The Dromon

[CIVPhilzilla]

They are fine, I just want somebody to fix my F-15 and give it stealth attack like it is supposed to have.

 

[Xen]

Originally posted by metalhead
If you want to be historically accurate, Varangian Guard were a lot more unique to the Byzantines than Kataphraktoi were.

exccpet the varangian guard were a sign of the byzantine empires DELINE as a power, having to rely on mercenaries...

that said, its not so much the cataphract itself- bu the sub-type of cataphract- yes, heavy cavalry was hardlly unique to Byzantium- HOWEVER- the exact Byzantine cataphract WAS unique to Byzantium

 

[metalhead]

Not necessarily. Many empires successfully employed mercenaries, and incorporated them into their armies as regular units. Hell, the Byzantines had used mercenary fighting forces for practically their entire existence. And while the Varangian Guard were employed in the second half of the Byzantine Empire's existence, they witnessed it in glory before they had to see its decline. The exact kataphraktoi employed by the Byzantines surely had its own unique characteristics - but the Varangian Guard were certainly much more unique, and therefore, I think, better suited as a UU.

 

[Xen]

Originally posted by metalhead
Not necessarily. Many empires successfully employed mercenaries, and incorporated them into their armies as regular units. Hell, the Byzantines had used mercenary fighting forces for practically their entire existence. And while the Varangian Guard were employed in the second half of the Byzantine Empire's existence, they witnessed it in glory before they had to see its decline. The exact kataphraktoi employed by the Byzantines surely had its own unique characteristics - but the Varangian Guard were certainly much more unique, and therefore, I think, better suited as a UU.

the cataphract is no more unique o the Byzantine then hopitles were to the greeks,light infantry "immortal" type troops were to perisa, light cavalry was to china and so on, all said, about the only actual UU in the game would be the Roman legion, and the F-15, and both of those have had copies, or at least somthing fulfills a smilier purpose in other countires (before Romes dominace, most other natiosn around the med use imitation legionaireis)

that said, yes a great deal of nation have used mercenaries- and every single one of them has not lasted as a great power militarilly because of it.