Peucetians (Rise of the Republic) Melee Ship

Assault Dieres - Iapygian Hoplites

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

Iapygian hoplites lose no ground to their Greek counterparts.

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 Hoplites)
Like the Siculi tribe to the west in Sicily, Messapian warriors favoured large shields and open-faced, Illyrian style helmets, albeit with more crests and, on occasion, horns. Their weapon of choice was the spear; some Iapygian tribes, like their Illyrian ancestors, adopted the Greek style of hoplite phalanx combat, whilst others fought in a less organised style, using shorter, multi-purpose spears. Short melee weapons were also used, such as the curved 'kopis' swords and one-handed axes. Messapian warfare was a mixture of their Illyrian heritage and the influence of their Oscan neighbours. The former employed skirmishers, who were useful for raiding and piracy, while the latter wasn't able to field javelinmen and slingers in any numbers, instead relying on mounted nobles supported by their retainers. According to Herodotus, Oscan tribal cavalry was crucial in holding off Taras' invasion of Messapian and Peucetian towns in 473BC, an action which extended the conflict until 467BC. The king of Messapia later made two alliances with Athens, around 430BC and again in 418 BC, supplying the Athenians with javelinmen for the war against Syracuse.

Abilities

Assault Dieres

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

Iapygian Hoplites

• Hoplite Wall
  The unit moves into close wall formation.
  Bracing, melee defence, shield strength
  Acceleration, speed

Attributes

• Disciplined
  This unit does not suffer a morale penalty when the general dies. It can also rally after routing more often.
• Formation Attack
  The unit will try to stay in formation when in melee.
• 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 Hoplites

• Very good defensive unit
• Low damage but average armour penetration
• Average attack
• Good morale

Peucetians (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