Samnites (Rise of the Republic) Spear Infantry

Linen Legion

According to Livy, the Samnites observed strict religious rites in order to prepare them for difficult battles, such as the one used to raise the 'Linen Legion', a selection and oath-taking by the strongest Samnite warriors. A two hundred-foot square was fenced off and covered with linen cloth at the centre of a Samnite camp, where a priest would recite a sacrificial ceremony from an old linen book, calling the men to serve their state and to never retreat. Warriors who showed cowardice by refusing the oath were slain on the spot, discouraging others from doing so. This created a caste of warriors extremely devoted to their people's defence and advancement. Each man who took the oath also chose companions, who by an extension of trust joined the Linen Legion. These Samnites were then equipped with the best weapons and armour to distinguish themselves so others could follow them in battle - the Linen Legion represented the Samnite army's heart, able to turn religious fervour into effective military strength.

Unit Name Linen Legion

Main Unit Key inv_sam_linen_legion

Land Unit Key inv_sam_linen_legion

Naval Unit Key pel_transport

Soldiers 160

Category Melee Infantry

Class Spear Infantry

Custom Battle Cost 1050

Recruitment Cost 1050

Upkeep Cost 210

Melee Attack 45

Weapon Damage 29

├ Melee Weapon rome_spear_elite

├ Melee Damage Base 24

├ Melee Damage Ap 5

├ Armour Piercing No

├ Bonus vs. Large 20

├ Bonus vs Elephants 20

└ Bonus vs Infantry 0

Charge Bonus 15

Melee Defence 65

├ Base Defence 40

├ Shield oval

└ Shield Defence 25

Armour 60

├ Armour chest

├ Armour Defence 25

└ Shield Armour 35

Health 65

├ Man Entity rome_infantry_very_heavy

├ Man Health 45

└ Bonus Hit Points 20

Base Morale 65

Abilities

• Square
  The unit moves into a close square formation.
  Bracing, morale, melee defence
  Can't move

Attributes

• Encourage
  This unit provides a morale bonus to nearby allies.
• 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

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

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

Requires Buildings
Lv. 0	Hall of Champions (inv_ita_military_4) Level 3

Garrison Buildings
x 3	Capitoline Hill (inv_all_capitoline_hill) Level 0 Warrior Oppidum (inv_ita_major_city_military_4) Level 3
x 1	Hundred (inv_ita_major_city_3) Level 2 Monument of War (inv_ita_military_buff_5) Level 4
x 2	Tribal Oppidum (inv_ita_major_city_economy_4) Level 3 Farm Pagus (inv_ita_minor_town_farm_4) Level 3 Warrior Pagus (inv_ita_minor_town_military_4) Level 3 Colonia (Amber Road) (inv_rom_amber_4) Level 3 Colonia (Sluiced Mine) (inv_rom_gold_4) Level 3 Colonia (Grain Estate) (inv_rom_grain_4) Level 3 Colonia (Master Horse Breeders) (inv_rom_horse_3) Level 2 Colonia (Armourer) (inv_rom_iron_armour_3) Level 2 Colonia (Weaponsmith) (inv_rom_iron_weapon_3) Level 2 Colonia (Sluiced Mine) (inv_rom_lead_4) Level 3 Colonia (Master Leather Workshop) (inv_rom_leather_4) Level 3 Colonia (Timber Trader) (inv_rom_lumber_4) Level 3 Colonia (Marble Architect) (inv_rom_marble_4) Level 3 Colonia (Olive Oil Trader) (inv_rom_olive_4) Level 3 Colonia (Master Dye Works) (inv_rom_purple_dye_4) Level 3 Colonia (Salt Workshop) (inv_rom_salt_4) Level 3 Colonia (Master Winemaker) (inv_rom_wine_4) Level 3

Faction Availability
Rise of the Republic	Samnites (Rise of the Republic) Samnites Pretenders (Rise of the Republic) Samnites Secessionists (Rise of the Republic)