Thracian mercenaries

[fatherbushido]

In Empire Ascendant, that unit is present as:

- a swordman for the sele civ

- a champion for the athen, spart and partially for mace

In both case, it's showed as a "thracian mercenary" armed with a "rhomphaia".

The champion ones:

 

The sele ones:

 

All: (basic, advanced, elite, champion)

 

- Does it fit in the sele roaster?

- Does it fit for athen? for spart? for mace? (gameplay, history, ...). It was first present in scenario maps, should it be kept for that (ideas?). Does that fit in the famous stoa?

 

[Genava55]

I am not sure about the Seleucids, if there is anything to back up this unit in their roster.

[fatherbushido]

That one is interesting too:

Quote

[11] The Thracians too were impeded by their lances, which were likewise of great length, among the branches which projected in every direction.

https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.02.0164%3Abook%3D31%3Achapter%3D39

 

[Genava55]

[11] Thracas quoque rumpiae, ingentis et ipsae longitudinis, inter obiectos undique ramos impediebant.

 

[fatherbushido]

In Delenda Est:

- units/mace_merc_infantry_2.xml (which is the stoa champion mercenary of Empire Ascendant)

units/sele_merc_infantry_1.xml (which is probably the current sele mercenary swordman)

(and also some thracian peltasts)

That sounds something reasonable to not keep that unit in the spart and athen roster.

Edited May 12, 2020 by fatherbushido

[wowgetoffyourcellphone]

I think the Athenians and Spartans could get Thracian Peltast mercenary units, but the Rhomphaia dudes seem to appear later in the sources.

Thracian (Odrysian) cavalry can be seen at Gaugamela, 500 strong, fighting for Alexander armed with javelins and swords. Thracians are seen with the Macedonians serving King Perseus at the Battle of Callinicus, helping to secure a tactical victory there. Here, I've read mention of "black cloaks" as part of the Thracian contingent in an issue of Ancient Warfare Magazine. 

Here is some mention of Thracian troops in the Seleucid army: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Seleucid_army#/Allied,_vassal_and_mercenary_infantry

Edited May 14, 2020 by wowgetoffyourcellphone

[Ultimate Aurelian]

1 minute ago, wowgetoffyourcellphone said:

I think the Athenians and Spartans could get Thracian Peltast mercenary units, but the Rhomphaia dudes seem to appear later in the sources.

Thracian (Odrysian) cavalry can be seen at Gaugamela, 500 strong, fighting for Alexander armed with javelins and swords. Thracians are seen with the Macedonians serving King Perseus at the Battle of Callinicus, helping to secure a tactical victory there. 

Here is some mention of Thracian troops in the Seleucid army: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Seleucid_army#/Allied,_vassal_and_mercenary_infantry

From what i can find in a quick search the first Romphaia finds are from 400-300 B.C.

For such a famous weapon,  it is a bit hard to find detailed information on.

[wowgetoffyourcellphone]

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Thracian_warfare Not much here, but a nice introduction.