Mercenary Sakae Horse Archers

[caratacus]

I noted that some of the units in the mercenary list did not seem to be available namely Hallatamti Thanvare, Hallatamti Ustari and Saka Aspa Shivai. I therefore decided to have a go at making one of these up. I took two of the skins from Dark Fenrir's skin pack merged and edited them to create a Saka Aspa Shivair (Sakae Horse Archers). What do you think could this be considered appropriate? Would they have had a Composite bow though?


In doing this I looked up the Sakae people in general and subsequently the Alans who were also of ancient Iranian extraction. To my amazement it seems these Iranian people were not only tall and blond but had settled in Gaul and occupied Orleans whilst playing a significant part in the defeat of the Huns at Charlons! What a surprise, this may or may not be common knowledge to those in France but it certainly is not in Britain or anywhere else. Also the Sakae/Scythian culture seems to have had a major impact upon eastern parts of Europe, especially upon the Slavs and Dacians.
http://www.cais-soas.com/CAIS/Religions/iranian/Zarathushtrian/Oric.Basirov/origin_of_the_iranians.htm

Modding awards aside, EB should at least receive some kind of award for expanding both an interest and knowledge of ancient history as well as being simply great to play. I hope you can continue to provide updates of the game which can include additional mercenaries.

My one disappointment in the last version was perhaps not including my suggested revisions to the Iberian Caetratii instead of the deletion of the belt sash, but perhaps the blue shields and belt sashes of the Turdetani were considered inappropriate for a Carthage based unit eh!.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l172/carat_top/Carthage-Iberian-Caetratii.jpg

[caratacus]

Not much comment eh!!



This is another variation I made up using Vlad's Persian Sparabara Mercenary model. Protected by distinctive red leather laminar armour the unit fights using a combination of spear and bow and is very good for both skirmishing or a heavy charge of enemy ranks.

Anyone have any opinions as to which one is the best or more authentic and whether I should make a unit available for download, dependent on obtaining the relevant permision of course.

[Keravnos]

Well, I care, and I really DO love them.

So far as the Iberian units are concerned, I think blue was a VERY expensive colour back then, thus could not be as easily used.

First one is deffinitely historical, second... less so.

[Iberus_generalis]

man share that skin...it would rock=) does it already exists in game as a placeholder unit, or is this a totally new unit?

[CelticPagan]

Not many people know this, but the names Iran and Eire both come from the same Aryan word, meaning "Land of the Aryans". Iran, and the Hittite Kingdom, as well as much of North/Central India were invaded by the Aryans of the Steppe, and later migrations moved them further and further to the West. Celtic languages are part of the "Indo-European" language group that was created as a result.