The great part is with Meshwesh, is that if new articles like this show up, and prove credible, then it's relatively easy to re-characterize some units.David Kuijt wrote: ↑Tue Mar 16, 2021 2:33 pmInteresting article, thanks for the link.
Much of what he says doesn't contradict Triumph's ratings -- it seems that his arguments are focused on other people (whose articles aren't directly cited). For example, when he says there was more difference between Romans and Greeks in the eyes of Roman commentators, he's talking about what we call Pike. In our game, that's obvious. Similarly for Iberians in Carthage employ (some of them fighting in what we would call close order) -- later Carthaginian armies include a variety of troops (including Iberians and Gauls) as Heavy Foot (or even as Hannibal's Veterans, as Elite Foot).
The really interesting question is whether Iberians fighting in their tribal units would be fighting as close-order troops or open order. He makes some interesting points, to be sure. But note also in his article where he quotes Livy as describing the Celtiberians in ways that almost force them to be rated as Raiders (or as Light Foot). That's in the footnotes (footnote 22).
As a separate note, one of his Livy quotes includes the passage that gives Ancient Spanish mounted the ability to dismount during a battle (mid-battle dismounting battle card).
I didn't notice the dismounting jav cav, but do now, which is cool.
Also didn't consider the idea of Ancient Iberians vs Iberians in Carthage as being different troop types potentially, but that's a good point. What would they do on their home turf vs fighting as part of a larger army...?
Also, I didn't see any Elite Foot in Later Carth forces. Is that post Zama? Or is it more of an idea for later adjustments? I only see Heavy Foot in all 3 later Carth lists.
