Rome total war

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Units

This shows the units in Rome total war

I have kept the old style(botton of page) units des for info but have included some of the new desc from www.ign.com

Parthians

August 19, 2004 - The Parthians are a nomadic people who conquered and settled in the area near the Caspian Sea in the 4th century BC as part of the Dahae confederation. Since that time the Parthians, under their Arsacid rulers (named after King Arsaces I), have fiercely maintained their independence. The Seleucids have, from time to time, claimed to be the overlords of Parthia and, from time to time, have actually been strong enough to try and enforce their claim. This is not something that endears the Seleucid Empire to the Parthian kings.

The Parthians have the potential to be a great power - perhaps a great Empire - as they sit close to or astride the main trade routes from the east to the Mediterranean. The wealth of the world flows through these lands: a fortune that could pay for any army that an ambitious king could imagine. This wealth is there for the taking, for the people with the will to stretch out their hands and grasp it. Historically, the Parthians managed to become a great power, and fight off the advance of Rome into their heartlands.

To the north are the barbarian steppes, peopled by fierce tribes who require watching. To the west, though, lie the Seleucid Empire and the lands of Alexander's successors. These too are ruled by ambitious men. And beyond them, the rising power of Rome, and the traders of Carthage. Perhaps common cause could be made with them, for a while...

Make sure to check out the intro scene for the Parthians in the media section after you've learned more about their armies and buildings.

Units

Peasants

Peasants are reluctant warriors, but numbers are useful in all armies. Forcing peasants to fight is one way of getting lots of men in the field quickly and cheaply. They have little tactical sense, and even less willingness to fight - they would rather be defending their own homes than be dragged to a battle they neither care about nor understand. But if nothing else, they are useful when there's digging to be done! They are, however, experts at reading the land and hiding whenever there is cover.

Slingers

Slingers are highly skilled missile troops but are at a huge disadvantage in hand-to-hand combat, especially against cavalry. They can maintain a sustained and concentrated barrage on enemies and then fall back rapidly to avoid hand-to-hand combat. Slingers carry a shoulder bag with many pieces of lead shot (they can also use stones picked up on the battlefield) and several spare slings including slings of different length for greater or lesser range. Other than a knife and a small shield, they carry no other equipment.

Archers

Archers are rightly feared for the casualties they can inflict, but they are vulnerable in hand-to-hand combat. They are drawn from the peasant classes of all societies, as these are the people who need to be skilled hunters in order to survive. Learning to use a bow well is something that takes a lifetime and constant practice, and putting food on the table provides good practice. They are best used to weaken enemy formations, or placed in a spot where they can retreat and find protection from other troops.

Hillmen

To outsiders, the hillmen are a wild savage people, but they are also skilled hunters, making them superb ambushers. Although only armed with spears and shields, they are a valuable addition to many forces. Their skills at reading ground allow them to hide where others cannot, and this makes them valuable to commanders with a penchant for tactical ambushes. They are expert raiders and thieves (often taking sheep and goats from their lowland neighbours) and this is, unfortunately, something that makes them occasionally difficult to control. They do not see any need for military formalities!

Eastern Infantry

Eastern infantry are easily recruited militia-spearmen, who are good for defence against less able opponents. They are drawn from among the peasantry and urban poor, given minimal training and sent into battle. They are, however, given large shields. Individually, they are not outstanding warriors, but as a group they have their uses in holding off light cavalry; even medium and heavier troops will be unwilling to charge into a forest of spear points.

Cataphracts

Cataphracts are extremely heavily-armoured cavalry who can turn a battle with one thunderous charge. They are the ultimate in shock cavalry, an armoured battering ram to crash into an enemy position and sweep aside all who stand against them. They are armed with heavy lances for the initial charge and maces for use in close combat. They wear armour that is almost unmatched for weight and protection, and their horses are similarly armoured. On the move they are a wall of metal bearing down on enemies, tipped with razor-sharp spear points. Their armour is their main strength, but it also means that these troops can be quite ponderous and slow moving. That said, sheer weight means that they can often break through (or ride over) an enemy line without too much trouble.

Persian Cavalry

Persian cavalry can fight well with either a bow or sword, making them valuable skirmishers and general purpose horsemen. They can trace their lineage back to the tribes of the steppes, and this tradition gives them fine skills with both the horse and the compound bow. They wear mail armour and carry swords so that they can defend themselves at need, or even carry the attack to lighter opponents, but they are primarily fine horse archers, able to ruin formations of solidly-packed enemies. A skilled commander will use these troops in cooperation with heavier cataphracts when he can, softening up an opponent with missiles before delivering an armoured punch, or beating an enemy down before driving them from the field with lighter pursuers.

July 19, 2004 -

Horse Archers

Horse archers are a speciality of the East: swift horses and expert marksmen make a deadly combination. They are armed with a powerful bow and a dagger for defence, but they are not armoured and should not be expected to fight other than to escape. Horse archers rely on the maxim that 'speed is armour' to keep them out of trouble. Infantry have no hope of catching them, but other cavalry may be able to chase them down. Wise eastern commanders know this, and deploy horse archers with other cavalry to act as a deterrent to over-ambitious pursuit by an enemy. If horse archers have a weakness it is that of all soldiers armed with composite bows: these weapons do not take well to damp or wet weather, as the glues used to construct them become weakened. While this is seldom a problem in their home provinces, it can be in wetter climes.

Cataphract Camels

Cataphract camels are well armoured - camel and rider both - shock cavalry. Their primary purpose is to charge into the enemy, using weight and speed to cause additional disruption. The riders carry lances for the initial charge and long maces to continue fighting once in hand-to-hand combat. Recruited from among desert dwelling peoples these soldiers rely on their heavy armour for protection, and their camels are equally well protected. This heavy armour also means that, while they are slow to get moving, they are almost unstoppable in a full charge. They can be used against infantry like any other cataphracts, but their chief virtue is that the smell of the camels upsets horses, giving them an edge when fighting against cavalry.

War Elephants

War elephants are fierce and terrible beasts, able to trample men and horses into the dirt. Over three metres tall at the shoulder, these are large and bad-tempered animals, and they have been known to run wild with fear and anger in battle. When this happens no one - friend or foe - is safe. For this reason the driver always carries a small mallet and a spike so that he can kill the animal if necessary by driving the spike into the base of the skull. The crew are armed with bows to shoot down into tightly packed enemy formations, but the elephant itself is also a weapon: it can trample and gore men easily, hurling them around like rag dolls.

General's Bodyguard

This general has a bodyguard of loyal and heavily armoured cavalry to accompany him onto the field. Armed with lances, these men are superb shock cavalry, able to deliver a devastating and almost unstoppable charge; they are then equipped with maces so that they can fight effectively in continued hand-to-hand combat. Like all general's guards, this unit is best committed to the fight at the point of crisis, when the general's inspirational leadership and the combat power of his men can tip the balance.

Onager

The onager is a catapult jokingly named for the tremendous kick it has when fired at the enemy (an "onager" is a wild ass). This war machine is powered by a twisted spring of animal sinew ropes, the most elastic substance available. The throwing arm is held in tension by the sinews. When pulled back and held by a catch it can fling a boulder with considerable speed and range. This version can be used for reducing stone fortifications, but it can also be used on the battlefield for destroying enemy artillery and harassing troops (although admittedly by killing them outright). The onager can also be used to launch incendiary missiles such as firepots, making it a versatile piece of artillery to any commander.

SELEUCIDS

Introduction

The death of Alexander the Great brought dissolution to his empire almost before his corpse was cold. It may have been the largest empire the world had ever seen, but it proved fragile once the man himself was gone. His generals fought for control of what remained, but none of these Diadochi, or successors, was strong enough to be a new Alexander. The empire fragmented, and Seleucia was one of the splinter kingdoms, held together by the descendants of Seleucus, one of Alexander's able lieutenants. Seleucus I came close to seizing the throne of Macedonia too, but was murdered before he could achieve this ambition. There have been tensions with Macedonia and Egypt ever since despite occasional marriages between the ruling houses of these states. The Seleucids hold the former Babylonian provinces of Alexander's empire, an area of ancient cities and rich farmlands along the Tigris. (As an historical aside, the later Seleucid capital city of Ctesiphon is now under a suburb of Baghdad in Iraq; the earlier capital, Seleucia, was on the other riverbank). This region also sits on the trade routes to the mysterious east, something that generates large revenues for the Seleucid kingdom. This, combined with the manpower and military expertise that are available, could make the Seleucids into masters of much of the known world. A Greek-Persian empire, combining the best of both systems as Seleucus tried to do, could be formidable indeed, and perhaps unstoppable.

Units

Peasants:
Peasants are reluctant warriors, but numbers are useful in all armies. Forcing peasants to fight is one way of getting lots of men in the field quickly and cheaply. They have little tactical sense, and even less willingness to fight - they would rather be defending their own homes than be dragged to a battle they neither care about nor understand. If nothing else, they are useful when there's digging to be done! They are, however, experts at reading the land and hiding whenever there is cover.

Peltasts:
Greek peltasts advance at speed to pepper an enemy with javelins, and then withdraw in good order before a counter-attack can be organised. They are skirmishers and it is their task to harass and disrupt enemy units before the main battle lines clash. They are also adept at staging tactical ambushes. Peltasts are equipped with a clutch of javelins, a sword and a light shield, the pelte, which gives them their name as 'pelte-bearers'. They wear no other armour, and rely on speed as the best form of protection, and this isn't much protection should they be caught by cavalry. Archers:
Archers are rightly feared for the casualties they can inflict, but they are vulnerable in hand-to-hand combat. They are drawn from the peasant classes of all societies, as these are the people who need to be skilled hunters in order to survive. Learning to use a bow well is something that takes a lifetime and constant practice, and putting food on the table provides good practice. They are best used to weaken enemy formations, or placed in a spot where they can retreat and find protection from other troops.

Militia Hoplites:
Militia hoplites are levies drawn from cities and thrust into battle with a little training. They fight best as spearmen, and are armed with long spears and each carries the large round hoplon shield that gives them their name. As a type of infantry hoplites have been around for centuries and have changed little in tactics or equipment. These men wear no armour, but then they are drawn from the poorer classes and it is traditional for citizens to provide their own war gear when called into the army. The cities of the Greek world have a long tradition of the people defending their own cities from invaders. They are at their best when used as a solid block of spearmen and can form phalanx to attack the enemy.

Levy Pikemen:
As war approaches, peasants, farmers and down-at-heel townsfolk can find themselves pressed into service as pikemen by their rulers. Due to their lack of armour they are best used as defensive infantry, absorbing enemy attacks, or screening the flanks of the main line. Equipped with a long pike some 6m in length (the sarissa) many ranks can bring their weapons to bear on an enemy, presenting a bristling array of spearheads to an approaching foe. They also carry swords for use when the enemy breaks through the pike line. Although training is practically non-existent, as inheritors of the hoplite tradition levy pikemen can manoeuvre in a phalanx formation. But with no armour other than the small shields strapped to their left arms, under pressure these levied troops are liable to suffer heavy casualties.

Phalanx Pikemen:
Phalanx pikemen (or phalangites) form the backbone of Macedonian and Seleucid battle lines. In phalanx formation these troops can be used to pin the enemy line in place, while mobile forces wheel around the flanks to deliver a decisive blow. The phalangites are drawn from families with decent resources, as these men need to provide leather cuirass armour and a metal helmet for protection. Phalanx pikemen carry a small shield strapped to the left arm, leaving both hands free to brandish a lengthy pike (the sarissa). Gripped in both hands above the head up to five ranks' worth of pikes can be aimed at the enemy. Men in rows further back hold their pikes at a 45 degree angle, creating a shield to ward off enemy arrows. All phalanx pikemen also have short swords.

Silver Shield Pikemen:
The silver shield pikemen (or argyraspids) are the embodiment of Seleucid martial prowess. They are elite foot soldiers on which many a battle will turn; they are well disciplined and physically fit, so these troops will neither panic nor tire easily. These men use the 6m long pike (sarissa) and carry a small shield coated in silver that gives them their name. To carry the silver shield into battle is the realization of many a Seleucid boy's dream, though only renowned men of higher birth would automatically qualify for such an honour. Once in phalanx formation the silver shield pikemen are an almost immovable object unless attacked from the flanks. If the fighting becomes too intense and cramped, they can use their short swords.

Silver Shield Legionaries:
The Seleucid talent for adopting good ideas is given solidity in the shape of these Legionaries who are direct copies of the Roman originals! The Legionary Silver Shields (or argyraspids) are equipped and fight in exactly the same fashion as Roman troops, using throwing spears (the pila, singular pilum) to pepper an enemy before closing to fight with short swords. The armour they wear and the tactics that they use are also modelled closely on the Roman originals too, including use of the tortoise (or testudo) formation to approach enemy fortifications while under fire. The Silver Shields are very good troops indeed, and can be relied on in most battle situations.

Militia Cavalry:
Militia cavalry are javelin-armed mounted skirmishers who can strike quickly and be gone in the time it takes a more ponderous enemy to react. They do not wear armour, but do carry shields and swords so that they can fight in hand-to-hand combat should the need arise. They are, however, best used to dash in and harass a mass of enemies, such as heavy infantry who cannot hope to catch them. They are not ideally suited to fighting other skirmishers - many of their javelins will be wasted against targets who can dodge, after all - but they can be very useful in harrying fleeing enemies and driving them from the field.

Greek Cavalry:
Greek cavalry are fast moving horsemen armed with spears for maximum impact in a charge. They are not heavily armoured, and do not have shields for protection, relying instead on the old maxim of 'speed is armour' for protection. As a result, they are best used as a hit-and-run force, rather than as soldiers who can indulge in hand-to-hand combat. That said, they are excellent for breaking up skirmishers, attacking lighter infantry such as missile troops and pursuing already broken enemies to prevent them rallying and rejoining a battle.

Companion Cavalry:
Companion cavalry are a social and military elite, and fight as heavy cavalry using shock and mass to break enemy units. They are the direct heirs to the Companions of Alexander the Great and his father, Philip of Macedon, and they revel in this proud heritage. The Companions ride the best horses and have the finest armour available; each is armed with a good lance and a sword for close combat. As heavy cavalry they can be a decisive arm of battle, and are able to charge down many opponents. They are best used as shock cavalry to break wavering enemy formations, but do need to be careful - as with all cavalry - when attacking spearmen. Bravery is of little use when galloping straight onto a row of gleaming spear points! Traditionally these men would be given land grants after great victories, giving them a personal stake in the battle's outcome.

General's Bodyguard:
This general has a bodyguard of loyal spear-armed and armoured cavalry to accompany him onto the field. Armed with spears, these men are shock cavalry, able to deliver a devastating charge attack; they are then well trained enough to fight effectively in continued hand-to-hand combat, even though they do not carry shields. Like all general's guards, this unit is best committed to the fight at the point of crisis, when the general's inspirational leadership and the combat power of his men can tip the balance.

Elephants:
Elephants are a terrifying spectacle to opposing troops, well able to smash battle lines and toss men aside like dogs with rats. Standing at just over two metres tall at the shoulder, these particular animals are rather tractable and can be trained for warfare relatively easily. They are fast moving, able to trample and gore enemies seemingly at will when being urged on by their riders. They are a living battering ram aimed at the enemy battle line. When pursuing enemies they can be even more deadly. Each elephant is unarmoured, but many blows simply glance off the tough hide. Only a single rider is carried.

War Elephants:
War elephants are fierce and terrible beasts, able to trample men and horses into the dirt. Over three metres tall at the shoulder, these are large and bad-tempered animals, and they have been known to run wild with fear and anger in battle. When this happens no one - friend or foe - is safe. For this reason the driver always carries a small mallet and a spike so that he can kill the animal if necessary by driving the spike into the base of the skull. The crew are armed with bows to shoot down into tightly packed enemy formations, but the elephant itself is also a weapon: it can trample and gore men easily, hurling them around like rag dolls. Armoured Elephants:
Armoured elephants are the most fearsome creatures to be found on a battlefield. Little can stand before these armoured giants. Each elephant has heavy armour that completely protects it from missiles and hand-held weapons, and the crew are armoured too. The driver uses the elephant itself as a weapon, guiding it as it tramples and gores its way through the opposition. The archers snipe down into enemy formations, weakening opponents before the inevitable clash. Armoured elephants can run amok, causing havoc in the process to anyone nearby.

Onager:
The onager is a catapult jokingly named for the tremendous kick it has when fired at the enemy (an "onager" is a wild ass). This war machine is powered by a twisted spring of animal sinew ropes, the most elastic substance available. The throwing arm is held in tension by the sinews. When pulled back and held by a catch it can fling a boulder with considerable speed and range. This version can be used for reducing stone fortifications, but it can also be used on the battlefield for destroying enemy artillery and harassing troops (although admittedly by killing them outright). The onager can also be used to launch incendiary missiles such as firepots, making it a versatile piece of artillery to any commander.

Scythed Chariots:
Scythed chariots are fearsome devices, covered in scythe blades to cut down any infantry foolish enough to stand when charged. Metal blades stick out from each axle like malign horns to cut down infantry. They are, however, somewhat uncontrollable! These units are not only so keen to attack the enemy that they will do so without orders, but also can run amok and attack anyone - friend or foe alike - who happens to be nearby. These are not subtle troops, and their chief power lies in a headlong charge into an enemy formation. Each chariot is pulled by powerful horses, and the crew is heavily armoured.

Cataphracts:
Cataphracts are extremely heavily-armoured cavalry who can turn a battle with one thunderous charge. They are the ultimate in shock cavalry, an armoured battering ram to crash into an enemy position and sweep aside all who stand against them. They are armed with heavy lances for the initial charge and maces for use in close combat. They wear armour that is almost unmatched for weight and protection, and their horses are similarly armoured. On the move they are a wall of metal bearing down on enemies, tipped with razor-sharp spear points. Their armour is their main strength, but it also means that these troops can be quite ponderous and slow moving. That said, sheer weight means that they can often break through (or ride over) an enemy line without too much trouble.

Britions

June 30, 2004 - The Britons are very similar to the Gauls - they come from the same robust Celtic stock after all, and many tribes can be found in Northern Gaul and in Britannia. The sea is no barrier. The Britons have their own sophisticated culture, trade and kingship flourish, and they have well-organised towns, a small but growing merchant class and age-old trading links to the world. The Phoenicians, for example, came to these islands for tin and lead.

They also have a proud tradition as warriors. Britons are fierce fighters, and present a terrifying appearance to their foes. They dye themselves blue with woad, think nothing of danger, and often lime their hair into fantastical spikes, making them appear truly horrific. Perhaps a later Roman description of Britons as 'Brittunculi', wretched little Britons, is only partly contemptuous: it might equally be intended to make them less terrible. For the Britons can be terrible: their spirits are rarely broken by defeat or enslavement. They plot revenge, and then take it as brutally as possible.

Their druidic religion can be savage to outsiders, demanding human sacrifice as a matter of course. Their traditional method of warfare involving fighting from light, highly manoeuvrable chariots can also put fear into many enemies. The noise alone is enough to scare many into flight. All in all, from their island home the Britons have much to feel confident about. They are a vibrant people, with a tradition of bravery in warfare and Gods who will aid and protect them. Protected by the moat of the sea from invasion, they can gaze out towards the mainland, and plan their conquests...

Units

Peasants:
Peasants are reluctant warriors, but barbarian peasants are better fighters than most: hard lives produce hard men. Numbers are useful in all armies, and forcing peasants to fight is one way of getting lots of men in the field quickly and cheaply. They have little tactical sense, and even less willingness to fight - they would rather be defending their own homes than be dragged to a battle they neither care about nor understand. They are, however, experts at reading the land and hiding when there is cover.

Slingers:
A sling is a deceptively simple weapon: a slinger can bring down the strongest man with a single shot. These slingers can send a hail of bullets towards the enemy, and target their shots for maximum damage. After all, they will have been hunting with slings since boyhood. Slingers should not be allowed to get into melee combat, as their lack of armour and their relative lack of equipment - just a knife or short sword and a shield - will soon lead to them being cut to pieces. Used to kill enemies from a distance, they are superb missile warriors. Head Hurlers:
In battle, head hurlers throw the heads of fallen foes coated with quicklime. These missiles are both dangerous and loathsome. Head hurlers combine the practical and the macabre in equal measure - they collect the heads of fallen enemies and preserve these by dipping them in quicklime. The limed heads are used as disgusting missiles in battle, flung into enemy ranks at surprisingly long range. As missiles the heads are heavy enough to cause injuries (and have an undoubted impact on morale) but it is the lime that really does the damage, causing nasty burns. Head Hurlers also carry swords for use in close combat should this be necessary. Head hurlers, however, also show little regard for their own danger and are not above rushing into combat without orders.

Warband:
Warbands are bound to the service of a strongman or petty village head. They are the basic 'unit' to be found in many barbarian armies. They fight well, as glory and loot are the road to status, but are often difficult to control. They care little for discipline and less for restraint, but they can be relied on to fight, and fight hard. In warfare it is up to each man to prove his own bravery and worth, so the savage charge into the enemy is about as sophisticated as they ever want to be! Each man carries a stabbing spear and a large shield.

Swordsmen:
Swordsmen are steadfast and aggressive warriors, the 'infantry of the line' for barbarian warlords. They are not very disciplined at times, as their sense of honour and bravery can make them eager to get into any fray, but they are uniformly superb swordsmen. They are equipped with good swords and large shields. Every warlord worth the name makes sure he has a couple of warbands of these hard men under his command.

Chosen Swordsmen:
Chosen swordsmen are the best fighting individuals in their tribe, and armed with the finest swords available. While superbly skilled and extremely tough, they are not naturally inclined to fight as a group. Personal glory and the need to be first amongst the enemy ensure that they are headstrong and ill-disciplined. They are, however, very well equipped with the finest swords that the smiths can make, along with chainmail armour and large shields. They are an intimidating sight for any enemy.

Woad Warriors:
Religion and magic are powerful reasons for bravery. Woad warriors are brave fighters - and mad. They disdain armour and most clothing, preferring to paint themselves with intricate and stylised magical designs in woad (a blue dye) to deflect enemy blows and missiles. The patterns created can be elaborate and almost inhuman, and are supposed to be unnerving for enemies unused to such practices. Belief in magic also armours the woad warriors against fear, and makes them savage, dangerous and not-quite-controllable fighters. Woad warriors carry only blades and shields but it is a foolish commander indeed who underestimates their impact in battle!

Druids:
Druids are spiritual leaders with practical fighting skills who instill confidence in nearby friendly warriors. They have a religious zeal that gives them great courage and their mere presence fills nearby believers with confidence. Positioned just behind the battle line druids can also form a powerful reserve, ready to join the fray at a crucial moment. Equipped with sickle-shaped swords and small shields, the mail-clad druids are excellent fighters. Their good war gear is a reflection of their status as teachers, judges, soothsayers and the focal point of religion and magic among their people. As Celtic cultures lack a written form, they are also the memory of the tribe as well, remembering all the important facts of tribal history. Historically, the Romans despised and then targeted these men because they practiced particularly savage forms of human sacrifice and because of their cultural importance. When a tribe's history was wiped out, it became a little easier to bend the people to the will of Rome.Warhounds:
Warhounds are bred for a savage nature and great size, but then hunting men is only a little more dangerous than hunting wild boar! The beasts are muscular and powerful. Originally bred for hunting large prey, they are now trained to hunt and attack men. Warhounds are usually unleashed on an enemy to break a line and unnerve opponents. Few men are able to stand steadily in the face of a snarling and partially-starved beast. The dogs are trained to bite and hold on, dragging down their human targets, and hamstringing horses. Their handlers are brave, foolhardy and not easily intimidated: many have fingers, hands or even chunks of limbs missing!

Light Chariots:
Light chariots are very fast, very noisy and, when used in large numbers, quite intimidating. They combine the swiftness of cavalry with the 'staying power' of infantry. The drivers concentrate on controlling the chariots, while their passengers fire arrow after arrow into the target. They can also simply charge into an enemy, perform the same scouting duties as cavalry, harass enemies with missiles and may even be worth sacrificing to break a previously unyielding enemy line. They can also be very effective in pursuing fleeing foes.

Heavy Chariots:
Heavy chariots are an elite in British armies ridden into battle by tribal nobles. They are shock troops, relying on speed and shock to break enemy formations. Every man carries a fine sword, and is equipped with a good mail coat and a shield, while his chariot is pulled by two horses. They perform the same function as heavy cavalry, charging home to cause casualties before wheeling away to launch a fresh attack. Any infantry foolish enough to stand in the way are ridden down, hacked to pieces by the rider! However, like many barbarians they can sometimes let greed for personal honour and glory lead them into attacking without orders.

British General:
Chariots are a pinnacle of Celtic technology and an effective machine of war. So it's no surprise to see tribal leaders driving them into battle accompanied by groups of bodyguards. It is important that a warlord has a group of hardened warriors around him to go into the thick of battle to prove that he is not only a great leader but also a great warrior. Barbarian warlords hold their positions of trust and command not just through their tactical skill but because they are personally brave and resolute. No warrior willingly follows a coward, and no coward has the right to ask his brothers-in-arms to throw their lives away.

Boats:
These vessels are seaworthy, but small, craft capable of carrying a small cargo or a few men along coastal routes. Like other ships of the time these craft use sail when cruising and oar-powers when in combat. This type of boat represents the various flat-bottomed Celtic curachs, the sea-worthy Germanic narrow boats, and African byblos ships, for example. Most barbarians lack the 'civilized' ship-building skills of the Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans, but within their limitations these are sturdy craft. The almost-instinctive seamanship of their crews helps them travel surprisingly long distances without danger.

Large Boats:
Large boats are battle-worthy craft, with crews large enough to fight boarding actions when required. These boats are not a match, however, for ships of more 'civilized' peoples. These ships, however, have better sea keeping qualities than many craft developed for the relatively calm waters of the Mediterranean. They can carry large cargoes - or raiding parties - across many trackless miles of sea.

EGYPTIAN

After the death of Alexander the Great the empire he had created tottered and fell into disarray with remarkable speed. His empire was the largest ever seen, and the generals struggled against each other for the ultimate prize that none of them was quite strong enough to gain. The Diadochi, or Successors, were only strong enough to hold together fragments of Alexander's empire.
Egypt was one part of that empire and by anyone's standards it is an ancient land. It is now ruled by Greek Pharaohs, the descendants of Ptolemy I, one of Alexander's able generals. The Ptolemaic dynasty adjusted rapidly to Egyptian ways and adopted the royal ways of the Pharaohs - including divine status and marriage between the Pharaoh and his sister in each generation. All the succeeding Pharaohs have been called Ptolemy, and their sisters (more often than not) Cleopatra in the Egyptian fashion.

Egypt, therefore, is a rich land under the new Pharaohs and a centre of learning for the Greek world. The Ptolemaic Pharaohs hold together a formidable kingdom and must be seen as a major power in the Eastern Mediterranean. Their potential in warfare against the other successor states is also impressive, and an aggressive Pharaoh could well expand Egypt's boundaries far beyond the Nile valley...

EGYPTIAN UNITS

Peasants

Peasants are reluctant warriors, but numbers are useful in all armies. Forcing peasants to fight is one way of getting lots of men in the field quickly and cheaply. They have little tactical sense, and even less willingness to fight - they would rather be defending their own homes than be dragged to a battle they neither care about nor understand. If nothing else, they are useful when there's digging to be done! They are, however, experts at reading the land and hiding whenever there is cover.

Slingers

Bowmen

Bowmen are rightly feared for the casualties they can inflict, but they are vulnerable in hand-to-hand combat. They are drawn from the peasant classes of all societies, as these are the people who need to be skilled hunters in order to survive. Learning to use a bow well is something that takes a lifetime and constant practice, and putting food on the table provides good practice. They are best used to weaken enemy formations, or placed in a spot where they can retreat and find protection from other troops.

Pharaoh's Bowmen

Pharaoh's bowmen are skilled archers, the finest to be found in Egyptian armies. They carry the finest bows available, and have the abilities - honed from an early age - to make the best use of their weaponry, making them a true elite. And with their native toughness and hardy spirit they are truly impressive warriors, and a fine force for any of the Pharaoh's generals to have under his command. Unlike many other archers, these men wear good armour, giving them protection against counter-fire, but they are vulnerable - like any archers - if unsupported when attacked by cavalry.

Nubian Spearmen

These militia-like soldiers can fight in harsh conditions and they are cheap defensive troops for the Pharaoh's armies. Armed with a long, thrusting spear and a large wooden shield, these men are primarily defensive and can hold their own against cavalry. However, they can also be formed into phalanxes and sent against other infantry. Their lack of training and armour means that they should not be used to attack armoured or elite troops. Nubian spearmen were originally recruited in the south, but since it is not uncommon for a Nubian soldier to be rewarded with land for his service, they can be found in every part of the Pharaoh's realms.

Nile Spearmen

These well trained spearmen are the mainstay of many Egyptian armies, thanks to their all-round defensive abilities. They wear no armour - hardly surprising given the incredibly hot climate of home - but do carry large shields. They do not carry secondary weapons at all, and rely entirely on their spears in combat. This means that they are best employed to hold a defensive position against cavalry, or as a rough phalanx to take on other infantry by 'push of pike' and weight of numbers. These men are better trained than some other Egyptian forces, such as Nubian spearmen, and will hold more often as a result.

Desert Axemen

These superior soldiers are recruited from among desert dwellers, and are equipped with sharp axes and wooden shields by the order of the Pharaoh. It is their job to stand in line of battle and hack into an enemy formation or position. They are very useful against other infantry - including armoured infantry - but they are less able to defend themselves against cavalry attacks. They are hardy folk in the lands at Egypt's borders and well suited to life as soldiers in the Pharaoh's army; they do not tire easily and shrink from few enemies.

Pharaoh's Guards

The Pharaoh's Guard are the true elite of any Egyptian army, armoured spearmen sworn to defend the Twin Crowns to the death! They may have ceremonial duties, but these are also soldiers for the working day. These are superbly trained and disciplined spearmen, capable of standing against almost any enemy in almost any circumstances. They are trained to form a phalanx making them an effective attacking force as well. Recruited from among the higher ranks of Egyptian society, they have an interest in seeing the state and the Pharaoh's power survive.

Nubian Cavalry

Nubian cavalry are lightly equipped raiders who are perfect for flanking attacks on an enemy line. They are recruited into the service of the Pharaoh from the upper reaches of the Nile. They are superb horsemen, proud and independently minded. Nubians do not wear armour, but then this is only to be expected among people from such a hot, harsh climate, but they carry good war gear otherwise: a shield, a spear for the initial charge, and a sword so that they can fight effectively in close combat. They can be used to mount rapid charges against enemies, but if asked to charge spearmen they will suffer excessive casualties. They can also be used to pursue fleeing foes and cut down isolated enemy units. Nile Cavalry

Nile cavalry are mail-armoured spearmen capable of delivering a decisive blow. Although they do not carry shields, they are a useful force for any commander thanks to their training and motivation. These men are recruited from among the elite of Egyptian society. They are given land for their service, the amount depending on rank and length of service.

Camel Archers

These camel-mounted archers are effective skirmishers especially in deserts. These men are good bowmen and untiring fighters thanks to their harsh upbringing. They can move swiftly, staying away from most infantry and other skirmishers. When attacked by cavalry they are at an advantage should a melee ensue. The very smell of camels can upset horses in battle and a cunning commander can use this to his advantage.

Egyptian Chariots

Chariots are fearsome devices, and have scythe blades to cut down any infantry foolish enough to stand when charged. The armoured crews carry short swords to cut down opponents. Egyptian armies have a long and distinguished history of using chariots in warfare. Their charioteers are also more disciplined and controlled than those of other nations. These are not subtle troops, and their chief power lies in a headlong charge into an enemy formation. Each chariot is pulled by powerful horses, and the deserts are an ideal place for them to be used to full effect.

Egyptian Chariot Archers

Chariot archers are highly skilled - they can hit targets while their chariots are moving at high speed. The scythes attached to each chariot axle make them even more deadly. They have the speed of cavalry and the staying power of infantry, and this makes them a powerful weapon for any commander; the Egyptians have also had many centuries of experience in using chariots in warfare, particularly on desert battlefields. Each chariot is under the control of a driver, leaving the archers to concentrate on their killing work; all wear high quality armour.

Onagers

Heavy Onagers

The heavy onager is an enormous catapult built using the same basic design as its smaller sibling, but it can be anything up to three times larger in size. Hauled to the battlefield by oxen, this lumbering weapon is capable of smashing down stone fortifications. It is powered by a twisted bundle of animal sinew ropes, and is slow to wind back and reload. Its missiles are devastating, and it can also fire incendiary firepots. Range is no more than the smaller onager and this makes the heavy onager susceptible to counter fire. Often, it is best employed alongside smaller artillery to deal with enemy fire.

Egyptian General

This general has a bodyguard of chariot archers to accompany him onto the field. Armed with bows, these men are able to deliver powerful attacks in any circumstances. Each chariot is pulled by powerful horses, and the deserts are an ideal place for them to be used to full effect. The general can inspire his men by his presence and bring a powerful force quickly to bear on a critical part of the battlefield. Egyptian armies have a long and distinguished history of using chariots in warfare and their charioteers are more disciplined and easily controlled than those of other peoples.

Egyptian General

This general has a bodyguard of loyal and armoured cavalry to accompany him onto the field. Armed with spears, these men are excellent shock cavalry, able to deliver a devastating charge; they are equipped with swords so that they can fight effectively in continued hand-to-hand combat. Like all general's guards, this unit is best committed to the fight at the point of crisis, when the general's inspirational leadership and the combat power of his men can tip the balance.

Carthaginians

Carthaginians
By tradition, Carthage was founded by Queen Dido who had fled from the city of Tyre in Phoenicia after her husband was killed by her brother. Even in the days of legend there was a link with Rome, because Aeneas of Troy, the father to the Romans, was the lover of Dido and then abandoned her. In her grief she killed herself, cursing Aeneas and his descendants as she died.

Carthage - the name means 'new town' - continued to flourish, a Phoenician colony that outgrew and survived its parent land. The Phoenicians, and their successors the Carthaginians, must be credited with the invention of glass, the bireme galley and with being expert traders thanks to their superb navigational skills. Even before the Greeks reached the Western Mediterranean, Carthage was a superbly wealthy city, thanks to its mastery of the seas. Carthaginian colonies - colonies of the original Phoenician colony - now ring the sea (modern Barcelona is named after the famous Barca family). Carthage is a maritime power, with only a relatively small landowning class to provide military land power. This, however, does not matter as long as Carthage continues to be wealthy; its coffers pay for mercenaries in abundance when the city needs to go to war.

And it is this wealth, mastery of trade and expansion along the Mediterranean coast towards Italy that brings Carthage into direct confrontation with the newly rising power of Rome. Now, perhaps, it is time for Dido's curse to have its full effects on the children of Aeneas...

The Battle of Trebia
As Rome secured control of the Italian peninsular, Carthage was establishing an empire in Spain and North Africa.

It was inevitable that these two rising powers would clash violently for control of the Western Mediterranean. The Punic War would define who controlled the western world for centuries.

The Carthaginians were blessed to have the services of Hannibal, one of the greatest generals of all time. Marching from Spain in 218 BC, he slipped past one Roman army and into northern Italy over the Alps, famously bringing a unit of elephants with him. His bold strategy was to march on Rome and break Roman power at its source. Along the way, he hoped to pick up support among the Gauls and non-Roman Italians. After two months of campaigning he was met by a Roman force at the River Trebia. Despite the winter floods, the Romans crossed the river and made straight for Hannibal's army. He let them come on then sprang an ambush, crushing the Roman army in the process. The only Romans to escape were those who broke through the Carthaginian centre, and kept on going to safety.

Unit Description
Carthaginian Peltast: Skirmishers
Expert at Hiding in Forests
Can Hide in Long Grass
Sapping Ability
Carthaginian skirmishers rush forward to pepper an enemy with javelins, and then withdraw in good order before a counter-attack can be organised. They are light infantry, armed with small throwing javelins, a falcata sword, a small shield (resembling the Greek pelte shield) and an 'Iberian' pattern helmet. When the opportunity presents itself, they are traditionally recruited from among the Ibero-Celts of Carthage's provinces. Regardless of where they are recruited, they are skilful practitioners of the skirmishing arts, and very adept at springing tactical ambushes. They are not intended to hold a position in a battle line, but to harass and disrupt the enemy.

Carthaginian Heavy Infantry: Poeni Infantry
Superior
Sapping Ability
These heavy spear infantry are drawn from the self-reliant Carthaginian citizenry, and make superior soldiers. Poeni infantry are heavy spearmen, armed with heavy thrusting spears and swords. They are well armoured in chainmail, carry large shields, and are some of the best troops to use an 'anchor' for a battle line. They can hold off cavalry attacks and fight against other infantry when required.

Carthaginian Elephant African: War Elephants
Superior
Hardy
Can Run Amok
Frightens Infantry
Frightens Cavalry
War elephants are fierce and terrible beasts, able to trample men and horses into the dirt. Over 3m tall at the shoulder, these are large and bad-tempered animals, and they have been known to run wild with fear and anger in battle. When this happens no one - friend or foe - is safe. For this reason the driver always carries a small mallet and a spike so that he can kill the animal if necessary by driving the spike into the base of the skull. The crews are armed with bows to shoot down into tightly packed enemy formations, but the elephant itself is also a weapon: it can trample and gore men easily, hurling them around like rag dolls.

Carthaginian Infantry: Iberian Infantry
Sapping Ability
Iberian infantry are fast moving, close-combat infantry. They may not be the best-trained troops, but they are cost effective warriors. They are one of the basic units available to generals in the Carthaginian-influenced world. Every Iberian infantryman carries a shield in addition to his short sword, but his only other protection is a helmet; he relies on speed and agility instead of armour. They are best employed against enemy spearmen and, like other infantry, can be vulnerable to cavalry attacks.

Carthaginian Royal Cavalry: Sacred Band Cavalry
Elite
Disciplined
Can Form Wedge
Sacred Band cavalry are an elite in Carthaginian warfare and society. They fight as heavy cavalry, but with a level of discipline and élan that is rarely matched in other nations. They carry spears and wear good armour, so that they can charge home with devastating effect. They are the devoted servants of Astarte, handed over to the temple and state by their patrician families for military duties rather than ritual sacrifice. Historically, the great Carthaginian general Hannibal took units of the Sacred Band over the Alps and into Italy; even though they got no reinforcements from home two-thirds of these men were still fighting after 14 years of campaigning.

Units

Companion Cavalry
Companion Cavalry The Companion Cavalry are the elite of the Macedonian army and society, and date back to the time of Alexander the Great and his father, Philip of Macedon, giving them a proud military heritage. The Macedonian King remains their ultimate commander in battle, and they fight with unbridled enthusiasm as heavy armoured cavalry. The Companions ride the best horses and receive the best armour and weaponry available. Each carries the long thrusting spear - or xyston - and wears a cuirass, arm protectors and helm. Each horse also is also partially armoured. As heavy cavalry, they can be a decisive arm of battle, able to charge down many opponents, and they are best used as shock cavalry to break wavering enemy formations. They do need to be careful when attacking spearmen and will will take casualties if they are foolish enough to charge into a forest of spear points! Traditionally, as members of the nobility, they are rewarded with captured lands after battle, and this gives them a very personal stake in a vcitorious outcome.

Carthaginian Spearmen
These Carthaginians are steadfast, hard, ruthless fighters. Many of them were originally recruited among the colonists and locals of Carthage's Hispanic and Lusitanian provinces. They wear mail coats, Iberian-style pointed helmets and carry a scutum, gladius and spear. Their behaviour in battle is often very good, and even Roman writers compared them favourably with Roman troops. As spearmen they are best at defending against cavalry, as no horse willingly charges onto spear points. As a historical note, Scipio Africanus had the swords and shields of these Carthaginian infantrymen copied for use by the Roman legionaries after the Punic Wars. It's thanks to the prowess of these men that the later Legions were armed with what everyone now thinks of as typically 'Roman' gear. Copying your enemies' strengths is, perhaps, the highest praise that can be given by a warrior nation like the Romans.

Carthaginian Elephants
These tractable elephants are well-suited to warfare. As a fast-moving force, they can easily trample down most opposition and fleeing enemies in particular. Their presence alone can induce fear, even in the most disciplined of troops. Standing just over 2m at the shoulder, these elephante are fast, deadly and very difficult for opposing troops to stop. They also have a good temperament for war, being easy to train and rarely given to running amok in battle. These elephant will terrify horses and all infantry, and many missiles glance off their tough hides. Each has a single driver mounted on a leather saddlecloth, and has metal "collar" plates that protect its most vulnerable spot: the veins in the neck just behind the ears.

Cavalry Auxiliaries
Cavalry auxiliaries are recruited throughout the Roman world from native peoples. They all-rounders, deployed as scouts, to screen flanks, to charge home, and for pursuit once an enemy is broken. These medium cavalrymen are organised into alae (singular: ala), or 'wings' of auxiliaries. They are mostly non-Romans, but trained to the same rigorous standards as the Legionaries they support. They are fed, clothed and trained by Rome, and their final reward is Roman citizenship after 25 years service in the ranks along with a small pension and land.

They are usually skilled horsemen to start with, but their training gives them the skills to act as skirmishers and shock cavalry as needed. Each carries a lancea (spear), several light throwing javelins and the long spatha sword, a cavalry sword used for swinging attacks as well as stabbing (the gladius is too short to be an effective weapon for cavalry). Each is armoured with helmets, mail corslets and large round shields.

Egyptian Elite Guards
Elite Guards can always be relied upon to stand in the line of battle and give a good account of themselves, so their lives should not be thrown away needlessly. They are the best native Egyptian infantry, and the Pharoah's own bodyguard, fiercely loyal to the Twin Crowns and the royal family.

The Guards are recruited from amongst the younger sons of the lesser nobility who cannot afford to join high-status cavalry forces. These are matched by a leavening of lower-class professional warriors that bring a hard, professional edge to the force. They may look like ceremonial guards, but they are soldiers for a working day too! Their morale is higher than other Egyptian units, and this makes them valuable shock troops in battle, as does their training and equipment. They wear the finest armour, greaves, helmets and carry 3m thrusting spears and swords as weapons.

Gallic Foresters
A life spent hunting is an excellent training for war. Personal courage, skill and the readiness to take a life can all be learned during the hunt. Foresters are highly skilled men who have great ability with both bow and spear, learned over many years of hunting. The need to put meat on the King's table for his warriors means that they are valued members of the community as most barbarians are great meat eaters by preference - and this is one of the reasons that they are strappingly large in comparison to Romans!

In battle, Foresters are gathered into their own warbands who are not only excellent archers, but can take advantage of every piece of terrain. They are not heavily armoured, but they are flexible, well-able to use arrow fire to weaken an enemy unit before closing to finish the issue in hand-to-hand combat.

Eastern Peltast
Peltasts are lightly equipped skirmishers, originally named for the shape of their shields. They are used to break up enemy units with showers of javelins as the main battle lines approach each other. Acting as a screen, they are not expected to fight in hand-to-hand combat for long against heavier troops.

They are usually armed with a clutch of javelins, a thrusting spear and a straight sword, and equipped with their trademark light shield (the pelte) and little armour. Their light quality gives them the ability to manoeuvre and fight across rough or broken terrain. Peltasts are occasionally used with cavalry in the open against mounted units but they are then vulnerable to being ridden down if the accompanying cavalry is driven off.

Chosen Axemen
Double-handed axes are intimidating weapons, and they should be used to hack a hole in an enemy line. These axes are heavy, superbly made, razor sharp and easily capable of cleaving a man down to his breastbone even through armour. Chosen Axemen are an elite among tribal warriors, selected for their physical size, strength, bravery and - some would say - pig-headedness. They are the assault troops of any barbarian army, the men whose only job is to smash any organised resistance and keep on killing until no foes remain.

Fear is completely alien to them, as is any concept of mercy to a foe or a weakling among their own kind. They are fantastically strong men - and need to be to wield their enormous double-headed axes with any degree of skill and control. Some Chosen Axemen are wealthy enough to have mail coats, but most disdain armour as a sign of cowardice. They may also carry swords as reserve weapons.

Egyptian Cleruch
The Cleruch are disciplined and well armoured heavy cavalry who have high morale and are fiercely loyal to the Egyptian crown. They are a true elite, and Egyptian Kings usually take a close interest in their welfare and training. The Cleruch are recruited from among the 'new' elite of Egyptian society: Macedonian and Greek settlers. Among the ranks are also some prisoners of war who can be trusted not to defect. The Cleruch are given land for their service, the amount depending on rank and length of service in the force.

They are always equipped with the finest armour and horses - their principal weapon is a long thrusting spear. This superb equipment means that these men are always a decisive force. A Cleruch charge is often the moment at which Fate takes a hand in battle - and hopefully brings victory!

Legion Principes
The Principes are slightly older men, reliable warriors, and continue a battle once the Hastati are spent. Principes are heavy spearmen who make up the second line of an early Republican Legion. They are recruited in the prime of their lives in their late 20s and early 30s. They wear mail, a bronze helmet, carry a long shield and also a long sword for both cutting and thrusting under an enemys shield.

Principes march in the centre of a Legions three parallel battle columns and take the middle line when the Legion wheels into battle. At crucial moments in battle they are ordered forward through Hastati to press an attack. They also cover gaps in the maniple formations used by the Legion as a whole.

Barbarian Axemen
Axemen are close combat warriors. It is their task to break open an enemy line or formation so that their brother warriors can exploit the breach. Axemen are powerful warriors chosen for their size and strength to wield the heavy francisca, a single-headed axe that can split a shield, cuirass, helmet or the skull beneath with a single blow. They also carry heavy shields (to bash opponents as much as for protection) and wear helmets but only light armour. Speedy charges are important, but there is a degree of bravado too, in showing contempt for the enemy's best efforts!

Roughly organised into warbands, they are used to hack a way into an enemy line and open a hole for their comrades to exploit. This role is risky, but it is seen as heroic and an opportunity for glory and greatness not to be squandered. Axemen are very brave and are not usually disheartened by their own casualties.

Hastati
Hastati are the youngest men in Roman military service. They attack with spears, and are expected to fight only until the battle passes to the next line of a Legion. The Hastati are actually the first line in a Republican Legion, and generally march on the left of a Legion's battle columns. This allows them to wheel into the forward position when forming a battle line. They are supposed to bring the enemy line to a standstill, then hold until the second line of the Legion - fresh troops - arrive to carry on the fight with renewed vigour.

Each man carries two pila - one light and one heavy - and a gladius. The light spear is always thrown first, then the heavier one at close range. The iron points of the spears are cunningly fashioned to bend on penetration and be a hindrance even when they cause no wounds. Hastati themselves wear mail, a bronze helmet and carry a large shield.

Egyptian Skirmishers
These skirmishers are used to break up enemy units with a shower of javelins as the battle lines close in on each other. They cannot be expected to fight well in a melee.

They are similar to the peltasts used by other peoples: light infantry who carry javelins, swords and small shields. Strangely, Egyptian Skirmishers are often not 'Egyptians' at all. They are recruited from among immigrant foreigners, such as the bloodthirsty Thracians, who are even known to take heads of fallen enemies as trophies! The Egyptians guarantee the loyalty of these men by making them leave their families and belongings safely at home in Egypt.

Beyond a leather cap, they wear no armour. They are quick enough to stay out of trouble, but are, as is so often the case, vulnerable to cavalry when caught in open terrain. They are best used in broken or desert terrain to wear down enemies before the main battle is joined.

Egyptian Chariot Archers
Chariots Archers are tough marksmen with good morale, their skills honed by years of practice as tribal hunters and in the military. The Chariot itself is controlled by a driver, leaving the archer to concentrate on firing as many arrows as possible at the enemy from his composite bow, a weapon ideally suited to dry, desert conditions. Chariot Archers carry a large number of arrows with them in each chariot, and are adept at firing them while at the gallop. They do not wear armour and only carry a knife apart from their bows. They are superb for scouting in force, harrassing an approaching enemy, and wearing down large infantry formations. They are also best used in flat, open country such as the desert.

Eastern Horse Archers
The provinces of the East produce excellent Horse Archers. They are used to harrass enemy forces, using speed and agility to stay out of close combat whenever possible: Horse Archers rely on the theory that "speed is armour". Infantry have no hope of catching them, but other cavalry may be able to run them down. Wise eastern commanders know this, and deploy Horse Archers alongside other cavalry, creating an interesting tactical problem.

Horse Archers are armed with powerful composite bows, and it is their task to kill, wound, disrupt or simply reduce the morale of enemy infantry with endless showers of arrows. They are also masters of "the Parthian shot" tactic: a quick reverse shot "over the shoulder" while seemingly withdrawing from the action. If Horse Archers have a weakness it is that of all soldiers armed with composite bows: these weapons do not take well to damp or wet weather, as the glues used to construct them become weakened. While this is seldom a problem in the East, it can be in wetter climes.

Egyptian Archers
Archery has long been a prized skill in Egyptian armies. These men are well able to virtually destroy enemy units with arrows, using their speed over rough terrain to get them out of trouble. If attacked by cavalry they have to rely on other units for protection. They do not wear armour, go barefoot and carry a good quality composite bow, a weapon with an excellent range. Although such weapons tend to delaminate in damp conditions, this is rarely a problem in the deserts of Egypt! The arrows they fire are light reed shafts with bronze heads, as bronze is an easy metal to work in large quantities and reeds are plentiful along the Nile. Archers are sometimes recruited as mercenaries from Crete (from among pirates there) or Syria, but they do include native Egyptians in their ranks.

British Light Chariots
Light Chariots are very fast, very noisy and, when used in large numbers, can drive a frightened or shaken enemy from the field. They are pulled by small, swift ponies and combine the mobility of cavalry with the "staying power" of infantry. Each chariot carries two men: the unarmoured driver concentrates on keeping the vehicles under control, leaving the noble-born warriors to fight using the many javelins that are available on each chariot. Light Chariots are best used to scout ahead of an army as a "reconaissance in force" and to pursue a fleeing enemy. On occasion it may also be worth sacrificing them to break a previously unyielding enemy line.

Triarii (Pre-Marian Roman Legionary)
The Triarii are the last available line in early Republican Legions. If these troops are used in a fight, it's often a sign that the moment of decision in battle has arrived. Triarii are tough, experienced, heavy spearmen who make up the third and most senior part of a Legion. They are the oldest veteran soldiers, and the best equipped and armoured. Triarii normally march on the left of the Legions three marching columns and form the third (rear) line when the Legion forms up for battle. They carry a long "hoplite-style" spear called the hasta which is used to thrust, a long shield and a gladius. Triarii are the Legions final reserve and often spend most of a battle waiting at the rear. "Going to the Triarii" was a Roman saying indicating that something was carrying on to the bitter end.

Barbarian Archers
Barbarian Archer warbands are composed of fierce, lightly-equipped men who can strike quickly and use terrain to its best advantage. They usually carry a small bow - not the compound bow favoured by the more civilized peoples - and a good selection of hunting and war arrows, designed to cut arteries and pierce armour respectively. They also carry short swords, allowing them to fight hand-to-hand when they must, and they are not armoured, unless an individual has been lucky enough to strip a fallen enemy of gear after a fight. These archers are at their best in wooded country where their keen eye, loose formations and stealthy tactics give them the edge. They can also support charging infantry hordes by expertly unleashing a rain of arrows to dispirit a well-formed enemy line. However, any Archers caught in open ground by heavy troops or cavalry will be in trouble unless they can withdraw to more favourable ground or behind a wall of friendly spearmen. Archers should be used to break up enemy formations, so that heavier troops can do the real killing.

Dacian Falxmen
The falx is a deadly pole-arm in the hands of an expert. Falxmen should be used to carve a path into an enemy formation. Falxmen fight in loose units, as they need space to wield their weapons to full advantage, and do not bother with shields as the falx requires two hands to use properly. They usually fight bare-chested and wear baggy trousers, with only a skullcap for protection. They are best employed to cut a way into tightly packed enemy units, but can also give a good account of themselves against light cavalry thanks to the reach of the falx. The falx itself is a frightening weapon: a curved cutlass-like blade on the end of a long wooden (almost spear-like) handle. Unlike a cutlass, however, the falx is sharpened along the inner curve of the blade, so that the damage on the blow is done with a pulling motion. When used properly a falx can easily hack off a limb or decapitate an enemy, making anyone unlucky enough to face it unlucky indeed!

Agema Phalangites
The Agema are an elite amongst hoplites, a guard recruited from amongst seasoned veterans to protect the King's person on the battlefield. They are also deliberately prevented from gaining any provincial connections that might further the interests of rebellious nobles. They are fiercely loyal to the crown and have correspondingly high morale in the field - they will rarely run, even when all seems lost. They are also trained to route march for long distances with full equipment. Agema hoplites are equipped with good armour, greaves, helmets and traditional hoplon shields, and carry the 2.5m xyston thrusting spear and a sword. They are employed as shock troops, trained to carry out complex tactical actions, and can act as a phalanx as well as in more flexible formations. They need fear few other troops, but can be vulnerable to missile attacks and flanking attacks by cavalry unless properly supported by other friendly units.

Town Watch
The Town Watch are steadfast and trained volunteers who choose to defend their homes and lands on a part time basis and partly at their own expense. Originally drawn from among citizen farmers who had enough land to be able to afford military equipment, after Marius' reforms the Watch were recruited from retired legionaries who were granted land around colonia. They fight with spears and swords and can give a good account of themselves, but they are no substitute for full time, well trained and young legionaries.

Barbarian Cavalry
Barbarian Cavalry ride small, sturdy and sure-footed horses, and are lead by a wealthy clansman or minor noble. They are capable of darting in to an attack, throwing their javelins, hacking through an unwary, unformed enemy and then making their escape before the opposing troops can react. They carry a sword; a clutch of javelins, a very light shield and can ride swiftly and quietly through woods, scrub and over steep hills where other cavalry units would have diificulty. They are best used as scouts, to ambush or skirmish or to drive away enemy skirmishers. They have little experience of formally organised (or "civilized") cavalry warfare, and are unlikely to be very effective in a straight fight against regular cavalry or properly disciplined infantry.

Greek Archers
Occasionally referred to as toxophilites - are stealthy and skilful ambushers who can use their mobility to cross rough terrain where hoplites and other heavy infantry cannot follow them. They wear little armour, go barefoot and bareheaded, and use compound recurve bows and bronze-tipped arrows. They are used in loose formation to pepper enemies with arrows before the main battle, when they will be joined by hoplites and heavy infantry. They can also be positioned behind a line of spearmen to similarly bombard enemy units. They are vulnerable if left unprotected from enemy cavalry and light skirmishers, as they have little chance of lasting for long in hand-to-hand combat. Archers are used to break up enemy formations and inflict casualties before the main body of the army smashes into the enemy.

Roman Legionaries
Roman Legionaries are tough, well trained and highly effective infantry: the backbone of the Roman army after the Marian reforms. Six centuries form a cohort, which is approximately the same size as a modern infantry battalion. Legionaries fight using a combination of hand-hurled, armour-piercing pila (spears) released just before contact and the famed gladius (short sword) which is used as a stabbing weapon. They wear a good-quality helmets, chainmail armour and carry large shields. Legionaries are superb in close combat, but they can be slow over more difficult terrain, as their close-order formations, such as the testudo (or tortoise) require them to keep in step. Historically, the cohorts were raised after general Marius reformed the Roman army and did away with the land-owning hastati-principes-triarii legionaries and recruited men from the landless poor. Every man who retires from the Legion after 25 years service can expect enough land to give him an income in his old age.

Samnite Gladiators
Samnite gladiators are tough, vicious killers. No strangers to death, they know little fear and can usually carry all before them. They are armed with a sharp edged, thrusting sword, carry a square shield, and wear a greave (shin guard) on the left leg, chest mail and their distinctive masked helmet, a style based on the Samnite enemies of Rome. They are feared by many enemies, and by all but the most senior of their own side!

Comprising prisoners-of-war, slaves, criminals, desperate freemen and Romans eager for glory, fame or riches, they are fatalistic in the face of death and fear little after the rigours of gladiatorial schooling. Those who survive may, at last, be granted their freedom, although many remain to fight on as free men.

Spartan Hoplites
Spartans are trained from infancy to be nothing but soldiers. All Spartans are born into a heavily militarized society, and then have to survive what amounts to a culling of the weak when only babies. The survivors are trained from boyhood to do little except serve the state, even their training in music and dance has a military purpose, because it gives them a sense of rhythm when marching and obeying orders.

The results of this training process are 'perfect' hoplites, supremely disciplined, dedicated to victory and their fellow warriors, thinking nothing of death provided that victory is achieved. Their morale in battle is, as might be expected, superb.

The Spartan Hoplites great strength is to fight in tight formation. In a phalanx formation they are very good against other hoplites and infantry. Each man's shield firmly fixed on his left forearm protect his left side and his neighbours right. If surrounded Spartan hoplites will form large hollow impenetrable defensive squares. Spartan Hoplites prefer a slow, ordered advance, always ready to react to new orders from their commanders. If they have a weakness, it is that they are hide-bound traditionalists, and the once-mighty state of Sparta has not moved with the times.

Praetorian Cohort
The Praetorian Cohort are heavy infantry, hand picked from the bravest troops of the Legions. They are the only military units allowed to remain within the city of Rome. They are fierce soldiers, dedicated to their mission as an elite bodyguard for the mightiest of Romans. On campaign, they are equipped in the same fashion as the Legions, with legionary lorica segmenta armour, pila and gladius and these are of the finest quality. Historically, Scipio Africanus created the Praetorians from his most trusted troops, and exempted them from all duties except that of guarding his person. The Praetorians have better conditions than ordinary Legionaires, and need only complete 16 years under arms before retiring. Tribunes command the Praetorian Cohort and two Praetorian Prefects command the whole Corps. The Praetorians are the political elite of the Roman army, bodyguards to the powerful in Rome, but not always used to the rigours of campaigning.

Greek Peltasts
Peltasts are lightly equipped, fast moving skirmishers who wear down enemies with a hail of accurately thrown javelins. Their strength lies in their ability to move through broken or rough terrain, and stay away from threats. Once their javelins have been thrown they fight with spears, although they also carry straight swords and small shields (the "pelte" that gives them their name). As a result, they can fight quite effectively against other units of skirmishers but are vulnerable if caught in the open by light cavalry.

Woad Warriors
Woad Warriors are powerful and, quite frankly, scary British warriors. They disdain armour and most clothing, preferring to paint themselves with intricate and stylised magical designs in woad (a blue dye) to deflect enemy blows and missiles. The patterns created can be elaborate and almost inhuman, and distinctly unnerving for enemies unused to such barbarous practices. But the belief in their magic also armours them against fear, and makes them savage and dangerous fighters. Woad Warriors carry a long spear and a small shield and can move very quickly across even rough terrain. It is a foolish commander indeed who underestimates their terrifying effect in a battle.

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