Preview: The Romani

[Chlοë]

he looks stunning!

[Marie Louise von Preussen]

Gorgeous unit out there . My only question is how you're going to calculate stats with so much diversity in equipment? Will we see "AP" units and the like, or such special boni?

EDIT - Oh and lol, just realized the curved sword of the Eques is the Machaira, and not the Kopis. Nice trick out there!

[paradamed]

Nice preview! Very interesting!

[Julianus Flavius]

ROMA VICTORIA
Really looking forward to this.

[Legionary Titus Pullo]

actually i believe the sword in question is a Falcata and of spanish origin.
The Falcata has a one edged blade that pitches forward towards the point, the edge being concave on the lower part of the sword, but convex on top. This shape distributes the weight in such a way that the falcata is capable of delivering a blow with the momentum of an axe, while maintaining the cutting edge of a sword. The hilt is typically hook-shaped, the end being stylized in the shape of a horse or a bird. There is often a thin chain connecting the tip of the hilt with the upper section. Although it was a one-edge weapon, two-edge falcatas have been found.

The falcata-like swords were derived from the sickle-shape knives of the Iron Age; that too explains their ritual uses. It is thought that it was introduced in the Iberian Peninsula by the Celts who spread the iron technology. It seems that its origin is parallel to the Greek Kopis, and not derived from it.

Makhaira is a term used by modern scholars to describe a type of ancient bladed weapon, generally a large knife with a slight backwards curve. In period texts, μάχαιρα has a variety of meanings, and can refer to virtually any knife or sword even a surgeon's scalpel, but in a martial context it frequently does seem to refer to a type of one-edged, curved sword. Modern scholars distinguish the makhaira from the kopis based on the direction of the blade curvature

[Benz282]

I knew the hilt of the Kopis just didn't fit with the one in the picture! Needless to say, very nice work. The face and the model in general are both very detailed. Thank you for the preview and congratulations, EB team!

[pirates_say_arrgg]

This is going to be one outstanding mod when finished. I can't wait to see the Carthaginians and the Latin Allies.

Good job EB II team!

[Benz282]

I'm waiting for the Celts! They were very "individual" warriors, meaning no two would really look alike and RTW's engine really limited their portrayal. With the many new options made available for units with M2's engine, I am really excited to see how the Celtic armies look!

[Rorarii]

Question 1:
These helmets belong to the Triarii.
Question 2:
Top Sword: I'm going to have to say this is an early Gladius Hispaniensis, though I've never seen a hilt like that. Still, I believe this is the Gladius due to the pommel and "straight" blade.
Middle Sword: This is either a Greek Kopis or an Iberian Falcata. My final answer will be Falcata, though. (Alternative picture: http://www.by-the-sword.com/acatalog...AH-4111-BN.jpg)
Bottom Sword: This is a Xiphos (Alternative picture: http://dualityentertainment.com/mike...finalsword.jpg)
Question 3:
The large, round, bronze-covered shields were known to the Romans as "Clipei".
The oval-shaped shields are "Scutum" (alternative picture: https://oncourse.iu.edu/access/conte...ahenobarb1.jpg)
The smaller round shield is a "Parma" or "Parmula".
Question 4:
The Clipei was used by the Triarii.
The Scutum was used by both the Principes and Hastati, as well as possibly the Rorarii.
The Parma was used by the Equites Romani (I am hesitant to say that though, since the shields you are displaying lack decoration, which wealthy Roman cavalrymen should have been able to afford).
Question 5:
The helmets in the top left correspond to the Hastati.
The helmets in the bottom right correspond to the Triarii.

I feel like the fact the Rorarii haven't been mentioned by anyone is a bad sign...

wait for it .... wait for it ...

HERE I AM!!!

I doubt any any equipement would be allocated to the rorarii besides javelins and a spear. And noone has mentioned the Accensi (levied spearmen) They would have cheap italic-corinthian looking helmet.

As to different regions for different military classes, that's what i was going to do in Romulus - Palatine recruits eques / first class spearmen / triarii - other hills the rest. i would prefer different population classes recruiting different military classes but i haven't worked out how to do this yet. My current thinking is to have Rome controlled by Patricians (Etruscan decendants) and have other factions as "protectorates" (sub factions) - Plebs (Sabine / Latins).

LOVE the look of the Eques, real latin blood there (but probably not Alban (white)).

R

[Toph]

The EB team never ceases to amaze. Keep up the phenomenal work!

[Momus]

yay

[apple]

Splendid work

[jmrc]

This looks absolutely superb guys. A lot of work is obviously going in to this. Are you having any luck with the battlefield graphics?

Nice cities , but do you know how to put them in-game ?

Nice work guys!
What about the battle map buildings?

Thanks for the comments, guys! Although k_raso already answered, I'd like to point out that the models you see were used for creating the stratmap roman settlements and not the battlemap buildings. Due to the large scope of the project, our priorities are still focused in the stratmap and unit models.

[pacco]

I know, but what if you don´t find the way how to put new battle map buildings in? I think this is the most important for classical mod on M2TW engine.
Can you imagine those romans in medieval city/castle?

[Killerbee]

Thanks for the comments, guys! Although k_raso already answered, I'd like to point out that the models you see were used for creating the stratmap roman settlements and not the battlemap buildings. Due to the large scope of the project, our priorities are still focused in the stratmap and unit models.

Oh , alright , sorry for misinterpretation

[torongill]

Oh, damn I'm good
The machaira was supposedly curved back, a bit like a sabre, scimitar or a katana, while the kopis/falcata curved in, like a yatagan, falx or rhompalia(sp?).
AFAIK, also the machaira was used as a generic name for curved swords, as well as any "professionally" used blade. Which would make the falcata and the kopis also machairas.
About the first sword, it looks like a gladius, althought the pommel is celtic and looks close to the
Cogotas Sword. So I assume that it's supposed to be an "uncle" of the Gladius Hispanus, having already its long point, but still retaining the celtic pommel. I cannot accept that it's a celtic short sword, because the celtic swords did not have long points.

BTW, machaira used as a generic name reminded me of one of the final dialogues in "Men in tights":
Rabbi Tuck(hands the Sword of England back to king Richard): Here's your knife.
Richard I Lionheart: Sword.
Rabbi Tuck: Whatever.

2nd BTW. The Equitus looks quite ugly

[Sephynos]

Finally! Wow I love your work guys! Superbe!!

[MorganH.]

Epic Work on EBII,can hardly wait for its release
Still playing EB and still loving it!
+rep
greetings

[k_raso]

First post updated with the correct answers and the prize.

[decimator22]

Epic, Can't wait to play EBII's romans.