Semi-Cataphract and Full Cataphract Fighting Decks
At the start of the Punic Wars (First Punic War: 264-241 BC; Second Punic War 218-202 BC), most of the Roman and Carthaginian main warships had semi-cataphract fighting decks, but as the war progressed, full cataphract decks were adopted. A semi-cataphract deck was an improvement over earlier fighting decks, but the fully cataphract fighting decks offered better protection for the ship's rowing crew from missile fire (slingers, archers, etc), and allowed full freedom of movement for the ship's fighting crews above the deck, the marines. Roman Seas offers a simple system that allows players to switch from semi-cataphract to full cataphract fighting deck quickly and easily at anytime.


"Roman Trireme with Semi-Cataphract deck (left); same ship with Full Cataphract deck (right)"



Send questions, comments or suggestions to: Eric Hotz