seleucid silver shields

When the smoke cleared, the former 'commander-in-chief of the camp', Seleucus, controlled Babylon and several other eastern satrapies, proclaiming himself king in 306BC. They were armed in the Macedonian manner with a sarissa and fought in the phalanx formation, much like the other Hellenistic armies of the time. It is thought that the 5000 men at the head of the Daphne Parade in 166BC were Silver Shields equipped in this way. I'm going to be running a Magnesia game this summer with some friends, and in preparation for that I'm going to be painting up several Selucid battle groups. Second group of Phalangites advanced as well. The xyston was still too short to meet the sarissa phalanx head on. Silver Shields were now in grave danger and it was up to Seleucid cavalry and remaining Phalangite unit to protect their flanks and to try and help them. [14] The true extent of the adoption of Roman techniques is unknown, some have suggested that the infantry are in fact more likely to be Thureophoroi or Thorakitai, troops armed with an oval shield of the Celtic type, a thrusting spear and javelins. A romanized infantry and certainly not a phalanx. Like the phalanx, an attack on their flank could prove fatal for the rider and these difficulties were exploited by infantry 'which assaulted the cataphracts from the flanks, attacking body parts of the riders and horses that were unprotected by armour'. The new council of the rulers, which took place on Triparadise in Syria, reconfirmed Antipater’s ruler over Macedonia, appointed Antigonos Monophthalmos (the One Eyed!) It is possible that the missing 5,000 men of th… However they are no match for the toughest Infantry of other factions such as Sacred Band. 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 whole kingdom may mean 'regions like Syria an… Indeed, the 'Romanized' troops are seen facing the Maccabees at the Battle of Beth Zechariah in 162 BC. [46], Along with the citizen militia infantry, there were also militia cavalry units recruited in the cities, known as Politikoi. While the Seleucid cataphracts were certainly of Greek or Persian descent, Livy describes a contingent of 3,000 cavalry "clad in mail armour and known as 'cataphracti'" present at the Battle of Magnesia, standing next to a contingent of Galatian infantry,[45] which Appian later also describe being of Galatian descent. After the introduction of the Cataphract, the Hetairoi were given similar but lighter protection. The desire to meet the phalanx head on and the need for protection was remedied after the anabasis of Antiochus III to the eastern satrapies in 210-206 BC. [16] Little else is known specifically about them, although they may have been present at the battle of Beth-Zachariah in 162. Antiochos Megas. They were a permanently embodied guard unit, which was formed from the sons of military settlers. The core of my army is Seleucid and the photos reflect this. However, unfortunately for the Seleucids, their main rivals, the Romans and Ptolemies, used armies that were centered around a core of good infantry. The Seleucid siege of Alexandria was not long lived, and was unsuccessful in any case. Seleucid Army King Antiochus with army standard bearer Cavalry 8 x Companion cavalry – half barding 10 x Agema Seleucid Cataphracts – half barding 10 x Seleucid Cataphracts – full barding 10 x Neo-Tarentine light Cavalry 6 x Parthian horse archers Phalanx 24 x Silver Shields – Argyraspides 32 x Eastern Settler Phalanx – Katoikoi So, there were 5000 Agyraspides present. The Seleucid talent for adopting good ideas is given solidity in the shape of these Legionaries who are direct copies of the Roman originals! [28] The absence of auxiliaries from the army of Antiochus IV may have contributed to its strength. The Seleucid Silver Shields, had held their own against the Ptolemaic Macedonian phalangists. [35] However, it seems that writers referred to them by several names other than just the 'companions'; the basilike ile ('royal squadron' or 'regia ala' according to Livy), and the hippos hetairike ('horse companions'). Seleucid Army King Antiochus with army standard bearer Cavalry 8 x Companion cavalry – half barding 10 x Agema Seleucid Cataphracts – half barding 10 x Seleucid Cataphracts – full barding 10 x Neo-Tarentine light Cavalry 6 x Parthian horse archers Phalanx 24 x Silver Shields – Argyraspides 32 x Eastern Settler Phalanx – Katoikoi In 166 BC, at the Daphne Parade under Antiochus IV, the Argyraspides corps is only seen to be 5,000 strong. Agyraspides means Silver Shields. After the loss of Media, the main recruiting ground for the Agema, to the Parthians, the Epilektoi were given the title and role of the Agema by Alexander Balas.[42]. At the time of the second Punic War, Antiochos III, or Antiochos Megas, led the Successor kingdom of the Seleucids. They were a permanently embodied guard unit, which was formed from the sons of military settlers. [17], There was a militia, at least in Syria. [27] In the review at Daphne in 166 BC, the large numbers of allied and vassal contingents are missing. The model is a conversion of a left-over Gallic chariot with additional horses and a Seleucid archer. So much so that Appian blamed them for the defeat at the Battle of Magnesia in 190 BC. [38] The Agema 'consisted of Medes, selected men, with a mixture of horsemen of many races from the same part of the world. During his final years on campaign, Alexander the Great renamed his elite hypaspist infantrymen argyraspides or 'Silver Shields'. They were a permanently embodied guard unit, which was formed from the sons of military settlers. This covers Macedonians, Seleucids, Ptolomaics etc. [15], The majority of the Seleucid phalanx was probably formed by the two corps that are mentioned in the Daphne Parade of 166 BC, namely the 10,000 Chrysaspides (Greek: Χρυσάσπιδες 'Golden-Shields') and the 5,000 Chalkaspides ('Bronze-Shields'). The core was a professional standing army of Macedonian-style infantry called the Silver Shields, various horse guard regiments, and war elephants. Silver Shield Legionaries. [33] The light cavalry was used to skirmish, so troops such as those that fought in the Tarentine style were common within this category, although there were numerous native contingents too. And while the skirmishers moved forward at a double to start harassing the enemy, the cavalry waited in reserve. The model is a conversion of a left-over Gallic chariot with additional horses and a Seleucid archer. [44] The cataphracts could also have their kontos grabbed from them or be knocked off their horse. At Magnesia, Antiochus' disregard for his phalanx and his misdirected cavalry charge led to his defeat. [3] For example, Antiochus III brought Greeks from Euboea, Crete and Aetolia and settled them in Antioch. The eastern style of horse warfare would have a deep impact in the reign of Antiochus III, when he armed his heavy cavalry along Parthian lines. Despite the numerous advantages that the Seleucids had at the height of their power, the empire soon began to fall into decline, especially with the coming of so many dynastic wars between the rival claimants to the Seleucid throne. The Seleucid’s historical elite phalanx, the Silver Shields (Argyriaspids) are included, both in phalanx and legionnaire form. Welcome . The principle guard infantry of the Seleucid army was the 'Silver-Shields', or Argyraspides. All members in good standing are free to post here. Livery_(None) 4. Seleucid Melee Infantry Silver Shield Swordsmen These veterans fight in the Roman style, and do so with fortitude. Schwerin-White, Susan, & Kuhrt, Amelie (1993), This page was last edited on 9 October 2020, at 06:59. The Epilektoi were most likely recruited from the city of Larissa, which was founded by colonists from Larissa on the Greek mainland. By then, many important military settlements had fallen to Pergamon and Parthia. [26] The Persian and Iranian troops were most likely of a higher professional military standing than most of the other contingents, as they are seen on garrison duty throughout the empire. [54] The ever weakening empire led to the Parthians' sweeping into and taking over their eastern satrapies. However, when their Arab flank guard retreat, the Seleucid officers realized they were alone on the battlefield. The principle guard infantry of the Seleucid army was the 'Silver-Shields', or Argyraspides. The Ancient Empires works to develop innovative mods for both Total War Rome II (as a submod of Divide et Impera) and Attila. The silver color probably alludes to the Silver Shields and the Corinthian helmet to the Greek heritage of the Seleucids. However, following their catastrophic defeat at Magnesia in 190BC by the Romans, the Seleucids began to re-model the Silver Shields on the impressive Roman legionaries who defeated them, certainly in equipment if not in tactics. They were armed in the Macedonian manner with a sarissa and fought in the phalanx formation, much like the other Hellenistic armies of the time. The principle guard infantry of the Seleucid army was the 'Silver-Shields', or Argyraspides. [39] Both corps of cavalry could escort the king into battle, or both could be brigaded together into one unit of 2,000. "Seleucid Silver Shields" Topic. Seleucid Silver Shields. The Thracian and Galatian mercenaries at Daphne would have been of good use in campaigns in the rough, hilly terrain. Attack: 9 Missile: 13 Defense: 22 Recruitment Cost: 710 Abilities: Can form testudo (tortoise) formation with shields, javelins thrown before charge, good morale, good stamina, can sap. Most Macedonian shields were covered in bronze but elite troops often had silver shields. The training of a segment of the royal guard in "Roman' methods was probably down to several factors. Our Attila overhaul is a complete conversion mod for Attila: Total War that will be set in the Rome II time period. [48], The Seleucids employed a number of Tarantine cavalry, either as mercenaries or – more likely – equipped and trained in the "Tarantine fashion". Having previously served as an infantry general under Alexander the Great, he eventually assumed the title of basileus and established the Seleucid Empire over much of the territory in the Near East which Alexander had conquered. First, their armour provided protection from missiles, arrows, spears and pikes. The principle guard infantry of the Seleucid army was the 'Silver-Shields', or Argyraspides. [12] Secondly, the future wars that the Seleucids might be fighting would probably be in the eastern satrapies against mobile enemies and other large areas of land. The Aphraktoi were divided into two groups, lancer and missile troops. Astin, A.E., Frederiksen, M.W., Ogilvie, R.M., Walbank, F.W. Posted on July 31, 2015 by MSW. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the posters, and have not been cleared with nor are they endorsed by The Miniatures Page. 205 BC is a significant date for Seleucids in Field of Glory. [1] They were settled in 'colonies of an urban character, which at some point could acquire the status of a polis". [36][37] Bar-Kochva presumes that from this their full title may well have been the 'royal ala of the companions'. The rest of the Seleucid army would consist of a large number of native and mercenary troops, who would serve as light auxiliary troops. After the death of Alexander (323 BC) they followed Eumenes. They were a permanently embodied guard unit, which was formed from the sons of military settlers. By the beginning of the 1st century BC, the Seleucid kingdom was still troubled by instability caused by civil war between the northern and southern branches of the Seleucid royal household. [9] The whole kingdom may mean 'regions like Syria and Mesopotamia, which were the nucleus of the Seleucid Kingdom, there was a greater density of Greek soldiers'.[10]. Seleucus I Nicator (l. c. 358-281 BCE, r. 305-281 BCE) was one of the generals of Alexander the Great (l. 356-323 BCE) who make up the group of Diadochi ("successors") who divided the vast Macedonian Empire between them after Alexander's death in 323 BCE (the others being Cassander, Ptolemy, and Antigonus).Despite not receiving his share of the fallen king’s empire until several years … White shields also appeared. It has been suggested that the fact that these 5,000 men are marching at the head of the army was meant to show Antiochus IV's intention of reforming the entire Seleucid army along Roman lines, though whether or not this complete reform actually took place is unknown. They were often used as light and auxiliary troops, supplementing the phalanx and cavalry. These fit with the troops being raised and equipped specifically for this campaign by the Imperial Seleucid state, unlike the rabble of Gauls or the raggedy Carthaginian veterans they will be facing! The distance from Greece put a strain on the Seleucid military system, as it was primarily based around the recruitment of Greeks as the key segment of the army. Just don't do anything. Firstly, there were the heavy cavalry of which there were Kataphraktoi (armoured) and Aphraktoi (unarmoured). For example, the arms and equipment of the Thracian troops allowed the individual soldier greater mobility and freer action in hand-to-hand combat than a phalangite could adopt.[29]. We and our partners use cookies to personalize your experience, to show you ads based on your interests, and for measurement and analytics purposes. In 148 BC, at the Battle of Azotos against the Maccabees, the Seleucid army was called the 'Power of the Cities', probably owing to the high proportion of citizen militia mobilized from the coastal cities. Seleucids implemented their plan right from the start. The core of my army is Seleucid and the photos reflect this. [13] Thirdly, the defeat of the Antigonids at the Battle of Pydna in 168 BC was a great culture shock, showing the complete destruction of the Macedonian military system at the hands of the Roman legion. There were two main periods in the establishment of settlements, firstly under Seleucus I Nicator and Antiochus I Soter and then under Antiochus IV Epiphanes. They were also equipped with a cuirass and helmet. Products_Shields 2. A hopefully faithful recreation of the much-loved, if historically questionable unit from the original Rome: Total War. The famed Macedonian "Silver Shields" were the backbone of the army of Alexander the Great and after his death served superbly in the armies of later Macedonian kings in Syria and Egypt. In this sense, there was a sense of the overvaluing of cavalry as an offensive arm. (eds.) [5] In his reign, Antiochus IV had built 15 new cities "and their association with the increased phalanx... at Daphne is too obvious to be ignored". They were of doubtful reliability, usefulness and efficiency. [32] However, Antiochus III was not as apt when dealing with infantry, be it Greek or Roman. 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