Here we have the final Barbarian faction preview of RESTITVTOR ORBIS.
| - RESTITVTOR ORBIS - |
- Boga Freismanna -
Boga Freismanna are compound Proto-Germanic and Gothic words loosely translated as "Bow Freemen". These men would have been composed of a variety of different individuals, from all social classes through most likely the majority will have been the lesser "freemen" of the Goth tribe, the peasants, farmers and those unable to afford proper weapons. Yet, hunting will have been a sport enjoyed even by nobles and distinguished warriors, and many may have become skilled enough with the bow to see it as their weapon of choice, the bow enjoying a good standing in Germanic warrior mythology. These men will have been experts at tracking and hunting game, and even enemies, through the dark woods and rugged mountains of their homeland. In light of the recent Gothic migration from their homelands in the Baltic to the Steppes, these hunters will have formed a vital part of the efforts to keep the Goth people fed and alive through their arduous journey, and perhaps enjoy a better standing than most in equivalent Germanic societies. Constant exposure to Steppe warfare and protracted conflict with the Romans will have also have taught the Goths the value of archers and massed volleys of arrows on unsuspecting cavalry and infantry alike.
These men will have been grouped into warbands and provided a supporting function to the Goth host, both in combat and in foraging for food and supplies. Their tactics will have been relatively simple, being positioned either at the back of the battle line and peppering the enemy with arrows or through skirmishes and ambushes, something these men will have been very good at. They are modestly clad, with only a 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.
While archery remained relatively underdeveloped in Germanic military culture, especially in the east, the Goths have slowly began to realise their usefulness, and as such they would be best placed behind the lines, where they can either attack the enemy with impunity, or in cases of opportunity, outflank them and target them from behind. Needless to say, their lack of armour and shields make them extremely vulnerable to melee fighting and cavalry of any kind.
- Junda Gutans -
Junda Gutans are compound Proto-Germanic and Gothic words loosely translated as "Gothic Youth." These skirmishers represent an important arm of the Goth infantry host; a lightly armed and armoured but highly maneuverable and speedy group of warriors whose sole purpose is to press on ahead and pepper the enemy with hails of javelins and other throwing projectiles. Like other levies and warbands of the Goths, they are likely to have been called to arms by the leading noble of their tribe or district. These men, while often poor and sedentary in nature, consisting perhaps of hunters, farmers, peasants and raiders alike, will have been primarily composed of young and inexperienced warriors (for their nimbleness, stamina and fleetness of foot) and as such will have made up in speed, excitement and the will to prove themselves what they lacked in training and equipment. Conversely, a general may also find them reckless and even lacking morale if the battle does not go their way.
Due to their role as skirmishers, most will have been armed with nothing more than a shield and a few throwing javelins, and perhaps sporting a small seax or knife as a backup weapon. Leather boots known as xshumka may have been worn beneath loose fitting felt or wool saravara trousers, through some may have worn only tunics to aid in their agility. They would not have worn armour, again due to the restrictions these impose in speed and endurance. Their shields will have been smaller than those of other warbands to conserve weight, round, and made of oak and other materials such as reed, and covered with leather and backed with felt and painted over in richly decorated floriated, braided, geometric and planetary designs. A clutch of sturdy javelins will have been carried, with spearpoints being either made of iron, bone or even as simple as a fire-sharpened wooden points.
While these may be eager to prove themselves and eager still for the plunder and loot that follows battle, a wise commander will know their strength lies not in the melee battle but used in conjunction with other Goth infantry and cavalry, in a supporting role, skirmishing ahead of the lines or in encircling manoeuvres at the flanks, being especially useful in ambushes and at running down retreating enemies due to their speed. In a protracted melee, their greenness will show
- Frijonds Alani -
Frijonds Alani are compound Proto-Germanic and Gothic words loosely translated as "Alani Friends", or "Alani Allies". The Alans (or Alani) were an Iranian nomadic pastoral people that inhabitted the steppes around modern day Ukraine and Russia. They were known to ancient authors as Alani, Alanoi, and even possibly related to the Massagetae. The 4th century Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus considered the Alans were "formerly called Massagetae," while Dio Cassius wrote that "they are Massagetae." It is likely that the Alans were an amalgamation of various Iranian peoples, including Sarmatians, Massagetae and Sakas. They been connected by modern historians with the Central Asian Yancai and Aorsi of Chinese and Roman sources respectively. Having migrated westwards and become dominant among the Sarmatians on the Pontic Steppe, they are mentioned by Persian and Roman sources in the 1st century AD. At the time they had settled the region north of the Black Sea, and frequently raided the Parthian Empire and the Caucasian provinces of the Roman Empire. In 215-250 AD their power on the Pontic Steppe was broken by the Goths. After the Gothic entry to the steppe, many of the Alans seem to have retreated eastwards towards the Don, where they seem to have established contacts with the Huns.
Here, they are represented as “Allied” Alani tribesmen fighting for the Goths, either under oath or through the prospect of shared plunder. These men would have formed the bulk of warriors of an Alani host, though many
may have been reluctant warriors at best; peasants, pressed slaves and farmers, or “georgi” recruited to fight by their lords and nobles in a system described by Lucian as “on the hide”. The remainder, however, will have been volunteers which, though poor and within the bottom rungs of Alani society, will have been eager to make a name for themselves, and keen on the prospect of battle, plunder and the loot that followed.
Therefore, they will not have been uniformly armed and armed. Most probably will have sported no more than leather boots, known as xshumka, loose fitting saravara trousers held up by rawhide thonging, belts of varying thickness and length with shield straps, a tunic, spear and shield. Having become accustomed to warfare on the Steppes, these men sport long spears, ideal for keeping cavalry at bay, while hiding behind large, rectangular shields of woven reeds, commonly found throughout the many marshes that dot their homelands.\n\nThese tribesmen would be called upon to hold the parts of the Alani and Goth line most vulnerable to a cavalry charge, usually the flanks. However,
while many will be accustomed to a form of warfare through incessant, low intensity squabbles with neighbouring tribes and occasional raids, they are not professional soldiers and their morale and training is of questionable quality. While their spears will afford them some use against light and medium cavalry, their lack of experience in much of anything larger than a skirmish over farmland may cause their ferocity to dissipate in the face of prolonged hand-to-hand combat with well-ordered, or even professional, soldiery. As “Allies”, their loyalty to the Goth cause could also be called into question, and they are by no means capable of protracted hand to hand fighting.
- Wrakjōnes Venedi -
Wrakjōnes Venedi are compound Proto-Germanic and Gothic words loosely translated as "Venedi Warriors". The Venedii were first mentioned by Roman authors, whom saw the lands between the Rhine and the Vistula rivers as Germania. East of the Vistula was classed as Sarmatia. The earliest source that refers to Veneti in Central Europe as the "Vennones" and as members of the "Vindelici" is Strabo locating them, at the turn of the millennium, north of Italy along Lake Constance (previously known as Lake Veneti) and recalling a campaign and a lake battle conducted against them by Drusus and Tiberius. He also speculates that the Veneti may have settled in Venice and migrated north into Italy. Pliny the Elder places the Veneti along the Baltic coast. He calls them the Sarmatian Venedi (Latin Sarmatae Venedi). Thereafter, the 2nd-century Greek-Roman geographer Ptolemy, in his section on Sarmatia, places the Greater Vouenedai along the entire Venedic Bay, which can be located from the context on the southern shores of the Baltic. He names tribes south of these Greater Venedae both along the eastern bank of the Vistula and further east. The Goths later wrote about the Venedi - the Gothic author Jordanes in his work Getica (written in 550 or 551 AD) describes the Veneti as a "populous nation" whose dwellings begin at the sources of the Vistula and occupy "a great expanse of land." He describes them as the ancestors also of the Sclavenes (a people who appeared on the Byzantine frontier in the early 6th century and who are believed to have been the early Southern Slavs) and of the Antes. Specifically, he states that the Slavs and the Antes used to be called the Veneti but are now "chiefly" (though, by implication, not exclusively) called Slavs and Antes. He places the Slavs north of a line from the Dniestr to Lake Musianus the location of which is unclear but which has been variously identified with Lake Constance, the Tisa-Danube marshes or the Danube delta. He places the Antes to the east of the Slavs. Later in Getica he returns to the Veneti stating, again, that though "off-shoots of one stock [these people] have now three names, that is Veneti, Antes and Sclaveni" and noting that they, at one time, had been conquered by the Goths under Ermanaric.
Here they are represented as the allies or subjugated warriors of the Venedi tribe fighting under the Goths. The majority of tribesmen in Germanic and Steppe warrior society will have fought as spearmen, and these men are armed as such. They are better off than most, but still far off from being in the company of the earls, nobles and king's retinues, enjoying the full patronage and support of their lords. They carry iron headed axes for close quarters combat, in addition to their main spear or framea made of ash or maple, with a leaf shaped iron head. A handful of light throwing javelins are also carried. They wear simple undyed tunics and fur skins, with thick felt or woollen trousers, in addition to fur leggings to protect against the inclement weather. Having been versed in Steppe warfare, they also carry large, stout hexagonal shields made of planked wood, tapering at the top to protect the head, under which they could seek cover from volleys of incoming arrows. These shields possessed a pointed iron boss familiar to Germanic tribesmen, which could also be used offensively in a punching manner.\n\nThese men represent an important, and arguably crucial, part of the Goth battle line. They will perform admirably as medium line infantry, and fight with good martial élan, though it should be noted their lack of armour will eventually prove their downfall if paired against an enemy enjoying that particular advantage. They will perform well against all but heavy cavalry with their long spears, and as usual, they will also suffer if exposed to prolonged missile fire.
- Kjóll Gutans -
Kjóll Gutans are compound Proto-Germanic and Gothic words loosely translated as "Gothic Keels". Here, "Keel" means both the compliment but also the name of a common flat-bottom Germanic boat used in piracy, both on the seas and in rivers. These men would have been the fishermen, seaborne raiders and pirates of the Goths, a trade at which they became quite profficient in. Upon their arrival on the Pontic Steppe, the Goths quickly adopted the ways of the steppe nomads, excelling in horsemanship, archery and falconry. In addition they were also accomplished agriculturalists and seafarers. The first seaborne raids took place in three subsequent years, probably 255-257. An unsuccessful attack on Pityus was followed in the second year by another which sacked by Pityus and Trapezus and ravaged large area in the Pontus. In the third year a much larger force devastated large areas of Bithynia and the Propontis, including the cities of Chalcedon, Nicomedia, Nicaea, Apamea, Cius and Prusa. By the end of the raids the Goths had seized control over Crimea (Kingdom of the Bosporus) and the Bosphorus and captured several cities on the Euxinean coast, including Olbia and Tyras, which enabled them to engage in widespread naval activities. The 3rd-century Great Ludovisi sarcophagus depicts a battle between Goths and Romans. After a 10 year gap, together with the Heruli, they raided on 500 ships, sacking a number of Pontic cities, before fleeing to the Aegean, where they sacked Athens, Corinth, Argos, Olympia and Sparta. Years later, an even larger seaborne expedition was held, consisting of Greuthingi and Thervingi, Gepids, Peucini and Heruli, which Zosimus tells us assembled at the mouth of the river Tyras, with over 2,000-6,000 ships and over 325,000 men. Whiler perhaps a gross exaggeration, it shows us the Goth and Heruli tribes were expert seafarers and raiders, capable of amassing large fleets and raiding parties. This invasion went on to ravage the Aegean islands as far as Crete, Rhodes and Cyprus. The fleet probably also sacked Troy and Ephesus, destroying the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. While their main force had constructed siege works and was close to taking the cities of Thessalonica and Cassandreia, it retreated to the Balkan interior at the news that the emperor was advancing. On their way, they plundered Doberus and Pelagonia.
Thus, these men represent the warriors, fishermen and farmers inhabitting the low lying deltas and river mouths connected to the Euxine Sea, from which such raids were launched. They will have been eager for battle and plunder, having participated in previous raids, and having some experience under their belts. This makes them excellent and flexible medium infantry able to counter a variety of threats. They are a flexible force on the field of battle, with their primary weapon being the spear or framea made of ash or maple, with a leaf shaped iron head, followed by a handful of light iron javelins. In all other respects however, they are very much still the antique Germanic warrior, wearing only enclosed leather boots, felt trousers held up by a military leather belt, and double undyed cloaks to protect against the weather. For protection they sport a large, oval shield of planked wood, with a pointed iron boss familiar to Germanic tribesmen, which could also be used offensively in a punching manner.\n\nThey are some of the fiercest and most effective troops available to a Goth king. They will form a key part of their battle line, though they are not as numerous as other spearmen, they are far more experienced and will be more at home when fighting other infantry, though they will also give a good account of themselves against cavalry if using their spears. They are best positioned where the fight is expected to be the hardest, and against equally seasoned enemy infantry. As always, missile infantry and ranged cavalry will prove a challenge to these brave warriors if left unsupported.
- Inkunja Gutans -
Inkunja Gutans are compound Proto-Germanic and Gothic words loosely translated as "Gothic Tribesmen". These men form the majority of the Goth's battle hardened warriors, and as such fight at the front of the Goth host, being the more experienced and capable warriors of the tribe, having seen many seasons and participated in countless battles. As such, they are more reliable than most other warbands, though they fulfil very much the same purpose - front line infantry. These warriors will have been older, scarred and accustomed to warfare of all types, which is reflected in what they wear and arm themselves with.
A dyed tunic with a fur jerkin, held together by a bronze plated leather belt, and enclosed leather boots with woollen leggings is all they wear for battle. Additionally they wear a small spangehelm helmet for protection. They carry a long, main spear or framea made of ash or maple, with a leaf shaped iron head, and also a handful of light throwing javelins for added lethality.
They carry a large, stout hexagonal shield made of planked wood, tapering at the top to protect the head. These were used so as to provide cover from volleys of incoming arrows. These shields also possessed a pointed iron boss familiar to Germanic tribesmen, which could also be used offensively in a punching manner.\n\nThese men will no doubt form another important part of the Goth battle line, performing 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 and deadly axes, 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 Goth king may want to consider posting them on the flanks, where they can be used to the best of their abilities.
- Mekeis Wairdus Balþa -
Mekeis Wairdus Gutans are compound Proto-Germanic and Gothic words loosely translated as "Sword Host of the Balti" or "Sword Host of the Bold Men". The Balti, also known as Balthi, or Baltungs, Balthings, or Balth(e)s, were one of the Goth ruling dynasties, together with the Amali. The Balti took their name from the Gothic word balþa (baltha; bald or bold). It thus meant "the Bold ones" or "Bold men". The Balti were considered next in worth among Gothic fighters, and next in royal dignity, to the Amali. Eventually, the Balti and the Amali would lead the separate Thervingi and Greuthungi Goth tribes respectively. These are know to us today as the Visigoths and Ostrogoths. It would be Alaric, a Balth, who led his people to the sacking of Rome in 410 CE and founded a dynasty that would come to rule much of Roman Gaul for a century and all of Roman Hispania for longer, establishing a kingdom in the latter that would last until early in the eighth century. Thus, these men represent the lesser nobles and retinues that made part of the ruling Balti dynasty. In a warrior society with no professional army or citizen army per se, unlike the increasingly romanised and militarised tribes of the west, these are the closest warriors the Goths have to full time, professional soldiers. They will have proven their valour in combat and become expert swordsmen, impressing their chieftains and becoming their retinues in battle. All this, however, is inextricably bound to the well being of their noble, 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.
These men will mostly be made up of experienced, veteran warriors whom have proved themselves to the tribe 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. 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, while also carrying a fine Germanic spatha, of excellent quality and expertly crafted. For protection they wield a smaller rounded scutum, edged in leather and a small rounded iron boss which they can use offensively. They wear a coat of mail of good quality, with their armour being topped off by a good quality iron spangehelm. Under all this, they wear fine patterned and dyed tunics, long woollen trousers with leggings, and enclosed hardened leather boots.\n\nIn Goth society, these men represent some of the most experienced and capable warriors of the tribe, both in terms of martial vigour as well as the staying power offered by their good quality arms and armour. In battle, these men are best placed in critical parts of the line, where the fight is expected to be the hardest, and matched against enemies likely to pose a threat against other warriors. 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.
- Magan Militon Amali -
Magan Militon Gutans are compound Proto-Germanic and Gothic words loosely translated as "Mighty Soldiers of the Amali". The Amali, also called Amals or Amalings, were one of the leading dynasties of the Goths, together with the Balti. In the 4th century A.D, these two dynasties would split, and go on to lead the separate Thervingi and Greuthungi Goth tribes respectively. These are know to us today as the Visigoths and Ostrogoths. They eventually became the royal house of the Ostrogoths and founded the Ostrogothic Kingdom of Italy.Jordanes accounts Gothic origins as follows: "Now the first of these heroes, as they themselves relate in their legends, was Gapt, who begat Hulmul. And Hulmul begat Augis; and Augis begat him who was called Amal, from whom the name of the Amali comes. Athal begat Achiulf and Oduulf. Now Achiulf begat Ansila and Ediulf, Vultuulf and Ermanaric." Ermanaric (also referred to as Ermanaricus or Hermanaric), is identified as a Greuthungian king who ruled territories in modern Ukraine. The Amali remained a prominent family as the Greuthungi evolved into the Ostrogoths, became vassals of the Huns and moved west. In 453, the Ostrogoths regained their independence under the Amali, Theodemir. According to Jordanes, "Vultuulf begat Valaravans and Valaravans begat Vinitharius. Vinitharius moreover begat Vandalarius; Vandalarius begat Theodemir and Valamir and Vidimer."Theodemir's son, Theoderic the Great, founded the Ostrogothic Kingdom. A separate branch of the family were members of the Visigoths. Sigeric, a brief usurper to the Visigothic throne in 415, may have been a member of the Amali. Another Visigoth, Eutharic, reunited the branches of the family by marrying Theoderic's daughter Amalasuntha. Jordanes states "Hermanaric, the son of Achiulf, begat Hunimund, and Hunimund begat Thorismud. Now Thorismud begat Beremud, Beremud begat Veteric, and Veteric likewise begat Eutharic." The last attested member of the Amali house was Theodegisclus, son of Theodahad.
As such, this unit comprises the retinues and companions of the chieftains, earls, nobles andnobility of the Amali Goths. 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. 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 a good quality iron spatha, which they use when in the thick of combat. 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 Goth 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.
- Brothrahans Godakunds -
Brothrahans Godakunds are compound Proto-Germanic and Gothic words loosely translated as "Bretheren of Noble Birth". 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 Goth society, short of the high king himself. They will have been the elite of Goth 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 Goth 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, inlaid in gold or silver, with a reinforced nasal, which may have itself been inlaid or engraved. They wield a long, good quality thrusting spear, in addition to a finely crafted Germanic spatha. They wear short iron greaves, in addition to sturdy, hardened leather boots. Their shield is an old style “clippeus”, slightly oval and made of planked wood, edge in leather or bronze, with an iron boss which could also be used in a puncturing manner.
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 Goth kingdom, they will be expected to lead from the front, joining the fight at its thickest.
- Ridanz Gutans -
Ridanz Gutans are compound Proto-Germanic and Gothic words loosely translated as "Gothic Riders". Here they represent the lighter cavalry forces of the Goth host. These men will have been composed from a variety of backgrounds and tribes that together made up the Goths. Being able to afford horses they will have been moderately wealthy, some may have also been nomadic or semi-nomadic for which horses will have been necessary for their way of life. For this reason, their horses can be of both the smaller steppe pony type or the larger Germanic breeds, which are heavier and somewhat slower. The riders themselves are made up of primarily young and able warriors, lesser nobles, squires and cattle raiders, accustomed to warfare on a regular basis though most likely quick raids and small scale battles make up the bulk of their experience – and as such, these men can be both reckless and flighty should things not go their way in battle. They will have learned a lot from their transition from a mostly infantry based army in their Baltic homelands to a mixed force as they came into contact with Steppe tribes and methods of warfare.
As cavalrymen expected to ride long distances, they will have worn long woollen trousers to protect their thighs from attrition, simple tunics befitting their status, and will have ridden on a four horned hardened leather saddle. For any number of reasons, either because they cannot afford it or because of the light way of warfare they have chosen, these men do not wear armour, and the few that though sport no more than a light corselet of iron mail or hardened boiled leather scale, and perhaps a helmet of simple construction – the ubiquitous Spangehelm type or some derivative. Shields will have been lighter than their infantry counterparts to aid in mobility, and weapons will have been made up of a variety of javelins and throwing spears, very light and carried in bulk with a variety of spear points, to be used primarily in the skirmishing role. Some may have afforded simple swords though a longer cavalry spear will have been their primary weapon.\n\nThese men form a vital element of the Goth host in that they should be used primarily for skirmishing and attrition against their foes. Pitting them against spear armed infantry or anything other than light cavalry will most certainly result in a slaughter, though they will also prove themselves adept at pursuing routing foes and other screening duties.
- Aihwus Bogamanna Gutans -
Aihwus Bogamanna Gutans are compound Proto-Germanic and Gothic words loosely translated as "Gothic Horse Bowmen". The Goths will have been in the unique position as a Germanic tribe to have migrated from Scandinavia into the midst of the Steppes, and come into contact with a number of tribes which made heavy use of cavalry, and in particular, mounted archers. Realising this potential, through conquering weaker tribes or learning from their mistakes, they will have been quick to observe the advantages of possessing a quick, light and effective cavalry force, capable of peppering enemies from a distance and withdrawing behind the lines when needed. They may also have learned much from nearby Carpi, Alani and Roxolani tribes, emulating their military capabilities.
Therefore, these men represent an emergent military arm of Germanic military tactics. They will have been armed and armoured like other Germanic cavalry, with long woolen trousers to protect their thighs from attrition, simple tunics befitting their status, and will have ridden on a four horned hardened leather saddle. However, they would wield an accurate and deadly composite recurve bow, supplemented perhaps by along and well-crafted cavalry sword, usually with a ring shape pommel. Their primary use on the battlefield will have been to harass enemy lines and pursue fleeing foes, providing the range of archers with the flexibility of light cavalry.
These horsemen will have been relatively inexpensive, however, they should not be thrown away by a Goth commander. As horse-archers, they will fare well against armoured opponents if used from a distance, but will eventually be whittled down by repeated enemy arrows and so should be supported by other Goth forces.
- Aihwus Wrakjones Urugundi -
Aihwus Wrakjones Urugundi are compound Proto-Germanic and Gothic words loosely translated as "Urugundi Horse Warriors". The Urugundi were a small and obscure tribe, about which little is known. In 252-253, they joined the Carpi, Borani and the Goths, to invade Roman territory, ravaging Moesia and Thrace. They are represented here as a mounted contingent fighting alongside the Goths, either in an auxiliary or allied capacity. Being able to afford horses they will have been moderately wealthy, some may have also been nomadic or semi-nomadic for which horses will have been necessary for their way of life. For this reason, their horses can be of both the smaller steppe pony type or the larger Germanic breeds, which are heavier and somewhat slower. The riders themselves are made up of primarily young and able warriors, lesser nobles, squires and cattle raiders, accustomed to warfare on a regular basis though most likely quick raids and small scale battles make up the bulk of their experience – and as such, these men can be both reckless and flighty should things not go their way in battle. They will have learned a lot from their transition from a mostly infantry based army in their Baltic homelands to a mixed force as they came into contact with Steppe tribes and methods of warfare.
As cavalrymen expected to ride long distances, they will have worn long woollen trousers to protect their thighs from attrition, simple tunics befitting their status, and will have ridden on a four horned hardened leather saddle. For any number of reasons, either because they cannot afford it or because of the light way of warfare they have chosen, these men do not wear armour, and the few that though sport no more than a light corselet of iron mail or hardened boiled leather scale, and perhaps a helmet of simple construction – the ubiquitous Spangehelm type or some derivative. Shields will have been lighter than their infantry counterparts to aid in mobility, and weapons will have been made up of a variety of javelins and throwing spears, very light and carried in bulk with a variety of spear points, to be used primarily in the skirmishing role. Some may have afforded simple swords though a longer cavalry spear will have been their primary weapon.
These men form a vital element of the Goth host in that they should be used primarily for skirmishing and attrition against their foes. Pitting them against spear armed infantry or anything other than light cavalry will most certainly result in a slaughter, though they will also prove themselves adept at pursuing routing foes and other screening duties.
- Mekeis Wairdus Balþa -
Mekeis Wairdus Gutans are compound Proto-Germanic and Gothic words loosely translated as "Sword Host of the Balti" or "Sword Host of the Bold Men". The Balti, also known as Balthi, or Baltungs, Balthings, or Balth(e)s, were one of the Goth ruling dynasties, together with the Amali. The Balti took their name from the Gothic word balþa (baltha; bald or bold). It thus meant "the Bold ones" or "Bold men". The Balti were considered next in worth among Gothic fighters, and next in royal dignity, to the Amali. Eventually, the Balti and the Amali would lead the separate Thervingi and Greuthungi Goth tribes respectively. These are know to us today as the Visigoths and Ostrogoths. It would be Alaric, a Balth, who led his people to the sacking of Rome in 410 CE and founded a dynasty that would come to rule much of Roman Gaul for a century and all of Roman Hispania for longer, establishing a kingdom in the latter that would last until early in the eighth century. Thus, these men represent the lesser nobles and retinues that made part of the ruling Balti dynasty. In a warrior society with no professional army or citizen army per se, unlike the increasingly romanised and militarised tribes of the west, these are the closest warriors the Goths have to full time, professional soldiers. They will have proven their valour in combat and become expert swordsmen, impressing their chieftains and becoming their retinues in battle. All this, however, is inextricably bound to the well being of their noble, 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.
These men will mostly be made up of experienced, veteran warriors whom have proved themselves to the tribe 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. 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, while also carrying a fine Germanic spatha, of excellent quality and expertly crafted. For protection they wield a smaller rounded scutum, edged in leather and a small rounded iron boss which they can use offensively. They wear a coat of mail of good quality, with their armour being topped off by a good quality iron spangehelm. Under all this, they wear fine patterned and dyed tunics, long woollen trousers with leggings, and enclosed hardened leather boots.
In Goth society, these men represent some of the most experienced and capable warriors of the tribe, both in terms of martial vigour as well as the staying power offered by their good quality arms and armour. In battle, these men are best placed in critical parts of the line, where the fight is expected to be the hardest, and matched against enemies likely to pose a threat against other warriors. 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.
- Magan Militon Amali -
Magan Militon Gutans are compound Proto-Germanic and Gothic words loosely translated as "Mighty Soldiers of the Amali". The Amali, also called Amals or Amalings, were one of the leading dynasties of the Goths, together with the Balti. In the 4th century A.D, these two dynasties would split, and go on to lead the separate Thervingi and Greuthungi Goth tribes respectively. These are know to us today as the Visigoths and Ostrogoths. They eventually became the royal house of the Ostrogoths and founded the Ostrogothic Kingdom of Italy.Jordanes accounts Gothic origins as follows: "Now the first of these heroes, as they themselves relate in their legends, was Gapt, who begat Hulmul. And Hulmul begat Augis; and Augis begat him who was called Amal, from whom the name of the Amali comes. Athal begat Achiulf and Oduulf. Now Achiulf begat Ansila and Ediulf, Vultuulf and Ermanaric." Ermanaric (also referred to as Ermanaricus or Hermanaric), is identified as a Greuthungian king who ruled territories in modern Ukraine. The Amali remained a prominent family as the Greuthungi evolved into the Ostrogoths, became vassals of the Huns and moved west. In 453, the Ostrogoths regained their independence under the Amali, Theodemir. According to Jordanes, "Vultuulf begat Valaravans and Valaravans begat Vinitharius. Vinitharius moreover begat Vandalarius; Vandalarius begat Theodemir and Valamir and Vidimer."Theodemir's son, Theoderic the Great, founded the Ostrogothic Kingdom. A separate branch of the family were members of the Visigoths. Sigeric, a brief usurper to the Visigothic throne in 415, may have been a member of the Amali. Another Visigoth, Eutharic, reunited the branches of the family by marrying Theoderic's daughter Amalasuntha. Jordanes states "Hermanaric, the son of Achiulf, begat Hunimund, and Hunimund begat Thorismud. Now Thorismud begat Beremud, Beremud begat Veteric, and Veteric likewise begat Eutharic." The last attested member of the Amali house was Theodegisclus, son of Theodahad.
As such, this unit comprises the retinues and companions of the chieftains, earls, nobles andnobility of the Amali Goths. 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. 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 a good quality iron spatha, which they use when in the thick of combat. 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 Goth 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.
- Brothrahans Godakunds -
Brothrahans Godakunds are compound Proto-Germanic and Gothic words loosely translated as "Bretheren of Noble Birth". 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 Goth society, short of the high king himself. They will have been the elite of Goth 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 Goth 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, inlaid in gold or silver, with a reinforced nasal, which may have itself been inlaid or engraved. They wield a long, good quality thrusting spear, in addition to a finely crafted Germanic spatha. They wear short iron greaves, in addition to sturdy, hardened leather boots. Their shield is an old style “clippeus”, slightly oval and made of planked wood, edge in leather or bronze, with an iron boss which could also be used in a puncturing manner.
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 Goth kingdom, they will be expected to lead from the front, joining the fight at its thickest.
- Ridanz γazðaz Gutans -
Ridanz γazðaz Gutans are compound Proto-Germanic and Gothic words loosely translated as "Pike-Riders of the Goths". Here, the "pike" refers to the above average length of their long spears, employed specifically for the purpose of a cavalry charge. As such, these men are best understood as an early version of the eponymous "lancers" of later ages. The Goths will have been in the unique position as a Germanic tribe to have migrated from Scandinavia into the midst of the Steppes, and come into contact with a number of tribes which made heavy use of cavalry, and in particular, heavy cavalry lancers. Having come into contact with cavalry heavy tribes such as the Alans, Roxolani and Carpi, they will have been quick to adapt to this new style of warfare and incorporate it into their own. They will have come to increasingly appreciate the role of cavalry as a shock force, able to break and pursue enemies, in addition to their traditional duties as screening and harassing forces. This unit will have been composed of lesser nobles and wealthier Goths able to afford cavalry and the heavy arms and armour demanded by their role as shock troops. Their ages, training, and level of experience will have varied.
The horses will have been 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. Likewise, he carries a long charging spear, the "pike", with a broad leafed iron head. He wears a simple, dyed woolen tunic, in addition to trousers - a necessary garment for riding due to the chaffing - and leggings, over enclosed, leather boots.
As riders with one single purpose, that of charging exposed or weaker parts of the enemy line, these men should be used accordingly. They will have been expensive to recruit and maintain, and for the wise Gothic King, an invaluable assets on the battlefield, if used at the right moment and in the right place. They will suffer against missiles and lighter cavalry, being unable to respond in kind, and their heavier mounts will make them somewhat slower. They lack of armour will make them vulnerable in a prolonged melee, but then again, they should not be allowed to find themselves in one. Their purpose is to support lighter and heavier cavalry, exploiting breaches and running down weakened and demoralised foes which will break before a sustained cavalry charge sooner rather than later.
- Ridanz Wargengus Alani -
Ridanz Wargengus Alani are compound Proto-Germanic and Gothic words loosely translated as "Steward Riders of the Alans". 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. The Alans (or Alani) were an Iranian nomadic pastoral people that inhabitted the steppes around modern day Ukraine and Russia. They were known to ancient authors as Alani, Alanoi, and even possibly related to the Massagetae. The 4th century Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus considered the Alans were "formerly called Massagetae," while Dio Cassius wrote that "they are Massagetae." It is likely that the Alans were an amalgamation of various Iranian peoples, including Sarmatians, Massagetae and Sakas. They been connected by modern historians with the Central Asian Yancai and Aorsi of Chinese and Roman sources respectively. Having migrated westwards and become dominant among the Sarmatians on the Pontic Steppe, they are mentioned by Persian and Roman sources in the 1st century AD. At the time they had settled the region north of the Black Sea, and frequently raided the Parthian Empire and the Caucasian provinces of the Roman Empire. In 215-250 AD their power on the Pontic Steppe was broken by the Goths. After the Gothic entry to the steppe, many of the Alans seem to have retreated eastwards towards the Don, where they seem to have established contacts with the Huns.
Here, they are represented as “Allied” Alani tribesmen fighting for the Goths, either under oath or through the prospect of shared plunder. The horses they rode will have been 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. Likewise, he carries a long charging spear, the "pike", with a broad leafed iron head. He wears a simple, dyed woolen tunic, in addition to trousers - a necessary garment for riding due to the chaffing - and leggings, over enclosed, leather boots.
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 Gothic 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.
- Magan Militon Amali -
Magan Militon Gutans are compound Proto-Germanic and Gothic words loosely translated as "Mighty Soldiers of the Amali". The Amali, also called Amals or Amalings, were one of the leading dynasties of the Goths, together with the Balti. In the 4th century A.D, these two dynasties would split, and go on to lead the separate Thervingi and Greuthungi Goth tribes respectively. These are know to us today as the Visigoths and Ostrogoths. They eventually became the royal house of the Ostrogoths and founded the Ostrogothic Kingdom of Italy.Jordanes accounts Gothic origins as follows: "Now the first of these heroes, as they themselves relate in their legends, was Gapt, who begat Hulmul. And Hulmul begat Augis; and Augis begat him who was called Amal, from whom the name of the Amali comes. Athal begat Achiulf and Oduulf. Now Achiulf begat Ansila and Ediulf, Vultuulf and Ermanaric." Ermanaric (also referred to as Ermanaricus or Hermanaric), is identified as a Greuthungian king who ruled territories in modern Ukraine. The Amali remained a prominent family as the Greuthungi evolved into the Ostrogoths, became vassals of the Huns and moved west. In 453, the Ostrogoths regained their independence under the Amali, Theodemir. According to Jordanes, "Vultuulf begat Valaravans and Valaravans begat Vinitharius. Vinitharius moreover begat Vandalarius; Vandalarius begat Theodemir and Valamir and Vidimer."Theodemir's son, Theoderic the Great, founded the Ostrogothic Kingdom. A separate branch of the family were members of the Visigoths. Sigeric, a brief usurper to the Visigothic throne in 415, may have been a member of the Amali. Another Visigoth, Eutharic, reunited the branches of the family by marrying Theoderic's daughter Amalasuntha. Jordanes states "Hermanaric, the son of Achiulf, begat Hunimund, and Hunimund begat Thorismud. Now Thorismud begat Beremud, Beremud begat Veteric, and Veteric likewise begat Eutharic." The last attested member of the Amali house was Theodegisclus, son of Theodahad.
As such, this unit comprises the retinues and companions of the chieftains, earls, nobles andnobility of the Amali Goths. 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. 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 a good quality iron spatha, which they use when in the thick of combat. 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 Goth 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. Only the most professional and well-trained and led armies were able to resist them, a testament to its effectiveness.
- Allwaldands Thiudans Gutans -
Allwaldands Thiudans Gutans are compound Proto-Germanic and Gothic words loosely translated as "Almighty King of the Goths". Here representing the mounted bodyguard of the Goth king. These men would have been made up from King's immediate inner circle - sworn nobles, his squires, and his entourage of warriors, family members and other royals, all sworn to protect him to the last under oaths and ties of blood and patronage. As such, these men will have been both the finest and most experienced of the Goth cavalry forces, resilient on the field of battle and incredibly driven - both for the safety of their lord, but also the wealth and prestige their position secures which can only be achieved if their kingly patron still draws breath! Such a relationship will have guaranteed them only the best in terms of steeds, arms, armour and mounts. As such, they will have been the elite within Goth society and warrior tradition.\n\nA large part of the Gothic tribal dominion extended towards the steppes and so their mounts (and respective riders) will have been made up of a mix of Germanic, Dacian and Scytho-Sarmatian breeds, such as the quick footed pony, but also heavier boned Germanic types able to carry more weight. They will have performed well in the shock role, and their riders are armed and armoured accordingly. Being the elite, they can afford the best and so don either scale or mail iron corselets, elaborate Spangehelm helmets, elaborately decorated and reinforced with mail, and their bridles and horse trappings will have been equally luxurious – with some being cast in gold or painted over with silver. As shock cavalry, some will have carried long lances fit for the purpose while others will have sported elaborate long swords for cavalry combat, the richer being pattern welded and perhaps sporting ring pommels in the Sarmatian fashion. Shields will have been smaller for mobility though no less useful, with reinforced iron or bronze bosses and a variety of symbols and designs adorning them, ranging from braided, geometric and planetary designs. As horsemen, long woolen saravara type trousers will have been standard to protect against chaffing, but befitting their status, their four horned saddles will have been more elaborate than usual, perhaps making use of fine Schytho-Sarmatian cloth dyed in a variety of colours.
As the definitive heavy cavalry of the Goths, the King and his men are best used as shock cavalry and will perform equally well against other similar cavalry in the melee. It goes without saying stout, spear armed infantry will be their undoing, and also faster, more nimble (and possibly mounted) missile troops will render them from a distance, but if caught up close a slaughter will ensue. If used wisely and supported by other troops, the King and his guard will show their mettle and valour in battle even against overwhelming odds.
Allwaldands Thiudans Gutans are compound Proto-Germanic and Gothic words loosely translated as "Almighty King of the Goths". Here representing the mounted bodyguard of the Goth king. These men would have been made up from King's immediate inner circle - sworn nobles, his squires, and his entourage of warriors, family members and other royals, all sworn to protect him to the last under oaths and ties of blood and patronage. As such, these men will have been both the finest and most experienced of the Goth cavalry forces, resilient on the field of battle and incredibly driven - both for the safety of their lord, but also the wealth and prestige their position secures which can only be achieved if their kingly patron still draws breath! Such a relationship will have guaranteed them only the best in terms of steeds, arms, armour and mounts. As such, they will have been the elite within Goth society and warrior tradition.
A large part of the Gothic tribal dominion extended towards the steppes and so their mounts (and respective riders) will have been made up of a mix of Germanic, Dacian and Scytho-Sarmatian breeds, such as the quick footed pony, but also heavier boned Germanic types able to carry more weight. They will have performed well in the shock role, and their riders are armed and armoured accordingly. Being the elite, they can afford the best and so don either scale or mail iron corselets, elaborate Spangehelm helmets, elaborately decorated and reinforced with mail, and their bridles and horse trappings will have been equally luxurious – with some being cast in gold or painted over with silver. As shock cavalry, some will have carried long lances fit for the purpose while others will have sported elaborate long swords for cavalry combat, the richer being pattern welded and perhaps sporting ring pommels in the Sarmatian fashion. Shields will have been smaller for mobility though no less useful, with reinforced iron or bronze bosses and a variety of symbols and designs adorning them, ranging from braided, geometric and planetary designs. As horsemen, long woolen saravara type trousers will have been standard to protect against chaffing, but befitting their status, their four horned saddles will have been more elaborate than usual, perhaps making use of fine Schytho-Sarmatian cloth dyed in a variety of colours.
As the definitive heavy cavalry of the Goths, the King and his men are best used as shock cavalry and will perform equally well against other similar cavalry in the melee. It goes without saying stout, spear armed infantry will be their undoing, and also faster, more nimble (and possibly mounted) missile troops will render them from a distance, but if caught up close a slaughter will ensue. If used wisely and supported by other troops, the King and his guard will show their mettle and valour in battle even against overwhelming odds.
- Harjabairgo Gutans -
Harjabairgo Gutans are compound Proto-Germanic and Gothic words loosely translated as "Gothic Military Leaders". These men will have been the immediate "officers" in charge of leading the various warbands and army units, entourages, warrior clans and various other "units" of the Goth host. As such, they will have varied immensely in rank, prestige and wealth, depending on what band they led. A little is known about the organisational structure of the Goth armies, as later documents and writings survive to tell us they modelled their later armies (around 4th-5th century A.D.) around the Romans, with terms such as militias and soldiers. These men represent an earlier stage of these “officers”, as 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.
As a diverse bunch, their weapons and armour will have varied, ranging from a simple tunic, 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, all colourful and vividly displayed, indicating not only each group’s affiliation but also their purpose on the battlefield.
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 as such they should be guarded closely.
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| - RVINA ROMAE - |
Here we have just a few units from the completely new unit roster of RVINA ROMAE.
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Originally Posted by King Athelstan
, this is amazing, wonderful, and beautiful. Though I did notice VGR is missing from the preview list, is work still being done on it or is it a finished mod?
