How the Pavo Family Changed the World (Rome AAR)

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Well, I got bored and decided to organize my recollections of my long campaign. This is my v0.80 Romani campaign that I started about a week or so after the release of v0.80. To save this campaign I came up with a fix for the AI turn rebelling city CTD. This is my longest EB campaign (due to the 4tpy, the longest RTW, most likely).

"House Rules":
-(Near) Historic Legions
Half Legions (near the beginning):
General
2 Hastati
2 Pricepes
1 Triarii
1 Roman Cavalry
2-4 mixed avxilias (Rorarii, Accenii, Levies, Samnites, Greeks, Gauls)

Full Stack Legions:
Early:
General (or two)
2 Roman Cavalry
4 Hastati
4 Pricepes
2 Triarii
2 avxilias (C:Rorarii, P:Velites)
4 avxilias (missile)

Marian:
General (or two)
2 Cavalry (usually regional Avxila)
10 Legionary Cohorts
2 Antesignani
4 avxilias (usually missile)
sometimes a seige engine

Imperial:
General (or two)
2 Cavalry Avxilia (Ala if no regional Avxila nearby)
10 Legionary Cohorts
2 Avxilia Spearmen
4 Missile Avxilias (Saggitarius Auxilia if possible)
sometimes a seige engine

-I will often have a small group of reinforcements/replacements following every legion
-Legions must be lead by Generals
-Roleplay Generals (usually just basic, like pleb v patrician)
-Bridge battles for 'Peacetime' only
-Somewhat historical expansion and treatment of other factions
-No slinger abuse (4 per legion max)
-No mercenary abuse (only to augment depleted troops - or in times of dire need - or roleplaying, I guess)
-Don't start any wars (at least in the same way that Rome "didn't start any wars")
-Early on I cheated to help the Germania, Parthia, and Saka Rauka and to hinder Baktria
-Built in house rules - like city restrictions and helping and hindering through script
-Enforced 'Peacetime' (I exploit AI stupidity and sometimes cheat to make peace where the AI is too stupid to accept it [never if I plan a war or expect a war with a particular faction sometime soon])
-I use a system of family run districts - different families run different parts of my empire (usually originally conquered by that family)
---The size of the district depends on the size of the family
To the best of my recollection: (mostly for my own keeping track purposes)
Asina - Italia
Caesar - Sicilia
Scipio Africanvs - Africa
Trifer - Illyria
Marivs - Thrace
? - Dacia
none (Glycoricvs family died out) - Makedonia
random inlaws to some family - Greece
Scipio - Asia (Ionia)
Blasio - Asia (Pontus)
Rvso - Bosphoria & Armenia
Macrinvs - Media
? - Syria
Eborivs - Judaea
Victor Asiaticvs - Babylonia & Elymais
Pavo - Aegyptvs
Nenevs - Upper Egypt & Nubia
none - Tripoli & Cyrenica
Gessivs - Iberia
Cotta - NIberia, SGaul, Massilia
Pavo - Gaul & Germania
Cotta Brittanicvs - Briton
---When a family gets too big, I'll break off branches and send them to regions that are low on governors
---I give each district a capital
---I try to make the first born of the first born (the patriach) of each family govern the capital
---I will send governors who spawn in Rome to their appropriate districts
-I cheat to move governors to their assigned town (but not generals) (governors are one guy, generals are a group of horsemen)

One thing I noticed about my campaign a while back was that the Pavo family had defined just about every major event in the Roman Republic since about 230BC. So This is the story of that family...

Here is an overview of my campaign with Roman conquests every ten years:
264:https://img138.imageshack.us/img138/9226/264jz7.jpg
Rome defeats Epirus and liberates southern Italia. The First Punic War begins.
251:https://img213.imageshack.us/img213/2295/251rk4.jpg
The first Punic war ends quickly with Rome taking Sicilia. Rome allies with Emporion and Seguntum. Carthage attacks Roman allies and the Second Punic War begins. Carthage loses her island holdings and eventually Iberia.
240:https://img185.imageshack.us/img185/6162/240za0.jpg
Epirus blockades Tarentum. With Carthage weakened and no fear of Phyrrus, Rome invades Epirus. After Epirus falls, Rome helps her Greek allies by defeating Macedonia. After Macedonia falls, Greeks betray the Romans. Rome allies with Egypt, enemy to the Greeks. Greeks fall with little effort to the great general Victor.
231:https://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5002/231gg5.jpg
The Third Punic War starts when Carthaginian Warships attack Roman transports near Sicilia. The last of the Carthaginian upper class die in the siege of Carthage. Pergamum 'allies' with Rome. Roman legions march from Italia, Illyria, Macedonia, to Thrace to open trade routes to the East.
221:https://img291.imageshack.us/img291/5966/221gp0.jpg
During this decade two nations betrayed Rome. In Africa the armies of Ptolemai marched on Lepsis Magna. Though Lepsis narrowly avoided defeat, Roman forces in Asia (much superior to Ptolemaic forces) crush city after city in revenge for Africa - a second victory for the Victor family. Meanwhile in Iberia, Iberian armies attack Roman cities after a Roman army is amushed in Celtiberia - while performing "peaceful exploration".
211:https://img403.imageshack.us/img403/530/211qi8.jpg
This is where everything started looking up for Rome. The Iberian Wars end, but the Roman forces are too depleated to continue north. Rome fails to send reinforcement because all resources are directed east. Victor and Blasio defeat Seleucid army after Seleucid army and take Asia, Syria, and Judaea from Seleucia and Ptolemai. Meanwhile Nvmerivs Pavo defends against Gallic aggression.
201:https://img296.imageshack.us/img296/9437/201zt3.jpg
Power consolidated in Asia. Pavo defeates Gaul. Pavo reforms the outdated Roman military system.
190:https://img294.imageshack.us/img294/4572/190bxj6.jpg
War with the Seleucids continues. Ptolemai has too much pride to see when he is defeated. Tired of continual raids, Roman legions march on Numidia.
180:https://img294.imageshack.us/img294/5163/180pl8.jpg
Rome consolidates power along the Rhine and Danube - allied with both Germania and Dacia. Mauretania's resources collected for the glory of Rome. Ptolemai's pride brings the fall of Eqypt. Within a year, Rome rules the most fertile valley in the known world - Ptolemai flees and cowers in fear. In the north a single legion, under the Rvso family, defeats more than ten thousand greeks and nomads to take Bosphoria. Rome looks with causion to the arising eastern empire.
170:https://img520.imageshack.us/img520/8139/170aj8.jpg
Cottas invade Britain. Victors invade Babylon. Rome consolidates power.
160:https://img234.imageshack.us/img234/5417/160kt5.jpg
From the south an army of Greeks and Nubians attack Thebais. Rome marches south to finish off the aging Ptolemai. Armenian allies to Ptolemai rise against Rome. With the loss of nearly two legions, Rome takes Armenia and makes the capital a subjugated nation. An unexpected peace is reached in Britain.
150:https://img79.imageshack.us/img79/9873/150wv2.jpg
Parthia attacks the Roman Republic. Armenia sides with Parthia and loses here independance as a result. To fund the war in the east Rome conquers the gold mines of Dacia - under a new Pavo - a Pavo with high ambitions and plans for the Roman world.
140:https://img157.imageshack.us/img157/17/140aq4.jpg
With a difficult war underway in Persia, none of the three powers seeking control gain or lose ground. After a Germanian raiding party bypasses Roman defenses by crossing the Rhine delta, war breaks out on the northern frontier. A new Nvmerivs Pavo leads four legions to victory and expand Roman influence to the Elba river.
130:https://img231.imageshack.us/img231/4394/130oc1.jpg
Dacian victory Pavo assends to the throne and becomes the first emporer of Rome. The new emperor lowers taxes, reforms the military, grants citizenship, gives away land, and seeks peace with all who will have it - only Parthia and Germania refuse. Dispite better advice, a mad Roman general marches against the remaining Dacian armies. The madman earns a triumph (not really - but he should have - he was renamed Dacicus). Roman forces attack Media on orders of the new Emperor - to take the fight to enemy lands and away from areas now very Roman in nature.
120:https://img295.imageshack.us/img295/1185/120ag5.jpg
After ruling of about ten years, the emporer is dead. His son, Servivs Talmvdivs Pavo Caesar, has taken the throne at age 22. I have established a three territory border with Parthia (Seleucids as a buffer state). All of Germania is now in Roman hands, with the last member of the Sweboz family retreating to Scandinavia. I think I have reached the extent of conquest in mainland Europe (I don't want the steppes, except maybe Olbia). Casse attacked me out of nowhere, giving me a new next target...

Current invasion of Caledonia planned.
Tale of the first of the Pavos to come...

[CaesarAugustus]

Amazing!! You've really set the bar high for empire-buliding, Marcus. I'd ask you to post a savegame but I remember you saying in another thread that your game is heavily modded:no: . It's also nice to see the Parthians expand from the caspian to india. Please update the maps if you play anymore, I've never seen an empire quite so powerful. Looking forward to the tale of the first Pavos! :rtwyes:

[Owen the Mighty]

Holy hell! You actually SURPASSED the the farthest reaches of the real Roman Empire! Amazing! A truely epic saga awaits us...

Bravo!:beam:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Oppivs Cicereivs Pavo

Oppivs was born in southern Umbria during the initial rise of Roman domination over Italia (the year 294BC by the Christian calendar). His father, Nvmerivs, was a plebian farmer and care much for his family, land, and for the Republic. Oppivs was the second born son of the family but didn't much care for farming. When Pyrrhus invaded Italia in 280BC to support Greek rebels, Nvmerivs went to war with the legions. He did not return.

Oppivs remembered what the 'Greeks' had taken from him. So, when Caivs Avrelivs Cotta marched on the depleted garrison of Taras in 272BC, Oppivs was among the ranks. As they approached Taras, the garrison overestimated their own strength and attacked the Roman legion. Waiting on a hill, the Greeks charged up and got slaughtered. (OOC I thought I had a picture of this battle, but I couldn't find it.) Though the battle wasn't without its costs - even the Triarii had to fight - Rome won. Oppivs fought in two more major battles - the seige of Taras and a skirmish with a group of Illyrian Epirotes that had strayed from Taras before the siege.

Epirus formally reliquished all claims on Italia (Pyrrhus had started a war with Macedon) and a Peace treaty was signed between Rome and Epirus. Once Lvcivs Cornelivs Scipio had established control of Brettia, Croton, and Rhegion with LegioII, parts of LegioI, including Oppivs were reassigned to the northern border of Roman territories to detur barbarian attacks.

By 268BC, the newly formed third legion had taken Segesta. At this time, the remnents of LegioI were added to LegioIII, disbanded, or placed for perminant garrison duty. During this time, Oppivs moved up to become Captain of the garrison at Arretivm. Oppivs showed great skill and understanding, especially for an uneducated farm boy, and was widely respected by both his men and the townsfolk alike. He even gained the attention and respect of the governor of Arretivm, Cnaevs Cornelivs Blasio.

In 265BC, Cnaevs Cornelivs Blasio assembled Legio I/III to invade the rebelious tribes of middle Cisalpine Gaul. Cnaevs Cornelivs Blasio didn't want to lead the army alone, knowing two mind were better than one. Blasio had a son, but he was too young. So, Blasio found the most capable man under his command and formally adopted him.

Oppivs Cicereivs Pavo, a plebian farmer, became a gereral and a son of the Senator Cnaevs Cornelivs Blasio. A man who had started as one of the fighting men had now come to the possition of leading a legion. Beyond that, the legion was now twice the size of the legion of old. (OOC This is where I decided to make an official legion 15-20 units.)

Bononia fell, with hardly a battle. Chief Cadwalador and his small force were defeated and the tribes around Bononia became Roman allies. Oppivs remained in Bononia with the legion under him while Blasio returned to Arretivm. Oppivs spent the next few years dealling with Gauls and being ambassador between them and Rome.

For a decade, most of Rome attension and resources were sent south to fight the Carthaginians. Oppivs didn't even know what a Carthaginian looked like, and frankly he didn't really care. He was too busy having to deal with the Gauls and their backward traditions. During this time he wed a Roman woman and started his family.

In 262BC, the aging Cnaevs Scipio Asina took command of the third legion and marched against the remaining Gauls south of the Alps. Around 258BC, Oppivs Cicereivs Pavo was sent to Mediolanium, capital of Cisalpine Gaul (still consisting of mostly allied gauls). The third legion was again placed under Oppivs' command to guard the northern reaches against barbarians, but there was little interference from the Gauls. Oppivs heard from his spies that two major powers in gual seeked to unite it but neither could gain the upper hand. The war was ravaging Gaul but left Italia safe from organized attack.

In the remaining couple of decades of his life, Oppivs Cicereivs Pavo did very little worthy of note by the Senate. Oppivs dedicated his life to administration and transformed Mediolanium into the greatest city north of Roma. He raised his three sons (he had no daughters) Appivs Cvrtivs Pavo, Spvrivs Cvrtivs Pavo, and Domitivs Portivs Pavo - who all were given governing possitions in Cisalpine Gaul when the came of age and were educated. In 255BC, Rome allied with Iberian Greeks and once again when to war with Carthage. In 242BC, the men who regularly came to replace the men in the third legion had a noteworthy change in equiptment. By 240BC, Greece was under Roman rule and around this time Cisalpine Gaul was converted from an ally of Rome into an official territory of Rome, with the Pavo family as its governors. Just before his death, Oppivs heard of the fall of Carthage, still having never seen a Carthaginian. He could only think of his father when he wondered why so many Romans hated them.

In 234BC, Oppivs Cicereivs Pavo died peacefully in Mediolanium at the age of 60. He was hardly a person worthy of note in his own time and was completely forgotten by all south of Cisalpine Gaul soon after his death. His son Appivs Cvrtivs Pavo took over as governor and moved to Mediolanivm bring with him his five year old first born son, Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo. Appivs governed Mediolanivm and on rare occation fended off barbarians. Oppivs Cicerivs Pavo was hardly worth remembering, Appivs Cvrtivs Pavo even less so, but Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo would change the Roman Republic and the whole world.

(OOC Wow I wrote a lot. Too much. It's like a long dry biography...of a fictional character. Most of it was entirely made up too (prior to adoption). If/when I post agian I'll try to keep it shorter and more interesting. At least the next guy will have more battle and change (a couple pictures too - though I wish I had more). In the end, I guess I just felt in a mood to write and here it is...)

[Cronos Impera]

https://img403.imageshack.us/img403/530/211qi8.jpg

OMG, you've actually got there Burebista's Empire....excellent screenshot. :thumbsup:

[Warmaster Horus]

Great! Superb! I've now got a good aim: get to the Avgvstan Reforms, and beat your empire!
How about you post a save file, but also a .rar file containing everything you changed?

[Boyar Son]

https://img403.imageshack.us/img403/530/211qi8.jpg

OMG, you've actually got there Burebista's Empire....excellent screenshot. :thumbsup:

Does he by chance happen to be Parthian?

[CaesarAugustus]

Burebista? He was Dacian.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Great! Superb! I've now got a good aim: get to the Avgvstan Reforms, and beat your empire!
How about you post a save file, but also a .rar file containing everything you changed?
I've forgotten how much I've changed. I know I've changed the EDB (about a hundred times), the script, strat file, regions file, traits, the cultures files, the factions files, and more. But the most difficult part to add would be that I have dumped savegame compatible components of 081 into it. I've also scavenged a couple of other mods to add things like visual effects. (RTR barbarian stone walls for example.) If I have time, I'll try to see if it is possible, later. The good news is that I have a save game about every five years of the campaign (which I think I'll use to at least get some strat screenshots to post).

OMG, you've actually got there Burebista's Empire....excellent screenshot. :thumbsup:
Getai wasn't doing anything so I conquered Sarmisugenthusa and gave it to them, the exploded with power soon after.




On a different topic:
Does anyone know how to conjugate "Pavo". (Things like "Pavos" doesn't look right, it looks more like the Greek version of his name rather than plural.) Things like possessive, plural, & plural possessive. With my limited knowledge of Latin I only know how to conjugate "-um" and "-i".

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

1000th Post
Appivs Cvrtivs Pavo
https://img353.imageshack.us/img353/5927/aaa04uj6.jpg

My name is Galligos moc Taximagulos. I have lead the Aedui for the bulk of my life. Long have we struggled for control of our own lands, ignorant of the usurpers at out borders. But now, with the lands of our fathers free from Arverni tyranny, we turn to those who have murdered, raped, and stolen lands that belong to us and our brothers.

https://img353.imageshack.us/img353/7218/gaul221ia8.png
(Gaul c225BC)

To the north, Belgae submits to my will. To the northeast, the hordes of raiding tribes flee before the might of Aedui power. To the east, our brothers cry out for salvation from raiders and their own savagery. To the south, the Arverni hide behind their alliances - alliance with anyone, even those who seek their very destruction. But the Arverni are not what they used to be, not longer worth my attention.

Finally, south, across the mountains, lie the lands of our brothers. For years they have sought our assistance in liberating themselves. Now is the time, my spies tell me that armies of the city of Rome march on distant lands far east, while others destroy their own alliances and weaken themselves in Iberia. I will send general Panda to the Po Valley to free our brothers. The foolish Romans have only left peasants to defend their borders. Even those who rule in occupation are peasants, sons of dirt farmers. Nothing stands in our way, by winter my armies will sack Rome.

https://img131.imageshack.us/img131/9890/aaa05my8.jpg
https://img211.imageshack.us/img211/9923/aaa09jii3.jpg
(The Armies of the Aedui)



Two Years Later
Panda retreats!?! This farmer, unaccustomed to war, this Appivs Cvrtivs Pavo defeated my army? But Panda didn't think that was failure enough and decided to lose to these weaklings again! This time against a boy! Now with defeat after defeat, Panda crawls back to me for his punishment.

https://img211.imageshack.us/img211/4633/aaa08jis8.jpg
(Two legions defend Mediolanivm - Nvmerivs sets up an ambush)

With the failure of Panda I must contend with two Roman armies, as well as an army of German cavalry led by a wild boy Roman. Raids now fall on me by German soldiers with Roman silver.

https://img353.imageshack.us/img353/8895/aaa06qf8.jpg
(Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo and Germanian allies)

But it would take the entire might of Rome to challenge me...challenge the Aedui on our own lands. And I have sent word to both my Egyptian and Babylonian allies. The combined strength of the Greeks and Aedui will crush Rome and they will be the ones murdered, raped, and enslaved.

So sayeth Galligos moc Taximafulos: Leader of the Aedui, Defeater of the Arverni, Subjugator of the Belgae, Pride of the gods

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo
Days in the Cisapline

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/images/avatars/rtw/Rom_gen/Roman_general_307.gifNvmerivs Longvs Pavo, the man who conquered Gaul for Rome. The desendant of a farmer, who became first consul of the Roman Senate. The man who changed the way the social structure of Rome had been for hundreds of years. The patriarch of a family, who lead his kin to high standing and respect. But few know of his youth. How this ordinary, plebian governor's son became the most powerful man in the known world.

Nvmerivs was born in the summer of 239BC, son of Appivs Cvrtivs Pavo. There were no signs of greatness at his birth, nor did any wisemen see anything in him. Nvmerivs was named for the founder of his family, his great grandfather (biological), who had died in the war with Pyrrhus. Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo was born in the house his grandfather had helped build, when he became governor of Mediolanivm. His grandfather Oppivs, adopted by the Blasio family, and his father Appivs had been governors of Cisapline Gaul and the same fate seemed to be instore for Nvmerivs.

https://img185.imageshack.us/img185/6162/240za0.jpg
(Roman territory and allies at Nvmerivs' birth)

Rome was in a state of great change during Nvmerivs' childhood. In 239, Greece was still in termoil. After saving the Greeks from Macedon, Rome was betrayed. The great General Victor had swept through Greece with a single legion and unified it under Rome. But still, Carthage was the greatest threat to Roman security.

By the time Nvmerivs came of age and began his military training, Carthage had fallen. Scipio Africanvs had surrounded the last of the Carhaginian senate in Carthage itself. After a two year seige, Carthage was burned to the ground and the site rededicated to Iovis. Elsewhere, a trade route through Illyria had been secured and Iberia pacified. Around this time, Nvmerivs' uncle Spvrivs made a exploritory expedition to Pannonia and brought back though Germanic mercenaries.

But war still lingered in the northern reaches of Roman control. Just prior to Nvmerivs' coming of age ceremony, his father had defeated an army of Aedui Gauls who had finally finished their Gallic Civil War. The Arverni, long time Roman allies, had surrendered the bulk of northern Gaul to the Aedui and sued for peace. In 221, at the age of 18, Nvmerivs fought his first battle and won his first victory. In the 'Battle of Longvs Pass', Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo led LegioIII to victory over a superior number of Gauls who had the high ground.

https://img133.imageshack.us/img133/8500/aaa10ax0.jpg
(Site of the Battle of Longvs Pass, relative to Mediolanivm)

The battle wasn't clearly won, though. The Third had taken great losses and was sent back to Rome to replace the old, injured, and dead. A second legion was sent to defend Mediolanivm, but the Senate refused to risk leaving the city undefended. The Gauls had invaded twice, and Nvmerivs knew that they weren't going to give up now. With his own family's money, Nvmerivs hired Gallic mercenaries, both allies from Cisalpine Gaul territories and from tribes north of the mountains that were apposed to Aedui control.

In 220, Nvmerivs raided into territories north of the mountains and suffered a close defeat due to the incompitance of his Gallic horsemen. Though Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo had one more secret left to unleash on the Aedui. With a new combined army of Gallic horsemen and his uncle's superior Germanic horsemen mercenaries, Nvmerivs began raiding the Aedui anew.

https://img353.imageshack.us/img353/8895/aaa06qf8.jpg
(Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo and Germanian mercenaries)

This was a defining moment in Nvmerivs' life. He rode with Germans and Celts, living off the land, ambushing, and raiding villages. For a year he lived this way. Many Romans would have been discussed with the company and living conditions, but Nvmerivs was not. He learned with the Germans and learned from the Gauls. Before too long Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo had learned the secrets of how the Gauls fought and how to defeat them. Even the Senate took notice and gave comindation for his victories of the Aedui.

---

In 219, the aging Avlvs Manivs Cotta, who came from a family of managers - not warriors, attacked the tribes of Aquitae and conquered the city of Burdigala. This unsanctioned act was seen as an act of war by the Arverni. The Arverni had long struggled to take Aquitae and even though they were allies of Rome, twice saved from extermination, they marched against Cotta. Cotta defended Burdigala, but the Arverni needed to be punished for their insult against Rome.

Since all of the presigious men of Rome were fighting elsewhere, the Senate turned to the next best thing, a compitant man. So, in 219BC, Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo marched two legions and an army of mercenary horsemen over the Alps and into southern Gaul...

https://img410.imageshack.us/img410/9794/aaa11lh2.jpg

[Warmaster Horus]

Nice update! How often do you think you'll be able to update?
There's more to come about Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo, right?

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

There's more Nvmerivs coming. He still has two or three major events and and a couple name changes (only 1 ingame). My updating is spuratic (there has been other stuff I needed to do [that also didn't get done]), but I was thinking about the next part and I might post as soon as before morning. I was trying to use different forms for each entry, but 1 and 3 ended up the same boring style. I have an idea for my next one(s).

For anyone who is interested in "house rules", I posted the general rules I play by in the first post.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo Gallicvs
The Battle of Oltis

https://img99.imageshack.us/img99/2679/gaul219ch4.png
(Gaul c219BC)

Dearest Mother,

This is the first time I've been able to write you in quite some time. I hope
the gods find you, Honoria, and the baby all well. I still quietly greave father,
but know he would be proud of me now.

I have been assigned to the Seventh Legion and escaped the fate of the
Eighth Legion. Consul Asina seeks glory in the wastes of Iberia but I fear
that neither he nor the Eighth will ever be seen again. There are madmen in
those dark places. And no good civilized person knows anything about those
wild peoples. But that is not my fate

But the Seventh is a good group of men. The young men, like myself,
make up the Hastati, who fight in the first line. In the few months away, I
have already made good friends. Caivs, Titvs, Vibivs, Gneo, and I have
sworn an oath of friendship and swear to protect eachother in battle. Gneo
is a bit odd, but a good man. Perhaps he's had too much sun, farmer's son
after all. Our centurion is Tiberivs Alleivs, and he is quite the grizzled
soldier. Expects a lot from us too, sometimes pushing us to near breaking.

Our General is Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo, who leads LegioIII and LegioVII. He
is a pleb, but of high standing. They say he spends much of his time in the
company of mercenaries and barbarians. He even has a celtic 'prophet' who
knows the way of the woods. The stories I heard, of a pleb who defies the
ways of the world and rose to high standing, before I got here and the
stories I heard, of this wild man, total controdict eachother. The one time I
saw him, he rode with Germanics horsemen and was bearded. They say it
was a rarity to see him bearded, but for any Roman to go out like that is
indeed odd.

We assembled in Mediolanivm, but soon marched east toward Gaul.
General Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo didn't want to risk supply problems so he split
us up when crossing the great Alps. The general took the Third over the
mountains and the Seventh was sent along the coast. We followed the
coast and passed the mountains. As soon as the mountains began to shrink
away we beheld a strange sight. There in this barbarian land was a walled
Greek city.

I knew Massilia was a Greek city and Arverni protectorate. And that both
Massilia and Arverni were allied to Rome a few years ago. But I had no idea
that there were civilized people, though Greek, in a place like this. As we
neared the city, we began to see people travelling on the roads, to and from
farms. The people reminded me of the civilized Gauls near Mediolanivm but
with smug Greek attitudes. Outside the city walls stood the camp of the
Fifth Legion. About the time we were setting out on our campaign, General
Cotta had taken the city with little effort. Keep in mind this is not the one
everyone calls "Mad Cotta", who started this war, but his young cousin.

We spent a month near Massilia and Arelate, where we rejoined by General
Pavo and the Thrid Legion. Titvs nearly lost his entire ration in a game of
chance with a local Greek one day. Caivs claimed the Greek was cheating
and was ready to kill him, but Titvs stopped him, saying he was stupid to risk
his bread and it was not the Greek's fault he was out done. Caivs gave in
and the Greek ran off as fast as his old legs could carry him. I think he
needed that bread, and I think Titvs thought so too, most of the city's
stores were going to the Legions and the locals seemed to go wanting. I
expected to only encounter savage barbarians and didn't expect to see good
folk suffer as well.

We had planned to spend more time in the area and then have all three
Legions march on Gergovia, capital of the Arverni, but there was no time.
General Pavo received word that an Arverni army was gathering and about to
march on Narbonensis. So General Pavo took LegioIII and forced marched
east with LegioVII lagging behind.

And so near the Oltis river, General Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo met the armies
of the Arverni. LegioIII fought in open combat, both side not giving an inch.
The battle was a going nowhere and both sides tired. Then General Pavo
saw the right moment. He reenforced the line with the Triarii, fresh and
strong. Then he personally led the cavalry into the Arverni right flank. The
right flank broke and ran. Then the Gauls slowly peeled away until the whole
army was fleeing. The Third gave chase but were tired and many Gauls
escaped. When the Seventh arrived, it was all over and thousands of Gauls
and Romans lay dead or dying in the field of battle.

This next part I write you with hesitation. After the battle, devisions of
the Seventh were sent to find any lingering Gauls who had fled. Due to
Caivs' loud disturbances in camp the previous night, the five of us were
assigned to a group of five Germanic horsemen to scout out routed men.
The horsemen scouted on a tacking path while the five of us walked
straight. We had been at it most of the night and it must of been near
morning when the horsemen came to us. They said they had seen a fire and
believed it to be a dozen or so Gallic spearmen from the battle. So we
sneaked up, Germans on foot as well, and surrounded the small camp, where
nine hairy men huddled. Only one man had a shield, another a spear, but
they all seemed to have at least a blade. One man was on watch, but his
eyes looked like they had long since glazed over in deep thought or
regret...or maybe it was a deep fear like nothing I can amagine.

On the signal of the head scout, we jumped into the small clearing and
charged the huddle of men. A German on the other side threw a spear and I
saw the spearhead come out the back of one of the Gauls. I saw another
Gaul fall to a German just before a blade came down at my head. I was quick
enough and raised the small cavalry shield I carried to block. Then, without
thinking, I followed my training and stabbed. I could hear the Gallic blade
slide off my shield and to the ground. Slowly I lowered my shield and saw
the man's face. He looked directly into my eyes, blinked, and fell to the
ground...motionless...

I must finish now, for tommorrow we take down the camp and march north
to Gergovia. The Third is depleted and will say in Narbonensis, but General
Pavo will lead the Seventh north and I will get my first taste of true battle.

General Pavo says that he will endevor to keep mail routes open as
often and as long as he can, so please write me back and tell me of home.
And of what you will name the baby.

Your son,
Servivs Placidvs, 2nd Cohort, Hastati, Seventh Legion



EDIT: Small change. I got the time of the Gallicvs naming wrong. One battle too early.

[alatar]

Great read. I like the varition of the story telling.

[CaesarAugustus]

I was worried for a while that you weren't going to update this anymore, Marcus. I like how you vary the perspectives of the story each entry.

P.S. Why don't you turn off the green arrows?

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thanks, I was planning to make each entry different. I had a plan for the third entry, but it fell apart after a couple paragraphs and ended up being like the first one.

I usually don't like turning off the arrows since I use it as a way to tell who's who in a huge fight with similar colors. Though I was thinking about loading some old saves and doing some reenactements to get some generic Roman on Gaul action for screenshots. If I do that, I'll deactivate arrows and banners for effect.

I'm currently having difficulty with my campaign and ended up getting a CTD bug in 122BC. Here is a screenshot of the previous autumn:
https://img337.imageshack.us/img337/8268/maa103od3.th.jpg (https://img337.imageshack.us/my.php?image=maa103od3.jpg)
I took the picture to show my new defended border. I can guard against all kinds of barbarians with only five forts (plus two near Mare Pontica). Since that picture, I took Gintaras-Ostan (source of my bug) and Pavo Germanicvs has marched on Gawjam-Rugoz (last Sweboz holding in Germania).

EDIT: I got past the bug.
EDIT2: Added 120BC expansion map to the first post.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo Gallicvs
The Battle of Gergovia

https://img260.imageshack.us/img260/2562/maa104jyp1.jpg

Dearest Mother,

I write you from a village just outside of the city of Gergovia. The Seventh
Legion has been given a measure of downtime and we are resting in this small
abandoned village. It is a nice, mild summer day here. It reminds me of the
summers of my youth when I would tend the fields with father.

I have just recieved your letter. I am glad that you, Honoria, and young
Gaivs are all well. Though, your talk of the farm worries me. Are you sure
there is enough labour to ensure a good harvest? I should have argued that
I was needed at home and not so readily joined the legion. And what of your
mention of the Dexivs farm? Who has purchased our neighbor's land? Please
write me more details. I worry that you live safely and well. I may be
young, but it is now my duty to lead our family.

Centurian Tiberivs Alleivs tells us to be ready to leave in the morning every
night, but has not said so the last couple days, which leads me to beleive
that will in fact be leaving soon. If we leave, and march against the Arverni
king, I don't know when I will be able to write again. I must therefore finish
this letter. I must tell you of what has happened since my last letter. I
have seen my first battle!

With the bulk of the Arverni forces defeated, General Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo
decided to march on their capital before they could raise a new army. We
didn't even wait for LegioV. And with LegioIII depleted and heading back
home, LegioVII stood alone. And so, we marched deep into enemy lands.

I expected an ambush in every dark wood or from every sharp cliff. But an
ambush never came. In fact, we didn't see a single person other than
ourselves and General Pavo's Germanic horsemen. We saw a few farms,
though the only inhabidants were stray dogs. And there was one small
village we passed, but it was empty a well, a large building in the center
burned down. But then we saw it, ahead of us stood a small plateau, on top
was a fortified city with a large wall made of rocks with a thick wooden
pallisade buillt atop. To one side was a smaller, unwalled, part of the town,
as empty as the rest of the coutryside.

Immediately we set up camp to the south-west of the town and started
felling lumber. We assembled a wall of spikes around the city, just out of
their missile range. Then we went to making seige equiptment to knockdown
their walls. But the equiptment wasn't built for use. An engineer I spoke to
said that the equiptment was only to mislead and frighten the soldiers in
Gergovia. We would only use it if we were pressed to assault the town,
otherwise we would wait them out. And so we waited, for months.

One day a Germanic rider came charging through the camp, passed the
guards, and straight to General Pavo's headquarters. Soon after, General
Pavo gathered the troops and announced that an army of Arverni was
approaching. The next morning, we lined up on a field a few miles from
Gergovia, myself in the second rank, and watched the Gauls slowly walk out
of the woods. I heard Caivs yell, "Finally! Here they come!" I couldn't see
him, but I looked over at Vibivs. I believe the same unnerved look in his eyes
were shared in mine.

The Gauls marched slowly forward. As everything was silent, I noticed
Centurian Tiberivs Alleivs look up into the sky. At first I thought he was
talking to the gods or was deep in thought, but then he squinted and raised
his sheild. There was a noise and I saw an arrow sticking from the near
center of his shield. He yelled out a command and everyone readied for
arrows and stones. Soon after, I saw stones fly over my head and far
forward, our Gallic allies were returning fire.

I'm not sure how much time passed, but before I knew it, I saw our Velites
running toward us. As the last of the ranks of Velites filtered through our
ranks I noticed the Gauls. They were now close. I thought, "How did they
get here already?" But before I could realize that much time had passed
since Caivs had yelled out, the Gauls were apon us. I hadn't even thrown a
pilum, though most of the rest around me had. I threw the one in my hand
quickly over the head of the man in front of me and drew my blade. As the
Gauls hit our line, the man in front of me fell immediately, with a spear to the
belly. Now, in the forward position, I stabbed at my comrade's killer, and he
fell to the ground.

Soon I was replaced in the forward position and I took the time to note that
the men we fought wore no armor. They did not even wear leather or cloth.
The majority had only a shield for protection. But behind them and toward
the center, I saw better equipt soldiers.

I got lost in the battle, even now I don't recall what happened. At some
point Alleivs gave the order and we broke rank to envelope the enemy. It
was at this point I noticed that there were older men fighting by my side. I
believe I even saw a Triari amongst the fighting. By noon, the Gauls in front
of me turned and ran, only a few stood and died. We gave chase, but soon I
saw General Pavo ride by, yelling orders to halt just before chasing after
them with the cavalry.

I had seen no Gallic cavalry in the battle. I was later told that General Pavo
lead an attack on them and chased them from the field. And after that, with
news from a scout, turned and ran down the men coming out of Gergovia to
reenforce the battle. That is where he came from when I had seen him on
the battle. He didn't even return to camp until the sun had set, chasing
after those who had fled.

But even fighting, himself, he had been giving orders to the rest of the army.
I believe all my previous aprrehension about him was misplaced. He is truly a
great man. The Senate agrees with me, aswell. As you have probably
already heard, General Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo was granted the title of
Gallicvs, defeater of the Gauls.

The next morning, we marched to the walls of Gergovia. The gates opened
and a two men walked out. The man in front kneeled and presented himself
for surrender and honorable death. A Roman officer quickly granted him his
death. But before the other could be killed, General Gallicvs intervened and
the man ran back into the city.

After the battle, I found all of my friends. They had all managed to survive.
We greeted eachother and exchanged tales of our fates in the battle. I
believe Caivs may have changed a bit in that battle, but then again we all
might have.

And so here I sit, in a little village, within sight of Gergovia. Those Gauls who
had been inside were sold into slavery and sent back toward Rome. A month
after the city was taken, LegioV reinforced us. But Cotta was not in
command, governing Massilia instead. Now the Legion was commanded by
General Gallicvs' cousin Manivs Placidvs Pavo. Apon their arrival, their
engineers emidiately went to rebuilding the lower city. General Gallicvs
announced that this city will serve as the north point in Roman control to
counter the Aedui Confederation. And so, now I watch as they build a
proper wall around the newly refounded city.

If we move out again, I will write you as soon as possible. But since we may
not, please write me soon. I have arranged that my pay be sent home, as I
shall sell my spoils of the battle and use them for any need of my own not
provided by the army.

Your Son,
Servivs Placidvs, 2nd Cohort, Hastati, Seventh Legion


https://img339.imageshack.us/img339/3685/aaa12zr9.jpg
(Generations later, the site of the Battle of Gergovia is still remembered.)

[CaesarAugustus]

Wow those Gallic cities certainly look Romanized......

[Shifty_GMH]

Excellent AAR! Keep up the good work. :2thumbsup:

[Warmaster Horus]

Great update! And what's better, is that you can keep on playing, if I understood correctly.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Again, thanks! :2thumbsup: Though I didn't really feel that great about that entry. For one thing I was planning on it being short and it was not. I had to cut out the last couple planned story points (that were irrelevant to the gameplay) and it was still too long.


Wow those Gallic cities certainly look Romanized......
Yeah, that picture was taken nearly an hundred years later. Generations later, the site of the Battle of Gergovia is still remembered.

I found my own plot hole though. The Arverni had only had access to archers for about three years at the time of that battle, so I don't think there were any there. I don't remember the enemy's army composition in most battles and very little of the battles themselves. That paragraph about the Pavo's cavalry was the only thing that I remembered from gameplay.

The next entry, if and when I get time: "The Fall of a People".

[Mediolanicus]

On a different topic:
Does anyone know how to conjugate "Pavo". (Things like "Pavos" doesn't look right, it looks more like the Greek version of his name rather than plural.) Things like possessive, plural, & plural possessive. With my limited knowledge of Latin I only know how to conjugate "-um" and "-i".

Since nobody seems to have answered it...

singular
Pavo
Pavonis
Pavoni
Pavonem
Pavone

plural
Pavones
Pavonium
Pavonibus
Pavones
Pavonibus

I think... (it's been long since my last Latin grammar lesson)

Keep up the good work, I'm enjoying it!

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Since nobody seems to have answered it...

singular
Pavo
Pavonis
Pavoni
Pavonem
Pavone

plural
Pavones
Pavonium
Pavonibus
Pavones
Pavonibus

I think... (it's been long since my last Latin grammar lesson)

Keep up the good work, I'm enjoying it!
Awesome! Thanks!
I started thinking back to grammar (English) and all the charts and esoteric terms and I think my head is going to explode. I've never actually taken a Latin class and the little I know of Latin is just self taught. But my confusion aside, thanks again.

[abou]

Very close, Mediolanicus. Only one problem: the genitive plural form is Pavonum rather than Pavonium.

[Mediolanicus]

Very close, Mediolanicus. Only one problem: the genitive plural form is Pavonum rather than Pavonium.

I had my doubts about the genitive there :sweatdrop:
I don't know anymore when you use the standard -um or the -ium...
So I went for the one that sounded best :laugh4:

Thanks for the correction!

And I'm glad me and abou could help M.A.Antonius
just ask when you're confused and I'm sure somebody will unconfuse you

[abou]

I had my doubts about the genitive there :sweatdrop:
I don't know anymore when you use the standard -um or the -ium...
So I went for the one that sounded best :laugh4:

That's how that got Italian!:2thumbsup:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo Gallicvs
Death of a King

Dearest Mother,

I write to inform you that I indeed still live. It has been nearly a year since
we have had a reliable route for the any mail other than General Pavonis
messages to the Senate or to the other Legions. We have been in and out
of hostile territory for months, even wintering in Gallic lands. Now, we rest
once more, awaiting the return of General Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo Gallicvs,
who was summoned by the Senate.

I have recieved all of the letters you and Honoria have sent me. I am sorry
that I have not been able to return word sooner and that I have worried you
both. Your letters confirm what I have heard about Consul Asina and
LegioVIII. I always knew that Iberia didn't stand a chance against the might
of Rome. It is unfortunate that Consul Asina died of illness before he could
finish off the barbarians.

And to hear that in the East, the effeminate Greeks continue to fall to the
might of the Roman Legions. The new Victor has crushed Syrian resistance
and freed Phoenicia and Judaea? And Blasio, old Blasio had crushed the
Pontic kings of Sinope? Places that I've only heard of like places of myth,
now send tribute and slaves to Rome. I fear that the Rome I left will be
completely changed by the time I return, if I return.

I am troubled to hear that farms are being purchased by the governors and
patricians. I hope this war will end soon, so I may come home and deal with
the issues of the farm. Do not fear though, the land is rightly ours, it has
been for generations and will remain so. Do not let them convince you of
anything or steal what is ours, simply because there is no man in the house.

Today I write from our camp, north of the village of Lemonum. We fought
long and hard to get here. After we left Gergovia, leaving it in the hands of
LegioV and General Manivs Placidvs Pavo, we headed to Burdigala. "Mad
Cotta" had died the previous year and the town was now managed by his
sone and the Gallic allies the Cotta family had made. Eager to prove their
loyalty and worth, the allied Gauls marched north from Burdigala. I heard
humor that General Gallicvs objected to this, but the young Cotta, being of
higher standing, insisted.

The few Gauls that returned told tale of an Arverni army of unexperience, but
desperate farmer conscripts. LegioVII immediately marched north into Arverni
lands. We fought several battles, never against more than a couple hundred
untrained Gauls. We lost very few men. One day Centurian Tiberivs Alleivs
told us to ready ourselves for battle. King Praesutagos oi Lugos of the
Arverni had marched an army to confront us.

And so, on a flat plain, skirted by trees, the king of the Arverni faced Roman
martial prowess. General Gallicvs ordered the legion to line up in three lines,
rather than maniples in order to counter the enemy cavalry. As the enemy
approached, I saw the same frightend untrained men line up in front of us.
As they approached, we threw our pila and saw great numbers of the
unarmored men fall dead where they stood. Then they charged, but to no
avail. They hit our line, which did not move, and the fight ensued. After a
short battle, the enemy began to break and flee. In a desparate attempt to
rally his men, King Praesutagos oi Lugos charged his own cavalry into the
middle of our line. Seeing a chance for glory in killing a king, our formation
broke and soon the king's cavalry were surrounded by Hastati and Pricepes.
I saw from a short distance back, the king fall from his injured horse and hit
the ground. The crowd of men surrounding him stabbed at the body until
they were content that he would never move again.

A month later we came to the village of Lemonum. As soon as we had rams,
we broke down the gate and charged the city. The only soldiers there to
face us were some of those who had escaped the previous battle and the
King's son, surrounded by his bodyguard. They simply waited on the small hill
in the center of town. We encircled the hill and on General Pavo's order, all
infantry charged from all sides. With this, the last King of the Arverni died
and Rome achieved victory.

It is rumored that General Pavo Gallicvs confiscated the bodies of both Kings,
but that is probably just rumor to discredit a great man.

A while after taking the village, a message arrived from the Senate, calling
General Pavo Gallicvs home, and so he left. After a while, General Manivs
Placidvs Pavo arrived (his brother, Gallicvs' cousin Galerivs Pitvanivs Pavo,
being put in charge of LegioV and Gergovia) with replacements to be
combined with LegioVII and bring us back to full strength. It is funny, I have
only been out here three years and now I feel like the old man amoungst
these new recruits. General Manivs Placidvs Pavo is much more of "proper"
Roman, compared to General Pavo Gallicvs, but doesn't seem as intelligent.

Caivs has taken to gambling with the new men and has finally found someone
he can beat. Titvs is constantly reading all that he can get his hand on from
officers and traders, though it is hard to get good Roman writings up here.
Gneo and Vibivs had both been practicing and drilling, but that is what we
are all doing most of the time anyways, while waiting. And so we continue to
wait and see our fate and the fate of our great leader.

Your Son,
Servivs Placidvs, 2nd Cohort, Hastati, Seventh Legion

https://img66.imageshack.us/img66/8899/gaul216pm2.png
(Roman Gaul, after the defeat of the Arverni at Lemonum)

OOC: I wish I had some screenshots of that campaign. I at least have a couple pictures of Aedvi-Roman conflict.

[Warmaster Horus]

Nice update, as always! I like the various "backstories", if I may call them that. The last paragraph, for example, and the first four.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

I felt like I had too many and too long side stories. I had actually edited some of it out and cut many short. I like writing the fiction part, though. I am glad they aren't seen as unnessicary by readers.

I'm trying to remember at which point Pavo Gallicvs changed legions, to know at what point Servivs Placidvs' part of the story will end. I think LegioVII was his main army and vanguard in Gaul until he retired to become Consul in Roma.

[alatar]

The fictional parts are great, it adds more detail, which makes it more interesting:2thumbsup:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo Gallicvs
Honorable Barbarians

Dearest Mother,

I start this letter, knowing that all our back mail will soon be arriving here in
Lugonesis. Even so, I know that our chance to recieve and deliver mail may
be short. Even though spring is just arriving, General Gallicvs has plans to
move north to assist our new allies and split the Aedui from any of their allies
north of Italia. It has been so long since I have written you, but at least I
am fortunate to be able to write at all.

Five long years have passed since General Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo Gallicvs
returned from the Senate to command us once more. He returned a member
of the Equestrian Order and as a Senator. A celebration was held in our fort
in honor of Senator Gallicvs. But a few days later he gave us the
news that all of Rome now knows: the Senate had declared the Aedui
Confederacy an enemy of Rome.

All representatives of Rome, demanding Aedui surrender, never returned. And
so, we marched north of our fort at Lemonum and crossed a river, I was later
told it was called the Liger. Just north of our crossing, we met an Aedui
army, willing to face us in open field. These men were different from
anything we had faced before. These men were not farmers ackwardly
holding spears. These men were armored drilled soldiers. I suddenly realized
why LegioIII was so depleted after the Battle of Oltis, where General Pavo
had defeated the last trained men of the Arverni.

Now, the battle is a haze amongst the many battle fought since. But it was
the first time I realized that victory was far off. The battle was hard fought,
General Gallicvs even had to call in the Triarii. In the end we won, with less
casualties than I had expected, but one casualty I didn't expect. As I
returned to the battle field after chasing the routers, I saw Vibivs knelling
over a fallen Roman. As I slowly and anxiously walked up, I saw that it was
Gneo.

The next few days were hard for the remaining four of us, but Vibivs took it
the hardest. He had seen Gneo attacked but was unable to get to him.
While the rest of us broke formation and saw only the man in front of us,
Vibivs held Gneo as he breathed his last breath. Once again, war had
changed us. Even Caivs remained silent and morned the death of his friend.

After the battle, we marched west. And one day we came over a hill and
saw a sight that could lift any spirit, even that of Vibivs. Streching out for
what could only be an eternity, was a great sea. The color was so dark and
the water so cold. And the sea churned at all times with Neptune's fury.

As we marched along this great sea, we came apon the sea side villages of
the Veneti. The people in this area were less frightened of us. Perhapse it
was because they thought we were not threat or maybe it was because
General Pavo Gallicvs had ordered no unothorized looting. But still, there
were some who stood and watched us march by. Along this shore they built
ships: ships for fishing, ships for trade, ships for transport, and even ships for
war. Their ships were akward and ugly, but I must say, they have my
respect. Anything that can travel that sea without disaster must have some
value.

At the unwalled inland city of Darioritum, LegioVII met with armed resistance
but took the city with relatively little effort. Here General Gallicvs had us set
ourselves up. While the Germanic scouts patrolled the countryside, we
guarded the city. But as soon as the Fifth Legion and our replacements for
our losses showed up, we headed east. Among the new men was a man
named Avlvs, who was disliked by Centurian Tiberivs Alleivs. Dispite this or
maybe because of this, Caivs befriended the man and he joined our section.

As we headed east, small armies were defeated and small hostile villages
were burned to the ground. It wasn't until we reached the Aedui city of
Cenabum that we had real opposition, though. As we seiged the city, an
Aedui army attacked us and the town's garrison joined with them in battle
against us. The battle was relatively an easy one with few losses, but again,
an unwanted loss. Our new friend Avlvs, whom we had known for only a few
months lay dead in that field in Gaul. And once again, Vibivs withdrew into
his internal darkness.

Once again LegioV and fresh men arrived and we marched forward. This time
we went south. General Pavo Gallicvs had a plan to defeat or enlist the free
tribes in the region and then head east to ensure that both sides of the
mountain passes leading into Italia were in Roman hands.

After a small battle in the middle of Gaul, a representative of the Gallic city of
Avaricum came to meet with General Gallicvs. They say that General Gallicvs
greeted the man in their own barbaric language and held the meeting in their
language as well. Where most Romans would rightfully dismissed the
messenger, our General showed the men curtosy in their own custom. And in
the end, even though some of the men we had just killed came from
Avaricum, General Gallicvs pardoned the town. And the next day, we
peacefully entered the town. There was no looting. There were no slaves
collected. And so we moved east, leaving only Gauls to defend the town,
with their word that they would stay loyal to Rome.

As soon as we were back in Aedui territory we encountered another Gallic
army. As so we fought them in the deep of winter in what has been dubed
the Battle of Lugudunum. The battle was harder than many. The Gauls had
the high ground and were attacking down on us. The bulk of their army
attacked our middle, while madmen, wearing nothing at all, even in the snow,
tried to flank us on the left. When the enemy general attacked our center,
his nerve gave out and he fled. Soon, the bulk of his army was following
him. But the naked madmen stood their ground and the princepes that were
fighting them were lossing ground. So, with the enemies ahead of us fleeing,
Centurian Alleivs lead us to assist our comrades.

It was then that they got Titvs. He did not perish, but a Gallic blade glanced
off his sword. He lost the length of most of his fingers on his right hand.
Soon, even madmen knew the battle was lost and they too fled. Vibivs and I
helped Titvs to the legion surgeon who wrapped his hand. After a few days,
when it was apparent that the wound would not turn foul, Titvs was released
from care and eventually released from duty.

When the supply train came up, Titvs and the other wounded were sent with
them. Titvs was going to be going home, to his home and his family. But he
was not quite whole anymore, and he was definetly not the man who had left
his home, nearly nine years prior. Though he seemed untroubled. He said
that reading and studying was what he enjoyed doing, and he didn't need
both hands to enjoy that. It was sad to see him go, but I was also happy
knowing that he would live in peace from now on. Titvs was the one who
had held our group together, with his combination of both logic and
understanding. Now there is only Vibivs in his darkness, Caivs in his anger,
and I with my uncertainty.

And so, here we are, beseiging the Aedui city of Viennos in the territoy of
Lugonesis. As we watch this city, we have seen many Germanian
represenatives visit General Pavo Gallicvs. As you probably know, Rome has
made an alliance with the tribes of Germanics that border the north of Aedui
territory. I have heard rumor that General Gallicvs wanted this alliance and
was key in making it. Even as Rome fights them in the south, the Aedui
invade Germania and slaughter the Germanians. General wants to move north
to assist our new allies as proof of good faith. If battle has taught me one
thing it is, we must first deal with the enemy in front of us before we look to
the next.

The city of Viennos can't hold out much longer and the small garrison will be
forced to surrender or starve to death. General Pavo Gallicvs has promised
that the supply routes will be secured, even before Viennos falls, and we will
soon be able to recieve mail from home.

Your Son,
Servivs Placidvs, 2nd Cohort, Hastati, Seventh Legion

https://img133.imageshack.us/img133/1491/aaa13jlg3.jpg
(Servivs Placidvs fighting in the Battle of Lugudunum)

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo Gallicvs
The Homefront

https://img79.imageshack.us/img79/2634/scene06jqi2.jpg
(Great Temple in Mediolanivm)

My Brother,

I write you you from the steps of the temple in Mediolanivm. I wonder what
the life of a priestess would be like. Would you be disgraced if your sister
was forced into the life of a priestess? As you know, for a long time it had
been assumed I would marry Spvrivs, but he is gone now. He was only the
son of a herder, but he was a good man. He and all his family has moved
away to Africa. At least they could afford that, at the cost of their herd.
We were farmers in Etruria, they herders, but now they are poor in Africa and
we are homeless in Gaul.

Our home is gone, stolen. I cannot believe that people can do such things.
First, they ask you to go off to war, then they steal your home while you
aren't there to defend it.

They bought out all of the debt collectors in all of Etruria, then began
collecting on the debt. Nearly everyone had some kind of loan, but they had
an understanding that it would be paid back after harvest. And what
couldn't be paid would be overlooked until it could be. It was just the way
things worked. Then these men, working with the government, bought out
all of those with money to loan and collected on the debts. When debts
couldn't be paided, they took homes and farms and villas as payment.


For those who could pay or those, like us, who did not take loans and
suffered what came at us, the began to harass. At first they just lingered
around the road, but soon workers began to run off and quit, scared. Then,
last year, the field caught fire 'mysteriously' and we lost much of the first
planting. Then, near the end of spring, I came back to the house and found
mother sitting quietly with a blank look on her face. "We have to go to your
uncle's," is all she said. I don't know what had happened, but she sold the
farm. She hasn't quite been the same sense that day, several seasons ago.

We took what little money we got from the farm and moved to Mediolanivm,
to work in uncle's shop. Mother, Gaivs, and I work as hard as we can to help
uncle, but we cannot stay here. Where do we go, then? We have no home,
no land, and there is little hope for our future.

We can't even find other work in the cities, even if uncle were unable to help
us. All across Italia, people are being left homeless and moving into the
cities. But there is no work in the cities and people are left jobless,
moneyless, homeless, and worst of all, hopeless. Governor Pavo is trying to
help people who come to Mediolanivm, but I think he fears doing too much
and attracting all of Italia's homeless and destitute. I don't know what is
happening, but it is certainly ironic that you, off fighting the enemies of the
Senate, lose your home to the Senate, and no longer even qualify to join the
legions.

I hope this letter reaches you before you march again. Though, it may be
best if you don't get this letter and learn of the fate of your family.

Stay well,
Your sister,
Honoria Placidvs

https://img205.imageshack.us/img205/9910/scene05jaf6.jpg
(The streets of Mediolanivm)

[alatar]

~:mecry:
Sad:embarassed:

[Wolfman]

Man now you got me all sensitive.~:mecry:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thanks for reading. I was wondering if anyone read this. (Though, to be honest, I probably wouldn't read this if I hadn't written it. It's too long. )

I'm trying to work in some foreshadowing with later events in the life of Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo Gallicvs.

[Marcus Cornelius]

It's not too long, it's just right. Keep up the good work! :2thumbsup:

[Wolfman]

does the Pavo family eventually become the Rulers of Rome?

[Ower]

It's no to long, zour posts are fun to read, exactly right.

[Warmaster Horus]

Now I understand... I hadn't seen the reason why Pavo Gallicus wasn't mentioned, but since you said it was foreshadowing...
Anyway, I still think it's pretty good, the length doesn't really matter, because if you take a book, some chapters can be long, others short. It depends of the writer's style, and if yours is long chapters, then I'm fine with that.
Also, it gives me something to read while EB loads up...

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thanks for the support, guys. I think I'll end the Gallic Wars in two or three more entries, depending on whether I feel like adding the Germanic part of the war. Then I'll get the next major event in Nvmerivs Longvs Pavonis life, and the life of the Republic.

does the Pavo family eventually become the Rulers of Rome?
Well, Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo builds up his family providing them wealth, power, territory, and for some reason the family grows to be the largest in Rome. After Nvmerivs, basically anything is within grasp of this (ironically) Plebian family...

BTW, last time I played this campaign, I found that Casse is very vulnerable to horse archers. :clown:

[Wolfman]

I like how your tieing in historical events wth this AAR like the senate taking land from the people.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo Gallicvs
State of the Republic

https://img529.imageshack.us/img529/2264/gaul211ql2.png
(The extent of Roman influence, 211BC)

From the office of Marcvs Babvdivs, scribe of Consul Gnaevs Nepivs Scipio Africanvs,
On the state of the Republic, end year, fourth year of the consulship of Scipio Africanvs, (211BC)

My lord,
The following is the compiled state of the provinces and military status throughout the Republic. The last decade has seen much change in the areas of autority of the Roman peoples and has gained us many provinces, territories, subjects, and allies. The last decade has also seen the fall of nations who appose Roman peace, such as the kingdom of the Arverni, the Lusatanii rebels, and the kingdom of Pontus. We have also seen the demise of the Egyptian empire and the loss of all her holdings away from the Nile.

The following is the state of each province or territory:
https://img526.imageshack.us/img526/3815/aitaliajyq8.jpg
Italia
Pvblivs Annivs Asina - Capua

Ever since Pyhrros was driven from Italia, southern Italia has been under Roman control. In the north, gallic tribes quickly joined the Roman effort and were eventually integrated into the Roman province of Italia. There is no form of military disturbances or urest to report in Italia. Agricultural and trade profit have risen consideribly in the Italia region due to larger, more efficient farming operations. There has been some dislodged peasantry that has been causing minor problems in urban areas, but nothing of great importance.

https://img526.imageshack.us/img526/6194/asiciliajjo7.jpg
Sicilia
Domitivs Floronivs Scipio - Syracusae

Sicilia, taken from the Carthaginians by the Scipio family and still administered by them. Carthaginian holdings in the regions fell quickly to Roma and Syracusae nearly as easily. Trade, especially through Syracusae, from Africa and the East, leads the economy of this territory still, and with the taking of Cyrenaica it continues to grow. Also boosting the economy is the grain production, also improved through agricultural reforms.

https://img529.imageshack.us/img529/6827/acorsicaetsardiniajcy5.jpg
Corsica et Sardinia
Cnaevs Albanvs Fvscinvs Corpvlentvs - Carali

Ever since the Carthaginian influence was removed from these islands, half a century ago, they have contributed to Rome through their sea trade. Recently, we have seen an increase in pirate activity in the islands especially around eastern Corsica. The fleet from Capua has been successful in sinking many of these pirates, but still they return every year.

https://img529.imageshack.us/img529/280/anarbronesisjdy7.jpg
Narbronensis et Tarraconensis
Avlvs Minvtivs Cotta - Tolosa et Nabro Martivs

Ever since Avlvs Minvtivs Cotta led his forces against the tribes in Aquitae, this region has been in distress. The Cotta family had not lead men into war since Pyrrhos had been forced from Italia, and though their first action in so long was successful, it ended the alliance with the Kingdom of Arverni and brought war to the Roman north. The coast of Iberia has long been allies of Roma and provides lucrative trade from the Iberian interior. Not since the hostilities of Carthage against our allies has these region seen signifigant war.

https://img134.imageshack.us/img134/9084/aiberiajiw3.jpg
Baetica et Lusitania
Nvmerivs Petellivs Gessivs - Gades

The Gessivs family are descended from general who was first sent to Iberia to expell the Carthaginians who were threatening Roman allies. After defeating the Carthaginian garrisons at Mastia and Gades, Carthaginian hopes in Europa came to an end. When the aging Asina aquired Consulship, he took a newly formed Legion and marched against the Lusitani, who had declared war on Roma after Roman scouting parties crossed some sort of unknown border in Celtiberia. Consul Asina managed to crush Iberian resistance, even taking the Lusitani capital in a seige, but died before he could take all of Iberia. Since his legion was depleted from fighting and since most troops were being deverted to Iberia, no further action took place.

Baetica and southern Iberia provide great military advantages to Roma, especially to the navy at the harbor of Mastia. Geographically, Iberia is the end of the world. Our geographers tell us that the furthest point west in all of Europa, and infact all of the world, is now in Roman hands. With the fleets patrolling the seas south and east of Iberia and wild, unsailable seas to the west, Iberia is secure for Roman rule.

Currently there is one Legion in Iberia (Legio VIII) and two allied legions.

https://img134.imageshack.us/img134/261/agreecejjb4.jpg
Achaia et Epirus
Pvblivs Cipivs Carivs - Athens

After Carthaginians forces were removed from Iberia, Roma's interest shifted to the east, where her long time enemies in Epirus were interfering with Roman trade. Forces under Nvmerivs Helvivs Victor landed and made short work of the war ravaged, economically depleted descendants of Pyrrhus. Victor then assisted the long time allies of Roma, the southern Greeks, by destroying their long time enemy of Macedonia. The Greeks repayed Roma with treachery and attacked the garrison in Epirus. Though Roman superiority came through and General Victor and his single legion defeated all of Greece within a decade.

An ancient land of ancient peoples is now in the hand of Roma. Since its conquest, the whole of Greece has remained peaceful and content under Roman control. Serving as a midpoint between Roma and the East, Greece has a strong trade economy. With trade in Mare Aegacum, Greece is one of the richest places in Roman influence.

https://img134.imageshack.us/img134/6365/amacedoniajgn4.jpg
Macedonia
Sextvs Lucceivs Glycoricvs - Pella et Thessalonica

Conquered by Nvmerivs Helvivs Victor with ease, having suffered constant attacks by Epirus and the southern Greeks for decades, Macedonia lies separate from the rest of Greece. Because of its weak economic state, Macedonia greatly profited from the peace and trade that came with being a Roman province. Thessalonica harbors the Aegacum fleet, but Macedonia has seen mostly peace since the defeat of the Antigonids.

https://img169.imageshack.us/img169/8938/aillyriajli7.jpg
Illyricvm et Dalmatia
Tiberivs Arrvntivs Trifer - Dalminion et Salona

Illyricvm was originally taken as a land route between Italia and the East and in order to decrease the number of safe harbors that Illyrian pirates could hide in. With its conquest, a great reserve of Gold could be tapped by Roma, though. Income from the region originates from trade and vast number of mines that dot the mountains. There are medium sized garrisons in Illyricum to deter attacks by Pannonian celts or the Getai-Dacians.

https://img184.imageshack.us/img184/9176/athracejgg3.jpg
Thracia
Amvlivs Cloativs Celsvs - Tylis

Thracia was taken from barbarian tribes of Celts, Galatians, and Thracians and added to Roman territory just after Illyricvm. With the addition of this region, Roma gained a defendible possition for Europa and her first ports on the Pontvs Euxinvs. The region has medium sized garrisons and the locals have been urging Roma to assist their Thracian brothers crushed under Dacian rule to the north.

https://img134.imageshack.us/img134/1982/aafricajkg1.jpg
Africa
Gnaevs Nepivs Scipio Africanvs - Carthago

Conquered by you, My Lord Consul Gnaevs Nepivs Scipio Africanvs, over two decades ago. Carthago fell to Roma after a long seige, and with the death of all of their Senate, the Carthaginian scurge on the Mare Internum came to and end. After the destruction of Carthago, you My Lord, rebuilt the city which is currently administered by your son Scipio Africanvs the Younger. The aread is fertile and exports great amounts of grain and olives to Italia and Roma. With the fall of Carthago and the rebuilding of her harbors, the western half of the Mare Internum's trade lies solely in Roman hands. Threats from Numidian raiders prevent the area from aquiring complete security and halt Roman expansion in Africa.

Currently there is one allied legion in Africa.

https://img184.imageshack.us/img184/8896/aturkeyjoa7.jpg
Asia
Titvs Maenivs Scipio Corpvlentvs - Pergamum

Pergamum allied with Roma soon after the fall of the Greeks and began trading with Roman Macedonia. When Egypt betrayed their alliance and attacked Lepsis Magna Roma retaliated in all areas of Egyptian control. The southern part of Asia was originally conquered from the Egyptians by Nvmerivs Helvivs Victor and administered by the Blasio family. However, the same year the Arverni betrayed Roma, the Seleucid Empire attacked Pergamum. The Blasio family led the legions into Galatia and Cappadocia, and a branch of the Scipio family was sent to govern Asia.

Asia is somewhat rich in resources and trade with the West through the Aegacum, inhancing sea trade in the region. The vast number of types of people in the region has caused and is still causing an amount of unrest, though the region is being to understand Roman superiority.

Currently there is one allied legion in Asia.

https://img134.imageshack.us/img134/9054/apontusjis9.jpg
Pontvs et Cappadocia
Titvs Nigrivs Blasio - Sinope

A few years ago, threats from the nation of Pontus became too great for Roma to ignore, seeing as they began to expand and gain power without Seleucid interference. But their power came in direct conflict with Roma and General Titvs Nigrivs Blasio was forced to march against them. Sinope quickly fell. Amaseia fell after a lengthy seige and the last of the Pontic royal family was finally defeated in the seige of Trapezous. The war lasted only a couple years and now Pontica lies in Roman hands. General Titvs Nigrivs Blasio currently marches East to sure up the border with Armenia in a region the locals call Pokr Hayk.

The region's economy is serverly damaged from the war, but the new ports on the Pontvs Euxinvs ensure the region will be worth its cost.

Currently there are three legions (Legio VI, IX, XII) and two allied legions in Pontvs et Cappadocia.

https://img169.imageshack.us/img169/4216/acyrenicajxz3.jpg
Cyrenaica et Libya
Domitivs Cammivs Rvso - Cyrene

After Egypt's betrayal, General Domitivs Cammivs Rvso lead a single legion across the vast desert and surprised the city of Cyrene. The city easily fell and Rvso began to gather local allies and mercenaries to fend off any further Egyptian aggression in the area. With Egypt weakening in Asia and Syria, General Rvso managed to take Libya from Egypt, including their sacred oracle at Ammonivm. The region is currently under constant attack from both Egyptian forces and desert raiders. Cyrene has provided a measure of trade, but Libya remains a Roman territory only to buffer Egypt and provide a place for Egyptian soldiers to die.

Currently there is one legion (Legio IV) and two allied legions in Libya.

https://img134.imageshack.us/img134/4536/asyriaetjudaeajuq6.jpg
Syria et Judaea
Nvmerivs Helvivs Victor - Antioch

After taking Lydia and Pampylia, Nvmerivs Helvivs Victor handed over command of his legions, with consent from the Senate, to his son Domitivs Gratvs Victor. General Domitivs Gratvs Victor lead his legions to victory over Egyptian forces in Cilicia and Syria, including a grand seige of the great city of Antioch. After the army at Antioch fell, it was an easy task for General Victor to take Damascus and surrounding cities. Soon after, General Victor liberated Judaea, making the region a Roman protectorate, buffer state, and ally.

This area is one of the newest territories of Roma, and suffers by being surrounded by enemies on all sides. Trade, especially through Syria, have provided a good amount of income to Roma. With exception of the Nile Delta, all trade in Mare Internum is now in the hands of Roman traders. With the ceasefire declared with the Seleucids, the Victor family has begun to settle down and is administering Antioch with defense in mind.

Currently there are two legions (Legio V, X) and five allied legions in Syria.

Gallia
Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo Gallicvs

An uncharted place of barbarians, trees, and cold weather.

Currently there are five legions (Legio III, VII, XI, XIII, XIV) and four allied legions in Gallia.

On the subject of Gallia:
This region is newly conquered by General Pavo Gallicvs and is a matter of concern to the Senate. So far, only those in the legions under General Pavo's command and those in his family have been to Gallia for extended periods. The region is still unstable and threat of Gallic attack are still present, even in areas allied to or under Roman rule. Soon geographers, merchants, and even colonist will begin to move in to the more secure parts of southern and western Gallia. So far we have not yet set up extensive trade in this backwards place.

General Pavo gained a great amount of popularity when he defeated the Kingdom of Arverni and was awarded a possition in the Senate. When he requested to invade the territories of Roma's long time enemy, the Aedui Confederacy, it was granted. He continues to succeed, though. He has yet to lose a battle and with every season, his popularity with the people and soldiers of Roma rises. But the men in his armies have homes to come back to and can be trusted to be loyal to the Senate and to Roma...

[Warmaster Horus]

Very, very, very nice update. That was absolutely great!
In the "Roma's Bulls" thread, you said there were plenty of roman AARs here, and you were right, but few of them are as good as yours...
Keep it going!

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thanks!

I think the next update will be back to Servivs Placidvs, Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo Gallicvs, and the Gallic Wars.

[Wolfman]

For a minute I was scared that you had decided not to continue this AAR. Its good to see another update!

[Chirurgeon]

Very good indeed!

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Yeah, I thought this was dead too. I decided to start this up again because I was thinking of playing this old campaign again. I played a Makedonian, Hayasdan, Holy Roman Empire, and Fatimid campaigns and got bored. Besides, I still need to crush Parthia.

I just want to thank those who read this and especially those who commented.

I'm going to continue this now with another post. And I'll try to force myself to at least finish the current story before another long gap.

EDIT:
Now that that is done. \/ I'll get back to the war, next time...

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo Gallicvs
A Noble Noble

https://img228.imageshack.us/img228/195/scene03jqc3.jpg

My Dear Sister,

I have just had an audience with General Gallicvs himself. He is an even
greater man than that which is told of him.

I had been quite low since your letter arrived and was lax in my duties and
drilling. Centurian Tiberivs Alleivs had noticed and before I was flogged he
asked why I had been so lax. I told him of the loss of our farm and of yours
and mother's distress. He said that of those who recieved letters from their
families, this was becoming a common story. And so I was flogged.

And so it came that Centurian Alleivs told others of our story when speaking
with others and the story made it to General Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo Gallicvs.
He then sent for me and I was to appear before him in the command post.
At first I assumed I was to be repremanded for my poor behavior, but soon
realized that that was an issue way below a General.

And so I was silently escorted by a well adorned soldier to the General's
command post. In the siege of Viennos, the largest buildings had been
burned, so General Pavo Gallicvs had his normal field post erected outside the
city. Not that those Gallic structures would be adequate for any Roman.
The General's command post was simple, made of canvas, like that of us
legionaries. Though his was large, nearly the size of our old home.

When we reached the opening, the guard motioned for me to enter and
turned to stand guard at the entrance. I entered and saw in this place in
the middle of barbarian lands, more exquisite items than I had ever seen. On
the 'walls' hung animal skins and banners. On one side there was a map of
Roman lands, as they stood several years ago. On the ground there were
more animal skins, so that in much of the room you did not stand of the dirt
below. Along the back of the room I saw the standard of LegioVII and a suit
of detailed armor apon a chest. In the middle of the room stood a table, as I
approached I noticed another map, this one had strange markings all over it.
I believe it was a map of the area around the Viennos, marked in the
barbarian tongue.

In the room stood three men. One man stood in the back looking forward
and not speaking. I assumed he was part of the bodyguard of Gallicvs. Near
the table stood General Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo Gallicvs, whom I had seen
many times in camp or on the battlefield. Next to him was a bearded man.
He was not nessecarily dirty or anything, but he wore trousers and I knew
him to be a Gaul or Germanian. When I was noticed, Gallicvs said something
in an uncivilized tongue and the barbarian left through the back of the room.

The General turned to me and I salluted. He simply asked my name. I gave
my name, rank, and position. He began by telling me that he had been
corresponding with his uncle Spvrivs Cvrativs Pavo, governor of Mediolanivm,
who had written of the increase in homeless peasants filling the streets of
the major cities. General Pavo Gallicvs said his uncle had found the the great
majority of these displaced people were farmers pushed off their land. He
then asked me to tell our tale and so I told him of all that you and mother
had written me.

I was suprised at the informality of the General. It was nothing like speaking
to a friend and equal. And it was more formal than a business deal. Though
the conversation was far less formal than what I would suspect of a Senator
of Rome. As I told our story, he seemed to understand and honestly convey
empathy to us. He spoke of how this is something that shouldn't happen.
He said spoke of his belief that it was the duty of the Senate to take care of
the people. Then, I realized I spoke not just to a member of the Equestrian
Order, not just a General, not just a Senator, but a great man that cared for
the common man.

We were interupted for a while by one of the General's advisors. Though,
when he turned back to me an hour later, he said something that I will
remember. He said, "How can Rome have soldiers if no man holds his own
land?" For, if I were to go home after this war, I could never reenlist. Rome
is surrounded by Gauls, barbarians, and Greeks, and nobody is left to defend
her. General Pavo Gallicvs said things in Rome were changing, and a new
change would have to come or Rome would fall.

But now I come to the part of my tale that would shock even the gods.
General Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo Gallicvs told me that as thanks for my tale he
would give my family a home and a livelyhood. I tried to refuse a gift too
noble but he said he would send word to his uncle. As you read this, a letter
is being read by Governor Pavo, ordering him to send an escort to our uncle's
shop. Mother, Gaivs, and yourself would be sent to one of the small houses
and work on the Pavo farms. It is not our own land, but it is a home and
place to be secure. The General said in the future it may be a good idea to
grant land to his soldiers who have lost theirs.

I was told to not tell any of this to fellow legionaries, especially the part
about helping my family, for many legionaries have lost their homes. Caivs
won't leave me alone, though. Always asking about what the General
wanted with me. Soon we head north, but please write me and tell me,
especially if things are worse on the Pavo farms.

Your Brother,
Servivs Placidvs, 2nd Cohort, Hastati, Seventh Legion

[Warmaster Horus]

Nice update!
It's good that you picked this up again. Nice to see this back in action!

1000th post, who'd have guessed it would be on this?

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thanks.

My 1000th post was on this thread too (second or third entry). I've nearly doubled it since then. :dizzy2:

[Wolfman]

Good to see this AAR back up Marcus. For a while I thought you had decided not to continue this. I'm happy you proved me wrong.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo Gallicvs
Gaul to Germania to Belgae and Back Again

https://img337.imageshack.us/img337/3411/aaa15ck6.jpg
("Winter in Gaul")

My Dear Sister,

I have spent nearly a third of my life in the legion now. For a decade now, I
have killed Gauls. I am approaching my eleven harvest away from Rome. But
our task is nearly done. We have fought hard and shown that Roman
strength will always triumph over the barbarian. City after city falls. Army
after army flees before us. The last few years have been hard. General
Pavo has pushed us to our limit, but we have always been victorious. Soon,
the sack of Rome, nearly two centuries ago, will be avenged.

I have received many letters from you and mother. I am glad to hear that
your life goes well. I am glad that you are being treated as land owners and
not servants on the Pavo estates. The Pavo family is truely great, and with
Gallicvs leading the family, they are even greater. I'm sure you've heard that
General Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo Gallicvs continues to be promoted in the
Senate, even though he spends little time in Rome. Perhaps the Senate
hopes to appease him, and thinks he is but a General. I have heard Pavo
Gallicvs speak, though. He has great plans for Rome after he has insured her
safety.

Last time I wrote you, a single mountain range separated us. Now, vasts
expanses of land lay between us. We are camped in a region that was
dominated by a tribe called the Belgae. It is winter now, and it is colder than
I thought possible. We will be marching south in the spring and finishing this
war. But it has been a tough road getting here.

Soon after my last letter, LegioV and the newly formed LegioXV, under the
command of General Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo Gallicvs' cousin Manivs Placidvs
Pavo, arrived at Viennos. The Fifth's engineers went to rebuilding the city
and the Seventh and Fifteenth marched north, to the areas where the lands
of the Gauls meet the land of the Germans. General Pavo Gallicvs decided
that the best course of action would be to devide the forces of the Gallic
counsel and leave them to fend for themselves. So we cut off those in
Noricvm and those in Germania from the core of Gaul.

The Germanian mercenaries fought several small battles, but the Legions
didn't face resistance until the Gallic fort city of Vesontio. The defenders of
the town had nearly abandoned the city. The rumor went around the camp
that they were campaigning in Germania, trying to make the Germanians
submit so they could turn their whole force on Rome. And based on what
happened later that year, it would seem that the Gauls were winning.

Because the garrison was light, we assaulted the walls and broke into the
city. General Gallicvs had usually waited for cities to surrender or until they
were reinforced, so this was my first time fighting in a city. The defenders
fled back the the city's hill once we were through the walls, but kept
attacking and retreating as we tried to form up. In the city, men didn't listen
to their Centurian and many men fell needlessly due to the disorganized loose
formation. Eventually the enemy retreated to the hilltop, where we
surrounded them. We threw our pila and charged. The enemy was
surrounded and confused, but they fought to the last man. The day was
ours and the city was sold into slavery.

I know not why, but within a week we left the city. LegioXV was left to
defend the town, under the command of one of General Gallicvs' captains.
We, in LegioVII were put under the command of Manivs Placidvs Pavo and
General Gallicvs rode with the German mercenaries, who had just had the
addition of Iberian mercenaries. They say that Iberians are some of the
greatest horsemen west of Babylon. I wish I could have seen them fight, at
least once.

We marched east to a great river called the Rhenus and crossed by way of
several bridges and fords that the cavalry had secured. We were told that
the Gauls had enslaved a Germanic tribe called the Hattoz and were forcing
them to fight their brothers and against Rome. Eventually we fielded against
an army of barbarians. Some were Gauls, but many were different. They
had different clothes, different weapons, different hair, and when they
screamed it too was different. But they died the same as Gauls. After some
light skirmishing, the enemy charged our lines, only to break and run moments
later. General Manivs Placidvs Pavo and the cavalry hit them from the side
and soon they were all running. The battle had been so short that there was
enough time for us to have another battle before the sun went down.

We withdrew back to the western side of the Rhenus and waited for General
Pavo Gallicvs to return. As we waited, a messenger arrived from the
LegioIII. The Third Legion had managed to repel an invasion of Roman Gaul
from the Belgae and had crushed the entire army. General Manivs Placidvs
Pavo's brother, Galerivs Pitvanivs Pavo had defeated nearly the entire army
left in Belgae.

https://img337.imageshack.us/img337/2060/aaa14yq5.jpg
(Nearly a century later, the victory of Galerivs Pitvanivs Pavo, over the Belgae, is still remembered)

A week later, General Pavo Gallicvs returned with the cavalry. Apon hearing
of his cousin's victory, he ordered riders sent to Gergovia, Avaricum, and
Vesontio. Soon the Fifteenth was marching north and reserves, fresh
recruits, and Gallic allies were marching toward the Rhenus to secure the
border with Hattoz and Germania. Hattoz had been weaken and could easily
be finished off by the Germanic alliance, so all Roman forces were withdrawn
to the west side of the river and forts were established alone it's length.
Even the Germanic and Iberian cavalry was left behind to defend the
frontier. Only the Fifteenth, under General Manivs Placidvs Pavo, marched
north and the Seventh, under General Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo Gallicvs
marched west. We were forced to march at top speed, so as to have the
seigeworks and encampment built around their forts before the winter hit.

And here I am, more than a year later, sitting inside that fort. Both Legions took a fort and the Belgae surrendered to General Gallicvs. General Gallicvs
had ordered that LegioIII attack the great hillfort of Bibracte in the spring
and the Seventh will arrive soon after. With two Legions, the city is fated to
fall quickly, and with it the Gallic council. Hopefully, by next harvest, I will be
heading back to you to start our lives again. I should be getting married
soon after, I hope.

Your Brother,
Servivs Placidvs, 2nd Cohort, Hastati, Seventh Legion

https://img337.imageshack.us/img337/3103/aaa16go4.jpg
("Winter in Belgae")

[Warmaster Horus]

Raah! Lovely!

Great update, you know it.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

2000th Post!

Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo Gallicvs
The Long Siege

My Dear Sister,

Lately, we have had much correspondence. And little has changed since my
last letter. When we started the siege of Bibracte, the legion was already
overdue to be disbanded. And now it is more than a year later and nothing
has changed. In a few more years, General Gallicvs will forced to disband the
Seventh, by Roman law. I am beginning to think we will be disbanded before
this town surrenders.

Bibracte is the largest Gallic town that I have seen. Built like a fort, General
Pavo Gallicvs has decided that the cost of assulting it would be too costly
and decided to besiege it. So, here we are, a year and a half later. I am
sorry that I complain about this every letter, but the complete lack of
activity here is difficult to bear. Our days are basically set up into patrolling,
drilling, and building more fortifications.

The fortifications we have built around the city have reached the point that I
believe the wall we built around the city surpasses the city's wall itself. We
have now built two walls completely incircling the city, one facing the city
and one facing out to fend off raids from the countryside. Three legions are
stationed here and construction is nearly constant. We will rebuild Roma
herself out here before these barbarians realize they are beaten.

The Aedui military leader and mostly likely the majority of their barbarian
counsel are within the city. Though, I don't see how they can last so long in
there. How can you store and perserve enough food for a whole city that
will last two years? Perhaps they have all starved to death and we seige a
ghost town.

Vibivs and I were facing off against eachother the other day while drilling and
practicing. I knocked him off his feet and thought the fight was over but he
quickly parried my practice sword and jumped back to his feet. I noticed
that the fire was back in his eyes, that day. He has been spending large
amounts of time with the new soldiers who have replaced the loses in our
unit. He has been teaching them and they seem to look up to him. Many of
our replacements are quite raw and need all the help they can get. Vibivs is
like an elder brother to them. I believe that the horrors he saw have finally
been pushed aside.

Centurian Tiberivs Alleivs, who used to be very tough toward us, has been
more approachable lately. I believe that we have spent enough time in the
legion to prove ourselves to him. Caivs and I have talked to him a few times
and learned of his older days before the Gallic Wars.

Caivs has been his usual self. He has been playing as many games of chance
he can find time for. Caivs has the uncanny ability to deprive any man of
any coin that they have. Although, Caivs is running out of people brave
enough to risk a game with him. Caivs mentioned that he wanted to move to
Roma and open a tavern near a market so that he could deprive all of the
foreign merchants of their coin. I warned him of the state of the cities in the
last few years and the risk you take by going into the lower part of the
cities, but he didn't listen. For one thing, I believe Caivs is one of the people
that you have to look out for, in places like those.

General Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo Gallicvs continually takes trips to Roma. From
what we hear, he is continuing to move up in the Senate. If things keep up
like this, he will be the youngest Consul in Roman history. I believe he has
big plans for then too. Whenever he gives a speach, he mentions the poor
and the homeless and speaks poorly of how the Senate is handling the
matters. There are many in the Seventh that would die for him, especially
since with the loss of their homes, they have nothing left to lose.

Though, this siege continues. I hope it will end before I die of old age.
Hopefully I will be coming home after the fall of Bibracte and I can begin to
rebuild my family.

Your Brother,
Servivs Placidvs, 2nd Cohort, Hastati, Seventh Legion

https://img527.imageshack.us/img527/851/gaulconquest2xk5.jpg
(The Gallic Wars of Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo Gallicvs - Ranging from early days Near Mediolanivm until the seige of Bibracte)
(Yellow=Arverni War - Green=Aedui War - Aqua=LegioVII's march to Gergovia)
(Dot=Battle - Large Dot=Siege - Red=Gallicvs - Orange=Other Generals)

[Warmaster Horus]

Nice! I like the map of the Gallic Wars.

Well done on your 2000th post!

[Swordmaster]

Excellent! I'm fond of big campaigns and large empires.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thanks for the comments. I almost didn't post that map. I'm not too good at picture editting/making and thought it looked poor.

I'm going to finish up the Gallic Wars in the next update (or two). And for the next update, I did use cheats. It will be easy to guess what by the title of the next part.

[Wolfman]

Hahaha! Awesome!!! :2thumbsup:

[Jesus_saves]

Wow. How much 'Cheating' did you have to do to get that AI expansion? It's so realistic. Great AAR.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

I did do some cheating to help the AI expansion. Most of it was 'herding' the AI to go where I wanted them, sometimes it was downright cheating on grand scale, like when I conquered northern Iran with auto_win and gave it to Parthia to get them fighting with the Seleucids. And it worked.

Also, at the beginning, I teleported a merc army over to Marakanda and conquered it. (If you look at the progress pics in the first post, look closely and you'll see that Marakanda is Roman not Saka for most of the campaign.) I then used Marakanda to train HAs. The Baktrians constantly tried to retake Marakanda and were very weakened. Eventually Saka betrayed me and took Marakanda, then Baktra. Then Parthia betrayed Saka. I didn't think too poorly of that cheating though, since it didn't benefit my empire and the HAs actually drained tons of my money.

Oh, and see how Casse stagnated for a long time then exploded? That wasn't due to the death of the rebel super generals, I sent all of my leftover Iberian mercs to Britain and killed as many wandering rebels I could before the mercs all died off. Not really cheating, but 'herding'. I would also 'herd' the Aedui-Sweboz wars by sending armies to reinforce weak Sweboz possitions. Again, not cheating. but I pretended I wasn't doing it for role playing purposes.

[Swordmaster]

A good idea to do that kind of herding to spice up an otherwise weird AI expansion. In my campaign I'm currently considering wiping out the Epirote Baltic empire which is doing surprisingly well against both Sweboz and Sauromatae. With stacks and stacks of Celtic spearmen, they've got the Sweboz down to their Scandinavian provinces and the three along the upper Rhine. Pretty retarded, actually.

[Jesus_saves]

Wow. That's a Cool Idea Really I'll have to use that sometime.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo Gallicvs
The Triumph

https://img219.imageshack.us/img219/2561/scene07jty3.jpg
(Roma's Passtime)

Dear Gaivs,

Since you are now the man of the house, I am writting to you. It was nice
seeing Mother, Honoria, and yourself in Mediolanivm. When we re-entered
Gallia Cisalpina and Italia, some of the legion deserted, but very few. We
returned to Roma as heroes and very few wanted to miss this honor.

After the surrender of Bibracte, the Aedui surrendered. With the Gallic threat
eliminated and the northern frontier secured, the Senate granted General
Gallicvs a Triumph. Because of all the Seventh Legion has accomplished,
General Pavo Gallicvs decided to have the Seventh march with him in the
Triumph. So we came to Roma.

Never have I amagined a city as large are Roma. I remember Arretivm when I
visited the markets their with father as a child. I have seen Segesta and
Massilia on my march to Gallia, sixteen years ago. I have fought in the
streets of the largest cities built by the Gallic. I witnessed the greatness of
the Pavo family's capital of Mediolanivm. Though, nothing compares to the
size and granduer of Roma, herself. The city ranges from the richest, most
powerful men in the world to the poorest, most vilainous scum imaginable.

The Legion camped on the Fields of Mars, but entered the city freely. Caivs
wanted to go down near the river and see if there was anyone he could
relieve of their coin, but Vibivs and I were able to persuade him against it, for
a time.

https://img218.imageshack.us/img218/8523/scene10jiu1.jpg
(Porta Truimpalis)

On the day of the Truimph, General Nvmerivs Longvs Pavo Gallicvs rode on a
chariot from the Fields of Mars, through the Gate of the Truimph, across the
city, to the Forum, and to the Great Temple of Jupiter. The whole way
through the city, great crowds of people jammed the streets cheering for
Gallicvs and for all of us. It was though the entire world had assembled and
was congraduating our accomplishments. When we finally reached the
temple, the bulls were sacrificed and General Gallicvs honored by the Senate
and the people of Roma. With a crown of golden leaves apon his head,
General Gallicvs honored the Senators.

https://img216.imageshack.us/img216/4145/scene09jzz9.jpg
(The Roman Forum)

Later, General Pavo Gallicvs gave a speach to the crowd. He publicly
condemned the confisation of land and the massive farms that now replaced
the Roman land-owning citizen. He declared that any man good enough to
serve in the Roman Legions should be granted lands for his effort. He also
said that those without land should be granted the ability to serve. Without
land-owning citizens, there were already problems forming the required
legions to defend areas such as Cappadocia, Syria, and Africa. Gallicvs
mentioned that, in Africa natives had raided supply lines and farms but their
was nobody to be conscripted to fight of the threat. General Pavo Gallicvs
finished by saying that it was the people who were Roma and that it was the
duty of the Roman Senate to care for those people. Though his speech
didn't seem to be unanimously welcomed, everyone cheered his finish. After
which, General Gallicvs backed up his words by handing out free bread, paid
for by him personally.

https://img215.imageshack.us/img215/8281/scene08jmm3.jpg

After the Truimph, the Seventh Legion was to disband, but General Pavo
came to us a few days later and made a request. He said that a son of one
of the Aedui nobles had gathered the survivors of the Gallic Wars and re-
established a capital in a Gallic city called Veldideno, north of Italia. General
Pavo Gallicvs had been given permission by the Senate to finish off this last
remnant of the Gauls, once and for all, and General Gallicvs wanted the
Seventh to lead that battle. He spoke of how great we had been in battle
and that we were the greatest legion in all of Rome, but I for some reason,
his speech about not being able to raise necessary armies came to mind. In
the end, Gallicvs made the promise that any man from the Seventh who
came with him to Noricvm would be given land grants in the Gallia as soon as
the city was secured.

So, I will be marching near Mediolanivm soon, but we will not stop this time.
Hopefully, next time I see you, I will be coming to take you all to our new
home and our own land. Take care of Mother and Honoria. If you do not
trust this man you speak of that has taken interest in Honoria, it is your duty
to do something about it, as man of the house. Though, it would be nice if
she could find a good husband, dispite her age.

Your Elder Brother,
Servivs Placidvs, 2nd Cohort, Hastati, Seventh Legion

https://img216.imageshack.us/img216/3888/gaul203lo6.png
(Western Roman Control after the fall of Gallia [203BC])

[Warmaster Horus]

Nice! Great update, as ever.