Samnites (Samnite Wars) Melee Infantry

Italian Noble Swordsmen

The Italian noble swordsmen are the backbone of the Etruscan army, strong & durable they fight to the last.

Gladiators were usually slaves, condemned criminals or prisoners of war but others did enter the arena. Those with debts or a lust for glory could sell themselves as gladiators, and soldiers who had given ground might be sent to the arena as punishment. A gladiator's life was arduous and brutal, even before fighting in the games. Trainees could, and would, be killed in practice if they fought beneath their abilities, as a way of encouraging the others. The ludus, the training ground and home of gladiators, was run by a lanista, and within its walls his word was law. Outside the arena he was considered to be on the bottom rung of society; some Roman cemeteries did not allow the bodies of lanistas to be buried inside their walls, even. Having said that, there was also a peculiar glamour about their business and some were famed amongst games fans as the men who owned and trained gladiators - the sports stars of the Roman world.

Abilities

Italian Noble Swordsmen

• Rapid Advance
  Improved unit movement speed over an extended period.
  Speed, acceleration, charge speed
  Exertion: fatigue
• Use the Whip
  Improved attack and fatigue resistance for a short time.
  Melee attack, weapon damage, fatigue resistance
  Exertion: fatigue

Attributes

• Disciplined
  This unit does not suffer a morale penalty when the general dies. It can also rally after routing more often.
• Encourage
  This unit provides a morale bonus to nearby allies.
• Hide (forest)
  This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Transport

• Very poor hull strength
• Very slow speed
• Weak ramming

Italian Noble Swordsmen

• Very good attack
• Average defence
• Average damage but low armour penetration
• Good morale

Samnites (Samnite Wars) Units
General (2)
1.Italian Noble Cavalry
2.Italian Noble Infantry
Melee Infantry (11)
3.Mob
4.Italian Swordsmen
5.Illyro-Italian Infantry Cohort
6.Italian Noble Swordsmen
7.Italian Veteran Swordsmen
8.Revered Thorax Swordsmen
9.Etruscan Reformed Infantry
10.Etruscan Noble Warriors
11.Etruscan Fierce Axes
12.Tarquinian Swordsmen
13.Italian Legionaries
Missile Infantry (5)
14.Levy Skirmishers
15.Levy Slingers
16.Illyro-Italian Bow Auxiliaries
17.Scout Archers
18.Etruscan Peltasts
Pike Infantry (2)
19.Etruscan Pikes
20.Etruscan Thorax Pikes
Spear Infantry (9)
21.Italian Noble Infantry
22.Italian Spearmen
23.Italian Veteran Spearmen
24.Italian Royal Spears
25.Etruscan Heavy Spearmen
26.Etruscan Thorax Spearmen
27.Etruscan Veteran Hoplites
28.Etruscan Spearmen
29.Etruscan Citizen Hoplites
Melee Cavalry (5)
30.Italian Cavalry
31.Italian Noble Cavalry
32.Etruscan Honoured Cavalry
33.Medium Spear Cavalry
34.Warrior Horse
Missile Cavalry (1)
35.Etruscan Cavalry
Chariot (1)
36.Chariot Nobles
Field Artillery (3)
37.Roman Bastion Ballista
38.Roman Ballista
39.Roman Scorpion
Admiral (2)
40.Missile Trireme - Levy Skirmishers
41.Assault Hexareme - Italian Swordsmen
Melee Ship (5)
42.Assault Quadreme - Italian Spearmen
43.Fire Pot Bireme - Italian Spearmen
44.Assault Bireme - Italian Spearmen
45.Harpax Hexareme - Italian Swordsmen
46.Assault Hexareme - Italian Swordsmen
Missile Ship (5)
47.Scorpion Trireme - Levy Skirmishers
48.Missile Trireme - Levy Skirmishers
49.Raiding Hemiolia - Levy Skirmishers
50.Pursuit Trihemiolia - Levy Skirmishers
51.Missile Quinquereme - Levy Slingers
Artillery Ship (1)
52.Light Artillery Quinquereme - Roman Ballista (Ship)