Genava55

@Anaxandridas ho Skandiates I do not follow you on a few points but I think the references from Sundiata clarified some of your concerns, however I want to specify that the illustration has not been based on an actual academic reference for a good reason. This illustrations has been made from actual models in the game, inspired by the actual render of the game. This is not an illustration in the purpose to recreate exactly the reality seen in some excavations. Therefore, it stresses an important point to accept: the models in the game are not academic references, nor does follow academic standards. This is a RTS-game, the buildings follow not only the references posted in threads but also the references set for the gameplay and the design of 0 A.D. This is an illustration to promote the game. This illustration is based on indirect and reinterpreted evidences.

That's... promising!

Personally I am not that mad. It is the teasing and absence of information for a long period to have only this very short trailer centered on a very well-known period... that is barely acceptable. I am thinking they are very afraid of any backslash. A lot of people tried to decrypt the teaser to guess the period. But they seem to have misinterpreted it. "A new Age is upon us" seems to suggest an important change of the gameplay in regard to the actual trailer. Actually, this is quite bold. Besides the texture and design problem, a few interesting things appears. Walls can support unit like in the Middle-Earth RTS. Civilizations will have unique designs for the units. That's already something good.

Well basically it is AoE2 but with better handled limits. Migration Era to Renaissance. Already partially use in AoE2 (Huns, Goths, Spanishs, Aztecs etc)

That teasing for this...

I know. The artist choose to represent those tribesmen. That's particularly obvious with the Celtic swords and scabbards. Not any single edged sword common in the Germanic world.

Well... that's quite a lot of Gallic material here

For me it is ok. We have multiple evidence in celtic art for human figures with this kind of hat but only one archeological evidence for a chieftain. We do not know if it was exclusive for non-religious member. We do not know if the chieftain was also a religious figure, and we do not know how far the druid could be an authority in the society. In some case, a Druid could act as a political leader as well.

Hexagonal shields are attested in the late Gallic cultures (after 150 BC). Hex shields can be used to specifically distinguish units, it will depend on how the roster will be done. The Celtic warrior used both in the battle. A spear/javelin combined with a sword. There are some burials found with only swords and thousands of swords have been found, so I suggested a Gallic swordsman originally but yet the roster is not validated. However, poorer warriors probably used only javelins and spears. Again it will depend on the future roster. I suggest either: - To remove the scabbard for the spearman. - To give the scabbard only to higher rank spearman (advanced or elite). Btw, the iron scabbard should be on the right side. Sleeveless tunic are attested. For a couple pictures useful in general for textures:

https://www.facebook.com/301410029889224/photos/a.468322259864666/1142078885822330/ http://blog.armae.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/camp-2.jpg http://blog.armae.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/legionnaires.jpg

Add slaves. It's simple. Only a few civilizations skipped slavery at this time (Han Dynasty).

If you are looking for more designs, try to look for "légionnaire césarien" in google images. François Gilbert did a lot of things about it, although not totally correct for things like leather armband, it is quite good on the others.

For the "barbarians", provocative poses could be interesting. Hitting the weapon against the shield for example.

Smiting: Casting: Coins:

In French

And close to the spina and umbo boss. But leather torn apart could be possible, if the blade glide on the wood it could do that.

Steel quality is indeed lower in the beginning of the Roman Era than during Medieval Times. Even for the Romans. For Celtic swords, there were very poor to very good examples but poor and very poor steel was the most common. Damages to the shield are possible but I would be skeptical about damages distributed over the entire shield. Actually shield use in fighting should have been much more active (not only for the Vikings, but for Celts and Iberians). I don't think fighting would have consisted to blindly smash the opposing shield.

Basically there is little evidence for native helmets and armor among the Germans. Only chainmail is known. But there are evidences for mercenaries and auxiliaries material. Imagine a noble Suebian, where could he get his helmet if he wants one? What are the relationship of the Suebians with Rome? Edit: for those interested From the Baltic to the Danube: Early Roman Iron Age Warriors from Hagenow, Mecklenburg, and Their Relations with Barbarian and Roman Worlds. http://briai.ku.lt/downloads/AB/08/08_058-068_Voss.pdf Relations between Rome and the German 'Kings' on the Middle Danube in the First to Fourth Centuries A.D http://www.kroraina.com/varia/pdfs/pitts_Relations between Rome and the German 'Kings' on the Middle Danube in the First to Fourth Centuries.pdf

I open this thread to offer a starting point for those that want to deepen specific topics and to centralize the different useful sources found by the members of our community. Anybody can propose a reference to add to the list. I will update the list when I can. To ease the reading, I put the title first, then the author name and the year. The goal here is NOT to reference EVERYTHING. There are too many books on the same topics. The best option should be to propose some key readings on specific topics, the best references available. Some books in foreign languages are welcomed. We should avoid to post direct links to Library Genesis or Sci-Hub here, but checking if the book is available there will be an appreciated effort. Proposing very rare and overpriced books is not useful, except if it is still possible to find it in an electronic format. I start with Rome and I will continue later. Recommended Classical Literature Rome Celts Mauryas / Ancient India Hellenistic / Diadochi / Alexander and his successors Others will follow up...

https://www.newegg.com/global/hn-en/gigabyte-radeon-rx-570-gv-rx570gaming-4gd/p/N82E16814125966 From a quick search

Some talk: https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php/51155-EB-Imitation-Legions-Thuerophoroi http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?628825-Hellenistic-romanized-sword-bearer