Hirdijaz
Hirdijaz is a Proto-Germanic word translating loosely as "herdsmen" or "shepherds". These men would have been serfs and peasants of Marcomanni society, inhabiting the mountains and valleys of the upper Danube region that their tribe inhabited. While they may have been the poorest of their tribe and little above slaves, they will still have been required to serve militarily should they be called upon by their lords and chieftains. Many may have voluntarily joined the warbands of the Marcomanni coalition, hoping for a chance at plunder and spoils that their many expeditions and incursions were likely to bring. They will have been of varying age and skill, but mainly proficient with the sling - the archetypal weapon of all shepherds, used both to keep their flocks safe and for hunting game.
Being poor, they carry no more than their sling and a small iron knife, though they should not be underestimated - when used at range, their lead or pebble projectiles can bend shields and armour, and cause fatal blunt trauma to tissues and organs behind it. They are not ready or equipped for a melee fight, wearing only a simple undyed woolen tunic and close fitting, heavy trousers, of either felt or wool, ideal protection against undergrowth and thickets but not much else. In battle, they are mostly expected to harass the enemy with hails of stones, which they collect from nearby streams and riverbeds, being flat and oval in shape.
It goes without saying such vulnerable men should be used wisely on the field of battle. They will perish even against the lightest of infantry, and most forms of cavalry will tear them to bits. A wise Marcomanni king will instead seek to use them from afar, behind his lines, where he can either instruct them to target a single point in the field of battle, taking aim perhaps at a heavily armoured enemy with which their stones will prove useful against, or allowing them simply to bombard the enemy lines with random but deadly hails of stones
Jugunthiz Marka-Manwōz
Jugunthiz Marka-Manwōz are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Marcomanni youth or Marcomanni young warriors". As a typical Germanic warrior society, the Marcomanni would have had numerous young men in the prime of their life, across many different social classes and generally inexperienced in the art of war, willing to prove themselves and eager for battle, and the plunder that followed. Many will have been called to arms by their kinsmen, chieftains and family leaders, but many will also be volunteers and be eager to impress their lords and fellow warriors, hoping to secure patronage and favour with those above them. Until then however, they will have to make due with their numbers and eagerness for battle.
This was augmented by their fitness, being men in the prime of their life, and as such they went into battle wearing little more than was necessary, so as to make them quick and agile. This was probably more to do with their relative poverty, being unable to afford proper arms and weapons, but it still made them deadly foes to heavily armoured infantry which had no hopes of catching them. Armed with a handful of framea or javelins, some with angular heads with armour-piercing qualities, they charged ahead of the lines, throwing their missiles before falling back behind the lines in fluid motion, according to Tacitus. A small shield with an iron boss and an axe is also carried, necessary should they find themselves in the heat of battle or pursuing a routing enemy. Only woollen or felt trousers and skins are worn to ward off the cold, in addition to simple leather boots.
Young, headstrong, eager and inexperienced, these men will flounder quickly against experienced warriors or professional infantry, but will give a good account of themselves if used wisely by a Marcommani king, in skirmishing roles and on the flanks, where they belong. It goes without saying their short spears will fare badly against cavalry, and as such they should be screened against them behind a stout wall of spears.
Wrakjōnes Beron Hermundurōnes
Wrakjōnes Beron Hermundurōnes are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Bear warriors of the Hermundurii". The Hermundurii are first mentioned by Strabo, which treats them as a nomadic Suebian people living east of the Elbe. Domitius would later settle them in the lands of the Marcomanni, where they would form an uneasy alliance, as previously one of their own by the name of Vibilius had gone as far as deposing the Marcommanic king Catualda around 18 A.D. Such was the nature of Germanic inter-tribal politics however, and by 166 A.D, they two tribes had allied, together with the Quadi and Sarmatians, in a series of incursions into the Roman Empire, precipitating the Marcomannic Wars which would go on to last over 12 years.
These men thus represent the tribe's military contribution to the Marcomannic tribal confederacy, the "bear warriors", being similar to the somewhat mythical and archaic Ulfheðnar or “men clad in wolf skins” from Germanic warrior tradition, sects of which were still known to exist. These men will have pledged their allegiance to a chosen war god, most commonly Woden or Wotan. Besides religious fanatics however, many will also have been outcasts, exiles and criminals, with no options left but a life of religious and martial devotion. Living in forests, worshipping their gods and perfecting their martial skills, these men make use of bear skins as opposed to wolf skins to demonstrate their prowess in battle. Like the Tindonatae of the Galatians or Gallic Gaesatae, they may also have made use of drugs and heavy alcohol intoxication in battle to overcome pain. A common trait was described as a a state of wild, reckless rage, and a nearly uncontrollable, trance-like fury with and a reckless disregard for pain and their own lives.
These men have foregone the gradual shift of Germanic armies (in the west at least) of wearing armour, and fight in simple garments, wearing leather trousers tied at the waist with a rope of hemp or twisted linen, in addition to only their bear skins. They are armed with a small round shield with an iron boss, an axe with which they carve a hole in the enemy line in their drunken stupor, and a spatha. In combat thei will howl and be prone to acts of brutality and terror they are so well known for.
A Marcomanni king will put them to good use as shock troops, either at the front of their own lines, or used in decisive moments in battle, such as at the flanks or rear changes. Their lack of armour will count against them in engagements with skirmishing troops and ranged cavalry however.
Buγōn Theγnás
Buγōn Theγnás are Proto-Germanic words which translate loosely as "Bow serfs or bow peasants". These men will be composed of farmers, peasants, serfs and slaves, many of which will have had bows with which to feed themselves from game and to defend themselves against the prevalent raids and incursions of neighbouring tribes. In times of need, they will have been called to battle by their lords and masters, as even a peasant or serf armed with a bow can make an appreciable contribution to battle line, even if a modest one. These bands will also have been comprised of both hunters and those warriors whom showed a proficiency with the bow also.
These men will have been grouped into warbands and expected the main Marcomanni host, either at the back of the battle line and peppering the enemy with arrows or through support tactics such as skirmishes and ambushes, something ehse men will have been very good at. They are modestly clad, with only the simplest tunic and trousers, a hemp belt and leather boots. Their bow was often made of ash or yew for the stave, being around six feet long, with arrows carved of poplar or beech. Arrow-heads often differed in quality and type, with heads made for hunting and armour-piercing being available. Frequently in graves, arrow-heads are found with axe heads, and so this warrior is represented with a simple axe as a backup weapon.
After their many engagements and wars with the Romans, the Marcomanni will have begun to appreciate the useful role of archers in their armies. As such, these men would be placed behind or amidst their lines, peppering the enemy alone or in volleys. Their light arms and armour would put them at a serious disadvantage against any other infantry or cavalry, and a wise Marcomanni king will bear this in mind.
Wrakjōnes Variscōnes
Wrakjōnes Variscōnes are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Naristi or Varisti warriors". The Varisti, also known as the Naristi were a Germanic tribe which settled along the line of the Danube, between the Hermundurii at its source and the Marcomanni and Quadi in modern day Bohemia, and west of the modern day Gabreta Forest. Tacitus first describes them as allies of the Marcomanni and Quadi in their bold expulsion of the Celtic Boii from their ancient home. Ptolemy states that they had a number of towns in their district on the Danube, indicating some level of urbanisation. They are next mentioned as fighting beside the Marcomanni during the Marcomannic Wars, during the reign of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. During the war, their king or chief, Valao, was killed by the Roman general Marcus Valerius Maximianus, after which they sued for peace. Their eventual fate is not know, their remnants may either have returned back to their lands or been transplanted into the empire by the victorious Romans.
These men represent those tribesmen which either remained at home or managed to return from their ill-fated expedition into the empire. Lacking numbers, they will have been absorbed by the larger Marcomanni tribal confederacy, now fighting alongside them. These men wear dyed woollen tunics in geometric patterns common to Germanic tribes of the time, leather boots with woollen socks, a leather strip belt with a simple iron buckle, and a felt cloak to protect them from the cold. Their weapons are their spear or framea made of ash or maple, with a straight shaped iron head, and a small axe which they use if needed. For defence they carry a planked wooden hexagonal shield, somewhat rare and archaic in current Germanc warrior tradition, with an iron boss.
These men provide a versatile and important part of the Marcomanni host, being able to use their spears for both melee fighting against other infantry, or to keep cavalry at bay. Their axes may also provide a good account against armoured infantry. However, their lack of armour will hinder them in prolonged combat, especially if caught by skirmishing troops or ranged cavalry. However, if supported adequately by other warriors, these men will give a good account of themselves in the field of battle.
Rathskuz Skutilaz-Manwaz
Rathskuz Skutilaz-Manwaz are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Nimble javelin/harpoon men". Here the word "harpoon" is meant as a javelin, as it could also be used as a common hunting weapon, both in forests and in the many rivers of the Germanic lands. Unlike the younger men armed only with a buckler shield and javelins, these men also employ the larger hastae spear, giving them additional staying power and longer range. They will have been levied from varying tribes, with different levels of fitness, experience and of all ages, from warriors already used to war and battle, and organised into a warband, before being assembled into the main Marcomanni host. They would have provided a flexible and useful part of the battle line, being able to stand their ground against other similar infantry, in addition to engaging in harassing and anti-cavalry operations.
These men wear a simple tunic dyed in woad, with leather boots and woollen socks, and little else besides their belt. A larger buckler type shield with an iron boss is carried for parrying, in addition to a handful of bronze butted, iron angular shaped throwing javelins. Their mean spear or framea was made of ash or maple, frequently with a leaf shaped iron head. An iron headed axe is also carried as a last resort weapon, though it may also come in useful against armoured opponents.
A Marcomanni king may find good use for these experienced and eager warriors in any part of his battle line, though he must take into account that their light arms and armour will fare badly in a prolonged engagement, though they are able to stand their ground against most enemies, if properly supported, for a good amount of time. Like most unarmoured warriors, they will suffer against missiles and heavier armed and armoured infantry, which will get the best of them. They will also perform well against light and medium cavalry, which their long spears should be able to keep at bay.
Ðruχtiz Burōnes
Ðruχtiz Burōnes are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Buri Warband". The Buri were a Germanic tribe mentioned in the Germania of Tacitus, living in the northern lands of the Marcomanni and Quadi of modern day Bohemia and Moravia. They may have migrated to the area from the Baltic Sea, as they were said to have shared their speech and customs with many other tribes from the area (like the Suebia) whom eventually displaced the Boii from their homelands. The fate of the Buri seems tied with that of other Danubian tribes, as they joined the Marcomanni led invasion of the empire in the 2nd century A.D. However, like with many other tribes, the Romans proved a tougher adversary than they had originally anticipated, and they sued for a separate peace. While they were well rewarded by the Romans, the Marcomanni took vengeance on them after the death of Marcus Aurelius, at which point they had to petition his son, Commodus, for peace. Having exhausted their resources on the war and not wishing to provoke the Romans into further retaliatory action, the Marcomanni relented. The Buri only appear much later accompanying the Suebi in their invasion of the Iberian Peninsula over two hundred years later, indicating they may have remained at least nominally independent in that time.
These men will have been tough, experienced and warlike, existing in a fragile peace with their Marcomanni neighbours, either fighting beside them as mercenaries of through oaths of fealty. They adorn themselves in tattoos, fighting bare chested save for dyed felt trousers, a simple unadorned leather belt, and enclosed leather boots. A dyed cloak provides protection against the elements. They arm themselves with the traditional long hastae spear of the Germanic tribes, carved out of either maple or ash, with a leaf shaped iron head. A large oval planked wooden shield with an iron boss, edged in leather, is carried for protection.
Men such as these form the backbone of the Marcomanni battle line, with their spears having a long range, and their shield providing them with a good amount of protection, giving these men good staying power. However, unlike more urbanised and Romanised western Germanic tribes, they have been slow to adopt armour into their ranks, and as such they will suffer in a prolonged melee against professional infantry. They will keep most cavalry at bay, but still suffer greatly from missile infantry and ranged cavalry. As always, a Marcomanni king will have to suitably support these warriors in order to get the most out of them.
Ðruχtiz Marka-Manwōz
Ðruχtiz Marka-Manwōz are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Marcomanni warband". These men will have formed the mainstay of the Marcomanni tribal confederation's warriors, being more numerous and enjoying more prestige than many of the other tribal warriors they flight alongside. They represent the majority of the able bodied men of their tribe, reflecting a variety of individuals, with varying levels of experience, skill and age. They will have been used to warfare, as the leading tribe of the coalition, it falls to them to lead any military raids, incursions and defense that may be required of the kingdom. Having attacked and suffered a devastating defeat against the Romans, they will have come to appreciate the Roman way of war, with many of them perhaps being somewhat Romanised themselves, possibly fighting as auxiliaries or federates with Roman armies, and bringing that knowledge and martial élan back home with them.
Being the main warriors of the Marcomanni, these men are suitably well armed. They carry a handful of bronze butted, iron angular shaped javelins, in addition to their main spear or framea made of ash or maple, with a leaf shaped iron head. They also carry an oval shield with a pointed iron boss, similar to those carried by Roman auxiliaries, where they may have in fact acquired it to begin with, painted over in more appropriate tribal patterns and possibly framed in leather or bronze edging. They also enjoy the additional protection of a simple but effective iron helmet known as the spangehelm, which became fairly common around this time among the more prestigious retinues of the Germanic tribes. These could either have been secured as gifts from their lords, though plunder and the looting of fallen Romans, or even as mementos of Roman military service itself. Due to the cold weather, they make use of thick woolen trousers, held up by a wide, bronze plated belt, leggings, enclosed leather boots and a simple undyed linen tunic. As both protection from the elements and a little degree of protection, they also wear a leather corselet, covered over with fur, which may offer some degree of protection against slashing attacks, but not much more.
As the foremost warriors of the Marcomanni confederacy, these men will perform admirably as the bulk of the warriors, charging and hoping to wear down the enemy through their ferocity and staying power. They are aided in this by their long spears, oval shields and helmets, with which they can engage most types of infantry and cavalry. However, their lack of armour will prove a hindrance against enemies with it, and as such they should not be expected to last too long in such a melee, though they will no doubt give a good account of themselves. They will, however, prove the demise of most types of cavalry, and a wise Marcomanni king may want to consider posting them on the flanks, where they can be used to the best of their abilities.
Ðruχtiz Wargengus Burgundiōnes
Ðruχtiz Wargengus Burgundiōnes are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Steward warbands of the Burgundians". Here, the word "stewards" acts as a somewhat obscure old Germanic word which was also used in the context of "mercenaries", that is, soldiers who pledged an oath of fealty to foreign masters, becoming "stewards" of that particular lord, much like the native retinues and companions. Besides their native Buri and Hermundurii brethren, who fight for pledges made to the Marcomanni King and for the Marcomanni tribe, these men make themselves available to the highest bidder, and as such will act in a mercenary capacity to any willing to pay them. Being Burgundians, they were of Scandinavian origin, with their larger tribal migrations yet to occur, having but a small presence in modern day eastern Germany around the Vistula river. As such, they are comparatively "wild" compared to the more urbanised and "civilized" western Germanic tribes. This is reflected in their manner of fighting and in what they wear, echoing earlier ages in German warrior tradition.
Accustomed to considerably colder climes, these men wear only leather boots with woollen socks, a loin cloth supported by a wide military leather belt, and a woollen cloak slung over their backs. Their main weapon is the ubiquitous hastae spear, made of ash or maple and with a long, pointed iron head, and a somewhat rare and archaic hexagonal shield, edged in bronze and with an iron boss. They carry a small iron headed axe as a backup weapon, but they are expected to make due with their shields, their spear and their ferocity in battle to carry the day.
As paid mercenaries, of a wild and ferocious nature, these men should be used both carefully and thoughtfully. They will make a good account of themselves in battle, even at its fiercest, but if suffering heavy losses and on the losing side of an engagement, will flee sooner than most of their comrades, with which they share no blood or tribal affiliation with. As such, a wise Marcomanni king will position them in places where their charge can be best felt, and where they are able to be supported by other types of warriors.
γaiðō-Manwaz Frijōjanan Burgundiōnes
γaiðō-Manwaz Frijōjanan Burgundiōnes are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Spearmen of the allied Burgundii". Like their mercenary brethren, these men are Burgundians, of Scandinavian origin. With their larger tribal migrations yet to occur, they had but a small presence in modern day eastern Germany around the Vistula river. However, these men have either allied themselves outright or been absorbed by their larger Marcomanni neighbours, and as such they now fight alongside the Marcomanni tribal confederacy, as clients and allies and not as mercenaries. This is reflected in the fact they arm and equip themselves more in the western Germanic manner, whilst still retaining their fierce and warlike tribal identity.
Having settled on the borders of the Marcomanni realm, these men arm and clothe themselves in a similar manner to their neighbours. They wear long, felt trousers with a wide leather belt, and fully enclosed leather boots. A dyed woollen tunic is worn over their backs. Their weapons remains the same, however, the archetypal long ash or maple hastae spear, and an oval planked shield with an iron boss. Their shield is unpainted and relatively simple compared to the more colourful and elaborate Marcomanni shields. In addition to this, they wear only a small iron headed axe which they can use if their spear is lost, and which may prove useful against armour.
As allied spearmen, these warriors can be put to use in many different parts of the Marcomanni battle line. Their long spears will keep cavalry at bay, and they may also give a good account of themselves against other lightly armoured infantry. However, they will suffer considerably in long engagements with professional infantry and heavy cavalry, with more staying power than themselves. As always, the key to success for a good Marcomanni king is in flexibility, and complimenting his different warriors with varied troop types so that one may support the other.
Dugunthiz Harjaz Wrakjōnes Marka-Manwōz
Dugunthiz Harjaz Wrakjōnes Marka-Manwōz are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Mighty army warriors of the Marcomanni". These are the tribesmen of the Marcomanni warrior society whom have succeeded in impressing themselves into the ranks of the retinues and companions of the chieftains, earls, nobles and lesser nobility of the Marcomanni confederacy. Additionally, many of them will have been veterans and discharged auxiliaries of the Romans, bringing with them invaluable experience and martial valour back to their home lands. These men now enjoy the patronage of their lords, which usually translates as a steady salary, good quality arms and armour, plenty of food and drink, slaves and a roof over one's head, and possibly even land of one's own. However, in effect they have no enlisted as the personal soldiers of these lords, who themselves pay fealty to the greater Marcomanni king. In addition to this, their prestige, honour and wealth are all inextricably bound to the well being of their lord, and their own performance. Should they fall foul of their patrons or fail to impress them, they will lose their gifts, their patronage, their honour, if not their lives. By oath and pledges, these men swear their lives and their service to the nobles, following them to battle and acting as bodyguards. In addition to this, these men represent a nascent but increasingly important branch in Germanic military society; the increasing militarisation of the traditional warband structure, with the more urbanised Franks and Alemanni taking the lead, but which is steadily progressing eastwards throughout Germanic warrior society.
These men will mostly be made up of experienced, veteran warriors whom have proved themselves to their lords through many battles and many campaigns, or perhaps more rarely, young men of exceeding martial skill whom, while perhaps less experienced, are nonetheless extremely able warriors. They may also comprise fully "professional" troops whom have served as auxiliaries or federates in the Roman army. As a unit, they are best thought of as soldiers and not "warriors" in the traditional sense, though they still retain their martial vigour and their natural eagerness and thirst for battle. Being part of a retinue, they are armed with a long, good quality thrusting spear, in addition to shorter framea throwing spears, ideally suitable for punching through armour with their short, angular points. In addition to the ubiquitous shield however, they also sport a spangehelm helmet, offering them excellent protection at such a vital area, in addition to a coat of mail of decent quality. In the manner of auxiliaries, they also wear a focale scarf to avoid chaffing, in addition to a fine tunic, tong woollen trousers with leggings, and enclosed hardened leather boots.
To a Marcomanni King, these men represent the cream of the warrior nobility, and by far the best bulwark available to defeat equally heavily armoured and armed opponents, like the nobles of other tribes, or the ever treacherous Romans. While such units are expensive, relatively rare and cost a lot of upkeep, they pay for themselves on the field of battle, where their long spears and their armour will keep most enemies at bay unless under the most extreme duress. Furthermore, in battle, these men will have been expected to lead from the front, with the rest of their warrior brothers, usually at the forefront of an armoured column known as the caput porcinum or "boar's head" first described by Tacitus in the 1st century A.D, and which the Romans may have copied. With the more well armed and armoured men in the front and the lesser following behind, the column charged and smashed into the ranks of the enemy, concentrating on a single point and hoping to carry all before them. Only the most professional and well-trained and led armies were able to resist them, a testament to its effectiveness.
Frowō Marka-Manwōz
Frowō Marka-Manwōz are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Marcomanni Lords". These men will have represented the retinues and companions, or "comitatus" as the Romans would come to call them, of the highest nobles and lords of Marcomanni society, short of the high king himself. They will have been the elite of Marcomanni warriors, usually the higher nobility, lesser kings, earls and lords, all of which required retinues of their own, which these men represent. They will have been at the at the top of the Germanic patronage and friendship structure, which was a special case of clientage and the direct source of the practice of feudalism. It involved a wholesale exchange between a social superior and inferior, with the vassal pleading military service and protection to the lord, whom in return rewarded his client with land, compensation, and many other privileges. They would, however, be expected to perform their duties to the last, and die in battle if necessary to protect their appointed lords.
As the elite warriors of the Marcomanni lords, these men represent a small but incredibly capable cadre of professional "soldiers". As such, they will have worn and armed themselves with the best available. They will have been able to afford tunics and trousers, embroidered and dyed in expensive colours, in the Roman manner and highly decorated, in addition to extremely fine leather belts with intricately engraved bronze and silver plate-work. Their armour, a suit of mail or scale, will have been of the highest quality, possibly silvered, reaching to their knees as would become customary in later centuries in Germanic warfare, with a highly decorated, reinforced spangehelm helmet, inlaind in gold or silver, with a reinforced nasal, which may have itself been inlaid or engraved. They wield large, two handed iron headed axes, with a fine spatha available if necessary. They wear short iron greaves, in addition to sturdy, hardened leather boots. Their shield is slung over their back, round and relatively small to allow them to wield their two handed axes, and edged in bronze.
Given their martial valour, equipment and armour will fair well against all opponents unless significantly outnumbered. Their huge axes will make short work of nearly all opposing infantry, even heavily armoured ones, though they may suffer somewhat against heavy cavalry, especially if charged upon. As the most able and powerful warriors in the Marcommani kingdom, they will be expected to lead from the front, joining the fight at its thickest.
Ridanz Stranγaz Erloz Thurinōnes
Ridanz Stranγaz Erloz Thurinōnes are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Mighty riding earls of the Thuringii". The Thuringii, also known as the Toringi, were a Germanic tribe which appeared during the migration period in what the modern day Harz Mountains of central Germany, around 280 A.D, in a region which still bears the name to this day - Thuringia. They filled a void left when the previous inhabitants - the Alemanni - migrated south. They may have been a remnant of the Alemanni themselves, or simply a lesser tribe. It has also been suggested that they were related to the Hermundurii. In the late 5th century, they would go on to establish an empire of their own, before being conquered by the Franks. They were known to have a sacred oak at modern day Geismar, before it was felled by encroaching Christians. In the meantime however, they have entered the territory of the Marcomanni, and as such have allied themselves with them.
These men represent the earls and lesser nobility of the Thuringian ruling classes, whom have taken to riding their horses into battle. Traditionally, the Germanic tribesmen preferred to fight on foot, with there being accounts of nobles and other lords dismounting before engaging in battle. However, cavalry has always featured to some extent in Germanic warfare, more so from the 3rd century onwards. As nobility, these men can afford both mounts and relatively good arms and armour. Their horses will have been of a slightly heavier boned, larger breed able to support the increasing amounts of arms and armour employed by the rider, and as such will have been slower than their nimbler brethren. The saddle will have been a simple four horned, wood and hardened leather frame, possibly clothed over. The rider himself is protected by a simple planked shield with an iron boss, painted over in elaborate tribal designs. He wears a typical spangehelm helmet, more and more common among the Germanic nobility. Likewise, he carries a long hastae spear with a leaf bladed iron head, and a handful of light, wooden framea javelins, fulfilling a medium cavalry role, being able to skirmish and hold his ground if necessary. Additionally, he wears a dyed line tunic, over which he wears a leather subarmalis corselet, which affords him some protection against blows. Lastly, he wears trousers - a necessary garment for riding due to the chaffing - and leggings, over enclosed, leather boots.
As cavalry warriors, these men are best used to charge exposed parts of the enemy line, or those under extreme duress. A well prepared, stout line of shields and spears will shatter them in an instant, as will medium and heavily armoured cavalry, equipped to fight prolonged melee fights, which they are not. But then used intelligently, to probe or break weak spots in the enemy lines, they will prove their worth to a good Marcomanni king. They will also perform well when running down slower and heavier equipped infantry and cavalry.
Húsa Aþalaz Druhtinaz
Húsa Aþalaz Druhtinaz are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Horse Companions of the King". These riders represent the wealthiest and most important nobles and aristocracy of the Marcomanni tribal confederacy. While traditionally Germanic tribesmen spurned the horse in favour of leading on foot, at the front of an armoured column which the Romans called the "caput porcinum" or "boar's head", around this time many of the Western Germanic tribes began to appreciate the value of heavily armoured horsemen acting in a shock role. While the kings and higher nobles proper would only take to fighting on horses many centuries earlier (becoming the fore bearers of the famous knights) this time saw a general increase in the mounted nobility, especially around the more eastern tribes (such as the Goths and Gepics) but also among the Franks, Alemanni, and Marcomanni. Scholars argue a general "Romanisation" of these tribes may have been responsible for impressing upon them the use of heavy cavalry, if not the continues centuries of warfare with the Romans in general. For the Marcomanni, having fought a bloody war of nearly twelve years with the Romans, the use of heavy cavalry will have been dearly impressed upon them. As such, these men represent the cream of the warrior aristocracy, whom have taken to fighting on horseback, providing a valuable element on the battlefield to the Marcomanni King. They may be looked down by the older, more traditional nobles whom still prefer to fight on foot, but these men see past such prejudices, knowing full well that death can be delivered equally as efficiently (if not more) from the back of a mount. Such a group will have been made up of young and old nobles alike, their squires, earls, retinues and sworn bodyguard. Bards may have accompanied from the rear, their presence testifying to the eventual glorification of their lords if they are brave or unflatteringly if they demonstrate cowardice.
As some of the wealthiest men and lords of the Marcomanni realm, these men are able to purchase the best equipment and the finest mounts. Their horses will have been especially bred (or imported from Rome or other tribes with a history of horse-breeding) for the purpose of the charge and supporting heavily armoured riders, being large and heavy boned, and therefore slower than most Germanic mounts. They will dress in fine tunics, heavily embroidered and possibly even fringed in gold, copying the Roman fashion. Belts will have been wide and carried brass plates, intricately carved and possibly silvered, as were their scabbards. Trousers may have been of linen or other fine material, and their boots will have been both comfortable and durable. Their swords will have been elaborated crafted, made from the finest pattern welded iron, with ringed or chestnut pommels, of brass or even gold, and sometimes jewelled. As shock cavalry, they carry a long, heavy ash hastae, with which they can charge down infantry and cavalry alike. They wear fine spangehelm helmets, gilded and possibly featuring embossed nasals and cheek-plates. Their shield is round, and features an elaborately engraved boss, with the shield being painted over in colourful tribal designs. Over their finely crafted and well maintained suit of mail, they carry a finely patterned cloak, the symbol of their noble status, and a means of distinction on the battlefield.
As the immediate bodyguard of the Marcomanni king, these men are both rare and extremely expensive to maintain - they are, after all, maintained and supplied by the king himself, as they have sworn oaths of loyalty and fealty to him, and are thus under his patronage. Likewise, they should not be wasted in the battlefield. Their numbers will be small, but their effect can be disproportionate. Being heavily armoured and possessing heavy horses, they will make good shock cavalry, especially in the melee that follows. Their lack of spears will lessen their charge, but if used in conjunction with lancers proper, they may finish off an already demoralised enemy. Or they may be employed directly against similar heavily armoured cavalry, where they will perform well. A Frankish King will find these men among his most important assets on the battlefield.
Aþalaz Marka-Manwōz
Aþalaz Marka-Manwōz are Proto-Germanic words translating loosely as "Nobles of the Marcomanni". These men will have been the immediate "officers" in charge of leading the various warbands, entourages, warrior clans and various other "units" of the Marcomanni host. As such, they will have varied immensely in rank, prestige and wealth, depending on what band they led. While little is known about the organisational structure of the Germanic armies, later documents allow us to gain certain insights. A Ðruχtiz or warband is thought to have been composed of a few hundred to under a thousand tribesmen, and these warriors will have been those responsible for leading them to battle. Germanic tribes often fought together, either in warbands or gathered clans, and were usually led by their immediate ranking family member, chieftain, noblemen or king. As such, these men represent all the chieftains, nobles and their retinues, such as the standard bearers and other totem carriers. These men were expected to show the utmost devotion and bravery, and bards stationed behind the lines would be sure to record all acts - brave and cowardly - alike for future scrutiny.
As a diverse bunch, their weapons and armour will have varied, ranging from fur and skin corselets, to quilted armour or even mail. Scale also appears to have been somewhat prevalent among nobles, so some may take preference to it. Weapons will have ranged from swords of variable quality, to axes and spears, once more, changing depending on the warband being led into battle. Shields may have been used, and will have been of the default planked wood construction, with a pointed boss which could be used in a punching motion. Standards will have carried the symbols and motifs of each tribe, with crescents and stars being popular among the Germans, among many others.
In battle, these men will have been expected to lead from the front, with the rest of their warrior brothers, usually at the forefront of an armoured column known as the caput porcinum or "boar's head" first described by Tacitus in the 1st century A.D, and which the Romans may have copied. With the more well armed and armoured men in the front and the lesser following behind, the column charged and smashed into the ranks of the enemy, concentrating on a single point and hoping to carry all before them. Only the most professional and well-trained and led armies were able to resist them, a testament to its effectiveness. It goes without saying the loss of such men will immediately affect the morale of their units respective units, and so they must be protected accordingly.
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