Iolei Secessionists (Rise of the Republic) Melee Ship

Assault Raider - Sardi Axemen

Useful ships, with crews large enough to board enemy vessels.

Axes do not discriminate - any man or tree will be cut down.

Most of the northern European tribes were not naval powers, but there were still able seafarers to be found amongst them. Shipbuilding techniques were well understood, so while many vessels were small leather-skinned boats for inland and inshore use, bigger sea-going vessels were also made. Shipwrights used heavy planking for hulls, stitched together and then fastened to a wooden skeleton to create sturdy craft able to cope with Atlantic conditions. Julius Caesar was surprised at the quality of the enemy ships when his fleet clashed with the Veneti from modern-day Brittany. The Veneti vessels had flat bottoms to cope with shallows, but were also of heavy oak construction to cope with rough seas. This made them tough opposition for Roman galleys, and capable of shrugging off a ramming attack. Caesar said that the enemy ships "...were constructed of planks a foot in breadth, fastened by iron spikes the thickness of a man's thumb; the anchors were secured fast by iron chains instead of cables”. When the Romans were forced to board, they faced fearsome warriors used to close-quarters fighting at sea.

(Sardi Axemen)
The Iolei were an ancient Nuragic tribe who lived on the island of Sardinia during the Bronze and Iron Ages. According to legend, recorded by Greek historians, their name can be traced back to Iolaus, a hero, who led the sons of Heracles to Sardinia and founded a colony there. The Sardinian people were content to live quietly in peace, keeping to the mountainous regions in central Sardinia, building nuraghe and subsisting on agriculture, animal husbandry and fishing. However, around 900BC Phoenicians began sailing to Sardinia, establishing trade routes and relations with local merchants. As Carthage grew and set its sights on conquest and empire-building, an expedition was launched in 540BC against the Iolei, led by Malco. The expedition failed, as the Sardinians used guerrilla warfare - their skill with the bow and knowledge of the arduous terrain drove the Carthaginians from the island. Subsequent invasions of Sardinia, first by Mago in 509BC (as a response to Iolean attacks on coastal cities) and later by his brother Hamilcar. Eventually, the onslaught proved too great and the Sardinians were overcome. Coastal Sardinia was occupied by Carthage, but the Nuragic people remained unconquered, retreating into the island's central mountain range. According to Strabo, the Iolei were never truly subjugated, even following the rise of the Roman Empire.

Abilities

Assault Raider

• Row Hard 10
  Increases speed for 10 strokes.
  Ship speed

Sardi Axemen

• Frenzy
  Improves a unit's charge and weapon damage for an extended period.
  Charge damage, Weapon damage
  Exertion: fatigue

Attributes

• Guerrilla Deployment
  This unit can deploy outside of the deployment zone.
• Stalk
  This unit can move hidden in any terrain.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Assault Raider

• Average hull strength
• Light crew
• Very fast speed
• Weak ramming
• Average boarding

Sardi Axemen

• Average attack
• Poor defence
• Low damage but good armour penetration
• Poor morale

Iolei Secessionists (Rise of the Republic) Units
General (3)
1.Noble Sardi Archers
2.Sherden Horsemen
3.Sherden Swordsmen
Melee Infantry (6)
4.Heavy Nuragic Runners
5.Nuragic Runners
6.Nuragic Warriors
7.Sardi Axemen
8.Sardi Hillmen
9.Sherden Swordsmen
Missile Infantry (6)
10.Iolean Javelinmen
11.Noble Sardi Archers
12.Nuragic Ambushers
13.Sardi Bowmen
14.Sardi Skirmishers
15.Sardi Slingers
Spear Infantry (2)
16.Nuragic Shield Wall
17.Sardi Spearmen
Melee Cavalry (2)
18.Sardi Cavalry
19.Sherden Horsemen
Missile Cavalry (1)
20.Sardi Horse Skirmishers
Fixed Artillery (1)
21.Iolean Polybolos
Field Artillery (1)
22.Iolean Ballista
Admiral (2)
23.Medium Assault Raider - Sherden Swordsmen
24.Medium Missile Raider - Noble Sardi Archers
Melee Ship (3)
25.Medium Assault Raider - Nuragic Warriors
26.Medium Assault Raider - Sherden Swordsmen
27.Assault Raider - Sardi Axemen
Missile Ship (4)
28.Medium Missile Raider - Noble Sardi Archers
29.Medium Missile Raider - Sardi Bowmen
30.Missile Raider - Iolean Javelinmen
31.Missile Raider - Sardi Bowmen