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"Ever since our ancestors first daubed the walls of caves with images of the hunt, we Iberians have been great artists. Silverware, pottery, sculpture or textiles - there is no material in which we do not create beauty. Yet there is one art above all, of which our tribes are masters without equal: war! From the fastness of our mountain homes, skirmishers ambush our foes. Across the fertile plains, our cavalry raid their heartlands. In the halls of the gods themselves, great champions proclaim their arrival. There are none better honed for war than the people of Spain!" -Spain Campaign Introduction
Description[]
Spain or correctly named the Iberians is a playable faction in Rome: Total War. They occupy most of modern-day Spain and Portugal, they have 2 unique infantry units called Bull Warriors and Scutarii. Bull Warriors are heavily armoured shock troops that throw javilins before they charge. Scutarii are infantrymen who created the tactics the Romans use, throwing a pila or javelin before charging in en masse with short stabbing swords.
These tribes are unique in that the Thracians share a semi-civilized Barbarian faction. The Central Iberian tribes as opposed to the eastern were somewhat celticised so they have the Barbarian tech tree, worship the same Gallic Gods but their Military is a mixture of Celtic influences (Naked Fanatics), their own Native Iberian style of Warfare (Scutarii, Bull Warriors) and Carthaginian Influences (Iberian Infantry, Peltasts, Slingers, Cavalry). This in effect allows the player to utilize the best of it all, the shock tactics of the Barbarians and the organized tactics of the more civilized nations. Spain can be playable through mods.
The Iberians are unique in that they are the only faction that can recruit barbarian boats and "civilised" Biremes, Tiremes and Quinquremes.
Units[]
Peasants are reluctant warriors, but barbarian peasants are better fighters than most: hard lives produce hard men. Numbers are useful in all armies, and forcing peasants to fight is one way of getting lots of men in the field quickly and cheaply. They have little tactical sense, and even less willingness to fight - they would rather be defending their own homes than be dragged to a battle they neither care about nor understand. They are, however, experts at reading the land and hiding when there is cover.
Skirmishers rush forward to pepper an enemy with javelins, and then withdraw in good order before a counter-attack can be organised. They are light infantry, equipped with small throwing javelins, a falcata sword, and a small shield resembling the Greek pelte-pattern shield.
When the opportunity presents itself, they are traditionally recruited from among the Ibero-Celts. Regardless of where they are recruited, they are skillful practitioners of the skirmishing arts, and very adept at springing tactical ambushes. They are not intended to hold a position in a battle line, but to harass and disrupt the enemy.
Slingers are highly skilled missile troops but are at a huge disadvantage in hand-to-hand combat, especially against cavalry. They can maintain a sustained and concentrated barrage on enemies and then fall back rapidly to avoid hand-to-hand combat. Slingers carry a shoulder bag with many pieces of lead shot (they can also use stones picked up on the battlefield) and several spare slings including slings of different length for greater or lesser range. Other than a knife and a small shield, they carry no other equipment.
Scutarii are well-equipped light infantry armed with swords, shields and heavy javelins.They are called by the Romans because of their distinctive, large, oval shields (the Latin for shield being ‘scutum’). They fight with heavy javelins and swords, peppering the enemy with missiles before closing up for hand-to-hand combat. Centuries of feuding among the hill tribes have hardened the people so there is no shortage of tough and cunning warriors - they are quite handy when springing tactical ambushes on enemy units.
Historically, the design of the later Roman legionary sword (or gladius) was influenced by the blades carried by these men. The design was adopted after Roman armies had faced large formations of scutarii during the First Punic War.
There are warriors among the barbarian ranks whose love of battle is such that they live for little else. Clad only in flimsy loincloths, the fanatics whip themselves into a frenzy by chanting, beating themselves and drinking heavily. In this state they make an unnerving sight on the battlefield! They are best sent into battle en masse, shocking the enemy by a ferocious charge, but they should be kept away from enemy cavalry.
They carry just swords and shields and have practically no discipline, but they can cause heavy casualties among most enemies. They fight mostly (if not completely) naked to emphasise their own fierceness and utter lack of fear. Scars and tattoos adorn their skin, and they let their hair grow wild. Only after a kill is their hair cut, often with a sword blade while standing over a freshly dead foe.
While their reckless courage is not in doubt, they can lack the cohesion and discipline to adapt to setbacks, breaking and running in confusion when subjected to severe pressure.
Town militia are trained bands of citizens dragged from their homes and shops, given a spear each and some rudimentary training before they are thrown into battle. Their war gear is literally no more than a cheap shield and a spear, so they are defensive troops best used against light cavalry. They should not be expected to stand unsupported against an enemy, and until they have been seasoned by surviving a battle or two they shouldn't be expected to do much more than defend themselves! They are, however, cost effective to raise.
Iberian infantry are fast moving close combat infantry. They may not be the best trained troops, but they are cost effective warriors. They are one of the basic units available to generals in the Carthaginian-influenced world. Every Iberian infantryman carries a shield in addition to his short sword, but his only other protection is a helmet; he relies on speed and agility instead of armour. They are best employed against enemy spearmen and, like other infantry, can be vulnerable to cavalry attacks.
Among the doughty folk of the Spanish hills the bull warriors are men whose bravery, stamina and skill is unmatched. These elite fighters are shock troops who disregard all danger when cutting their enemies to pieces. Carrying only a sword and shield they do not look much of a threat, a mistaken assessment that enemies rarely get to make twice! This is particularly true of they manage to ambush enemy forces. They fear no men and their over-eagerness to join a battle can be problematic, but like all foot soldiers, they need to be wary of cavalry.
Bull warriors derive their name from the distinctive horned helmets which they wear.
Warhounds are bred for a savage nature and great size, but then hunting men is only a little more dangerous than hunting wild boar! The beasts are muscular and powerful. Originally bred for hunting large prey, they are now trained to hunt and attack men. Warhounds are usually unleashed on an enemy to break a line and unnerve opponents. Few men are able to stand steadily in the face of a snarling and partially-starved beast. The dogs are trained to bite and hold on, dragging down their human targets, and hamstringing horses.
Their handlers are brave, foolhardy and not easily intimidated: many have fingers, hands or even chunks of limbs missing!
Round shield cavalry are best used to ride down skirmishers and pursue fleeing enemies. They lack the armour protection needed for prolonged melees against heavier opponents and, as they are armed with swords, do not have an initial shock value when they charge home. That said, properly deployed they will give a good account of themselves.
Long shield cavalry are spear-armed light cavalry, who can be used to break enemy formations, drive off skirmishers and pursue fleeing foes. This makes them a flexible and powerful force for any commander to have under his hand. They can also fight effectively in melee after a charge, as they carry swords of the falcata design. These are cunningly balanced so that the weight is towards the tip of the sword, giving a powerful cutting blow. Against spearmen, however, they can be at a disadvantage.
This general has a bodyguard of loyal spear-armed cavalry to accompany him onto the field. Armed with spears, these men are shock cavalry, able to deliver a devastating charge attack; they are then well trained enough to fight effectively in continued hand-to-hand combat.
Like all general's guards, this unit is best committed to the fight at the point of crisis, when the general's inspirational leadership and the combat power of his men can tip the balance.