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

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

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.