Prométheos (Premysloides Dynasty)

Prométheos
Prométheos was first assembly produced artillery of Roman Empire and was crucial in defeat of Venice and Genoa and Imperial Restoration.

Prométheos, named after old Titan, who gifted humanity with fire and thus allowed great prosperity, was Roger Bacon invention. He was main constructer and engineer of this weapon based on gunpowder, which he understand and used through his contacts with merchants and travellers on Silk Road from China.

At first, he wanted to gift weapon to English King Henry III, however Bacon scientific skepticism and criticism of Church forced him to exile and he was welcomed by Constantine Chadenos and Septimius Severus Flavius. He joined imperial remnants and became chief designer and weapon engineer in Imperial Army.

With financial support from remnants, Orthodox Church and full access to large amount of resources, Bacon upgraded his weapon to usable level, however, it was not until Battle of Thessaloniky and so artillery was not used during Battle of Thessaloniky. Instead, Bacon adjust weapon for using it on galleys and warships.

Variants
Prométheos had two variants. Classical, used mostly by both, Imperial Army and Imperial Fleet and anti-infantry (and anti-cavalry) used by Imperial Army. Second variant was designed later, in 1259.

First variant used small, 1 kg round shots fired by about half pound of gunpowder. Small weight was great disadvantage for sieges, as it was enough to penetrate ships and sunk them, it was too light for destroying barriers, houses and walls. During Fall of Venice, each ship had to fire about 30-50 rounds to heavily damage any Venetian house (however, ships were permanently supplied by cannon balls from local forges and blacksmiths and so destruction of Venice was only matter of time).

Second variant was identical to first one, but instead of round shot, it used "shrapnels", small iron shards and each shot contained about 20-30 shrapnels. Their muzzle velocity was higher (137 m/s) and firing range longer (effective 350-400, maximum 550-600).

Average unit cost was about 1,000 Hp (both variants), but earlier production was more expensive (1,200-1,400 Hp or $60-70,000) than late mass produced (650-800 Hp, or $32,500-40,000).