Epikouros

The Epikouros, (literally "auxiliary"), also known as the Epitagma epikouros ("auxiliary supporting force") were the non-Symmerian troops that formed the majority of soldiers of the Ancient Symmerian army. The Epikouros were employed for the duration of the Symmerian Empire, initially as mercenaries then later as official forces of the Empire. Epikouros applied to any non-Symmerian ethnic group, including other Syarans such as Galanians and Scitarians. By the 1st Century BCE the Epikouros typically formed the majority of troops fielded by Symmerian armies, which would remain true up until the Fall of the Symmerian Empire.

Background and usage

Following the conquests of Orestes II the Symmerians had come to rule over a vast domain that far exceeded the original boundaries of Ancient Symmeria. The Symmerians had no complex concepts of citizenry; all people inhabiting lands within the Symmerian Realm were considered subjects of the Symmerian Basileus (King), and thus were viable to be conscripted to serve in the Symmerian military. Symmerian provinces were ruled by the Empire through Viceroys, who in turn were supported by local leadership that had been co-opted by the Symmerians into their service. It usually fell to these local administrators to ensure that there were ample numbers of troops available for conscription should the need arise. These non-Symmerian troops came from all across the Empire regardless of their origin.

The Symmerians had a Hellenistic cosmological view which held that the universe existed within the framework of a balanced logic that underlined its actions and settings; the world existed the way it did because the Gaia had created it as it was meant to be. The reasons foreigners existed as they did, in the manner and culture of which they possessed, was because that was the way they were meant to exist. As a result the Symmerians made little effort to incorporate the people they conquered into their society or culture. This extended to military affairs; the Symmerians saw little need to alter the way in which their Epikouros fought. There existed no major effort to standardize equipment or alter training or weaponry from what the Epikouros themselves brought or what style of fighting they employed. Instead, it was expected that a Symmerian strategos (general) would recognize the individual capabilities of each taxis (regiment) of Epikouros and employ them in a way that would maximize their inherent abilities. This employment was often a key element of what the Symmerians considered effective stratagem.

Symmerian commanders would often go to great lengths to foster competition among the Epikouros to improve their performance in combat. In most cases, the Epikouros were paid with plunder acquired on campaign. Units who performed exceptionally well were often rewarded with additional booty or payments. At various points fixed salaries were introduced to soldiers on campaign, although this practice varied over the course of the Empire and was never officially codified. The Epikouros were officially conscripted, but at times involved professional soldiers, often the royal guard or security forces of local rulers. Although the Epikouros were officially under the command of an Eparchos (officer), they often fielded their own commanders who provided tactical leadership on the battlefield.

Syara

Galanian heavy cavalry charging.

Syaran Epikouros were most known for two major groups: those from Galania and those from Scitaria.

Galanian cavalry were considered the supreme equestrian force of north-west Siduri and had a long established reputation for horse riding. Not long after their conquest by Orestes II were Galanian cavalry pressed into service with the Symmerian armies as they conquered Mansuriyyah, Ruvelka, and Shirvaniya. Due to their close proximity to the Symmerian homeland Galanian riders could often amass significant wealth and influence following their service with the Symmerians, and were the origin of the Galanian Aristokrati that would later dominate Syara. Galanian cavalry were considered heavy cavalry, often wearing heavy armor for both the riders and their mounts. Weapons were typically lances, although most carried swords in addition to their lances. Galanian cavalry thus could serve in both the shock and melee role, though were typically employed in the former as a means of breaking an enemy formation rather than chasing down fleeing enemy troops.

Scitarians by comparison were predominantly infantry and sailors. The various tribes of the Scitarian realm had a long history of raiders and maritime marauders that lent itself to skirmishing and light infantry roles. Due to their close proximity to Symmeria it was not uncommon for some Scitarian troops to eventually adopt heavier armor and armaments, but they would predominantly be known for their role as light infantry and skirmishers. Most Scitarians in this fashion were equipped with a hide shield, a light cuirass, a short sword, and a bundle of javelins for harassing the enemy. In the Common Era Scitarian troops gradually adopted heavier components, becoming synonymous with heavy peltasts capable of holding themselves on the Metoopon, "battleline". Scitarians would often serve as raiders or scouts for the Symmerians, or in naval roles where they often staffed warships and served as marines.

Ruvelka

Ruvelkan heavy infantry.

To the Symmerians, the land known as Ruvelka was largely limited to the mountainous central regions defined by the Matra and Kurilla Mountains. Thus, the Ruvelkans could provide only a limited selection of troops to the Symmerians, predominantly heavy infantry from the various Ruvelkan petty mountain kingdoms. Within the modern borders of Ruvelka however this included more varied types, included Kartozan and Hayren troops. Because of Ruvelka's terrain the country was a major source of iron and steel for the Symmerians, and as a result Ruvelkan troops were often heavily armored and armed relative to some other Epikouros. Ruvelkan infantry often preferred to fight with pole arms rather than a spear/sword and shield combination favored by most Syaran troops. Because of their early association with the Empire, as well as their heavy armament, Ruvelkan infantry were often placed on the flanks of the Symmerian phalanx to provide protection and support for the formation as it moved. This became so common that Plagiophylax (flank guard) became a common nickname for Ruvelkans among Syarans, and variations of which are still in use today.

Kartozan troops served in a variety of fashions, but were typically lightly armed. They served as both light infantry and light cavalry, and were often the only equestrian troops mustered from Ruvelka owing to the countries limited open areas that afforded good raising of horses. Hayren troops were almost entirely foot infantry, but by comparison were more heavily armed. Hayren infantry were highly regarded by the Symmerians as stalwart and capable soldiers who were often utilized as shock troops.

The most famous soldiers of the Ruvelkan Epikouros were the Katapeltes. The Katapeltes (literally "shield smasher") were not an official formation or fighting force like the phalanx or Companions, but an informal term used to refer to heavily armed and armored soldiers. The Katapeltes were usually of mixed Syaran-Ruvelkan heritage and combined elements of both martial traditions into their style. They generally favored pole arm weaponry like Ruvelkan soldiers, but adopted Symmerian customs of leadership and organization. Because of their wealth and education it was common for a Katapeltes to serve as a Eparchos of other Epikourus. Apart from Syaran troops, the Ruvelkans were often the most commonly seen Epikouros in the Symmerian armies, and were utilized from the days of Orestes II all the way up to the fall of the Empire 1,500 years later.

Mansuriyyah

Erani heavy cavalry.

Unlike Ruvelka, Mansuriyyah was conquered by the Symmerians in waves that gradually expanded Symmerian control over more of the realm. Symmerian Mansuriyyah was also the scene of the first of the Hegemonic Wars, with the Seyhad Wars lasting from the 2nd Century BCE to the 1st Century CE. Unlike the Ruvelkans, who's terrain limited the usage of cavalry in most locations, the vast open areas of some Mansuri regions allowed for the development of a large variety of cavalry troops. The varied ethnic make up of Mansuriyyah also created vast differences in fighting styles and troop quality that differed from region to region, from heavy cavalry of the east to the light infantry of the Dasht-e-Namak Desert.

Like most other Epikourus the Mansuri troop types typically based on their ethnic origin. Arab and Kenaani troops typically came in the form of light and heavy infantry, in addition to renowned archers. Bedouin tribes from central Mansuriyyah offered camelry, which were especially popular with Symmerian commanders due to their ability to frighten horses. Erani cavalry from eastern Mansuriyyah predominantly came in the form of heavy cavalry armed with lances and armored horses (Holosidèros), in addition to horse archers (Hippotoxotès). Mansuri infantry, known to the Symmerians as Amrtaka, could vary from heavily armed soldiers who protected the flanks of the Symmerian phalanx, to lightly armed bandits who were mostly used as skirmishers and scouts.

The nature of Mansuri troops made them popular among Symmerian commanders who preferred their utility and usefulness in the varied geography and conditions of the Hegemonic Wars. Mansuri troops were employed extensively by the Symmerians in conquests of eastern Siduri and later were used to support Symmerian invasions of Eracura during the Sundering Wars.

Shirvaniya

Adamdar Lancers.

With its wide open features, extensive steppe, and diverse population, Shirvaniya was a major source of Epikouros for the Symmerians. By far the most historically significant and most annotated however were the cavalry arches, or Hippotoxotès that came from the likes of the Adamdar, Shirvani, Khiyzan, and Odamlar. With its wide open southern steppeland, Shirvaniya was the single largest source of cavalry for Symmeria, and were generally regarded by the Symmerians as the most superior equestrian troops in Tyran. Troops from Shirvaniya were involved in every major conflict the Symmerians fought following their conquest of the land under Orestes II, although control of the central Siduri Steppe was only wrestled away from the Liezue Confederation after several centuries of conflict.

Although horse archers were the most famous of the Shirvaniyan Epikourous, troops of all types served in the Symmerian armies. Lancers, light cavalry, and scouts were drawn from the ranks of the Adamdar, Odamlar, Khiyzan, Tahmirihian, and Vartax. Peoples such as the Shirvani and Kazarakhai leaned more towards infantry and supplied foot soldiers of both light and heavy types. Traditional Shirvani armaments, such as axes, long swords, and maces became commonly used by Syaran troops towards the Later Symmerian Empire following the decline of the phalanx as the primary means of infantry combat for Symmerian troops.

Despite the variety of troop types, Symmerian commanders prized Adamdar cavalry arches above all owing to their unique capabilities and largely unmatched skills. Symmerian generals often employed them against enemy forces whom had no equivalent troops or familiarity with cavalry archers, most often the Acrean Empire and the Sabrian Empire.

Serikos

A Han Serikese Army.

The exceptionally bloody conquest of Serikos by the Symmerians in the 6th Century, coupled with continued resentment and the near-perpetual undercurrent of rebellion within the Serikese meant that the Symmerians were originally reluctant to embrace large numbers of Serikese Epikourus. This gradually changed as the need for troops arose for the invasion of Quenmin, and the utility offered by Serikese troops. Serikese Han familiarity with siege engineering and chemistry were major boons to the Symmerians, whom had traditionally faced difficulty with siege craft. The population of Serikos further provided large pools of manpower available for conscription that were heavily relied on for wars against the Sabrians and Quenminese.

Han troops came in a wide variety that defied the usual classification that most other conquered nations produced. Han soldiers served as infantry, both skirmishers and holding the battleline, while others served as cavalry ranging from heavily armored cataphracts to scouts, horse archers, and raiders. Han soldiers became most commonly known for their use of pole arms, especially halberds and long pikes that in some cases were used to replicate the phalanx of the Symmerians. Chariots had largely disappeared following the Symmerian conquest, and as such Han cavalry always rode their mounts directly. They were often armed in a similar manner to the Symmerian Companions. Apart from soldiers, the Han of Serikos were also frequently pressed into service as sailors; in many of the naval battles of the Sundering Wars, the Symmerian fleets consisted primarily of Han ships and crews.

The Han of Serikos provided two major technological benefits to the Symmerians; crossbows and gunpowder. Crossbows were already known to the Symmerians, but the belly-releasing sliding mechanisms of the Gastraphetes made it impractical for widespread use. Serikese crossbows by comparison were easier to mass produce and distribute to troops. Records from the 7th Century reveal a stockpile at one point of 537,707 crossbows and more than 11 million crossbow bolts; such large numbers made mass volley fire possible centuries before muskets were created. Fireworks were a major fascination to the Symmerians, who imported large numbers back to Syara. On campaigns fireworks were often utilized as a form of communication between forces in the field.

Quenmin

Quenminese levy infantry.

Like Seriokis, Symmerian Quenmin lacked a single identifying troop type. Instead, large numbers of different forces were available for Quenminese Epikouros. Most common types of soldiers were shield-bearers, halbediers, cavalry, and archers. Because of the fractured nature of the Quảng Dynasty during the Second Quenminese Anarchy, the Quenminese were unable to mount an effective unified resistance to the Symmerians. Deinokrates III began employing Quenminese soldiers under his command during the early weeks of his conquest, taking advantage of the dis-unified nature of Quenmin to play on pre-existing tensions and divides.

The conquest of Quenmin brought the Symmerians into conflict with the Sabrian Empire, sparking the Sabrian Wars. The First Sabrian War was fought predominantly on the land and in the waters of Quenmin, and Quenminese troops played a large role in both sides. So frequent was their usage that the Symmerians often called the conflict the "Quenminese War". During the Second Sabrian War Quenminese troops continued to be used in large numbers by the Symmerians and fought extensively in Knichus and Liriniya. Because of their long standing hostility to Serikos, Quenminese troops were often brought in subjugate Han rebellions. Quenminese troops gained a reputation among Symmerian commanders for their brutal methods and practices of torture, some of which the Symmerians adopted.

The Quenminese fought mostly against the Acrean Empire during the Sundering Wars due to their close proximity. Despite their frequent usage the Symmerians generally did not trust Quenminese troops over the course of their rule, and several major rebellions by the Quenminese, most noticeably the Tống Rebellion and the Âu Lạc Rebellion, were noted for their highly destructive nature.

Knichus

One of the last regions of Tyran conquered by the Symmerians, the tribes of Knichus nevertheless saw extensive service in the Symmerian armies, most noticeably during the Second Sabrian War. Although lacking in the heavy metals necessary to forge heavy armor and equipment, Sadi troops were widely considered by the Symmerians as among the finest scouts and skirmishers of Siduri. Although few in number, they were frequent targets of conscription for the Epikourus and utilized on numerous campaigns. The most common of these were against the Sabrian Empire, but later conflicts against the Acrean Empire in the Sundering Wars also saw large scale use of Sadi troops.

Additional forces

A Hannashka horse archer.

The Symmerians had little qualms about using foreign troops, even from past (or future) enemies. It was not uncommon for Hannashka mercenaries to be employed by the Symmerians against the Han in the Discovery Wars, and just a few years after the conclusion of the Sabrian Wars Sabrian marines were hired to help suppress Sadi revolts. Mercenaries and similar forces were usually drawn from the edges of the Empire's influence. The most commonly recruited were Nordic troops from the Bosrei, of which there was a plentiful supply over the course of centuries of conflict between the Bosrei and the Symmerians.

Sabrian troops both before and after the Sabrian Wars were employed by the Symmerians, especially as sailors and marines, in some cases fighting along soldiers they had previously struggled against. Hayren warriors from Nalaya, Gylic troops from Gylias, and Ridevan mercenaries from Tennai all found service in the Symmerian army. Tennaite troops in particular were highly sought after, most noticeably war elephants. War elephants were highly prized by Symmerian commanders, especially for usage against Nordic armies whom had little to no prior experience dealing with them. Hundreds, if not thousands, of elephants were acquired by the Symmerians and dispatched to Eracura for use against the Acrean Empire. Even Acrean mercenaries and Vikings occasionally found their way into employment by the Symmerians. Often foreign troops were brought in when local forces were considered of questionable loyalty. The usage of foreign mercenaries declined after the Crisis of the Ninth Century as funds to acquire them began to dry up, although they continued to see usage right up until the Fall of the Symmerian Empire.