decemviri sacris faciundis: A Romani AAR

[johnhughthom]

Rome 272 BC.

The storms had lasted for three weeks with no let up in ferocity before the decision was taken to consult the Sibylline Books. Surely the Gods were angry, there was no other sensible reason for such violent weather lasting for such a long time. The ten men who were to decipher the cryptic messages of the Cumaean Sibyl gathered together, to discover how they could help Rome through this period of supernatural disturbance...


Agrippa Furius Fusus looked coldly at his colleagues, they were supposedly his equals. All former Consuls like him, most were also former Censors, again like him. He knew they all feared him though. His was a reputation for brutality, for getting his will done whatever the consequences. Not a vocal man, no that attracted attention, his methods were quiet. The tales of his deeds were only ever whispered, never spoken aloud, even to a close friend. He took every opportunity to appear gregarious, even generous in public, to the general populace he was a wise and loyal man. To his fellow Senators however, he was a dangerous shadow, his deeds never showy or obvious. He would not have a rival publicly murdered, somehow his enemies met "natural" ends. When in office he gave those who had opposed him seemingly generous positions, yet problems always appeared in just those positions, bribery, corruption, scandal uncovered by Fusus. And punished by Fusus. With the support of the people, and usually the Senate had to go along so as not to appear jealous. Or attract his enmity.
When a position arose on the decemviri sacris faciundis, the Senate thought they had found the perfect place for him. A "reward" for all his loyal service, despite him not even being fifty and apparently having plenty left to offer. The decemviri sacris faciundis consulted the Sibylline Books in time of great crisis and used her knowledge to decide how to avert said crisis. He would be one of ten on the Council, ten of the most respected men in Rome. The best thing was, men who were part of the group were expected to take no other public office and it was a position for life. To turn the role down would be to insult Rome itself. To the public Fusus was a religious man, always seen at prayer in the cities temples, the Senate knew him to be totally godless. Indeed on more than one occasion he had been heard to challenge Jupiter to strike him where he stood if he was indeed "the best and greatest". His new position would require him to become a priest of Apollo and many Senators found that highly amusing.
The books were very rarely consulted, Rome had not often been in trouble grave enough to consider it necessary. Even the invasion of Pyrrhos had not been seen as an event to warrant consultation. Now the Greek was gone, Rome was secure. Surely there would be no need to consult the books, even if there was there were nine others who had been in the position longer. No, he had been neutered. Rome was safe from the tyranny of Agrippa Furius Fusus.

The temple of Jupiter, The Capitoline Hill. Rome.

Fusus looked at the old man, his gaze level and cold.
"The book is old, it should be handled with care. Only one of us need read it."
"But we are all entrusted with it's care, we should..."
"Indeed," Fusus interrupted. "We are entrusted with it's care, how old is it? Hmmm? Nearly as old as you Pansa. And you want us all to handle it, all these liverspotted hands pawing over it? NO! This is too important. One of use will read the oracle's words." He smiled at this point. "Of course we will all share our thoughts on how it should be interpreted. Believe me, I have no wish to dictate how we interpret her words, you are all older and wiser than I."
The other men looked at each other, all were much older than Fusus. All had served Rome in their youth and simply wanted to get as many more years of life as they could. Making an enemy of Fusus was not a good way to go about that. They all nodded, and Fusus knew he had won.
"Good, I will go now to read the oracle's writings."

Later that day.

"The message is clear, we have angered the Gods through our weakness. The cities of southern Italy need to be under Roman control before this year ends if we are to appease the pitiless masters of our destiny. We will go now to make the announcement."
He stood in place a moment, waiting for a challenge from the nine men sat before him. They looked at one another, knowing that silence would give Fusus total control of the message of the Sibyl, yet none had the courage to speak out.
Fusus shook his head at their cowardice and left the temple with a smile, followed by the others. They would make the declaration to the Senate first. And he would relish the moment.

[Maion Maroneios]

You know what I'm going to say...

Maion

[Hax]

Easy there, Maion.

Quick guys, get me some sedatives here!


Good luck with your AAR. I'd steer clear of Makedonia, though.

[Reno Melitensis]

Let the Macedonians come, we are the sons of Mars, we eat phalanxes at breakfast, lunch and supper.

Cheers.

[Maion Maroneios]

Relax dudes. I'd say good luck with his AAR...

Sheesh...

Sincerely, good luck

Maion

[johnhughthom]

The Senate, Rome. 272 BC

"So, there we have it my friends. If we wish the Gods to free us from this unnatural weather, we need to free southern Italy from the Hellenic yoke."
"In one year? That is impossible!" One venerable Senatore exclaimed.
"Perhaps if it was the will of man it would be impossible. It is not the will of man, it is the will of the Gods as told by the Sibyl. Or do you deny the power of the Sibyl?" Fusus challenged the respected old Senator. "Or the Gods?" he added quietly.
The Senator sat down, unwilling to argue against the words of the Sibyl. A number of Senators looked at each other in dismay. They had appointed Fusus to help interpret the Sibyl, they couldn't turn around and call him a liar a bare three months later. They looked at the other nine men, silently beseeching them to speak out against Fusus.
Manius Curius Dentatus stood to address the Senate. "Well then, we have a decision to make. Do we follow the advice of the Sibyl, and who will lead this attack?"
"Oh, sorry did I not make that clear? The task is to be achieved by the most respected man in Rome. It is not our place to decide on who that is however, we leave that up to the Senate." Fusus replied.
Every head turned to look at Manius Curius Dentatus, he was surely the most respected man in Rome. He was sixty five year olds however, too old to lead an army. The Sibyl's decree would have to be followed however.
"I suppose I had best hurry then."

[Reality=Chaos]

Interesting stuff... i will be following this AAR

[Mithradates I]

I too am following this with interest.

[MerlinusCDXX]

Very nice. I don't usually go for Romani AARs, but this one has grabbed my attention. Will be following.

[Alsatia]

Beautiuful AAR. I want more.

[johnhughthom]

Rome, Late 272 BC.

Agrippa Furius Fusus was pleased with himself, Rome's armies had conquered the Greeks in Tarentum and punished the traitors in Rhegium. The Senate had claimed it was an impossible task to complete in one year, indeed without Manius Curius Denatus' resolve the expedition may not have taken place such was the turmoil within Rome. Still they went south, a minor rebellion by the Samnites had the misfortune to coincide with the legions arrival in Samnium, it was crushed without mercy, giving the troops valuable experience and firmly putting the region under Roman control.

Dentatus did not arrive in Kalabria unprepared, spies had been sent into Tarentum in advance and bribes spread across the Greek citizens not loyal to Pyrrhos. The Kalabrian cities on Dentatus' route to Tarentum surrendered one by one without a fight but the city on the heel of Italia would have to be pacified to ensure Roman dominance. The assault on the city was a brutal slaughter, every gate was flung open on Dentatus' signal (flaming arrows sent over the city walls) and the legions moved in to eliminate the Epirote presence. The defenders couldn't put up a coherent defence due to their shock and confusion at the betrayal, the Romans (using maps smuggled out by spies) moved toward the cities agora from differing directions, wiping out all defenders in their path. Finally the Epirote citizens present, fighting as a phalanx, were surrounded in the agora and attacked from all directions. Not one man loyal to Pyrrhos was left alive, the Greek who had taken the biggest bribe was given another and named a "friend of the Senate and people of Rome" before being given control of the city. He was left in no doubt who really controlled the cities destiny, and the streets he was left to clean up were his warning of what would happen if he tried to show too much "initiative".

Dentatus barely spent a day in the city, his army was joyous, the easy victory had lifted each man's spirits and they were eager to punish some rebels. The day that news reached Rome of the victory was the first bright sunny day of the year (the messenger had actually arrived a few days before, Fusus secretly had him "detained" for a few days) and the city was overjowed. Dentatus would not have been pleased had he been in the city though, the credit for the victory went to Fusus for his daring interpretation of the Sibyl's words.

Ignorant of the opinions back in Rome Dentatus marched quickly to Rhegium, held by Romans who had followed the lead of the Mamertines in Sicily and seized a city for themselve. A city Rome had sent them to defend. Tarentum had been business, Rhegium was personal. Each and every Roman felt they had been shamed by the men's actions and wanted to put it right. And to punish those who had brought shame on Rome.

The attack was almost a carbon copy of that on Tarentum, spies sent earlier in the year had managed to bribe local Greeks and the gates were thrown open in tandem. The army marched in, and the slaughter began. This time however the men had been given orders to try to keep as many alive as possible, Dentatus wanted to take them back to Rome for a little "exhibition" he had planned. Victory was secured comfortably and the enemy captives made ready to march back to Rome. A local Greek was given command, no bribe was needed as the citizens seemed genuinely pleased to be under Roman "protection", seemingly they feared Punic interest in their city.

Fusus interpretation of the oracle had proved accurate, Rome won victories nobody had thought possible in record time. All of civilized Italia was under their control. And the weather had been nice for the last few months.

Fusus was not the happy man he should be though. Rome adored him for his wisdom, but there was no way to reward him, he was barred from holding another office and to relinquish his position would have ended the regard he was held in instantly. Perhaps there was another way, perhaps the role of the decemviri sacris faciundis could be altered slightly...

[johnhughthom]

Rome, early 270 BC.

As Agrippa Furius Fusus lay on his deathbed he wondered if he had been wrong about the gods, surely they must exist and would be revelling in his imminent premature death. Which one would he pray to in order to save his soul? Not Jupiter, no he had mocked him far too often for that and now he saw what he had missed before. The Gods were timeless, a few years here and there were nothing to them so Jupiter hadn't struck him down when challenged. No he laughed to himself and waited, knowing there would come a time when Fusus would need help and that would be much sweeter than simply killing him from afar. Revenge was indeed a dish best served cold. Apollo would be even less likely to answer his prayers, after all Fusus had used a position as Priest of Apollo to further his own selfish ends. Praying to any other God would be fruitless, Jupiter and Apollo would see him to Hades. He was damned, in the moment of his triumph he realised his folly, but had no way to undo it.

A few hours later he was dead.

Less than two years earlier, following the glorious success of the expedition to secure southern Italy, Fusus was the toast of Rome. Dentatus came home, expecting the finest Triumph in history but was refused. The real honour should be given to Fusus the people demanded, he was the visionary,the clarity of his reading of the Sibyl's words had won Rome glory. Dentatus retired to his small home and died a few months later. A number of other men died that year, the Pontifex Maximus and four member of the decemviri sacris faciundis. None of these men were killed by Fusus, but he made no delay in planning to profit from their deaths. Both Consuls for the coming year were clients of Fusus, he had helped both men make it in the cut-throat world of Roman politics. Like most of his dealings it had been done in private, neither man knew the other was indebted to Fusus, never mind the rest of the Senate. A grand plan was concoted by Fusus to give him control of Rome, both men would be used to bring it to fruition and neither would know it had all been his plan. Rome would vote him in as a virtual tyrant, yet be unaware it was doing so.

One Consul brought forward plans for a new post within the decemviri sacris faciundis, he was to be called the "book-keeper". A suitably low-key name. He was simply to be another member of the order, his voice would have no more say than anothers. He would however have the honour of selecting new members of the order.

Another law stated the decemviri sacris faciundis could approach a congress of the people to ask them to vote on whether the Sibyl's words should be read in time of trouble for Rome.

The other Consul brought forward a motion that members of the decemviri sacris faciundis be allowed to hold other posts, and no longer were to be part of the priesthood of Apollo. They had showed vision and leadership, that needed to be at Romes disposal in other capacities.

With the death of the Pontifex Maximus, and the movement of the order away from Apollo, it was proposed the Ponifex Maximus also be appointed from within the order. The decemviri sacris faciundis would choose the man to take the post themselves.

Taken together these laws gave the "book-keeper" great power, each individual law was brought through seperately and each Consul proposed different laws. The two men were seen as enemies, so the idea they were colluding (no matter how blindly) to bring a new order to Rome was not considered by any of the wise men of the Senate.

All the laws were passed, the final law, granting the decemviri sacris faciundis the right to choose the Pontifex Maximus passing the day Fusus died. He would not see the changes brought by his greed for power, the men he had appointed to the order would however. The four who had died were replaced by Caius Aurelius Cotta, a young plebeian whose father had been a close friend of Fusus. Lucius Cornelius Scipio, a man who had excelled under Dentatus in securing southern Italy. Cnaeus Cornelius Scipio, a former Quaestor and client of Fusus who was secretly pleased to see him die as he had borrowed a fortune from him to gain office. The final appointee, and new book-keeper, was Cnaeus Cornelius Blasio, another client, he was less happy to see Fusus dead though. As a former Praetor he had hoped to borrow the money from Fusus to run for Consul.

The men were in position, the potential for bending Rome to their will was there. The man who had envisaged it all was dead however. Would these four men take advantage of what the fates had given them and realise Fusus' dreams of running Rome through the power of a book?

[johnhughthom]

Chapter One: The Gallic Menace

Temple of Jupiter, Rome. 265 BC

The Decemviri Sacrorum, a new name as the old was felt unwieldy, sat to discuss the current crisis engulfing Rome. Gallic bands had always raided Roman farms and towns, they had become much more common now though. It was said crops throughout Gaul had failed the previous year and raiding between Gallic tribes had become endemic. This had spread across the Alps and situation was becoming grave, a Gallic horde had been within sight of the walls of Rome. Luckily they had never seen such a large city and realised it would be difficult to attack, so they went back north to raid smaller Roman settlements.

Senators realised something would have to be done, the people on the street clamoured for the Sibylline books to be consulted. The Senate, well aware the Decemviri Sacrorum could approach the people themselves, decided to take charge and ask them to consult the oracle's writings. The Sacrorum had been quiet in the years since Fusus, it seemed that his ambitions were not shared by the new book-keeper and his colleagues. The Senate was still wary of the power of this group of men, why it even had a plebeian barely in his twenties who had never held office!

Cnaeus Cornelius Blasio chaired the meeting, all the men had read the Sibyl's writings and come to their own conclusions about what should be done. He deferred to the older members of the council, each of them coming up with outlandish ideas. Like interring a Greek and Gaul alive within a wall, what on earth was that supposed to achieve? Blasio was a practical man, he looked for workable methods within the writings, not nonsensical "solutions". Unlike Fusus he was a religious man, and had no intention of using the his position to further his own goals.

Caius Aurelius Cotta spoke next, the older members looked at him in annoyance, a plebeian who had never held office. His presence here was an insult to the office. "I read a passage telling of locusts eating a farmers crops and then flying away before coming back the next year and doing it again. This went on every year until the farmer took up the farms of his neighbours, who had left due to the locusts, and built a wall in the direction the locusts came from. The insects came the next year and dashed themselves against the wall, leaving his crops intact. So not only was he free from the locusts, he also had a much larger farm."

Blasio spoke next, "Well it is quite clear what our message to the people should be, will they accept it though? It's very similar to Fusus' plan last time."

Lucius Cornelius Scipio replied, "And Fusus' plan worked, despite the scepticism of the Senate."

Canaeus Cornelius Scipio added "And this time we will be presenting it as a group, not the will of one man. I believe we should go for it."

The Roman Forum, a few hour later.

The ten members stood together, ready to inform the people of Rome of the Sibyl's advice. Blasio moved forward to address the mass of citizens.

"People of Rome, we have scoured the Sibyl's words and come up with what we believe her solution. A passage speaks of locusts coming and eating a farmers crops, the Gauls are the locusts, we Romans the farmer. This happens year after year, the locusts come, eat the crops and fly away. Sound familiar? The farmers solution is to take over tha lands of farmers who fled, and build a wall. This stops the locusts and leaves the farmer safer and more wealthy than ever. It is quite clear what we are to do, the Alps are that wall, the Gallic tribes we signed peace treaties with the abandoned farmers. We must take control of all the lands south of the Alps if we are to rid ourselves of the Gallic menace once and for all."

A stunned hush. A number of Senators readied themselves to speak out against this plan, then stopped realizing this would be a mistake. Blasio's decision to actually speak of the passage interpreted had been a masterstroke, the interpretation was obvious. Any attack would not be an attack on the Sacrorum, but an attack on the validity of the Sibyl's advice. Suicide.

Blasio continued, "We leave the composition of forces and who shoud lead them up to the Senate, the Sibyl has no words on how we should proceed, just what our objective should be."

The Sacrorum left the forum and the hush abated, citizen and slave, Senator and equestrian started talking excitedly about Rome's new mission. Most men here had been affected in some way by the raids, many had seen the Gauls laughing and mocking as they looted and pillaged Roman lands. Now Roman revenge would come. The Gauls would laugh no more.

[johnhughthom]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Members of the Decemviri Sacrorum 260 BC:

Book-keeper, former Praetor.

Deputy Book-keeper, current Praetor.

Former Quaestor.

Son-in-law of Book-keeper.

Former military tribune.

The Gallic Menace, part two.

Northern Italia, late 260 BC.

Five years into the effort to subdue northern Italy the campaign was progressing well, approximately half of the region was now in the hands of tribes loyal and subject to Rome. The largest towns in the region, Segesta and Bononia were totally subservient to Rome. Bononia had been seen as the centre of the raiding parties and Segesta was the capital of the Ligurian tribe. The Ligurians had been comprehensively defeated and pledged loyalty to Rome. They were not a Gallic tribe, but they were no less warlike than any Gaul. Fighting in robes, they were easy to pick out on the battlefield and had a reputation as a difficult foe to defeat. Romes quick victory was seen as proof of the divine origins of the campaign.

The fight for region around Bononia was fought against Gauls, including the naked warriors who were legendary in Rome.

The real thing was little different from the legend, brave warriors who were difficult to subdue. Death alone seemed to be the only way to get them from the battlefield. When they lodged themselves in narrrow streets it could take hours, and many dead Romans, to remove them.

The next target was to the north east, a town called Patavium. The army was ready to march to the region, bordering Illyria, to conquer in the name of the Senate and people of Rome. When the locals had sworn fealty to Rome it would only leave the north western region. The city of Mediolanium was there, probably the only settlement that could claim to be a city. It was held by a tribe of the Aedui confederation, who were not currently hostile to Rome. Conflict in the region may bring more warbands over the Alps and actually worsen the situation with the Gauls, rather than end the problem. Was there a peaceful solution to the dilemma?

[johnhughthom]

The Brittanic Expedition, prologue.

Rome had known fifteen years of peace, all of Italia was under Roman control. A minor dispute with Carthage over Messana had been peacefully resolved when the Sacrorum proclaimed the Sibyl advised allowing Carthaginian rule over the city. Her words that "the southern jewel should remain free" had not been made public, but Roman agents kept watch. Any move on Syracuse would not be tolerated.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Tarentum, 247 BC.

The vessel came from Alexandria, carrying grain to be transported to Rome. As it was unloaded rats scurried from the boat into the city, the sailors ignored them, at least they wouldn't be onboard on the way back. News had not yet reached Italy of the plague engulfing Egypt, even if it had the link between rats and plague would not have been noticed.


Rome, 246 BC

The Decemviri Sacrorum sat to discuss the crisis gripping Rome, plague had swept through Italy and people were dying in droves. The people had turned to the Sacrorum for help, surely there was a way to appease the Gods and rid Rome of this plague. Every man here had scoured the Sibyl's words for an answer, most had come to the same conclusion and that conclusion was strange. The words "and death will stalk the mother city, man, woman and child will die. The answer to be found in the land of metals." Most had concluded that this was referring to Brittania, the so called "tin isles". What did the words mean though? Was a cure to be found there? Were they to conquer those islands?

Brittania was a place mysterious to the Romani, traders returned with stories of a land ruled by druidic orders with strange architecture with unknown purpose. Rome had no contact with any of the tribes in the region, no idea if any would assist them in the search for a cure. A diplomatic party was sent to the islands to establish relations. They would have to sail there, travelling through Gaul would have been suicide, anyway it would have taken just as long as sailing all the way.

Rome, 246 BC

The ship docked at Ostia, over a year after it had left for Brittania. It had left with over one hundred men, less than twenty returned. The crew left the ship and made for Rome.

Later that day they arrived in Rome and made their way to the forum. The Senate was meeting and they had to wait outside. Over the previous year the plague had not subsided and the fear in the city was palpable. The men were called into the Senate to report on their findings, the ambassador was not amongst them.
"So, what is the message from the Britains?" A Senator asked.
The men made no reply, one simply unrolled a package he had been carrying and let it's contents roll onto the floor. The head of the ambassador.
One of the years Consuls stared for a second, the proclaimed "ready the Legions, I sail for Brittania."

[Reality=Chaos]

woaw, that was surprising good stuff... I wonder how you plan to hold any possible gains in Britannia

[johnhughthom]

Letter from former Consul Caius Aurelius Cotta to Senate, 245 BC.

Friends,

The Brittanic Expedition has started well, we have subdued the south-western part of the main island. En route to our destination we called at the gallic city of Burdigala to resupply, the city refused us entry so we assaulted the city, sacking it and enslaving the inhabitants. We spent a few days in the city, resting and stocking up on food. We left for Brittania reinvigorated, the men full of confidence after our easy victory over the barbarians.

A few weeks later we disembarked on Brittania, our scouts reported little in the way of civilization nearby. There was one small settlement, to which we sent an embassy. They never returned, so the city was sacked, the people enslaved. I have since found the tribe is part of a larger confederation, somewhat akin to the Aedui Gauls. They have declared war on us, though we don't believe they have a large enough army to trouble us, just small raiding parties.

It is clear that to control these islands we are going to have to rule them directly, our usual policy of allowing locals loyal and subservient to Rome will not work here. To that end I will need reinforcements, I don't need more soldiers, I don't have anybody with me with the age or experience to govern conquered regions as I move on. The other way forward is to elect me governor of Brittania and allow me to select my own men to govern the larger settlements.

I await your reply.

[johnhughthom]

The Brittanic Expedition, part one.

Rome, early 240 BC.

The messenger had just arrived back on Italian soil after spending five years away. He had little time to enjoy being home as he was summoned to address the Senate.

Lucius Cornelius Scipio rose to question the messenger, "So how goes our conquest of Brittania?"

The man bowed, "Sirs, when I left we had just secured our finest and most important victory to date. The biggest city on the islands is now in our hands, fully half of the main island is now under Roman control. The unique nature of this expedition has allowed for flexible strategies, indeed the midlands of the island were secured by a group of four young patricians who used their personal finances to raise an army and, with Cotta's approval, attacked and pacified the main tribes in the region."

"Leaving a Roman governor behind in Ictis, Cotta took his legion to attack the dominant tribe in the Casse confederation. He beseiged their capital and trapped the man who claimed kingship over Brittania within. Two other tribes were marching to relieve their king and one reached the city just as the defenders sallied forth. The army was moved back to a defensive position on a wooded hilltop to avoid being trapped between borth enemy armies."

"Luckily the enemy showed their foolishness and lack of military finesse by failing to meet up and attack together, the smaller tribe marched to attack without waiting for their allies."

"The tribe were quickly routed from the field as the main enemy force approached, the cavalry had to be called back from chasing the fleeing Britons. The beseiged tribe approached, with the king and his bodyguards fighting from chariots which most of our men had never faced before."

"The battle swiftly turned into a chaotic melee, the British tactics simply being point and charge, the chariots were bogged down and unable to be used to the Briton's advantage."

"Our Roman discipline proved superior to british barbarism and our fresh reserves pressed against the exhausted barbarians and routed them from the field. A heroic victory for the Senate and people of Rome."

"Less than a day later the third tribe arrived and we were forced into another battle. It was a small tribe though and they were easily swept from the field"

"The city was taken and the inhabitants enslaved, their possesions seized. They are following on a fleet behind me, gifts to the people of Rome. Brittania is a land of opportunity, young Patricians are leading armies, running cities and making names for themselves. Caius Aurelius Cotta asked me to tell the young men of Rome that the islands will soon be completely under our dominion, anyone wishing to take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity to make a name for themself and join the fleet when it returns. The next time Roman ships return from Brittania the islands will be conquered and the chance for fame and fortune will be lost."

[johnhughthom]

The Punic Aggressors.

Rome, early 239 BC.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Sacrorum, 239 BC:

Lucius Corneliu Scipio, Book-keeper, Pontifex Maximus, Consular and former Censor.

Cnaeus Cornelius Scipio Asina, Deputy Book-keeper, Consular and current Censor.

Caius Aurelius Cotta, Propraetor governor of Brittania.

Titus Claudius Nero, former Qauestor, Aedile.

Kaeso Cornelius Blasio, former Qaestor, Aedile.

Tiberius Sergius Esquilinus, Senator.

Numerius Iulius Caeasr, Senator.

Servius Cornelius Scipio, son of the Book-keeper.

Appius Cornelius Arvina, son in law of Cotta.

Tiberius Iunius Brutus, son in law of Asina.

The Senate, the city and the entire Roman world was in uproar at the news from southern Italy. Legion IV, garrisoned in the region, had been attacked by Carthaginian forces. The unprovoked attack, coming completely without warning was obviously an attempt to take Rome by surprise while it's attention was focused so far away on Brittania. The two Legions garrisoning Italia were green recruits with no battle experience, even more worrying for Rome was the lack of obvious leaders for the defence against Punic aggression. There were many men in Brittania gaining leadership experience, the were needed there though and would take too long to return anyway. Lucius Cornelius Scipio and Cnaeus Cornelius Scipio Asina were the only men with real battle experience, both were in their sixties though. Surely too old to lead men into battle.

The Brittania campaign was well on course, only the wild men of Caledonia remained to be pacified before the whole of the main island was under total Roman domination. No decision had been made as to whether the prophecy had included Hibernia in it's demands. The plague had gone from Italia, no new cases had been found in three years. The Gods were happy, the expedition seemed to have served it's purpose. Those on Brittania had not heard the news of the new crisis gripping Rome however, and may not do so for some time, sending news through Gaul was highly hazardous and the sea route would now be just as hazardous due to Carthage naval supremacy. The two Legions fighting the barbarians would have to continue, while the rest of the men of Rome would be fighting a different enemy.

[johnhughthom]

I have been reading for quite a while about how Alex.exe is the most stable method of running EB. This is my first campaign using it and it has been the most CTD prone campaign I have ever played, it is getting to the point where I am afraid to fight a large battle as it always seems to crash after one. I do the old "leave it on the battle results screen for thirty seconds" after each battle and save and restart every few hours, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. I haven't had a CTD I couldn't get past yet, but it's getting very frustrating, I've fought a huge battle against the Carthies three times now. I hate resorting to auto-win, feels like cheating, even when I have no other option.

[Vasiliyi]

Finally had a chance to read this, johnhughthom. I have to tell you, that was a very unique move, invading Brittania. Nice work. I like the whole "prophecy" thing. Hope those pesky and annoying CTD's dont slow you down too much.

[A Terribly Harmful Name]

Damn same here, and with Alex.exe! Had two huge battles with the Carthaginians in Iberia only to be greeted by a CTD when trying to enslave the town of Mastia. I suggest you hold your breath and pray because that's about the best you can do about it - Try also closing all background programs.

[Maion Maroneios]

I really hate CTDs after important battles. Especially persistent ones. Good luck further though, it's good stuff so far

Maion

[TruePraetorian]

Glad I found this. Great AAR, keep up the good work. This is semi-inspiring me to write my own