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Those Seleucids--still sneaky!
July 20, 2004 -
The death of Alexander the Great brought dissolution to his empire almost before his corpse was cold. It may have been the largest empire the world had ever seen, but it proved fragile once the man himself was gone. His generals fought for control of what remained, but none of these Diadochi, or successors, was strong enough to be a new Alexander. The empire fragmented, and Seleucia was one of the splinter kingdoms, held together by the descendants of Seleucus, one of Alexander's able lieutenants. Seleucus I came close to seizing the throne of Macedonia too, but was murdered before he could achieve this ambition. There have been tensions with Macedonia and Egypt ever since despite occasional marriages between the ruling houses of these states. The Seleucids hold the former Babylonian provinces of Alexander's empire, an area of ancient cities and rich farmlands along the Tigris. (As an historical aside, the later Seleucid capital city of Ctesiphon is now under a suburb of Baghdad in Iraq; the earlier capital, Seleucia, was on the other riverbank).
This region also sits on the trade routes to the mysterious east, something that generates large revenues for the Seleucid kingdom. This, combined with the manpower and military expertise that are available, could make the Seleucids into masters of much of the known world. A Greek-Persian empire, combining the best of both systems as Seleucus tried to do, could be formidable indeed, and perhaps unstoppable.
Scriptorium:
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Ludus Magna:
The Great School attracts wise teachers, keen to pass on their learning to all potential leaders who know that greatness is found in the mind as well as the sword-arm. This kind of educational establishment is only found in the largest cities of an empire and represents the very finest training ground for the ruling elite. Individuals trained here will gain a solid understanding of all human wisdom, including the arts of war, statesmanship and good government. A great city with a Ludus Magna will tend to be superbly run because of the talented and educated men that can always be found here.
Odeon:
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Lyceum:
A Lyceum is used for public lectures and discussions, so that the benefits of Greek culture and philosophy can be enjoyed by everyone in the city. Given that it is the Greeks who have done much to further the arts and sciences, there is a natural pride in their achievements. Public pride in, and general contentment with, Greek culture is therefore improved wherever the people have the opportunity to learn more. A Lyceum can be further improved as the city increases in size.
Theatre:
A Theatre is cleverly constructed so that every member of the audience can hear and enjoy the play. The building is actually a perfect example of superior Greek skill in mathematics and architecture in itself: a whisper from an actor carries to every part of the audience. All that would be entirely pointless but for the wit and drama that Greek playwrights display in their works. Who - other than a blathering barbarian - could not fail to be entertained and made happy in such a place?
Temple Of Hephaestus:
This Temple is dedicated to Hephaestus, the lame God of Metalworkers and Smiths. In this aspect he is celebrated for his weapon-making skills. These are considerable, and it is Hephaestus who made the arms and armour for all the great heroes, including the Shield of Achilles. Religion also makes a people feel happy and content to know that the Gods are properly honoured. This Temple can be improved as the settlement grows in size and importance.
Large Temple Of Hephaestus:
This Large Temple is dedicated to Hephaestus, the lame God of Metalworkers and Smiths. In this aspect he is celebrated for his weapon-making skills. These are considerable, and it is Hephaestus who made the arms and armour for all the great heroes, including the Shield of Achilles. Religion also makes a people feel happy and content to know that the Gods are lavishly honoured. This Temple can be improved as the settlement grows in size and importance.
Awesome Temple Of Hephaestus:
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Pantheon:
This Pantheon is for all the Gods, but was originally dedicated to Hephaestus, the lame God of Metalworkers and Smiths. In this aspect he is celebrated for his weapon-making skills. These are considerable, and it is Hephaestus who made the arms and armour for all the great heroes, including the Shield of Achilles. Religion also makes a people feel happy and content to know that the Gods are honoured in such a grand fashion.
Shrine To Dionysus:
This Shrine is dedicated to Dionysus, the God of Wine, although his Cultists go far beyond merely drinking heavily in their celebration of his mysteries. Dionysus is a violent figure, and his followers tread a fine line between sanity, madness and death at times in their orgiastic rituals. Religion generally makes people feel happy and content knowing that the Gods are honoured. This Shrine can be improved as the settlement grows in size and importance.
Temple Of Dionysus:
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Large Temple Of Dionysus:
This Large Temple is dedicated to Dionysus, the God of Wine, although his Cultists go far beyond merely drinking heavily in their celebration of his mysteries. Dionysus is a violent figure, and his followers tread a fine line between sanity, madness and death at times in their orgiastic rituals. Religion generally makes people feel happy and content knowing that the Gods are lavishly honoured. This Temple can be improved as the settlement grows in size and importance.
Shrine To Asklepios:
This Shrine is dedicated to Asklepios, the God of Medicine and of Healing. He is the son of Apollo and a worthy patron. It was traditional to sacrifice a cock to him in thanks for a cure - and to pay the doctor's fee! His daughter, Hygeia, is the Goddess of Health. Religion also makes a people feel happy and content to know that the Gods are honoured. This Shrine can be improved as the settlement grows in size and importance.
Temple Of Asklepios:
This Temple is dedicated to Asklepios, the God of Medicine and of Healing. He is the son of Apollo and a worthy patron. It was traditional to sacrifice a cock to him in thanks for a cure - and to pay the doctor's fee! His daughter, Hygeia, is the Goddess of Health. Religion also makes a people feel happy and content to know that the Gods are properly honoured. This Temple can be improved as the settlement grows in size and importance.
Large Temple Of Asklepios:
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Awesome Temple Of Asklepios:
This Awesome Temple is dedicated to Asklepios, the God of Medicine and of Healing. He is the son of Apollo and a worthy patron. It was traditional to sacrifice a cock to him in thanks for a cure - and to pay the doctor's fee! His daughter, Hygeia, is the Goddess of Health. Religion also makes a people feel happy and content to know that the Gods are honoured in such a grand fashion. This Temple can be improved as the settlement grows in size and importance.
Units
Peasants:
Peasants are reluctant warriors, but numbers are useful in all armies. Forcing peasants to fight is one way of getting lots of men in the field quickly and cheaply. They have little tactical sense, and even less willingness to fight - they would rather be defending their own homes than be dragged to a battle they neither care about nor understand. If nothing else, they are useful when there's digging to be done! They are, however, experts at reading the land and hiding whenever there is cover.
Peltasts:
Greek peltasts advance at speed to pepper an enemy with javelins, and then withdraw in good order before a counter-attack can be organised. They are skirmishers and it is their task to harass and disrupt enemy units before the main battle lines clash. They are also adept at staging tactical ambushes. Peltasts are equipped with a clutch of javelins, a sword and a light shield, the pelte, which gives them their name as 'pelte-bearers'. They wear no other armour, and rely on speed as the best form of protection, and this isn't much protection should they be caught by cavalry.
Archers:
Archers are rightly feared for the casualties they can inflict, but they are vulnerable in hand-to-hand combat. They are drawn from the peasant classes of all societies, as these are the people who need to be skilled hunters in order to survive. Learning to use a bow well is something that takes a lifetime and constant practice, and putting food on the table provides good practice. They are best used to weaken enemy formations, or placed in a spot where they can retreat and find protection from other troops.
Levy Pikemen:
As war approaches, peasants, farmers and down-at-heel townsfolk can find themselves pressed into service as pikemen by their rulers. Due to their lack of armour they are best used as defensive infantry, absorbing enemy attacks, or screening the flanks of the main line. Equipped with a long pike some 6m in length (the sarissa) many ranks can bring their weapons to bear on an enemy, presenting a bristling array of spearheads to an approaching foe. They also carry swords for use when the enemy breaks through the pike line. Although training is practically non-existent, as inheritors of the hoplite tradition levy pikemen can manoeuvre in a phalanx formation. But with no armour other than the small shields strapped to their left arms, under pressure these levied troops are liable to suffer heavy casualties.
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Silver Shield Pikemen:
The silver shield pikemen (or argyraspids) are the embodiment of Seleucid martial prowess. They are elite foot soldiers on which many a battle will turn; they are well disciplined and physically fit, so these troops will neither panic nor tire easily. These men use the 6m long pike (sarissa) and carry a small shield coated in silver that gives them their name. To carry the silver shield into battle is the realization of many a Seleucid boy's dream, though only renowned men of higher birth would automatically qualify for such an honour. Once in phalanx formation the silver shield pikemen are an almost immovable object unless attacked from the flanks. If the fighting becomes too intense and cramped, they can use their short swords.
Silver Shield Legionaries:
The Seleucid talent for adopting good ideas is given solidity in the shape of these Legionaries who are direct copies of the Roman originals! The Legionary Silver Shields (or argyraspids) are equipped and fight in exactly the same fashion as Roman troops, using throwing spears (the pila, singular pilum) to pepper an enemy before closing to fight with short swords. The armour they wear and the tactics that they use are also modelled closely on the Roman originals too, including use of the tortoise (or testudo) formation to approach enemy fortifications while under fire. The Silver Shields are very good troops indeed, and can be relied on in most battle situations.
Militia Cavalry:
Militia cavalry are javelin-armed mounted skirmishers who can strike quickly and be gone in the time it takes a more ponderous enemy to react. They do not wear armour, but do carry shields and swords so that they can fight in hand-to-hand combat should the need arise. They are, however, best used to dash in and harass a mass of enemies, such as heavy infantry who cannot hope to catch them. They are not ideally suited to fighting other skirmishers - many of their javelins will be wasted against targets who can dodge, after all - but they can be very useful in harrying fleeing enemies and driving them from the field.
Companion Cavalry:
Companion cavalry are a social and military elite, and fight as heavy cavalry using shock and mass to break enemy units. They are the direct heirs to the Companions of Alexander the Great and his father, Philip of Macedon, and they revel in this proud heritage. The Companions ride the best horses and have the finest armour available; each is armed with a good lance and a sword for close combat. As heavy cavalry they can be a decisive arm of battle, and are able to charge down many opponents. They are best used as shock cavalry to break wavering enemy formations, but do need to be careful - as with all cavalry - when attacking spearmen. Bravery is of little use when galloping straight onto a row of gleaming spear points! Traditionally these men would be given land grants after great victories, giving them a personal stake in the battle's outcome.
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Elephants:
Elephants are a terrifying spectacle to opposing troops, well able to smash battle lines and toss men aside like dogs with rats. Standing at just over two metres tall at the shoulder, these particular animals are rather tractable and can be trained for warfare relatively easily. They are fast moving, able to trample and gore enemies seemingly at will when being urged on by their riders. They are a living battering ram aimed at the enemy battle line. When pursuing enemies they can be even more deadly. Each elephant is unarmoured, but many blows simply glance off the tough hide. Only a single rider is carried.
War Elephants:
War elephants are fierce and terrible beasts, able to trample men and horses into the dirt. Over three metres tall at the shoulder, these are large and bad-tempered animals, and they have been known to run wild with fear and anger in battle. When this happens no one - friend or foe - is safe. For this reason the driver always carries a small mallet and a spike so that he can kill the animal if necessary by driving the spike into the base of the skull. The crew are armed with bows to shoot down into tightly packed enemy formations, but the elephant itself is also a weapon: it can trample and gore men easily, hurling them around like rag dolls.
Armoured Elephants:
Armoured elephants are the most fearsome creatures to be found on a battlefield. Little can stand before these armoured giants. Each elephant has heavy armour that completely protects it from missiles and hand-held weapons, and the crew are armoured too. The driver uses the elephant itself as a weapon, guiding it as it tramples and gores its way through the opposition. The archers snipe down into enemy formations, weakening opponents before the inevitable clash. Armoured elephants can run amok, causing havoc in the process to anyone nearby.
Scythed Chariots:
Scythed chariots are fearsome devices, covered in scythe blades to cut down any infantry foolish enough to stand when charged. Metal blades stick out from each axle like malign horns to cut down infantry. They are, however, somewhat uncontrollable! These units are not only so keen to attack the enemy that they will do so without orders, but also can run amok and attack anyone - friend or foe alike - who happens to be nearby. These are not subtle troops, and their chief power lies in a headlong charge into an enemy formation. Each chariot is pulled by powerful horses, and the crew is heavily armoured.
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Bireme:
A bireme is a small galley with a ram at the prow. It is powered by sail and two banks of oars. The ship has a good turn of speed and is fairly "handy" with a good crew - the ram makes the bireme a weapon rather than just transport for fighting men. A bireme is outclassed in combat by a trireme's speed and weight, but its combat power should not be underestimated.
Trireme:
A trireme is a powerful warship, propelled by three banks of oars and a sail. It can ram opposing ships and launch boarding actions. Originally a Greek design, it has been widely copied because of its good qualities. Skilled oarsmen are needed, but then this gives the ship tremendous power in a 'sprint' at ramming speed. As might be expected, the trireme is its own main weapon, as it carries an iron-tipped ram on the bow at the waterline. Once an enemy ship has been rammed or had its oars smashed, the crew back water to withdraw before seeking another target.
Quinquireme:
A quinquireme is a powerful, but lumbering, warship intended for fleet actions. Its mass makes it hard to sink. The bulk of the crew are rowers as there are five men to each oar; this pulling power is good, but maintaining ramming or battle speed is very tiring for the men. Consequently, quinquiremes also carry a detachment of marines and some shipboard artillery as means of attack - when you can't be sure of ramming an opponent, bombardment or boarding become the most effective tactics.
Corvus Quinquireme:
A corvus quinquireme is a powerful warship intended for fleet actions, and a refinement of the basic quinquireme design. Its sheer size makes it hard to sink. The bulk of the crew are rowers as there are five men to each oar; this pulling power is good, but maintaining ramming or battle speed is very tiring. The corvus was developed by Rome during the first Punic War as a means of turning sea battles into land battles, and allowing its superior infantry to become decisive. It is an iron 'beak' on a hinged walkway that is designed to smash down into enemy decking doing two jobs in one: making a bridge for the marines to cross, and locking the two ships together so that the battle has to be fought on the quinquireme captain's terms.
Deceres:
The mighty deceres is a dreadnought in the ancient Mediterranean. In size, number of men and fighting potential it dwarfs all other vessels. A deceres is among the largest ships afloat, and is crewed by anything up to 850 men - most, of course, being rowers. Its combat power is formidable. Apart from a couple of fighting towers, a deceres also carries onagers and ballistae to bombard enemies, plus a large contingent of marines for boarding and defence. At least one ballista will also be set up to fire a harpoon-like grappling hook (called a harpago) at enemy vessels so that they can be dragged alongside and destroyed. As a tactic the harpago has much to recommend it over, say, the grappling 'corvus' of smaller ships, because it allows enemies to be snagged at greater range.
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