Greece Campaign Questions.

[Arsene Vulpin]

Oh, and about the Thermopyalae, I think the most roleplayable (and fun) inspiration, is Frank Miller's "300" Graphic Novel.

He uses a very modern (fun) Hardboiled aproach to his writing, yet he captures the legendary essence of the story (Hellenes standing for Law (and not for Democracy !) versus what they saw a degenerate Slave-Based Persian epire. And incorporates real Classical Tragedy elements in the process of the story.

It may not be historically accurate, yet, it is the most enjoyable and roleplayable version in my sense.

 

[Klaus]

Arsene Vulpine -> The Hellenic quote I may have gotten wrong, but the novel is told from the perspective of a young greek man named Xeones (IIRC), who was captured by the Persians and felt obliged to relate the years leading up to Thermopylae, so that the memory of Leonidas and the 300 Spartans (plus some other 4000 greeks) wouldn't be lost.

I agree that "300" is a great comic, but there's only so much Frank Miller could squeeze into a short mini-series.

As for roleplaying, in Gates of Fire, the lead character, while little more than a boy, was tortured and lost some of the grip in his hands, so he could no longer use a spear. Feeling emasculated, he considered killing himself. But in true fantasy style, he had a vision of Apollo, who inspired him to become an archer, like Apollo himself.

Even though some of the details may be off, I highly recommend Gates of Fire to any Greece-fan, and specially to any DM and RPGer intersted in the period.

 

[Arsene Vulpin]

-> Klaus
Okay, then, I understand better. The hero is from the hellenistic period, but relates the Battle of the Hot Gates.


Makes sense now.

P.S. : Btw, where do I know your name from, Sr. Pozas ?

 

[Darklance]

Ok so bronze for the armor and iron for the weapons....

Now...What D&D armor most closly resembles Greek hoplite armor?

 

[mmadsen]

What D&D armor most closly resembles Greek hoplite armor?

Breastplate, of course. And if everyone's wearing bronze armor, I'd just ignore the distinction between a Renaissance-era steel breastplate and a bronze "muscled" breastplate.

I'm not quite sure what to do with a glue-and-linen "breastplate" (with bronze helmet and greaves) or a glue-linen-and-scale "breastplate" (with bronze helmet and greaves), and so on.

 

[Darklance]

Hello,

1. I might find such a map for you, and scan it and e-mail it, but I need : 1- The W-E over and 2- a more precise date (century-wise) for the said map.

I have the date of "Sparta begins conquering Messenia" as 730 B.C.

What I'm generally looking for is the state of borders after Athens becomes a democracy.(around 510 B.C.) If that to precise Just "after the dark ages" would be good enough.

I'm afraid I'm not following you on "W-E over".

Email is Darklance@cox.net

Thanks.

 

[Darklance]

Also, a question on names. I seems that first names are all that are ever used by the greeks. Sometimes you will hear Isocrates of Athens. Or Isocrates son of Syriscos. Did last names not exist or were they just not used?

 

[Moulin Rogue]

Another question about bronze...

You need tin to make bronze, right? So did Greece have a lot of tin or did they import it? What type of terrain should I put in my world for a spot where I want lots of tin to be found?

 

[Darklance]

Another question...what did the Greeks use for paper? I'm trying to figure out how long a scroll could last. I don't think eqyptian papyrus would have been imported so what? Animal skins?

 

[mmadsen]

Another question...what did the Greeks use for paper? I'm trying to figure out how long a scroll could last. I don't think eqyptian papyrus would have been imported so what? Animal skins?

Actually, the Greeks did import Egyptian papyrus for scrolls. Later, the Romans developed books with wooden pages, known as codices (singular: codex, Latin for "tree trunk"). Later they realized they could use parchment (stretched animal skin, i.e. very thin leather) in place of wood.