Faction Review: The Arverni
A thing that has gone unnoticed to the public is that in 77 BC we have redone several factions including models and skins of their units. As I think that the artists that have created or leased their work to this project deserve tons of recognition, while we wait for version 2.0. to be released, I am going to introduce you some of these new units and along them the 77 BC factions.
The Arverni
The Arverni face a series of challenges that will determine whether this proud people can retain their independence. Incursions from the Germani and a possible migration by the Helvettii must be resisted. Old foes the Aedui are now the most powerful tribe in Gaul and also friends of the Romani. It is the latter people however who present the most dangerous threat to the old way of life.Armed with long swords and spears the Arverni warriors are able to launch formidable shock charges. Be warned, though. If the enemy stand up to the ferocious initial assault these warriors lack the discipline to reform in good order. The danger of disintegration is accordingly ever present. The Arverni command an extensive confederation during the second century BCE. The Arverni are comprehensively defeated though by Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus and Q. Fabius Maximus in 121 BCE with the Aedui gaining the ascendancy in Gaul. The Arvernian confederation is reduced to suzerainty over a few neighbouring tribes. Significantly this defeat also leads to the creation of the Provincia and a permanent Roman presence on the far side of the Alps.\n\nThe Aedui position does not go unchallenged. However a Sequani request to the Suebic tribes for assistance backfires disastrously. These Arvernian allies find their lands being occupied by terrifying Germanic warriors. The Arverni are unable to turn the tide while the Aedui appeal to Rome for her support.The Helvetii choose this moment to flee before Suebic pressure. It is their migration that precipitates the direct intervention of the res publica. Gaius Iulius Caesar checks the movement of the Helvetii in 58 BCE and proceeds to advance through Gallia Comata.The Arverni initially avoid direct confrontation with the legions. However Caesar’s subsequent subjugation of the Galli also gives rise to a new leader – Vercingetorix.\n\nVercingetorix is the son of a powerful and ambitious Arvernian nobleman called Celtillus. Despite the opposition of his uncle Gobannitio and other leading figures in the tribe, Vercingetorix is proclaimed the new king of the Arverni. Sending out embassies in all directions he soon forms alliances with many other Gallic tribes and is conferred with supreme command of the forces now being mustered. The widespread revolt catches Caesar unawares. Vercingetorix’s strategy is to deprive Caesar of supplies while tempting him either to attack or ingloriously decline to attack impregnable positions. This policy succeeded near Avaricum and at Gergovia.After a reverse in the field Vercingetorix retreats to the strongly fortified oppidum of Alesia. Caesar unexpectedly organises the circumvallation of this settlement. The defenders slowly starve. Increasingly desperate assaults by the warriors trapped within Alesia are beaten back. Forces summoned to help lift the siege are defeated and all hope is lost. Vercingetorix appears before Caesar mounted and in full armour. He surrenders his horse and arms and sits down in silence on the steps at Caesar's feet. Vercingetorix is eventually put to death after Caesar’s triumph in 46 BCE.After this defeat the Arverni lose their powers of suzerainty but obtain the position of civitas libera and are slowly Romanized. The Arverni enjoy great prosperity during the Principate.
LIGHT INFANTRY
Caterua
Cingetos
Bagaudas
HEAVY INFANTRY
Ambactos
Neitos
SKIRMISHERS
Gaeroas
Luctos
Sotaroas
LIGHT CAVALRY
Epos
Leuce Epos
HEAVY CAVALRY
Arjos Epos
All these new units have been created by the artist King Arthur, with the close supervision of our master historian, Bucellarii, while Salvor looked with admiration.
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