Faction Overview: The Bosporan Kingdom
The Bosporan Kingdom Faction Overview
The Bosporan Kingdom is just one of the several new factions in Roma Surrectum. To my knowledge no other modification has included this interesting faction.
A Greek Kingdom, it is also influenced by various other cultures, such as Thracians and Scythians; and this can be seen in its unit recruitment. Uniquely positioned, this faction offers a unique experience and adds excitement to the usually overlooked Steppe and Black Sea area.
Faction Description
Additional Historic Information:The Bosporan kingdom or the Kingdom of the Cimmerian Bosporus was an ancient state, located in eastern Crimea and the Taman peninsula on the shores of the Cimmerian Bosporus. This was the first truly 'Hellenistic' state -- in the sense that it had a mixed population adopting the Greek language and civilization. The prosperity of the Bosporan Kingdom was based on the export of corn, wheat, fish and slaves. These Greek colonies were mostly settled by the Milesians.
According to Diodorus Siculus the area was governed from 480 to 438 BC by a line called the Archaeanactidae, probably a Thracian ruling family, who gave place to the tyrant Spartocus (438–431 BC), apparently also a Thracian. He founded a dynasty which seems to have endured until 110 BC. The Spartocids have left many inscriptions which indicate that the earlier members of the house ruled as archons of the Greek cities and kings of various native tribes, notably the Sindi of the island district and other branches of the Maeotae.
The house of Spartocus was well known as a line of enlightened and wise princes; although Greek opinion could not deny that they were, strictly speaking, tyrants. They maintained close relations with Athens, their best customers for the Bosporan corn export. These kings, who mostly bore the Thracian names of Cotys, Rhescuporis, Rhoemetalces, and the native name Sauromates, regularly placing dates upon their coins and inscriptions. Hence, we know their names and dates fairly well, though scarcely any events of their reigns are recorded. Their kingdom covered the eastern half of Crimea and the Taman peninsula, and extended along the east coast of the Sea of Azov to Tanais at the mouth of the Don, a great market for trade with the interior. They also controlled Gorgippia, the capital of the Sindi.
They carried on a perpetual war with the native tribes, and in this were later supported by their Roman masters, who even lent the assistance of garrisons and a fleet. The kingdom probably succumbed to the Huns, who defeated the nearby Alans in AD 375/376 and moved rapidly westwards bringing destruction in their wake.
Pontic involvement in the Bosporus first began in 108 BC. Paerisades V, unable to deal with the power of the natives, and the Kingdom under threat from raiding Sarmatians; called for the help of a general of Mithridates the Great, promising to hand over his kingdom. While the general, Diophantus, was in Panticapaeum, local Scythians revolted and killed Paerisades. Diophantus managed to escape back to Pontus. Here he rallied his forces once more and made a successful assault against the Crimea, defeating the Scythians, and the Bosporan Kingdom was now reduced to a dependency of the Pontus.
Starting Settlements on Mundus Magnus:
Starting Settlements on the Big Map:
Unit Roster
From Left to Right:
Light Spear Infantry, Militia Light Infantry, Greek Colonists, Greek Colonial Governor, Militia Hoplites, Hoplites, Phalanx Pike men, Thracian Falxmen, Bastarnae, Cimmerian Armoured Swordsmen, Peltasts, Archers, Thracian Peltasts, Greek Cavalry, Generals Armoured Bodyguard, Sarmatian Nobles, Generals Bodyguard, (Greek) Elite Noble Cavalry, militia Cavalry, Onagers, Ballista, Heavy Onagers.
N.B. 'Greek Colonists' have no fighting purpose, they are just a large unit that serve no military purpose. They are however, as the name suggests, perfect for moving populations from A to B.
The 'Greek Colonial Governor' also has no fighting purpose, but is a weak General unit, allowing you to properly govern cities without tying down your actual family members.
Cimmerian Armoured Swordsmen
Thracian Peltasts
N.B. Stats shown above may change in the course of balancing before release
Screenshots
An assembled Bosporan army of Cimmerian Swordsmen, Bastarnae and Hoplites charge the enemy:
A Thracian contingent is engaged with a Legion of Rome:
You cannot recruit these, but these Sarmatians rule the Steppes - and be warned, they can tear your army apart:
And to finish, a comment by the Creator and Developer of 'Roma Surrectum', dvk901, on the Bosporan Kingdom:
Well, after a lot of discussion over what factions we could include in RS that would be eye-catching and unique, 'Cimmerian Bosporan' just had a nice 'ring' to it, and fit so well in replacing the Thracians that they were better than the Thracians themselves. Bosporan was heavily influenced by Thracian nobility, Scythian and Greek culture, and had a long lasting relationship with Rome. It was just a nice, and interesting mix for a faction. Plus, they offer a campaign challenge in an area of the map that just lacked something to spark interest. The Sarmatians are so far away at times you never see them...but as Bosporan, they will be your immediate foe!
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Re: Faction Overview: The Bosporan Kingdom
Originally Posted by Erdbeerchen
) anyways, will we be seeing "Gallic Cavalry" and " gallic Spearmen", German/gothic cavalry" and "german spearmen" etc as mercenaries? or will they be the same old vanilla ones?
