A Sneak Peek Preview of RESTITVTOR ORBIS
Welcome to the first sneak peek into the upcoming next chapter of the INVASIO BARBARORVM mod series, RESTITVTOR ORBIS. In this minor preview, we'll give you a glimpse of what's to come.
- The Historical Background -
This time around we go back to a time of crisis. In the second half of the 3rd century AD, the Roman world was torn apart. All of Gaul and Britain had fallen under the yoke of the usurper Postumus, and in the East, the wealthy city of Palmyra had seized much of the eastern provinces and formed an empire of its own under the leadership of its queen, Zenobia.
Amethyst intaglio of Emperor Aurelian
Aurelian is said to have been a man of humble origin from the Danubian region, who rose through the ranks of the Roman army, serving under the Emperor Gallienus, but eventually helped organize the plot that destroyed him. Appointed by Claudius II to the chief command of the cavalry, Aurelian served with distinction against the Goths. Though Aurelian was the obvious successor to Claudius, he did not seize the crown for himself upon the latter's death. Instead he allowed the throne to pass to Quintillus, the brother of Claudius. However, it was not long before he was hailed as Emperor by his troops, and disposed of his rival.
Barbarian invasions first claimed his attention. He successfully campaigned against the Vandals, Iuthungi, and Alemanni, before turning his attention to the eastern provinces which had fallen into the hands of the Palmyrene queen, Zenobia.
Map of the Roman world in 270 AD. Please note that this map does not represent the actual campaign map.
Zenobia of Palmyra, ruling in the name of her young son, Septimius Vaballathus, had exploited the Roman civil wars to occupy Egypt and much of Asia Minor. However, she never styled her son as Augustus, but instead gave him the title of Imperator, and projected him as the junior colleague of Aurelian. Aurelian tolerated this compromise for as long as he had to, but in 272 he marched east.
After the subjugation of Palmyra, and the capture of Zenobia, Aurelian defeated the Carpi, a coalition of Dacian and Germanic tribes, before turning west to crush the Gallic usurpers. Early in 275 Aurelian set out against Persia, but was betrayed and assassinated in his military camp near Byzantium.
Aurelian's energy and military talents restored the unity of the Empire after a decade of division, thus earning him the title of "Restorer of the World". Although he sought to reform the silver coinage, much damaged by 40 years of debasement, and establish the worship of Sol Invictus at the centre of Roman state religion, he will probably always be best remembered as the iron-fisted general who restored Roman glory in a time when civil war was more the rule than an exception. In many ways he pioneered the work of Diocletian and Constantine. His murder was, however, followed by a further ten years of uncertainty.
- The New Units -
Here's some samples of the new Roman units:
The Praetorian Guard were still in existence during the third century but their influence had waned, replaced effectively by the Legio Parthica Secunda and later in the 3rd Century by the two elite legio units, the Herculiani and Joviani under Diocletian's reign.
This troop wears polished scale armour and wears a Heddernheim Helmet, which is similiar to the Niederbieber Helmet except has a larger neck guard. He is equipped with a long thrusting spear and a spatha.
By the mid 3rd Century there was very little difference between auxiliary troops and legionnaires in equipment and armourment, though the legions were still held in higher esteem and received higher pay and training.
Thus troop has Niederbieber Helmet with large cheek panels, a neck guard and reinforcing across the top of the helmet. This man wears scale armour but could equally have chain mail. He is equipped with javelins (veruta) and long thrusting spear (hastati).
This figure represents a front ranker. He is armed with a long thrusting spear and spatha. He wears a Niederbieber Helmet, though could also have worn the Heddernheim Helmet and Lorica Segmentata armour, which was still in use into the late 3rd century though not as common. He could have equally worn scale or chain mail armour. He also retains the rectangular shield (scutum) which now may have been reserved for front ranks. Being in the fronk rank he is heavily protected. In addition to his armour and shield he also wears leg greaves and has manicae on his sword arm.
This figure represents a front ranker from the Eastern provinces. He is armed with a long thrusting spear and spatha. He wears a mail coif over his head and Lorica Segmentata armour which was still in use into the late 3rd century though not as common. He could have equally worn scale or chain mail armour. He also retains the rectangular shield (scutum) which now may have been reserved for front ranks. Being in the fronk rank he is heavily protected. In addition to his armour and shield he also wears leg greaves and has manicae on his sword arm.
This figure represents subsequent rankers. He is armed with a 3rd Century Pilum, though could have also had the equivalent Spiculum. He wears scale armour, but again could have easily worn chain mail or even the Lorica Segmentata. He wears a Heddernheim Helmet and carries the now more common oval shield.
Another representation of a front ranker from the Eastern provinces. He is armed with a long thrusting spear and spatha. He wears a mail coif over his head and chain mail with a scale corset over the top. He also retains the rectangular shield (scutum) which now may have been reserved for front ranks. Being in the fronk rank he is heavily protected. In addition to his armour and shield he also wears leg greaves and has manicae on his sword arm.
Here is another example of a front ranker. He is armed with a long thrusting spear and spatha. He wears a Heddernheim Helmet and carries the now more common oval shield. His armour consists of scale. Being in the fronk rank he is heavily protected. In addition to his armour and shield he also wears leg greaves and has manicae on his sword arm.
- Loading Screens -
Here's some samples of the new loading screens:
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Originally Posted by Cocroach the great
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