Ancient/Pre-Steam Unit Graphics

[Patine]

These look great Tanelorn! Any chance of a Hasheshim (sp), NOT the alternate name of the Turkish assassins of Alamut, but the similarly-sounding named Jewish cavalry archers in the days of the Crusades who, surprisingly to many mostly familiar with the balance of power in the Modern Middle East, usually sided with various Moslem armies against the Crusaders.

 

[Tanelorn]

Thanks,P.
The who? Link please!

 

[Patine]

This is really frustrating, and one of the reasons Google is not a favourite source for certain topics (this should answer your question Techumseh about my use of Google). I remember reading about this group of Medieval Jewish cavalry in the Crusades in a physical book in a library a little over two decades ago, and I'm sure I'm misspelling their name, but a Google search believes in it's paternalistic wisdom that hits about massacres of Jews by Crusaders, sources of anti-Semitism in the Crusader era, Moslem cavalry archer in the Crusades, and opinions (possibly conspiracy theories) about how both the State of Israel and ISIS' modern strategums both date back to justifications derived from the Crusades. And while I'm certain it's all very edifying and educating reading, it's not SPECIFCALLY what I'm looking for.

 

[Tanelorn]

Well, these west Georgians might stand for east Caucasus mountain Jews, if you like.
Descendants of the ancient kingdom of Colchis, the Laz people have a reputation for being fiercely independent. They fight as archers for the kingdom of Georgia and the Geat Komneni emperors of Trebizond.
So do the related Tzan people who are themselves descended from the ancient Macrones.

Will also do them with topcoats and small turbans, as in Osprey.

 

[Tanelorn]

Epirus gets Albanian light horse (Stratiots) from the start in 1204 to the fall of the Despotate in 1340. Albanians themselves rebelled and overthrew Serbian rule in 1345. Morean Byzantines get Albanian immigrants from 1347. The Serbians, Catalans of Athens and Ottomans receive Albanian vassals or allies after 1380. They are availlable to the Italian Condotta after 1420. So, in DAROAE, they are available to Epirus and researchable by all except the Trapezuntines, who get the Laz above instead.
Alternative w/shield

 

[Tanelorn]

The army of second Bulgar Empire was much smaller and closely reflected Byzantine pactice. These horse achers are the exception.They included Cumans, Vlachs, Bulgars and eventually Tatars in their numbers. I would give the Cumans an extra move point though.

After 1230 they are available to the Epirotes (in Thessaly) and their Achaian Frankish allies post 1264.
Bonus Bulgar foot archer (only for Fading Lights Bulgaria though)

 

[Tanelorn]

The Gusars or usars that apear in Serb armies in 1340 were the lance armed light cavalry from which later hussars developed, according to some. Serbian Gusars entered Polish service in 1400 and Hungarian service in 1440.
The word (but not their kit) points back to Byzantine Cursores (back in page 14) cavalry scouts (latin cursus, course/ raid i.e. corsairs, bandits) in use since Emperor Mauricius Strategicon.
For another take on a Gusar look back to page 3
Alternate colours:

 

[CurtSibling]

Nice to see some Cumans, sir! A more ruthless pony warrior were never seen!

 

[Tanelorn]

Ottoman Delis are the Turkish version of the Balkan Stradiot lancer type.
Deli means "mad", "crazy", or "wild" in Turkish. In the Ottoman Empire, it was applied to irregular troops recruited in the Balkans, chiefly Bosnians and Albanians (but Serbs and Croats as well). Most of them were recent converts to Islam and were fanatically dedicated to wage war against Christians. They wore exaggerated and wild costumes as uniforms, which were a mixture of furs and feathers of animals of prey. Their weapons also looked terrifying with exaggerated features and accessories.
Cumans- Kipchaqs- Polovtsi- Uzes: War masks, axes and arrows.
They are sometimes stated to have been the majority remnants of the Ghuzz after the Seljuqs split off, but Arab and Persian geographers were sure that they were an off-shoot of the Kimaks to the north-east and distinguished them quite clearly from the Ghuzz. They appeared at the borders of Kievan Rus @ 1050s.
The Byzantine Skythikon were originally recruited from Pechenegs, but were increasingly supplemented by Cumans (1068?). These were later settled in Bulgaria, and played a major part in the Bulgarian revolt and their army up to 1273. They were back in the Nicean Byzatine merc roster by 1243 and up to 1292. Also availlable to the Serbs as mercenaries all the way, and briefly even for the Latins from 1239 to 1261. Further afield, they sided with the Mongols by 1213 (and the Golden Horde after 1251 where they were assimilated/ merged with the Mongols by 1380, certainly by 1400) and made up to half of the Hungarian horse archers by 1243. And the Russian principalities after 1072. And Georgia. They even made an appearance under Polish colours. And the Kwarizimian "free company" in the middle east.
And another:

 

[Patine]

Were these guys predecessors in any way to the later Bashi Bazouks, whom I believe were also called "crazy" and "wild' and had significant membership from parts of the Balkans?

 

[Tanelorn]

Bashi Bazouks were more like motley mob levy. Delis were professional (but not regulars like the Janissary ortas, who were a standing army) light cavalry, from advanced scouts to provincial pashas bodyguards. Of course, centuries down the road, after the Bashi Bazouks were formalized in the 19th century, they got a cavalry arm.,

 

[Tanelorn]

The aforementioned Pechenegs/ Patzinak/ Bisseni/ Bessenyo.
A Turkic nation that inspired the proverb "as stupid as a Pecheneg"*, yet inspired Magyars with such intense fear that they replied to a Byzantine emperor's attempt to set them on the Pechenegs with the polite message that "since they are both numerous and fierce we do not wish to do so, and furthermore, we hope he will be so tactful as never to mention the matter again".
They were absorbed by the Chernye Klobuki/ Karacalpak tribes.

* Not sure if this has any basis in fact, Phi Baker quoted it and it has been reproduced ever since. The Magyar fear of them part is very true though.

 

[gapetit]

Very good work Tanelorn. I believe that Daroae is one of the most entertaining scenarios, and that you include so many and varied units is great news.

 

[Tanelorn]

Thx, but nah, the Pechenegs are about a century too late (destroyed by the Byzantines and Cumans at Levounion @ 1091 & last mentioned in 1168), did them for fun.

 

[Tanelorn]

Morean Byzantine Stratiot. His light blue garb marks him as an east Laconian (Tzakones). West Peloponesians under the (originally Frankish) Bua family would be in red.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stratioti

And a 16th century one, modded from Fairline's Carolus.

 

[Tanelorn]

Late Byzantine Gasmoulos marine:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasmouloi
http://www.academia.edu/12021318/Ga...roposed_reconstruction_of_dress_and_equipment
Also available to the Venetians and finally the Turks.

 

[Patine]

Now, when you say "marine," would this unit in a scenario justify the "can make amphibious attacks" flag, or is the term in reference to some other role or tactic they used?

 

[Tanelorn]

Proselentai, Προσηλώνται were native Byzantine (armed) oarsmen who were awarded land around Constantinople and Thessaloniki in exchange for service. They were established by Michael VIII along with the Gasmouloi and the marine Tzakones, whom they outlasted in fleet service.
@ Patine: Yes, both.

 

[Tanelorn]

Byzantine elite Tsakonas marine. Tsakones or Tzakones are (east) Spartan hinterland (Lacones), Doric speaking elite troops raised by Michael VIII from 1261 for his war of reconquest. They were also resettled around Constantinople the capital and Pontus. Eventually some of them were promoted to the imperial guard itself. The symbol on the shield dates back to a Laconian unit raised way back by Caracalla for his Parthian campaign.
They were the last Greeks to convert to Chistianity @ 1000AD btw.

 

[Broken_Erika]

Very nice!