Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

[machinor]

Your Screenshots are absolutely EPIC!! Great AAR!!

[SwissBarbar]

Thank you very much

[I of the Storm]

Again, a great chapter!

[SwissBarbar]

Thanks for the kind words, guys

I hope to write the next chapter this evening or tomorrow

[johnhughthom]

Very well put together AAR, enjoying it so far SB.

[SwissBarbar]

Of savage tribes and glorious empires

Chapter 7 – Vae Victis!

In the year of 256 BC, Cathbe, wife of Belenos oi Lugos, gave birth to a healthy son. Her husband, unfortunately, could not realize this happy event, for he brought war and desperation upon the Roman Republic. After defeating the Romans in several bloody battles he laid siege on the city of Segesta, former capital of the Ligurian people, who settled down in Massalia, after the Romans dispersed them. But Rome’s time of expansion seemed to be at an end. Not only their northern territory was in acute danger. In the south of the Italian peninsula, the Epeirotes, who already controlled Kalabria, conquered the region Brettia and gained definitely a foothold in Italy now. Rome was surrounded by enemies.

The city of Segesta was governed by a man named Tiberivs Cornelivs Blasio the Elder. The Romans seemed to have no fantasy when it came to name people, because there were at least 3 men called that name at the same time. All of them have been born into another Gens, but have been adopted by the original Cornelivs Blasio, a mighty man in Roma. They all changed their names and named their sons after this certain one. One of them, Ti. Cornelivs Blasio the Younger was dead already, killed in battle against the Arverni. Now it was the time, to go after the Elder.

Segesta was badly defended, because all of its mighty army had been destroyed in the previous battles. The Roman governor only had about 7’000 men, mostly Celtic mercenaries, to face the battle-tested 23’000 men strong army of the Arverni.

Since he intended to fight many more battles, Belenos oi Lugos decided to spare the greatest part of his army and let them rest. To take the city he only sent his “Greeks”, his Graeco-Celtic soldiers from Massalia. They were the best armoured part of his force and therefore most qualified to charge a city. Supported by slingers, the Massalian soldiers advanced, pushing the rams.

It took not long to batter the wooden walls down.

The Massalians prepared for melee, but first threw their javelins towards the enemies to lighten their ranks and render their shields useless.

Three main streets led to the center of the city. On all three streets the Roman force had been pushed back by the superior Massalians. Knowing, that their entire army was watching them, the Massalians fought even more courageous as usual.

The Roman general fought bravely, but soon was surrounded by enemies.

He didn’t stand a chance, and died fighting.

Segesta was swiftly captured. Belenos triumphantly marched into the city.

490 of his warriors died, 390 were injured. Neither the Romans nor their Celtic allies have been spared. Over 7’000 men died at the hands of the Massalians.

Before winter arrived, Liguria was under Celtic control. Belenos intended to overwinter his army here and advance further next spring. Erbin, the adoptive son of his brother, was sent back to Massalia with 1’600 Leuce Epos as his bodyguards. He should gather the people of the Liguri, who settled there since they’ve been dispersed from their homeland, and lead them back to the lands that belonged to them.

Meanwhile Belenos repaired the wooden city walls of Segesta and prepared the city to be taken over by a Ligurian king. A king loyal to him, like the one in Bibracte, who recently finished the construction of larger granaries in order to support the Arverni’s army during hard winters.

In spring 255 BC everything was prepared for the arrival of the Ligurian people. Calpornos moc Viridovix, a young Ligurian, was chosen to be the new client king of Liguria. He had spent a lot of time in Bibracte, at court of the Haedui client ruler, and learned much from him. His bodyguard was composed of Italic cavalry, but his lands he would govern in good Celtic manner.

In spring 255 BC, Belenos and his army, enforced by new mercenary Celtic cavalry and Ligurian infantry, advanced further into Roman territory. They camped between Arretium and its harbour. Thereby the Arverni cut the Romani off from one of their most important ports. You see, Arretium was so important, because a great amount of the Roman trade with the Carthaginian islands Sardim and Korsim had been transacted trough its port.

Though insufficiently defended, Belenos decided not to take over Arretium. He aspired to more ambitious aims. The time had come to bring this war to an end. The time to remind the Romani why they used to fear the Celts. When summer ended, Belenos and his army crossed the river Tiberis and set foot on Latium.

Of course the Romans were not a long time coming. The Roman General Caivs Avrelivs Cotta immediately invoked an army of 15’000 men against the Arverni. It was the same Caivs Avrelivs Cotta, who lost the first battle against the Celts near Mediolanum. Since their southern legions were bound through the Epeirote danger, and their northern legions have been destroyed by the Arverni, a huge part of the Roman army was composed of Greek mercenaries.

Belenos let his army array in the good old Celtic manner - a massive main battle line. The Massalians formed the core again, while the tribes of the Treveri and Sequani took the right and the alpine mercenaries and Liguri covered the left flank. The naked warriors and the slingers stood in front and center.

At the first setout, the Romans made a mistake again. The Roman vanguard advanced too fast and dissociated itself too far from the main part of the army. Unhesitatingly Belenos sent his cavalry to skirmish.

The Greek mercenaries watched their comrades die, and hurried up.

But when the bulk of the Roman army arrived they could not withstand the boisterous Celtic charge for long. The Romans fled, only their Greek mercenaries heroically fought to the last breath. None survived.

It was the second time that Legatvs Cotta lost 15’000 men to the Celts, and for the second time he was among the few who could escape. The rest of his army had been killed in battle or captured. The Celts lost about 1’200 men, another 500 were injured.

Belenos had not much time to rest, for another army approached. Autumn already was over, but in Italy the winters were soft, so the Romans did not hesitate to attack again. Meanwhile the Celts were very close to Roma itself, so the garrison of Rome decided to join the nearing Roman force, led by – you guessed – Tiberivs Cornelivs Blasio “the even Younger”.

The army that deployed in front of the Celts consisted of 10’500 Hellenic and Rhaetic mercenaries. The Rhaetii still seemed to rather fight their own kind than the Romans. From Roma itself 9’900 soldiers joined the battle.

The core of the Roman force was composed of Makedonian Phalangitai, a kind of soldier the Arverni never fought so far. This forest of spears was quite impressive, especially if you had never seen that before.

This time, the Romans did not make the mistake to split their force. They unified their armies and waited upon a hill for the Celts to attack.

The Makedonian Phalagites still were the non-plus-ultra among all kinds of infantry, especially against decent armoured foes, defending downhill and combined with more mobile, but still heavy Roman infantry. The Celts had to come up with something if they wanted to win this battle.

Soon it was clear, that the Celts could not just run up the hill without suffering great loss. Since the Roman force clearly was better equipped, the Arverni realised, that they had to come with a completely new trick. Psychological warfare. The Belgae and the British tribes were known for their blue body painting, which not only had religious purposes, but also scared any enemy. Now in this situation, the Arverni had to come up with something even more terrifying. If you do not have steady nerves, you better skip this chapter.

Belenos held a speech again, for he was a great speaker and knew how to motivate his men. He urged his men not to spare a single enemy, and to proceed as cruel and fearsome they could imagine. From the last battle, many Roman bodies laid on the ground, so the Celts showered their clothes and armour with their blood and even painted their faces with it. Thousands of Roman heads have been speared and utilized as battle standards. When they approached towards the Romans, they stopped just beyond reach of the enemy’s javelins, and started to clamour their war cries, but in a deeper voice as usual. Captured Romans were sacrificed to the war god Teutates in plain view of the enemy and some of the naked warriors at the very front even went so far and ostentatiously roasted and ate an enemy soldier they've captured. Even some of the Celts started to feel sick when they saw that. Then the Celts started to move in a hypnotising cadence and behaved like maniacs. At a sign from Belenos they attacked.

It must have been looked like an army of daemons charged up the hill. The enemy trembled, and when the Arverni threw their javelins, which they had greased with their enemies body fat, not many Roman stood his ground.

When the first routed they started a chain reaction. The Greeks and Romans fled all and sundry. As ordered, the Celts did not spare one of them. Three hours of mass slaughtering caused the death of almost 20’000 foes. The Celts lost 1’100 men and 610 have been injured. A great victory. But many men would never be the very same again. Even years after this battle, men would sit around camp fires and tell cruel stories of Celtic warriors, bludgeoning Roman soldiers to death not with weapons, but disembodied arms and legs of their enemies.

In spring 254 BC Belenos oi Lugos laid siege to the city of Roma.

His brothers adoptive son, Erbin, who had followed him after he resettled the Liguri, reached the river Tiberis. He was attacked by a small force of an Italic tribe, but could defeat them easily. This was the first battle he commanded.

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Of course war was not the only thing the Arverni did these years. Mynne, a daughter of the family reached her thirteenth year of age and got married to a splendid fellow named Riankiadoc moc Drappes. Only a few decades ago, it would have been unimaginable for a daughter of the Arverni to marry a Haedui, but now this was possible.

Arverni merchants and diplomats travelled Illyria and Greece, even reached Asia Minor. With that the Arverni’s knowledge of the world and its peoples vastly grew. They discovered that Epeiros captured a great part of Illyria. It looked, like they fled from the Koinon Hellenon, who had gained control over Hellas and defeated the Makedonians. Only Aitolia and Dardanoia were still under Makedonian control.

When the Arverni set foot on Mikra Asia, they met the expanding people of Pontos, who was in constant war with the mighty Arche Seleukeia. Pontos even laid siege to Byzantion and tried to settle down in Europe, but by doing that, they got into conflict with the Koinon Hellenon, who also reached for Chersonesos Thraikia. The Arverni diplomats could establish several commercial relations to the Hellenic peoples, and returned with great treasures.

The brilliance of these treasures could be outshined only by the glory of Belenos oi Lugos, for in summer 254 BC he took the now weakly defended city of Roma.

No pardon was given. Beleons oi Lugos let his men sack and plunder the city, and enslaved and murdered far over 150’000 men, women and children. No one ever brought such desperation over the Roman Republic!

The Romans, who recently offered the Arverni to draw back and become a protectorate now kneeled down in the presence of their personalised nightmare, and begged pardon. Belenos forced them to pay tribute and become a protectorate of the Arverni. Furthermore they had to cede Aemilia and its capital city Bononia to the Arverni and Venetia to the Principality of Mediolanum.

Additionally, to secure his new lands, he sent Erbin moc Custennyn northwards, made him governor of Bononia and protector of the borderline to the Roman Republic. It took only a few months, and Erbin had finished the safeguard. Over 26’000 Samnites, Bruttians, Leukanoi and Campanian cavalrymen would not allow the Romani to invade Arverni territory ever again.

Through his great victory over Roma, Belenos oi Lugos not only got incredibly wealthy, he also would be known forever as the one, who followed in the footsteps of Brennos, who had conquered Roma over one hundred years ago, and succeeded.

Belenos oi Lugos felt very proud. This war would be known as one of the most cruel ever. Through these years about 100'000 soldiers of the Romani and their allies, and over 150'000 civilians have been killed, sacrificed or enslaved. The Arverni lost 15'000 men and another 10'000 have been crippled. But if someone thought, now that Belenos was mighty and rich he would retire, would soon be proved wrong, for Belenos already had found another purpose. Those treacherous alpine tribes, who fought their own kind instead of helping them defeating the Roman barbarians aroused his anger. Belenos swore he would bring them to account soon, and left Roma with his army, heading north.

Just before Roma disappeared over the horizon, he turned around, took one last look at wads of smoke coming from the city and thought of the epic words his great ancestor Brennos shouted to the Romans, when he had defeated them. - "Vae Victis!"

Known territory in 253 BC

[Olaf Blackeyes]

WOOT!!!!!!! Go Averni!! BREAK THOSE !@#!@#!!!!

[Mjolnir]

Epic.

[SwissBarbar]

Thank you :-)

@ Olaf: I thought of keeping Roma and exterminate them, but I didn't want to withhold the joy from you of seeing them being defeated again

[HunGeneral]

Now thats what I call Rome on fire...
Keep going, your doing great

[I of the Storm]

Very nice!

[Potocello]

woooo man, this is one great AAR Swiss. i'm really liking the battle screenshots, keep up the good work

[SwissBarbar]

Of savage tribes and glorious empires

Chapter 8 – Through Snow And Ice

“Hail to the victor!” the Arverni rejoiced, when Belenos rode by. His soldiers worshiped him. Him, to whom the Roman barbarians bowed. Him, who brought wealth to his countrymen. Him, the one who could defy the gods. They worshiped him, as if he was the son of Teutates himself. Belenos smiled. He was very content with the denouement of the campaign he conducted against the Romani. With the tribute they had to pay, he could guarantee the upkeep of his Italic armies and extend his southern cities.

Now that he subjugated the Romans, he intended to go north and punish the Rhaetii, who fought on Roman side against him. To him it was perfectly clear, that this won’t be easy, for the Rhaetii lived in the Alps, protected by mountains and cruel snowstorms. So he hired guides, who knew the hidden paths through these mountains.

Rhaetic Appea Gaedotos

In spring 252 BC he set forth for Rhaetia with his army. The about 5’000 mercenaries he had hired in Italy went home, they were not made for the rough mountains.

While Belenos crossed the Alps, his brothers and client kings managed their lands very well. They built taverns and roads in order to boost economy and people’s contentedness. The people of the Aulerci even extended their capital and also the new gained city of Bononia, governed by Erbin moc Custennyn, already had to be expanded, mainly because the mercenaries, who fought bravely in Belenos’ army, were allowed to settle down in this region.

Back in the mountains, things didn’t work too well for Belenos. His guides turned out to be traitors and led him wrong. Decapitating unfortunately did not bring back the lost time. Well, he did it anyhow, but it was too late, and so it happened, that the onset of winter ran across the Arverni at full tilt, just before they reached the capital of the Rhaetii.

Though the Arverni surrounded the city, they could not construct any siege engine during the winter. Hunting deer was barely an option, for not many beasts lived here, and the poor harvest had been brought in by the Rhaetii long before winter came. The lack of food generally was the reason why the Rhaetii fought as mercenaries in foreign armies. Not only the absent warriors had not to be fed by their people, but also they made money and were able to buy food for their families. The Arverni hungered.

When spring came their situations enhanced. The mountain passes opened and food could be acquired. In early summer the Arverni had built their rams and started to attack the city of Veldideno, capital of the Rhaetii and home of their king, Catavignos. The Rhaetii could field a quite strong army of about 14’500 warriors, mostly composed of Kluddacorii, Appea Gaedotos and Tekastos. From the almost 20’000 men Belenos brought with him, 5’000 did not survive the winter. Espeacially the Massalians suffered very much, and his naked spearmen did not fight naked anymore and joined the ranks of his Lugoae.

Arverni Lugoae

Both generals were very skilled warriors. Through this situation, the imminent battle promised to become a very tough fight.

The Arverni waited for the weather to play along.

Then they arrayed for battle. The city could only be attacked from one side and was surrounded by deep precipices on three sides.

As always, Belenos sent forth his “Greeks” to batter down the gates, but this time supported by heavy Celtic infantry, for not many Massalians had survived the winter. Nonetheless they fought like wolfs and proved to be worth their pay.

Even the Massalian officers fought in front and center. Celtic blood ran trough their veins, and they knew that exemplary heroism was expected from every leader in Celtic armies.

Encouraged by their brave officers, the Arverni repulsed the Rhaetii back to the center of the town and defeated their army. The king of the Rhaetii hid in his High Kings Hold and fortified. Belenos oi Lugos rode to the gates of this Hold and called on him to surrender.

He didn’t. So Belenos battered down the Hold’s gates with his own hands. Another story his people would tell and make songs about, long after his death.

After a short struggle, Catavignos had been captured and killed.

The Rhaetic army was destroyed and victory belonged to the Arverni again. As expected, also the Arverni suffered from a lot of casualties. 2’500 brave men died and another 2’000 have been injured or crippled.

The Rhaetii now were subject to the Arverni. Their lands were barren, but still far from worthless. Many precious metals and other kinds of mineral deposits could be produced here. For the first time, the Arverni profited from mining, a handicraft other Celtic tribes exercised with great success.

The Rhaetii had been turned into an aristocratically governed tribe, controlled by Arverni nobles, not by any foreign client king, who could feel too save in the mountains and declare independence agian.

Stimulated by the new wealth coming from the Alps, the Arverni rapidly enhanced cities, trade and culture all over their lands. Their merchants traveled Greece more and more, increased trade with the Hellenic peoples and exchanged map information. When Pontos, already a good trading partner of the Arverni, started to conquer a great part of Mikra Asia, they increased trade with the Arverni as well and brought even more wealth to the Celtic tribes in Gallia.

In summer 250 BC Belenos oi Lugos, conquerer of the Romani and successor of Brennos, set foot on Arverni homeland again and returned to the city of Viennos, which he once used to govern for decades before we went to war. He disbanded his army and let his men go home. Oh, his people did celebrate his return and worshiped him. But Belenos just wanted to see his family. At the age of fifty-one, for the first and foremost time he saw his son, Cunobelin oi Lugos, who already was six years old.

Belenos oi Lugos had reached the height of his power. During the last years he had achieved more than anyone would ever have dreamed of. The Arverni were more powerful than ever before and prospered. This was the time, when he decided to retire from his active military service and let younger men lead the Arverni’s armies to glory. Belenos still remained the patriarch of his people, but since all his brothers were even older than him, he committed the authority over the Arverni’s main army to Ivomagos d’Aler, another adoptive son of one of his brothers. Since Belenos allowed his warriors, who fought and bled for him for over six years, to go home, Ivomagos now was told to muster a new main army. Furthermore, a younger adoptive son of the same brother, named Riankiadoc moc Drappes, had to serve in the army just like any other young Arverni nobleman, for this was irrevocably Arverni law.

As a gift, Belenos’ conferred the services of his Druidic Surgeon and his Herbalist to Ivomagos. After the ceremonials in honour of Belenos’ return, Ivomagos immediately set off for the lands of the Aulerci, where he intended to gather his new army.

Now the fate of the Arverni was in the hands of this young man, who already made plans of what to do with his new power….

Known territory in 250 BC

[SwissBarbar]

Thanks for the kind words, I hope you guys enjoy the new chapter, which turned out a little shorter that the previous ones.

[Olaf Blackeyes]

[Mjolnir]

Looking forward to seeing what these "plans" are.

[I of the Storm]

Very good. Looking forward.

[machinor]

Awesome! I don't know how you do it, but your battle screenshots are absolutely fantastic. Truly epic as it befits a tale of such glorious campaigns. Can't wait for more.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

I just read the whole AAR. Great job! Nice roleplaying in there.

[SwissBarbar]

Thank you very much, especially for some of you are very great AAR-writers and have inspired me to do this

[Potocello]

next chapter please

[SwissBarbar]

It might require some time, because this weekend I celebrate my birthday maybe i'll make it monday

[SwissBarbar]

Of savage tribes and glorious empires

Chapter 9 – About Brewing Treason And Being Betrayed

“Where the hell is he?”, Belenos oi Lugos thought. Five hours have elapsed, and still there was no sign of Ivomagos d’Aler and his troops. Belenos sighed. It’s not been a year since he retired, and already he was on a military expedition again. How gladly had he spent his evening of live with his wife and his children in Viennos. Belenos was tired of war. Almost every night he had nightmares about the cruelties he was witness of in the great war against the Roman Republic.

A scout arrived and reported, that there were no news of Ivomagos d’Aler and his army. Belenos paced up and down. His army set up its camp near the forest at the eastern borderline of Lugonesis. 14’000 men he had gathered.
“Damn it!”, he swore.
One of his officers, and old friend of Belenos, tried to calm him. “Belenos, I’m sure they’re not far away, they will join us soon”.
“Soon may be too late, my friend.”, Belenos answered.
“Ah, you know the rumours about this army of at least 10’000 men, that pillage our border. I’m sure this number is exaggerated. And even if they have 10’000 men, we’d still outnumber them.”
“Yes, maybe you’re right.” Belenos still looked very sorrowful. “I still have a bad feeling. I can’t help it.”
Belenos went to the edge of his camp and gazed into the mist.
“Bloody fog!”, he mumbled.

Nothing was out there. But then one of his soldiers shouted “Look!”. On that little hill in front of them, vague forms took shape. First it was one man, then more and more showed up. Belenos peered. “Yes, this must be Ivomagos and his army.” His officer and friend appeared close beside him and also stared into the mist. “Wait a minute….”, he said.

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At this point of our tale, it’s about time, that we took a look at the Arverni’s most powerful family and try to understand the complicated family relations. The famous high king of old, Aneirin oi Lugos, who had defeated the Haedui and Aulerci and led the Arverni to true power, had three sons. The eldest was Adcobrovatos oi Lugos, the next son was called Amminos oi Lugos and the youngest son’s name was Belenos oi Lugos.

When Aneirin died, the Arverni elected Belenos oi Lugos to be their new high king. He widely expanded the Arverni’s sphere of influence and fought wars even at high age. Belenos, conqueror of Massalia, defeater of Rome and avenger of the Rhaetii’s treason, had two children. His daughter Boudecea was 14 years old and soon would be old enough to get married. His son, Cunobelin, was 7 years old and it’s only one year ago, that Belenos had seen his son for the first time in his life.

The eldest son of Aneirin, Adcobrovatos oi Lugos, never had a son, his only child was female. So he adopted 2 young men many years ago. One of them was Ivomagos d’Aler.

Ivomagos d’Aler was given governorship over the city of Cenabum, and with that over the lands of Mrogaule and the tribe of the Aulerci. Ivomagos was a very healthy and strong man, unflagging in his duties as governor. He had a good sense of just decisions and was a fair ruler. His people liked him, though he felt no pleasure in idle conversation and not often celebrated festivals. To his eyes this was a waste of money. It’s not like he never had a drink, sometimes he sat together with other noblemen or even his soldiers and drank a glass of good wine or mulled mead with them. But no one could ever pride himself of having seen Ivomagos being drunk. Ivomagos was a fervent worshipper of Sucellos, tutelary god of the Aulerci, and was sure that also he was loved by the god, who he honoured at every occasion. If he made a festival, one could be sure it was to honour this god. In his young years he started with druidic training in basic medicine, battlefield tactics, poetry and speech. A group of healers always was with him, even when he went to war. One must understand, that Celtic education very much was different to Roman or Hellenic education. They had no schools, where they spent a few years and learned the most important matters. If a Celtic man was given the honour to obtain druidic education, he was expected to spend at least the next 20 years with daily training and to form his live according to the teachings he enjoyed.

Ivomagos was married to Keyne, a very wise woman, who was five years older than him. Due to his intellectually stimulating and religiously coloured lifestyle, he would’ve never married a less intelligent woman. They had a three year old son, called Epasnactos d’Aler. The other son adopted by Adcobrovatos was Erbin moc Custennyn, 33 years old, who had accompanied Belenos oi Lugos on his campaign against the Roman Republic, organized the resettlement of the Liguri in their homeland, became governor of Bononia and was entrusted with the protection of the border to Rome.


As mentioned, Adcobrovatos had one seventeen year old daughter, who got married to one 31 year old man called Riankiadoc moc Drappes. After this marriage, he and Ivomagos soon realized, that they got along swimmingly and developed a brotherly relationship. When Ivomagos was entrusted with the governorship over Cenabum, Riankiadoc joined him there and acted as his advisor and second in command in military matters.

Also he was a man grown and quite skilled governor, unflagging in his duties as advisor. Soon Ivomagos entrusted him with all matters concerning trade and commerce. On Riankiadoc’s advice the Arverni sent merchants to Greece and established trade with the Hellenes and Pontos, who returned with great treasure. Riankiadoc became a very experienced trader. He was a businessman and could be pride of his huge knowledge of trade and finance. Though his merchants brought wealth and luxury upon his people, he never enjoyed such things. All times he behaved in correct fashion and insisted on doing things right rather than convenient.

When it came to fight, he also had a different face. Riankiadoc not only was an example of bravery others could follow, but also a very skilled warrior who enjoyed spilling blood and conducted himself with a hint of joy when fighting in combat.


These two men governed the land of Mrogaule, which was well known for his fertility and it’s coasts were famous for being rich in fish. This lands were populated by the tribe of the Aulerci, who became subject to the Arverni at the end of the Gallic war. Capital city of these lands and home to Ivomagos, Riankiadoc and their families, was the city of Cenabum, which was protected by a great city wall.

The heart of this city was the great market, where the merchants sold fish, corn and luxury from Greece and Italy. This Dauerdanoch was built under ward of Riankiadoc himself.

Since both governors lived modestly and not often made great festivals, they encouraged the construction of a Tavern, where the inhabitants of Cenabum could celebrate on their own.

For Ivomagos the most important place was the temple of Sucellos. This god, who created the world (yes, it was not a goddess like some other foolish Celts believed), was the tutelary god of the Aulerci. His symbols were the cup and the hammer, like in the Arvernis’ royal banner and he was the god of creation, fertility, law and strength.

The armoury was the place, where the soldiers of this city were trained and armed with spears, some swords and even light armour. Heavier equipment had still to be imported from other cities like Bibracte or Gergovia, where specialised blacksmiths pursued their business.

Far away from the city, at the seacoast, the Aulerci managed a great port, where not only many fishermen started their daily work from, but also was the only harbour that allowed the Arverni to enable trading routs to the British tribes.

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In the year of 250 BC, Belenos oi Lugos returned with glory from his campaign against the Roman Republic and the alpine tribe of the Rhaetii. His famousness among his people was beyond good and evil. He was worshipped like a god. This was the time, when he decided to retire and dedicate his twilight years with his family, which he had not seen one single time in the past six years. Though he still was high king and patriarch of the Arverni, he entrusted Ivomagos d’Aler with the high command over the Arverni military forces and instructed him to recruit a new main army, since Belenos had sent his veterans home, when he returned.

Ivomagos was very loyal to the Arverni, but was not content with Belenos oi Lugos as king. He took the view, that his adoptive father, the eldest son of the Aneirin, king of old, should have become the new king when Aneirin died. Belenos was old, but he had a son, who could claim the throne when he was older, so Ivomagos decided to topple Belenos oi Lugos and become king himself. The years Belenos was at war, he spent with enabling secret diplomatic relations to the Principality of Mediolanum. He could make them believe, that though Belenos helped them to master the Roman threat and gave them governorship over Patavium, he only intended to keep them satisfied until he was free of any other obligations and could subjugate them once and for all.

After years of talking and plotting, Mediolanum agreed to help Ivomagos to assume power. In return, he promised them to cancel the tribute they had to pay and treat them like equals. Since the trading routs to Greece and the tribute from Rome brought that much wealth to the Arverni, they easily could afford to lose the tribute from Mediolanum. In the year of 249 BC an army from Mediolanum, camouflaged as bandits, plundered the eastern border of the land of the Segusiavi, in whose capital city Belenos lived.

Belenos immediately sent word to Ivomagos, who should join him with the new main army he recruited. He gathered 14’000 men from Viennos itself and immediately set forth for the eastern border, where according to Ivomagos spies a foreign Celtic army of 10’000 scavengers and marauders plundered the small villages.

Belenos pitched his camp near a forest and waited for Ivomagos to join his army. He already was late and no foreign army has been detected. Belenos felt, that something was wrong. After a few hours a group of men loomed on the horizon. Belenos thought it was Ivomagos and sighed. But then, in the forest behind him he heard a rustle. His officer, who gazed the horizon, said “Wait a minute…”, but fell down pierced by a spear, before he could finish his sentence.

Mediolanian Gaesatae

In the forest behind the Arverni about 6’000 naked warriors broke cover and rushed forward with earsplitting war cries. Belenos realized, that those man on the hill there, were not Ivomagos’ men, but an enemy army of almost 25’000 men, and that hey were not just mere plunderers but heavily armed and well trained warriors. Surprised and terrified by those horrible Gaesatae, many Arverni started to rout. Many have been killed without having defended themselves.

The heavy Solduros and his loyal Greeks formed a circle around Belenos and tried to protect him from the enemy’s heavy cavalry that charged.

But they were too few and lost overview in the fray. Belenos fought like a wolf, though he was quite old, and killed many enemies. But in the end he had no chance and got killed.

When he fell, the rest of his army seeked refuge in flight. Many got slaughtered.

When the dust from this battle was gone, 12’000 Arverni lay dead on the ground.

Belenos oi Lugos, favourite of Teutates, the god of war, was dead. The shock for the Arverni could not have been greater. Ivomagos, who pretended to be shocked too, mourned with his people. “Oh, why couldn’t I get there in time” he always said. Of course he had lingered deliberately. Immediately Ivomagos made himself king. In this desperate time there was no time for elections, he said. And since he was the one Belenos gave command over the army, no one doubted, that Ivomagos could be the right man to destroy those filthy rebels who had killed their king.

Ivomagos immediately returned to Cenabum and declared the city to be the new capital. This is, where he founded the first Great Gallic Council. With that, he tried to improve relationship between the different tribes in his kingdom, so he would be greatly supported by all tribes.

This was very important, for he couldn’t kill Belenos’ young son, until all tribes accepted him to be their new king, though he was not elected. And another problem occurred. Belenos’ young daughter got married to a young man called Calpornos moc Ollovico, who was a very watchful man and who would protect the younger brother of his wife.

But before Ivomagos could plan the death of his opponents, something happened that he had not foreseen. The Principality of Mediolanum started to carry out its own plans. For years they had planned to take over power in Gallia and raised good relationships to many Celtic tribes. Now that, even with the help of another Arverni, the most famous and powerful king the Arverni ever had, was dead, the time had come to go to war and challenge destiny.

Under the leadership of Mediolanum, the Celtic tribe of the Veneti in Armoriae, who descended from the Veneti that populated the region of Venetia in Italy, that was governed by Mediolanum, also declared war on the Arverni. Not long after that the tribes of the Pictones, Bituriges, Volcae-Arecomici and even the Aquitanian tribe of the Tarbelli joined the cause of Mediolanum. Attracted by the promise of getting more land further away from the Sweboz, the Belgian tribes of the Nerves and Bellovaces also declared themselves members of the League of Mediolanum.

Overview over the different tribes

Only the Helveti, who had good relationships to the Arverni, and the Belgian tribe of the Eubrones, who had good relations to their former superiors, the Treveri, did not join Mediolanum.

This time, Ivomagos really was shocked. Not only had he lost over 12’000 men in the battle Belenos died, he also just wasn’t prepared to defend all the borderlines to all tribes. Immediately he sent word to his brother, Erbin moc Custennyn, who governed Bononia. His city was the nearest to Mediolanum, and was at great danger. Though he commanded 26’000 warriors of the Italian Samnites, Bruttians, Leukanoi and Campanians, he needed them to protect the border to the Roman Republic. Especially now he could not afford them to join Mediolanum and try to free themselves. So Erbin and also the Ligurians immediately had to muster new soldiers.

Now, war was unavoidable.

Known territory in 246 BC

[machinor]

Very dramatic. Can't wait for this to continue.

[HunGeneral]

Wow. I didn't see that coming.

Now it's really becoming interresting - If the usurper wins the true heir will be in trouble, If he looses then all the Arverni are in trouble...

Great Dramatic effect

[Tyrfingr]

This AAR is going for the same EPIC level as MarcusAureliusAntoninus' AAR...great read!

[SwissBarbar]

thank you very much, especially the comparison with MAA is an honour, since I'm a passionate admirer of his AAR, which - in my opinion - is beyond compare.

[Mjolnir]

The plot thickens.

[I of the Storm]

Amazing! *bites his nails*

[Chirurgeon]

Truly incredible. Civil war is always nasty. I took an hour this morning and just read the whole thing. Excellent job!