Rome: Total War mod Europe Barbarorum Preview

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Ptolemaioi



Ptolemaic Egypt was a very different place than the land of the Pharaohs portrayed in vanilla RTW. Today you will get a glimpse of what the Ptolemaic military looks like in Europa Barbarorum. Please forgive the lack of attributions here; Spartan Warrior worked on a good number of thes, but this is a team effort. All of our artists are all very talented, and each artist will be properly recognized for contributions in our readme files. Also, please forgive both the unfinished look of some of the units, and the improper grammar present in some of the unit names (Greek) and descriptions (English) - these are all considered WIPs. Today the focus is on the faction.


Those unlucky enough to be extremely poor freedmen were pressed into service as Psiloi, the lowest class of Greek infantry. The Psiloi were divided into three parts, Javelineers, slingers, and archers. The javelin-armed Psiloi, the Akonistes, were a ragged bunch of peasants armed with javelins and small knives. Their function was simply to throw their missiles and run like hell! They were used for pre-battle skirmishing and for light missile fire. Never use Akontistes in melee except as diversionary fodder. They have their uses, as their javelins are still sharp and deadly, but they were often used only as light skirmishers or as a last resort in Hellenic armies for obvious reasons.

Historically, Akontistes did not play a particularly huge role on the battlefield. They had their uses, mainly for their ability to induce an enemy to attack prematurely. They are little more than an annoyance on the open field, but can be deadly if positioned in places where their javelins can be used for maximum effect.


The most basic and numerous of the infantry units used by the non-European Successor States were the Pantodapoi infantry. These men were called from a variety of nationalities and were usually settled in certain areas for garrison duties and the like. There were Jews, Syrians, Cilicians, Persians, Assyrians, Native Egyptians, and many other peoples counted among their number. They are not particularly reliable soldiers, but they are certainly better than their eastern counterparts. They can give a good account of themselves in battle if deployed properly. They wear no armor, and have only a light shield for protection, so most other infantry will slaughter them in droves. They can fend off light cavalry for a time, if need be.

Historically, the Pantodapoi were a group of various nationalities that were used as a militia levy and defensive group for towns and villages prone to raiding. While the name is conceptual (meaning, from everywhere), they were a standard fighting force of the day. They were trained rudimentarily, but had enough training to be counted as superior to many militia levies. They had some experience fighting off nomadic raiders, so they can be useful against light troops and some light cavalry.


The Machimoi are Egyptian natives who have been conscripted to fight in the traditional Macedonian fashion. They are armed with all the standard phalanx equipment including the sarissa, the Phrygian cap, and the small Illyrian shield. They wear quilted cloth armor due to the harsh Egyptian climate. They are reputable enough fighters, but have a history of rebellion, so they are far more expensive than most troops of the same caliber. This has to be dealt with though, since the Ptolemies simply do not have the numbers of Greeks to fill their armies with. Machimoi have decent morale and can be relied upon as capable troops. Their weaknesses are the same as any pike phalanx, in that they are immobile and prone to flank attacks and missile fire. If used accordingly, they will give good account of themselves.

Historically, the Machimoi were used with good effect at Raphia and other battles. Once they realized their own power, however, they soon began to revolt against their Greek and Macedonian rulers. The Ptolemaic line looked for different racial groups to settle in Egypt to counter this disparity, and ended up importing large amounts of Jews and Galatians to fill the ranks. Still the Machimoi were used as a necessity, and often gave a good account of themselves.


Pezhetairoi are the bread and butter military unit of the Successor States. They are well disciplined and highly motivated pikemen that are armed and armored to the teeth. They are armored in a linen cuirass, a Thracian cap, a bronze greave on the right leg, stout boots, good bracers, and reinforced shoulder pads made from hardened linen (due to their experience with the deadly curved swords of Thrace). They have Illyrian style round shields attached to their bodies by leather straps that help support the weight of the shield and keep their hand free to grasp the sarissa. They are defensive infantry par excellent. They are the anvil of the two part Macedonian system of warfare, the heavy cavalry being the hammer. They should be used to anchor enemy soldiers while the Thureophoroi harass the flanks and the heavy cavalry smashes into the flanks and rear.

Historically, the Pezhetairoi are the classic Alexandrian phalanx. They were used to great effect against the Persians, Medes, Bactrians, Indians, Phoenicians, and many, many others. They are an effective force and have not changed much over the centuries. The Romans were able to defeat them as easily as they did for two main reasons. One, the Roman army was at a high state of readiness and tactical prowess after defeating the Carthaginians. Two, the heavy cavalry arm of the Successor armies had degenerated to the point where they were no longer able to field significant numbers to fulfill their part of the hammer and anvil tactic of Alexander. There were many small reasons, numbering among them the misuse of the Thureophoroi, the underuse of Peltasts, and the lax state of warfare that the Successor states were used to. In any case, the phalanx was not as anachronistic or inflexible as widely believed; it was simply used in the wrong way. In the thirteenth century onwards, pikemen in similar formations were able to work wonders with more capable generals and a better cavalry arm. Do not under appreciate pikemen, for they are still a war winning force.


The Ethiopian mercenaries hired by the Ptolemies were fierce soldiers and often fought with the heaviest of the infantry. They wielded large double bladed axes and fought as a powerful shock infantry. They would wear a mail vest and leather greaves in addition to a long tunic. Fighting without helmets, abandon, or shields, these men would crash into an enemy line with fury, using their large stature and raw power to push through enemies like a hot knife through butter. They fight as a heavy shock infantry, and are fairly defensive troops as well due to their sheer ferocity.

Historically, the use of Ethiopian troops that fought in this manner continued through much of the middle ages. There is little textual evidence for their involvement in Ptolemaic armies, though the amount of period art material depicting them fighting with the armies of the Ptolemies is simply staggering. They were most probably used in place of Nubians because of the latter�s tendency to take part in revolts of native Egyptians, since they shared a common culture. The Ethiopians shared no common culture with the Egyptians, and since they already disliked their Nubian neighbors, had common cause with the other foreign soldiers in the Ptolemaic armies (Galatians and Jews) to fight for the king.


The most numerous of the Kleruchoi were the pikemen, who were often of very high quality. They carry standard equipment for pikemen, much the same as the Pezhetairoi, but are often of higher quality. The Kleruchoi are able, due to their status as lords of small estates, to devote a considerable amount of time to military training. They are best used like their Argyraspidai counterparts, to hold the most crucial portion of a line. They are great phalanx infantry, well able to hold against most opponents. If they have a weakness, it is the classic weakness of pikemen: flanking attacks.

Historically, the Kleruchoi Agemata formed the nucleus, together with the Galatians, of any Ptolemaic army. Since they had peasants to work their estates, unlike the Pezhetairoi, they could assemble at any time during they year and not have to worry about the management of their estate (due to compensations from the rich Ptolemaic government). They were almost always held in somewhat of a reserve, because the Ptolemaic kings did not want them to be badly mauled in any battle. This was due to the ever-present danger of native revolts within Egypt itself. They were dissolved during the Roman occupation, but many joined new legions being raised in Egypt.


The Ptolemies had a problem with their elite infantry from the get go. Namely, they didn�t have any, since the Seleucids and Macedonians took what remained of Alexander�s Hypaspistai. Therefore, they had to build a unit of royal heavy infantry to compete with their rivals. Many things were tried, but ultimately the result was the Basilikon Agemata, the Royal Guards. They are armed with hoplite spears and thureos shields and armored in mail, making them more mobile but less well armored than other heavy infantry. They also carry a short sword that was used rather like the Romans used theirs. This led to the misidentification of these troops by Latin authors as a sort of imitation legion. The Basilikon Agemata is full of good troops, mostly Greeks and Macedonians with a few Galatians and Cretans. They are an elite infantry, well able to fight in a phalanx and to break the formation and fight with their blades. They are extremely versatile and can be used to good effect by a capable commander.

Historically, the Basilikon Agemata was the elite guard of the Ptolemaic king. They went everywhere with their king, and were instrumental in putting down several native revolts along with the Galatians. They outfought the natives with creative tactics that worked well against other successor pikemen as well. Most of the unit was not present at Raphia, but was used to good effect against the Seleucids on other occasions.


Machimoi cavalry are the third and best unit that is conscripted in times of need by the Ptolemies. They are formed from the native nobility, many of whom have intermarried with their Macedonian overlords and are thus more loyal than the other natives. Still, they are often present in native revolts, due to the fact that they can often lead these revolts. They fight in a manner consistent with other medium cavalry, but are more lightly armored and consequently faster. They are armed with javelins as a secondary arm, and usually throw these before their charge. They can be great and versatile cavalry if used correctly.

Historically, the lower native nobility of Egypt formed these cavalry regiments for the Ptolemies. They were used to good effect at Raphia and other battles, but often proved to be a thorn in the side of Ptolemaic kings. They made excellent raiders and good �jack of all trades� cavalry, which made them just as useful under the command of a native who was trying to restore Egypt to Egyptian rulers�


The Fayuum and other places also made excellent spots for a heavy cavalry reserve to be put down. With a system of land grants and promises, the Ptolemies were able to lure many Greeks and Macedonians to settle in Egypt and produce a reliable heavy cavalry. They are armed with a xyston, a kopis, and a small round shield that gave a bit of protection but allowed them to use their lance with both hands. They can be counted upon to give a good account of themselves in battle, due to the fact that they are well trained, almost feudalistic, cavalry.

Historically, the Ptolemaic heavy cavalry was very good, well able to deal with the Seleucids and other threats. They were able to check the more numerous Seleucid cavalry at Raphia, making sure their vulnerable phalanx was not outflanked. They were in existence up until the end of the Ptolemaic kingdom and many were hired by the Romans to provide a heavy cavalry capable of fighting in the east after the absorption of Egypt into the Roman Empire.


The Hetairoi, or Companions, were the elite noble heavy cavalry of Macedon and the Successor states. They are an elite heavy cavalry that is second to none and arguably the best cavalry of the period. They fight with a degree of �lan, discipline, and simple ferociousness that is matched only by the horsemen of Iberia, Carthage, and the best heavy cavalry of some of the eastern nomadic peoples. They are armored from head to toe in iron plate (some still had bronze, but this was falling out of favor rapidly by 250 B.C.), reinforced with mail at key points. Their horses are barded with felt barding and often have bronze plates to protect their heads. Their helmets, with the two plumes, mark them on a battlefield. They are best used as heavy shock cavalry, able to decide many battles with a single charge. They are the second part of the hammer and anvil of Alexandrian battle tactics. They are armed with a xyston and a kopis, and are well able to use both weapons. If these men have any weakness, it is the front of a line of spearmen. Horses simply do not like charging into a row of men armed with big pointy sticks. They are still able to give a decisive blow to the flank and rear of any infantry.

Historically, the Hetairoi were first created by Philip, following the lead of the cavalrymen of Thessaly, to the south. Philip went one better, armoring them to the teeth and giving them a Xyston, a twelve foot long lance tipped with a large steel head. They were armored head to toe in bronze plate, from helms to cuirass to bracers to greaves. Alexander often replaced this armor with lighter linen when they were traveling, but was quick to replace the bronze in any hard fought engagement. Alexander added little to their equipment but trained them to ride their horses in such a way that each man was an expert horsemen as well as a shock cavalryman. The successors kept this mold, but added mail reinforcement to the bronze armor at the joints before replacing it with iron and added felt and lamellar barding to the horses after encountering horse peoples that did the same. During the third century their usage declined with the successor�s ability to pay for such heavily armored men. They degenerated to such a point where only a handful were present at major battles, and were far from the war winning force that they had been earlier. Perhaps with a bit of luck and more funding, a commander could use them in their true glory once more�

Some units in action:








Some surprises may be found in Ptolemaic territory:

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Tsorim (Carthage)

 

This week we are proud to present Tsorim: The people of Kart-Hadasht.

Some units in action:











(Unit camera shy!)
The Phoenician citizens of Carthage decided long ago that they were too few in number to make up a major part of the regular army of the city. Their wealth made it possible for them to hire vast amounts of mercenaries to fight for them. Because of this, most Carthaginian citizens only fight when there is a need for the defense of Carthage itself. When they do fight, they fight as a particularly well armored militia phalanx. They wear linen armor and attic style helmets, copied from the Greeks of Sicily. The Carthaginian citizens favor the light and handy ovular thureos shield instead of the large bronze hoplon. Still, they are militia, and should not be expected to hold crucial portions of the battle line for any significant amount of time. They are brave, but it is a bravery borne of desperation. They will not hold long if flanked or if hit with a better Phalanx.

Historically, a Carthaginian citizen phalanx was of poor quality. They lived pampered lifestyles in comparison to citizens of other nations, and their abilities reflect this. Carthage did not use citizens outside of elite military units unless there was a dire need to do so. They were used during the Roman invasion in the first Punic War and at the battle of Zama to little effect. Citizens who wished a martial career could join the cavalry or the Sacred Bands. There was little incentive for merchants to fight wars�


The Iberians are famous the world over for their extremely versatile and excellent quality light infantry. Both the native Iberian chieftains and the Carthaginians take advantage of these falcata and buckler (caetra) armed men. They carry excellent quality swords and are armored with good bronze helmets and a bronze breastplate. These men are a step above normal light infantry, and they can be relied upon to defeat far more heavily armored opponents in battle. They are vulnerable in the extreme to cavalry though, due to their lack of armor and anti-cavalry weapons.


Historically, Iberian Caetratii were among the most feared opponents of the Romans. With their martial art of sword and buckler fighting they were excellent in single combat and were often able to ambush and kill Roman soldiers in this manner. In unit combat, they were almost as fierce, easily equaling the Roman Hastati. They were generally drawn from the poorer classes, since those who had more money would become Scutarii. Hannibal lavished upon his Caetratii, and many of them wore white linen tunics with a crimson border, whereas the poorer Iberian Caetratii wore off-white wool tunics.


Iberian Scutarii are the rank and file heavy infantry of both Carthage and the Iberian tribes. They are armed with spears and two solifera. They wear good quality leather armor with a bronze disc (in the Gallic style) protecting their chest. The Scutarii carry an ovular shield, showing obvious Celtic influence. They also have good quality bronze helmets that protect them from the rigors of battle. When all this equipment is put together you are left with an extremely versatile and quick heavy infantry. The Scutarii fight in a densely packed formation, much like the Romans they most often fight. The Scutarii have the advantage of speed over their Roman enemy, an advantage that they exploit in the sort of hit and run warfare that characterizes the combat in the hills of the Iberian Peninsula. The only real difference between those in Carthaginian service and those in Iberian service is that Carthaginian commanders issue white tunics with crimson borders to differentiate them and make them appear uniform with the rest of a Carthaginian army.

Historically, the Scutarii were present at many major battles throughout the Punic wars and the guerilla campaigns in Iberia after the Carthaginian presence there was extinguished. They gave a good account of themselves and were much feared by their Roman enemy. The Romans incorporated the design of the javelins they used into their own pilum.



Due to the practical unwillingness of its citizen body to fight, the Carthaginians have trained and equipped these Libyan peasants to fight as reliable spearmen. In the early part of the third century, they were re-equipped to fight in the same manner as Greek Thureophoroi. They are armored with good linen, Thracian style helmets, and do not tire easily. They have sturdy spears and good javelins, but lack the �lan and professionalism of the Greek Thureophoroi. Battle tested Libyans can prove themselves against the deadliest of foes, however. For all this, they are not a good match for heavier infantry or good heavy cavalry. They can be relied upon as good medium infantry, able to skirmish and fight with their spears to good effect.

Historically, Libyan spearmen were recruited by the Carthaginians in large numbers. They came from both client kingdoms under the proverbial Carthaginian thumb and the Libyan peasantry that worked Carthage�s fields. They were not particularly prone to rebellion and civil strife, but there are notable exceptions (after the first Punic War, for example). Carthage relied upon these men quite extensively, and they usually formed the backbone of the infantry when Carthage conducted campaigns in Africa.


The Liby-Phoenicians are a result of a mixing of Phoenician and Libyan races, and are the product of many a Phoenician lord �dallying� with his peasants and slaves. There were a huge number of these half-breed men, so the Carthaginians used them in the army. They were armed and armored much the same as their Greek enemies on Sicily. They were armored in a linen cuirass, Thracian helmets, and bronze greaves. They have the traditional round shield of the Greek hoplite, but use longer spears with the underhand thrust, much like the reformed hoplites of the Greek mainland. They are a quality phalanx, able to stand up to both Romans and their Greek counterparts. They lack the heavy armor necessary to provide a huge amount of staying power on the battlefield against heavier infantry, however. This is a problem that led to the adoption of mail armor later.

Historically, the Liby-Phoenicians were present at every major battle of the Carthaginian wars. They gave good accounts of themselves against Romans, Libyans, Italians, Greeks, and Iberians. They were and are great phalanx spearmen, well able to stand up to most other regular infantry. They were later armored with captured or copied Roman style armor.


The Liby-Phoenicians are a result of a mixing of Phoenician and Libyan races, and are the product of many a Phoenician lord �dallying� with his peasants and slaves. There were a huge number of these half-breed men, so the Carthaginians used them in the army. They were armed and armored much the same as their Greek enemies on Sicily. They were armored in a mail shirt, Thracian helmets, and bronze greaves. They have the traditional round shield of the Greek hoplite, but use longer spears with the underhand thrust, much like the reformed hoplites of the Greek mainland. They are a quality phalanx, able to stand up to both Romans and their Greek counterparts. These Liby-Phoenicians have been re-armed with mail shirts, allowing them to take a role as a heavy phalanx infantry. Additionally, their training has improved due to Greek advisors and better Phoenician commanders, so they are well able to double as sword-armed close combat infantry as well.

Historically, the Liby-Phoenicians were present at every major battle of the Carthaginian wars. They gave good accounts of themselves against Romans, Libyans, Italians, Greeks, and Iberians. They were and are great phalanx spearmen, well able to stand up to most other regular infantry. They were later armored with captured or copied Roman style armor.


The elite African Infantry represent both an adaptation to Roman tactics, and a force of extremely well trained and motivated soldiers whose purpose is to fight as a tough and seasoned heavy infantry. They wield good Iberian short swords, carry Iberian Scuta, and wear Roman mail armor with greaves and bracers. They fight much like Roman legionaries, but with a level of �lan and discipline rarely seen in any army. They�re made up of tough Liby-Phoenicians or poor Carthaginian citizens who made a career for themselves in the Army. They�re extremely loyal and simply vicious in attack or defense. They are also experts at ambushing enemy soldiers. These men are at the top of their class, and can be relied upon in any situation. If they have one weakness it is the same as the Roman soldiers they most often fight, heavy cavalry.

Historically, these men were used to great effect in the momentous battle of Cannae. They surrounded and slaughtered the Roman soldiers in what is today recognized as the classic double envelopment. Without the tremendous skill and �lan that these men were possessed of, it would simply have been impossible. Their heavy handed guerilla tactics proved to be a constant thorn in the Roman side. They were deserving of the moniker that Livy gave them: �The flower of the Carthaginian army�.


The Elite African Pikemen are two things: an elite infantry of picked men and a reply to the Successor's tactics. Although recruited from the Carthaginian population to be part of their infantry, these men are the ones that distiguished themselves in battle in many occasions. As very experienced and prized veterans, they are supported by the state, and as such, have extremely good equipment. Like most of the Successor's battle line, they fight as Macedonian-style phalangites weilding the long sarissae. They are a nearly impervious wall from the front, and, although like any phalangite unit, vulnerable from the sides or back, can hold their own in closer combat due to their proficiency with swords. Even the heaviest cavalry is no match for the Elite African Pikeman as long as they�re presenting their spears in the direction of their attacker. Only a flanking maneuver by heavy cavalry or heavy infantry has a chance of breaking them in a melee.

Historically, together with the famed Elite African Infantry, these men were used to great effect in many important battles. Their imperviousness, esprit de corps and �lan secured many times the Carthaginian line. Their rareness did not allow them to distinguish themselves in more situations against the Roman opponent. Had they been trained in greater quantities and used in a more frequent and supported role, history would, perhaps, say otherwise. In any event, they were deserving of the moniker that Livy gave to their bretheren: �The flower of the Carthaginian army�.


Carthaginian citizens have a tradition of fine cavalry from the lower nobility, and these men are the embodiment of that tradition. They are good horsemen with good equipment, enough to put them on a par with most other medium cavalry. They are armed with a lance (a Greek xyston), which makes their charge deadly in the extreme. They are disciplined and have high morale, for they are fighting for their homeland. For all this, they cannot stand up against heavier cavalry or good spearmen for very long, due to their lack of a shield and their light linen armor. They are best used as a medium shock cavalry, and since their fast horses are crossbreeds of Iberian and Numidian breeds, they are able to run down most fleeing soldiers.

Historically, these men were of great use in the Mammertine War that followed the first Punic War. They were able to hold the flanks at tremendous odds. They were a well trained group of lancers who formed a reliable medium cavalry for the Carthaginian State.


The Sacred Band are an elite infantry of a different kind than the Elite Africans. Trained from a young age to be tough phalanx spearmen, these men are from wealthy Carthaginian families, and as such have extremely good equipment. They are trained from birth to be great warriors and they are able to afford high quality armor and weapons. They fight as a traditional Phalanx organized in the Spartan style. They are a nearly impervious wall from the front and are extremely hard to flank due to the fact that they are as proficient with their swords as with their spears. Even the heaviest cavalry is no match for the Sacred Band as long as they�re presenting their spears in the direction of their attacker. Only a flanking maneuver by heavy cavalry or heavy infantry has a chance of breaking them in a melee. They are good with their swords as well, often able to provide an elite assault infantry when required. They�re really too heavy for the role, but can excel as a shock infantry when needed.

The Sacred Band was a group of soldiers that were dedicated to Baal, the great father God of the Phoenician/Canaanite pantheon. They were all members of the nobility, and were called upon to fight their country�s wars as an elite unit that formed the right wing of the phalanx. They were all slaughtered in Sicily by the armies of Syracuse in the fifth century BC, but many records speak of an elite unit that fought on the right wing of the Phalanx long after their demise. Perhaps the Carthaginians simply did not wish to tempt fate with a name like the Sacred Band again�


The Sacred Band Cavalry are trained from birth to be a superb heavy cavalry force. Their superbly bred Iberian horses are barded with fine lacquered lamellar and are trained by the finest Iberian horse trainers. The men themselves are picked at birth from noble families to serve the priesthood of Astarte and are trained from the outset as horsemen. Their training and discipline is such that they can be included among the world�s finest heavy cavalry. Armed with finely forged lances and falcate swords they are nearly irresistible in the charge and versatile in melee, though not so versatile as the heavy Iberian cavalry. They usually do not use the shield in mounted combat, preferring to sling it over the shoulder and use both hands to manipulate their fearsome lance. Their lack of a shield is made up for by their superb training and fine lacquered steel breastplates, bracers and greaves. They fight with a level of �lan and ferocity that is seldom matched, if ever.

Historically, these men served in small units during every one of Carthage�s major campaigns. They were kept out of the battle of Zama due to the machinations of the anti-Barcid party in the Senate. Had the thousand strong Sacred Band been present, the battle might have turned out very different�


Some surprises may be found in Carthaginian territory:

 Arche Seleukeia

Alexandros knew. The key to his empire lay in Babylonia, not in Makedonia. After his death, Seleukos, another Makedonian, fought to regain Babylon for himself, and in 312 the city welcomed him with open arms and great joy. He repaid that generosity, retaking Susiana and then Media, pushing the limits of his new empire back to the Indos and then west to Syria, claiming much of Anatolia as his own. As a great old king he passed the throne to his son Antiochos seven years ago. Now the new king, of Makedonian and Persian blood, and master of an empire that stretches from the shores of the Aigaion to the borders of the Indos itself, must struggle to hold together his father's glorious gains. The wisdom of Achaemenid advisors, and now ancestors, will continue to guide this young empire and her army, but one thing must be remembered: Babylonia is still the key, even now, to the greatest empire in the world.

Alexandros' vision of a strong infantry combined with a Persian willingness to use local soldiers and their own styles of warfare have given the great king a powerful army for his empire. Persian light infantry and men from across the empire fighting in the Makedonian phalanx will be your basic footsoldiers. Greeks who have settled in Syria will form the bulwark of your regular troops and the best of their number, trained at the highest levels, are equipped for use as Argyraspidai, the famed "silver shields" and the legendary Hypaspistai. With the strong and fast Thureophoroi and their heavily armored cousins, the Thorakitai, few armies in the world can match your forces. Recruit skirmishers from across your empire and combine them with your cavalry forces, which include Median armored Lonchophoroi and Greek cavalry armored in the manner of the Kataphraktoi, to complete your mighty forces.

A great king must not allow his provinces to rebel, as petty princes are attempting to do in the "kingdoms" of Pontos, Baktria, and Armenia. Such is the burden of ruling a vast empire and you will not have the luxury of dealing with your enemies one at a time. Crucial decisions must be made in dealing with these rebellious princes; will you allow them begin their own empires, perhaps lessening your greatness, or will you risk your armies in an attempt to bring them to heel. The Ptolemaioi to the south were once allies to your father, but they now see their best hopes of expansion coming at your expense. They will send countless soldiers across the desert into the middle of your realm; if you are to preserve your Empire, they must be turned back, especially in southern Anatolia. Expand where you are able; some nearby cities are prime targets, isolated as they are from allies. Also, it would be unwise to take lightly the beating of hooves from the north. Our heavy cavalry have a difficult time standing against the great hordes of Armenian, Sarmatian, and especially Parni horsemen, and letting too many fall defending the northern borders will leave the Empire�s heartland exposed to attack from the treacherous Ptolemaioi. But take heart, great king! The blood of Alexandros and the Achaemenid rulers of the past will aid your throne, which is the greatest in the known world! Take heart, and prosper!

It may be in your best interest (if you wish) to reflect upon the history of your new empire. Great Seleukos built up his base of power among the elites and non-Greeks of Babylon in the years after the death of Alexandros in 323. The prize for his role in the murder of the regent Perdikkas two years later was the satrapy of Babylonia. He earned the favor of its citizens, and though he was forced out by Antigonos in 315, Antigonos and his violent behavior towards Babylon resulted in the reclaimation of the city by Seleukos in 312 with just a handful of soldiers. But Antigonos was not directly opposed in his actions against Seleukos, and it was left to Seleukos to contend with him directly in 'Asia' for a number of years without intervention of the other states. Seleukos' role in these years seems to have been focused on developing his possessions in Central Asia, further expanding his network of allies and base of power. While in the Upper Satrapies of Central Asia, he saw much potential for growth and expansion and he later put this experience to good use. But a final battle with Antigonos was sure to occur, however slow it was in developing.

In 301, after the Battle of Ipsos, when Kassandros, Lysimachos, and Seleukos defeated Antigonos and Demetrios, Seleukos finally was rid of the enemy that had plagued him for so many years. Antigonos, an octogenarian at the time, fell on the battlefield, while Demetrios escaped with a small portion of the army. Seleukos received Koile-Syria and Phoinikia, but as soon as he arrived there, Ptolemaios claimed the area as his own, and Seleukos agreed to not contest the claim "because of their friendship." Seleukos spent the time after Ipsos consolidating his eastern possessions and sending out numerous colonies across his domain. He capture Demetrios in 286 whereupon the latter was slain, and then he took advantage of uncertainties in Anatolia. He invaded western Asia Minor and defeated and killed Lysimachos in 281 at the Battle of Koroupedion near Sardis. Before the battle, Selelukos had already appointed his successor, and now the torch has been passed. The Seleukid dream of capturing Makedon itself was not to be fulfilled just yet though, as Seleukos was slain by a dispossessed heir of Ptolemaios who had sought the aid of Seleukos, but now it does lie within your grasp if you choose to direct your interests toward the west. Your father's legacy was considered the greatest of his age, and it is up to you to match his success.

"In my view, it is beyond dispute that Seleukos was the greatest king of those who succeeded Alexandros, of the most royal mind, and ruling over the greatest extent of territory, next to Alexandros himself." (Arrian, Anabasis VII.22,5)

Here we have a few action shots:





Some of the units you will find in the Seleukid armies:


The most basic and numerous of the infantry units used by the non-European Successor States were the Pantodapoi infantry. These men were called from a variety of nationalities and were usually settled in certain areas for garrison duties and the like. There were Jews, Syrians, Cilicians, Persians, Assyrians, Native Egyptians, and many other peoples counted among their number. They are not particularly reliable soldiers, but they are certainly better than their eastern counterparts. They can give a good account of themselves in battle if deployed properly. They wear no armor, and have only a light shield for protection, so most other infantry will slaughter them in droves. They can fend off light cavalry for a time, if need be.

Historically, the Pantodapoi were a group of various nationalities that were used as a militia levy and defensive group for towns and villages prone to raiding. While the name is conceptual (meaning, from everywhere), they were a standard fighting force of the day. They were trained rudimentarily, but had enough training to be counted as superior to many militia levies. They had some experience fighting off nomadic raiders, so they can be useful against light troops and some light cavalry.


Pantodapoi Phalangitai are the standard levy of the Seleucid Kingdom and others influenced by the Successors, including Pontus. They are tough and reliable infantry, but are prone to rebellion and discontent and are hence more expensive than their Macedonian contemporaries. They are mostly levies of Jewish, Syrian, and Persian descent that are co-opted into the army. They fight as pikemen, with a soft leather cuirass, pikes, round Illyrian style shields and Phrygian caps. This makes them a viable pike unit, though they are less disciplined and more prone to flee than more reliable Greeks and Macedonians that make up the Pezhetairoi. They can be counted upon to present a solid wall of spear points to the enemy, but their lack of discipline and intensive training makes them even more prone to a flanking attack.

Historically, the Seleucids and others used pike levies from their various subject peoples to make up parts of the battle line that were facing the enemy�s least valuable troops. They gave decent accounts of themselves at many battles, but were the first line to break in the disasters at Raphia against the Ptolemies and in Macedonia against the Romans. They made up more and more of the Seleucid battle line as time went on, due to the dwindling number of Greek recruits that the army could draw upon for the pike units (most went to the more elite units), and more and more Asiatic peoples were put into the Pezhetairoi class and given land grants, to make up the loss. Still, these more unreliable formations were still used in many places.


The peltast is a type of elite skirmisher that sacrifices heavy arms and armor for mobility and range. They are armored in linen and carry a medium sized ovular shield. Originally, they carried a crescent shaped �pelta� that gave them their name, but this was phased out in the fourth century. Their armaments consist of several javelins and a sword. All this makes them light and mobile, but still easily able to engage in melee after their javelins have been thrown. They are a versatile unit but one must remember that their primary arms are javelins, and they are not equipped to stand toe to toe with heavier infantry. Their role is one of speed, harassment, and critical flanking maneuvers.

Historically, the Peltast was often a hoplite or Pezhetairoi phalangite equipped to fight in the manner of a skirmisher. This meant that they were extremely adept melee combatants as well as being deadly with their javelins. Peltasts were used to great effect on ancient battlefields but by 270 B.C. the Thureophoroi was becoming the dominant �melee� skirmisher and the Peltast was carrying more javelins and was used in a manner that was consistent with this. This was simply a matter of specialization, and it did not mean that peltasts would be any less effective if deployed correctly. Their light armament makes them extremely fast, but tends to be to their detriment in melee combat. They were mostly used in the role of supporting missile troops who charged in at the last moment, after they had spent all their javelins. The great Athenian general Iphikrates is credited with the invention of the peltast as a distinct unit, and it is he that first employed them in this manner to great effect against the heavier armored and better trained hoplites of Sparta.


Pezhetairoi are the bread and butter military unit of the Successor States. They are well disciplined and highly motivated pikemen that are armed and armored to the teeth. They are armored in a linen cuirass, a Thracian cap, a bronze greave on the right leg, stout boots, good bracers, and reinforced shoulder pads made from hardened linen (due to their experience with the deadly curved swords of Thrace). They have Illyrian style round shields attached to their bodies by leather straps that help support the weight of the shield and keep their hand free to grasp the sarissa. They are defensive infantry par excellent. They are the anvil of the two part Macedonian system of warfare, the heavy cavalry being the hammer. They should be used to anchor enemy soldiers while the Theurophoroi harass the flanks and the heavy cavalry smashes into the flanks and rear.

Historically, the Pezhetairoi are the classic Alexandrian phalanx. They were used to great effect against the Persians, Medes, Bactrians, Indians, Phoenicians, and many, many others. They are an effective force and have not changed much over the centuries. The Romans were able to defeat them as easily as they did for two main reasons. One, the Roman army was at a high state of readiness and tactical prowess after defeating the Carthaginians. Two, the heavy cavalry arm of the Successor armies had degenerated to the point where they were no longer able to field significant numbers to fulfill their part of the hammer and anvil tactic of Alexander. There were many small reasons, numbering among them the misuse of the Theurophoroi, the underuse of Peltasts, and the lax state of warfare that the Successor states were used to. In any case, the phalanx was not as anachronistic or inflexible as widely believed; it was simply used in the wrong way. In the thirteenth century onwards, pikemen in similar formations were able to work wonders with more capable generals and a better cavalry arm. Do not under appreciate pikemen, for they are still a war winning force.


The Seleucids took to the thureophoroi and went one better, armoring their improved unit to the teeth and giving him a longer spear with a wider blade. These men are exceedingly well trained and often can make the difference in any battle simply by making their fearsome appearance known. They carry theuros shields with silver medusa heads emblazoned on the front and wear helmets that are strengthened with mail �veils� further making their appearance fearsome. As if this was not enough, they carry heavy javelins to break enemy lines and long spears to drive the charge home when they are finished with their javelin throwing. They fight in an organized formation, but not in a phalanx, and are thus more mobile than the Phalanx. They are the best and fittest men within the Hypastistai and are often able to break an enemy line. They have no real weakness in battle, but are extremely expensive to maintain, so their numbers are always few and far between. They should be used as an elite shock infantry, because this is the role for which they were made. They should be well supported, because if these hardy and grizzled veterans rout, it could induce the rest of the army to do so as well!

Historically, the Seleucid Thorakitai Argyraspidai were a small elite unit of the Hypastists that were the leaders of an infantry charge. Their heavy armor was elaborate and expensive, making their numbers never more than one thousand (among six thousand Hypastistai). They were used during many battles, but were notoriously absent from Raphia due to their being refitted after a battle with rebels supported by the Parthians. They slowly dwindled in number as the kingdom�s finances did the same. They were no longer a factor when the Seleucid king fought the Romans in Macedonia, a battle at which they would have been sorely appreciated. If a capable ruler were to take the Seleucid throne and carefully manage the kingdom�s finances, perhaps he could utilize these fine soldiers far longer than happened historically.


Hypastistai are the elite spearmen of the Macedonian and Seleucid armies. They are armed and armored much as traditional hoplites, but with a few notable differences. Their secondary arm is a Celtic style longsword, adopted from the Galatians. They are armed with the traditional hoplite shield, and are armored with a metal cuirass. They are versatile and elite soldiers, often forming the right wing of the Hellenic battle line. Their heavy armor and weapons allows them to fight as elite spearmen or swordsmen, and they are able to fight the hardiest opponents. They should be deployed where the fighting will be at its absolute thickest, as they are able to charge in for a kill once the enemy has exhausted himself on their spear points!

Historically, the Hypastistai were the elite foot guard of the Macedonian king, armed much like fifth century hoplites. Alexander changed their armor and weapons to allow them to fight in the deserts of the Middle East. When Alexander was killed and the Seleucids and Macedonians inherited the elite forces, they mostly wiped one another out in internecine squabbling. Still, the tradition was there, and it was re-adopted by the successor armies in Macedon and Syria. Their equipment went through a further revolution, re-adopting heavier armor. They now wore the less expensive and easier to produce (in relation to bronze plate) scale or mail armor that only provided a slightly smaller degree of protection. They were last used operationally during the time of Philip V, due to the expense of keeping such a unit around. The Romans never got to feel the bite of the most powerful of the Successor infantry�


In the Seleucid and baktrian armies, these medium cavalrymen are very prevalent. Descended from the lesser Persian nobility they now render good service to their new masters. They are excellent medium cavalry, capable of skirmishing, charging, and fighting fairly well in melee. These cavalry are raised from the old Persian estates that had not seized by the Macedonian invaders. They are equipped with a cavalry spear and the single bladed Tabar axe with a vicious back-spike, well capable of penetrating heavy armour. The battle-axe was often used, especially by North Iranians. The spear was usually used overarm as a thrusting weapon. The shield used by these horsemen was the crescent shaped Scythian Taka shield. A conical persian helmet of iron is worn with brightly coloured helmet plume. Their armour is a scale cuirass with scaled shoulder guards and stiffened leather pteruges hanging from the waist. Loose richly embroidered trousers and a long sleeved tunic extending down to just above the knees, is secured by a leather belt. The horse has a stuffed Persian saddle and thick, bright coloured saddle cloth. The tails were tied up to prevent it being grabbed by the enemy. The forelock was left long and tired with ribbon to form a plume above the head.

Historically; The Macedonians came to Persia as invaders, sharing neither a common culture nor a common enemy. These lesser nobles are quick to make cause with any rebel, and the Greek upper class know this well. The Seleucids, and Baktrians intent on Hellenizing Iran, cannot rely on these men who are descended from a proud tradition, the Huvaka, Kinsmen cavalry who had faced Alexander the Great during late imperial times. It is for this reason that the Greeks often preferred to rely on mercenaries and Greek settlers, but these men are still able to be used in some roles and are conscripted in times of need. Some of these minor noble houses have intermarried with their Macedonian overlords and are thus somewhat more loyal than their neighbours might be. Still, they are often present in native revolts, due to the fact that they can often lead these revolts and have fewer opportunities due to their Iranian blood.


After suffering heavy losses to the Parthian and Armenian Cataphracts, the Seleucid and Bactrian empires produced their own versions of these heavy horsemen, both adapting the unit to Greek technology and using superior metalwork to make them even more heavily armored. They are armored in an expensive combination of lamellar armor and chain, with heavy felt sandwiched in the middle. The resulting armor is tough and flexible, but offers outstanding protection. They are to be used as heavy shock cavalry, and have staying power in melee because of the sheer weight of their armor. They are slightly heavier than their Parthian counterparts, but lack the deadly maces that the Parthians carry and also the �lan of their elite Parthian counterparts. Their horses are more heavily armored than those of the Hetairoi, but they lack the characteristic fierceness and discipline of the elite successor cavalry.

Historically, Hellenistic Kataphraktoi were at least as good as their Parthian enemy, but most Seleucid commanders did not quite understand how to use this cavalry. They won great victories over the Parthians when supporting the heavier and more elite Hetairoi, compelling the Parthians to settle for a peace treaty and suzerainty over some of the Seleucid eastern possessions. They passed into history when most of the unit was bribed by Pompey during his conquest of the east. They formed the basis for the Roman cataphracts of later ages.


the Hetairoi, or Companions, were the elite noble heavy cavalry of Macedon and the Successor states. They are an elite heavy cavalry that is second to none and arguably the best cavalry of the period. They fight with a degree of �lan, discipline, and simple ferociousness that is matched only by the horsemen of Iberia, Carthage, and the best heavy cavalry of some of the eastern nomadic peoples. They are armored from head to toe in iron plate (some still had bronze, but this was falling out of favor rapidly by 250 B.C.), reinforced with mail at key points. Their horses are barded with felt barding and often have bronze plates to protect their heads. Their helmets, with the two plumes, mark them on a battlefield. They are best used as heavy shock cavalry, able to decide many battles with a single charge. They are the second part of the hammer and anvil of Alexandrian battle tactics. They are armed with a xyston and a kopis, and are well able to use both weapons. If these men have any weakness, it is the front of a line of spearmen. Horses simply do not like charging into a row of men armed with big pointy sticks. They are still able to give a decisive blow to the flank and rear of any infantry.

Historically, the Hetairoi were first created by Philip, following the lead of the cavalrymen of Thessaly, to the south. Philip went one better, armoring them to the teeth and giving them a Xyston, a twelve foot long lance tipped with a large steel head. They were armored head to toe in bronze plate, from helms to cuirass to bracers to greaves. Alexander often replaced this armor with lighter linen when they were traveling, but was quick to replace the bronze in any hard fought engagement. Alexander added little to their equipment but trained them to ride their horses in such a way that each man was an expert horsemen as well as a shock cavalryman. The successors kept this mold, but added mail reinforcement to the bronze armor at the joints before replacing it with iron and added felt and lamellar barding to the horses after encountering horse peoples that did the same. During the third century their usage declined with the successor�s ability to pay for such heavily armored men. They degenerated to such a point where only a handful were present at major battles, and were far from the war winning force that they had been earlier. Perhaps with a bit of luck and more funding, a commander could use them in their true glory once more�

A few surprises may be found in Seleukid territory:

Ereipia Babyloniaka (BABYLONIA)


Artemision Ephesou (LYDIA)


Varkana Drubustih (Gorgan Wall) (ASTAUENE & HYRKANIA)