Preview IV: The Kingdom of Armenia

**Drtad** · May 25, 2012, 12:10 PM

Great work! Looking forward to this one.

Originally Posted by Blatta Optima Maxima

Excellent. However, I must say I rather doubt the existence of a standing army loyal to the state. What the Armenians had, was rather more like really big private retinues for the more important clans.

While this is partially true, during the reign of a more powerful king like Tiridates III there would probably have been a large number of troops loyal to the royal house (or domain). Those would be the troops loyal to the state. As noblemen ate away at the Arsacid holdings (the royal domain, essentially), it eventually weakened the troops loyal to the royal house enough that the prominent noble houses simply sent the last Arsacid king, Artaxias IV, to Persia and said "keep him." It wasn't only the prominent clans that had retinues, but every single house had at least a few hundred troops. This is documented here (hopefully it's reliable enough). So you are right, but Tiridates III and his immediate successors probably did have a significant number of troops loyal to them (the state).

http://armenian-nobility.com/en/inde...amak&Itemid=66

**Blatta Optima Maxima** · May 26, 2012, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by Drtad

While this is partially true, during the reign of a more powerful king like Tiridates III there would probably have been a large number of troops loyal to the royal house (or domain). Those would be the troops loyal to the state. As noblemen ate away at the Arsacid holdings (the royal domain, essentially), it eventually weakened the troops loyal to the royal house enough that the prominent noble houses simply sent the last Arsacid king, Artaxias IV, to Persia and said "keep him." It wasn't only the prominent clans that had retinues, but every single house had at least a few hundred troops. This is documented here (hopefully it's reliable enough). So you are right, but Tiridates III and his immediate successors probably did have a significant number of troops loyal to them (the state).

http://armenian-nobility.com/en/inde...amak&Itemid=66

The royal house is still a noble house. It doesn't exactly represent the state.

**Drtad** · May 26, 2012, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by Blatta Optima Maxima

The royal house is still a noble house. It doesn't exactly represent the state.

You could say that. The structure was like early Capetian France, or rather Medieval in general in terms of the nobility, raising armies, etc.

**Blatta Optima Maxima** · May 27, 2012, 06:17 AM

Originally Posted by Magister Militum Flavius Aetius

I agree Blatta, it's sort of like Aetius Army; some proffessional core troops as the center, but most of the army was privately funded bucellarii by the possesores and Aetius himself. Another Prime example is when Appollinaris and his Possesore friends hired a private army to defend Roman france (auvergne i think the area was) from the Visigoths in the 460s/470s

To a certain extent, although the roles are swapped - the private troops are the core, and the levies form the rest. Somewhat like medieval armies.

Originally Posted by Drtad

You could say that. The structure was like early Capetian France, or rather Medieval in general in terms of the nobility, raising armies, etc.

Indeed.

**Armatus** · May 25, 2012, 10:42 AM

Great work guys

**Boustrophedon** · May 25, 2012, 04:04 PM

Most pleasing update! Units look great and the 2D presentation is amazing as usual

**Slydessertfox** · May 26, 2012, 10:29 AM

The Armenian units look amazing. Great work, well done!

**Spartan 666** · May 26, 2012, 12:22 PM

excellent! Looking forward to see them in game! Keep on the awesome work guys

**Magister Militum Flavius Aetius** · May 26, 2012, 04:56 PM

I agree Blatta, it's sort of like Aetius Army; some proffessional core troops as the center, but most of the army was privately funded bucellarii by the possesores and Aetius himself. Another Prime example is when Appollinaris and his Possesore friends hired a private army to defend Roman france (auvergne i think the area was) from the Visigoths in the 460s/470s

**Emperor Caesar** · May 26, 2012, 11:05 PM

Looking Sweet Man! These previews are making me more and more impatient.

**Deutschland** · May 27, 2012, 02:31 AM

Good work as always.

**Joar** · May 27, 2012, 12:16 PM

Thanks, guys!

**Gäiten** · May 27, 2012, 12:43 PM

Everything is very nice!

**Parzival2211** · May 31, 2012, 03:57 AM

Very much looking forward to this.

Seemed to me though, that a number of images didn't show....

**Joar** · May 31, 2012, 04:01 AM

Originally Posted by Parzival2211

Very much looking forward to this.

Seemed to me though, that a number of images didn't show....

That's probably because of the issues that the TWC's been having lately, or imageshack.

**Marman** · May 31, 2012, 05:11 AM

Great, I would like to say big thank you as an Armenian... sounds really good. That was the time when Armenia was on its highest power level denoting the reign of Tigran The Great... good work guys. Would love t help you in case you need it...