Faction Preview No 3: Corinth
Faction Preview:
The Corinthians
Models: Dark Fenrir, Skins: Ellysian Warrior, Additional art: Lupus
the factions icon demonstrates the Pegasos,the famous flying horse of Korinthos main hero,Bellerephon
Pegasos is the most common concept with anything related to the city
Corinth, on the north-eastern tip of Peloponnese, the home of Sisyphos and the great hero Bellerophon, was one of the oldest Greek city-states and among the most important ones. The history of Corinth starts with the city being subdued by Argos. The Bakchidai royal house that freed Corinth ruled the city for 5 centuries. During that age they established many colonies including Syracuse, Korcyra and Potidaia which evolved into significant cities for Hellenism all of which had a very strong naval force. In 657 BC the Bakchiadai rule ended. The polemarchos Kypselos –whose name means “chest” (Kypsele) because his mother saved him by hiding him in a chest when he was a child and the Bakchidai tried to kill him- supported by an Oracle of Delphi, took control of the city and he ruled thereafter for thirty years. The exiled Bakchidai fled to Corkyra but also went to Sparta and Etruria.
Equated with the Homeric city Ephyra, Corinth was the innovator and master builder of commercial and war ships, the city developed great wealth and became the richest commercial city in ancient Hellas, establishing a series of colonies .The biggest number of colonies were deployed in the sea west of Peloponnesos known as Ionian Sea and the surrounding islands.
The two greatest Greek cities on the Illyrian coasts, Epidamnos and Apollonia were both established by Corinthians as well. In order to maintain their influence and contact with their strongholds, they need to keep a capable fleet. After all it is believed that the first trireme was constructed by a Corinthian named Ameinocles.
The system of government then altered from kingship to oligarchy and then to tyranny. One of those tyrants, who was in power for 44 years, was Periandros, son of Kypselos, who was considered to be one of the 7 sages of the ancient times. Periandros was harsh but wise, he even had good relations with Egypt and he named his nephew who succeeded him with the name of a pharaoh!
When he died in 584 Corinth was at the zenith of its power, Having benefited from Periandros' backing and inclination to arts, trade, commerce, shipping and science. The citizens of Corinth made fortunes from evolving workshops and trade of porfyra, carpets, vessels and adopted a luxurious if not a lush life. Therefore it became one of the most populous cities with large numbers of slaves. The life in there was so extravagant that the Greeks used to say "not everybody can afford living in Korinthos".
This situation unfortunately resulted in a gradual loss of much of the power it used to hold, Corinth weakened and started to decline. The colonies started to despise their mother city because of the Corinthians distaste of war and the trade also was damaged. However Corinth is not to be underestimated. Not many Greek cities can provide 5000 heavy hoplites, like the Corinthians did at the battle at Plataia! Moreover at Salamis they played a key role to the Hellenic victory against the Phoenician ships and the dead Corinthians were buried by their country in the most expensive grave in the shore of Salamis for their service to the panhellenic cause, they also took part in Mycale battle and where they came second in valor after the Athenians.
It also keeps a marine force which is one of the strongest in Hellenic world if not the strongest of all and the trade routes are still wide open as far as Etruria and Lydia. Furthermore Korinthos keeps the biggest treasury of all Hellenic factions.
The city is built upon a trapezoidal plateau and it was joined with its seaport in the Corinthian gulf, which was named Lechaion, by a strong wall. Another wall which could be significantly enforced in a dangerous situation, protected not only Korinthos but the Peloponnesean Isthmus as well. The Corinthians in the time of Periandros found out a way to move their ships from one side of the Isthmus to the other by carrying them on a stone road, called “Diolkos”, with wheeled platforms from the eastern port of Kenchreai, in the Saronic gulf, to the western port of Lechaion, in the Corinthian gulf.
The prosperous citizens are aware that their homeland is a valuable prize for any of their enemies, who envy their riches. They also know that the Isthmus is one of the most important strategic positions/locations in Hellas and their colonies may not assist them in their future plans. To prevent this, the Corinthians should have a close look at their colonies and especially the rebel colony of Korkyra which has meanwhile grown into a force which is very dangerous for their interests in the west. Corinth after the tyranny was ruled by the aristocrats under a Council of eighty members and developed good relations with all the other city states. After the Persian wars Corinth prospered more than most of the other Greek cities, but the expansion of Athens under Pericles broke the good relations between them.
If they exploit their advantages and use their navy correctly, make full use of the diplomatic abilities of their emissaries and the strong fortifications they have in place, the Corinthians have every reason to feel secure and able to handle the hostility and the age long hatred that their neighbours feel for each other. It has always been profitable to deploy new colonies and hold campaigns in the sea west of Peloponnesos whilst Sparta and Argos collide!
Location/regions around Corinth and its starting provinces
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Faction Units
Left to Right:
Top: Family members guard; Corinthian Hoplite; Corinthian Marine; Corinthian Hippeis
Bottom: Leukas hoplite; Ambrakia hoplite; Apollonia hoplite
Family-member bodyguards
These elite hoplites form the corinthian generals loyal guard their shields are neatly decorated with the typical corinthian symbol, the famous Pegasus. They are well trained and highly disciplined.
Corinthian hoplites
The city hoplites of Corinth are heavily armed soldiers who have fought both in Peloponnesos to defend their homeland and in far away regions against natives in order to establish their colonies. Their city is not famed for their military deeds but still they can raise a large number of hoplites, maybe second to Sparta in whole of the Peloponnese for their shield icon we have selected the 4-legged tetraskeles (tetraskelion), a symbol widely used by tyrant Periandros in Corinth.
Corinthian marine hoplites
The Corinthian marines are armed with a usual hoplon shield which is decorated with an image of baby Hercules strangling the snakes Hera sent to kill him, Protected by light armor and carrying the large kopis sword that make them effective in close combat on a board of a ship or on the land if required
Light hippeis
Corinth is able to mobilize a small number of horsemen that are best used for harrassing skirmishers and screening/supporting other units.
Ambrakia hoplites
Ambrakia is a Corinthian colony in west Greece. their bonds with Corinth are very strong and they also use the Pegasus on their soldiers shields. The Ambrakian hoplites reinforced their founding city in both the Persian war and the Peloponnesian war.
Leukas hoplites
Leukas is a colony of Corinth on the island opposite Akarnania, the hoplites drawn from the city of Leukas also have on their shields the Pegasus but they also include its rider Bellerephon, the mythical Corinthian hero.
Apollonian hoplites
Established on the coasts of Illyria by Corinthians and Corkyrians, Apollonia faces danger from both by Illyrian natives and by the the Korkyrians who have risen in power and compete with Corinth-their own metropolis(founding city) over trade and naval suppremacy in the sea west of the Peloponnese.
upgraded units :
Once again we hope you have enjoyed this preview and as awlays we welcome comments
regards
The Hegemonia Team
Foreigner,
We came from the fresh city of Korinthos
And here, in the sand of Ajax's island we now lie,
Defending our sacred Hellas against the Phoenician ships of the Persians and Medians
Simonides epigram for the fallen Korinthians in Salamis battle
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by bestantreas
). So as so much, much work we still have ... but better longer and good work than quick and average ... not? :wink: 
