This has to be a first!

[Nagot Gick Fel]

Originally posted by Lars M. Nielsen:
Actually I wasn't sure what they were called, but I've read their symbol was the letter lambda.

Nope. The Lambda letter was not used by Thebans, but by Spartans (Lambda as in 'Lakedaimon', ie the alternate name for Sparta).

[st.patrik]

Originally posted by Gandalf Parker:
Arent the Spartans supposed to have also been a gay legion? Saw something about that on the learning channel.

Not exactly - I mean in Greek culture generally back then homosexuality, or rather a form of bisexuality, was pretty standard - just read some of Plato's dialogues (there's references all over the place). The only difference was that in general it was an older/middle-aged guy with younger boys, or at least youths.

I don't remember the details on Sparta in particular, but I don't think they differed that much from the Greek norm in this respect. They certainly weren't distinct in this regard from other Greek city-states.

[PvK]

Spartan youths were frequently raised and trained by older warriors, and part of the training, it's generally accepted, included homosexual relations. Though, they were more bisexual rather than gay - they had wives and children, too.

Dominions isn't the first computer game to have Spartans, although AFAIK it might be the first to mention it, though I doubt it - there are many games out there.

As for the first to have blood magic and crossbreed monsters... nah. I remember a game back about 1989 that had a "sacrifice virgin" command... another that had male prostitution as a way to make money for your hero... there are quite a few games that include necromancy, vampirism, abominable monsters, and so on. Spiderweb Software has its "Geneforge" series of games, which center around making mutant monsters.

PvK

[Mephisto]

Why does a "Heart Companion" have to be homosexual? They share the same dream in the heart for the same thing and are companions in this regard.
The lamda could have its origin from the island of Lesbos, where a school for girl/women was seated. It�s said that they were mostly homosexual, therefore the word �lesbian�.
Just my 0.02�.

[ November 01, 2003, 22:29: Message edited by: Mephisto ]

[Lars M. Nielsen]

I think Dominions II is the first computer game in history to have homosexual infantry. If you don't know what i'm talking about, look at Arcosephale infantry, Heart Companions.

Btw. this is probably based on the ancient greek lambda regiment of homosexual warriors, known for their ferocity in battle.

The name "heart warrior" is probably from this song, sung by ChuChulainn, a character from british folklore. It is an ode to a fallen companion.


We were heart-companions once,
We were comrades in the woods,
We were men that shared a bed
When we slept the heavy sleep
After hard and weary fights.
Into many lands, so strange,
And side by side we sallied forth
And we ranged the woodlands through,
When with Scathach we learned arms!


I just wanted to point them out, I think it's pretty cool they're in the game.

[PDF]

Originally posted by Lars M. Nielsen:
I think Dominions II is the first computer game in history to have homosexual infantry. If you don't know what i'm talking about, look at Arcosephale infantry, Heart Companions.

Btw. this is probably based on the ancient greek lambda regiment of homosexual warriors, known for their ferocity in battle.

The name "heart warrior" is probably from this song, sung by ChuChulainn, a character from british folklore. It is an ode to a fallen companion.


We were heart-companions once,
We were comrades in the woods,
We were men that shared a bed
When we slept the heavy sleep
After hard and weary fights.
Into many lands, so strange,
And side by side we sallied forth
And we ranged the woodlands through,
When with Scathach we learned arms!


I just wanted to point them out, I think it's pretty cool they're in the game.

"Lambda Regiment" ? I rather think they're reffering to the Theban Sacred Band - or are they the same ? (and no, they didn't play jazz )

[PvK]

Ya, just make sure you have them travel with Arco priestesses!

PvK