Roma Surrectum 2.0 -- Macedon Faction Preview

[cherryfunk]

MACEDONIA
THE KINGS OF THE EARTH

It is 217 B.C...

It has been a hundred years since Alexander breathed his last in Babylon -- a hundred years of loss and defeat. Macedonians watched as Alexander's generals claimed what he had conquered. They watched as civil war tore apart their homelands. They watched as barbarians moved freely across their borders. They watched as the Greeks to the south asserted their independence. They watched as other powers rose while they were stagnant. They watched themselves fall.

But the time for lamentations is past.

Macedonians are no strangers to victory. They have tasted it, and it calls to them! Macedon has its allies among the Boeotians, Thessalians and Acarnanians. These people protect the borders of Macedon, and their power is enough to push deep into Greece herself. Mighty Sparta stood against the Macedonian armies and at Sellasia, in 222 B.C., Macedon and Sparta fought. Macedon was victorious, and the Spartans were a broken people.

Now, five years later, the whole of Greece is ripe for the taking.

The young Macedonian leader, Philip V, is a strong king. He came to the throne when he was 17, but won great victories against the Dardani in Illyria. There is a war going on now, but it is a war that Macedon is winning.

He has formed a Hellenic League, with Macedon at its head, and has won victory after victory against Greeks in the Peloponnese. Philip is respected and feared outside of Macedon -- such glory for one so young! There is much to do yet, yes, much to do.... if Macedon cannot have Alexander, Philip is the next best. And who is to say that one day, Philip's successes might not rival those of Alexander?

If there was ever a time to restore and expand Macedonian glory, it is now.

Of course, there is Rome to the West -- the Republic grows ever stronger and more ambitious. But they are at war with Carthage -- even now Hannibal Barca leads his host into the Roman heartlands! And more then this, he has sent envoys to treat with Philip and propose an alliance against the Roman threat! Surely a Macedon that holds all of Greece can defeat even the greatest Roman army. To the east, Pergamum is encouraging Roman meddling in Macedonian affairs. Let them try! After the Romans fall, Pergamum will be next!

Now is the time, with Rome under assault, Greece humbled, and the East unsettled... now is the time to reclaim the glory of Alexander!

The Macedonians of Roma Surrectum 2.0 field a diverse and powerful army. This isn't the orange and purple horde of vanilla Rome: Total War. It's not even the mostly orange and purple horde of earlier Roma Surrectum versions. This Macedon is how Macedon should be represented -- the military heirs of the greatest army to ever take the field -- the heirs of Philip and Alexander! Their spears are sharp, their horses swift, and their shields strong! Awake, Macedon! Awake, and reclaim what is yours!

THE MACEDONIAN PHALANX

The closed ranks of the Macedonian phalanx, first organized by Philip II, ushered in a military revolution and swept all opponents before it. A century later, the phalanx remains the centerpiece of the Macedonian army.

In Roma Surrectum 2.0, we aim to properly represent the diverse army that Macedon boasted in this period. We will differentiate between units within the phalanx -- after all, not all parts were equal. RS2 boasts six different units of phalangites. The most dependable phalangites are found in the heart of Macedon, while other strong supporting units are recruited from the citizens in the surrounding regions. Additionally, RS2 has allied phalangites, recruitable in the wider Macedonian AOR, as well as the traditional levy phalangites that were used to bolster the phalanx. Of course, the costs of units vary, depending on their location and ability. This unique take on Macedon leads to greater use of strategic recruitment and logistics by the player, as well as more varied units in battles. And as you will see, they make an impressive sight assembled on the field of battle!

A simple summarization is this: phalangite recruitment is divided into two groups: 'homeland' and 'settler.' Homeland phalangites are recruitable in the Macedonian homeland. They are more reliable than the settler phalangites (from areas outside of Macedon), but not so much so that training settlers wouldn't be cost effective. The two different groups complement each other to form a strong army.



Agema Phalangites

These men are possibly the best phalangites available in the Greek world! Years of hard training has given them superior skill, while years of war have hardened them in such way that their morale is almost unbreakable. The Agema were composed of men over 35 years old who finished service with the Royal Peltasts. (In game, this unit also represents Royal Peltastai armed in phalangitai gear -- they fought as such in some battles.) The Agema are recruited in the heart of Macedon. They may be expensive, but their ability makes the expense worth it. The Agema are a homeland unit.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

In the battle of Pydna they were distinguished by scarlet cloaks and great courage -- 3000 men strong unit fought to the last man against Romans who surrounded them.

The Agema Phalangite wears a composite cuirass, similar to this one:



The shield is based on 3 preserved shield covers of thin bronze plates found in Dion, Dodona and Beroia.

Their helmet is of the popular "konos" type -- one of the well decorated forms suitable for rich soldiers. The original comes from a relief in Magnesia-Tores (Ephesus) dated to middle second century BC:

Amphipolitan Phalangites

The Amphipolitan phalangites are recruited specifically from eastern Macedon -- the area around the city of Amphipolis. Amphipolitan and Bottian phalangites together form the full levy of Macedonian citizens in the phalanx. They are not as powerful as the Agema phalangites, but they are nonetheless a dependable and necessary addition to any Macedonian army. This is a homeland unit.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Amphipolitan Phalangites' shield is tinned bronze. The design follows the common Macedonian pattern of concentric half-ellipses around the edges with central motifs. In this case the specific design is derived from this coin, dated from the time of Philip V and minted in the city from which these phalangites derive their name:

Bottian Phalangites

These men are recruits from two western districts of the Macedonian Kingdom, Upper Macedonia and Bottia. Here Philip II trained the Macedonian phalangitai for the first time and they are considered to be among the best soldiers in the world. They are well trained and brave -- maybe not yet as great as the men whom Alexander led in Asia, but they need just a bit of battle hardening! This is a homeland unit.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Bottian phalangites' helmet is a late version of the "pilos" type featured on Macedonian coins from the reign of Philip V and Perseus. In one of the clauses of military regulation from Amphipolis, "konos" is mentioned as the helmet of phalangites, and that's why different versions of "pilos" and very similar "konos" and "konos/pilos" types are so common among Macedonian phalangites.

The shield has the typical Macedonian motif of half-ellipses. This appears on coins from time of Philip II until the late half of the 2nd century BC, and even under Roman occupation on things like jewelery. The shield emblem is a club of Herakles -- the mythical ancestor of Macedonian Kings. The whole motif is known from coins of the Bottian district, minted late in the reign of Philip V:

Katoikoi (Medium Phalangites)

The Katoikoi are a citizen levy of Greek and Macedonian citizens who form the backbone of the Macedonian phalanx. While not as well armed or trained as the heavy phalanx, they can still be counted on to fight well for their king and hold the line against the enemy. This is a settler unit, available outside the Macedonian homeland.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Levy phalangites carried a short sword/knife:



Their shield is based on this example, as well as traditional Macedonian motifs:

Pantodapoi (Levy Phalangites)

The Pantodapoi are local levies trained and armed in the fashion of the Macedonian phalanx. They are not particularly skilled or disciplined, but their numbers (and relatively low cost) make them an important component of the Macedonian battle line. This is a settler unit, available outside the homeland.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The central shield motif of the Pantodapoi is a winged thunderbolt.

HELLENIC INFANTRY

Combining Macedonian and Greek tactics and organization, these units provide lighter troops who support the central phalanx and conduct tough assaults over rough ground or into enemy fortifications.



Hypaspists

The Hypaspistai –- the Shield Bearers –- are the best armed and wealthiest Macedonians. Their training and discipline is such that only the toughest veterans of other nations could even think of facing them in battle! However, their prowess comes with a price -- they carry equipment worthy of a king and they expected to be richly rewarded for their service -- in land and money!

Hypaspistai of the Antigonid period are no longer the same unit they were in the time of Alexander the Great. Under normal circumstances they served as a small, close royal bodyguard and military police and in the battles, if they actually took part in them, they were most probably officers of other units or the closest companions to the king. But if a Macedonian king could become rich enough, he could make a proper unit of them! In the Macedonian homeland only few families reached such wealth, and newly conquered land is needed to raise new men to this high status.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

We know that Hypaspists were chosen from the richest citizens of the kingdom thanks to one of the inscriptions from Macedonia. We find the clause that informs us that those who serve as hypaspistai have to be of special status in terms of their possessions.

The blue color used for the shield of the Hypaspistai is derived from that at the center left in this image:


The shield's central motif is a winged thunderbolt.

They wear an iron cuirass in the form of linothorax, covered with purple cloth, like this iron cuirass with gold detail from the 4th century BC Tomb of Philip of Macedon at Vergina now displayed at the Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum:


Their helmet is in the Phrygian style with cheek pieces, painted blue and gold:


A similar helmet is also seen here in a colorized image of Alexander's sarcophagus now in Istanbul. (Note that ancient Greek statues were painted):


They wear highly decorated greaves like these gilded Thracian greaves from the tomb at Vratsa:

Thureophoroi

The Thureophoroi are a more recent addition to the Macedonian battle line -– a cross between a heavy peltast and light phalangite, they are a mobile, adaptable unit that hurls javelins and then closes to fight with their stout spears. Well armored and trained, these are excellent warriors who provide protection to the flanks of the phalanx.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Thureophoroi get their name from their shield, the thureos.

The armor similar to that seen in this image:

Royal Peltasts

A unit of the Royal Guard (Basilikon) armed in the peltast manner, these men are elite light infantry who combine a devastating javelin attack with skillful swordplay. They are well armored and, as veterans, they can scatter opposing light troops and even assault the flanks of heavy infantry formations. Tough, mobile, and disciplined, they are one of the best units available to Macedon. These are the men that will, in time, become the Agema phalangites.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The armor of the Royal Peltasts is a composite cuirass -- partly plate and partly scale, it resembles a linothorax with scale reinforcements on the belly, similar to this is interpretation of Alexander's armor from the famous mosaic in Pompeii:



Their helmet is a tinned Attico-Thracian, like this one found in the Corfu museum:



Their shield resembles this reconstruction of a shield found in Dion, Olympus:



Their greaves are similar to these found in the Thracian tomb "Golyamata Kosmatka", situated in the vicinity of the Shipka pass in the Balkan mountains, in the district of the town of Kazanluk (central Bulgaria):



For more info on the archaeological dig that discovered these greaves, look here:

http://www.kroraina.com/thracia/gk/

Psiloi

Psiloi are the lightly-armored missile troops that fight with the Macedonian army. Their ranks include peltasts, archers, slingers, and skirmishers -- all important additions to any self-respecting force! Used wisely they will prove their worth.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Peltasts

The Peltasts are a valuable force of armored skirmishers combining the mobility and firepower of the akonistai with better armor and the ability to fight hand-to-hand against lightly armored opponents.

Archers

Hellenic Archers have their place in Macedonian armies, but they are somewhat rare. While they are more disciplined than Eastern archers, their bows lack the range and power of the composite bow.

Slingers

Hellenic Slingers are good missile troops, but woefully unprepared for hand-to-hand combat. Use them to soften up the enemy, but do not leave them exposed!

Skirmishers

Light javelin troops armed in the Hellenic style, these men are undisciplined but valuable –- used properly their hail of javelins can have great impact. Just keep them out of melee, or they will quickly break, rout, and die!

ALLIED INFANTRY

Macedon borders many lands, some filled with rough men who love above all things the rush of battle and the chance for plunder. Recruited into the ranks of the Macedonian army, these men provide it with both numerous levies to fill out Macedonian ranks, and also with shock infantry as fearsome as any on earth.



Agrianian Infantry

A Paeonian mountain tribe that supplies troops to Macedon, the Agrianians are elite assault troops; they carry a rope folded over their shoulder as an aid in mountain combat or scaling walls. Their javelins are devastating, and they hold a thureos shield. When they close with their enemies, they draw their deadly rhomphaia and start to hack away.

These men were essential to Alexander's victories in the East, taking part in every battle and skirmish that he fought, and carrying out a number of death-defying mountain assaults. Do not be fooled by their plain, worn equipment -- man for man, the Agrianians may be the best light infantry in the world.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Agrianian Infantry are represented by this image:

Allied Hoplites

These hoplites are from various regions across the Hellenistic world allied to Macedon. They are armed like any hoplite of this age. They perform well in battle, usually by protecting the flanks of lighter infantry and phalangites. They are recruitable in Greece, Thrace, and Asia Minor.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

By the time of RS2 the common Hellenistic style of fighting has evolved so that the macedonian phalanx and missile infantry including thureophoroi and thorakitai predominate. However some of Macedon's allies remain rooted in their traditional style of warfare. Although these units are well equipped and beautifully adorned, they are relatively limited as soldiers when compared with more modern fighting men.

They helmet is a decorated pseudo-Corinthian model:



But decorated with sphinxes:



Their armor is thin bronze plate -- very well made, but offering little protection:



Their graves resemble these:



They wear a light blue like many of the figures in these tomb paintings:

Allied Phalangites

These phalangites are recruited from regions allied to Macedon. While not as effective as homeland Macedonian units, the allies can provide much needed support to an army far from home. Like their hoplite counterparts, these units are recruitable in Greece, Thrace, and Asia Minor.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The inscription on the Allied Phalangite's shield reads "Allies of Macedonian":



The armor of the Allied Phalangite is similar to that worn by the center figure in this image:

Thracian Infantry

The Thracians were known to be ferocious warriors able to hack their way into any enemy formation. When Plutarch described the Macedonian army he made note of the fearsome appearance of their Thracian allies:

"First marched the Thracians, who, he himself tells us, inspired him with most terror; they were of great stature, with bright and glittering shields and black frocks under them, their legs armed with greaves, and they brandished, as they moved, straight and heavily-ironed spears over their right shoulders."

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Thracians are armed with the fearsome, curved rhomphaia.

They wear a decorated Phrygian helmet –- like this one from 4th century B.C, discovered in Kovachevitsa (Bulgaria), with large cheek pieces and beard decor:



They wear decorated greaves similar to these:

Thracian Peltasts

Thracian light troops combine excellent javelin skill with their nasty sica side arms -- making them very effective skirmishers who can also fight well at close quarters; their melee skills make them particularly devastating when used against lightly-armored opponents.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Their shield and tunic is similar to those depicted in this image:

Thorakitai

The Thorakitai are a more advanced version of the Thureophoroi –- a mobile but heavily armored soldier who combines javelins and spear, not unlike the legionaries of Rome. These men in particular are a potent anti-cavalry force, able to hurl javelins from a distance and then fight off cavalry with their spears. As such, their value as flank protectors is tremendous. However, all that armor and training is expensive...

Thorakitai will not be available in Macedonia itself, but in Greek provinces through local recruitment.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Thorakitai are equipped similar to the figure on the left:



A close-up on shield:

CAVALRY

Alexander knew that the secret of Macedon's success was not its phalanx, but its cavalry -- the mobile arm that flanked an enemy held in place by the long phalangite spears -- the hammer to the anvil of the phalanx...



Aspidophoroi

The main weapon of the Aspidophoroi is the javelin -- but this is not skirmisher unit. They are heavy cavalry, armed with javelins for an added punch. They are also armed with a kopis sword for close combat, at which they excel, protected by their large shield. These riders have great skill, an excellent ranged attack, and a powerful charge. They are a particularly devastating evolution of the Macedonian heavy cavalry, and spell death to any light cavalry they close with.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Aspidophoroi wear a white linothorax cuirass with red stripes and shoulder pads and a phrygiboeotian helmet, as seen in this image:



Their shield is as depicted in the Aemilius Paulus monument:

Hetairoi

The heart of the Macedonian cavalry arm are the Hetairoi -- the Companions. These are the men with which Alexander won so many of his battles. In Antigonid Macedon, the Hetairoi continue to be a powerful and reliable mobile force. They carry a xyston as their lance and have a straight sword as a secondary weapon. Wealthy, disciplined, trained, and armed and armored with the best equipment money can buy, the Companions are the ultimate in heavy cavalry.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Lonchophoroi

The Lonchophoroi are the sturdy medium cavalry of Macedon. They are armed with the xyston lance and a heavy shield. Cheaper than the Companions or other Macedonian heavy cavalry, but still able to pack a real punch as they charge into enemy formations, they fill a vital role in the order of battle.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Their armor is a composite cuirass in look based on those in the Lyson and Kallikles tomb:



The helmet is Attico-Thracian -- painted red with a black front plate:





The shield is based on the painted shield in the Lyson and Kallikles tomb:

Paionian Cavalry

A neighboring tribe thought to be related to the Thracians and Illyrians, the Paionians were absorbed into Macedonian hegemony by Philip V and provided an excellent medium cavalry force.

Their primary weapon is the xyston, backed up by the short sica.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Their helmet's crest is derived from the following coin (it is one of the few depicting Paiones' leader, Patraos):



The Paionian armor is quilted, with a characteristic pattern of stitchings:



The helmet is of the Chalkidean type:

Tarentine Cavalry

Like other Hellenic powers, the Macedonians emply horsemen trained in the Tarantine style –- light horsemen armed with javelin and sword, who are excellent ambushers and drilled to perfection in hit-and-run tactics, but with a good shield and enough armor to also allow them to fight hand-to-hand when they must.

They combine the tradition Eastern cavalry role with the discipline and morale of the Greeks, and are excellent ambushers.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Tarentine cavalry wear a reddish brown tunic with white stripes on sides, as seen in this painting:



Their shield is similar to this one one from a Pergamene relief with unusual "extrusions":

Thessalian Cavalry

The horses of the plains of Thessaly were long considered the best horses in all of Greece. The Thessalian cavalry are elite medium cavalry, second only to the Hetairoi and Hiera Ile (the general's bodyguard). They combine the speed and fast turning ability of light cavalry with the armament and melee ability of heavy cavalry -- a potent force when used properly. They are skilled with both the xyston lance and the kopis sword.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The helmet worn by the Thessalian cavalry is a konos based on this one in the Lyson and Kallikles tomb:



Their armor is a muscled cuirass similar to this example:

Thracian Cavalry

The Thracians were the most fearsome of Macedonian allies, and their cavalry is no exception. Their main weapon is the javelin, with which they are deadly. They charge with a long sica. Fast, ferocious, and skilled with both missile and melee weapons, they are a potent addition to the Macedonian army.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Their helmet is based on one from the 4th century BC -- a bronze helmet from Bryastovets, Bourgas district, now in the Sofia Archeological Museum. (The original had iron cheekguards, which were added in a replica):



Their shield is a small thureos, like the one shown below:

Thureophoroi Cavalry

The Thureophoroi Hippeis are a type of cavalry available across the Hellenistic world, including Thrace, northern Greece, western Asia Minor, Syria and Palestine. These men are mercenaries -- Thracians, Galatians, Greeks, and others. They are armed primarily with javelins, but also fight as a melee unit. They wield a light spear when charging.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Their shield is a large thureos, held horizontally so that it also covers the side of the horse. The following is a thureos found in the Pergamene frieze:

General and Bodyguard

The men that lead Macedon to victory are afforded the best equipment in the land -- and it shows on the battlefield. An elite band of Hetairoi (called the Hiera Ile) flank the general. These men will fight to the death to defend their leader and to bring glory to Macedon!

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Hiera Ile is the Macedonian term for the general's bodyguard -- it can be roughly translated as 'sacred squadron.' The Hiera Ile was equipped much like the Hetairoi. The bodyguard wears an evolved form of the Boeotian helmet:



The general himself is equipped with the best -- and most ornate -- equipment that Macedon can provide:

CREDITS
Historical research: Etaipos, Keravnos
Models and skins: Tone
Skins for akontistai, archer, slinger: Horton III / Tone
Macedonian general: Spirit of Rob
Screenshots: Tone
Preview: Cherryfunk / The Fuzz