Roma Surrectum 2 Faction Preview - The Dacians
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The Dacians
About the same time, Germany suffered from the indifference of our generals and the mutinous conduct of our legions; the assaults of enemies and the treachery of allies all but overthrew the power of Rome. Of this war, its origin and its issue, for it lasted long, I shall hereafter speak. The Dacians were also in motion, a people which never can be trusted, and which, now that our legions were withdrawn from Moesia, had nothing to fear. They quietly watched the opening of the campaign, but when they heard that Italy was in a blaze of war, and that the whole empire was divided against itself, they stormed the winter-quarters of the auxiliary infantry and cavalry, and occupied both banks of the Danube. They were then preparing to destroy the camp of the legions, but Mucianus sent the 6th legion against them, for he knew of the victory of Cremona, and he feared this double pressure of barbarian power with Dacians and Germans invading Italy from opposite sides. Tacitus
The Dacians were known as Geton (plural Getae) in Greek writings, and as Dacus (plural Daci) also Getae, in Roman documents, also as Dagae and Gaete. Strabo states that the original name of the Dacians was "daoi", which could be explained with a possible Phrygian language connection, "daos", meaning "wolf". This assumption may be supported by the fact that the Dacian standard, the Draco, had a wolf's head. Their capital was not Argedava near the Danube, but Sarmizegetusa, in the Sureanu mountains, in the Romanian Western Carpathians.
Mythology
"This same people, when it lightens and thunders, aim their arrows at the sky, uttering threats against the god; and they do not believe that there is any god but their own." Herodotus, 4.94.
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According to Herodotus' History (book 4) account of the story of Zalmoxis (or Zamolxis), the Getae (speaking the same language as the Dacians - Strabo) believed in the immortality of the soul, and regarded death as merely a change of country.
Their chief priest held a prominent position as the representative of the supreme deity, Zalmoxis. He was also the king's chief adviser. The Goth Jordanes in his Getica (The origin and deeds of the Goths) gives account of Dicineus (Deceneus), the highest priest of Buruista (Burebista). Besides Zalmoxis, the Dacians believed in other deities such as Gebeleizis.
We also have knowledge of a goddess, Bendis, corresponding to Artemis, in the Greek mythology, or Diana, in Roman mythology. Bendis is a goddess of the moon and the forest.
Sarmizegetsua Regia - The Sacred Area
The Andesite Sun Disk
The 'Sun' is divided by ten spokes, creating arcs at its circumference measuring 2.76 metres. Within its centre sits yet another smaller disc which has a radius of 1.46 metres. Protruding from the edge of the Sun is a line made from rock pointing north.
The ritual of the Messenger
Herodotus also presents a practice of the Dacians, that of sending every five years a messenger to Zalmoxis, to make their god know their needs and sorrows. One Dacian man was chosen at random to be the messenger, he was told what he had to tell the god, and then he was thrown in the air to fall on three spears. Realistically the man would perish and the message of the people would be delivered. However, on occasion that the ‘throwers’ were off slightly and the man survived, he was ostracized as not worthy to carry the message.
Dacian Society
Dacians were divided into two classes: the aristocracy (Tarabostes) and the common people (comati). The aristocracy alone had the right to cover their heads and wore a felt hat (hence pileati, their Latin name). The second class, which comprised the rank and file of the army, the peasants and artisans, might have been called capillati (in Latin). Their appearance and clothing can be seen on Trajan's Column.
Murus Dacicus
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Walls at Blidaru.
Murus Dacicus, (Dacian Wall), is a construction method for defence walls and fortifications developed in ancient Dacia sometime before the Roman conquest. It is a mix between traditional construction methods particular to Dacian builders and methods imported from Greek and Roman architecture and masonry. Although somewhat similar construction techniques were used before, during and long after the period it has peculiarities that make it unique.
Murus Dacicus consisted of two outer walls made out of rectangular stone blocks carved in the shape of a parallelepiped ( 6 sided block ) ; apparently no mortar was used, thus making them examples of ashlar masonry - but typically done with regular sized, bigger-than-average blocks, due to technological requirements. After each layer of the outer walls was completed, the gap between them would be filled with gravel and rocks cemented together with clay and compacted (also rammed earth technique). The structure was strengthened and consolidated at the level of each layer by horizontal, singed/scorched wood tie beams connected to the outer walls by means of a dovetail joint at the upper surface of the stone block (hence the need for big stone blocks of the same size). Due to its higher flexibility, this structure had a distinct advantage over the 'classical', solid dry stone wall (as seen in the cyclopean and ashlar walls in Mycenae): a higher
capability of shock absorption and dissipation of kinetic energy from an incoming projectile thrown by a siege weapon.
However, archaeological and historical evidence suggests that the wall might have been topped by a wooden palisade instead of stone battlements, which had the obvious disadvantage of being vulnerable to fire.
A properly built Dacian Wall would be both labor intensive and time consuming. A typical wall for the late period, hastily built in the short years between the two Dacian Wars (when Dacia had to rebuild, repair, enlarge or reinforce the defences of many of its key fortesses), would be about 3-4 meters thick and 10 m tall, an outstanding achievement in the given conditions.
Aerial view of the citadel at Bildaru.
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King Dromihetes is known due to his conflict around 300 BC with Lysimachos, a general of Alexander the Great who became king of Thrace after Alexander's death. Lysimachos attempted to extend his kingdom to the north of the Danube, but Dromihetes wanted Lysimachos to return some fortresses from the south of the Danube in exchange. Dromihetes won all of those battles and captured Agatocles, the son of Lysimachos.
In 292 BC when Lysimachos took his army across the Danube, Greek and Roman chroniclers record the defeat and capture of Lysimachus by Dromihete and his later release following a debate in the assembly of the Getae. Dromihetes' capital was Helis which is generally thought to have been in Muntenia. Other kings in this period were Zalmodegicos and Rhemaxos of Dobrogea and Oroles of Transylvania.
Under King Burebista, who came to power around 82BC, the Dacian army was completely reorganized and he raised the moral standards of the people. The limits of the kingdom were extended, forming a Dacian empire; the Bastarnae and Boii were conquered, and several Greek cities on the Euxine fell into his hands. When Burebista offered to support Pompey against Caesar (48 BC) his kingdom stretched from the Beskids Mountains in the north, the middle Danube in the west, the Dniester River in the east, and to the Balkan Mountains in the south. Burebista developed a system of fortifications in the Orastie mountains as a natural stronghold. The Dacians appeared so formidable that Caesar contemplated an expedition against them, which was prevented by his death in 44 BC.
About the same time Burebista himself was murdered, and the kingdom was divided into four or five parts under separate rulers. With the rise of Augustus and Roman conquests in the Balkans, the Dacians recognized Roman supremacy. They were by no means subdued, however, and took every opportunity to cross the frozen Danube and ravage the province of Moesia.
The empire split into smaller kingdoms after Burebista's death. The kings that reigned from Sarmizegetusa situated in the Orastie Mountains were Deceneu, Comosicus, Scorilo, and Duras.
Decebalus
King Decebalus came to power in the late 1st Century AD and re-centralized the Dacian government. He reigned from 87 AD to 106 AD, having been given the throne by Duras. He was previously the leading nobleman of the Dacians at Tapae. Decebal's state was smaller than that of Burebista with the borders being the rivers Tisza in the west, Siret in the east, Danube in the south and the northern Carpathians. In 85 AD he invaded Roman Moesia with a considerable army and enjoyed some early victories. The Romans, during the reign of Emperor Domitian eventually repulsed the invasion and pushed deep into Dacian territory. Defeats in the west to the German tribe, the Marcomanni, forced Domitian to sue for peace with Dacia and they were left with relative independence provided they pay annual tributes to Rome.
The Emperor Trajan, seeking to put an end to this arrangement, resolved to crush the Dacians once and for all. He launched a campaign in 101 AD resulting in victories at Tapae in 101 and Hulpe in 102 AD. With the occupation of the Dacian capital Sarmizegethusa and the surrounding country, Trajan was satisfied with Dacian subservience and the expedition came to a close.
Decebalus was not yet defeated, however, and in 105 AD the Dacians retook their capital and again ravaged Moesia. Trajan responded with a second campaign from 105 to 107 AD. This campaign resulted in a successful two-pronged assault on Sarmizegethusa, the destruction of the Dacian army and the suicide of King Decebalus. With Trajan's conquests, the Roman frontier was extended to the Carpathians and the Dniester, pushing the borders of the Roman Empire to its greatest extent.
Tribes of Dacia
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Albocenses - lived west of the Potulatenses
Anarti - lived in the north west
Apuli - lived in central Transylvania with their capital at Apulum - (Piatra Craivii)
Biephi - lived west of the Buridavenses
Buridavenses - lived in northern Moldavia with their citadel Buridava
Calipizi - lived between the Dnestr and the Bug rivers
Carpi - lived east of the Carpathians and west of the Dnestr River. The name of the Carpathian Mountains probably comes from the name of this tribe
Caucoenses - lived to the east
Ciagisi - between the Saldenses and Piephigi
Costoboci - lived in northern and north-eastern Dacia, reaching the territory of modern Ukraine and Moldavia
Cotenses - live east of the Buridavenses
Crobobizi and the Trizi - lived in Dobrogea
Keiasigi - lived in Transylvania
Piephigi - lived in Moldavia and eastern Muntenia
Potulatenses - between the Albocenses and Sienses
Predavenses - lived in the west
Ratacenses - between the Predavenses and the Caucoenses
Saldenses - lived in the Banat and Crisana
Sienses - lived east of the Potulatenses
Suci - lived in Oltenia with their citadel Sucidava at the mouth of the river Olt
Tyragetae - lived at the mouth of the river Dnestr
“The war Scythe” – The Falx
‘A re-construction of a falx (war scythe) indicates that it could penetrate 1.2 millimeters of mild steel plate. Inflicting a wound 40 mm long, 38 mm deep and up to 6 mm wide on the tissue beneath.’
A Companion to the Roman Army – Paul Erdkamp
Destructive power of the Falx
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The following photos are from a re-enactment group’s test of the power of the falx. The scutum was made exactly (with modern materials), as it would have been during the Dacian conflicts. The strapping young warrior is using a custom reproduced falx.
The shield is humorously labeled;
“ Campbell’s Chunky Legionary – in Entrail Sauce with Lorica bits for Extra Iron. “
It’s quite evident why the Roman’s adjusted their armour and shields.
Actual falx and spear points excavated near Sarmizegethusa
Swords discovered in Dacia
‘The Dacian army was far more technologically advanced than any other barbarian army against which the Roman army had previously fought. Scene XXV cast 63 on Trajan’s Column shows Trajan examining a Dacian bow and arrow. Only the arrow remains. The bow, which would have originally been made of metal in Trajan’s right hand, is missing. One suggestion based on a previous scene is that it may have been a Gastraphetes, an early type of crossbow’.
(A previous scene shows a Dacian warrior in some trees holding an arrow in an uncharacteristic grip for a bowman, and his weapon is also missing. Two authors Lepper and Frere suggest that the missing weapon, like that missing from the emperors hands was a crossbow of some type, probably a Gastraphetes.)
The Dacian Threat 101 – 106 AD - Michael Schmitz
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Custom built rhomphaia as used by Thracians.
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An interesting piece of historical knowledge about the Rhomphaia was that the handle was wrapped in felt. This improved the grip of the user as it would not become slippery from sweat or blood. The weapon pictured here was wrapped with leather as per the owners instructions.
The Draco
The Draco Standard was originally developed by the cavalry peoples of the steppes, such as the Sarmatians and the Alans, but also by the Parthians and the Sassanid Persians. It may have been used to determine the wind-direction for the horse archers. Arrian described it as a long sleeve, 'made by sewing pieces of dyed material together'. This sleeve/tube hung limp when the rider was at rest, but on the move it flew like a serpent and whistled in the wind. The hollow head, in the form of a toothed dragon, was formed from metal and the wind passing through it would extend the cloth tube tail attached to the neck of the head. The Draco was also used by the Dacians (or their allies) and no less than 20 of these are shown on Trajan's Column.
Not all such standards had dragonheads attached. On Trajan's Column some heads look more like a dog (with ears) than a dragon. Another one has a much more serpentine head, and scalloped rings attached to the tail. Other standards had no heads at all, just the fabric tube, while some had heads looking like wolves or even fishes. These had protruding ears and fins.
The earliest Draco (dracones) found in Dacia dating back to the fourth century BC, was used as their military standard. They considered themselves "Sons of Light" and had the Draco made from three colors, red - representing morning, yellow - representing the noon and blue - representing the dusk. After the occupation of Dacia the Romans enlisted the Dacians into their army. Dacian Cohort's spread throughout the empire, in Britannia they were assigned to defend Hadrian's Wall. The Romans adopted the Draco as a military standard. Legio XIII Gemina which was stationed at Apulum (present day Alba Iulia, Romania) had a Draco made with the tail in three colors, blue, yellow and red. This is the origin of the Romanian flag.
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Images from Trajan's column that formed the basis for many of our Dacian warrior's armour.
This preview would not be possible without the following;
dvk901 -
“There is no one among the Sarmatians and the Getae who doesn't wear a scabbard with a bow and arrows dipped in adder blood"
Ovidius: Trist; IV; 1; 78
Some bows were made of animal horns, others were made of cornel tree wood, larch wood, hazel, hornbeam, ash or elm. The strings were made of flax, hemp, animal bowels, and horse or cattle veins. In rainy weather the warriors wore the bows unstrained so not to lose its flexibility. A medium bow could fire arrows as far as 200 meters.
The arrows were made of wood or occasionally of cane were 0,80-0,90 m long and had pointed metallic heads. The heads could be manufactured with 2 or 3 edges, or some of them were conic, also having a "thorn / barb". A skilled archer could fire 12 arrows a minute. These arrows were kept in metal quivers, between 16-24 in number. They were beautifully designed and painted but also dipped in poison. When the supply of arrows ran out, arrows from the battlefield or prisoners would be used.
Spears and lances were produced in many forms and models, from small barbs to enormous iron lances of 50 cm. From simple shapes without wings, to shapes copying the willow or laurel leaf. From prod/melee spears to spears for throwing. At the bottom end they were endowed with a sharp iron spur for being stuck in the earth against cavalry.
"The Getae, neighbours of the Scythians, use the same weapons as these do, they are all horsemen and archers"
Thucidides ;II; c.96
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"The Dacians go to their deaths, happier than in any other journey, which explains their courage and heroism in battle.”
Trajan
Allied AOR Units
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Credits:
Skins (except general, xystophoroi, draco bearer, carnyx player, bastarnae), all shields: Leif
Skins (tarabostes, thraikan elite): Dr Hobo
Models and skins (general, xystophoroi, draco bearer, carnyx player, bastarnae): Tone
V-ray renders, banners: Pacco
Historical research: Roma Surrectum 2 team, Arnspac
Preview: Arnspac
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Originally Posted by tone
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