Tarchuna (Rise of the Republic) Melee Ship

Assault Dieres - Etruscan Light Spearmen

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

Every able man who can wield a spear can fight for their people.

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.

(Etruscan Light Spearmen)
According to Rome's foundation myth, as recounted by Livy, the Etruscans attacked the Latins, leading to the former's defeat and a peace settlement which made the River Tiber the common boundary between them. Following Rome's founding, on the banks of the Tiber in 753BC, conflict between the Etruscans and Romans continued for another five centuries, both militarily and politically. Veii, Fidenae, Tarchuna and Clusium each fought and were defeated by on Rome multiple occasions. The last three kings of Rome were actually of Etruscan descent, a result of the post-war peace treaties between the two states. When the Gallic warbands first defeated the Roman army at the Battle of Allia, prior to the sacking of Rome, the Etruscans tried to capitalise on Rome's disarray, seizing the opportunity to capture Roman lands for themselves. They began by besieging Sutrium, a Roman ally. On the same day that Sutrium fell, the Roman dictator Marcus Furius Camillus marched on the inferior Etruscan forces, compelling them to surrender and offering to spare their lives.

Abilities

Assault Dieres

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

Etruscan Light Spearmen

• Shieldwall
  The unit moves into a close formation and raises shields.
  Armour strength, bracing, melee defence, shield strength
  Limited 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

Etruscan Light Spearmen

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

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