Latin Principes

Summary
Principes are powerful and flexible late-game swordsmen available to the Latin faction group, capable of melee combat as well as hard-hitting short range missile attacks.

"Wealthier and more experienced than the Hastati, the Principes were well armoured and fought with a short sword and shield. The Principes also carried multiple pila that could be thrown at short range to weaken charging enemies."

- In-game Description

History
The Principes formed the second Roman battleline after their military reforms of the 4th Century BC, being deployed behind the Hastati and ahead of the Triarii. They used similar equipment and tactics to the Hastati, but were wealthier (and therefore able to afford heavier armour) and/or more experienced, and would relieve the Hastati in combat if the latter failed to break the enemy.

The Principes were originally equipped as spearmen with large scutum shields, but then transitioned to a more flexible combination of short swords and javelins (as how they are depicted in-game), possibly inspired by the style of warfare used by the Samnites which Rome warred against in the later 4th Century BC.

Tactics
With a group missile damage of 2000, the Principes have the highest missile damage in the game alongside the equivalent Sabellic Heavy Pilum Swordsmen, but only have a very short missile range of 4. They also have the highest melee damage in the Latin roster and good defenses. Principes do well in numerous battlefield situations, very capable of fighting in the front lines and also providing missile support at very short range.

Compared to the (otherwise nearly identical) Sabellic Heavy Pilum Swordsmen, Principes have reduced charge block and charge strength stats but are slightly easier to access, requiring only a basic Barracks rather than its level 2 variant. Late-game heavy swordsmen brigades of other faction groups are to various degrees cheaper and superior in melee combat, but lack a ranged attack.