Gallaeci Unit Preview

[Brusilov]

Why the Gallaeci and not the Celtiberian or other tribe in Iberia?
While other RTW mods, such as Europa Barbarorum and RTR VII TIC, have used the Celtiberians for the Iberian faction the Roma Surrectum team has decided to use the Gallaeci. This is primarily based on the starting location on the strategy map rather than any other reason.

Who were the Gallaeci?
The following map gives a breakdown of where the various tribal groups lived in Iberia.

"The Tribes of Hispania, as the area was known even in ancient times, Interestingly the Vascones, or Basques still inhabit the same region today, and speak a language preserved through time that may be the ancestral language of Iberia."
From http://www.theancientweb.com/explore...?content_id=27

The following map provides similar information to the tribal groups map but includes details such as Linguistic Groups, Carthaginian and Roman expansion (before and after the start date of the RSII mod).

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

This map was produced by:
Luís Fraga da Silva
Associação Campo Arqueológico de Tavira, Tavira, Portugal
www.arqueotavira.com
mail@arqueotavira.com

The following descriptions and pictures are from the document "Artistic Expression and Material Culture in Celtic Gallaecia" by Alfredo González-Ruibal (http://www4.uwm.edu/celtic/ekeltoi/v...uibal_6_3.html)

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The area referred to in this article is the territory called Gallaecia by the Romans, basically northern Portugal and Galicia and adjacent territories of Spain (Fig. 1A). Their inhabitants were called Callaeci. The region was divided into a northern territory (Conventus Lucensis) and a southern one (Conventus Bracarum) (Fig. 1B). The division was made on ethnic grounds: Roman boundaries seemingly reflect Iron Age traditions. The neighbouring area, called Asturia by the Romans, is less well known and its material culture is not as rich as that of Gallaecia. It stretches through the modern provinces of León and Oviedo (Asturias). The southern part of Asturia (Asturia Cismontana or Augustana) was strongly influenced by the eastern Celtiberian traditions and it will not be taken into account here.



Figure 1A. The northwestern Iberian Peninsula: the land of the Callaeci.



Figure 1B. The northwestern Iberian Peninsula. Roman territories (conventus) and modern capitals.

Arms and Armour
The following shows some of the images that were used as the inspiration for the Gallaeci units. Other images, such as the ones in the Osprey books, cannot be included for copyright reasons.


I believe this is from the 'vase of the armoured Warriors' which is held in the Museo Arqeuologico de Valencia. The fugures are the basis for the Iberian Elite Scutarii unit.





Falcata:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

A Celtiberian Shield:


Warrior Statues
The following descriptions and pictures are from the document "Artistic Expression and Material Culture in Celtic Gallaecia" by Alfredo González-Ruibal (http://www4.uwm.edu/celtic/ekeltoi/v...uibal_6_3.html)

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Warrior statues are among the most outstanding artistic achievements of pre-Roman Gallaecia. They represent outsized males with a short sword or dagger, a small round shield (caetra), torc, bracelets (viriae), decorated belt and decorated dress. In some cases, they have a beard (Lezenho) and in one example, the head is covered with a helmet (Sanfins). The weapons, specially the famous caetra, have been also described in Greek and Roman texts (Strabo 3, 3, 5). The decorated belts are especially interesting: the existence of magic belts has been noted amongst Phoenicians and Punics (Blázquez 1991: 90-97), and they could have reached Gallaecia through the Semitic merchants that regularly visited the northwest coasts in search of tin and gold. The best warrior statues come from Lezenho, an unexplored hillfort near the Támega River, in the northwest of Portugal. All the examples were made of granite, as were virtually all other sculptural works in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Unfortunately, as is the case with most of the statuary, only a couple of pieces have been found in an archaeological context. These are the remains from the Sanfins' acropole and the feet - wedged in an outcrop - found at the same oppidum (Silva 1999:16). The problem with the former is that they were found in a secondary position and purposefully demolished in what seems to have been a sacred area, used in the first half of the first century AD. The feet have no archaeological materials associated with them; however, it is interesting to note their location. The statue was situated in a prominent place among huge rocks beside the main gate of the second enclosure of the oppidum. The figures probably represent idealized warrior aristocrats (heroes) that symbolically protected the entrance to the settlements, while at the same time making explicit the power of the ruling elite. Parallels have been proposed with the late Hallstatt statues from Germany, such as those from the Glauberg and Hirschlanden (Höck 1999). However, the Gallaecian warrior statues were probably produced in the late second and first centuries BC and always appear linked to oppida or hillforts, while the Hallstatt examples are from the sixth to fifth centuries BC and are found in funerary contexts. In addition, there is too wide a spatial gap between southern Germany and northwestern Iberia. Warrior statues have appeared in several locations in northwestern Portugal and in the province of Ourense (Galicia) in the oppida of Rubiás and Armeá.

There are also smaller representations of warriors, most of them from southern Galicia, whose date may be earlier, although we lack any contextual data. The most famous image is the warrior from Capeludos, from northeastern Portugal, who wears a cap extraordinarily similar to that of the Hirschlanden warrior. Finally, some stone heads, probably depicting warriors, have been discovered in Galicia. There are only three good examples: Castro do Río, Anllo (both in Ourense) and Ralle (Lugo). They are oversized heads wearing torcs and probably helmets, although the less realistic detail and the rougher treatment of the surfaces prevent an easy identification (Fig. 3). The emphasis on warrior representations fits well with the situation of instability and endemic warfare that characterized the Iberian Peninsula in the second and first centuries BC. Internecine conflict and wars against Rome probably encouraged inequalities within hillfort communities, especially in southern Gallaecia, the region that was in closer contact with Lusitanians and other warlike peoples, continuously menaced by the Roman expansion. Mercenaries and warlords probably made the most, in social and political terms, of this turbulent situation.


Figure 3. Distribution of different kinds of warrior statues. After González-Ruibal (2003a).

Two warrior statues, Lezenho hillfort (Vila Real, Portugal) (Fig. 4).
The statues from Lezenho are the finest found in Gallaecia up to now. They show an astonishing degree of realism and detail. Both statues presented here have torcs, belts, round shields and daggers. One of them (B) has a dress decorated with interlaced S-patterns, the same pattern to be found in architectural decoration. Four statues in total are known from Lezenho hillfort. Bibliography: Silva (1986: 305-307; Est. CXX, 1-2); Calo Lourido (1994: 292-302; 2003: 10-4, Pls. 10-21); Schattner (2003). Museu Nacional de Arqueologia e Etnologia (Lisboa).


Figure 4. Two warrior statues from Lezenho. After Silva (1986).

Warrior statue, Citânia de São Julião (Braga, Portugal) (Fig. 5).
This statue shows the most elaborate dress of any warrior representation known from Gallaecia. The skirt has the same diamond-shaped pattern found in other statues (Lezenho, Monte Mozinho). The shirt, however, has abstract vegetal motifs of eastern Mediterranean origin that somewhat recall La Tène-style pieces. The motif on the right shoulder is a stylized palm-tree, very common in Iron Age orientalizing and post-orientalizing art (see Blanco Freijeiro 1957: 174-196). Some examples in architectural decoration can be identified in northwestern Iberia from Lansbrica and Coeliobriga, in Ourense, Galicia, (Calo Lourido 1994: 443, 1-2) and Briteiros, northern Portugal (Calo Lourido 1994: 180), among other sites. The following inscription can be read on the warrior's shield: Malceino / Dovilonis / F, i.e. "Malceinus, Dovilo's son". The front part of the belt has a multi-armed swastika, perhaps with an apotropaic meaning. The fact that those elements decorating houses and ritual saunas also appear in warriors' dress, reveals an appropiation by the ruling elite of powerful cosmological symbols. This was one of the latest warrior statues to be discovered, in the early 1980s. Bibliography: Martins and Silva (1984); Silva (1986: 305-306; Est. CXX, 4); Calo Lourido (1994: 450-455; 2003: 19-20, Pls. 30-32); Koch (2003); Schattner (2003). Unidade de Arqueologia da Universidade do Minho.


Figure 5. Warrior statue from São Julião. After Silva (1986).

Warrior statue, Sanfins (Porto, Portugal) (Fig. 6).
As has already pointed out already, the feet were found wedged among big boulders near the oppidum's entrance gate while the other fragments were dug up in a wide rectangular building along with anepigraphic altars in the central part of the settlement. The dismemberment of the statue in early Roman times might have been part of a ritual performance. If so, it would suggest a shift in the foundation and representation of power. The style looks coarse, compared with other statues. The helmet, although perhaps not a Montefortino (Quesada 2003: 98), seemingly predates the Roman conquest. Quesada attributes it to Caesarian times (Buggenum type, see also Quesada 1997: 555-558). This is the only full warrior statue wearing a helmet. Bibliography: Paço (1968); Calo Lourido (1994: 484-487, 493; 2003: 21-22, Pls. 37-39); Silva (1999: 16, 31); Schattner (2003). Museu Arqueológico da Citânia de Sanfins (Paços de Ferreira).


Figure 6. Warrior statue from Sanfins. After Silva (1986).

Warrior statue, Santa Comba hillfort (?). Refojos de Basto (Vila Real, Portugal) (Fig. 7).
This huge statue (206 cm) wears the characteristic belt, round shield, dagger and viriae on both arms. The belt has a small triskel as a decoration in the back, the same used in architectural decoration. As has been said, this was probably considered a magical protective device. One of the most interesting features of this work is the presence of feet, seldom preserved in warrior statues, seemingly encased in a pair of closed (leather?) boots and shin pads (knemides). In addition, this is one of the few warrior statues with a sword, which is unsheathed over the right part of the torso. It bears a Latin inscription on the lower part of the shield: "Artifices / Calubrigens /es. et. Abianis / F(aciendum). C(uraverunt)", whose interpretation remains obscure. Apparently, the "faciendum curaverunt" refers to the inscription itself and the statue could have been reused as a landmark between both populi. Bibliography: Silva (1986: 307; est. CXXII, 1); Calo Lourido (1994: 509-515; 2003: 23-24, Pls. 40-43); Koch (2003); Schattner (2003). Private collection.


Figure 7. Warrior statue from Santa Comba. After Calo (2003).


Warrior head, Anllo (Ourense) (Fig. 8).
The lesser quality of the work, as compared to the full warrior statues (e.g. Lezenho), is evident. The face has been roughly shaped and there is no attempt to provide a naturalistic image. Besides, the surface is badly eroded, making it difficult to ascertain whether the head was wearing a helmet or not. Slight traces of the paragnatide can be glimpsed on the left cheek. The torc, on the contrary, although not realistic, is quite obvious. The sculpture is 44 cm high. It was discovered not far from an Iron Age defended settlement, although this date is far from certain in the hillfort-crowded landscape of Galicia. Bibliography: Orero Grandal (1986: 95-98); Calo Lourido (1994: 81-83; 2003: 6, Pl. 1); Schattner (2003). Museo Arqueolóxico Provincial de Ourense.


Figure 8. Warrior bust from Anllo. Author's photograph.

Artistic impressions of other Iberian units

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Helmets
The following descriptions and pictures are from the document "Artistic Expression and Material Culture in Celtic Gallaecia" by Alfredo González-Ruibal (http://www4.uwm.edu/celtic/ekeltoi/v...uibal_6_3.html)

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Unlike their neighbours (Quesada 1997), the people inhabiting the northwestern Iberian Peninsula never developed a spectacular panoply of weapons. The only exceptions are four bronze helmets, dating to the Later Iron Age, found in the Conventus Bracarum. Small fragments are known from other locations, such as the oppidum of Briteiros. The origin of this artefact can be traced back to the fourth century BC in Central Europe. The Montefortino helmet was in use, in its many variants, until the time of Augustus, when it is replaced by the simplified Buggenum type. Despite the Celtic origins of this helmet type, it spread rapidly across the Mediterranean. The southern regions of Iberia have yielded a large number of Montefortino helmets, even more than Celtic Iberia (García-Mauriño 1993; Quesada 1997: 558) and in fact they might have been popularized by the Italian and Carthaginian armies (ibid). They have a wide distribution, from Scythian lands in the east to southern Iberia in the west (ibid: 556). The helmets from our area were produced locally: the decoration along the rim and peak (circles, triangles filled with dots, zigzags, strings and mouldings) can also be found in the pottery of the second and first centuries BC. The context of deposition is clearly ritual in two cases, Castelo de Neiva and Caldelas de Tui. The good preservation of the helmet from Lanhoso also suggests a votive context. The Gallaecian examples have been attributed to a later date, possibly as late as the Augustan period (Quesada 1997: 563-564), but those found in context (Castelo de Neiva), were recovered with sherds of Dressel 1c amphorae. It is thus more likely that the chronology has to be put back between the late second and mid-first centuries BC. Bearing in mind the participation of Gallaecian warriors in the Civil Wars of the mid-first century BC, we may date the Montefortino-Buggenum helmets of Gallaecia around this period.

Montefortino helmet, Lanhoso (Braga, northern Portugal) (Fig. 50A).
This piece was discovered during the construction of a road in the oppidum of Lanhoso. In the same settlement and probably not far from the place were the helmet was dug up, a statue of a seated god was also discovered. Bibliography: Teixeira (1940); Silva (1986: 206; XCII, A-F; CXLIV, 3). Museu D. Diogo de Sousa (Braga).

Two Montefortino helmets, Castelo de Neiva (Viana do Castelo, northern Portugal) (Fig. 50B-C).
The helmets were found together with elements associated with feasting, as we have seen. They certainly were part of a votive hoard. Bibliography: Almeida (1980); Silva (1986: 206; Est. XCIV, A-F; CXLIV, 2, XCV, A-E). Private collection.

Montefortino helmet, Caldelas de Tui (Pontevedra, Galicia) (Fig. 50D).
This piece was dredged from the river Miño, the longest and largest river of Galicia, which is today the frontier between Spain and Portugal. In the same stretch of the river, two votive deposits from the Later Bronze Age were discovered, one of them composed of nine bronze axes and the other by two swords (Meijide Cameselle and Acuña Castroviejo 1988). The area was probably imbued with sacred meanings since the Bronze Age, because it was a boundary and a crossing point simultaneously (as suggested in general by Bradley 1998). Bibliography: Santiso, Gómez Sobrino and Tamuxe (1977); Silva (1986: 205, Est. XCII, 1A-D; CXLIV, 1). Museo Histórico Diocesano de Tui (Pontevedra).



Figure 50. Montefortino helmets. A. Lanhoso. After Teixeira (1940); B-C. Castelo de Neiva. After Almeida (1980); D. Caldelas de Tui. After Silva (1986).

The following is the Roma Surrectum II unit roster for the Gallaeci.



Armoured General


Light Cavalry




Medium Cavalry





Heavy Cavalry





Skirmishers




Light Infantry






Heavy Infantry












Battle Pictures - (all are at 1920x1200)
Custom battle vs Carthage

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Custom battle vs Averni

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Custom battle vs Carthage

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Carthage and Rome in Iberia
There are two major superpowers in the Western Mediterranean that were dominant in the time period of this mod: Rome and Carthage.

These two powers were not always at war with each other. When Pyrrhus of Epirus had been invited by Tarentum in 281BC to help defend fellow Greeks against the advancing Romans in Italy Carthage was an ally of Rome. Pyrrhus defeated Rome in several battles but was unable to destroy or get peace with Rome. Pyrrhus invaded Sicily in 278BC and the only Carthaginian settlement to hold out against him was Lilybaeum on the western side of the island. Eventually, Pyrrhus failed in his attempts to remove Rome from Italy and Carthage from Sicily and returned to his homeland.

Roman expansion continued and eventually there was a conflict of interest with Carthage. The Romans were invited by the Mamertines in Massana to help them against Carthage. This resulted in the First Punic War (264BC - 241BC) in which Carthage lost Sicily to Rome. Eventually, the Romans intervened in Corsica and Sardinia as well (Carthage had insufficient funds to pay it's disbanded mercenaries which resulted in the Mercenary War (240BC) which Carthage finally put down but the Romans took advantage of this).

At the end of the First Punic War Carthage had lost it's naval dominance of the Western Mediterranean and also was forced to look elsewhere to fund the indemnity that Rome had demanded.

The Carthaginian Hamilcar Barca led an expedition to Iberia in 236BC to expand thier existing holdings. In eight years, by force of arms and diplomacy, he secured an extensive territory in Iberia, but his premature death in battle (228 BC) prevented him from completing the conquest. Hannibal's brother-in-law, Hasdrubal, succeeded to his command of the army with Hannibal serving as an officer under him. Hasdrubal pursued a policy of consolidation of Carthage's Iberian interests, even signing a treaty with Rome whereby Carthage would not expand north of the Ebro River, so long as Rome did not expand south of it. Hasdrubal also endeavored to consolidate Carthaginian power through diplomatic relationships with native tribes.

Upon the assassination of Hasdrubal (221 BC), Hannibal was proclaimed commander-in-chief by the army and confirmed in his appointment by the Carthaginian government.

After he assumed command, Hannibal Barca spent two years consolidating his holdings and completing the conquest of Iberia south of the Ebro. However, Rome, fearing the growing strength of Hannibal in Iberia, made an alliance with the city of Sagunton which lay a considerable distance south of the River Ebro and claimed the city as its protectorate. Hannibal perceived this as a breach of the treaty signed with Hasdrubal and so he laid siege to the city, which fell after eight months. Rome reacted to this apparent violation of the treaty and demanded justice from Carthage. In view of Hannibal's great popularity, the Carthaginian government did not repudiate Hannibal's actions, and the war he sought was declared at the end of the year. Hannibal was now determined to carry the war into the heart of Italy by a rapid march through Hispania and southern Gaul. This is known as the Second Punic War (218BC - 201BC).

The following diagram shows Hannibal's advance to Italy:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

This is the point at which this mod starts. Hannibal is in Italy with his army but he has left his bother Hasdrubal behind with an army in Iberia.

In addition to this Rome had landed an army led by Publius Cornelius Scipio near Masillia to intercept Hannibal. Being unable to catch the army Scipio gave command of the army to his elder brother Cnaeus with the intention of attacking the Barcid's bases.

It is time for you to bring the Iberian Peninsular back under Iberian control!

Starting Location:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

At the start of the campaign you will be allied with the Averni who are to your north the other side of the Pyrenees and at war with Carthage who have been advancing up the Iberian Penninsular since 236BC.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Acknowledgements
Skins: Tone, leif_erikson, Pacco
Iberian Infantry Scortamareva model - courtesy of the EB team
Iberian Infantry Scortamareva skin - leif_erikson
Iberian Infantry Ambakaro - courtesy of the EB team
Iberian Scutarii Cavalry - courtesy of Bebbe
Iberian Medium Cavalry - courtesy of Bebbe

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Suggested Reading
Rome's Enemies: Spanish Armies, 218-19 B.C. No. 4 (Men-at-arms)
By Rafael Trevino Martinez, Illustrated by Angus McBride
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
ISBN-10: 0850457017
ISBN-13: 978-0850457017

Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars
By Duncan Head, Drawings by Ian Heath
Publisher: R.E.G. (Games) Ltd. Waregames Research Group)
ASIN: B001C42UCE

The Fall Of Carthage
By Adrian Goldsworthy
Publisher: Phoenix (9th October 2003)
ISBN-10: 0304366422
ISBN-13: 978-0304366422

Other related reading
Hispaniae: Spain and the Development of Roman Imperialism, 218-82 BC
By J.S. Richardson
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (8th July 2004)
ISBN-10: 0521521345
ISBN-13: 978-0521521345

The Romans in Spain (A History of Spain)
By John S. Richardson
Publisher: Blackwell Publishers Ltd
ISBN-10: 0631209317
ISBN-13: 978-0631209317

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Useful Web Pages
The following web site has a number of downloadable PDF files that cover Celtic (Keltoi) influence in Iberia:
http://www4.uwm.edu/celtic/ekeltoi/v...ol6/index.html

The following web site has some good background information:
http://www.theancientweb.com/explore...?content_id=27

The following web site has a wealth of information (at least I think it does but I don't understand Spanish):
http://www.celtiberia.net/

The following wiki page gives a brief background to the history prior to the start of RSII and what happened afterwards:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallaecia

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

The END
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

[tone]

EB team for ambakaro and scortamareva models.
Bebbe for the scutarii and iberian medium cavalry models.

It'd be nice if you could insert the pictures of the statues from North Western Spain that some of the units are based on...should be in the faction thread, or else some of the editions here:

http://www4.uwm.edu/celtic/ekeltoi/v...ol6/index.html

[Brusilov]

Iberian Scuratii Cavalry, Iberian Scutarii or Ibierian Elite Scutarii for Bebbe?

I was going to look for images to put into the post. A lot of the images in the threads you pointed me to were from the Osprey books - so they may be OK to show in a dev forum but no way in a public forum. I will try and hunt down some of the images from the vases - just try to get them from elsewhere.

Is there a file somewhere that contains the Gallaeci symbol?

Edited: Are the reigns on the general and Iberian Heavy Cavalry going to be fixed at some stage?

[tone]

[Brusilov]

Thanks for that.

[tone]

BTW, the reason I was asking about the custom location is that it's got cedars and so on that are part of the middle eastern climate (the old subarctic climate) - need to make sure that climate no longer features in southern Spain.

[tone]

All looking great - two small suggestions:

1) Remove the top image from the custom battle vs Arverni - I need to fix the mapping / skinning of that Celtic Noble cavalry helmet

2) You refer to "Other artistic impressions of the Gallaeci units" - I would suggest changing this to "Artistic impressions of other Iberian units"

3) It would make sense to change the unit screenshots so that they are formatted to the left margin rather than central - otherwise it'd be a real pain for those with smaller screens.

[Brusilov]

Ok, the reins on the warlord and Iberian Heavy Cavalry also need doing.

I've done the editing. If there is going to be a delay on the Boii Preview is it possible to post this early in the week? I expect to be working in Bristol from the 15th December.

[swhunter]

Looking good, I never get to fight them, they are over runned by other factions.

[Brusilov]

In one of the campaigns that I ran (not as the Gallaeci) they had managed to almost kick Carthage out of Iberia and also managed to put armies onto ships and land them the other side of the Pyrennees.....

This is from my Dacian/Getae Campaign (a different campaign)

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[leif_erikson]

No big deal but if I remember correctly the Iberian Infantry Scortamareva is made by me

[tone]

Indeed we need to say that the models for the two EB units are from the EB team, but the skin for the scortamareva is Leif's. I'm pretty sure the reins have been redone now.

[Brusilov]

Who did the skin for the Ambakaro?

[tone]

It's the EB one.

[Brusilov]

I've just checked the reigns on the Armoured General and Iberian Heavy Cavalry - they've not been changed.

I used a custom battle with the 0-turn recruitment option.

[leif_erikson]

I will upload the new fixed horses tonight after work

[Brusilov]

OK, thanks.

[Brusilov]

I did check the following day but also just checked again - the horses have not been uploaded yet.

[Brusilov]

OK, the screens of the warlord and the Iberian Cavalry have been replaced as has the title.

I think this is done now....

[tone]

We could have a double value preview day!!!!