Messapians (Rise of the Republic) Melee Ship

Assault Dieres - Iapygian Swordsmen

With a ramming attack that can break an enemy hull, these ships are deadly weapons.

Their savage, Illyrian heritage makes these warriors intrinsically ferocious.

The waterline ram was first mounted on a vessel in around 850BC. Warships and naval tactics were transformed. Ships were no longer platforms for infantry battles on the water; the ship itself became the weapon. Galleys changed as the new reality sank in. Ramming at speed would hole and sink an enemy, therefore slimmer, faster, handier ships were required. More speed on demand obviously required more oars a fast ship with a single row of oars ended up being stupidly, impractically long. The solution, then, was to put in a second set of oars above the first, but slightly offset to allow for rowers' benches. These biremes, a Latin word meaning 'two oars', or dieres, the Greek equivalent, were no longer than previous designs but had twice the number of rowers. They were fast, manoeuvrable, and could carry a fighting contingent. Some nations also gave their bireme crews fire pots; these clay pots filled with oil and pitch were hurled at enemy ships in the entirely reasonable hope of setting them ablaze.

(Iapygian Swordsmen)
The Apulia region of southeastern Italy was inhabited by Iapygian tribes, an ancient Indo-European people who were most likely Illyrians who had crossed the Adriatic Sea and settled. Three tribes inhabited Italy's eastern coasts: the Daunians, Peucetians and Messapians. All three spoke the same language, but were different in other aspects of their culture and traditions. Iapygians were similar to Greeks in that they did not have a centralised kingdom, instead co-existing as independent city-states. Relations between Iapygians and their Greek neighbours were initially peaceful and focused on trade until 473BC, when the Greek polis Taras attempted to conquer Iapygian towns. Apulian city-states participated in the Second Peloponnesian War as allies of Athens, providing archers for their expeditionary force against Syracuse. Ultimately, the entire expedition was destroyed, further damaging relations between the Iapygians and Greeks.

Abilities

Assault Dieres

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

Attributes

• Hide (forest)
  This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Assault Dieres

• Very poor hull strength
• Very light crew
• Fast speed
• Weak ramming
• Good boarding

Iapygian Swordsmen

• Good attack
• Average defence
• Average damage but low armour penetration
• Normal morale

Messapians (Rise of the Republic) Units
General (2)
1.Iapygian Cavalry
2.Iapygian Noble Hoplites
Melee Infantry (19)
3.Iapygian Swordsmen
4.Native Aequi Swordsmen
5.Native Bruttii Tribesmen
6.Native Carthaginian Infantry
7.Native Gallic Axemen
8.Native Italian Hillmen
9.Native Italian Swordsmen
10.Native Latin Tribesmen
11.Native Ligurian Axe Warriors
12.Native Ligurian Swordsmen
13.Native Lucanian Warriors
14.Naked Native Warriors
15.Native Sabine Warriors
16.Native Samnite Infantryman
17.Native Sardi Hillmen
18.Native Sicilian Tribesmen
19.Native Tribeless Warriors
20.Native Umbrian Hillmen
21.Native Volsci Warriors
Missile Infantry (10)
22.Iapygian Archers
23.Iapygian Peltasts
24.Native Bruttii Slingers
25.Native Gallic Hunters
26.Native Greek Archers
27.Native Italian Skirmishers
28.Native Italian Slingers
29.Native Lucanian Ambushers
30.Native Sabine Skirmishers
31.Native Sardi Bowmen
Spear Infantry (9)
32.Iapygian Hoplites
33.Iapygian Light Spearmen
34.Iapygian Noble Hoplites
35.Native Carthaginian Spearmen
36.Native Etruscan Spearmen
37.Native Greek Militia
38.Native Latin Spearmen
39.Native Umbrian Spearmen
40.Native Volsci Spearmen
Melee Cavalry (5)
41.Iapygian Cavalry
42.Native Aequi Horsemen
43.Native Campanian Cavalry
44.Native Gallic Horsemen
45.Native Ligurian Horsemen
Missile Cavalry (3)
46.Iapygian Horse Skirmishers
47.African Cavalry
48.Native Veneti Raiders
Elephant (1)
49.African Elephants
Admiral (1)
50.Assault Dieres - Iapygian Hoplites
Melee Ship (7)
51.Assault Dieres - Iapygian Hoplites
52.Assault Dieres - Iapygian Swordsmen
53.Assault Tetreres - Carthaginian Hoplites
54.Assault Hexeres - Sacred Band
55.Assault Dieres - Carthaginian Infantry
56.Assault Dieres - Carthaginian Hoplites
57.Assault Dieres - Sword Militia
Missile Ship (3)
58.Missile Trieres - Iapygian Archers
59.Missile Trieres - Iapygian Peltasts
60.Pursuit Trihemiolia - Carthaginian Javelinmen