Version 5 (modified by Joshua Gilbert, 14 years ago) ( diff )

Changed list from Camillan to Polybian, took out Accensus and replaced with Veles, cleaned up the Equite entry.

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.

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.
    • Hacker Armament: [Gladius.]
      Basic - Gladius.
      Advanced – Gladius.
      Elite – Gladius.
    • Appearance: -
      • Garb: [Pectorale. Wide tunic, sleeveless. Greave on left leg. ]
        Basic – Pectorale.
        Advanced – Pectorale
        Elite – Pectorale with muscled embossing.
      • 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 of changing colors: white, blue, red for Basic, Advanced and Elite respectively, 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.
    • Garrison: 1.
    • Function: - To engage the enemy at close range with swords after a javelin volley.
    • Special: -
  • Name: Triarus.
    • 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 changing colors: white, blue, red for Basic, Elite and Ultimate respectively, 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: Principe.
    • Class: Javelinist.
    • Ranged Armament: [Heavy pilum. Gladius (decorative).]
      Basic – Pilum, gladius (ornamental)
      Advanced – Pilum, gladius (ornamental)
      Elite – Javelin (pilum). Gladius (ornamental).
    • Appearance:
      • Garb: [Light chainmail hauberk]
        Basic – Light chain mail hauberk (t-shirt but of chain mail)
        Advanced – Light chain mail hauberk, greave on left leg
        Elite – Light lorica hamata, greaves on both legs.
      • Helmet: [Attic helmet.]
        Basic – Attic helmet
        Advanced – Attic helmet.
        Elite – Attic helmet with three green feathers.
      • Shield: [Large oval shield.]
        Basic – Curved yellow oval shield.
        Advanced – Curved yellow oval shield.
        Ultimate – Curved yellow oval shield.
      • Figure(s): Wide tunic (sleeveless like that of the Hastatus) of changing colors: white, blue, red for Basic, Advanced and Elite respectively, plus sandals (caligae). He will wear a greave on the left leg for Advanced and on both for the Elite.
      • History: Principes were the second line of heavy infantry. Older than the Hastati, but were otherwise identical in appearance and armament except that the Principes had better armor. Usually numbered 1200 men in ten maniples. They would enter battle once the Hastati had worn down the enemy, throwing their pila into the enemy ranks before charging in with swords. For our purposes they will use pila.
      • Garrison: 1.
      • Function: To break up enemy formations and charges with heavy javelins, plus provide support for Hastati and Triarii
      • Special: The Prinicipe has a shorter range but a much more powerful weapon that causes greater amounts of damage when it hits.
  • Name: Veles
  • Class: Skirmisher.
  • Ranged Armament:
    Basic - Light javelin, gladius (ornamental).
    Advanced – Light javelin, gladius (ornamental).
    Elite – Light javelin, gladius (ornamental).
  • Appearance:
    • Garb:
      Basic – Wide tunic, sleeveless. Buff colored.
      Advanced – Tunic is pale white.
      Elite – Tunic is reddish-brown.
    • Helmet:
      Basic – simple helmet with a wolf's head on top.
      Advanced – simple helmet with a wolf's head on top.
      Elite – simple helmet with a wolf's head on top.
    • Shield:
      Basic – parma (three foot strongly built round shield).
      Advanced – parma.
      Elite – parma.
    • Figure(s):
      Basic – Poorer than all other infantry. Slightly boyish.
      Advanced – Slightly less impoverished.
      Elite – Beard.
    • History: The Velites were the light skirmish infantry of the Polybian legion. They were the younger men who could not afford hastatus equipment or boys too young to serve otherwise. They usually numbered 1200 men in squads of twenty assigned to the maniples of the Hastati, Principes, and Triarii. Their job was the harry the enemy lines before the heavy infantry engaged and support the cavalry.
    • Garrison: 1.
    • Function: -
    • Special: -

CAVALRY

  • Name: Equite.
    • 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 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 plebeans 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 clientes trade, using their clientes' names.
    • Garrison: 2.
    • Function: -
    • Special: -
  • Name: Roman Trade Cog.
    • Class: Merchant Ship.
    • Appearance:
      • Shell: (Standard).
    • History: -
    • Garrison: Cannot.
    • Function: -
    • Special: -

WAR SHIPS

  • Name: Roman Bireme.
    • Class: Bireme.
    • Appearance:
      • Shell: (Standard).
    • History: The Roman navy was one of the best in the Mediterranean. Being an inland people, the Romans nonetheless developed highly efficient marine technologies and successfully opposed the almighty Carthaginian fleet, whose stature stemmed from the old Phoenician traditions.
    • 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. In order to compensate for inferior manoeuvring abilities during the First Punic War, the Romans developed the corvus, a bridge that enabled them to fight as if on land.
    • Garrison: Cannot.
    • Function: -
    • Special: -
  • Name: Roman Quinquereme.
    • Class: Quinquereme.
    • Appearance: -
      • Shell: (Standard).
    • History: The Roman navy was one of the best in the Mediterranean. Being an inland people, the Romans nonetheless developed highly efficient marine technologies and successfully opposed the almighty Carthaginian fleet, whose stature stemmed from the old Phoenician traditions.
    • Garrison: Cannot.
    • Function: -
    • Special: -

SIEGE

  • Name: Roman Onager.
    • Class: Onager.
    • Appearance: -
      • Shell: (Standard).
    • History: -
    • Garrison: 3.
    • Function: -
    • Special: -
  • Name: Scorpio.
    • Class: Ballista.
    • Ranged Armament: See picture.
    • Appearance: -
      • Shell: See picture.
    • History: -
    • Garrison: 3.
    • 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: Centurio.
    • Class: Super Infantry Unit.
    • Hacker Armament: Sword (Gladius).
    • Ranged Armament: Javelin (Pilum).
    • Appearance: -
      • Garb: Lorica squamata – fancy, has money. Greaves.
      • Helmet: Attic helmet with red crest and feathers.
      • Shield: Curved red oval shield.
      • Figure(s): -
    • History: The Centurion was a commander of a unit of 100 legionaries called centuriae. Only the bravest and most experienced troops could become centurions; having attained that position they were supposed to lead their troops by personal example as well as orders.
    • Garrison: 1.
    • Function: -
    • Special: -
  • Name: Decurio.
    • Class: Super Cavalry Unit.
    • Hacker Armament: Sword.
    • Ranged Armament: Javelin. –lancea for throwing
    • Appearance: -
      • Garb: heavy chainmail hauberk, white tunic, greaves on both legs
      • Helmet: Boeotian helmet with red plume
      • Shield: Round green shield
      • Figure(s): Rich fella, he has money to buy good armor and weapons, no facial hair
      • Mount: Powerful white horse with saddle blanket strapped to back and elaborate bridle
    • History: A Decurion was a cavalry officer who commanded 30 men in a turmae, or file. They were appointed by the tribunes and used Greek style helmets with Roman armor.
    • 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: Sulla.
    • 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: Roman general and dictator (137 BC – 78 BC), who never lost a battle. Distinguishing himself during the Jugurthine War, Sulla later fought in the Social War and was given command in the east against king Mithridates VI of Pontus. After the successful outcome of the war, he returned to Italy, crushed his opponents and had himself proclaimed dictator with unlimited powers. Sulla sought to restore the waning might of the Republic and wrote a new constitution, thereafter resigning from power.
    • 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: Servian Hoplite (Spearman).
  • Ranged Infantry: Roman Velite (Javelinist).
  • Cavalry: Roman Equite (Cavalry Swordsman).

FORBIDDEN CLASSES

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

STRUCTURE DESCRIPTIONS

VILLAGE

  • Name: Municipium.
    • Class: Civ Centre.
    • History: -
  • Name: Atrium.
    • Class: House.
    • History: The early Atrium initially (V-IC c. BC) included one big room with a fireplace in the middle. A garden by the house was later included under Hellenistic influence.
  • Name: Villa.
    • Class: Farm Centre.
    • 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: Resource Centre.
    • 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: Port Centre.
  • 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: Health Centre.
    • History: -
  • Name: Castra.
    • Class: Military Centre.
    • History: Romans specialised in the building of military camps and forts. A few of them still survive.
  • Name: Forum.
    • Class: Trade Centre.
    • 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 camp.
  • Name: Murus Latericius.
    • Class: SB2.
    • History: Turf walls built by legionaries during sieges.
    • Requirements: -
    • Phase: City.
    • Special: Similar attributes to the Celtic Gwarchglawdd turf wall.

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 centurions can convert enemy units.
  • 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.