Unit Browser for RTR: Imperium Surrectum

Short description

These men bear the Centaur on their shields, a symbol of the King of Bithynia.

Description

The Bithynian hoplites are equipped with the Linothorax, greaves, long spear, and second weapon the sword.

Hoplites have the following panoply: Linothorax cuirass. This linothorax is peculiar in the fact that it looks like it has a "horseshoe" like metal tied to the linothorax via a belt and then the shoulder straps of the linothorax are then attached themselves to it, a 5 mm bronze coated aspis shield. These would mean the "medium" hoplites that would be the sons of middle class citizens, aka merchants, farmers, with good armament mostly and elaborate helmets (Attic, Thracian, even the odd Corinthian from great grandpa who fought in Salamis and his descendants won't let anybody forget. Later on, the Italo-Corinthian/Pseudo-Corinthian would come into effect, but more so in S. Italy/Sicily, whereas in mainland Ascalon/Sidon type helmets would prevail). These are the most known of hoplites, and so not much more is needed for them. The Bithynian hoplite is wearing a Sidon helmet which was one of the last helmets to be used by Hellenistic factions. It was widely used in present day Anatolia's kingdoms and Ptolemaic Egypt, and it is found in statues and paintings, not to mention coins in those areas. The emblem in the shield of the Bithynian hoplite is a centaur, one that was an emblem of the King ruling Bithynia at the time that RS 2 commences. Later kings did carry on using that emblem.

Bithynian army, as well as Bithynia itself is something of a paradox. It is a Thracian speaking country in Anatolia, whose kings are Hellenised but the population is not. It had been a part of a Koinon between the Bithynians and Galatai (the Celts who raided in Anatolia in 280 BCE and stayed) but was dissolved after the Galatians tried to conquer Bithynia. Many wars followed between Bithynia and the Galatai Celts.

In 216 Bithynia had reasserted itself as an independent state. Galatians were at times allies, at times just neighbours and at times hostile. It was a time of troubles for Bithynia. Prusias II was quite a character. Along with Philip V he tried to control a big part of Asia Minor. He destroyed an old Ionian colony by the name of Kyzikos and built Prussa in its place. Today's Bursa (founded as Prussa) along with Iznik (founded as Nicomedia by Bithynian King Nicomedes I) are the remnants of this Kingdom in the map today. Its hoplites depict the "not so rich" state that Bithynia was in. Not epilektoi in status, but very well equipped all the same.

Bithynia was an ancient region, kingdom and Roman province in the northwest of Asia Minor, adjoining the Propontis, the Thracian Bosporus and the Euxine (today Black Sea). But even before the conquest by Alexander the Bithynians appear to have asserted their independence, and successfully maintained it under two native princes, Bas and Zipoites, the latter of whom assumed the title of king (basileus) in 297 BC. His son and successor, Nicomedes I, founded Nicomedia, which soon rose to great prosperity, and during his long reign (c.278 - c.255 BC), as well as those of his successors, Prusias I, Prusias II and Nicomedes II (149 - 91 BC), the kingdom of Bithynia held a considerable place among the minor monarchies of Anatolia. But the last king, Nicomedes IV, was unable to maintain himself against Mithridates VI of Pontus, and, after being restored to his throne by the Roman Senate, he bequeathed his kingdom by will to the Roman republic (74 BC)