The Amoraean Empire: A Guide

[Wolfezth Severus Deraine]

Red dots signify major cities, green dots signify major military forts - or castra; and purple represents the capital city of Archenridge.

Notice:

The First Part of this post will focus on the Amoraean Armed Forces, describing them in detail.

The Second Part of this post will focus on the political side of things - mostly the Senate.


_{Special thanks to h2g2.com and Europa Barbarorum on historical research, particularly on ranks and unit descriptions.}

Official Language: Amoraean
Official Religion: Amoraean Paganism

Introduction:


The land we all grew up in is no more, and we have fought tooth and nail to regain even the shadow that we are of our former glory, it is true. So much has changed so quickly, and so much of it was for the worse.

In our vast empire, we were complacent. We abandoned everything that made us strong, and instead fought each other in petty squabbles that weakened the entire country. Civil war after civil war, all weakening us for our eventual downfall. When the barbarians came, we were so focused on looking inward for threats, we did not look outward. We left ourselves vulnerable to attack from the outside, and in turn the Northmen sacked our once-great empire, destroyed even our capital and temples in the process.

The Blessed Isles, once our center of religion - was taken from us. Taken from us along with the southwestern desert, the coasts, and indeed even now the bulk of the barbarian horde rests upon our very doorstep - resting their laurels in our old capital, an affront to everything our forefathers stood for, and everything we stand for now.

We will reclaim it. We have already fought back the barbarians to retake the old province of Archenridge - the river valleys and hills of Lykaios, of Aquila, of Verris, and of Amastris. It took many years to get to where we are now - fighting inch by inch for the very dirt you stand on at this moment, but in taking our land back from the heathens we have returned more to our roots as true Amoraeans. Discipline is restored, and our entire country is unified in a way that hasn't been seen for centuries. We all know what must be done, and what it takes to do it.

Gone are the petty squabbles that separated us, and now we stand united in a front to reclaim what is ours from the heathens who stole it from us. In the time it took us to reclaim Archenridge, I hear that the barbarians have been fought back in other provinces too - and that truly is beautiful news - despite all of this talk of secession from the Empire from them - the founding of new countries. We have plenty of time to bring the empire together later - but today we must focus on the barbarians. The other reclaimed provinces will either stand with us to beat back the Northmen threat, or be killed like dogs just like the heathens. It makes no difference to a true Amoraean what color an enemy is- what weapons they carry or what armor they wear -- so long that it is a dead one. They have caught up to us in many areas, finally being able to match the weapons and armor we put forth on the battlefield - but one thing they lack - and will always lack - is true Amoraean valor. The contempt of death and pain that is instilled in each and every one of our legionnaires. It's something uniquely Amoraean, and something that the Northmen will never be able to copy.

We in Archenridge have survived because of that valor. We have endured because of our bravery and unity in the face of destruction. The heathens may have taken our heartland, but we stand in a position now to take it back. We stand in a position now to reclaim our lost honor, reclaim our lost lands, and usher in a new golden era for the Empire of Amoraea. But this time we will not stray from our roots, and we will not grow complacent. These heathens are not the unorganized, poorly equipped hordes that our ancestors fought against, but a wily and dangerous opponent that we would do well not to underestimate again. Fate has given us a second chance - and it will only be Amoraean strength and honor that will rebuild this empire. Amoraean determination and ingenuity that will take back what is rightfully ours.


They say that history repeats itself, and I certainly hope so. There would be no greater honor than to be able to reunite these shattered lands under our banner once again, to bring hope to the hopeless under foreign control, and bring stability back to a region which has lost it so suddenly and violently. We failed to protect our people, and every villager, every farmer, every woman and child who died to the Northmen... Their blood is on our late Emperor's hands for his inaction - for his contentedness, for his stupidity. We have learned from our mistakes, and we will rise from the ashes, stronger than ever. The Northmen think us defeated, the heathens think us easy prey in our weakened state, and I hope they keep thinking that long enough for us to cut off the head of the snake before the snake even knows we have a blade.


Our Senate is restored to its former power, and the autocracy of recent times is abolished - we have learned the sins of complacency and will not let it happen again. The days of forcing policies down the throats of our people are over, because a strong country needs to be a united country - and apathy is no way to stay unified.


Even in the army and navy, we have youth and new ideas abounding - a necessity for a country looking to regain its standing in the world. But with all of this youth - a steely determination is the result of a chip on our collective shoulders the size of a mountain. We have been given an immense amount of trust by the Amoraean people, and it is up to our leadership to repay that trust with success. Failure is not an option at this point. We cannot afford to lose anything more than we already have.


Pressure is at an all time high, and I welcome it - as I hope you do. I believe that trial by fire is the purest way to do things, and we are being tried in a fire that would make a dragon quail in fright. I welcome you, friend, to join us in our struggle. I welcome you, true and pure Amoraean, and I promise you that together we can forge our own legacy in these troubled times. Fate has not smiled upon us lately, but it is we and we alone that can change that. We are in control of our own destinies this day - this age - we are free to become the paragons of this era - or the dirt on the sole of a Northman. Our course is ours to take, and our lives are ours to shape. From the Senator to the freedman to the legionnaire to the farmer - this is a time of turmoil and change - and all have their opportunity to make their mark in history. May the gods be your watchward, friend.

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The Amoraean Army and Navy is the pride and joy of the Empire, and below it is covered in detail.

Ranks and Responsibilities:

Army:

OFFICERS:

Phoenix-Commander = Overall leader of all ground forces of Amoraea

Tribune = Military advisor to the Senate, responsible for the defense of the capital as well as being the commanding officer in charge if the capital should ever be attacked.

Blademaster = In a case of more than one legion working together in a major battle, this officer will act as the overall Infantry Commander.

Sky Darkener = In a case of more than one legion working together for a major battle, this officer will act as overall Archer Commander.

Rider-Master = In a case of more than one legion working together for a major battle, this officer will act as the overall Cavalry Commander.

Legate = Dux of a Legion, 1/5 of the standing army of Amoraea

Heavy Commander = Commander of the Heavy Infantry in the Legion, acts as second in command of the legion. (The 'Kill Shot')

Infantry Commander = Commander of the Medium Infantry in the Legion

Chief Marksman = The best archer in the legion, and thus who calls out the distance and the timing on volleys and positions their men in battle.

Rider-Commander: Commander of the Cavalry in the legion.

Siege Weapons Supervisor: Exactly what it says on the tin.

Centurion: Leader of a century of one hundred men.

There were various levels of seniority amongst the legion's Senior Centurions, based upon their cohorts' position in the legions battle formation, and their century's position in the cohort. The rank in order of seniority within a cohort was:

Centurion Hastatus Prior ('first spear'): often known as the Primus Pilus. This officer was the senior centurion of the legion commanding the first cohort. A successful Centurion Hastatus Prior was often made a member of the nobility upon retirement.



JUNIOR OFFICERS

Centurion Princeps Prior: - or first leader

Centurion Pilus Prior: - or first lowest

They were in turn supported by junior Centurions:

Centurion Hastatus Posterior: - or rear spear

Centurion Princeps Posterior: - or rear leader

Centurion Pilus Posterior: - or rear lowest



NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS:

Optio Centuriae ('Optio Centurion, a rear rank officer rated as an Optaio often came with a pay upgrade'): This officer was appointed from the ranks by his Centurion - it was his duty to command the rear of the century and act as the Centurion's second-in-command. His badge of office was a wooden staff or rod, often used to back his orders.


Duplicarius ('second in command to the Rider-Commander who commanded the cavalry'): a rank that was signified by a pay rate twice that of a legionary. In battle, he commands the left flank of 60 cavalrymen of the legion.

Decurion: The commander of smaller cavalry unit of 10 to 30 men, one and a half pay rate.

Tesserarius ('watch officer'): was responsible for the distribution of the watch words issued by the commanding officer to the guard commanders, and preventing any unauthorised use.

Cornicularius ('administrator'): The military title given to administrative deputy of the Legate and various senior officers.

Decanus: commanded the smallest unit in the legion known as an octet, contubernium or eight-man unit. This unit shared a tent, travelled and fought together. Ten contubernium made up a century.

Aquilifer ('the eagle bearer'): The legion's eagle was the physical representation of the legion. If the eagle was lost the legion was disgraced and the unit was often disbanded.

Signifer ('the standard bearer'): Each century and cohort had a standard bearer. The standard (signum) was the unit's emblem, typically three disc emblems mounted vertically. These displayed the unit's awards and decorations. The top of the standard had an emblem, commonly a spear, a hand, or a wreath.

Cornicularius ('administrator'): This was the rank held by the administrative assistant to the Legate or other high ranking officers.

Cornicen ('the horn blower'): Worked with the signifer drawing the attention of the men to the centurion's signals, and issued the audible commands of the officers. The horn was a coiled, circular instrument carried on the shoulder of the Cornicen.



ENLISTED RANKS:

Triplicarius: This was a very rare rank that was given to a senior soldier who had achieved status by experience, and was rewarded with a rate of pay three times that of an ordinary legionary.

Equites cohortales: Cavalry Soldier in a unit attached to a legion.

Miles ('ordinary legionary'): and Miles Gregarius (ordinary legionary of good standing), the title was granted for conduct in battle, or good conduct. Munifex is not a rank; it means a miles who is fit for duty.

Tiro: Newly-recruited Legionary in training.



SUPPORT PERSONNEL:

Explorator (a scout): the term also applied to spies working with forward units.

Mensor (a surveyor): a team of surveyors was referred to as Metatore.

Capsarius or Medicus (doctor or field medic, respectively.): The Amoraean army has a very proficient army medical service - renowned for its effectiveness and precision.

Cerarius (a bookkeeper): named after the cera, the wax tablet he always used.

Mulio a mule driver: Part of the impedimenta (baggage train) mainly used for carrying the tents, food and tools. The troops were able to travel through hostile territory uncluttered and ready to fight.

NAVY:


OFFICERS:


Eagle-Commander: The overall commander of all naval forces under Amoraean control.


Navarch ('Squadron commander'): A commander of a squadron in the Amoraean fleet. A squadron normally consisted of ten ships.


Trierarch ('Captain'): The Trierarch was in command of all aspects of ship control while the vessel was not in action, giving direct orders regarding the ship and crew. The Centurion was in command of his men at all times; the Navarch had no direct authority over the milites or common soldiers.


Centuriae ('Centurion' Military commander and Ship's Captain in Battle): The Centurion was in command of soldiers stationed on the ship. He was also in command of all aspects of ship control while the vessel was in action, giving the Trierarch direct orders regarding the ship and crew. Possibly the most dangerous rank in battle, as a good Centurion was an inspiration to his men. Traditionally, Centurions always led the men they commanded from the front, with a furious first-in-last-out style of leadership. Unsurprisingly, Centurions suffered high casualty rates constantly proving they were the bravest and the best of fighters.


The Celeusta (Officer in charge of the rowers): This officer supervised the rowers, relaying the orders of the Trierarch regarding speed and direction. The speed was governed by using a drum or hammer to provide the rowers with a rhythm to keep them in time and to control the speed of the ship.


The Iatros (the medical officer equivalent to the army Capsarius a doctor or Medicus): The Amoraean navy had a very proficient medical service similar to that of the army and which was famous for its effectiveness.


ENLISTED:
Optio Centuriae ('Optio centurion' A junior centurion): The Optio's main duty in combat was to ensure that the commands of the Centurion were carried out especially in battle. In battle, if the Centurion was killed or injured, it was the Optio's duty to take command of the ship (or the 'century', as it was known, meaning 'the chosen'). Other duties included administration, casualty returns, equipment requisitions and supervision of training and punishment; for this he received twice the pay of ordinary soldiers.


The Beneficiaries Classis (the quartermaster): Responsibilities of this class included the recruitment and welfare of the ship's civilian crew and the role of civilian paymaster. Other duties included procuring the ship's stores and ammunition, and supervising the ship's maintenance while in port.


The Nautae (Helmsman): Also known as the gubernator or pilot, the Nautae and his subordinates were given the task of steering the ship. Depending on the size of the vessel, it would have been equipped with either one or two linked sexillie (side-mounted) or quarter rudders mounted on the stern. If the ship was large enough there would have been a team of Nautae working in shifts while the ship was at sea. Often the Nautae would be provided with a shelter mounted on the stern. It is worth noting that the stern-mounted rudder did not appear until about 960 AD, long after the demise of the Amoraean Navy.


The Proreta (Lookout): The Proreta worked in conjunction with the Naute while guiding the ship through shallow waters, or supervising the beaching of the vessel.


Cohors Classica ('A cohort serving at sea'): These men were also known as marines, but regarded as common soldiers or milites or milites classiarius to indicate they served at sea. Although these men were professional soldiers they were considered as inferior to land-based legionnaires and were paid slightly less and had to spend one more year of military service to attain citizenship.


Remiges (Rowers): The rowers or oarsmen were not slaves, they were freemen, or freeborn men from the provinces (Peregrini). They did not hold Amoraean citizenship and were paid a regulation wage. The Remiges were recruited from those provinces that had a seagoing tradition, so the crews were mainly a mishmash of different peoples who elected to stay under Imperial control and come back or not leave Amoraea - or simply normal citizens who fell upon hard times and needed a steady job and didn't want to be a combat soldier. The ship's officer, the celeusta, was placed in charge of the rowers. To avoid many of the problems of training rowers to man ships with multiple banks of oars, basic training was carried out on land. The training was carried out on tiers of rowing benches set in huge frames, so by the time the rowers took their place in the ships for real, they were skilled enough to handle the oars and knew the commands.

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Current Command of Amoraean Army:

Phoenix-Commander: Wolfezth Severus Deraine

Tribune: Fenrir Arche Deraine

Blademaster: Jartix Braeke

Sky Darkener: Kyra Nightingale

Rider-Master: Falandar Haesar

Siege Weapons Master: Jeremiah Payton

LEGIO I VICTORIA

5,120 Legionnaires

"Amoraea Invicta"

Currently Stationed In: Amastris

Legate: Raban Sverrir
Infantry Commander: Andreas Pankratios
Heavy Commander: Ketill Baldwin
Chief Marksman: Maxentius Marinus
Rider-Commander: Tulius Leifr
Siege Weapons Supervisor: Erwin Alexius


LEGIO II BLOOD EAGLE

5,120 Legionnaires

Currently Stationed In: Verris

"Ashes To Ashes."

Legate: Aldric Tryphon
Infantry Commander: Arkadios Seneca
Heavy Commander: Aulus Galerius Scaeva
Chief Marksman: Archaelos Adalbern
Rider-Commander: Domitianus Akhenaton
Siege Weapons Supervisor: Phillipe Frozzni


LEGIO IV WOLFPACK

5,120 Legionnaires

Currently Stationed In: Lykaios

"Refuge In Audacity."

Legate: Valerian Deraine
Infantry Commander: Servius Hamilcar
Heavy Commander: Helmut Choragos
Chief Marksman: Lykos Adolphus
Rider-Commander: Ernust Telesphoros
Siege Weapons Supervisor: Antony Thresher


LEGIO VII WHITE FEATHER

5,120 Legionnaires

Currently Stationed In: Aquila

"And Shepards We Shall Be."

Legate: Jastiper Fezendere
Infantry Commander: Heinrich Faldspar
Heavy Commander: Markus Eliphas
Chief Marksman: Cyrillus Kosmas
Rider-Commander: Cyneric Gerhard
Siege Weapons Supervisor: Adolfo Smith


LEGIO IX BLACK PHOENIX

5,120 Legionnaires

Currently Stationed In: Lykaios

"The Ever Vigilant Vanguard."

Legate: Jartix Braeke
Infantry Commander: Marcius Sindri
Heavy Commander: Sakeros Vishazh
Chief Marksman: Raganhar Aranzo
Rider-Commander: Cuthberht Argyros
Siege Weapons Supervisor: Jeremiah Payton

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Layout of Legionnaires:

10,000 Medium Infantry: (Pugio, 2 pila, 5 Plumbata - or long darts with longer range than javelins -- used in conjuction with archers, Mainz Gladius, Scutum, Lorica Segmentata, full greaves, and maica or vambraces, Imperial Italic helmet with no crest, scarf to prevent armor chafe)

9,500 Heavy Infantry: (Pugio, 2 pila, 5 plumbata, Spatha, Scutum, Lorica Segmentata, full greaves, vambraces, Imperial Italic helmet with no crest, scarf to prevent armor chafe)

4,400 dedicated archers: (Pugio, Recurve Bows, Lorica Squamata or scale armor, scarf to prevent armor chafe, leather bracers, leather glove on drawing hand.)

720 Light Cavalry: (Pugio, Spatha rounded tip, 12 plumbata, Lorica Squamata, scarf, Imperial Italic helmet with no crest, full studded leather barding)

200 Horse Archers: (Pugio, Spatha rounded tip style, Reflex Bow, Lorica Squamata, scarf, full leather barding, leather bracers, leather glove on drawing hand)

240 Heavy Cavalry: (Pugio, Spatha rounded tip, Imperial Italic helmet with no crest, Lorica Segmentata, Oval wooden shield, full scale barding)

1,100 Siege Weapon Operators: (Onagers, Scorpions. <3) (Tribulus -- or caltrops, pugio, leather armor.)

125 War Mastiffs: (Half studded leather barding, front side)

TOTAL NONCOMBATANT FORCE: 9,000 (Fills necessary noncombat roles such as engineers, military police, servants of officers to assist digging, manual laborers, doctors, fletchers, people to lead the supply trains, people to take care of the pack mules, people to help move the heavy siege equipment, stablehands, etc., etc.)

Special Note: Roughly 1/5 of these can be called into combat and serve as effectively as normal troops. (Military Police, Engineers, etc. are all combat-trained but will only do so in dire situations. Count them as medium infantry unless otherwise stated. The others can be used in last-ditch situations, but can do no better than skirmishers at best.)

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Legionnaire's Oath of Service:

"I _____ swear by the god of Loyalty Sancus, the goddess of Truth Veritas, and by the strength of Mars to be true and faithful to the Senate and People of Amoraea, and to serve my country honestly and faithfully against all their enemies, opposers, or threats -- internal or external; and to observe and obey the orders of the Phoenix-Commander and the Senate, and the orders of the Legates and Officers set over me by them. And that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, of my own free will of the desire to serve my country in times both dire and prosperous; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of a Legionnaire in the ______ Legion of the Amoraean Army, and to make my mark in the history of my nation. To create an honorable legacy both for myself, my family, and my country that both I, my descendants, and my future Legion can be proud of for generations to come... So help me gods."

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Auxiliaries or Auxilia forces of Amoraea:

These units formed the noncitizen corps of the Amoraean army. These were mostly freedmen - freed slaves trying to get citizenship, or regular slaves who have signed a contract to serve ten years for freedom, and twenty years for citizenship - or the existing auxilia that decided to stay with the Amoraean Empire, or even pacified soldiers of other nations.

The auxilia follow the chain of command of the legionnaires - with a few changes - most notably they have no siege engines in their legions and their Legate equivalents are called Praefectus - and the fact that only some auxiliary legions will even have any cavalry, but have vastly different soldier types, detailed below. The auxilia, unlike the legions, vary widely in effectiveness and experience and even equipment. Efforts have been made to standardize the auxilia in recent years, but have met with limited success, mostly due to financial and time constraints of doing so. Each of the auxiliary legions number one thousand men strong, one fifth of the traditional legion's strength to better protect the vast borders of the Empire.


Antesignani (Elite Light Infantry): Antesignani are elite auxillary trained to fight outside the heavy infantry's battle formation. Armed with spears, several light javelins, and a gladius they are more lightly armoured with a simple bronze breastplate instead of lorica segmentata, a Coolus bronze helmet, and carry smaller oval shields instead the heavy scutum to increase their agility. On march the duties of the Antesignani are to cover the columns as well as to scout and secure the area in front of the army. In a battle they can be used to screen the legions advance, to counter enemy skirmishers, or to support the cavalry if no specialized auxiliaries are available. (Only available to Legio XIV and XVII, the only two that existed before the Northmen invasion and thus the most trained and advanced)

Cohors Validvm Avxiliarivm (Imperial Heavy Auxiliary Infantry Cohort): Auxiliary infantry is a cheaper supplement of the legionary troops and a good way to better participate the provinces at the huge burdens of the empire to defend it's people. The soldiers of most of these cohorts fight as heavy spearmen in close formation similar to the legionary infantry, but without the tactical flexibility offered by their larger scutum and the pilum. However other than the pilum the hasta, commonly used by the auxiliaries, is a true thrusting spear and as such a better defense against cavalry attacks. Other than the hasta they are equipped with the gladius, long flat mostly oval shields and well protected by shirts of lorica hamata (chain mail) and old style bronze montefortino helmets, often out phased from the legions. (Only avalible to Legio XIV and XVII)

Velites: Velites are the legion's light infantry. In a pitched battle they will screen the legions main battle line during the advance and harass the enemy. Before the heavy infantry engages trumpeters signal them to retreat through the gaps in the Amoraean line and reform behind the Heavy Infantry, or on the wings with the cavalry. Sometimes they are also directly used to support the cavalry. The Velites are armed with javelins, a short sword and a small, but strong round shield. They wear no armor besides a plain helmet covered with an animal's skin (usually that of a wolf). This is mainly used for identification, and to make individuals recognizable to the centurions and other officers over great distances.

Rorarii (Reserve Skirmishers): Rorarii are reserve skirmishers that are placed behind the Heavy Infantry in the legions battle formation. They can be used to fill gaps and support wavering lines but they can't be expected to hold whole sections of the battle line by themselves. The Rorarii are armed with a hasta spear, javelins of the light Iberian gaesum type, and carry the damaged or otherwise unsuitable scutum the legions toss aside. They do not wear armour, but often wear different helmets, often those scavenged off the field.

Equites Auxilia (Auxiliary Cavalry): Equites Auxilia are equipped with a hasta lance, a rounded tip spatha, a round parma equestris shield with a diameter of 50-80 cm, a coolus helmet and wear a bronze muscle cuirass.

Toxotai (Hellenistic Archers): Toxotai are well trained in a manner of speaking, that being that they are using their weapon of choice (often of necessity) from birth, as they are recruited from the hunters and other working men of the common class. They are decent archers, but are nowhere near as professional as the archers from the east and south. They mostly use the short bow, which means that they are often outgunned by their counterparts from other lands. This reflects their secondary role in a Hellenic army. As most missile units, they will be cut to ribbons in melee, so they should be well protected from enemy ranks.

Curis ('Spear'): A makeshift unit in the auxiliary legion, reflecting more than anything their role as makeshift warriors outside of the Fourteenth and Seventeenth Auxiliaries. Most of them are lightly armed with a hasta - or spear and a gladius and carry an ovular shield and a bronze Montefortino helmet for protection, going on otherwise unarmored into battle.

Legio XII Asovia

1,000 Auxiliary

"Guarding The Frontier"

Currently Stationed In: Lykaios - in the frontier with the horsepeoples to the northeast.

Praefectus: Manius Dossenius
Infantry Commander: Sextus Cispius
Skirmisher Commander: Sepunius Vipsanius
Chief Marksman: Sennius Eburnus



Legio XIV Fidelitas

1,000 Auxiliary (50 Cavalry)

Currently Stationed In: Lykaios, along the border with the Northmen between Black Phoenix and Wolfpack.

"United We Shall Overcome"

Praefectus: Secundus Valentinian
Heavy Infantry Commander: Tertius Ausonius
Skirmisher Commander: Petellius Tiburs
Chief Marksman: Fenius Hardalio
Rider-Commander: Vinicius Excingus



Legio XVII Apriana

1,000 Auxiliary (50 Cavalry)

Currently Stationed In: Aquila, to help protect the lands too far away from the capital for White Feather, and too far inland from the coastline for the Navy.

"In Peace, Preparation For War."

Praefectus: Decius Sita
Heavy Infantry Commander: Gaius Agorix
Skirmisher Commander: Postumus Haterius
Rider-Commander: Vibius Opilio
Chief Marksman: Flavius Artorius



Legio XIV Servo

1,000 Auxiliary

"The backbone."

Currently Stationed In: Verris, assisting Blood Eagle in maintaining the border with the horsepeoples of the northeast.

Praefectus: Aulus Marsus
Infantry Commander: Drusus Ateius
Skirmisher Commander: Publius Veranius
Chief Marksman: Titus Pisentius

Legio XIV Vectis

1,000 Auxiliary

Currently Stationed In: Amastris, helping to guard and maintain the inner parts of the province.

"We Will Follow"

Praefectus: Galus Camilius
Infantry Commander: Aulus Uulius
Skirmisher Commander: Caius Prisca
Chief Marksman: Marcus Umbrius

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Current State of the Amoraean Navy:

Eagle-Commander: Regulus Scipio


Ship Types:

Hexareme: The "six", with rowing arrangements as a trireme with two rowers per oar instead of one. With six combat towers upon it, the Hexaremes are truly impressive flagships of the Amoraean Fleet. It had a rowing crew of 400, and was able to transport 180 marines.

Quinquereme: The "five", for five banks of oars on each side of the vessel. These are the heavy warships of the Amoraean Navy, complete with two combat towers, each filled with small catapults and ballista along with a Harpax, or a ballista-shot grapnel used to winch an enemy or damaged allied ship beside the Quinquereme for either boarding action or to haul back to shore for repairs. The Harpax was discharged by a ballista as if it were a heavy dart. Furthermore the grappling device was composed of iron bands that could not be cut and cutting the ropes themselves was impossible due to the length of the iron grapple. Quinqueremes carry a total crew of 420, 300 of whom were rowers, and 120 marines. Concept art.

Quadrireme: A galley with four banks of oars on each side. It's considered a major vessel, on the heavier side but still maneuverable, able to serve alongside Triremes, and is the workhorse of the Amoraean Fleet. The quadrireme was a heavier Amoraean warship. The crew consisted of 15 sailors, 90-100 marines, and 200 rowers. The armament included two combat towers each with two small catapults. Concept art.

Trireme: A galley with three banks of oars on each side. The lightest and most maneuverable ship in the Amoraean fleet, these are the naval skirmishers. Able to simply skirt around a vessel and ram it into submission, then get away before they can effectively counterattack, it's a beauty to see in action. The total complement of the ship was about 200. These were divided into the 170 rowers (eretai), who provided the ship's motive power, the deck crew headed by the trierarch, and a marine detachment. Concept Art



The Amoraean Fleet, By The Numbers:

Hexaremes: 2, with a total crew of 1,160 -- The Eagle-Commander's Flagships.

Quinqueremes: 30, with a total crew of 12,600 -- The Heavy Warships of the Amoraean Fleet.

Quadriremes: 75, with a total crew of 16,125 -- The standard combat ship of the Amoraean Fleet.

Trireme: 120, with a total crew of 24,000 -- The rammers and skirmishers of the Amoraean Fleet.

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By The Numbers: Amoraean Military Overview



Army:

Total Number of Legionnaires: 26,100

Total Number of Immunes: 9,000

Total Number of Auxilia: 5,000

Total Number of Amoraean Army: 40,100


Navy:

Total Number of Sailors in the Hexaremes: 1,160

Total Number of Sailors in the Quinqueremes: 12,600

Total Number of Sailors in the Quadriremes: 16,125

Total Number of Sailors in the Triremes: 24,000

Total Number of Amoraean Navy: 53,885


Total Number of the Armed Forces of Amoraea: 93,985

Total Number of Armed Forces of Amoraea Excluding Rowers: 48,785



_{Note: These numbers only include the actual components of the Amoraean Army, and not the various Town Watches, or Vigiles scattered throughout Amoraea of varying qualities - the militias if you will, nor the amount of levies that can be called forth in case of an emergency - nor of different miscellaneous paramilitary forces like mercenaries in the country.}


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Government and Senate:

Senate: As the representative figurehead of Amoraea, it is the official body that sent and received ambassadors on behalf of the city, appointed officials to manage and govern provinces, declared war and negotiated peace, and appropriated funds for various projects such as public building construction. Appointments of military Legates, and the overall oversight of Amoraean religious practices remained in the control of the Senate as well. It was also the Senate who held the authority to nominate a dictator (a single leader who acted with ultimate authority and without fear of reprisal) in a state of emergency, usually a military one.


All senators were entitled to wear a senatorial ring made of gold with the symbol of Amoraea - the image of a Phoenix emblazened upon it and a tunica clava, a white tunic with a broad purple stripe five inches wide (latus clavus) on the right shoulder. A total of 300 Senators were in power at any given time, and they are the government of Amoraea. From making laws, to approving and modifying them, to even being the criminal prosecutors and attorneys on the other side of things if the matter was public and important enough - as well as being the only entity in Amoraea able to declare and cease a war. They are composed of 150 men and women of noble birth, and 150 of common heritage.


Voting in the Senate could be taken by voice or show of hands in unimportant matters, but important or formal motions were decided by a quorum, or an actual physical division of the house to either side of the floor. In these cases even non-voting persons present (such as a militarily significant matter and officers were present to present their views) were allowed to take places on either side of the issue, lending their support to a particular cause or motion.