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JJDESIGNS NEWS UPDATE 10th APRIL 2023
ARMIES AND ENEMIES OF ROME
THE CARTHAGINIANS
NORTH AFRICAN ALLIES
Although initially the Carthaginian army was composed only of Citizens of Phoenician origin, it saw increased recruitment of contingents of mercenaries and allies a necessity in order to realize the policy of imperial expansion.
This use of mercenaries saved the metropolitan population from heavy casualties that were not easily replaceable, and it also reflected the Carthaginian concept of war, which was considered simply as an extension of business.
With the enlargement of Punic economic interests the army became more exclusively mercenary and progressively came to include almost all the peoples of the central and western Mediterranean area.
The largest single component of the Punic army usually comprised soldiers recruited or impressed from subject Libyans. These are often referred to as “Africans”, or Liby-Phoenicians. These were mercenaries or in some cases conscripts, subject to service from the tenants of the large African estates.
Eventually these mercenaries were no longer simply troops hired for a single campaign and discharged after a few months service, as had originally been the case, especially during the first Punic War. They were now a professional standing army seasoned by long years of warfare, under the command of skilled generals such as Hamilcar Barca and his sons.
Among the North African allies were the subjected Libyans of the Marmarica, which formed a major part of the light infantry. These were mainly made up from several tribes, Nasamones, Macae from the Cynips river, the tribes of Barce, the Autololes, the ferocious Adyrmachidae, and the Garamantians.
ADYRMACHID WARRIORS
This Libyan tribe called the Adyrmachidae were described as carrying a buckler of many colours ,a sword in the shape of a sickle and would wear a single greave on the left leg. Warriors would have their head shaved except for a central plaited crest, often with a crescent amulet fastened to hang on his brow. Nose rings were also typical for many punic cultures.
GARAMANTIAN LIGHT INFANTRY
Garamantian light infantry are recorded as wearing a loose tunic and had red war paint on the face and limbs.
The general use of javelins by these Libyan tribes is widely recorded and was the typical weapon of the Garamantians.
BALEARIC SLINGERS
The Balearic slingers launched bullets that had a speed of 160 kilometers per hour (one hundred miles per hour). They could hit their opponents at a distance of 400 meters (1,300 feet) but were deadliest at a distance of 120 meters (400 feet).
An experienced slinger could make seven shots per minute.
They carried three slings, one around their head, one around their waist, and the third in their hands. Different slings were used to hit targets at different distances. The longer the sling, the larger distance it could cover.
They manufactured the bullets for slings from stone, lead, or clay.
Some sling bullets had holes to give off a buzzing sound, reminiscent of an agitated wasp. This was an ancient form of psychological warfare.
Often, the bullets contained inscriptions and images. The most common were the images of a lightning bolt, a snake, or a scorpion. Some bullets had inscriptions such as: “Take this”, “Catch”, “Ouch”, or “Get pregnant with this.
The Balearic Islands are a Spanish archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. Today, these islands are best known as tourist destinations, with the islands of Ibiza and Mallorca being especially popular.
However, in antiquity, the Balearic Islands were best known for the deadliest slingers in the Mediterranean.
The Balearic slingers were a coveted asset of every army of antiquity.
The name for the Balearic Islands originated from the Greek word “ballo” which means “to launch.”
The Balearic slingers started training as soon as they could walk. Supposedly, mothers didn’t give their children food until they could hit their targets.
Years and years of practice made slinging their second nature and turned these slingers into game-changing warriors on the battlefield.
During the second Punic War (218-201BC) the Carthaginian master general Hannibal wreaked havoc in Roman Italy. The Romans were terrified of the invisible killers, the Balearic slingers.
The Carthaginians recognized the skill of the slingers and tried to hire as many of them as possible. Interestingly the slingers didn’t want gold, they demanded to be paid with wine and women.
Once the Romans defeated the Carthaginians they made sure that the Balearic slingers became part of the auxiliary units of the Roman legions.
The use of slings slowly faded away. It took years and years of practice to train warriors to efficiently use this weapon. In the Middle Ages, bowmen required less effort to train than slingers. Eventually, bows were replaced by firearms, the usage of which could be taught in a matter of weeks.
We could say technological advancement made the Balearic slingers obsolete. However, history will remember them for their skills, terrifying reputation, and admiration from foes and friends alike.
Best wishes,
john jenkins
ps. Updates on all the Carthaginian elephants will be part of a future news update!
ARMIES AND ENEMIES OF ROME
THE CARTHAGINIANS
NORTH AFRICAN ALLIES
Although initially the Carthaginian army was composed only of Citizens of Phoenician origin, it saw increased recruitment of contingents of mercenaries and allies a necessity in order to realize the policy of imperial expansion.
This use of mercenaries saved the metropolitan population from heavy casualties that were not easily replaceable, and it also reflected the Carthaginian concept of war, which was considered simply as an extension of business.
With the enlargement of Punic economic interests the army became more exclusively mercenary and progressively came to include almost all the peoples of the central and western Mediterranean area.
The largest single component of the Punic army usually comprised soldiers recruited or impressed from subject Libyans. These are often referred to as “Africans”, or Liby-Phoenicians. These were mercenaries or in some cases conscripts, subject to service from the tenants of the large African estates.
Eventually these mercenaries were no longer simply troops hired for a single campaign and discharged after a few months service, as had originally been the case, especially during the first Punic War. They were now a professional standing army seasoned by long years of warfare, under the command of skilled generals such as Hamilcar Barca and his sons.
Among the North African allies were the subjected Libyans of the Marmarica, which formed a major part of the light infantry. These were mainly made up from several tribes, Nasamones, Macae from the Cynips river, the tribes of Barce, the Autololes, the ferocious Adyrmachidae, and the Garamantians.
ADYRMACHID WARRIORS
This Libyan tribe called the Adyrmachidae were described as carrying a buckler of many colours ,a sword in the shape of a sickle and would wear a single greave on the left leg. Warriors would have their head shaved except for a central plaited crest, often with a crescent amulet fastened to hang on his brow. Nose rings were also typical for many punic cultures.
GARAMANTIAN LIGHT INFANTRY
Garamantian light infantry are recorded as wearing a loose tunic and had red war paint on the face and limbs.
The general use of javelins by these Libyan tribes is widely recorded and was the typical weapon of the Garamantians.
BALEARIC SLINGERS
The Balearic slingers launched bullets that had a speed of 160 kilometers per hour (one hundred miles per hour). They could hit their opponents at a distance of 400 meters (1,300 feet) but were deadliest at a distance of 120 meters (400 feet).
An experienced slinger could make seven shots per minute.
They carried three slings, one around their head, one around their waist, and the third in their hands. Different slings were used to hit targets at different distances. The longer the sling, the larger distance it could cover.
They manufactured the bullets for slings from stone, lead, or clay.
Some sling bullets had holes to give off a buzzing sound, reminiscent of an agitated wasp. This was an ancient form of psychological warfare.
Often, the bullets contained inscriptions and images. The most common were the images of a lightning bolt, a snake, or a scorpion. Some bullets had inscriptions such as: “Take this”, “Catch”, “Ouch”, or “Get pregnant with this.
The Balearic Islands are a Spanish archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. Today, these islands are best known as tourist destinations, with the islands of Ibiza and Mallorca being especially popular.
However, in antiquity, the Balearic Islands were best known for the deadliest slingers in the Mediterranean.
The Balearic slingers were a coveted asset of every army of antiquity.
The name for the Balearic Islands originated from the Greek word “ballo” which means “to launch.”
The Balearic slingers started training as soon as they could walk. Supposedly, mothers didn’t give their children food until they could hit their targets.
Years and years of practice made slinging their second nature and turned these slingers into game-changing warriors on the battlefield.
During the second Punic War (218-201BC) the Carthaginian master general Hannibal wreaked havoc in Roman Italy. The Romans were terrified of the invisible killers, the Balearic slingers.
The Carthaginians recognized the skill of the slingers and tried to hire as many of them as possible. Interestingly the slingers didn’t want gold, they demanded to be paid with wine and women.
Once the Romans defeated the Carthaginians they made sure that the Balearic slingers became part of the auxiliary units of the Roman legions.
The use of slings slowly faded away. It took years and years of practice to train warriors to efficiently use this weapon. In the Middle Ages, bowmen required less effort to train than slingers. Eventually, bows were replaced by firearms, the usage of which could be taught in a matter of weeks.
We could say technological advancement made the Balearic slingers obsolete. However, history will remember them for their skills, terrifying reputation, and admiration from foes and friends alike.
Best wishes,
john jenkins
ps. Updates on all the Carthaginian elephants will be part of a future news update!
These will be excellent additions to an already great series. This will be the series I'll be focusing on this year, making sure there's plenty of room in both budget and display. - That's the great thing about these weekly news updates from John, they allow the collector to plan what direction they might take their collecting well in advance of the actual release.