The Odrysians
2023-05-02 · Tarnholm
Welcome friends! Today I’m happy to give you all a new dev diary, & not just any, we are going to speak about the Odrysians!
The Odrysian kingdom was once the predominant power in Thrace, having most other Thracians under its sway in the late 5th and early 4th century BC. However, its power began to crumble in the mid-4th century BC and when it was divided into three parts in the 340s by civil war, Philip II of Macedon defeated all three kings and expanded at their cost. The Odrysians survived, but with the migration of the Celts and the establishment of their kingdom, Tylis, things got even worse in the early 3rd century BC. Now but a shadow of its former self, the Odrysian kingdom has survived, but only just so. Will you help them reclaim their former glory or are you set to end their independence once and for all?
The Thracians are known for two units: Infantry wielding the falx like Romphaia, a cutting, often two-handed sword, and the "original" peltasts. Their lack of melee infantry and proper archers or slingers is countered by a strong heavy cavalry and the impressive royal guard with the Medusa head at the pectoral to the sword of King Seuthes III to greaves decorated with the Thracian snake goddess! Without a doubt one of the most stunning units in the mod. Less spectacular, but an almost unique unit, too, are the light lancers, mostly unarmoured shock cavalry which is cheaper than most other horsemen and will be very useful, especially in the early campaign.
Thracian Peltasts:
Thracian Slingers:
Thracian Archers:
Thracian Rhomphaiophoroi:
Odrysian Royal Warriors:
Thracian Hippakontistai:
Thracian Light Lancers:
Thracian Noble Cavalry (and Bodyguard):
Mercenary Agrianian Infantry:
Mercenary Paionian Cavalry (note the horse armour will not be present once released) :
Some of the model elements Greaves from King Seuthes III's tomb - actual artefact and model:
Greaves from Agighiol - actual artefact and model:
Thracian Pectorals' various archaeological artefacts:
And the RIS models:
Scabbard based on the one from Seuthes III's tomb:
Finished Variants:
That’s it for this time. We hope you all enjoyed this preview of what’s coming in RIS 0.6.