Huntōną
Huntōną is a Proto-Germanic word which translates loosely as "Hunters". These men would have been composed of a variety of different individuals, from all social classes through most likely the majority will have been the lesser "freemen" of the Iuthungi tribe, the peasants, farmers and those unable to afford proper weapons. Yet, hunting will have been a sport enjoyed even by nobles and distinguished warriors, and many may have become skilled enough with the bow to see it as their weapon of choice, the bow enjoying a good standing in Germanic warrior mythology. These men will have been experts at tracking and hunting game, and even enemies, through the dark woods and rugged mountains of their homeland.
These men will have been grouped into warbands and provided a supporting function to the Iuthungi host, both in combat and in foraging for food and supplies. Their tactics will have been relatively simple, being positioned either at the back of the battle line and peppering the enemy with arrows or through skirmishes and ambushes, something these men will have been very good at. They are modestly clad, with only a tunic and trousers, with a leather jerkin, a hemp belt and leather boots. Their bow was often made of ash or yew for the stave, being around six feet long, with arrows carved of poplar or beech. Arrow-heads often differed in quality and type, with heads made for hunting and armour-piercing being available. Frequently in graves, arrow-heads are found with axe heads, and so this warrior is represented with a simple axe as a backup weapon.
While archery remained relatively underdeveloped in Germanic military culture, especially in the east, the Iuthungi have slowly began to realise their usefulness, and as such they would be best placed behind the lines, where they can either attack the enemy with impunity, or in cases of opportunity, outflank them and target them from behind. Needless to say, their lack of armour and shields make them extremely vulnerable to melee fighting and cavalry of any kind.
Wrakjōnes Karloz
Wrakjōnes Karloz are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Freemen Warriors". This group represents the most numerous class of Iutuhngi society, the "free" men of the tribe who come together in times of war but also when raiding and pillaging parties are needed, a vital component of Germanic inter-tribal warfare. These men will have been mostly poor and tied to the land, called to arms by their kinsmen, chieftains and family leaders, though some may also be volunteers and be eager to impress their lords and fellow warriors, hoping to secure patronage and favour with those above them. While the martial valour of Germanic tribesmen is not in doubt, their experience will have varied and their simple tactic - the headlong charge - could be expected to overcome most warriors, but if this is not forthcoming, these men will break sooner rather than later.
These men are simply armed and clad, with only a handful of framea or javelins, some with angular heads with armour-piercing qualities, they charged ahead of the lines, throwing their missiles before falling back behind the lines in fluid motion, as Tacitus describes of most Germanic armies. A small shield with an iron boss and an axe is also carried, necessary should they find themselves in the heat of battle or pursuing a routing enemy. They wear dyed woollen trousers to keep out the mountainous cold, with a leather belt, a thick fur cloak and simple boots.
These men can be expected to fulfil a variety of roles in the Iuthungi host, from support to skirmishing duties, and even fighting in a melee engagement if the need comes, though a wise Iuthungi king will consider that there are many better armourd and experienced troops to fulfil this function. Their lack of armour and ranged spears will prove a disadvantage against missiles and cavalry, and so they should be kept away from these kind of enemies.
FurHtaz Wulfaz Aināz
FurHtaz Wulfaz Aināz are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "The Terrifying Scorched Ones". This refers primarily to both their terrifying visage and brutality in battle and their habit of covering themselves from head to toe in soot, in order to further instil fear into the hearts of their enemies. These warriors adorn themselves in wolf-skins, being similar to the somewhat mythical and archaic Ulfheğnar or “men clad in wolf skins” from Germanic warrior tradition, sects of which were still known to exist. To us, they more commonly known as “berserkers”, representing an ancient, rare and dying (in the West) European warrior tradition. These men are the precursors to the later Norse “Hamrarmmr”, meaning “those who change form” or “enter a state of wild fury” and “shapestrong”. Yet, the attributes they describe – a state of wild, reckless rage employed by a small cadre of nearly superhumanly built men who more often than not wielded equally huge weapons – are timeless through the ages.
To the Iuthungi, these men would have been outcasts, exiles, criminals, religious fanatics or simply warriors and nobles of all rungs of society, young and old, seeking to prove themselves in accordance to extremely ancient customs. These men will have spent many years surviving in the wilderness, be it in swamps or dark forests or rocky mountains, and will have as a consequence become very vicious, efficient and arguably quite mentally ill due to their isolation from regular society. Through the aid of both pitch and dye, they display their zeal by blackening their shields and bodies, appearing more as shadows and phantoms than men to their enemies and striking with an innate ferocity and wide-eyed and screaming at their foes. Some take on the symbol (and often the pelts!) of wolves, seeking to emulate them as proud, vicious and cunning beasts, howling and stalking their prey, even altering not only their aesthetic and also their mental state to give themselves an edge in combat. The more peculiar and perhaps disturbing habits of these men (as Tacitus describes of one group) can be witnessed in the drinking of the blood of enemies, perhaps even their own blood, possibly cannibalism, self-mutilation, and of course: howling.
They wear only dyed woollen trousers, a simple belt and leather sandals. For protection they sport simple shields made of yew planks glued together, and their weapons of choice are usually a pair of throwing spears they unleash before their furious charges, before closing in with either an iron spatha or axe. They are best pointed towards the enemy and unleashed into a state of blind rage as shock troops whose only purpose is to carve and hack a bloody hole in an enemy line, splitting men in half from skull to breastbone, with little regard for the concepts of pain, fear, mercy or restraint. Many were said to fight on with their bare hands, biting down on shields and attacking their enemies tooth and nail, in addition to being impervious to both “fire and iron” – probably an allusion to their resistance to pain and great stamina and endurance.
Given these very particular and peculiar traits, they would have been rare, expensive and difficult to replace to a Iuthungi king and as such should be used accordingly, at critical moments in battle and against the right enemies.
Ğruχtiz Yaiğō-Akwiz
Ğruχtiz Yaiğō-Akwiz are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Spear and Axe Warband". These warriors represent the primary component of a Iuthungi host, the multitude of warriors of varying age and experience, but having proven themselves in battle and given the task of forming the backbone of their battle line. Equipped with spears and axes, these men can meet most challenges head on and fight in the thick of battle. They are the mainstay of Iuthungi warrior culture, accustomed to battle, seasoned and prepared to deal with the hardships of campaign. They will have been either free men or the retinues of lesser nobles, grouped together into warbands and led by a war chief, divided into clans and the lesser tribes that made the Iuthungi people.
These men represent a relative "middle class" of Iuthungi warrior society. They are better off than most, but still far off from being in the company of the earls, nobles and king's retinues, enjoying the full patronage and support of their lords. They carry iron headed axes for close quarters combat, in addition to their main spear or framea made of ash or maple, with a leaf shaped iron head. Perhaps from previous plunder or the patronage of lesser lords, these men possess a little wealth, able to afford better quality clothing, with two dyed woollen tunics with a wide bronze plated belt, and open leather boots, under which they wear woollen socks. An enclosed leather boot and a fur skin add protection against inclement weather. They also have a stout hexagonal shield made of planked wood and painted over, resembling shields from an earlier era, with a pointed iron boss familiar to Germanic tribesmen, which could also be used offensively in a punching manner.
These men represent an important, and arguably crucial, part of the Iuthungi battle line. They will perform admirably as medium line infantry, and fight with good martial élan, though it should be noted their lack of armour will eventually prove their downfall if paired against an enemy enjoying that particular advantage. They will perform well against all but heavy cavalry with their long spears, and as usual, they will also suffer if exposed to prolonged missile fire.
Dugunthiz γaiğō-Manwaz
Dugunthiz γaiğō-Manwaz are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Experienced or Capable Spearmen". Like the Spear and Axe warbands, these men fight at the front of the Iuthungi host, being the more experienced and capable warriors of the tribe, having seen many seasons and participated in countless battles. As such, they are more reliable than most other warbands, though they fulfil very much the same purpose - front line infantry. These warriors will have been older, scarred and accustomed to warfare of all types, which is reflected in what they wear and arm themselves with.
A dyed tunic with a fur jerkin, held together by a bronze plated leather belt, and open leather boots with woollen socks is all they wear for battle, keeping them light and mobile. They carry a long, main spear or framea made of ash or maple, with a leaf shaped iron head, with a smaller, rounded "buckler" type shield using for sparring, made of small planks glued together and painted over in a tribal fashion, with a small iron boss. As a backup weapon they carry a small iron headed axe, able to inflict dreadful wounds and which can be especially useful against armour. As such, these men are prepared for most challenges on the battlefield, from cavalry charges to infantry melee, and their experience ensures they are able to meet these challenges head on and not flinch in the heat of battle.
These men will no doubt form another important part of the Iuthungi battle line, performing admirably as the bulk of the warriors, charging and hoping to wear down the enemy through their ferocity and staying power. They are aided in this by their long spears and deadly axes, with which they can engage most types of infantry and cavalry. However, their lack of armour will prove a hindrance against enemies with it, and as such they should not be expected to last too long in such a melee, though they will no doubt give a good account of themselves. They will, however, prove the demise of most types of cavalry, and a wise Iuthungi king may want to consider posting them on the flanks, where they can be used to the best of their abilities.
Wrakjōnes Juthungiz
Wrakjōnes Juthungiz are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Iuthungi Warriors". These are the most experienced freemen of the tribe short of the professional retinues of nobles, lords and the king. As such, they command respect and can afford better weapons than most, possessing spathas and being able to count on the experience of numerous battles and conflicts. These men are not only eager for battle, they are seasoned veterans whom have mastered the arts of warfare, making use of both spear and sword to achieve their goals on the battlefield. This makes them excellent and flexible medium infantry able to counter a variety of threats. In Iuthungi society, these men represent professional warriors whom will form the core of a host, leading from the front and being at the forefront of any charge, and they will have typically been made up of older, stronger warriors whom have proven their worth many times over and whom all other warriors look to in times of need. Only the retinues of the nobles are above them, and it is from this pool of veterans that replacements will inevitably come from.
These men are a flexible force on the field of battle, with their primary weapon being the spear or framea made of ash or maple, with a leaf shaped iron head, followed by a simple but highly effective iron spatha which they wield when bogged down in the heat of battle. In all other respects however, they are very much still the antique Germanic warrior, wearing only enclosed leather boots, felt trousers held up by a military leather belt, and a pattern dyed cloak. They go to war bare chested as a sign of their bravery and utter lack of fear, needing for protection only their oval scutum shield, made of joined planks, with a rounded iron boss and edged with leather.
They are some of the fiercest and most effective troops available to a Iuthungi king. They will form a key part of their battle line, though they are not as numerous as other spearmen, they are far more experienced and will be more at home when fighting other infantry, though they will also give a good account of themselves against cavalry if using their spears. They are best positioned where the fight is expected to be the hardest, and against equally seasoned enemy infantry. As always, missile infantry and ranged cavalry will prove a challenge to these brave warriors if left unsupported.
Hiγ Skutilaz-Manwaz
Hiγ Skutilaz-Manwaz are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Fast Javelin or Harpoon Men". Here the word "harpoon" is meant as a javelin, as it could also be used as a common hunting weapon, both in forests and in the many rivers of the Germanic lands. These men will have been composed of a varied bunch, from experienced warriors to those yet to prove themselves, from the low to middles classes of Iuthungi society, bound together by the call to war from their chieftains or lords, grouped into a warband and sent to battle with whatever arms and equipment they could afford. As such, these men will have been a flexible force, carrying javelins, spears and even swords and axes, and able to fight in a variety of situations suitable to the fluid and organic nature of Germanic warfare.
These men are armed with a handful of bronze butted, iron angular shaped javelins, in addition to their main spear or framea made of ash or maple, with a leaf shaped iron head. They also carry an oval shield with a pointed iron boss, similar to those carried by Roman auxiliaries, which some may in fact have served as, further imparting Roman military knowledge into the ranks of the Iuthungi. The shield is adorned with elaborate tribal designs, being painted over and possibly framed in leather or bronze edging. Due to the cold weather of the central Germanic valleys and mountains, they make use of thick woollen trousers, held up by a wide, bronze plated belt, leggings, enclosed leather boots and a dyed tunic, over which they wear fur jerkins, providing also a limited degree of protection while not impeding mobility. They may also have carried iron spathas or axes as backup weapons, depending both on the wealth and prestige of the owner. A simple but effective iron spangehelm helmet is worn, giving them an extra layer of protection.
These men provide a highly useful and flexible force in the Iuthungi host, able to perform a variety of functions, especially where speed is of the essence. They can pepper the enemy with javelins, hold off light and medium cavalry, and even use their swords and axes up close in combat. As such, perhaps they are best at the flanks, where they are able to counter cavalry charges and envelop enemy lines, with enough staying power to fight in the think of battle. Alternatively, they can form a reserve in the second ranks of an armoured column preferred by the Germans, know as the caput porcinum or boar's head.
Ğruχtiz SwēbazĞruχtiz
Swēbaz are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Suebi Warband". The Suebi were an ancient and large group of Germanic peoples, first mentioned by Julius Caesar during the 1st century B.C, as the largest and most warlike of the Germanic tribes, occupying more than half of Germany, originating from around the Baltic Sea and the river Elbe. They were apparently migratory, not relying on agriculture. By the 3rd century A.D however, they were one of the principal tribal elements responsible in forming a new tribal confederation which was to become known as the Alemanni or "Alnaz-Manwōz". By this time they had migrated (with and as part of the Alemanni) to the former frontier limes of the Romans in the Agri Decumates, where they formed their new homeland. To this day, the area is known as Swabia and the people are known in Germany are still called Schwaben, both named derived from the Suebi. As such, they can be said to be one of the founding tribes of the Alemanni confederation, and arguably one of the most important. They are represented here as representing the younger, unproven and more reckless of Suebian warriors, hoping perhaps to impress with deeds of valour and courage, wishing to join one of the retinues of the nobles, or simply to exercise his skill in war.
Given their position, they are comparably less well equipped and armed than most of their neighbors, sporting a handful of bronze butted, iron angular shaped javelins, in addition to their main spear or framea made of ash or maple, with a leaf shaped iron head. They also carry a small round shield with an iron boss, allowing him some staying power in the field if bogged down in a melee - another opportunity to prove oneself. They wear the signature tribal knot of the Suevians in their hair, a proud reminder of their warrior roots. Besides these, they make use of thick woolen trousers, held up by a wide, bronze plated belt, leggings, enclosed leather boots and two sets of tunics, which they wear one over the other due to the colder Germanic weather.
Inevitably, his greenness, impetuousness but more importantly - their lack of armour will have the better of them in prolonged fighting against professional infantry and most types of cavalry. A such, a wise Alemanni King will either place them with other, mightier types of infantry, or form them up behind the main thrust, where they can deliver hails of javelins overhead into the ranks of the enemy.
Yazğaz-Manwaz Swēbaz
Yazğaz-Manwaz Swēbaz are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Pikemen of the Suebi". The Suebi were an ancient and large group of Germanic peoples, first mentioned by Julius Caesar during the 1st century B.C, as the largest and most warlike of the Germanic tribes, occupying more than half of Germany, originating from around the Baltic Sea and the river Elbe. They were apparently migratory, not relying on agriculture. By the 3rd century A.D however, they were one of the principal tribal elements responsible in forming a new tribal confederation which was to become known as the Alemanni or "Alnaz-Manwōz". By this time they had migrated (with and as part of the Alemanni) to the former frontier limes of the Romans in the Agri Decumates, where they formed their new homeland. To this day, the area is known as Swabia and the people are known in Germany are still called Schwaben, both named derived from the Suebi. As such, they can be said to be one of the founding tribes of the Alemanni confederation, and arguably one of the most important. They are represented here as representing a cross section of Suebi warrior tradition, composed of young and old skilled warriors alike, and still very much connected to their central and eastern Germanic roots.
This is further demonstrated in their preference for relatively archaic, angular shields, with a rounded iron boss and long spine, very rare indeed for this period, and reminiscent of an earlier age. Their spears are stout and made of ash, poplar or beech, and have wide, broad leafed iron heads. They wear simple dyed tunics, and the typical "suebian knot" of hair which is common among their tribesmen. Their beards are long and unkempt, unlike most western Germanic warriors, whom were clean shaved except for a thing mustache. Simple trousers such as those found in the Thorsberg bog and felt leggings protect them against the cold, with a simple leather belt with brass fittings. As secondary weapons, they sport small, iron axes. Their feet are kept warm and protected from the elements with simple leather boots.
These men will have formed the bulk of the warriors of the Suebian tribe, and as such a numerable and important element of the Alemanni confederacy. They are, arguably, wilder and less restrained than most Western Germanic peoples, and may thus be more difficult for an Alemanni king to control on the field of battle. Their tactics are time-tested and effective, a simple charge into the enemy ranks, hoping to break through by blunt force and shear savagery. They could perform well at the head of a column, or even at the flanks, where their large spears will kelp keep cavalry at bay. Against missiles however, they will fare poorly, and should thus be supported by other types of infantry.
Dugunthiz Wrakjōnes Swēbaz
Dugunthiz Wrakjōnes Swēbaz are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "The capable or experienced warriors of the Suebi". The Suebi were an ancient and large group of Germanic peoples, first mentioned by Julius Caesar during the 1st century B.C, as the largest and most warlike of the Germanic tribes, occupying more than half of Germany, originating from around the Baltic Sea and the river Elbe. They were apparently migratory, not relying on agriculture. By the 3rd century A.D however, they were one of the principal tribal elements responsible in forming a new tribal confederation which was to become known as the Alemanni or "Alnaz-Manwōz". By this time they had migrated (with and as part of the Alemanni) to the former frontier limes of the Romans in the Agri Decumates, where they formed their new homeland. To this day, the area is known as Swabia and the people are known in Germany are still called Schwaben, both named derived from the Suebi. As such, they can be said to be one of the founding tribes of the Alemanni confederation, and arguably one of the most important. This group represents a particular sect of the Suebi warrior aristocracy, devoted solely to the worship of their war-god. These warriors will have been religious fanatics whom have devoted themselves utterly to their chosen war god, and as such, live only to serve him in battle. In later folklore, these men would become known as the "berserkers" for their propensity to fight almost in the nude (or entirely nude in some cases) and with almost superhuman strength, gained through meditation, heavy alcohol and drug intoxication, or a combination of both. A common trait was described as a a state of wild, reckless rage, and a nearly uncontrollable, trance-like fury with and a reckless disregard for pain and their own lives.
Given their central and eastern European roots, these men have foregone the tradition among the Western Germanic sects of their cult of wearing armour, and fight in the old style of the Gallic Gaesatae (said to be Hannibal’s favourite mercenaries) and the Tindonatae of the Galatians, both of which reportedly fought nude and under a drug induced fury, being impervious to pain. Here they wear simple trousers tied at the waist with a rope of hemp or twisted linen, in addition to a simple woolen cloak, to protect only from the weather. These men will have been outcasts, exiles, criminals, religious fanatics or simply warriors and nobles of all rungs of society, young and old, seeking to prove themselves in accordance to extremely ancient customs. The more peculiar and perhaps disturbing habits of these men (as Tacitus describes of one group) can be witnessed in the drinking of the blood of enemies, perhaps even their own blood, possibly cannibalism, self-mutilation, and of course: howling. Their favoured weapons are the iron sword and axe, with which they can carve a hole through the enemy line, even through armour.
To an Alemanni King, these men are best employed as shock troops - pointed towards the enemy and unleashed. Their terrible war cries, intimidating visages and apparent imperviousness to pain is sure to unnerve even the most disciplined foes. They will suffer against javelins, which may end their charge before it begins, given that they wear no armour. As such, they should be used carefully.
Wrakjōnes Silingōnes-Naharnāwaluz
Wrakjōnes Silingōnes-Naharnāwaluz are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Warriors of the Silingi-Naharnavali". These warriors hail from the twin tribes of the Silingi and Naharnavali, which scholars believe may have been one and the same tribe. Together with the Hasdingi, they would later form the two most important tribes of the Vandal confederation. They are believed to have migrated from Scandinavia to an area between the lower Oder and Vistula rivers somewhere in the 2nd century B.C, and to have settled modern say Silesia from around 120 B.C, and it is speculated they may have given the area their name. Pliny the Elder is the first to mention the Vandals as Vandili, grouping them with other tribes when referring to Germanic peoples in general. Claudius Ptolemaeus fisr mentions the Silingi by name in the 2nd century, writing that they lived south of the Suebi-Semnones tribe and north of the Carpathian mountains: "Back below the Semnones the Silingae have their seat, and below the Burguntae the Lugi Omani, below whom the Lugi Diduni up to Mt. Asciburgius; and below the Silingae the Calucones and the Camavi up to Mt. Melibocus, from whom to the east near the Albis river and above them, below Mt. Asciburgius, the Corconti and the Lugi Buri up to the head of the Vistula river; and below them first the Sidones, then the Cotini, then the Visburgii above the Orcynius valley." The Naharvali, on the other hand, are first mentioned by Tacitus in his Germania, in particular, as the keepers of the sanctuary of the Lugian Federation - the grove to the twin gods, Alcis. These warriors thus represent these guardians, pledging allegiance to the larger neighbouring Iuthungi federation, whilst still not forgetting their divine pledge of protection.
Coming in from the wilder northern lands, and far less exposed to Romanisation than their southern neighbours, these men are a true relic from the past, still centuries away from the Vandals that would one day sack Rome itself. As fierce warriors in addition to religious fanatics, they wear little other than a simple fur loincloth held up by a bronze plated leather belt, open leather boots under which they wear thick woollen socks, and a thick fur cloak, in addition to golden torcs - which in addition to their bare chests - they use to demonstrate their bravery and martial valour. Their weapon is a long spear or framea made of ash or maple, with a leaf shaped iron head. As a secondary weapon they carry an iron headed axe, as iron was relatively rare in their homelands and swords were thus even rarer. They wield an ancient (by Germanic standards) hexagonal planked wooden shield, which they have painted over in tribal patters and edged in iron, with a small iron boss which they can also use in punching motions, making it as fierce a weapon in offence as it is in defense.
These men will have been wild, expert warriors, religiously fanatic to a point, much like the berserkers, Ulfheğnar and Hamrarmmr or other tribes and ages. As suck, they are better used as shock troops, unleashed at critical points in the enemy line, at times when a sudden, devastating and all consuming charge is all that's needed to punch a hole through an opposing force. As allies, these men will be relatively rare and expensive to acquire, but their worth should not be underestimated. They will perform admirably against most foes, even against medium infantry, though as always, their lack of protection will put them at a disadvantage against ranged cavalry and missile troops.
Ğruχtiz Hasdingōnes
Ğruχtiz Hasdingōnes are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Hasdingii Warband". The Hasdingii were one of the main tribes of the Vandals, the other being the Silingi, which were associated with modern day Silesia, while the Hasdingii lived further south in the modern day Sudetenland in the Czech Republic. At the time of the Marcomannic Wars (166-180 A.D.) the Hasdingii were led by the kings Raus and Rapt, when they moved south, entering Dacia as allies of Rome. However, they eventually caused problems in Dacia and moved further south, towards the lower Danube area. At around 271 A.D, the Roman Emperor Aurelian was obliged to protect the middle course of the Danube against them. They made peace and stayed on the eastern bank of the Danube. As such, these men have been exposed not only to some degree of "Romanisation" (at least compared to their northern neighbours) but are also familiar with fighting (and serving) the Romans, adapting many of their tactics and weapons. They thus organise themselves into units, Ğruχtiz
, or warbands, rather than the less organised massed of their Silingi-Naharnavali brethren. They will also be more experienced in Roman ways of war, which they have put to good use as allies of the Iuthungi, serving their larger neighbours and hoping to one day reclaim their lost glory against the Romans, and perhaps too, their independence.
As Germanic tribesmen, they still fight bare chested, with only long, felt trousers with a wide leather belt, and fully enclosed leather boots. A red dyed woollen tunic is worn over their backs. Their weapons represent the mainstay of a Germanic warrior, the archetypal long ash or maple hastae spear, with an iron headed axe, and an oval planked shield with an iron boss, painted over in colourful tribal patterns. They also carry a clutch of of bronze butted, iron angular shaped javelins which they can use before charging, in the Roman manner.
These men will perform well as medium infantry, flexible and able to counter a wide variety of challenges. A wise Iuthungi king will place them perhaps in the centre or on the flanks of his battle host, where their long spears can repel cavalry, or even keep infantry at bay. As Allies, their morale will be a little less than those of the Iuthungi tribesmen proper, especially if fighting for their lives. That being said, the prospect of plunder and riches is a strong motivator, and they will hold their ground in a melee, so long as not pressed too hard. As always, missile infantry and ranged cavalry will cause heavy casualties among these unarmoured warriors.
Stranγaz Wrakjōnes Juthungiz
Stranγaz Wrakjōnes Juthungiz are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Mighty Warriors of the Iuthungi". In a warrior society with no professional army or citizen army per se, unlike the increasingly romanised and militarised tribes of the west, these are the closest warriors the Iuthungi have to full time, professional soldiers. As the most experienced, capable and devoted warriors of the tribe, these men have impressed their chieftains, nobles and lesser nobility to such an extent that they are now considered their "hearth companions" or shield bearers, the immediate guard and retinue of the nobility, with all the perks and status this entails, such as a steady salary, good quality arms and armour, plenty of food and drink, slaves and a roof over one's head, and possibly even land of one's own. All this, however, is inextricably bound to the well being of their noble, and their own performance. Should they fall foul of their patrons or fail to impress them, they will lose their gifts, their patronage, their honour, if not their lives.
These men will mostly be made up of experienced, veteran warriors whom have proved themselves to the tribe through many battles and many campaigns, or perhaps more rarely, young men of exceeding martial skill whom, while perhaps less experienced, are nonetheless extremely able warriors. As a unit, they are best thought of as soldiers and not "warriors" in the traditional sense, though they still retain their martial vigour and their natural eagerness and thirst for battle. Being part of a retinue, they are armed with a long, good quality thrusting spear, in addition to shorter framea throwing spears, ideally suitable for punching through armour with their short, angular points. Both for status and for practical purpsoes, they possess a fine Germanic spatha, of excellent quality and expertly crafted. For protection they wield an oval scutum edged in leather and covered in hide and painted over, with a pointed iron boss which they can use offensively. They wear a coat of mail of good quality, over which they wear a thick fur jerkin, with their armour being topped off by a good quality iron spangehelm. Under all this, they wear fine patterned and dyed tunics, long woollen trousers with leggings, and enclosed hardened leather boots.
In Iuthungi society, these men represent some of the most experienced and capable warriors of the tribe, both in terms of martial vigour as well as the staying power offered by their good quality arms and armour. In battle, these men are best placed in critical parts of the line, where the fight is expected to be the hardest, and matched against enemies likely to pose a threat against other warriors. While such units are expensive, relatively rare and cost a lot of upkeep, they pay for themselves on the field of battle, where their long spears and their armour will keep most enemies at bay unless under the most extreme duress.
Herthaz Gadulingaz Frowō
Herthaz Gadulingaz Frowō are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Hearth Companions of the Lords". These men will have represented the retinues and companions, or "comitatus" as the Romans would come to call them, of the highest nobles and lords of Iuthungi society, short of the high king himself. They are professional soldiers, sworn to protect their leading nobles, and as such they will have been at the at the top of the Germanic patronage and friendship structure, which was a special case of clientage and the direct source of the practice of feudalism. It involved a wholesale exchange between a social superior and inferior, with the vassal pleading military service and protection to the lord, whom in return rewarded his client with land, compensation, and many other privileges. They would, however, be expected to perform their duties to the last, and die in battle if necessary to protect their appointed lords.
As the elite warriors of the Iuthungi lords, these men represent a small but incredibly capable cadre of professional "soldiers". As such, they will have worn and armed themselves with the best available. They will have been able to afford tunics and trousers, embroidered and dyed in expensive colours, in the Roman manner and highly decorated, in addition to extremely fine leather belts with intricately engraved bronze and silver plate-work. Their armour, a suit of mail or scale, will have been of the highest quality, reaching to their knees as would become customary in later centuries in Germanic warfare, with a highly decorated, reinforced spangehelm helmet, inlaid in gold or silver, with a reinforced nasal, which may have itself been inlaid or engraved. They wield large, two handed iron headed axes, with a fine spatha available if necessary. They wear leggings to protect from the cold, in addition to sturdy, hardened leather boots. Their shield is slung over their back, round and relatively small to allow them to wield their two handed axes, and edged in bronze.
Given their martial valour, equipment and armour will fair well against all opponents unless significantly outnumbered. Their huge axes will make short work of nearly all opposing infantry, even heavily armoured ones, though they may suffer somewhat against heavy cavalry, especially if charged upon. As the most able and powerful warriors in the Iuthungi kingdom, these men will have been expected to lead from the front, with the rest of their warrior brothers, usually at the forefront of an armoured column known as the caput porcinum or "boar's head" first described by Tacitus in the 1st century A.D, and which the Romans may have copied. With the more well armed and armoured men in the front and the lesser following behind, the column charged and smashed into the ranks of the enemy, concentrating on a single point and hoping to carry all before them. Only the most professional and well-trained and led armies were able to resist them, a testament to its effectiveness.
Hiγ Ridanz Juthungiz
Hiγ Ridanz Juthungiz are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Fast riders of the Iuthungi". While Germanic warfare has traditionally eschewed cavalry in favour of infantry engagements, Roman writers still wrote of skirmishing screens of both infantry and cavalry, which would engage enemies in fluid, sweeping motions, using highly agile horses. These men represent such warriors, making use of speed and agility in favour of heavy arms and armour. Able to afford their own horses and some arms, these warriors represent a unit of lesser nobles, earls and canton chieftains. They will have been relatively experienced, though many will have been raiders and the squires and retainers of their lords proper. Their experience will have varied, and some may have been accustomed to serving as Roman auxiliaries at some point, as many Germanic tribesmen were enlisted into the Roman ranks.
Traditionally, the Germanic tribesmen preferred to fight on foot, with there being accounts of nobles and other lords dismounting before engaging in battle. However, cavalry has always featured to some extent in Germanic warfare, more so from the 3rd century onwards. These men represent the "light riders" whose job will have been to harass and disrupt the enemy line, shouting and strafing at the enemy, throwing javelins and hoping to draw the enemy out or tire out heavier cavalry. As such, they are lightly armed and armoured. Their horses are nimble and medium bodied, with Germanic horses enjoying a good reputation, and they sit upon a simple wood and hardened leather saddle, which may have been raised at the front to allow the rider to lean forward while throwing a javelin. They wear dyed wool tunics and trousers, in addition to enclosed leather boost. Their spears will have been of ash or maple, long and with a broad leafed iron head, and in addition to this they will have carried a clutch of short throwing framea javelins, together with a short, rounded shield, painted over with a crescent pattern traditional in Germanic societies.
As experienced Iuthungi riders, these men will perform well in the screening and harassing roles traditional to their type of cavalry. It will have been the type of warfare they will have been most accustomed to, and thus should be used accordingly. To a prospective paymaster, these men will form an important element of their lighter forces, being useful in pursuing routing enemies, or distracting heavier cavalry. Given their lack of armour, they will be particularly vulnerable to missiles, and will suffer in prolonged melee action.
Húsa Wrakjōnes
Húsa Wrakjōnes are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Horse Warriors", or "Mounted Warriors". Unlike the fast riders, these men represent a dedicated cadre of mounted warriors, suited for the task of fighting exclusively on horseback, both against other horsemen but also against infantry if necessary. They are skilled horsemen, whom have mastered mounted warfare, and thus will have been highly experienced. In Iuthungi society, they will have been composed of lesser nobles and earls, squires and other warriors, whom have taken to fighting on horseback, and become rather proficient at it. In this fashion, they provide an important element to the Iuthungi host, being able to be used as lancers, screening forces, and in engagements with enemy cavalry, especially against the Romans, whom they have fought on many occasions, and they will have witnessed the destructive power of trained horsemen on the battlefield and here they have sought to emulate it.
Traditionally, the Germanic tribesmen preferred to fight on foot, with there being accounts of nobles and other lords dismounting before engaging in battle. However, cavalry has always featured to some extent in Germanic warfare, more so from the 3rd century onwards. Those tribes closest to the Romans will have appreciated its tactical use, and habitually mixed light infantry with cavalry, posing something of a tactical headache for the Romans. These men represent those horsemen, whose job will have been to harass and disrupt the enemy line, shouting and strafing at the enemy, throwing javelins and hoping to draw the enemy out or tire out heavier cavalry. As such, they are lightly armed and armoured. Their horses are nimble and medium bodied, with Germanic horses enjoying a good reputation, and they sit upon a simple wood and hardened leather saddle, which may have been raised at the front to allow the rider to lean forward while throwing a javelin. They wear dyed wool tunics and trousers with leggings, in addition to a enclosed leather boots. Their spears will have been of ash or maple, long and with a broad leafed iron head, and in addition to this they will have carried a clutch of short throwing framea javelins, together with a short, rounded shield with an iron boss. They may also have carried a spatha, as both a symbol of prestige but also highly useful in a melee, where they can engage both infantry and cavalry on an equal footing.
As the primary mounted warriors of the Iutuhngi host, these men can be expected to fulfil a variety of functions. Their javelins enable them to engage the enemy at range, and their long spears allow them some degree of shock value as shock cavalry, and their spathas will allow them to engage other cavalry on more or less equal terms. Still, they are unarmoured, and will suffer in combat against heavier armed medium and heavy cavalry. They are especially vulnerable to missile fire as they are unarmoured, and so a wise Iutuhngi king will ensure they are adequately supported by other warriors before committing them fully to an engagement where they may be at a disadvantage.
Druhtinaz Juthungiz
Druhtinaz Juthungiz are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Iuthungi King". These riders represent the immediate and most experienced, loyal and capable warriors of Iuthungi society, the cream of the most elite companions and retinue of most lords and nobles, personally handpicked to serve as the king’s bodyguard and shield bearers. As such, these men will not only have been the most respected and prestigious warriors in Iutuhngi society, but also the most dependable and loyal warriors in the realm, expected to fight to the last and die in the service of their high king. While traditionally Germanic tribesmen spurned the horse in favour of leading on foot, at the front of an armoured column which the Romans called the "caput porcinum" or "boar's head", around this time many of the Western Germanic tribes began to appreciate the value of heavily armoured horsemen acting in a shock role. While the kings and higher nobles proper would only take to fighting on horses many centuries later (becoming the fore bearers of the famous knights) this time saw a general increase in the mounted nobility, especially around the more eastern tribes (such as the Goths and Gepids) but also among the Franks, Alemanni, and Iuthungi. Scholars argue a general "Romanisation" of these tribes may have been responsible for impressing upon them the use of heavy cavalry, if not the continued centuries of warfare with the Romans in general. For the Iuthungi, having fought many bloody wars with the Romans, the use of heavy cavalry will have been dearly impressed upon them. As such, these men represent the cream of the warrior aristocracy, whom have taken to fighting on horseback, providing a valuable element on the battlefield to the Iuthungi King. Such a group will have been made up of young and old nobles alike, their squires, earls, retinues and sworn bodyguard. Bards may have accompanied from the rear, their presence testifying to the eventual glorification of their lords if they are brave or unflatteringly if they demonstrate cowardice.
As some of the wealthiest men and lords of the Iuthungi realm, these men are able to purchase the best equipment and the finest mounts. Their horses will have been especially bred (or imported from Rome or other tribes with a history of horse-breeding) for the purpose of the charge and supporting heavily armoured riders, being large and heavy boned, and therefore slower than most Germanic mounts. They will dress in fine tunics, heavily embroidered and possibly even fringed in gold, copying the Roman fashion. Belts will have been wide and carried brass plates, intricately carved and possibly silvered, as were their scabbards. Trousers may have been of linen or other fine material, and their boots will have been both comfortable and durable. Their swords will have been elaborated crafted, made from the finest pattern welded iron, with ringed or chestnut pommels, of brass or even gold, and sometimes jewelled. As shock cavalry, they carry a long, heavy ash hastae, with which they can charge down infantry and cavalry alike. They wear fine spangehelm helmets, gilded and possibly featuring embossed nasals and cheek-plates. As protection in the heat of battle, they wear a fine suit of scale mail, or lorica squamata, possibly silvered over as befits their status. Their shield is round, and features an elaborately engraved boss, with the shield being painted over in colourful tribal designs. Over their finely crafted and well maintained suit of mail, they carry a simple cloak designed to keep out the cold.
As the immediate bodyguard of the Iuthungi king, these men are both rare and extremely expensive to maintain - they are, after all, maintained and supplied by the king himself, as they have sworn oaths of loyalty and fealty to him, and are thus under his patronage. Likewise, they should not be wasted in the battlefield. Their numbers will be small, but their effect can be disproportionate. Being heavily armoured and possessing heavy horses, they will make good shock cavalry, especially in the melee that follows. They may also be employed directly against similar heavily armoured cavalry, where they will perform well. A Iuthungi King will find these men among his most important assets on the battlefield.
Skelğús-Beranaz Juthungiz
Skelğús-Beranaz Juthungiz are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Iuthungi Shield Bearers ". These men will have been the immediate "officers" in charge of leading the various warbands and army units, entourages, warrior clans and various other "units" of the Iuthungi host. As such, they will have varied immensely in rank, prestige and wealth, depending on what band they led. While little is known about the organisational structure of the Germanic armies, later documents allow us to gain certain insights. A Ğruχtiz or warband is thought to have been composed of a few hundred to under a thousand tribesmen. The Alemanni, for example, are reported to have recruited between one hundred and two hundred men per canton, and it was said there were a hundred or so cantons in the Alemanni realm. This allows a rough and certainly speculative notion of how many able-bodied men a geographically and culturally similar tribe may have been able to muster. As Germanic tribes often fought together, either in warbands or gathered clans, and were usually led by their immediate ranking family member, chieftain, noblemen or king, these men represent all the chieftains, nobles and their retinues, such as the standard bearers and other totem carriers.
As a diverse bunch, their weapons and armour will have varied, ranging from a simple tunic, to quilted armour or even mail. Scale also appears to have been somewhat prevalent among nobles, so some may take preference to it. Weapons will have ranged from swords of variable quality, to axes and spears, once more, changing depending on the warband being led into battle. Shields may have been used, and will have been of the default planked wood construction, with a pointed boss which could be used in a punching motion. Standards will have carried the symbols and motifs of each tribe, all colourful and vividly displayed, indicating not only each group’s affiliation but also their purpose on the battlefield.
In battle, these men will have been expected to lead from the front, with the rest of their warrior brothers, usually at the forefront of an armoured column known as the caput porcinum or "boar's head" first described by Tacitus in the 1st century A.D, and which the Romans may have copied. With the more well armed and armoured men in the front and the lesser following behind, the column charged and smashed into the ranks of the enemy, concentrating on a single point and hoping to carry all before them. Only the most professional and well-trained and led armies were able to resist them, a testament to its effectiveness. It goes without saying the loss of such men will immediately affect the morale of their units respective units, and as such they should be guarded closely.
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Preview IX: Sons of Wotan - The Iuthungi
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! More barbarians to slaughter! Great work guys!
Originally Posted by Diocle
