Roman troops of the Third Century AD

[Dark_horse_spirit]

this question might be a wee bit off topic, but I noticed that your new units(super cool), all have a spanghelmet, the Helmets from earlier years were out of existance by then?, was just curious when that transition was made.

[Emperor Caesar]

No they weren't nonextistent. The older style of arms for the legions was slowly being replaced by newer equipment i.e. gladius to spatha, pila to plumbaratii, etc. The number being produced was decreasing and decreasing. The transition was made during the 3rd century when the mod takes place. Then lorica segmentata went out of production completely in 284, it was still used but wasn't being made anymore. SO yes they still had the older style of arms in the 3rd century just no where near as much used as it had been by say, Trajan's legions.

[Gäiten]

In Osprey`s Roman Centurions 31 BC–AD 500 for the Constantine Civil War there are still the typical 3rd century helmet to see.

[Blatta Optima Maxima]

That gear looks perfectly normal to me, since I see no reason why a legionary in Dacia wouldn't adopt some local gear.

[Diocle]

I don't know if you already know this, but I've stumbled across what appears to be the units of the Joviani and Herculiani on the Arch of Galerius (built in the period 298-303). Notice the shield with the eagle on the low far right and the shield with an image of Hercules in the upper scene on the far left in this image:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

originally from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jorge-11/3338030940/

But, so, again, the wonderful arch of Galerius does not finish to give us wonderful gifts!

Thanks Razor fantastic image! I can clearly distinguish the Herculiani, in the upper left corner, that had on the upper half of the shield a small classical image of Hercules! and the Joviani, down on the right, the eagle, symbol symbol of Zueus, a small eagle on the upper half of the shield!

Incredible! we have found the shields of Herculiae ans Joviae Legiones of Diocles!...I never saw this image, it is the inner part of the arch!!! really a fantastic source!!! .....+Mega rep!!!

[tomySVK]

Here is nice diorama by Verlinden:

[Diocle]

Nice find as ever tomy!!! and Verlinden confirms to be one of the best companies!

[Razor]

You're welcome Joar and Diocle.

I also found a Roman brooch in the shape of a Niederbieber helmet... with crest!

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Diocle]

Coooool!! It was already my preferred Roman Helmet (well IMO, probably, the best helmet in human history!) and now........the crest!!!!!....maybe could be used for some elite unit, like Pretorians or similar.....

Razor your work has been always a masterpiece but also your findings....are of incredible quality!!!!!

I read and watched many text and Images about the Arch of Galerius (sadly I did not visit the monument) but I never saw the early shields of Hrculiani and Joviani!!! You are a great man Razor!!!! Thanks!!!...+rep

[tomySVK]

Great find Razor!

[Joar]

Yes, nice one!

[First Citizen Gallienus]

Quadi Standard Bearer 3rd century AD by Pegaso Models

http://www.pegasomodels.it/productdetails_en.asp?id=884

[Dark_horse_spirit]

Hi,
So around what time era did the Roman legions adopt the sheild wall,

[Diocletianus]

Gorgeous find Gallienus !

[Diocle]

Good image Gallienus! But the helmet? Is it spangenhelm? If so is it of Dacian construction? It is similar to some exemple of Spangenhelm belonging to the Carolingian era (IX - X Centuries), it seems a little out of place in the third century.....

[Reno Melitensis]

Hi,
So around what time era did the Roman legions adopt the sheild wall,

According to some, the shield wall was used by various auxilliary units during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd centuries, while the testudo was used by the Legionaries. Later on during this mod timeframe, oval and round shields where being used by legionaries, in preference from the rectangular scutum. Variuous reasons for this have been put forward. By best guess the reason was due to the lighter frame of the oval-round shield, being able to give the same degree of protection as the rectangular scutum, and the early germanizition of the army. From the end of Commodus reign, up to Aurelian, civil wars where almost constant, plus barbarian invasions on all fronts. These sercumstances gave rise to different equipment and different tactics.

Cheers.

[Dark_horse_spirit]

I have tried many different ways in adopting testuedo into BI, I have not figured it out as of yet, It would add a whole lot of realism to the game. As for my new animations, I work on them a bit every nite, but my problem is that I do it from my lap top, so the game plays out a little slower, and may look awesome on my machine but when it comes to more powerfull machines it may look choppy..I will continue to work on it

[Reno Melitensis]

I have tried many different ways in adopting testuedo into BI, I have not figured it out as of yet, It would add a whole lot of realism to the game. As for my new animations, I work on them a bit every nite, but my problem is that I do it from my lap top, so the game plays out a little slower, and may look awesome on my machine but when it comes to more powerfull machines it may look choppy..I will continue to work on it

In the export_descr_unit file there are the unit descriptions. In the line Formation add testudo, or replace shieldwall with testudo, it will look like :

type palatini herculianii juniores
dictionary legio_herculianii_juniores_palatini ; Legio Herculianii Juniores
category infantry
class heavy
voice_type Heavy_1
soldier legio_palatini_juniores, 45, 0, 1.15
officer roman_tribuni2
officer roman_vexilarii
officer roman_aquilifer
attributes sea_faring, can_sap, command, very_hardy, frighten_mounted, no_custom
formation 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, square, testudo
health 1, 6
stat_pri 5, 10, plumbatari, 59, 5, thrown, blade, piercing, spear, 25, 1
stat_pri_attr prec, thrown, ap, fire
stat_sec 11, 10, no, 0, 0, melee, blade, piercing, sword, 25, 0.4
stat_sec_attr no
stat_pri_armour 11, 12, 5, metal
stat_sec_armour 0, 0, flesh
stat_heat 5
stat_ground 0, -2, -1, -2
stat_mental 15, disciplined, highly_trained
stat_charge_dist 30
stat_fire_delay -55000
stat_food 60, 300
stat_cost 4, 1040, 520, 85, 120, 780
ownership empire_west, empire_east, empire_west_rebels

I did this change when I played SAI in the good old days.

Cheers.

[tomySVK]

Great find FCG

Here is excellent miniature of legionary from Marcomannic wars:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Diocle]

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++REP! For tomy Optimus Maximus! I want to paint that miniature NOW!!!!!...This is the perfect Music for Tomy Optimus Maximus!!!!