Factions

These factions will all play a role in Barbarian Invasion.

Allemanni
Hailing from the shadows of the Germanic forests, the Allemanni were never on good terms with their Roman neighbors to the South. They are a conglomeration of various Germanic tribes. Being fierce fighters and in constant conflict with the Roman Empire, they constantly crossed the frozen Rhine to attack the hated superpower. The Allemanni were one of the many barbarian tribes to press against the Western Roman Empire between the 3rd and 5th centuries AD, leading to its eventual downfall.

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Eastern Roman Empire
When the Roman Empire became too bloated to be ruled by one Emperor, it was divided into an Eastern and Western half. The East encompassed the extremely wealthy provinces, including most of the Aegean sea, Anatolia, Egypt, and part of North Africa. Though extremely rich, the Eastern Empire was plagued by internal instability and foreign invasions. The Eastern Roman Empire will start off with a large number of provinces, but will be on the verge of collapse. Heavy cavalry will be their greatest asset, and vital to the success of the Eastern Empire. Click here for the faction overview.

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Franks
Like so many other barbarian tribes, the Franks took advantage of the political and military weakness of the Western Roman Empire. Historically, they managed to conquer all of Gaul and eventually gave the region its modern name France. They became the first Germanic people to settle permanently in Roman territory. These fierce warriors are feared for their hardy infantry and their powerful throwing axes. They will start the campaign in the southern portion of Germany. You can read the faction overview here.

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Goths
Originally hailing from Scandinavia, and later settling modern-day Poland, the Goths are an imposing Baltic tribe. They eventually split into two tribes, the Visigoths and Ostrogoths, and ended up controlling a large amount of territory north of the Danube river. Eventually, with the coming of the Huns, the Goths were forced to cross the Danube and enter Roman territory. However, they did not stay on friendly terms with the Romans for long and were eventually forced to fight for their very existence. Click here for the faction overview.

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Huns
Easily some of the fiercest and most ruthless warriors of their time, the Huns all but lived on horseback and were superb bowmen. The Huns originated out of the Russian Steppes and launched a mass invasion of Europe under their powerful leader, Attila. They rampaged across Europe for years, displacing many a tribe with their new method of warfare. They were possibly the most feared soldiers of their time. In campaign, they will start in the extreme East portion of the map, without any settlements.

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Sarmatians
Ferocious horsemen and skilled archers, the Sarmatians were a dominant force in the lands east of the Tanais (now the Don) river. Little is known of the Sarmatians, other than that they are of Iranian descent and akin to the Scythians. They came to be a powerful force in eastern Europe, often leading successful raids on the Roman Empire. They remained the dominant force in the region until the arrival of the Gothic and Hunnic peoples. The Sarmatians will be located in the area east of Scythia, north of the Black Sea.

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Sassanid Persian Empire
After the Sassanid Dynasty conquered the Parthians, they set out to achieve one goal: to restore the former glory and power of the Persian Empire. They reconquered the entire region east of the Euphrates river, then turned their eyes west. Their ambitious goals put them in constant wars with the Eastern Roman Empire, who controlled portions of the former Persian Empire. The strength of the Sassanid army will lie in its heavy cavalry, just as it always has. They will start the game on the far eastern side of the map. Click here for the faction overview.

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Saxons
A large and powerful tribe from what is now Denmark, northwestern Germany, and the Netherlands, the took a very different route than most barbarians. Rather than prey upon the weak and crumbling Roman Empire, the Saxons took to the seas, and eventually arrived on the island of Great Britain around the time of the Western Roman Empire’s collapse. Like most other Germanic tribes, the Saxons’ strength will lie in their heavy infantry. They will begin the campaign in their native lands. You can read the faction overview here.

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Vandals
Also a Germanic tribe, the Vandals made a long journey from their native lands, in modern-day Poland, across most of Europe. Attacks by the Huns forced them continually westward, and eventually drove them into Iberia. From there they continued their trek into North Africa, and they eventually settled around Carthage. Like most of the German tribes, the strength of the Vandals will lay in their heavy infantry.

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Burgundii
Also a Germanic tribe, the Burgundians too took a piece of the decaying Roman pie. They begin in the Baltic Region, but end up . . . whereever you bring them. Like the other Germans, they are fierce footmen, the most fearsome of which is the Berserker. Come, check out the Burgundii, and see if you can bring them to rule the world.

Faction Overview


Western Roman Empire
After the division of the Roman Empire, the Western Empire immediately began a long and painful decline. Repeated invasions and assimilations of barbarian tribes greatly weakened the Empire’s finances and cultural stability. The army was becoming less and less professional and more and more a mixture of poorly equipped and trained barbarians and Romans. Under the constant pressure of foreign invaders, the Empire’s infrastructure collapsed, ending the life of the Western Roman Empire for good. Their strength will lie in their heavy infantry; the legions may not be what they used to be, but they’ve still got the potential to win Rome many great battles. Like the Eastern Empire, the West will start with a large number of provinces, but it will also be afflicted with instability within its borders.

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