Eastern Roman Empire Spear Infantry

Lanciarii Seniores

A 'lancea' was a spear equally useful for throwing as thrusting; it is the word from which we get the English word 'lance'. First noted during the destructive civil wars of the Tetrarchy, 'lanciarii' were reserve troops who fought for the Roman Emperor. Although details of their regimental origins remain unclear, it is likely that lanciarii were specially trained in its use. However, there is some evidence that they were armed with lighter throwing javelins during the 2nd century AD, giving rise to the theory that the title simply referred to any Roman soldiers who fulfilled a skirmishing function on the battlefield. In the Eastern Roman Empire, 'lanciarii seniores' were veterans under the direct command of the Magister Militum, the equivalent of Field Marshal or Generalissimo in modern terms, where they became guards to the Emperor following the dissolution of the treacherous praetorians. In this capacity, lanciarii may even have fought on horseback around that time, although there is no mention of mounted units in later sources.

Unit Name Lanciarii Seniores

Main Unit Key att_rom_lanciarii_seniores

Land Unit Key att_rom_lanciarii_seniores

Naval Unit Key att_cor_heavy_rom

Soldiers 160

Category Melee Infantry

Class Spear Infantry

Custom Battle Cost 500

Recruitment Cost 500

Upkeep Cost 255

Melee Attack 30

Melee Damage 32

├ Melee Weapon att_spear_heavy

├ Melee Base Damage 24

├ Armour-piercing Damage 8

├ Armour Piercing No

├ Attack Against Cavalry 30

├ Attack Against Elephants 30

└ Attack Against Infantry 0

Charge Bonus 30

Melee Defence 37

├ Base Defence 30

├ Shield att_oval_large

└ Shield Defence 7

Armour 62

├ Armour att_scale

├ Armour Defence 27

└ Shield Armour 35

Health 122

├ Man Entity att_infantry_very_heavy

├ Man Health 105

└ Bonus Hit Points 17

Morale 45

Abilities

• Stationary Testudo
  The troops of this unit raise their shields above their heads in a static defensive formation.

Attributes

• Expert Charge Defence
  This unit’s melee attack and damage are increased against charging enemies.
• Hide (forest)
  This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close.

Strengths & Weaknesses

No Strengths and Weaknesses

Recuitment Requirement
Required Technology Cost 125 Upgrade From
Required Technology Cost 125 Upgrade From
Upgrade
Required Technology Cost 163 Upgrade To

Faction Availability
Grand Campaign	Eastern Roman Empire Eastern Roman Separatists Roman Separatists