This represents the army of Auxum in Africa under the Negusa Negast Ezana, the son of Mars, before and after his conversion to Christianity and metamorphosis into the son of Christ. It reflects the Auxumite army in Africa and therefore includes the sarawit, the principal Auxumite infantry. Known regimental names include Hara, Halen, Damawa, Sabarat, Hedefan, Sabaha, Dakuen (the elephant fighters), Laken, Falha, Sera, Metin, and Mahaza. The sarwen were famed for their proficient use of javelins and possessed a heavy cutting sword and shield. No armor has been identified. The Stele of Lances depicts a longer spear as well. Ge-ez inscriptions feature lances. Some arrow heads have been found by archeologists.

Era: 320 A.D. - 530 A.D.	Auxum - Army of Ezana	CR: H: 4 L: 4		BP: 2	Init: 5
Core
Number	Type	Description	Key	FV	PROT	Weapon	Cost
1	HC		X	4(0)0	+1	Various	10
1	LC		X	2(0)0	+1	Various	7
2	FT	Sarwen	X	5(1)1	+1	Javelins/sword	6
2	LHI		X	4(1)2	+1	Javelin/sword	7
2	LI			3(1)2	+1	Javelins	5
1	SI			2(1)1	+2	Bows	2
1	SI			3(1)2	+2	Javelins	2
Bonus:
2	HC		X	4(0)0	+1	Various	10
5	LC		X	2(0)0	+1	Various	7
3	FT	Sarwen	X	5(1)1	+1	Javelins/sword	6
1	FT	Royal Sarwen	X	6(1)1	+1	Javelins/sword	8
4	FT	Subject Africans	X	4(1)1	+1	Various	4
5	LHI		X	4(1)2	+1	Javelins/sword	7
4	LI			3(1)2	+1	Javelins	5
2	LI			3(1)2	+1	Bows	6
3	SI			2(1)1	+2	Bows	2
3	SI			3(1)2	+2	Javelins	2
2	Cm	Camels	X	3(0)0	+1	Various	7
1	El	Elephant	X	5(3)2	+1	Various	12

Terrain:

Core: 1 GR

Bonus: Max, 2: 2 GR, 2 SH, 2 RG, 1 W

Notes:

Elephants were used to pull Caleb's state chariot. Byzantine sources report large numbers of elephants near the capitol of Auxum but state that the elephants were rarely trained. However, the army certainly used 14 elephants in a military role in Yemen. Moreover, the existence of the Dakuen implies either a force used to fight in conjunction with elephants or against elephants. Camels were used in the desert for warfare and their use is reported during Ezana's Noba campaign. Use of camels in open field warfare is more than a little speculative as the report was of an action against a raiding or scouting party.

Subject kings (negasts) in Africa contributed infantry and cavalry forces which were unreliable at times.

The number of SI armed with bows is due to an assumption that subject negasts supplied more bow armed troops than an all-Auxum army in Africa. Several of the subject areas were known for archery in either a military or hunting setting. Those who are not comfortable with this may substitute SI with javelins at the same cost.

Ordo Link: Auxum

Last Edited on 05 July 2007 to correct a points count error. One FT unit (6 points) and one LHI unit (7 points) added to core units, as had been originally approved.

List Author: Subodai