Change Details

template_gaia_flora_bush_berry (Bush) ================================================================ -Gathering berries is done by many primates, and was also a primary food source in prehistoric times. But due to agriculture and livestock breeding, it only served as supplementary food source in the ancient world. +Gathering berries was done by many primates, and was a primary food source in prehistoric times. But due to agriculture and livestock breeding, it only served as a supplementary food source in the ancient world. template_structure_civic_hellenic_royal_stoa (Stoa) ================================================================ A structure built for civic purposes. Stoas eventually became meeting places for philosophy and commerce. They were usually built within the Agora, or city center, of a Greek city. template_structure_resource_field (Field) ================================================================ Farming originated around 9500 BC in India and the Middle East. The history of agriculture is a central element of human history, as agricultural progress has been a crucial factor in worldwide socio-economic change. Wealth-building and militaristic specializations rarely seen in hunter-gatherer cultures are commonplace in agricultural and agro-industrial societies - when farmers became capable of producing food beyond the needs of their own families, others in the tribe/nation/empire were freed to devote themselves to projects other than food acquisition. template_structure_special_library (Library) ================================================================ Alexander the Great founded libraries all over his new empire. These became centers of learning for an entirely new synthesized culture: the Hellenistic culture. template_structure_special_rotarymill (Rotary Mill) ================================================================ The Celts developed the first rotary flour mill. template_structure_special_theatron (Greek Theater) ================================================================ Greek theatres were places where the immortal tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles and many other talented dramatists were staged to the delight of the populace. They were instrumental in enriching Hellenic culture and spreading its influence. template_unit_cavalry_melee_spearman (Cavalry Spearman) ================================================================ This was the weapon of choice from horseback. This was the unit that would eventually evolve to the medieval knight (after heavy influence by the Sarmartians and their lances). Infantry were an easy kill; just ride them down and skewer them with your stick and its point on the end. As with all cavalry - it was only the rich and the nobles who were able to fight from horseback due to the cost of owning such a beast. template_unit_cavalry_melee_swordsman (Cavalry Swordsman) Action: Erasure as this is more a description than a history. ================================================================ -Fighting from horseback with a sword is a tricky thing to do. This required usage of a sword that was longer than the typical infantry sword. One needed a good reach to attack from the height of a horse. If you were without spear (the ideal weapon of choice) it was probably because you needed your hands free to do other tasks such as riding hard and fast. It wasn't uncommon for the men to dismount and attack from foot if they were armed with only a sword. template_unit_cavalry_ranged_archer (Cavalry Archer) ================================================================ -A very rare unit in Part 1. It was used by the Persians, but it didn't gain much traction until the Parthians, Huns, Mongols, and other people of the nomadic steeps introduced them to Western Europe. This was the most effective unit on the battlefield for several hundred years until the well armored knight came along. Therefore, this unit will gain much more prominence in Part 2. +Cavalry Archers were predominantly used by the Persians, and didn't gain much traction with other factions until the Parthians, Huns, Mongols, and other people of the nomadic steeps introduced them to Western Europe. This was the most effective unit on the battlefield for several hundred years until the well armored knight came along. template_unit_cavalry_ranged_javelinist (Cavalry Skirmisher) Notes: More a guide to how ranged javelinists function in battle than a history. ================================================================ -The javelins thrown from a horse's back were probably 3 at most. The idea was to quickly advance with 3 in hand, then throw them all. After you had done that it was time to switch to your secondary weapon which was usually a spear or a sword. However, in the game these units will only have ranged attack. template_unit_champion_elephant (War Elephant) ================================================================ War elephants were used by many Eastern and African cultures. template_unit_champion_infantry_pikeman (Champion Pikeman) ================================================================ -Pike, or sarissa, infantry were developed by Philip II of Macedon based on the hoplite of the Greek city-states. The Macedonian pikemen, or phalangites, wielded an extra long spear (sarissa) approximatly 4 to 7 meters (13–21 feet) in length. Because of it's length and weight, the pike required the use of both hands, so the shield was slung over the pikeman's shoulder with a leather strap. Front-line pikemen of the age were generally highly-armored, while those in the back lines were lightly armored. Such pike-wielding troops were employed by numerous states, from Carthage to Syria, and were used to fix enemy infantry in position while the army's cavalry worked to turn the enemy flanks. +Pike, or sarissa, infantry were developed by Philip II of Macedon based on the hoplite of the Greek city-states. The Macedonian pikemen, or phalangites, wielded an extra long spear (sarissa) approximately 4 to 7 meters (13–21 feet) in length. Because of it's length and weight, the pike required the use of both hands, so the shield was slung over the pikeman's shoulder with a leather strap. Front-line pikemen of the age were generally highly-armored, while those in the back lines were lightly armored. Such pike-wielding troops were employed by numerous states, from Carthage to Syria, and were used to fix enemy infantry in position while the army's cavalry worked to turn the enemy flanks. template_unit_infantry_melee_pikeman (Pikeman) ================================================================ -Pike, or sarissa, infantry were developed by Philip II of Macedon based on the hoplite of the Greek city-states. The Macedonian pikemen, or phalangites, wielded an extra long spear (sarissa) approximatly 4 to 7 meters (13–21 feet) in length. Because of it's length and weight, the pike required the use of both hands, so the shield was slung over the pikeman's shoulder with a leather strap. Front-line pikemen of the age were generally highly-armored, while those in the back lines were lightly armored. Such pike-wielding troops were employed by numerous states, from Carthage to Syria, and were used to fix enemy infantry in position while the army's cavalry worked to turn the enemy flanks. +Pike, or sarissa, infantry were developed by Philip II of Macedon based on the hoplite of the Greek city-states. The Macedonian pikemen, or phalangites, wielded an extra long spear (sarissa) approximately 4 to 7 meters (13–21 feet) in length. Because of it's length and weight, the pike required the use of both hands, so the shield was slung over the pikeman's shoulder with a leather strap. Front-line pikemen of the age were generally highly-armored, while those in the back lines were lightly armored. Such pike-wielding troops were employed by numerous states, from Carthage to Syria, and were used to fix enemy infantry in position while the army's cavalry worked to turn the enemy flanks. template_unit_infantry_melee_spearman (Spearman) Notes: The section on fighting style needs rewriting or removing. ================================================================ -Probably one of the most primitive units in the game. Fighting with a sharp object at the end of the pole didn't require a lot of technology to develop. It also allowed the human to distance themselves from their attacker. As time passed the spears got longer and longer. Started with a fighting style similar to using a quarterstaff, then to using them in numbers as a 'pin cushion' vs. humans (sarissa in a phalanx). Later it was developed to combat cavalry. During the medieval period it evolved to the pike. These units tended to be armored as heavily as possible. +Fighting with a sharp object at the end of the pole didn't require a lot of technology to develop. It also allowed the fighter to distance themselves from their opponent. As time passed the spears got longer and longer. Started with a fighting style similar to using a quarterstaff, then to using them in numbers as a 'pin cushion' vs. humans (sarissa in a phalanx). Later it was developed to combat cavalry. During the medieval period it evolved to the pike. These units tended to be armored as heavily as possible. template_unit_infantry_melee_swordsman (Swordsman) ================================================================ -Weapon is basically a developed sickle. Probably from the club, to the axe, to the sickle to the sword. It was the Romans who used them to combat the long range of the sarissa. Their spears were so long they had to use two hands to wield them. In a formation they were almost impossible to maneuver. If flanked, they were easily cut down by a sword as demonstrated by the Romans at the battle of Cynoscephalae. Generally swordsmen were well armored, had shields, and tended to be nobles. A good sword was an expensive weapon. +The sword is basically a straightened sickle; with the development of the weapon most likely starting out as the club, before progressing to the axe, the sickle and finally to the sword. The Romans used swordsmen to combat the long range of spear and pike infantry. Their spears were so long they had to use two hands to wield them, and in a formation they were almost impossible to maneuver. If flanked, pikemen were easily cut down by a sword as demonstrated by the Romans at the battle of Cynoscephalae. Generally swordsmen were well armored, had shields, and tended to be nobles. A good sword was an expensive weapon. template_unit_infantry_ranged_archer (Archer) Note: Still reads as a description of the use of archery in battle than a history of archers. ================================================================ -They tended to be lightly armored. They usually only participated in the first stage of a battle, sending a volley of arrows raining down the enemy. Of course they would have to stop shooting once the melee units closed in. This means their job was largely over once the 'true battle' was underway. They spent hours training with a bow, but if you were hit by an arrow it was more likely an act of random chance than being specifically targeted by an archer. +Archers tended to be lightly armored. They usually only participated in the first stage of a battle, sending a volley of arrows raining down the enemy, stopping once the hand to hand fighting started for fear of hitting their own side. This meant their job was largely over once the 'true battle' was underway. They spent hours training with a bow, but if you were hit by an arrow it was more likely an act of random chance than being specifically targeted by an archer. template_unit_infantry_ranged_javelinist (Skirmisher) Note: The first part reads as a description, not a history. The second part is specific to the Romans. ================================================================ -These were the skirmishers. These lightly armored units would advance quickly, throw a hail of javelins and then retreat back to their ranks. Grab another spear and repeat. They would do well against any unit that wasn't wearing proper armor, but more poorly if they fought hand to hand vs a well armored unit. They didn't always have to throw their spears either. They used these light small spears in hand to hand similar to a quarterstaff. Also note that the development of the pilum was a key transition. The pilum was a weapon with a long steel shaft that would sink into a shield and was nearly impossible to remove. This rendered the shield useless. They also weighted and balanced them to make them accurately hit with a punch. +Skirmishers were lightly armored units who could advance quickly, throw a hail of javelins and then retreat back to their ranks. Grab another spear and repeat. They did well against any unit that wasn't wearing proper armor, but poorly against a well armored unit. In hand to hand combat they could use one of their javelins similar to a quarterstaff. The Roman development of the pilum was a key transition. This was a javelin with a long steel shaft that would sink into an opponent's shield and was nearly impossible to remove, rendering the shield useless. The pila were also weighted and balanced to make them accurately hit with a punch. template_unit_support_female_citizen (Female Citizen) ================================================================ -Women in the ancient world took on a variety of roles - from leadership (Celts) to servant (Greeks). Women are hard workers, the economic backbone of any civilization. In history, it was typical when all the males (capable of fighting) were killed for the females, children, and elderly to be sold as slaves. +Women in the ancient world took on a variety of roles - from leadership (Celts) to servants (Greeks). Women were hard workers, and formed the economic backbone of any civilization. In history, it was typical when all men capable of fighting were killed for the women, children, and elderly to be sold as slaves. template_unit_support_trader (Trader) ================================================================ Trade was a very important part of ancient civilization - effective trading and control of trade routes equaled wealth. Trade took place by many forms from foot to caravans to merchant ships. One of the most notorious examples of the power of trade was the Silk Road.

template_gaia_flora_bush_berry (Bush) ================================================================ -Gathering berries is done by many primates, and was also a primary food source in prehistoric times. But due to agriculture and livestock breeding, it only served as supplementary food source in the ancient world. +Gathering berries was done by many primates, and was a primary food source in prehistoric times. But due to agriculture and livestock breeding, it only served as a supplementary food source in the ancient world. template_structure_civic_hellenic_royal_stoa (Stoa) ================================================================ A structure built for civic purposes. Stoas eventually became meeting places for philosophy and commerce. They were usually built within the Agora, or city center, of a Greek city. template_structure_resource_field (Field) ================================================================ Farming originated around 9500 BC in India and the Middle East. The history of agriculture is a central element of human history, as agricultural progress has been a crucial factor in worldwide socio-economic change. Wealth-building and militaristic specializations rarely seen in hunter-gatherer cultures are commonplace in agricultural and agro-industrial societies - when farmers became capable of producing food beyond the needs of their own families, others in the tribe/nation/empire were freed to devote themselves to projects other than food acquisition. template_structure_special_library (Library) ================================================================ Alexander the Great founded libraries all over his new empire. These became centers of learning for an entirely new synthesized culture: the Hellenistic culture. template_structure_special_rotarymill (Rotary Mill) ================================================================ The Celts developed the first rotary flour mill. template_structure_special_theatron (Greek Theater) ================================================================ Greek theatres were places where the immortal tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles and many other talented dramatists were staged to the delight of the populace. They were instrumental in enriching Hellenic culture and spreading its influence. template_unit_cavalry_melee_spearman (Cavalry Spearman) ================================================================ This was the weapon of choice from horseback. This was the unit that would eventually evolve to the medieval knight (after heavy influence by the Sarmartians and their lances). Infantry were an easy kill; just ride them down and skewer them with your stick and its point on the end. As with all cavalry - it was only the rich and the nobles who were able to fight from horseback due to the cost of owning such a beast. template_unit_cavalry_melee_swordsman (Cavalry Swordsman) Action: Erasure as this is more a description than a history. ================================================================ -Fighting from horseback with a sword is a tricky thing to do. This required usage of a sword that was longer than the typical infantry sword. One needed a good reach to attack from the height of a horse. If you were without spear (the ideal weapon of choice) it was probably because you needed your hands free to do other tasks such as riding hard and fast. It wasn't uncommon for the men to dismount and attack from foot if they were armed with only a sword. template_unit_cavalry_ranged_archer (Cavalry Archer) ================================================================ -A very rare unit in Part 1. It was used by the Persians, but it didn't gain much traction until the Parthians, Huns, Mongols, and other people of the nomadic steeps introduced them to Western Europe. This was the most effective unit on the battlefield for several hundred years until the well armored knight came along. Therefore, this unit will gain much more prominence in Part 2. +Cavalry Archers were predominantly used by the Persians, and didn't gain much traction with other factions until the Parthians, Huns, Mongols, and other people of the nomadic steeps introduced them to Western Europe. This was the most effective unit on the battlefield for several hundred years until the well armored knight came along. template_unit_cavalry_ranged_javelinist (Cavalry Skirmisher) Notes: More a guide to how ranged javelinists function in battle than a history. ================================================================ -The javelins thrown from a horse's back were probably 3 at most. The idea was to quickly advance with 3 in hand, then throw them all. After you had done that it was time to switch to your secondary weapon which was usually a spear or a sword. However, in the game these units will only have ranged attack. template_unit_champion_elephant (War Elephant) ================================================================ War elephants were used by many Eastern and African cultures. template_unit_champion_infantry_pikeman (Champion Pikeman) ================================================================ -Pike, or sarissa, infantry were developed by Philip II of Macedon based on the hoplite of the Greek city-states. The Macedonian pikemen, or phalangites, wielded an extra long spear (sarissa) approximatly 4 to 7 meters (13–21 feet) in length. Because of it's length and weight, the pike required the use of both hands, so the shield was slung over the pikeman's shoulder with a leather strap. Front-line pikemen of the age were generally highly-armored, while those in the back lines were lightly armored. Such pike-wielding troops were employed by numerous states, from Carthage to Syria, and were used to fix enemy infantry in position while the army's cavalry worked to turn the enemy flanks. +Pike, or sarissa, infantry were developed by Philip II of Macedon based on the hoplite of the Greek city-states. The Macedonian pikemen, or phalangites, wielded an extra long spear (sarissa) approximately 4 to 7 meters (13–21 feet) in length. Because of it's length and weight, the pike required the use of both hands, so the shield was slung over the pikeman's shoulder with a leather strap. Front-line pikemen of the age were generally highly-armored, while those in the back lines were lightly armored. Such pike-wielding troops were employed by numerous states, from Carthage to Syria, and were used to fix enemy infantry in position while the army's cavalry worked to turn the enemy flanks. template_unit_infantry_melee_pikeman (Pikeman) ================================================================ -Pike, or sarissa, infantry were developed by Philip II of Macedon based on the hoplite of the Greek city-states. The Macedonian pikemen, or phalangites, wielded an extra long spear (sarissa) approximatly 4 to 7 meters (13–21 feet) in length. Because of it's length and weight, the pike required the use of both hands, so the shield was slung over the pikeman's shoulder with a leather strap. Front-line pikemen of the age were generally highly-armored, while those in the back lines were lightly armored. Such pike-wielding troops were employed by numerous states, from Carthage to Syria, and were used to fix enemy infantry in position while the army's cavalry worked to turn the enemy flanks. +Pike, or sarissa, infantry were developed by Philip II of Macedon based on the hoplite of the Greek city-states. The Macedonian pikemen, or phalangites, wielded an extra long spear (sarissa) approximately 4 to 7 meters (13–21 feet) in length. Because of it's length and weight, the pike required the use of both hands, so the shield was slung over the pikeman's shoulder with a leather strap. Front-line pikemen of the age were generally highly-armored, while those in the back lines were lightly armored. Such pike-wielding troops were employed by numerous states, from Carthage to Syria, and were used to fix enemy infantry in position while the army's cavalry worked to turn the enemy flanks. template_unit_infantry_melee_spearman (Spearman) Notes: The section on fighting style needs rewriting or removing. Also, this is more a description than a history. ================================================================ -Probably one of the most primitive units in the game. Fighting with a sharp object at the end of the pole didn't require a lot of technology to develop. It also allowed the human to distance themselves from their attacker. As time passed the spears got longer and longer. Started with a fighting style similar to using a quarterstaff, then to using them in numbers as a 'pin cushion' vs. humans (sarissa in a phalanx). Later it was developed to combat cavalry. During the medieval period it evolved to the pike. These units tended to be armored as heavily as possible. +Fighting with a sharp object at the end of the pole didn't require a lot of technology to develop. It also allowed the fighter to distance themselves from their opponent. As time passed the spears got longer and longer. Started with a fighting style similar to using a quarterstaff, then to using them in numbers as a 'pin cushion' vs. humans (sarissa in a phalanx). Later it was developed to combat cavalry. During the medieval period it evolved to the pike. These units tended to be armored as heavily as possible. template_unit_infantry_melee_swordsman (Swordsman) ================================================================ -Weapon is basically a developed sickle. Probably from the club, to the axe, to the sickle to the sword. It was the Romans who used them to combat the long range of the sarissa. Their spears were so long they had to use two hands to wield them. In a formation they were almost impossible to maneuver. If flanked, they were easily cut down by a sword as demonstrated by the Romans at the battle of Cynoscephalae. Generally swordsmen were well armored, had shields, and tended to be nobles. A good sword was an expensive weapon. +The sword is basically a straightened sickle; with the development of the weapon most likely starting out as the club, before progressing to the axe, the sickle and finally to the sword. The Romans used swordsmen to combat the long range of spear and pike infantry. Their spears were so long they had to use two hands to wield them, and in a formation they were almost impossible to maneuver. If flanked, pikemen were easily cut down by a sword as demonstrated by the Romans at the battle of Cynoscephalae. Generally swordsmen were well armored, had shields, and tended to be nobles. A good sword was an expensive weapon. template_unit_infantry_ranged_archer (Archer) Note: Still reads as a description of the use of archery in battle than a history of archers. ================================================================ -They tended to be lightly armored. They usually only participated in the first stage of a battle, sending a volley of arrows raining down the enemy. Of course they would have to stop shooting once the melee units closed in. This means their job was largely over once the 'true battle' was underway. They spent hours training with a bow, but if you were hit by an arrow it was more likely an act of random chance than being specifically targeted by an archer. +Archers tended to be lightly armored. They usually only participated in the first stage of a battle, sending a volley of arrows raining down the enemy, stopping once the hand to hand fighting started for fear of hitting their own side. This meant their job was largely over once the 'true battle' was underway. They spent hours training with a bow, but if you were hit by an arrow it was more likely an act of random chance than being specifically targeted by an archer. template_unit_infantry_ranged_javelinist (Skirmisher) Note: The first part reads as a description, not a history. The second part is specific to the Romans. ================================================================ -These were the skirmishers. These lightly armored units would advance quickly, throw a hail of javelins and then retreat back to their ranks. Grab another spear and repeat. They would do well against any unit that wasn't wearing proper armor, but more poorly if they fought hand to hand vs a well armored unit. They didn't always have to throw their spears either. They used these light small spears in hand to hand similar to a quarterstaff. Also note that the development of the pilum was a key transition. The pilum was a weapon with a long steel shaft that would sink into a shield and was nearly impossible to remove. This rendered the shield useless. They also weighted and balanced them to make them accurately hit with a punch. +Skirmishers were lightly armored units who could advance quickly, throw a hail of javelins and then retreat back to their ranks. Grab another spear and repeat. They did well against any unit that wasn't wearing proper armor, but poorly against a well armored unit. In hand to hand combat they could use one of their javelins similar to a quarterstaff. The Roman development of the pilum was a key transition. This was a javelin with a long steel shaft that would sink into an opponent's shield and was nearly impossible to remove, rendering the shield useless. The pila were also weighted and balanced to make them accurately hit with a punch. template_unit_support_female_citizen (Female Citizen) ================================================================ -Women in the ancient world took on a variety of roles - from leadership (Celts) to servant (Greeks). Women are hard workers, the economic backbone of any civilization. In history, it was typical when all the males (capable of fighting) were killed for the females, children, and elderly to be sold as slaves. +Women in the ancient world took on a variety of roles - from leadership (Celts) to servants (Greeks). Women were hard workers, and formed the economic backbone of any civilization. In history, it was typical when all men capable of fighting were killed for the women, children, and elderly to be sold as slaves. template_unit_support_trader (Trader) ================================================================ Trade was a very important part of ancient civilization - effective trading and control of trade routes equaled wealth. Trade took place by many forms from foot to caravans to merchant ships. One of the most notorious examples of the power of trade was the Silk Road.

template_gaia_flora_bush_berry (Bush) ================================================================ -Gathering berries is done by many primates, and was also a primary food source in prehistoric times. But due to agriculture and livestock breeding, it only served as supplementary food source in the ancient world. +Gathering berries was done by many primates, and was a primary food source in prehistoric times. But due to agriculture and livestock breeding, it only served as a supplementary food source in the ancient world. template_structure_civic_hellenic_royal_stoa (Stoa) ================================================================ A structure built for civic purposes. Stoas eventually became meeting places for philosophy and commerce. They were usually built within the Agora, or city center, of a Greek city. template_structure_resource_field (Field) ================================================================ Farming originated around 9500 BC in India and the Middle East. The history of agriculture is a central element of human history, as agricultural progress has been a crucial factor in worldwide socio-economic change. Wealth-building and militaristic specializations rarely seen in hunter-gatherer cultures are commonplace in agricultural and agro-industrial societies - when farmers became capable of producing food beyond the needs of their own families, others in the tribe/nation/empire were freed to devote themselves to projects other than food acquisition. template_structure_special_library (Library) ================================================================ Alexander the Great founded libraries all over his new empire. These became centers of learning for an entirely new synthesized culture: the Hellenistic culture. template_structure_special_rotarymill (Rotary Mill) ================================================================ The Celts developed the first rotary flour mill. template_structure_special_theatron (Greek Theater) ================================================================ Greek theatres were places where the immortal tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles and many other talented dramatists were staged to the delight of the populace. They were instrumental in enriching Hellenic culture and spreading its influence. template_unit_cavalry_melee_spearman (Cavalry Spearman) ================================================================ This was the weapon of choice from horseback. This was the unit that would eventually evolve to the medieval knight (after heavy influence by the Sarmartians and their lances). Infantry were an easy kill; just ride them down and skewer them with your stick and its point on the end. As with all cavalry - it was only the rich and the nobles who were able to fight from horseback due to the cost of owning such a beast. template_unit_cavalry_melee_swordsman (Cavalry Swordsman) Action: Erasure as this is more a description than a history. ================================================================ -Fighting from horseback with a sword is a tricky thing to do. This required usage of a sword that was longer than the typical infantry sword. One needed a good reach to attack from the height of a horse. If you were without spear (the ideal weapon of choice) it was probably because you needed your hands free to do other tasks such as riding hard and fast. It wasn't uncommon for the men to dismount and attack from foot if they were armed with only a sword. template_unit_cavalry_ranged_archer (Cavalry Archer) ================================================================ -A very rare unit in Part 1. It was used by the Persians, but it didn't gain much traction until the Parthians, Huns, Mongols, and other people of the nomadic steeps introduced them to Western Europe. This was the most effective unit on the battlefield for several hundred years until the well armored knight came along. Therefore, this unit will gain much more prominence in Part 2. +Cavalry Archers were predominantly used by the Persians, and didn't gain much traction with other factions until the Parthians, Huns, Mongols, and other people of the nomadic steeps introduced them to Western Europe. This was the most effective unit on the battlefield for several hundred years until the well armored knight came along. template_unit_cavalry_ranged_javelinist (Cavalry Skirmisher) Notes: More a guide to how ranged javelinists function in battle than a history. ================================================================ -The javelins thrown from a horse's back were probably 3 at most. The idea was to quickly advance with 3 in hand, then throw them all. After you had done that it was time to switch to your secondary weapon which was usually a spear or a sword. However, in the game these units will only have ranged attack. template_unit_champion_elephant (War Elephant) ================================================================ War elephants were used by many Eastern and African cultures. template_unit_champion_infantry_pikeman (Champion Pikeman) ================================================================ -Pike, or sarissa, infantry were developed by Philip II of Macedon based on the hoplite of the Greek city-states. The Macedonian pikemen, or phalangites, wielded an extra long spear (sarissa) approximatly 4 to 7 meters (13–21 feet) in length. Because of it's length and weight, the pike required the use of both hands, so the shield was slung over the pikeman's shoulder with a leather strap. Front-line pikemen of the age were generally highly-armored, while those in the back lines were lightly armored. Such pike-wielding troops were employed by numerous states, from Carthage to Syria, and were used to fix enemy infantry in position while the army's cavalry worked to turn the enemy flanks. +Pike, or sarissa, infantry were developed by Philip II of Macedon based on the hoplite of the Greek city-states. The Macedonian pikemen, or phalangites, wielded an extra long spear (sarissa) approximately 4 to 7 meters (13–21 feet) in length. Because of it's length and weight, the pike required the use of both hands, so the shield was slung over the pikeman's shoulder with a leather strap. Front-line pikemen of the age were generally highly-armored, while those in the back lines were lightly armored. Such pike-wielding troops were employed by numerous states, from Carthage to Syria, and were used to fix enemy infantry in position while the army's cavalry worked to turn the enemy flanks. template_unit_infantry_melee_pikeman (Pikeman) ================================================================ -Pike, or sarissa, infantry were developed by Philip II of Macedon based on the hoplite of the Greek city-states. The Macedonian pikemen, or phalangites, wielded an extra long spear (sarissa) approximatly 4 to 7 meters (13–21 feet) in length. Because of it's length and weight, the pike required the use of both hands, so the shield was slung over the pikeman's shoulder with a leather strap. Front-line pikemen of the age were generally highly-armored, while those in the back lines were lightly armored. Such pike-wielding troops were employed by numerous states, from Carthage to Syria, and were used to fix enemy infantry in position while the army's cavalry worked to turn the enemy flanks. +Pike, or sarissa, infantry were developed by Philip II of Macedon based on the hoplite of the Greek city-states. The Macedonian pikemen, or phalangites, wielded an extra long spear (sarissa) approximately 4 to 7 meters (13–21 feet) in length. Because of it's length and weight, the pike required the use of both hands, so the shield was slung over the pikeman's shoulder with a leather strap. Front-line pikemen of the age were generally highly-armored, while those in the back lines were lightly armored. Such pike-wielding troops were employed by numerous states, from Carthage to Syria, and were used to fix enemy infantry in position while the army's cavalry worked to turn the enemy flanks. template_unit_infantry_melee_spearman (Spearman) Notes: The section on fighting style needs rewriting or removing. Also, this is more a description than a history. ================================================================ -Probably one of the most primitive units in the game. Fighting with a sharp object at the end of the pole didn't require a lot of technology to develop. It also allowed the human to distance themselves from their attacker. As time passed the spears got longer and longer. Started with a fighting style similar to using a quarterstaff, then to using them in numbers as a 'pin cushion' vs. humans (sarissa in a phalanx). Later it was developed to combat cavalry. During the medieval period it evolved to the pike. These units tended to be armored as heavily as possible. +Fighting with a sharp object at the end of the pole didn't require a lot of technology to develop. It also allowed the fighter to distance themselves from their opponent. As time passed the spears got longer and longer. Started with a fighting style similar to using a quarterstaff, then to using them in numbers as a 'pin cushion' vs. humans (sarissa in a phalanx). Later it was developed to combat cavalry. During the medieval period it evolved to the pike. These units tended to be armored as heavily as possible. template_unit_infantry_melee_swordsman (Swordsman) ================================================================ -Weapon is basically a developed sickle. Probably from the club, to the axe, to the sickle to the sword. It was the Romans who used them to combat the long range of the sarissa. Their spears were so long they had to use two hands to wield them. In a formation they were almost impossible to maneuver. If flanked, they were easily cut down by a sword as demonstrated by the Romans at the battle of Cynoscephalae. Generally swordsmen were well armored, had shields, and tended to be nobles. A good sword was an expensive weapon. +The sword is basically a straightened sickle; with the development of the weapon most likely starting out as the club, before progressing to the axe, the sickle and finally to the sword. The Romans used swordsmen to combat the long range of spear and pike infantry. Their spears were so long they had to use two hands to wield them, and in a formation they were almost impossible to maneuver. If flanked, pikemen were easily cut down by a sword as demonstrated by the Romans at the battle of Cynoscephalae. Generally swordsmen were well armored, had shields, and tended to be nobles. A good sword was an expensive weapon. template_unit_infantry_ranged_archer (Archer) Note: Still reads as a description of the use of archery in battle than a history of archers. ================================================================ -They tended to be lightly armored. They usually only participated in the first stage of a battle, sending a volley of arrows raining down the enemy. Of course they would have to stop shooting once the melee units closed in. This means their job was largely over once the 'true battle' was underway. They spent hours training with a bow, but if you were hit by an arrow it was more likely an act of random chance than being specifically targeted by an archer. +Archers tended to be lightly armored. They usually only participated in the first stage of a battle, sending a volley of arrows raining down the enemy, stopping once the hand to hand fighting started for fear of hitting their own side. This meant their job was largely over once the 'true battle' was underway. They spent hours training with a bow, but if you were hit by an arrow it was more likely an act of random chance than being specifically targeted by an archer. template_unit_infantry_ranged_javelinist (Skirmisher) Note: The first part reads as a description, not a history. The second part is specific to the Romans. ================================================================ -These were the skirmishers. These lightly armored units would advance quickly, throw a hail of javelins and then retreat back to their ranks. Grab another spear and repeat. They would do well against any unit that wasn't wearing proper armor, but more poorly if they fought hand to hand vs a well armored unit. They didn't always have to throw their spears either. They used these light small spears in hand to hand similar to a quarterstaff. Also note that the development of the pilum was a key transition. The pilum was a weapon with a long steel shaft that would sink into a shield and was nearly impossible to remove. This rendered the shield useless. They also weighted and balanced them to make them accurately hit with a punch. +Skirmishers were lightly armored units who could advance quickly, throw a hail of javelins and then retreat back to their ranks. Grab another spear and repeat. They did well against any unit that wasn't wearing proper armor, but poorly against a well armored unit. In hand to hand combat they could use one of their javelins similar to a quarterstaff. The Roman development of the pilum was a key transition. This was a javelin with a long steel shaft that would sink into an opponent's shield and was nearly impossible to remove, rendering the shield useless. The pila were also weighted and balanced to make them accurately hit with a punch. template_unit_support_female_citizen (Female Citizen) ================================================================ -Women in the ancient world took on a variety of roles - from leadership (Celts) to servant (Greeks). Women are hard workers, the economic backbone of any civilization. In history, it was typical when all the males (capable of fighting) were killed for the females, children, and elderly to be sold as slaves. +Women in the ancient world took on a variety of roles - from leadership (Celts) to servants (Greeks). Women were hard workers, and formed the economic backbone of any civilization. In history, it was typical when all men capable of fighting were killed for the women, children, and elderly to be sold as slaves. template_unit_support_trader (Trader) ================================================================ Trade was a very important part of ancient civilization - effective trading and control of trade routes equaled wealth. Trade took place by many forms from foot to caravans to merchant ships. One of the most notorious examples of the power of trade was the Silk Road.