Version 15 (modified by michael, 13 years ago) ( diff )

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PRE-IMPERIAL ROMAN CIVILISATION PROFILE

by Federico Odorizzi, Borislav Chernev, and Paul Basar. Email: federico_odorizzi@libero.it, synchronicity84@hotmail.com, paul@0ad.wildfiregames.com.
Edited by Joshua Gilbert. Email: shogun144@gmail.com. And by Michael Hafer. Email: michaeldhafer@gmail.com

NATURE

Keeping with the design approach that a civilisation should be represented at a specific time in history, the Pre-Imperial (Early) Roman civilisation is set in the Polybian period of the Roman Republic, during the Second Punic War (218-201 BC).

UNIT DESCRIPTIONS

INFANTRY

  • Name: Hastatus.
    • Class: Swordsman/Heavy Skirmisher at Elite.
    • Hacker Armament: [Gladius.]
      Basic - Gladius.
      Advanced – Gladius.
      Elite – Gladius & Pilum.
    • Appearance: -
      • Garb: [Pectorale. Wide tunic, sleeveless. Greave on left leg. ]
        Basic – Pectorale with muscled embossing.
        Advanced – Pectorale
        Elite – lorica hamata, greaves on both legs.
      • Helmet: [Montefortino helmet.]
        Basic – Montefortino helmet.
        Advanced – Montefortino helmet.
        Elite – Montefortino helmet with white plume
      • Shield: [Large oval shield.]
        Basic – Curved red oval shield.
        Advanced – Curved red oval shield.
        Elite – Curved red oval shield.
      • Figure(s): - Tunic is player color, plus sandals (caligae). He will wear a greave on the left leg for Advanced and on both for the Elite.
    • History: The Hastati were young men over 20 years old who made up the first line of heavy infantry in the Punic War era Republican army. Usually numbered 1200 men in 10 maniples. Initially they threw pila (the plural of pilum, the Roman javelin) at the enemy and then engaged with swords. In battle the Hastasti were expected to weaken or tire the enemy line before the second Roman line engages. In 0 A.D. they will serve as swordsmen. At the Elite level they will upgrade to Princeps status, the slightly older veterans who made up the second line and who could afford better equipment. Organized the same way by maniple. They will have the ability to switch back and forth between melee and range.
    • Garrison: 1.
    • Function: - To engage the enemy at close range with swords after a javelin volley.
    • Special: -
  • Name: Triarius.
    • Class: Spearman.
    • Hacker Armament: [Hasta - large 8-foot thrusting spear. Gladius (decorative).]
      Basic - Spear (Hasta). Gladius (ornamental).
      Advanced – Spear (Hasta). Gladius (ornamental).
      Elite – Spear (Hasta). Gladius (ornamental).
    • Appearance:
      • Garb: [Heavy chainmail hauberk. Greaves.]
        Basic – Heavy Lorica hamata.
        Advanced – Heavy lorica hamata. Greave on left leg,
        Elite– Heavy lorica hamata. Greaves on both legs
      • Helmet: [Etrusco-Corinthian helmet.]
        Basic – Etrusco-Corinthian helmet.
        Advanced – Etrusco-Corinthian helmet.
        Elite –Etrusco-Corinthian helmet with black crest and two black feathers.
      • Shield: [Large oval shield.]
        Basic – Curved blue oval shield.
        Advanced – Curved blue oval shield.
        Ultimate – Curved blue oval shield.
      • Figure(s): - Wide tunic (sleeveless like that of the Hastatus)of player color, plus sandals (caligae). He will wear a greave on the left leg for Advanced and on both for the Ultimate.
    • History: The Triarii were veterans of military service, usually in their 30s or 40s, with money to afford the best weapons and equipment. Usually numbered 600 men in 10 half-maniples. They made up the third line of heavy infantry, armed with hastae, the Roman thrusting spear. If the Hastati and Principes could not defeat the enemy, the Triarii would come forward and finish them off. Most of the time they remained in reserve, historically more defensive then offensive.
    • Garrison: 1.
    • Function: - Close combat once the Principe and Hastatus wore the enemy down. Also good against cavalry.
    • Special: -
  • Name: Principes
  • Class: Skirmisher.
  • Ranged Armament:
    All levels - Pilum, gladius (ornamental).\
  • Appearance:
    • Garb:
      Basic – Same as Basic Hastatus.
      Advanced – Same as Advanced Hastatus.
      Elite – Chainmail hauberk.
    • Helmet:
      Basic – same as Basic Hastatus.
      Advanced – Same as Advanced Hastatus.
      Elite – Same as Elite Hastatus.
    • Shield:
      Basic – parma (three foot strongly built round shield).
      Advanced – parma.
      Elite – parma.
    • Figure(s):None
    • History: The principi were the second line of heavy infantry in the Republican Roman army. Exactly identical in equipment and fighting methods to the hastati, they differed only in age, being slightly older. As a result they could often afford slightly better arms, including chain mail hauberks known as lorica hamata. Like all Roman heavy infantry they decorated their helmets with feathers and horsehair crests in the Italian fashion.
    • Garrison: 1.
    • Function: -
    • Special: -

CAVALRY

  • Name: Eques.
    • Class: Cavalry Spearman.
    • Hacker Armament:
      Basic – Lancea – overarm for stabbing. Ornamental Gladius
      Advanced – Lancea – overarm for stabbing. Ornamental Gladius
      Elite – Lancea – overarm for stabbing. Ornamental Gladius
    • Appearance:
      • Garb:
        Basic – Pectorale.
        Advanced – Bronze muscled cuirass. (Very similar to Companion Cavalry, but use bright red and blue clothing to make it more Italian; if pteruges are used, make sure they are red, not white (too Macedonian). This guy is going to look like a Roman clone of a Companion Cavalryman: note different sword and no spear!)
        Elite – Lorica hamata. Greaves. Cape, blue or dark red/violet.
      • Helmet:
        Basic – Boeotian helmet.
        Advanced – Boeotian helmet.
        Elite – Boeotian helmet with plume.
      • Shield:
        Basic – None.
        Advanced – Round shield.
        Elite – Round shield.
      • Figure(s): -
      • Mount:
        Basic – White horse, bareback.
        Advanced – Black horse with leather chanfron and riding blanket (has money and uses it).
        Elite – Brown horse with metal chanfron on head and riding blanket. Guy in front, but with greaves and plume.
      • History: Before the Marian reform, only members of the ordo equester and the sons of the senatorial class could serve as cavalry. Notwithstanding, it has always paled in comparison with Roman infantry. Initially, it was comprised of 300 equites divided in 10 turmae. From the middle of 2nd Century BC onward, Rome started relying on auxiliary cavalry made up of Thracians, Numidians, Gauls and Germans.
      • Garrison: 2.
      • Function: -
      • Special: -

SUPPORT UNITS

  • Name: Matrona Romana.
    • Class: Female Citizen.
    • Appearance: -
      • Garb: Long tunic.
      • Helmet: None.
      • Shield: None.
      • Figure(s): -
    • History: Along with men, Roman women (clarae feminae) also played an important part in politics. The outstanding examples were Octavia, sister of Augustus and wife of Mark Antony, Livia, wife of Augustus and mother of Tiberius, and Agrippina, niece and wife of Claudius and mother of Nero.
    • Garrison: 1.
    • Function: -
    • Special: -
  • Name: Pontifex Minoris.
  • Class: Priest.
  • Appearance:
    • Garb: Long purple tunic.
    • Helmet: None.
    • Shield: None.
    • Figure(s): He should have the look of an old man.
  • History: During the Republic, the position of priest was elevated and required a lot of responsibilities, which is why priests were by no means chosen randomly. The position of Pontifex Maximus was occupied by such prominent figures as Julius Caesar, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus and Augustus.
  • Garrison: 1.
  • Function: -
  • Special: -
  • Name: Plebean Merchant.
    • Class: Trader.
    • Appearance:
      • Garb: White shirt and brown pants.
      • Helmet: None.
      • Shield: None.
      • Figure(s): A young man.
      • Mount: Mounted on a horse (no matter the colour).
    • History: Since the start of the Roman Republic, the plebeians dedicated themselves to commerce, while patricians owned and cultivated the land. Trading was considered negatively, so patricians tried to avoid it, or made some of their plebean client's trade, using their clients' names.
    • Garrison: 2.
    • Function: -
    • Special: -
  • Name: Corbita.
    • Class: Merchant Ship.
    • Appearance:
      • Shell: (Standard).
    • History: The Corbita was the most famous class of Roman merchant ships, known as Oneraria. They had a cargo capacity of 60-300 tons on average, with variants known to carry as much as 400 tons. These vessels traveled all over the Mediterranean, and could be found literally on every trade route.
    • Garrison: Cannot.
    • Function: -
    • Special: -
  • Name: Roman Bireme.
    • Class: Bireme.
    • Appearance:
      • Shell: (Standard).
    • History: By the time of the Second Punic War the Romans had adopted an improved bireme design created by the Liburnians of Illyria. Faster, lighter, and more agile then conventional warships, the Liburna would quickly become widespread throughout the Roman navy. They appear to have been used in support of Triremes.
    • Garrison: Cannot.
    • Function: -
    • Special: -
  • Name: Roman Trireme.
    • Class: Trireme.
    • Appearance: -
      • Shell: (Standard).
    • History: The Trireme was the most common warship of the Mediterranean – it was used by Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans alike. The Romans were already using these vessels by the beginning of the Punic Wars, and underwent a number of modifications. These remain controversial, but it seems that Triremes remained the mainstay of the fleet for this era.
    • Garrison: Cannot.
    • Function: -
    • Special: -
  • Name: Roman Quinquereme.
    • Class: Quinquereme.
    • Appearance: -
      • Shell: (Standard).
    • History: The Quinquereme was the battleship of the Roman navy during 0 AD's period. They were adopted after a Carthaginian Quinquereme washed up on Roman shores during the First Punic War, allowing them to copy the design (albeit a bit heavier). The Romans introduced a number of modifications, but the most famous was the harpax, a kind of harpoon that replaced the corvus by the time of the Second Punic War.
    • Garrison: Cannot.
    • Function: -
    • Special: -
  • Name: Roman Fishing Ship.
    • Class: Fishing Ship.
    • Appearance:
      • Shell: -
    • History: TBD
    • Garrison: Cannot.
    • Garrison Capacity: 1; support, infantry
    • Function: Gathering: Only method of collecting meat from fish.
    • Special: -

SIEGE

  • Name: Ballista.
    • Class: Catapult.
    • Appearance: -
      • Shell: (Standard).
    • History: -
    • Garrison: 3.
    • Function: -
    • Special: -
  • Name: Scorpio.
    • Class: Bolt Shooter.
    • Ranged Armament: See picture.
    • Appearance: -
      • Shell: See picture.
    • History: -
    • Garrison: 2.
    • Function: -
    • Special: Able to throw darts at a distance of 350 meters.
  • Name: Roman Aries.
    • Class: Ram.
    • Appearance: -
      • Shell: (Standard).
    • History: There are several famous sieges during the time of the Republic which required the use of extensive siege weaponry – Syracuse (212 BC), Carthage (148 – 146 BC) and Tigranocerta (68 BC) – they were all carried out successfully.
    • Garrison: 3.
    • Function: -
    • Special: -

SUPER UNITS

  • Name: Extraordinarius.
    • Class: Super Infantry Unit.
    • Hacker Armament: Sword (Gladius).
    • Ranged Armament: Javelin (Pilum).
    • Appearance: -
      • Garb: Roman wide, sleeveless tunic, player color. Lorica squamata (iron scale armor) – fancy, has money. Greaves.
      • Helmet: Italo-Corinthian helmet or Attic helmet with feathers.
      • Shield: Curved red oval shield.
      • Figure(s): -
    • History: The Extraordinarii were best of the infantry fielded by Rome's Italic allies (the socii) that were picked out by the commanding Consul and served under him directly. They were charged with function of vanguard, rearguard, and bodyguard. In battle the Extraordinarii were expected to act as a special unit, to give the Consul additional tactical options.
    • Garrison: 1.
    • Function: -
    • Special: -
  • Name: Eques Consulares.
    • Class: Super Cavalry Unit.
    • Hacker Armament: Sword. -Kopis
    • Ranged Armament: Javelin. –Lancea for throwing
    • Appearance: -
      • Garb: heavy bronze cuirass, player color tunic, greaves on both legs
      • Helmet: Boeotian helmet with red plume or Attic helmet with feathers.
      • Shield: Round cavalry shield
      • Figure(s): Rich fella, he has money to buy good armor and weapons, no facial hair
      • Mount: Powerful horse with saddle blanket strapped to back and elaborate bridle
    • History: The Equites Consulares were the best of the Roman cavalry that were picked out by the commanding Consul and served under him directly. They functioned about identical to later Praetorian cavalry, but were usually made up of the most local Italian allies.. The Italic cavalry was of better quality and quantity then the citizen cavalry of the Republic, and were highly prized for service.
    • Garrison: 2.
    • Function: To drive off enemy cavalry allowing the heavy infantry to win the battle, as well as scouting, patrol, and chasing defeated enemies.
    • Special: ?

HEROES

  • Name: Quinctus Fabius Maximus “Cunctator”.
  • Class: Hero1.
  • Hacker Armament: Short Sword.
  • Appearance:
    • Garb: Light iron armour; elaborate but functional.
    • Helmet: None.
    • Shield: Medium wooden and leathered slightly rectangular shield.
    • Figure(s): -
    • Mount: Light white slightly armoured horse.
  • History: Dictator for six months during the Second Punic War. Instead of attacking the most powerful Hannibal, he started a very effective war of attrition against him.
  • Garrison: 2.
  • Function: -
  • Special:
    • "Hero" Aura increases the Army’s Fire Rate and Movement Rate (it affects all the soldiers for a range of 10 tiles).
  • Name: Marcus Claudius Marcellus.
    • Class: Hero2.
    • Hacker Armament: Sword (Gladius).
    • Appearance:
      • Garb: Lorica hamata with medals hung over it; elaborate but functional. Iron greaves.
      • Helmet: Attic helmet with feather tufts and medium crest.
      • Shield: Medium wooden and leathered slightly rectangular shield.
      • Figure(s): -
      • Mount: Black horse with metal chanfron.
    • History: Marcus Claudius Marcellus, 268 - 208 BC, a soldier of the first war with Carthage, a hero of the Second Punic War, and victor over the Gauls at Clastidium. Plutarch describes him as a man of war, strong in body and constitution, with an iron will to fight on. As a general he was immensely capable, standing alongside Scipio Africanus and Claudius Nero as the most effective Roman generals of the entire Second Punic War. In addition to his military achievements Marcellus was a fan of Greek culture and arts, which he enthusiastically promoted in Rome. He met his demise when his men were ambushed near Venusia. In honor of the respect the people held for him, Marcellus was granted the title of "Sword of Rome".
    • Garrison: 2.
    • Function: -
    • Special:
      • "Hero" Aura gives +1 attack to all cavalry units and –1 attack to enemy infantry within 10 tiles.
  • Name: Scipio Africanus.
    • Class: Hero3.
    • Hacker Armament: Gladius.
    • Appearance:
      • Garb: Muscled cuirass. Greaves.
      • Helmet: Attic helmet with large crest.
      • Shield: None.
      • Figure(s): -
    • History: He was the first really successful Roman general. His campaigns in Spain and Africa helped to bring Carthage to its knees during the Second Punic War. He defeated Hannibal at the Battle of Zama in 202 BC.
    • Garrison: 1
    • Function: -
    • Special:
      • "Hero" Aura strongly increases attack and morale of nearby units (6 squares). - In case of death of this unit, all the units in a radius of 10 squares will suffer a huge morale decrease and they’ll never recover.

NEW UNIT TRAITS

(none)

CIV CENTRE UNITS

  • Melee Infantry: Hastatus (Swordsman).
  • Ranged Infantry: Principes (Javelinist).
  • Cavalry: Roman Eques (Cavalry Spearman).

FORBIDDEN CLASSES

  • Archer. The ballistarius, a quite rare Roman soldier armed with a ballista, will be kept as a possible option.
  • Cavalry Sworsman.
  • Cavalry Javelinist.
  • Cavalry Archer.

STRUCTURE DESCRIPTIONS

VILLAGE

  • Name: Municipium.
    • Class: Civic Centre.
    • History: -
  • Name: Domus.
    • Class: House.
    • History: The word "domus" is the root of the English word "domicile" which means house or home. The typical middle and upper-class Roman Domus had many rooms, a skylight to collect water and provide sunlight, and a tile roof. An attached garden was later included under Hellenistic influence.
  • Name: Villa.
    • Class: Farmstead
    • History: As Rome grew more and more affluent, many of the rich senators built lavish villas throughout Italy. Most of them emulated earlier Hellenistic examples; remains can be seen even today at Pompeii.
  • Name: Ager.
    • Class: Field.
    • History: The possession of fields once determined the difference between patricians and plebeans. It is told that Cincinnatus possessed only a small field, the smaller possible for a patrician. The distribution of the Ager Publicum was one of the most important issues of the late II century BC. Tiberius Gracchus was the pioneer in this field, and his brother Gaius succeeded in carrying out a number of reforms, which improved the situation of Roman farmers, the backbone of Roman military.
  • Name: Saeptum.
    • Class: Corral.
    • History: -
  • Name: Receptaculum.
    • Class: Mill.
    • History: -
  • Name: Turris Lignea.
    • Class: Scout Tower.
    • History: Used in camps built by the Roman army.
  • Name: Moenia.
    • Class: Wall.
    • History: Strong city walls.
  • Name: Turris Lapidea.
    • Class: Wall Tower.
    • History: -
  • Name: Porta.
    • Class: Wall Gate.
    • History: -

TOWN

  • Name: Portus.
  • Class: Dock.
  • History: Being an inland city, Rome was still connected to the port of Ostia through means of the Tiber. Merchant ships from all over the Mediterranean arrived at Ostia, bringing all kinds of luxurious goods. The construction of a reliable harbour was planned by Julius Caesar and carried out by Claudius.
  • Name: Nosocomium.
    • Class: Temple.
    • History: -
  • Name: Castra.
    • Class: Barracks.
    • History: Romans specialised in the building of military camps and forts. A few of them still survive.
  • Name: Forum.
    • Class: Market.
    • History: The Forum was the most important place in Rome, for it was there that important speeches were held and decisions taken. Starting with Julius Caesar, the great emperors Vespasian, Nerva and Trajan built their magnificent forums.

CITY

  • Name: Fortis.
    • Class: Fortress.
    • History: Fortified city.

SPECIAL STRUCTURES

  • Name: Entrenched Camp.
    • Class: SB1.
    • History: Sometimes it was a temporary camp built facing the route by which the army is to march, other times a defensive or offensive (for sieges) structure. Within this gate the tents of the first centuries or cohorts are pitched, and the dragons (ensigns of cohorts) and other ensigns planted. The Decumane gate is directly opposite to the Praetorian in the rear of the camp, and through this the soldiers are conducted to the place appointed for punishment or execution. It has a turf wall, and it's surrounded by a canal filled with water whenever possible for extra defence. Many towns started up as bigger military camps to evolve to more complicated cities.
    • Requirements: -
    • Phase: City.
    • Special: Allows players to train infantry units from a fast-building army camp in enemy territory. The Entrenched Camp loses Health over time, making it a temporary structure.
  • Name: Murus Latericius. ("Siege Walls")
    • Class: SB2.
    • History: Turf and palisade walls built by legionaries during sieges.
    • Requirements: -
    • Phase: City.
    • Special: Allows players to build palisades in enemy territory in order to cut off reinforcements and supplies. Like other walls, it comes with gates and (wooden) towers. The Roman Siege Wall loses Health over time, making it a temporary structure.

CIV BONUSES

  • CB1
    • Name: Testudo Formation.
    • History: The Romans commonly used the Testudo or "turtle" formation for defense: Legionaries were formed into hollow squares with twelve men on each side, standing so close together that their shields overlapped like fish scales.
    • Effect: Roman Legionaries can form a Testudo. The Legionaries at the front, back and sides hold their shields to the outside and the Legionaries in the centre raise their shields above their heads. This formation provides improved protection against melee and ranged attacks. However, their movement rate is much slower. The formation button is only available for a group that consists exclusively of Roman Legionaries.
  • CB2
    • Name: Citizenship
    • History: Roman Citizenship was highly prized in the ancient world. Basic rights and privileges were afforded Roman citizens that were denied other conquered peoples. It is said that harming a Roman citizen was akin to harming Rome herself, and would cause the enire might of Rome to fall upon the perpetrator.
    • Effect: Any Roman Citizen Soldier unit fighting within Roman Territory gains a non-permanent 10% bonus in armor.

TEAM BONUS

  • TB1
    • Name: Conscription.
    • History: -
    • Effect: Infantry trained 20% faster.

CIV WEAKNESSES

(none)

TECHNOLOGIES

  • Infantry: Strong. Among the strongest in the game, only Greeks in their splendour were better.
  • Cavalry: Not very good. Very few upgrades.
  • Naval: The Roman Navy wasn't powerful, but their advanced technology helped improving them.
  • Siege: Very powerful Siege. Romans were ready to attack every kind of fortress.
  • Economy: Many techs.
    • Farming: Above average.
    • Mining: Developed. Better than average.
    • Lumbering: Average.
    • Hunting: Below average.
    • Land Trade: Not as developed as Naval trade.
    • Naval Trade: After defeating the Carthaginians, Romans were the Masters of the Mediterranean sea. Developed.
  • Architecture: Advanced.
  • Defences: Very powerful defensive systems.

SPECIAL TECHNOLOGIES

  • ST1
    • Name: Divide et Impera
    • History: 'Divide and conquer' was the main principle in Rome's foreign politics throughout its long history. The Romans lured enemies or neutral factions to their side by offering them certain privileges. In due period of time, friends as well as foes were subjugated.
    • Effect: Roman heroes and can convert enemy units en mass for a large cost in Metal (a bribe).
  • ST2 NONE (for balance)

FOOTNOTES

Paul's guide to Roman equipment article is a useful reference for the arms and armour mentioned in this Profile.

Note: See TracWiki for help on using the wiki.