΔΙΑΠΟΛΕΜΗΣΩΜΕΝ, ΥΠΟΔΕΧΟΜΑΙ ΠΑΡΕΞΕΙΝ

    meaning...

    "But I am ready to help you by offering 200 triremes and 20000 hoplites and 2000 horse(hippeis) and 2000 archers and 2000 slingers and 2000 fast-light armed horsemen (quite possibly hippakontistai), and I also undertake the obligation to provide the whole of Greek troops with grain, for as long as we may fight." Gelon of Syracuse, speaking of the troops he would send when responding to the mainland Greeks asking for help in the eve of Xerxes assault on Greece (which led to the "300" final stand at Thermopylai).



    Toxotai:,


    Syrakosai/Syracuse was never meant to have as many toxotai/archers as it did. A hellenic polis that respected itself would rely primarily on its hoplitai for defense. However, having to rely on its walls more than once for protection against external enemies, meant that the soldiers mounting those walls would need some sort of missile to use against the besieging enemy. We don't know who the elite archers that Hieron sent at 217 to aid the Romans who were about to fight at Lake Transimene were, and considering Syracuse habits, they must have been foreign mercs rather than local toxotai, but whatever the case may be, their skills have never been mentioned, seeing that Syracuse would need their services and very soon, if history repeats itself.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Quote Originally Posted by Herodotos, Polymnia, 158
    ... ΑΛΛ' ΕΤΟΙΜΟΣ ΕΙΜΙ ΒΟΗΘΕΕΙΝ ΠΑΡΕΧΟΜΕΝΟΣ ΔΙΗΚΟΣΙΑΣ ΤΕ ΤΡΙΗΡΕΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΜΥΡΙΟΥΣ ΟΠΛΙΤΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΗΝ ΙΠΠΟΝ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΟΥΣ ΤΟΞΟΤΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΟΥΣ ΣΦΕΝΔΟΝΗΤΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΟΥΣ ΙΠΠΟΔΡΟΜΟΥΣ ΨΙΛΟΥΣ, ΣΙΤΟΝ ΤΕ ΑΠΑΣΗΙ ΤΩΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ ΣΤΡΑΤΙΗΙ, ΕΣΤ' ΑΝ ΔΙΑΠΟΛΕΜΗΣΩΜΕΝ, ΥΠΟΔΕΧΟΜΑΙ ΠΑΡΕΞΕΙΝ

    meaning...

    "But I am ready to help you by offering 200 triremes and 20000 hoplites and 2000 horse(hippeis) and 2000 archers and 2000 slingers and 2000 fast-light armed horsemen (quite possibly hippakontistai), and I also undertake the obligation to provide the whole of Greek troops with grain, for as long as we may fight."Gelon of Syracuse, speaking of the troops he would send when responding to the mainland Greeks asking for help in the eve of Xerxes assault on Greece (which led to the "300" final stand at Thermopylai).




    Syrakosioi hippotoxotai:,


    Syrakosai/Syracuse was never afraid to introduce new and better equipped units in its army, in order to face the single largest threat during its existence. Carthagenians. Its hippotoxotai, based on a frieze found in mainland Italy, would be as light as possible, not expected to fight at all, just shoot their arrows and leave. Other units of Syrakosian horsemen would then take over, unless of course the enemy was fleeing in which case hippotoxotai would be expected to pursue.


    Slingers:,



    Syrakosai/Syracuse used slingers for a very long time, even if the first documented use of them was in Herodotos' accounting of the Syrakosian army which would be sent in aid of Mainland Greeks during the Persian assault of 479 BCE.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Quote Originally Posted by Herodotos, Polymnia, 158
    ... ΑΛΛ' ΕΤΟΙΜΟΣ ΕΙΜΙ ΒΟΗΘΕΕΙΝ ΠΑΡΕΧΟΜΕΝΟΣ ΔΙΗΚΟΣΙΑΣ ΤΕ ΤΡΙΗΡΕΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΜΥΡΙΟΥΣ ΟΠΛΙΤΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΗΝ ΙΠΠΟΝ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΟΥΣ ΤΟΞΟΤΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΟΥΣ ΣΦΕΝΔΟΝΗΤΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΟΥΣ ΙΠΠΟΔΡΟΜΟΥΣ ΨΙΛΟΥΣ, ΣΙΤΟΝ ΤΕ ΑΠΑΣΗΙ ΤΩΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ ΣΤΡΑΤΙΗΙ, ΕΣΤ' ΑΝ ΔΙΑΠΟΛΕΜΗΣΩΜΕΝ, ΥΠΟΔΕΧΟΜΑΙ ΠΑΡΕΞΕΙΝ

    meaning...

    "But I am ready to help you by offering 200 triremes and 20000 hoplites and 2000 horse(hippeis) and 2000 archers and 2000 slingers and 2000 fast-light armed horsemen (quite possibly hippakontistai), and I also undertake the obligation to provide the whole of Greek troops with grain, for as long as we may fight." Gelon of Syracuse, speaking of the troops he would send when responding to the mainland Greeks asking for help in the eve of Xerxes assault on Greece (which led to the "300" final stand at Thermopylai).




    Catapult crewmen:


    Syrakosai/Syracuse was the first polis of the Hellenic world to develop and use bolt and stone throwing catapults around 398-397 BCE. It was so succesful that even Camillus in a far away state of Roma asked the Senate for appropriation so that he might acquire and use those catapults in the siege of nearby Antium, some years later as Titus Livius wrote in 186 BCE(Titus Livius AB URBE CONDITA, vi, 9.2). It is for this reason that the Free Greeks skin of catapult operating crew is shown in a preview depicting the Syracuse minor faction.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Xenophon ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ VII, 1,20-21-22.

    Celts are mentioned are mentioned, along with Iberian mercs as part of the aid sent by the Syrakosian state at 369 and 368 BCE to aid the founder Korinthos who was fighting alongside Sparta against the Boiotians. First generation bolt throwing catapults were the main component of that help, which won the Spartans and their allies some astounding victories without a single man being killed from their side.

    Details of that expedition...
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Xenophon is more acute in his account of the Syrakosian military aid towards Sparta. Plutarch mentions it too but sparringly. Two military relief missions to Sparta's assistance are conducted, one in 369 BCE, the other in 368 BCE. Their purpose is to aid the Spartan alliance which at that time included Athens as well. As per Xenophon, the first "epikouria" (as reinforcements or reliefs are mentioned in Ancient Greek) arrives at 369 carrying Celts and Iberian mercenaries, accompanied by 50 Tarantinoi (it is those 50 Tarantinoi who find and relieve a besieged Spartan detachment by peppering its enemies with javelins, but without assaulting them in close combat). That "epikouria" stays in Peloponnese and is succesful in driving away Thebans and their allies from Korinthos' Syrakosian founding city or "metropolis"(mother city in Greek).

    Thebans retreat to Theba and the first "Epikouria" departs for Syrakosai. The second "epikouria" which is much more significant in size of forces sent over arrives at mainland Greece at 368 BCE and despite the insistence of the Athenians who want it to be sent to Thessaly and create a diversion near the Theban homeland, it remains in Peloponnese, under orders of the Spartan King Archidamos's forces, which are assembling in Korinthos. Right after those forces occupy Karyai in Arkadia, Archidamos marches towards the capital of the Arkadian league, Megalopolis intending to capture it. Alarmed by their movements all of the Peloponnese Anti-Spartans, Messenians, Arkadians and Argives, march up to Milea hills to cut off the Spartan forces from retreating to Sellasia. In the ensuing battle, Anti-Spartan forces rout resulting in a "adakrys" (without tears, meaning without any losses) victory for the Spartans. Archidamos then, even if elated to be victorious, observes to Kisses (an actual name that, you are now witnessing the dangers of foreign names in a different language) who was the leader of the Syrakosian "epikouria" that personal valor isn't worth anything now, because of the oxyboloi/scorpions.(Ploutarchos, HΘΙΚΑ, 191,E)





    And some more Syrakosioi copy/pasted from the Hellenistic Hoplites preview
    with a cameo by good ol' Xenophon.
    In paragraph 9-10 of book 1 of his little book speaking of the 12.000 merc hoplites who took part in an Achaimenid Persian civil war , Xenopnon clearly speaks of...

    "AMA ΔΕ ΚΑΙ ΣΩΣΙΣ ΠΑΡΗΝ Ο ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΟΣ, ΕΧΩΝ ΟΠΛΙΤΑΣ ΤΡΙΑΚΟΣΙΟΥΣ"
    "At the same time Sosis the Syrakosios showed up(or presented himself) having 300 hoplites."
    Syracusan Levy Hoplites


    Helmet and shield
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Syracuse levy helmet -evolved boetian-

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    c would be it,










    The following one, for a concept pic





    For their shield,
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    the "republican" thunderbolt, which Syracuse had on the 5th republic, after the people gained control of the city and allied themselves with the Carthagenians bringing about their doom...








    History of the Syracusan Levy Hoplites
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Levy hoplites of the Syracuse are one of the most numerous in Hellenic states. Huge armories created by Dionysios around 400 BCE saw that everyone who could would be given a helmet, a spear, a pair of greaves and a shield. The cheapest hoplites in all of Hellas, in one of its most populous cities. In fact Hellenic population of Sicily was considered around 900.000 at the time (S. Italy around 300.000). Syracuse population was easily more than 200.000. That meant a lot of arrow fodder which is in fact what those guys are. Free weapons, two weeks of training, and off to the front for these guys. Their dire financial state would mean that they probably never took part in the agoge or ephebic training, and as such their cohesion and stamina would be that of the weakest among them. When he would break they all would.

    Syracuse as the only remaining Hellenic kingdom in Sicily (those other city states who weren't allied with it, were under the sway of Carthagenians). The time of Pyrrhos and his incursion is over. At 216, The city is an ally of Rome against Carthage. This isn't to last though as the people will soon depose of Hiero II and impose a republic in his stead. The 5th Republic of Syracuse, and its final. False demagogues and an effort to stand against the Romans (as everyone could understand, a victory of the Romans meant certain loss of sovereignty overtime for its allies as well) led to the decision to break with Rome and ally with Carthage instead. That would be the undoing of Syracuse as a state, a city and a people.






    Syracusan Epilektoi Hoplites



    Helmet, cuirass and shield
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Helmet and cuirass
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    The elites of Syracuse would be wearing the following an Iron helmet of 86 BCE,

    and

    and

    and

    and


    This helmet has an amazing history. It was just discovered in Athens during the digs for the Metro. It was found in Pompeion, in kerameikos. It belonged supposedly to one of the defenders of the city who fought against Sulla at 86 BCE.




    and an iron cuirass which could withstand any and all of the Romani gladii thrusts.

    Iron muscle cuirass, found in Prodromi, Thesprotia, Epeiros. During the period of Demetrios the Poliorketes of the Antigonids, weaponsmith Zoilos of Cyprus creates an all-iron cuirass, much like the one in here which could withstand a bolt from an oxybolos (bolt throwing) catapult from 20 paces away, and remain intact. That iron cuirass is presently on display on Corfu museum, but once Archaeological museum of Igoumenitsa in Thesprotia is complete, it will be relocated there.


    and

    and

    and


    xiphos sword sheath,


    Syracuse hoplite would have something not yet seen in a hoplite, as well,
    Scale pteryges, as shown in the following depiction on an Attica Likythos vase, now located in Cleveland museum of Art)




    shields,
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 






    and

    and




    A little history on Syracuse Epilektoi hoplites
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Syracusean Epilektoi hoplites are the top of the food chain so far as hoplites are concerned. They would be iron clad, literally. Even the pteryges the wear to protect their vitals are covered in bronze scale. The iron muscle cuirass they wear means that they are effectively invulnerable to arrow bolts that any catapult can let loose at them. The iron helmet they wear is the most durable helmet of any hoplite. Even their tinned bronze shield is a work of art as it depicts the emblem of "Basileion Syrakosion" or Syracusean Kingdom that Hiero had founded. All that armor comes with a price though. They are the most expensive hoplites, and the easiest to be tired. They are, however, VERY tough to kill, as they would have to be the most trusted of the Kings' guard to be awarded a position in the "Epilektoi" hoplites. If they are not surrounded they cannot be killed, not easily at least.

    As the greatest polis of the Western Greeks, Syracuse numbered 200.000+ people in 216 prior to its destruction. A great leadership under the self declared Kings Hiero and Hiero II and an alliance to Rome led to magnificent achievements. A great ship, "Syrakosia" which must have been the greatest cargo ship ever built and one of the greatest of its time. Its self stated goal was to be loaded up with grain and ship off to every part of the Mediterranean that was under famine. The "Syrakosioi" kings wouldn't flinch at all costs that would go to the defense of their city-kingdom. It has been mentioned that Agathokles would pay for the arms and armor of his trusted guards, therefore his "epilektoi". However those can be considered a Royal guard rather than "chosen" hoplites by the rest of the polis as they would place his interest above that of the Polis in a heartbeat. Assumption of the royal title by the last of the Tyrants who ruled over independent Syracuse, Hieron and Hieronymos, meant that this was probably the case. "Epilektoi" would mean Royal, at least in this case.







    and saving the best for last...

    Syrakosioi Beltistoi Hippeis (Syracusan Best Horsemen), AOR version (recruitable by all Greek factions)

    Syrakosai/Syracuse has had an unbreakable tradition at heavy cavalry troops. It offered to send 2.000 armed horsemen a bit prior to the invasion of Mainland Greece by Xerxes army. The final evolution of that tradition are the Syrakosioi Beltistoi. Their helmet is the most expensive and best there is. Their linothorax is an exact replica of a terracota find and even their long sleeved mail hauberk is not meant for anything but the Elite of the Elite. In the east they might have been called "Kataphraktoi" or "Holosideroi"/all irons, but in Syracuse they are just called the "Beltistoi hippeis" for they are the Best horsemen that Syracuse can muster.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Quote Originally Posted by Herodotos, Polymnia, 158
    ... ΑΛΛ' ΕΤΟΙΜΟΣ ΕΙΜΙ ΒΟΗΘΕΕΙΝ ΠΑΡΕΧΟΜΕΝΟΣ ΔΙΗΚΟΣΙΑΣ ΤΕ ΤΡΙΗΡΕΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΜΥΡΙΟΥΣ ΟΠΛΙΤΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΗΝ ΙΠΠΟΝ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΟΥΣ ΤΟΞΟΤΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΟΥΣ ΣΦΕΝΔΟΝΗΤΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΣΧΙΛΙΟΥΣ ΙΠΠΟΔΡΟΜΟΥΣ ΨΙΛΟΥΣ, ΣΙΤΟΝ ΤΕ ΑΠΑΣΗΙ ΤΩΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ ΣΤΡΑΤΙΗΙ, ΕΣΤ' ΑΝ ΔΙΑΠΟΛΕΜΗΣΩΜΕΝ, ΥΠΟΔΕΧΟΜΑΙ ΠΑΡΕΞΕΙΝ

    meaning...

    "But I am ready to help you by offering 200 triremes and 20000 hoplites and 2000 horse(hippeis) and 2000 archers and 2000 slingers and 2000 fast-light armed horsemen (quite possibly hippakontistai), and I also undertake the obligation to provide the whole of Greek troops with grain, for as long as we may fight."Gelon of Syracuse, speaking of the troops he would send when responding to the mainland Greeks asking for help in the eve of Xerxes assault on Greece (which led to the "300" final stand at Thermopylai).




    and the ones you will be fighting against, part of Free Greeks, when attacking Syracuse.



    Syrakosai/Syracuse has fought against Etruscans as well as against their Carthagenian allies vehemently for 300 years but it always used their good ideas. The Etruscan armor, was one of the first pieces to be also used by Syrakosai to equip its army. This is what the Free Greek Beltistoi hippeis are wearing over their longsleaved chain mail hauberk.


    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Helmet,

    and

    and

    and




    how it was worn,



    Colored stripes linothorax, from a terracota found in Italy.



    and the mail worn underneath, from the Kineas' statuette found in Dodona. Kineas was Pyrrhos' best advisor, after he died in Syracuse, things started going downhill for Pyrrhos. As Pyrrhos had helped alleviate Syracuse's siege by the Carthagenians, he would certainly have brought his chainmail knowhow along.












    ___________________________________________________________________________

    Bosporan Kingdom

    For 800 years it stood, until destroyed by the Goths at 335 CE. At its peak the Bosporan Kingdom covered the eastern part of the Crimean Peninsula, the western part of the Taman Peninsula (then an archipelago), and the mouth of the Don. It was founded as a series of trading stations along the very rich black sea coast of Kimmerios Bosporos, (present day straights of Kerch). It was a melting pot of civilisations with city dwelling Greeks coming to contact with Nomad Taurians, Scythians and later Sarmatians. Art merged as shown by the famous royal burial mounds in the eastern Crimea and the Taman Peninsula which show luxury items of Greek origin but with a clearly Scythian identity and iconography. There were some things, though that neither the Greeks nor Romans could easily live with. The Aegean Greeks, and later the Romans, perceived Taurian and Scythian cults as particularly abhorrent, involving savage rites and human sacrifices. It was a state in continuous flux, as continuously the balance of power would be negotiated between the three major players in the kingdom: the king, the cities, and the indigenous tribes. Trade to the Bosporan kingdom was of the outmost importance to the Aegean Greeks as their life, quite literally depended on it. It was the huge grain exports from the Bosporan kingdom and the independent city states of Chersonessos and Olbia that kept Athens alive while fighting Sparta (and seeing its own crops burnt systematically before being maturing). Later on, at Hellenistic times, as Ptolemaic Egypt became involved in grain trading the significance of the Bosporan Kingdom was reduced but never entirely diminished. In fact, as the Aegean greeks involvement with it was ending, Pontos' began, with the kingdom winding up another territory in the Empire of Pontos that Mithridates VI tried to create. This lasted from 107-63 BCE. Pontos failure, turned the Bosporan Kingdom into a Roman protectorate, which it remained until its destruction at 335 CE. As a final turn in that Kingdoms' fate, In the mid-1 st century AD a dynasty of Sarmatian origin came to power in the Bosporan Kingdom and both state and army were 'Sarmatianised' - to such an extent that Bosporan heavy cavalry cannot be distinguished from their Sarmatian counterparts. Indeed, Bosporan art is one of the historian's best sources for Sarmatian weaponry. A most interesting example is the following...

    Found in Tanais, about 30 km west of modern Rostov on Don. it is a clear proof of the syncretism that had taken place.
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    The Bosporan Kingdom was based around the Greek colonies which became the magnet for all other people to live into and create a synthesis of nations, the Kingdom of Bosporos.
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 
    According to Strabo the Sarmatians extend from above the Danube eastward to the Volga, and from north of the Dnepr into the Caucasus, where, he says, they are called Caucasii like everyone else there. This statement indicates that the Alans already had a home in the Caucasus, without waiting for the Huns to push them there.

    Even more significantly he points to a Celtic admixture in the region of the Basternae, who, he says, are of Germanic origin. The Celtic Boii, Scordisci and Taurisci are there. A fourth ethnic element being melted in are the Thracians (7.3.2). Moreover, the peoples toward the north are Keltoskythai, "Celtic Scythians" (11.6.2). We know now from language studies that the Celts did play a significant role in Slavic ethnogenesis. Perhaps the words of Strabo are telling us between the lines that it was happening in his time.

    The cities which the Kingdom was based upon are shown in the following map,
    http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._Black_Sea.png


    This funerary tomb is supposed to mark the grave of "TΡΥΦΩΝ" which is deffinitely a Greek name, whereas depicting a Sarmatian cataphract. Or he could be a Bosporan one. Or even better the same unit existed in both nations, with small adornments on the Bosporan one.


    The final chapter in the history of the Bosporan Kingdom begins with the emergence of the Goths (whose original location must have been the island of Gotland in Present day Sweden). Their presence destroyed any link the Sarmatians had with the Bosporans. The southward migration of the Goths from Scandinavia via modern Poland to the River Dnieper was under way by about AD 200; by about AD 250 the Goths had taken Olbia and moved east to the Crimea, replacing the Sarmatians and Alans as the dominant power of the region. Next target, was Bosporan Kingdom which was destroyed by 335 CE.



    As the Danish center for Black Sea studies mentions in their site...
    One of the interesting features of the Bosporan Kingdom is its multi-ethnic composition ranging from the inclusion of whole ethnic groups, e.g. the Sindoi, to the very top layers of society, where the royal line throughout much of the kingdom's history was of non-Greek, possibly Thracian, extraction. In this respect the Bosporan Kingdom differed from the two other powerful city-states in the northern Black Sea region: Chersonesos and Olbia. Instead, it is comparable to the Hellenistic kingdoms as for example the Kingdom of Pontos in northern Asia Minor, where foreign sovereigns ruled mixed populations. Nevertheless, much scholarship still preserves a very Hellenocentric perspective and tends to view the Greek city-states on the Bosporos as isles in a sea of mostly hostile Barbarians. The question is whether this contradiction actually existed, or whether different ethnic groups co-existed in mutual interdependence, or even whether the distinction between different ethnic groups is at all a viable path for understanding how the Bosporan Kingdom functioned.
    It is this delicate balance, always in a state of flux that RS 2 sought to re-create in the units that compose the army of the Bosporan Kingdom, or as the Hellenic subjects and Hellenised kings would call...

    ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΟΝ ΒΟΣΠΟΡΟΥ


    At the time RS 2. begins Hygiaenon and Spartocus V were co-regents of the Kingdom. They led an multi ethnic society and this is apparent at the composition of their armies...

    Scythian skirmisher:



    There is mention of them in the fratricidal battle of Thates River at 310/09 BC. Aripharnes, king of the Siraces, commands Sarmatians at battle in support of Bosporan pretender Eumelos. A big part of his troops uncharacteristically for Sarmatians, were light foot, who fought against the Thraikian mercs of the lawful King Prytanis.

    Scythian foot archer:

    Steppe wasn't just populated by vast herds and nomadic families tending them. There was a substantial part of the population that became semi-nomadic, while at the same time having some crops cultivated. Sarmatian expansion in former Scytian areas led to this becoming more and more common than it previous was. The only way to defend against Horse Archers would be a force of good foot archers, as those are. They took part in every battle that happened in the Bosporan Kingdom either against external enemies or in one of the numerous civil wars involving succesion to the throne.
    Scythohellenic archer:


    Scythohellenic archers are exactly what their name suggests. Mostly Hellenic, coming from the multitude of Greek colonies all along the black sea coast of Kimmerios Bosporos, (present day straights of Kerch). They, along with Hellenized scythians who settled in the cities, created a fusion of armor styles and fighting techniques. The armor was Greek, while the bow and arrow fighting style was purely Scythian, as well as the recurving bow. While they were mostly used against anyone assaulting the city walls of their perspective poleis (cities in greek), it is most probable that the Kings of Bosporos would take them along in case any external enemy would invade. While not as good archers as their Scythian counterparts, they could probably outlast them because of their linothorax armor and greaves.

    Scythian Royal infantry:


    Those would be the elite native foot soldiers of the Kingdom. They are fashioned in the style of the Achaimenid Persian Archer-Spearmen, but with a deffinite Scythian twist. Even if it would be really downgrading for a Scythian to fight on foot (In Khotanese Saka, the same word is used for Infantry and excrements), the wealth of the Royal infantry is such that it can afford armor that would only be used by horsemen of the realm. Their long spears are a threat to whichever horseman comes too near, while their massed arrow volleys will exterminate those who decide to fight them with missiles.
    Protoslav spearman:


    According to some theories, the Protoslavs were part of the region of the domain of Bosporos or close nearby. They would be the sedestrian populations that Scythians and later Sarmatians would lord over. The Protoslav would be the original population that would be the biggest part of the mix that created the slavs, with other parts being Iranians (Scythians and Sarmatians) and a few Celts who reached that far. Goths had some contributions, prior the end date of RS 2 but those were mainly genetic, as all Goths departed for the south under Hunnic pressure. A plain spearman with a minimal training, levied after the farm work is done.

    Slavic spearman:


    They would probably be the Venedae, one of the first tribes identified as Slav. Product of the mix of cultures of earlier protoslavic populations with the prevailing Iranians and Celts who later inhabited the steppe, they are the first among many to be part of the Slavic culture, which now dominates the area from Dalmatia to the Kamtchatka. As they have the influences of the Iranians they use scales upon their wooden shield to add strength to it. Celtic strength and infantry tradition prevails as well, so they are better than the Protoslav brethren when it comes to the fight.


    Bosporan elite thorakitai:


    Bosporan Elite Thorakitai would be the foot part of the Royal guard. They would be fighting near the King in case he ever dismounted, and if he wouldn't, they would be his elite assault Hellenic infantry regiment on the battlefield. They are as good as the centuries-old infantry tradition of the Greeks and intense training allows. However, they aren't the best of the Realm. Along with the Bosporan hoplites they are the second best.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    cheekpieces detail,
    http://www.royalathena.com/PAGES/gre...mor/RND02.html

    Quote Originally Posted by Dion Chrysostomos recounts his visit on a Greek city on the Northern Black sea coast in the first century AD
    ...practically all the people of Borysthenes (It usually refers to the Dnieper River, but occasionally to the Pontic Olbia, a town situated at the mouth of that river.) also have cultivated an interest in Homer, possibly because of their still being a warlike people, although it may also be due to their regard for Achilles, for they honour him exceedingly, and they have actually established two temples for his worship, one on the island that bears his name and one in their city; and so they do not wish even to hear about any other poet than Homer. And although in general they no longer speak Greek distinctly, because they live in the midst of barbarians, still almost all at least know the Iliad by heart.



    Scythian hoplite:


    Scythian hoplites are native scythians living in the many Hellenic cities of the Kingdom of Bosporos. Trained to fight as hoplites along with their Bosporan Hellenic counterparts, they are very good at fighting, but not as good as the Bosporan hoplites. Ephebic training is very difficult to substitute.
    Bosporan heavy infantry:


    Hands down, the best infantry that the Kingdom of Bosporos has to offer. A lot of them are Germanic Bastarnae for their bravery and Iranian Sindoi, who have risen to the top of the Kingdoms' elite. Their iron muscle cuirass is the most expensive piece of gear in all the Hellenistic kingdoms and Koina, but it is well worth it, as they are the handpicked of the realm, the heavy assault infantry of the Bosporan Kingdoms' army, attacking the focal point of the enemy force and attempting to break them down. They are handpicked from the best infantry of the Kingdom, veterans all, irrespective of ancestry, ethnicity of wealth. They along with the Elite Thorakitai have adopted the Bastarnae white thureos as they are a big percentage of the Heavy infantry. Survival rate among them isn't so good, but judging by their role, it couldn't be.


    Paphlagonian cavalry:

    Coming from Anatolia/Micrasia. Light horsemen, whose purpose is to harass the enemy with massed javelin missile throws, not necessarily engage to kill but to attract the enemy attention -and possible missiles- long enough for heavier units to take over. A dedicated skirmisher, it would be used best when attacking troops who withdraw.

    Light horse archer:


    The bread and butter of all the cavalry of Bosporos. It would be the single most largest component of the cavalry of Bosporos and the reason for this is simple. While it was conquered by a mostly infantry oriented army, Bosporan kingdom fought throughout its 1100 years against Horsearchers. Horsearchers would be the ideal army to fight against enemy Horsearchers, as they can't outrun them the way they could other forces. The purpose of Light Bosporan HA's is to divert the enemys' attention as heavy cav. moves in position for the kill.
    Roxolani lancer:


    Sarmatian Roxolani lancers are the HA killers. While enemy HA are busy skirmishing with Bosporos' HA, they charge through their lines and kill as many as possilble. They aren't as armored as their heavier equivalent, as the Nobles have more money to spend on armor, but they get the job done. Having them go against Cataphracts isn't advised as they would lose handily. Going against HA, or light infantry is their natural role and in this role they excel.
    Scythian noble:


    Former rulers of the realm, now saddly losing ground to the Sarmatians daily. The elite Scythians, however, kept into their lands by the royalty of the Kingdom of Bosporos, they provide the realm with a steady supply of heavy horsemen (though not the heaviest) and keep their ancestral lands as part of the deal. It may be their best bet in order to survive in an ever changing world, where Sarmatians rule supreme over the old sovereigns of the land, the Skythians.
    Cappadocian cavalry:

    Not only did the horsemen from the North coast of the Black sea reach the South coast to serve as mercenaries or downright invaders, but the opposite did hold true sometimes. Especially when the Rulers of Pontos expanded their domains to include the Kingdom of Bosporos and ruled over it up until they were conquered themselves by the Romans. Among the horsemen who took part in that conquest were the Cappadocian heavy cavalry. They had served there before mostly as mercs by Hellenic Bosporan Kings fearful of the "Skythai" and "Sarmatai" who might rise in revolt at any given time.
    Tanais cataphract:

    The heaviest horse unit of the Kingdom. It is composed of Sarmatians and Greeks, even if in this case, the term "Sarmatianised Greeks" might be correct. This unit is based on a funerary tomb found in Tanais. This funerary tomb is supposed to mark the grave of "TΡΥΦΩΝ" which is deffinitely a Greek name, whereas depicting a Sarmatian cataphract. Or he could be a Bosporan one. Or even better the same unit existed in both nations, with small adornments on the Bosporan one. His role in battle would be a heavy hitter, either targetting enemy lancers or cataphracts. They truely were the best and heaviest horsemen of their Kingdom.
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Remember Tryphon from earlier? Well, here is what tone reconstructed him from...

    Funny thing is that I have a first cousin whose name is Tryphon as well.

    Roxolani noble:

    Roxolani name comes from "Rauksa" and "Alana" which means "Royal Alans" much as their eastern cousins "Saka Rauka" means "Royal Saka". Alans were the most fierce and dominant within the many tribes which comprised the Sarmatian confederacy. The last ones of them exist to this day in the south of Caucasus, inhabitants of Ossetia or Alannia as it is called. In the west, it has been theorized that Arthur was actually a Sarmatian Alan and his entourage Roxolani Nobles. That may or not be true, but the use of the name Ala(i)n to this day in many areas of western Europe, especially France means that they did actually have some impact. They were among the finest mounted warriors of their time, and it was only by using Alexandros' tactics against the Saka that Arrian, (when serving as Roman governor of Cappadocia), was able to defeat them.
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    This happened at 134 CE when Arrian in charge of LEGIO XII Fulminata and LEGIO XV Apollinaris, and 6 auxilia Cohors, 2 of them infantry the I Italica, the Auxilia Aplani, and 4 Sagitarii cohorts among them, I Cohors Nominclarum, I Cohors Ituareorum, I Cohors Vosporanorum, II Cohors Cyrenaica. They were complimented by Hippotoxotai, Armenian archers and Armenian, Trapezountian, Colchian and Risian levies. As Alexander did when trying to cross Jaxartes in Bactria at 329 BCE, Arrian placed his "oxyboloi" catapults (also known as scorpions) in the sides of his very dense formation, placing the "lithoboloi" stone throwing catapults in the back of his formation, next to his own bodyguard. They started firing at the Alans and kept on firing at them, as fast as possible. Their main target were the Alan Cataphractarii, (those would probably be the Rauksa Alana or "Roxolani" shown here), destroying them completely. The rest of Alans, light HA's and lancers, fled, meaning that Cappadocia had been secured for the Empire for centuries to come.



    The most brave among the Roxolani were their nobles, who were said to be born in the saddle. In the second and third century CE, many of them were stationed at Britain, to defend the wall that Hadrian had built. Pict noblemen copied their armor meticulously. They are considered by many historians to be the knights of the Round Table and not many heavy mounted cavalry could be called something better than that.


    Bosporan slingers


    Herodotos describes the Sarmatians' physical appearance as blond, stout and tanned; So were the scythians or the most of the people who lived in the Bosporan Kingdom. Among them were the Nomads who abandoned their horses and herds and turned to cultivation. Among those the slingers were a very prized comodity as they were the only ones who could effectively kill or hurt a Cataphract. The blunt damage of their lead missile was so great that the only effective response to it was to wear linen under one's armour in order to soften the blow. However effective they might have been, though, they needed to be protected at all times, as their ability to defend themselves is pretty weak to say the least.


    Celtic archer (shared with massalia)


    The Celtic Boii, Scordisci and Taurisci are in the Steppes surrounding the Kingdom of Bosporos. Celtic Archers' bows and long spears are essential for the survival of their communities as only massed volleys of arrows can keep away the ever incresing flow of HA which keeps coming from the East. Archery wasn't the most cherished missile weapon skill among Celts who were notorious for their love of combat. The open steppes though, leave few options as to how to fight mounted people who dwell on carriages "Hamaxoikoi" or "cart house people" as the Greeks call them. Infantry archers are an absolute necessity, and nothing less than that.
    Celtic longshield skirmisher (shared with massalia)


    The Celtic Boii, Scordisci and Taurisci are there in the area of the Bosporan Kingdom according to Strabo. They did indeed played a part in the formation of both the state of Bosporos and the Slavic nation, as can be evidenced by the linguists today. They would probably have assumed their traditional infantry fighting roles, Skirmisher being one of them.
    Celtic Light Swordman


    The Celtic Boii, Scordisci and Taurisci are there. In the North there are also a people called "Keltoskythai" or Celtic scythians. They are the mix that ensued when the Celts of Mid and Eastern Europe moved towards the Steppes of present day Ukraine. Even if eventually defeated by the Sarmatians, a lot of them took refuge in the Kingdom of Bosporos, where their services as warriors, farmers and traders were very much appreciated.
    Celtic Noble Cavalry

    The Celts who would move towards the East, be they Boii, Scordisci or Taurisci, would form their societies, in which lords and rulers were their Nobles. Most of the time they would fight mounted, and in the open steppes of present day Ukraine, this is an absolute must. Newer enemies also mounted and possibly even better horsemen than them exist but they must never be allowed to overwhelm the Celts or all will be lost. Bosporans have sheltered the Celts who moved in their Kingdom, and the Celtic nobles cavalrymen stand ready to return the favor.
    Thraikian psiloi

    Thacians or Thraikians were the 4th element that existed in the mix that created the Bosporan Kingdom. Greeks, Sarmatians/Skythians, Celts/Bastarnae were the other three. The royal line of the Bosporan Kingdom, up until its complete control by the Sarmatians is considered to be Thraikian or at least Hellenized Thraikian, not just Greek. Thraikians were famous Peltasts, the most famous of them, and it would surprise nobody to see them up to their old tricks in their new home.
    Thraikian pezoi

    However succesful the Thraikian peltasts were, there is nobody who would deny the Thraikian infantry their due. Even Romans were terrified of them, when they fought them. It isn't difficult to understand why it was only under Augustus that the Empire finally dissolved the Thraikian Kingdoms and incorporated Thrace within the Empire.
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Thraikian pezoi epilektoi



    About the only disadvantage the Thraikian pezoi have against the Greeks and Makedonians in the South is their lack of armor. The Greeks use that linothorax of theirs, but Thraikians always frowned on such unmanly wear. It is time, however, that Thraikians really show their strength in close combat without worrying about being killed by a stray arrow or slinger missile. A bronze cuirass will make sure that none of those will hit them, at the cost of some speed in battle. Veterans of the pezoi and rich enough to afford a muscle bronze cuirass, the Epilektoi Thraikians have fought many times over against external enemies of the Realm and in the dynastic squabbles that dominate the Kingdom, always on the winning side.


    and the Bosporan hoplite who has been shown before in a previous preview, that of the Hellenistic Hoplites.


    Bosporan Epilektoi Hoplites



    Helmet, cuirass and shields
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Helmet and cuirass and sword
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


    -bronze muscle cuirass-

    and mainly for the shoulder straps, used to help alleviate the burden from just the shoulders, to the whole of the body,

    sword,



    shield
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    First off this coin of Pantikapaion (one of the leading Bosporan cities) from as near the timeline of RS as possible,


    We have a lion ready to attack. A shield with a familiar theme was located (out of 3 or so with the same depiction-it must have been popular back then)
    From these humble beginnings,

    a graphic reconstruction,

    and in greater detail,





    A bit of history on the Bosporan hoplites,
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    At 216, Bosporan Kingdom was in a state of decline. The trade with Athens was blooming as always and the grain exports from the Kingdom and its colonies made its ruling elite a lot of money which were in turn spent on defense. After the battle of Thatis river at 337 BCE, the Sarmatians gained on Scythians who in turn abandoned the Steppes and came to live alongside the Hellenes in their poleis. A fusion of cultures ensued. New peoples have entered the Steppe from the west, called Celts and also some Germanics are coming down from their northern enclaves. Pontos' strenghtening on the south side of the Black sea isn't to be taken lightly. All those must be dealt with. The strife that ensues every time a King is crowned isn't in the best interest of the Kingdom. Yet it survives, as always.

    Hellenic settlement in the region,


    The epilektoi hoplites of the Bosporan Kingdom are equipped with spear , xiphos , bronze muscle cuirass , and a smaller version of the aspis shield, 0.75 m in diameter.


    The Bosporan kingdom or the Kingdom of the Cimmerian Bosporus was an ancient state, located in eastern Crimea and the Taman Peninsula on the shores of the Cimmerian Bosporus (see Strait of Kerch). It is interesting as the first truly 'Hellenistic' state - in the sense of one in which a mixed population adopted the Greek language and civilization.


    --Renders--


    Paphlagonian cavalry:


    Scythian light horse archer:


    Bosporan Scythian noble:


    Roxolani noble:




    There is a favor I need to ask. When you see the credits, there are some guys whose names are red. Please +rep them because they are responsible for all the graphic wonders you just saw. I think it is the least we can do for those responsible for such a visual feast, isn't it?

    We hope you have enjoyed this preview, which hopefully will arm you with patience, until...
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    the next one.


    Credits...
    Keravnos: Historical research
    EB: thureophoroi and thorakitai models
    Tone: models, Bosporan skins other than Celts and Thraikians (Leif Erikson)
    Leif Erikson: Syracusan skins other than thorakitai (Dr Hobo PHD), Syracusan hipparchoi,
    Syracusan beltistoi hippeis, Syracusan hoplites (Tone)
    Bebbe: Iberian Scutarii model

    and special thanks to www.coinarchives.com/a for the inspiration and visual aids which were used to create some of the units you have seen.
    www.royalathena.com as well.
    Last edited by Keravnos; October 28, 2008 at 11:05 AM.
    Go Minerwars Go! A 6DOF game of space mining and shooting. SAKA Co-FC, Koinon Hellenon FC, Epeiros FC. RS Hellenistic Historian K.I.S.S.




  2. #2

    Default Re: Minor Factions Preview... Syracuse and the Kingdom of Bosporos

    Feel free to just browse the pictures. However, if you want to know more, the spoilers are your friend.
    Go Minerwars Go! A 6DOF game of space mining and shooting. SAKA Co-FC, Koinon Hellenon FC, Epeiros FC. RS Hellenistic Historian K.I.S.S.




  3. #3

    Default Re: Minor Factions Preview... Syracuse and the Kingdom of Bosporos

    AWESOMEEEEE! The Bosporan Elite Thorakitai and Celtic Noble Cavalry are some of the best units I've ever seen! Such details on moustache and stuff. Aaaand you did a nice job on the falcata's.
    Vale,

  4. #4

    Default Re: Minor Factions Preview... Syracuse and the Kingdom of Bosporos

    Now that's a preview!

    And, I think it's safe to say, the first RTW preview to feature a link to the ebay sale of a giant Roman siege engine!

    (Who wants to chip in with me and buy it? )



  5. #5

    Default Re: Minor Factions Preview... Syracuse and the Kingdom of Bosporos

    Oh no, you don't mean that giant ballista do you? It's already discussed on RAT and the conclusion is that it's apart from a giant ballista also a giant scam.
    Vale,

  6. #6

    Default Re: Minor Factions Preview... Syracuse and the Kingdom of Bosporos

    Wow
    THat's all I can say about it

    TWC Son of the One and Only Abbews

  7. #7
    apple's Avatar Searching for 42
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    Default Re: Minor Factions Preview... Syracuse and the Kingdom of Bosporos

    I have already comment this in the dev forum.

    It's just amazingly good info.
    I do especially like the fact that so much is written about Archimedes (one of the greatest thinker ever walk on this earth.)

    And then all great units by our model/skinning team and the historical research that Kervanos has put into them.
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  8. #8

    Default Re: Minor Factions Preview... Syracuse and the Kingdom of Bosporos

    Amazing. Truly.

    Game of the Fates
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  9. #9

    Default Re: Minor Factions Preview... Syracuse and the Kingdom of Bosporos

    Is Archimedes in the game as an ancillary?



  10. #10

    Default Re: Minor Factions Preview... Syracuse and the Kingdom of Bosporos

    Quote Originally Posted by cherryfunk View Post
    Is Archimedes in the game as an ancillary?
    It's already in RS1.5. So I assume it will be in RS2 to

    TWC Son of the One and Only Abbews

  11. #11
    loukas's Avatar Tiro
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    Default Re: Minor Factions Preview... Syracuse and the Kingdom of Bosporos

    Absolutely amazing! The faces of the Syracuse slinger and the Tanais cataphract are just awesome!

  12. #12
    Pavlik the Rus's Avatar Civitate
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    Default Re: Minor Factions Preview... Syracuse and the Kingdom of Bosporos

    Great units! But at this time they are even better, more accurate and detailed.

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  13. #13

    Default Re: Minor Factions Preview... Syracuse and the Kingdom of Bosporos

    Brilliant preview Kera!

    **RS Dev Team***Reciprocal Repper!* RIP Calvin- you will be missed

  14. #14

    Default Re: Minor Factions Preview... Syracuse and the Kingdom of Bosporos

    wow
    I was a Roma Surrectum 2.0 Beta Tester

    Total War Veteran

  15. #15
    Mulattothrasher's Avatar Vicarius
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    Default Re: Minor Factions Preview... Syracuse and the Kingdom of Bosporos

    Each RS2 preview that is done gets better and better. The bar has been raised for what to expect next!

  16. #16
    Ragnarök's Avatar Decanus
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    Default Re: Minor Factions Preview... Syracuse and the Kingdom of Bosporos




    Amazing research here, and the units couldn't be better... awesome!

  17. #17
    Lou337's Avatar Decanus
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    Default Re: Minor Factions Preview... Syracuse and the Kingdom of Bosporos

    wow such attention to detail all of them are so wonderfully beautiful and fierce. these were my favorites

    Syrakosioi Lonchophoroi have great looking helmets and shields

    Syrakosioi Levy Thureophoroi: I love their shields, helmet, blue over red tunics and boots!

    Celtic heavy swordsmen: that is how I always imagined facing a gaul would be like. That is what a gallic warrior should be. Great job on his facial expressions he looks extremely confident

    Iberian caetrati: love their helmet and the plumes look so real and feathery and the shield is great as well as the tunic

    the catapult crewmen have awesome awesome helmets

    Scythian skirmisher: great skirmisher unit the shield makes it look like it could double as light infantry eh?

    I fell in love with the scythohellenic archer. absolutely beautiful. just wow.

    Great work on the celtic archer the details are wonderful

    celtic noble cavalry....i dont know how im gonna kill those guys they look fierce

    the thracian psiloi has great boots and tunic and wonderful shield and cape

    Thraikian pezoi epilektoi would not want to meet those guys in battle
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  18. #18

    Default Re: Minor Factions Preview... Syracuse and the Kingdom of Bosporos

    Breathtaking
    JUPITER OPTIMUS MAXIMUS VICTOR

  19. #19

    Default Re: Minor Factions Preview... Syracuse and the Kingdom of Bosporos

    i have a question. Why do the bosporans kick so much ass?
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  20. #20
    Agisilaos's Avatar GREECE - ΕΛΛΑΔΑ
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    Default Re: Minor Factions Preview... Syracuse and the Kingdom of Bosporos

    i have no words to express once again, for your amazing work and efforts Keravnos. simply amazing!!!
    Macedones were, are and will always be Greeks
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