Of savage tribes and glorious empires - An Arverni AAR

[SwissBarbar]

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/faction_banner_03arv.jpg
Of savage tribes and glorious empires


AAR-Conditions:
EB 1.2
Campaign Difficulty: VH
Battle Difficulty: M
Remark: I’m no historian, so forgive me if I misspelled names and squanderd historical locations of the tribes. I did my best.




https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif Prologue https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif

Gallia was inhabited by many celtic tribes. In the north of those lands, tribes of the Belgae, namely the Nerves and the Bellovaces colonized the country. Those Celts, mingled with Germans, were known as the fiercest and most brave warriors of all. They struggled with great german tribes all the time and remained victorious. No gallic tribe, maybe except for the Helvetii, could praise themselves to be as courageous as the Belgae.

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/arverni/arverni_milnaht.gif Belgic Warrior

Westwards, down the sea coast the Aulerci lived in the land of Mrogaule and Armoriae was colonized by the Veneti. At the border to Aquitae, tribes of the Celts settled Lemorisae and the land they called Arvernotorg. These tribes were the Pictones and the Arverni, who built the great city of Gergovia.

Southwards from the Belgae, the land Sequallra was inhabited by the Sequani and Treveri, further southwards the Helvetians held their border against the Germans from the north, even invaded german territory from time to time, for which they were known as even braver than the other Celts, as mentioned before, they were considered to be at least as courageous as the Belgae. Between them and the Arverni the Segusiavi populated Lugonesis. In the middle of all those tribes, the Haedui built their city of Bibracte and called their land Mrogaedu.


https://img152.imageshack.us/img152/1070/map1yh1.png


Though the Celts were a quite progressive people, carried on commerce, were masters of rhetoric arts and used greek scripture, they loved war more than anything else. They left no opportunity past away to prove their bravery, and so for centuries the Gauls fought the Germans, the Romans, the Greeks and whoever crossed their way. But there was someone they preferred to fight even more! Themselves. The Celts fought each other at every occasion. They subjugated their neighbour tribes and let them fight for them, let them pay tributes and took hostages. During the last decades two power blocs formed, and fought each other to obtain superiority.

On one side the mighty Haedui have conquered the territory of the Aulerci and the Segusiavi in a swift and brutal war. From Viennos, the Haedui marched eastwards and conquered the city of Mediolanum. This was the greatest expansion of one gallic tribe ever seen.

On the other side, the Arverni declared themselves enemies of the Haedui and kept their land free of “Haeduism”. In several great battles they fought back their opponents armies, who now intended to go eastwards again and conquer the lands of the Helvetii. But they soon realised why the Germans did not manage to do so for centuries, and after a short but good thrashing the Haedui had to retreat.


Helvetian Warrior https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/arverni/arverni_mori_gaesum.gif

After those failings, the Segusiavi rebelled against their occupiers, joined with the Arverni and spured the Sequani, who have been their true allies for decades, into action. Now the league of the Arverni devided the territory of the Haedui into two parts. In the east there was the strong city of Mediolanum, in the west the union of Haedui and Aulerci.


Now the time came, when it had to be decided once and for all, who will rule the fate of celtic Gaul.




Map 272 BC

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/faction_start_03arv.jpg

[johnhughthom]

Nice start.

[HunGeneral]

Good beginning.

Again good luck to it:thumbsup:

[Mjolnir]

Sweet. :2thumbsup:

[Olaf Blackeyes]

This should be good.
Oh and btw im keeping my warbands on teh borders.....just in case. (Insert Super Evil Laugh Here)

[Chaotix]

Nice start! And by the way, it's "Aedui", not "Haedui". :2thumbsup:

[SwissBarbar]

Thanks to everyone :2thumbsup:


Nice start! And by the way, it's "Aedui", not "Haedui". :2thumbsup:

Ingame they do, can be spellt in different ways though :book: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aedui / http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haeduer

I like the Haedui ^^ It affects to look more distant from the game, if you know what I mean.

[gamegeek2]

Rawr!

[SwissBarbar]

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/faction_banner_03arv.jpg
Of savage tribes and glorious empires




https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif Chapter 1 – Bibracte https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif

Our story begins in the year of 272 BC, when the Arverni and the Haedui prepared for war. Both of them intended to extinguish the other once and for all and claim the rule of Gaul. The league of the Arverni was lead by a family from Gergovia.


https://img246.imageshack.us/img246/9194/familytreefh6.png

These men were warriors beyond compare, and have been trained to fight all their lives long. During the rule of their family, the Arverni have asserted themselves as contenders to the leadership of Gallia.


Their patriarch was a man called Aneirin oi Lugos.


https://img181.imageshack.us/img181/9215/fmaneirinoilugosom8.png

For those ages he was a quite old man, and though he actually was of languorous character, he knew his duties and never rested when his people needed him. Not only was he a gifted leader, and knew how to lead an army to victory, but also he knew how to manage a city and understood the complicated ways of Celtic politics. After all those years of war, he had turned into a stern and serious man. Although the favourite and most reputable soldiers of the Gauls were their cavalrymen, Aneirin preferred to lead infantry. When he lead an army of infantry, no one would like to be in his enemy’s shoes.


Adcobrovatos oi Lugos was the eldest son of Aneirin, and with that heir to the leadership of the Arverni.


https://img184.imageshack.us/img184/2528/fmadcobrovatosoilugosxp1.png

Like his father, he was very interested in politics, and he was quite talented. Very quickly he understood all finesse of leadership and management, though he was not known to be the foxiest man alive. After all he was a chancer, who – be it by luck or calculation – took many risks in his life, and mostly romped through. Adcobrovatos was given the governorship over Vesontio, so he was supervisor and reference person to the tribes of the Sequani and Treveri.


The youngest son of Aneirin was Belenos oi Lugos.


https://img178.imageshack.us/img178/9715/fmbelenosoilugosjr4.png

Though he was young, he was known as a very brave warrior. He intended to trek with the Osi and bring himself into the service of the Hellenic kingdoms, like many other Celts. Just when he was ready to leave, war was brought upon the Arverni, and he had to stay and defend his people. At very young age, he was given the rule over Viennos, and with that over the tribe Segusiavi. He was known as a harsh governor. For him, there’s nothing like law and order.

The homeland of the Arverni had been entrusted to Amminos oi Lugos’ care.


https://img171.imageshack.us/img171/2135/fmamminosoilugosnb5.png

The middle son of the patriarch was very popular among his folk. He was open handed, paid his warriors well and threw many feasts for his people. Also he was a political animal, and was known to be intelligent and charismatic. All his loyalty was directed at his people.

War was near, it was only a question of time when the Haedui marched into the Arverni’s lands. So the Arverni decided to prepare. The first step was of diplomatic nature. Spies reported, that the Haedui intended to ask the Romanii for help. This warmongering people in the south was in possession of a very strong military juggernaut. But still the Gauls were known as even more fearsome as the Romans, even among the Romanii themselves. So the last thing that the Celts needed, was a Roman victory in battle against strong Celtic tribes. The Celts could not afford, that the Romans lost their fear to attack them, when the Celts fought themselves and weakened each other. Of course the stupid Haedui would never come to such deep strategic considerations. So the Arverni decided to ensure a peace with the Romans, so they could not interfere into Celtic matters. And so it happened that in the summer of 272 BC the Romans unwillingly, and under threat of violence, signed a peace treaty and granted trade rights.


https://img300.imageshack.us/img300/3738/1ceasefireromaniyb6.png

Meanwhile the second step of war preparation had been started. Aneirin oi Lugos ordered all tribes, that were under his command, to send him troops. The patriarch himself camped between Vesontio and Viennos with his soldiers. He had with him 1’000 Leuce Epos, who formed the cavalry of most Celtic tribes at that time. The infantry core consisted of over 2’000 Botroas, who were the basic medium infantry of southern Briton and Cisalpine Gaul and of over 4’000 Gaeroas, the file warriors of the tribes of Gaul and Britain. 1’200 Iaosatae supported them with their slings. Aneirin also formed a strong body of men around him, his bodyguards, the Brihentin.

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/arverni/arverni_bataroas.gif Arverni Bataroas

From Gergovia his son sent him 2’000 Leuce Epos, over 4’000 Bataroas, swordfighters, who formed the heavy infantry in most Gallic armies, and another 1’200 Iaosatae. The Segusiavi sent 2'000 Leuce Epos, over 4’000 Kluddacorii, who were trained from the regions near the Alps, and 1’200 Iaosatae. The tribes of the Sequani and Treveri contributed 1’000 Leuce Epos and over 6’000 Bataroas.

So when the armies had been united, Aneirin had gathered over 6’000 cavalrymen, over 20’000 infantrymen, 3’600 slingers and his bodyguards. All in all he could array over 30’000 brave warriors. And not one moment too early.

Just when the last warriors arrived, the Haedui laid siege onto Gergovia.


https://img135.imageshack.us/img135/233/2campaignmapgergoviapl0.png

Amminos oi Lugos, governor of Gergovia let his father know, that he could manage this attack with his garrison, so Aneirin decided to return the favour, and march towards Bibracte. Bibracte was the capital city of the Haedui, and one of the biggest cities in all of Gaul. About 60’000 people lived there, and the city was defended by a great Briganavallo – a Celtic city wall. Also, with its Danoch, its marked, Bibracte was the Celtic centre of commerce, and made the Haedui very rich.

When autumn began, the Arverni formed a ring of siege around Bibracte.


https://img162.imageshack.us/img162/6338/2campaignmapbibractesr8.png

Immediately the Haedui sent their armies to fight their opponents back. 3 members of the haeduian royal family lead two armies – one from the city itself, the other from the countryside - of all in all almost 30’000 men.


Haedui Brihentinhttps://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/aedui/aedui_cavalry_brihentin.gif

https://img223.imageshack.us/img223/6301/3attackedbyaeduiph4.png

The Arverni hid a great part of their army in the woods, while one of the opponents armies took position on a hill in front of the forest, while the other part of their army arrayed in the woods behind this hill.


https://img141.imageshack.us/img141/879/4infanterywoodsfg8.png

The Arverni decided to take the hill, as long as the enemy’s armies are not unified, dashed off the woods and ran trough the rain towards the Haedui. The heavy infantry climbed straight up the hill, while the slingers and the lighter infantry formed the left, the cavalry the right flank. When the great core of infantry threw their spears against the Haedui, and the slingers – protected by the light infantry – had reached the hill and formed up at the right flank of the enemy, the first light infantry of the Haedui began to rout. At this moment, Aneirin sent his cavalry into battle and crushed the enemy quickly.


https://img234.imageshack.us/img234/267/4cavalleryattackbt1.png


All this happened in a breathtaking speed. The Haedui could not even form their battle lines, and before they knew what was happening there, the hill was taken, the haedui family member dead, and the second army of the Haedui had to climb up the hill.

It was a slaughter. All Family Members of the Haedui fell to the Arverni’s blades. Not many Haedui soldiers survived that day, they’ve been chased after the whole day. But also the Arverni lost about 10’000 men. After all the Haedui were Celts too, a fact that declared them to be fearsome and skilled warriors.


https://img129.imageshack.us/img129/9227/5battleresultsbe1.png

After this victory, the city of Bibracte opened the gates, after the Arverni promised not to harm the inhabitants. Aneirin sent many of his soldiers home, where they could pass the winter. He only kept somewhat over 9’000 men in Bibracte itself, so he could defend it in a case of emergency.


https://img371.imageshack.us/img371/4610/5bibractegarrisonba6.png

Bibracte was taken. But the Haedui still were strong and were not to be underestimated. Gergovia still was under siege and maybe the Haedui sought help from another Celtic tribes or even redoubtable Germans. This winter was about to become a very rough one.



Known territory in winter 272 BC
https://img57.imageshack.us/img57/3862/6galliawinter272od1.png

[gamegeek2]

NO! READ THE AEDUI AAR! NOOOOOOOO!

:smash::smash::smash::smash::smash:

[SwissBarbar]

Hehe, the Aedui are being slaughtered in this thread !!! :laugh4: :laugh4:

[Mjolnir]

Epic battle, very nice.

More screenshots of future battles please. :2thumbsup:

[SwissBarbar]

Thanks. :2thumbsup: Yes, i will post more screenshots ^^ This battle was fought by a great amount of soldiers, but ended very quickly, so there was no occasion to take many great shots. And after all it was a very long chapter, so i shortened it. :yes: Next time there will be more of battle, and less of characters ;-)

[johnhughthom]

Next time there will be more of battle, and less of characters ;-)

I thought you had a nice balance, reading about battles is much more interesting if the characters involved have some sort of backstory.

[HunGeneral]

Wise moves till now. Can't wait to see more Celts slaughtered (preferbly Aedui).

[gamegeek2]

Steppe battles are very long, but the wars are short.

Infantry battles aren't as long, but the wars are much longer.

-gamegeek2

[Olaf Blackeyes]

NO! READ THE AEDUI AAR! NOOOOOOOO!

:smash::smash::smash::smash::smash:

LOLZ!!!! Now you know how i feel when my Sweboz get pwned.

[Kuningaz]

Crush those (H)Aedui weaklings:smash:

[SwissBarbar]

There will be more than one gallic tribe, that will be crushed :drama2:

[HunGeneral]

There will be more than one gallic tribe, that will be crushed :drama2:

Sounds even better....As long as the end result is unification:yes:

[SwissBarbar]

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/faction_banner_03arv.jpg
Of savage tribes and glorious empires




https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif Chapter 2 – Preparations https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif

Bibracte had been taken just before the winter came, the native land of the Haedui was now in the hands of their most odious adversary. The King of the Haedui retreated himself to Cenabum, the greatest village of a tribe, that still was loyal to the Haedui – the Aulerci.


https://img232.imageshack.us/img232/8283/6cenabumtownsg0.png

The Aulerci still could confront an army and the King of the Haedui was a quite talented leader. If he would have lead the battle of Bibracte, the result could have been much different. Just hunt down the Haedui would have been no wise choice, Aneirin oi Lugos, leader of the Arverni, knew that. The next step had to be taken carefully and desired preparation.

A further sign, that proved the tactical knowledge of the Aedui’s king was the fact, that he let raise the siege of Gergovia and led their troops in the direction of Cenabum. Obviously the Haedui gathered an army there, to reclaim their lands.


https://img135.imageshack.us/img135/7110/2aeduiliftsiegegergoviacb9.png

But before they could think of war, all Gauls had to overwinter. Winter traditionally was not a time of war. Too cold and dangerous it would have been to lead an army over the snowcapped countryside. The warriors from the Alps could not even leave their homes, too high the snow fell in the mountains. And most important of all: a great army could simply not be supplied with rations in wintertime. So winter was the time, when politics have been taken care of. The land of the Haedui was taken, but what now. Bibracte had to be prepared to become an ally. So during the whole wintertime, the Arverni did naught but buying over mighty nobles of the Haedui and deliver speeches to convince the populace how cruel the Haedui were, and how much better they do now, after being liberated by the Arverni. At the end of the winter, it was arranged that elections could be held.


https://img99.imageshack.us/img99/3352/5bibractepreparationclipu8.png

Spring was in the air, and in Bibracte preparations for the approaching elections got into top gear. Meanwhile the great victory of the Arverni even reached the peoples in Spain. The mightiest tribe of the Celtic brothers in Iberia, the Lusotannan, even paid their respect to the Arverni and asked for trade rights, which have been granted. Also map information had been exchanged and gave the Arverni more knowledge of European geography.


https://img78.imageshack.us/img78/632/1lusotanatraderightsrz4.png

In the homeland of the Arverni, in Gergovia, Amminos oi Lugos, who was very popular and known to be open handed, lived up to his name, and initiated Touta Feilos – Feast of the Family.


https://img299.imageshack.us/img299/122/10construcioningergoviarn0.png

Now his people loved him – if that was possible at all – even more!

When spring ended, also did the preparations for the elections. As long as the arrangement of elections lasted, as short did the elections themselves. It’s been decided, that the land of Mrogaedu had to become an allied tribe of the Arverni. Furthermore a king had to be elected to lead those lands from his throne in Bibracte.


https://img73.imageshack.us/img73/7486/8bibracteisalliedtribese1.png

When this was done, Aneirin oi Lugos left the city and pitched camp outside the city, with his bodyguards. The nobles of Bibracte should elect their king themselves. Well, this is, what he wanted them to think, but at the end of the summer, a man loyal to the Arverni had been chosen. He’s been a friend of the Arverni for a long time and was considered to be an Arverni.


Aedui Neitos, who form the bodyguard of the Client Ruler https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/aedui/aedui_neitos.gif

With this election, the nobles of Bibracte thanked Aneirin for his decision to spare the people of the city, when they opened their gates to him. The name of the new client ruler was Brycham moc Eporedemoros, and his first official act was to put 10’000 warriors from Bibracte at Aneirin’s command.


https://img502.imageshack.us/img502/9675/9kingofbibractelq6.png

Now that the land had been pacified, Aneirin started preparations in order to raise an army again and kept his eyes on Cenabum. Of course the Arverni were not the only ones to prepare. An army of the Helvetii had been detected at the border to lands of the Sequani and Treveri. But fortunately, when diplomats contacted them, it turned out, that they were on their way to invade the land of German tribes in the north, in order to steal food for the next winter, and did not mead to harm the Arverni. Invade German territory. One just got to admire their balls.


https://img258.imageshack.us/img258/5784/4helvetiiarmyturnstogerbd8.png

Fortune was on the Arverni’s side, because when they went to negotiate with he Helvetii, one of their spies detected an army of the Haedui in Lugonesis, between Viennos and Aventicos. The army was on the way to Mediolanum. After the great victories over the Haedui and the capture of their homeland, the people of Mediolanum asked themselves, why they still obeyed Lords, who probably soon will be dead. So the Haedui had to secure their territory in the east, a fact, that could only mean, that they had lesser and lesser forces to defend the land of the Aulerci.

When winter returned, Aneirin was well supplied through his son Amminos, thanks to his good organisation. So his army could be ready just when winter ended, and no long-winded preparations would be necessary.


https://img105.imageshack.us/img105/8061/3factionannouncementsgf8.png

Many preparations have been done that year. Some for war, some for food and some for revelry. The lesson is clear, the Arverni were well prepared. Were the Haedui?



Known territory in winter 271 BC
https://img150.imageshack.us/img150/1589/11mapgx1.png

[Mjolnir]

~:cheers:

Looking forward to the campaign.

[penguinking]

Excellent AAR! I like the screenshots. :yes:

[SwissBarbar]

Thanks guys. Hehe, Mjolnir can't wait for the battle scenes :duel: . There will be some :eyebrows:

[I of the Storm]

Great! I'm looking forward for more!

[SwissBarbar]

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/faction_banner_03arv.jpg
Of savage tribes and glorious empires




https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif Chapter 3 – Streams Of Blood https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif


https://img253.imageshack.us/img253/6352/6battlegeneralnd7.png

„Steady, comrades in arms! Wait for my sign!” Aneirin whispered. Next to him grim, warriors sat on their horses and didn’t make a sound. Aneirin looked around. He saw a couple of Gaeroas hide in the undergrowth. Right behind them, a group of slingers prepared stones and other kinds of projectiles. Altogether over 16’000 men hid at the edge of that forest.


https://img170.imageshack.us/img170/3765/7battlehiddenjr3.png

They all stared at the Haedui soldiers, that just walked into the wood. The King of the Haedui sent forth one of his captains with almost 20’000 soldiers of the Aulerci, with the mission to apprehend and destroy the Arverni, before they reached Cenabum. But through the fantastic supply and organisation from last winter, the Arverni marched earlier than the Haedui expected, so that the enemy’s army thought their opponents were at least one day’s march further away, than they really were, and marched into the forest without due care.


https://img128.imageshack.us/img128/1502/8battleaeduienterthewooct7.png

Aneirin smiled. He got them. When he raised his arm, the slingers loaded their arms. The eyes of his soldiers rested on him. He waited a few seconds, and then quickly lowered his arm. One moment later, stones pattered like rain on the enemies and the fearsome war cries of the Arverni echoed through the forest.


https://img403.imageshack.us/img403/4363/9battlejavelinsja9.png

The Bataroas pitched their spears at the enemy before they could turn around and heave their shields. Some javelins even pierced through two men, that's how vigorous they’ve been thrown. Panic spread among the Aulerci soldiers. Just when they’ve turned around, at their rear Aneirin and his Brihentin dashed out the woods and launched themselves on the enemy.


https://img525.imageshack.us/img525/8754/10battlegeneralattackssx0.png

The leader of the enemy’s army was among the first to die. A stone pierced his left eye and shattered his head.


https://img98.imageshack.us/img98/6066/11battleaeduicaptaindeabd2.png

Due to this extremely cruel sight and the fact, that they’ve been surrounded and many have died in the first few minutes, most of the Aulerci did not even defend themselves, but just sought refuge in flight.


https://img187.imageshack.us/img187/2655/12battleaeduiroutbd2.png

The Arverni chased them down. They slaughtered as many as they could. Rivers of blood soaked the ground. When the hunt was over, thousands of bodies were about to become a feast for the crows.


http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/2541/13battlebodiesxe4.png

On the Arverni’s side about 400 warriors died in battle and about 200 more never came back from plundering the bodies. They went home straightaway. But such things had to be expected in war at those ages. The Aulerci lost over 14’000 men and their Haedui captain. The survivors fled back to Cenabum.


https://img232.imageshack.us/img232/558/14battleresultsdv3.png

This battle was the last battle that year, autumn 269 BC was almost over, and winter was near. Gauls did never fight in winter until then, and this tradition did not change that winter. Aneirin set his winter camp at the edge of the forest and waited for spring there. He was very satisfied about the progress of events so far.

In the past year, 270 BC, the Arverni have built roads through the land of Mrogaedu, so that their armies could move faster and surprise the Haedui in the following year.


https://img175.imageshack.us/img175/1221/1roadsbibracte270bcip7.png

What a success! Of course not only in Bibracte infrastructure has been improved. In order to support the war, Amminos oi Lugos founded granaries and Adcobrovatos oi Lugos finished the improvement of the training fields for the tribes of the Sequani and Treveri.


https://img165.imageshack.us/img165/1939/2constructionreport269bvf0.png

In spring the Arverni marched off toward the lands of the Aulerci with more than 4000 Bataroas, 3600 Iaosatae, about 4000 Gaeroas and 840 Brihentin. They knew, that small outposts would guard the usual way there and they could not just sweep away those small units, because the armies of the Aulerci and Haedui consisted of at least twice as many soldiers than the Arverni’s. Tactical sharpness was in demand, so the they took the way along the borderline to the territory of the Belgae, and invaded from the north.

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/arverni/arverni_gaeroas.gif Arverni Gaeroas


https://img404.imageshack.us/img404/9056/3campaignmap1fo5.png

https://img84.imageshack.us/img84/2439/4campaignmap2ig6.png

And in those woods in the north of Mrogaule, the Arverni ambushed the army of the Aulerci and finished them off. With that victory, the army of the Aulerci has been annihilated. But another 15’000 men of the Haedui waited in Cenabum.


https://img104.imageshack.us/img104/7286/5battleattackedij7.png


Now, after this ambush, the overwintering army had to be supplied. Back in the lands of the Arverni, Aneirin’s sons worked hard on the supply for their father. Not to forget the client king of Bibracte, who loyally contributed to that good supply. A river port was built in Bibracte, so the food from Gergovia could be brought to the land of the Aulerci much faster by ship.


https://img254.imageshack.us/img254/2324/15bibracteriverportii3.png

Also the people of Gergovia, who really loved their governor, Amminos oi Lugos, worked extraordinarily busy on filling the new granaries for the army of their beloved governor’s father. Amminos really was a very attuned governor, a fact that not only knew his people, but also was proved to his father now.


https://img104.imageshack.us/img104/5968/16amminosattunedgovernozz7.png

In late spring of 268 Aneirin oi Lugos reached and laid siege to the city of Cenabum, and ordered the construction of siege equipment. Just when summer began, Aneirin commanded the attack. It would be a fight between two great strategians. Aneirin, under the noble banner of the League of the Arverni, and Malac, King of the Haedui, under the banner of the boar he was.


https://img403.imageshack.us/img403/1421/19siegeavernikingandbanhb2.png https://img242.imageshack.us/img242/9873/18siegeaeduikingandbannic2.png

“Rams, forward!” Aneirin shouted. With those words, the decisive battle of this war started.


https://img210.imageshack.us/img210/7580/17siegeramhf1.png

Quite quickly the walls were breached, while the slingers decimated the ranks of the Haedui behind their walls.


https://img510.imageshack.us/img510/7775/20siegewallso7.png

Also the gates were shattered soon, so the soldiers entered the city and drove the defenders back.


https://img181.imageshack.us/img181/8567/22siegesoldiersenterthewk6.png

Discouraged by the latest news of the slaughtering of the Aulerci army, the Haedui fell back to the hill in the middle of the town. Only a few warriors defended the gaps in the wall, and fell soon.


https://img108.imageshack.us/img108/5629/21siegefightwx4.png

The Haedui king himself fought the intruders back, and could stop the Arverni’s advance, so that Aneirin and his Brihentin had to enter the battle and help.


https://img108.imageshack.us/img108/9956/23siegeaeduikinginbattlin4.png

The hill could be taken by the Arverni, but only very slowly and at some cost. Finally, the untrained Haedui were no match for the war experienced soldiers of the Arverni.


https://img514.imageshack.us/img514/4140/24siegefightfl7.png

One has to admit, that Malac, king of the Haedui, fought like a wolf.


https://img177.imageshack.us/img177/231/25siegeaeduikingfightry8.png

But in the end, also he fell to a blade of an Arverni soldier.


https://img522.imageshack.us/img522/7666/26siegeaeduikingdiestb0.png

With his death, the Haedui were lost and the city taken. 3’500 Arverni lost their lives in this combat, while the whole Haedui army of over 15’000 men has been extinguished.


https://img187.imageshack.us/img187/120/27siegebattlestatisticscq0.png

Aneirin had conquered Mrogaule and defeated the armies of the Aulerci and Haedui, who led over 35’000 men onto the battlefield, with less than 17’000 soldiers, due to his strategic skills, great supply and a bit of luck.

Malac, the great king of the Haedui was dead, and with him the rule of the tribe over Gaul. They have been defeated and exterminated once and for all, all their nobles past away, their cities have been taken and their people obeyed the Arverni now. The time of the Haedui was over!


https://img518.imageshack.us/img518/3241/30factiondestroyeddz1.png

The city of Mediolanum, which had been conquered by the Haedui ages ago, declared, that they did never intend to fight the Arverni and never supported their occupiers, when they fought the Arverni. Mediolanum was allowed to remain independent from Arverni influence.


https://img102.imageshack.us/img102/3418/29mediolanumue5.png

But they had to sign a peace treaty, establish trade routs to the Arverni and offer their goods for extremely low prices. Of course they did not like it, but this agreement was far better than being destroyed too.


Gaesatae of the Principality of Mediolanum https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/aedui/aedui_gaesatae.gif


https://img518.imageshack.us/img518/5725/28peacemediolanumsd3.png

The Arverni undisputedly were the prevalent tribe in Gaul now. The tribes of the Sequani, the Treveri, the Segusiavi, the Haedui and the Aulerci obeyed their orders. Aneirin intended to establish more trade routs to the other Celtic tribes in Gaul and the Principality of Mediolanum, expand the towns and cities in his sphere of influence and secure the borderlines.



Known territory in summer 268 BC
https://img110.imageshack.us/img110/9360/31mapgw8.png

[Mjolnir]

:2thumbsup:

Where to next? Mopping up the Eleutheroi and unifying Gaul?

[SwissBarbar]

I hope this time you were satisfied with battle *G* Hm, I don't know yet, depends on the Principality of Mediolanum. I intend to use it as a shield against the romans, but of course they could attack the Arverni and would have to be extinguished.

Or maybe the Belgians want to prove their courage?

Or could the Helvetii cause trouble?

Who knows.

Of course for the longer term, unifying Gaul must be the target.

[Mjolnir]

Satisfied? Never. But appreciative? Of course. I liked the screens. :2thumbsup:

[SwissBarbar]

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/faction_banner_03arv.jpg
Of savage tribes and glorious empires




https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif Intermediate Chapter https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif


I think it is about time, that we had a look at the map, that tells us what Celtic tribes exist in my AAR, so you can imagine, when I write about them. Please keep in mind, that those tribes do not equal the RL - Situation at all, to create that would be too complicated. It's just the world in my role play.




THE CELTIC TRIBES


https://img300.imageshack.us/img300/5995/tribesforumgs8.png

(Unfortunately the letters are quite small. But the original is about 8 MB and could not be uploaded)


In my AAR, the Celts are differentiated in

- Alpine Celts (Noricii, Raetii), who live in the valleys and mountains of the Alps. Many of them fight for those as mercenaries, who offer the best bid. They are loyal to no one but themselves.

- Aquitanian Celts (Tarbelli), who live in Aquitania and remained independent from Iberians and Gauls until today.

- Belgian Celts (Bellovaces, Cantiaci, Dumnoni, Eubrones, Nerves), who form the tribes, that are known for the greatest courage of all Celts. The Belgae settled to the north of the Gallic tribes, where they mingled with Germanic immigrates, and in southern Britannia. All except the Eubrones, who became subordinates of the Gallic Treveri, remained independent.

- British Celts (Brigantes, Caledonii, Catuvelauni, Demetae), who populate the rest of Britannia, and are known for their excellent chariots.

- Gallic Celts (ARVERNI, Aulerci, Bituriges, Haedui, Helveti, Pictones, Segusiavi, Sequani, Treveri, Veneti, Volcae-Arecomici), who represent the largest ethnic group of the Celts. (Underlined tribes are members or subjects to the League of the Arverni)

- Assimilated or emigrated Celts (Boii, Volcae), who have been assimilated or dispersed by Germanic tribes. The Boii went to Italy, where they've been extinguished by the Romanii, and the Volcae went towards southern Gaul, where they established and regained strength as the Volcae-Arecomici.

- Hellenic Influenced Celts (Saluvii), who share their territory with the great Hellenic city of Μασσαλία (Massalia/Massilia). The Hellenes settled there ages ago, to establish trade routes with the Liguri, and kind of assimilated, or at least strongly influenced the Celts by their great culture.

- Iberian Celts (Astures, Cantabri, Carpetani, Galaecci, Lusitani, Lussones), who populated Iberia and represent the second largest ethnic group of the Celts. The greatest Celtic influenced Iberian tribe were the Lusitani, who had to deal with the Carthaginians in southern Iberia.

- Irish Celts (Erdini, Iverni), who separated from the British Celts and colonized the Island.

A special case was the Principality of Mediolanum, that declared itself independent from the Haedui, after they were defeated by the Arverni in the great war. Though officially independent, it's been at the mercy of the Arverni.



-

[gamegeek2]

The name of the Volcae (shown as "Wolkas" in EB) got borrowed into Pre-Germanic as "wolhoz" (Proto-Germanic *walhaz), a generic term for Celt, and later for Romans as well, particularly those in Gaul. "Welsh" is derived from this root, as is German welsch, "Italian," and old norse Valir, "Romans; French." The Slavic term "Vlach" used to refer to Latin peoples is also derived from this Germanic phrase.

[SwissBarbar]

Thanks for the information. Unfortunately I don't know all that stuff, so please keep up giving me information about Celts, that I can in integrate in this AAR.

Note the almost exact EB-Starting-Time frame on this map, considering the emigration to southern Gaul ;-)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Volcae_Arecomisci_and_Tectosages_(migrations).svg/800px-Volcae_Arecomisci_and_Tectosages_(migrations).svg.png

[SwissBarbar]

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/faction_banner_03arv.jpg
Of savage tribes and glorious empires




https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gifChapter 4 - Clash Of Cultures https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif

Massalia – three hundred years ago it’s been founded by Ionian Greeks, in order to establish commerce with the people from Liguria, and it is one of the first Greek port cities in western Europe. As time drew on, the Greeks mingled with native Celtic people, so for a very long time Massalia was a City open to everyone, no matter what culture he belonged to. Not only the Liguri capitalized on the trade with Massalia, but also the Romans, the Carthaginians and of course the Celts. Fabulous wealth every single governor of Massalia obtained, the city flourished and grew and of course it attracted not only merchants and migrants. Many a warlord tried to capture Massalia and get rich at the expense of its citizens. Even in the face of such menace, the city managed to keep its autonomy, more than that, it even grew and increased its prosperity. To defend themselves, the Massalian people erected a great wall around their city, and combined the fierce and brash Celtic kind of warfare with the disciplined and sophisticated Greek art of war. They fought in phalanx formations as Hoplitai Haploi, rode as Hippakontistai or killed their enemies from distance as Sphedonetai. But still the fighters were Celtic men. This interference attained perfection with the development of one kind of soldier, the world had never seen before. The Massaliotai Hoplitai!


Massaliotai Hoplitai https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/eleutheroi/gaul/rebel_massiloi_hoplitai.gif

These soldiers fought in Greek manner, in a phalanx formation, but when it came to melee they stroke up their heart-piercing war cries, drew their Celtic longswords and created a bloodbath among every enemy. It was only natural, that a city in such a special position brought forth special soldiers and protected like this Massalia seemed to look for new horizons of affluence.


https://img178.imageshack.us/img178/5409/massiliaig7.png

Unfortunately not even the most redoubtable warrior could protect his home from another kind of enemy: exploitative and racialistic governors. So it happened, that one day a Greek Archon came to power, who saw naught but barbarians in his Celtic neighbours, decided to separate Greeks from Celts and create a new, pure Greek, kind of neighbourhood. All Celts and Greeks that mingled with Celts were banished from the City by this insane ruler and as if this wasn’t enough he intended to disperse the Graeco-Celtic tribe of the Saluvii in the ending year of 267 BC.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The Arverni did very well, since they defeated the Haedui and their allies in this cruel war that just ended a few months ago. They declared Mrogaule to become Arverni Homeland by laws of war and the tribe of the Aulerci to be their subjects.


https://img528.imageshack.us/img528/407/2cenabumarvernihomelandbi9.png

They also managed the Principality of Mediolanum to be dependent on them, and imposed quite heavy conditions on them. Of course Mediolanum had to submit to their will.


https://img519.imageshack.us/img519/2701/1diplomacywithmediolanuqj4.png

In the following year an era of peace came over the land. The Arverni soldiers, who fought so bravely, could finally go home. Trade flourished. The tribes of the Sequani and Treveri expanded their greatest town, Vesontio and also did the Segusiavi.


https://img179.imageshack.us/img179/3717/3vesontioexpands267bcxx8.png https://img300.imageshack.us/img300/9739/10viennosexpandsbm4.png

In this time of economic advancement, financed by taxes and tributes, the Arverni developed their towns and cities. In Gergovia for example, a market was built, where grain and bread from the granaries in Vesontio could be bought. The warriors from the tribe of the Segusiavi fought many times in the first battle line, so many returned injured. For them the tribe built a healer’s house.


https://img179.imageshack.us/img179/9238/4construcionreport267bclr7.png

The sons of Aneirin oi Lugos all became very attuned governors, especially Adcobrovatos did very well.


https://img412.imageshack.us/img412/5325/6adcobrovatosattunedgovwg0.png

Not only he managed his city best, his diplomats also established trade routs to rich foreign peoples, like the Carthaginians.


https://img223.imageshack.us/img223/6531/7traderightscarthagebv8.png

During the next months further upgrades have been done, so for example the construction of a Warlord’s Hold in Vesontio. In Viennos not only trade was increased when a soap maker settled down, but also peoples health.


https://img229.imageshack.us/img229/8613/8constructionreporttr6.png

The families of the Arverni’s chiefs grew,


https://img178.imageshack.us/img178/9277/9childrenbornmo4.png

even a noble young man, who had proven his valor in battle, has been adopted


https://img72.imageshack.us/img72/235/20manofthehourhf5.png


and people were happy…..

…until one day, in the year of 266 BC, when an army of Saluvii showed up at the southern border to Arvernotorg. Immediately diplomats have been sent, who asked why the people of the Saluvii now invades the lands of the Arverni, with who they used to trade for ages. The Saluvii answered, that they felt sorry and meant no harm, but they did not choose to come here. The Archon of Massalia had dispersed them from their lands. They told, he was an enemy of all Celts and intended to exterminate as many as he could in order to establish pure Greek civilisation in this region. Also they begged for help, and of course the Arverni could not decline. Not only it was dangerous to have such radical people nearby, also the wealth of this City was not to be overlooked. So when the year of 266 BC ended, the Arverni accepted to help the Saluvii to take Massalia and dispel the Archon.

Belenos oi Lugos has been chosen to be the leader of this expedition, since he was known to be a good general. And this war would require a very good one.


https://img89.imageshack.us/img89/7968/5belenostalentedleaderdn5.png

Belenos gathered his army in Gergovia and lead it to the border to Massalia. It consisted of 1’200 Iaosatae, contributed by the loyal client king of Bibracte, over 6’000 Bataroas from Arvernotorg itself and 3’200 Uirodusios – naked Spearmen – from the tribe of the Treveri.

The Saluvii and dispersed Greeks from Massalia contributed 1’000 Curepos, light cavalrymen quite similar to the Leuce Epos, 3’200 Hoplitai Haploi and 1’200 Sphedonetai. The core of their army consisted of 3’200 Massaliotai Hoplitai. 4’000 Gaemile Liguriae joined the army under the condition, that the Liguri also will find a new home in Massalia, when it’s been taken. The reason for this request, was the fact, that the Romanii had invaded and occupied their homeland. Of course they were welcome too.


https://img528.imageshack.us/img528/4622/11armybordermassiliazt9.png

When the multinational force of 25’000 men showed up at the border to Massalia, their Archon sent his diplomats to prevail upon them to retreat, but they declined the Arverni’s term to hand over their Archon and let the Liguri and Saluvii settle down in their lands. War was unavoidable.


http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/4005/13warwithmassalianc4.png

Soon siege could be laid on Massalia, since the Arverni warlords traditionally were very well supplied.


https://img179.imageshack.us/img179/4427/12belenoswellsuppliedzl3.png


The city of Massalia had high stone walls, unlike most Celtic cities, who had wooden palisades that time – of course apart from the great Oppidae. But in the war against the Haedui the Arverni never had to face such a massive line of defense. Instead of rams the Arverni constructed ladders and attacked the city.

When they approached, the Massalian defenders showered the attackers with a rain of burning arrows and the massive towers fired deadly shots too.


https://img261.imageshack.us/img261/9629/siegeburningarrowsak2.png

https://img413.imageshack.us/img413/204/siegeburningarrows2hi6.png

The Celts were used to attack in one single, fierce strike. So everyone wanted to be the first one to climb up the wall. This bravery turned out to be fatal for many warriors, since they represented a great target to the archers on the wall.


https://img231.imageshack.us/img231/2074/siegetoonearthewallgj4.png

The Hoplites tried to protect themselves with their huge shields, but also of them many died.


https://img412.imageshack.us/img412/9259/siegeshieldsmx7.png

But finally the attackers reached the walls, reared their ladders and started to ascend.


https://img129.imageshack.us/img129/701/siegeupthewallsjo1.png

Once they reached the top of the wall, they jumped amidst the enemies and caused a massacre.


https://img253.imageshack.us/img253/6636/siegetakethewallshw9.png

The light archers were killed very soon, but the Peltastai defended themselves vigorously against the Liguri.


https://img255.imageshack.us/img255/8818/siegefightupthewallsdd8.png

However, the Arverni managed to take the gate of the city and open it for the rest of the army.


https://img261.imageshack.us/img261/7961/siegegotthemxi8.png

The Hoplitai charged into the city and fought back the enemy’s Hoplitai Haploi.


https://img513.imageshack.us/img513/1913/siegehoplitecombatqi8.png

The Peltastai on the wall still defended themselves and even seemed to defeat the Liguri, who suffered from many casualties. So the Arverni took the next tower and charged. From below warriors penetrated upwards, from above warriors fell down like stones.


https://img172.imageshack.us/img172/2/siegefallingfromwallgi9.png

Of course Belenos oi Lugos charged in with his cavalry too. A Celtic warlord could not afford to fight less brave than his warriors.


https://img206.imageshack.us/img206/3682/siegecavalrystreetfightfz1.png

After all, despite the heavy casualties the Arverni suffered, their superiority turned out not to be bearable for the Massalians. A hard-earned victory was won. The reason for these heavy casualties was clearly the lack of experience taking such massive walls. This day, the Arverni learned very, very much about besiegement, but at an extremely high cost. That day, more than 2’700 Arverni have been injured, another 8’500 would never see home again.


https://img530.imageshack.us/img530/182/siegevictoryfo8.png

The Massalian Archon has been killed and the population enslaved or slaughtered, to make an example.


https://img176.imageshack.us/img176/2231/siegezlaveswt3.png


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


265 BC Massalia was under the rule of the Arverni. Like they promised, they left the land to the Graeco-Celtic Saluvii and the Liguri, under the term, that their king had to be signed off by the Arverni and stand under their protection.

Same procedure as in Bibracte. The new client king’s name was Tincommios moc Gobannitio. And of course also he was a man loyal to the Arverni, even got admitted into the tribe of the Arverni.


https://img530.imageshack.us/img530/6884/16kingofmassaliaxm6.png

So it has been assured, that Massalia’s wealth redounded to everyone’s advantage. Everyone of course, was the Arverni. Due to this new wealth, the Arverni could afford even to ameliorate their cities further. So the new market in Gergovia could be extended, and also the transformation of the lands of the Aulerci into Arverni Homeland could proceed faster and finally be completed.


https://img159.imageshack.us/img159/676/14constructionreportbu2.png

If there are some things certain, then one of them is the fact, that Aneirin oi Lugos, patriarch of the Arverni, will go down in history as one of the greatest Celtic leaders ever. Not only as a warlord, but also as the great governor he was.


https://img403.imageshack.us/img403/9306/15aneirinattunedgovernozk3.png


When the year of 265 BC ended, the Arverni not only were stronger than ever before, they also controlled one of the greatest trade cities in western Europe and got access to the great Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Their power in Celtic Gaul was not to be questioned anymore, but also other states and tribes expanded. On the British Island, the Belgian tribe of the Cantiaci was assimilated by the Catuvelauni, who originally descended from Belgian tribes too, but the Arverni considered them already to be a British tribe. Together the Catuvelauni and Cantiaci formed a new, strong tribe, named Casse. There would be much to be expected from them in the future.

And as mentioned before, the Roman Republic expanded its territory and occupied Liguria and Aemilia. In Patavium the Romans and the Principality of Mediolanum tried to take over control one after another, without offending their alliance – yet. But the Veneti could beat them back several times.

And finally the Sweboz appeared at the northern border to the lands of the Belgae.

The Celtic world was changing. The time of small tribes definitely headed towards its end. If the Celts wanted to survive aside the great empires that were being forged in front of their eyes, they had to come up with something.



Known territory in 265 BC
https://img155.imageshack.us/img155/204/21mapsn9.png

[Olaf Blackeyes]

Great Job.:2thumbsup:

[penguinking]

Excellent update. Some really good screenshots, especially the one with the Ligurians being illuminated by fire arrows.

[SwissBarbar]

Thank you :-) Glad you appreciate it. Yeah, the Ligurians. They are guests of the Saluvii now, but may be going to redemand their homeland from the romans.

[Mjolnir]

Very nice, I was wondering how you were planning on justifying an attack on Massalia. Excellent screenshots of the battle.

[Olaf Blackeyes]

Remember im watching u. Invade Sweboz lands and ill come hunting for your HEAD!!!!:smash:

[SwissBarbar]

You bet, IF I do, I'll have reason to do so :whip: Nasty Sweboz

[I of the Storm]

Nice! Well done!

[SwissBarbar]

Hmm, i'm a bit scared now, i have at least 4 great markets since 4-5 turns now, and no reform is about to happen. Are there other triggers, than them in the FAQ? Of course i never forgot to activate the script....

Also when I look at the building tree, there not even IS a Dauerdanoch on it, only the trader and the market Level 2 :inquisitive: :inquisitive:

[Mediolanicus]

The building trees don't work in EB because they are made to show building levels like in Vanilla RTW. e.g. -2000 population = trader, -6000 pop. = market, -12000pop. = great market, -24000 pop. = huge market, +24000 pop. = even bigger market.
In EB you can build multiple levels of buildings in the same city level, so the RTW building trees only registrate the first and lowest level.

I played an Arverni campaign before my current one and had no problem getting the reforms, although only got them in 240BC or something (I'm a slow expander), I see - in your great AAR - that you are still in the 2-sixties... But then again the script should trigger them anyway the moment the Celtic factions have 4 large markets...

[SwissBarbar]

Ah, thanks for the Information, did not know that.

Yes, meanwhile I'm in 261 or 260, maybe it does not occur until 250 or so. Thats what I hope.

[SwissBarbar]

all-clear , it appeared. :yes:

[Potocello]

nice AAR Swiss =)

[SwissBarbar]

Thank you, my old adversary :2thumbsup:

[SwissBarbar]

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/faction_banner_03arv.jpg
Of savage tribes and glorious empires




https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gifChapter 5 – Alea Iacta Est https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif


“Never will we leave Mediolanum, NEVER!”, the young Roman diplomat yelled. “They lay claim to Patavium, but its ours!”
“Yes I see, but they were there first. You took it from them”, the Arverni responded. He’s been on diplomatic mission for years, but such a stubborn fellow never crossed his path.
“I don’t care. They did not conquer the city, right? They negotiated. But we did conquer it. Leave it to them, what, are you nuts, Barbarian?” He spat the last word out, and drew a sword. “Look at this sword! Roman quality! With that we will stab everyone to cross our border! Remember that, Barbarian!!”
The Arverni took a look at the sword, and responded calmly “My friend, this is a Celtic sword. And a bad one too, look at this…” A dapper wave of his hand, and his bodyguard slow-flowing drew his Celtic longsword and described small circles with its point in front of the diplomats nose, who anxiously looked at the huge, muscular man in front of him.

Usually diplomatic discussions were done unarmed, but since both sides did not trust each other, the Romans and the Arverni agreed, that every diplomat may be escorted by a bodyguard.

The Arverni bodyguard sheathed his sword. “What say you, Roman. How can we come to a conclusion?”, the Arverni diplomat asked.
“You better watch not to come too close to Roman territory, or maybe it will be your lands that will belong to us next”, the Roman responded. The time when the Romans feared the Celts obviously was over. This young fellow showed no respect. A bad diplomat he was. “Let us take Mediolanum too, and we will leave the rest of Gaul for now.”
“I cannot allow this, Mediolanum is a valuable trading partner to my people.”
“In that case there’s nothing more to say. Alea iacta est!” The Roman diplomat snappishly turned his head, stood up and went away.
The Arverni smiled. Alea iacta est. What a stupid phrase, even if a famous person would’ve said that, this would never enter the history books.


------------------------------------------------------------------

But to know, how it came to this conversation, lets go to the chronological beginning of this chapter. In the year of 264 BC, when the new client ruler of Massalia sat on his throne, a time of peace dawned all over the lands of the Arverni. Cities grew and flourished. Instead of war, the Arverni cared for trade and culture. Markets were built and branches of trade opened up.


https://img520.imageshack.us/img520/3831/2constructionreport264bft2.png

https://img144.imageshack.us/img144/7475/3constructionreport264boi6.png

The Principality of Mediolanum was the most important trading partner of the Arverni. Not only they paid tribute to keep peace, they also bought and sold all kinds of trade goods for very good prices. Mediolanum evolved into one of the richest city states in the known world.


https://img216.imageshack.us/img216/4163/1mediolanumrichestfactiby3.png

Due to this progressively improved trade, the Arverni constructed more and more markets and their wealth grew further.


https://img216.imageshack.us/img216/5319/5constructionreport263hz5.png

But the Gods always keep the world’s balance, so just when things were going very well, ill luck came to the Arverni. Their leader’s wife died at the venerable age of 61 years in 262 BC.


https://img228.imageshack.us/img228/5474/4wifediesbl5.png

Though she was very old, it was quite a shock to Aneirin oi Lugos. Though he fought many battles and was a strong man, he could not absorb this loss, and died just a few weeks later broken hearted.


https://img185.imageshack.us/img185/6351/7factionleaderdiesix2.png

Oh what sad day! The Arverni lost their greatest leader ever. He was the one who defeated the Haedui. He was the one to unify many Celtic tribes. As it was ancient tradition, it was not the eldest son who inherited the leadership over the tribes, but the people elected their new leader. Belenos oi Lugos was the saviour of the tribe of the Saluvii from extermination through the Archon of Massalia, and conqueror of the oldest and one of the greatest port cities in western Europe. This made him the most influential man.


https://img520.imageshack.us/img520/9356/9belenosoilugosob9.png

So it happened, that though the sons of Aneirin all were great men and honourable warriors, he of all people, the youngest son of Aneirin, was elected by his people to become the new high king of the Arverni. More than once such a situation caused a civil war between brothers, but fortunately Aneirins sons loved each other like the brothers they were, and accepted the new leader.


https://img149.imageshack.us/img149/8048/8newfactionleaderfn7.png

Although they suffered a great loss, the Arverni continued to strengthen their economy. Other tribes tried to keep up with them, but they began to contract debts and owed the Arverni many goods and much money. With the election of Belenos as high king, a new age of Celtic culture began.


https://img412.imageshack.us/img412/6290/1bondsmense3.png

Belenos oi Lugos developed a new kind of Celtic military system. Still all tribes had their own armies and defended themselves. But besides that, every tribe had to contribute a certain amount – between 1’000 and 3’000 – of soldiers, to be under Belenos’ command. So when the year of 262 BC ended, messengers were sent to every tribe in the League of the Arverni to requisition those warriors.

In spring 261 BC, outside Gergovia, warriors from all tribes assembled. The tribe of the Aulerci contributed 1’200 Iaosatae. The client king of the Haedui sent 2’000 Bataroas and the tribes of the Treveri and Sequani sent 1’600 Uirodusios, while the Segusiavi contributed 1’600 Caturige Gaedann from the Alps. The client king of Massalia sent 2’000 Bataroas and from the Arverni themselves 2’400 Lugoae have been sent. All in all 10’800 warriors gathered. This was the first kind of “royal army” the Celts ever had.


Caturige Gaedann https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/eleutheroi/alps/ele_caturiges.gif



Furthermore, Belenos let it be known, that every new son of the leading families had to serve in this army for at least five years or until he proved to be a hero. Also the army had to be accompanied by at least 2 diplomats and 2 spies wherever it went.


------------------------------------------------------------------

In the year of 260 BC word reached Belenos’ ear, that the Principality of Mediolanum and the fast expanding Roman Republic argued about who had the right to claim Patavium. The rich Principality of Mediolanum tried to get Patavium earlier, but after some lost battles against the Veneti, they tried diplomatically to get access to the city. During this procedure, the Roman Barbarians invaded Patavium. They also have been beaten back several times, but in the end they managed to capture Patavium, since the Veneti already were weakened by the war they fought against Mediolanum.

Mediolanum, former ally of the Romans too, dismissed the friendship with Rome.


https://img519.imageshack.us/img519/1488/22mediolanumandromeallivf6.png

The Romans threatened Mediolanum and tried to force them to submit. Mediolanum didn’t, and asked the Arverni for help. The Arverni sent a diplomat to the Romans, and asked them to leave Mediolanum alone. They rejected in a very, very impolite way.


https://img237.imageshack.us/img237/1061/17romadeclinesgj9.png

The Arverni diplomat returned to Belenos oi Lugos and reported the facts. Rome declined to cooperate.
“How dare those Barbarians!” , Belenos yelled.
“They call us Barbarians too.”, the diplomat answered.
Silence. Belenos doubtfully looked at his diplomat and doubted his sanity.
“Impossible!”, he said. “They don’t even have own gods but worship the ones of the Greeks, but dare calling us Barbarians?”
“Yes. And they say, we should be happy, if they didn’t claim our lands too.”
Belenos’ jaw dropped.
“They sent a maniac instead of a diplomatist?“
“Well, I could not maintain the contrary”, the diplomat said, and started to laugh.
“Why do you laugh?”, Belenos asked.
“Because of the last sentence he said to me.”, he chuckled again and dramatically and theatrically repeated the words: “Alea iacta est!“
Belenos and his stuff laughed with all their hearts. “My god, what a stupid phrase, haha”.
From now on, this sentence became a running gag among the Arverni.

But also more serious business has been done that day. The Principality of Mediolanum had to be saved from Roman harm. They were just a too important trading partner. So Belenos decided to march to Mediolanum with his army and defend it, should the Romans invade. So he gathered the Army and marched when winter ended.

Since it was early spring, and the mountains still could not be crossed, the only way there would lead through Liguria, that has been captured by the Romans. But Mediolanum was too important, and so the army marched, and reached Liguria a few weeks later. Belenos led the army himself, accompanied by Erbin moc Custennyn, a promising young man, who had been adopted by one of his brothers, and had to serve in the army now.

For a few days, the Arverni could cross Ligura, but then they were detected by a Roman spy. Immediately the Romans demanded, that the Celts would turn around and go home, but when they didn’t the Romans did not hesitate to declare war upon them and gather an army.


https://img90.imageshack.us/img90/4417/21romewaroy0.png

------------------------------------------------------------------

In 260 BC, when the Arverni almost reached territory of Mediolanum, at the border between Mediolanum and Patavium, a Roman army of 16’400 men attacked the Arverni. The Arverni could field 15’500 men, since the Samnites took the chance to rebel against Rome again, and supported the Celts with 1’600 Hastati Samnitici and 1’600 Samnitici Milites.

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/romani/roman_samnite_swordsmen.gif Samnitici Milites

Never before the Arverni fought an adversary like the Roman Barbarians. It was quite impressive, how disciplined their army advanced. The ground seemed to shake under their constant cadence. On the other side of the battlefield, the Romans were quite impressed by the naked warriors in the first battle line of the Arverni. But finally they remembered, that they were better equipped and started to underestimate the Arverni. They thought Roman discipline would succeed over Celtic bravery, and even attacked uphill.

The Romans advanced strategically very sophisticated, while the Celts only had one strategy. Their leaders fought in the first battle line, and they would swoop down on the enemy and bash them up. Yes. That’s the way war is fought! The only ones, who fought quite disciplined on the Arvernis side, were the Samnites.


https://img178.imageshack.us/img178/4453/23battlesamniticint1.png

When the Romans advanced, the Arverni attacked with all their might. A cruel and bloody battle started. The Romans turned out to be quite hard-edged enemies.


https://img223.imageshack.us/img223/2691/23battlestrugglebx7.png

Also on Roman side Samnites fought. They really were good value and slaughtered many men! They gathered round their military standards and defended them with their lives.


https://img119.imageshack.us/img119/4439/24battlestruggleww9.png

The Roman Triarii fought like the Greek Hoplitai. This kind of warrior Belenos knew very well from his campaign in Massalia. He knew their weak points. Soon they routed off the field or got slaughtered.


https://img246.imageshack.us/img246/8319/25battleroutyg9.png

It was a tough fight. The Roman general also routed with the last two of his bodyguards, when he saw his Triarii run. Belenos pursued the general, but he could escape.

Among the Arverni, another version of the story went around: Just before the Roman general turned and fled, Belenos rode to fight him and yelled at the top of his voice “ALEA IACTA EST, YIIIEEEAAAH”.

However, when this bloody battle ended, many men were dead. A river of blood streamed downhill and the crows would be fat and plump this year.


https://img90.imageshack.us/img90/9079/26battledeadea4.png


The Romans would never have bargained for that they could lose against those, who they called Barbarians. But when evening came, their army was scattered to the four winds.


https://img141.imageshack.us/img141/7422/28battlestatssu4.png

Though the Arverni lost over 5’000 men and another 4’000 were injured, the victory was complete and worthy of the gods. Belenos led his Army to Mediolanum and decided, that they went home in summer across the mountains, and replaced their losses. While his army camped near Mediolanum, he sent his spies to scout the way through the Alps and his diplomats to assure, that they were allowed to march through the lands of the Helvetii.


https://img297.imageshack.us/img297/9305/29campmediolanum2xj3.png

An example has been made, and the Romans did not dare to attack Mediolanum – at least not this year. Belenos knew, that hard times were upon the Arverni. A decisive time. Though the Romans were Barbarians, he respected their military skills. Their warriors were quite skilled and well trained. Maybe not as courageous as the Celts, but they made up for that with their discipline and good equipment. Belenos had the feeling, that this conflict was nowhere near an end. The Romans were well known not to give up quickly. He was sure, that this would not have been the last battle he fought with the Romans. Maybe he roused a sleeping giant.

However, this war started very good! The Romans would never forget this defeat. And also among the Arverni warriors who fought bravely that certain day, when Celtic courage triumphed over Roman generalship, there would be no single man, who could ever forget the historic moment, when the last Roman was slain and the warriors stood around their king and clamoured their cheer of triumph.



https://img232.imageshack.us/img232/3006/27battlecheeroe6.png






Known territory in 259 BC
https://img265.imageshack.us/img265/2544/30mapid1.png

[Olaf Blackeyes]

GO GO swiss. Beat teh @#!# outta those pompous arses

[SwissBarbar]

Yeah, the Romans will cause a lot of trouble. This will be a hard fight

[HayGuy]

How did that blue colored Principality form after you killed the Aedui?

[Mediolanicus]

How did that blue colored Principality form after you killed the Aedui?

He just changed the colour of the Aedui.

Do a search, plenty of threads on how to do that.

[Mjolnir]

Congrats on getting the Celtic reforms. Good read, keep it up. :2thumbsup:

[SwissBarbar]

Thank you :yes:

@ HayGuy: Yes, I just changed the colour. I exterminated the Aedui, made a screenshot of the "Faction Destroyed" - Button, an reloaded the game and played on from the point, where the Aedui only had Mediolanum left.

[HayGuy]

Cool RP man. I am gonna do the same when I settle down and do an AAR...what does that stand for anyhow?

[SwissBarbar]

Thank you. AAR means "After Action Report" or "After Action Review"

[Macilrille]

The Arverni smiled. Alea iacta est. What a stupid phrase, even if a famous person would’ve said that, this would never enter the history books.


LOL.

[SwissBarbar]

This was not the last time you read this sentence in my AAR :eyebrows:

[SwissBarbar]

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/faction_banner_03arv.jpg
Of savage tribes and glorious empires




https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gifChapter 6 – Tiberivs Cornelivs Blasio https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif


For more than one hundred years, the Roman Republic tirelessly worked on the conquest of the Italian peninsula. Though they suffered many hard setbacks on their way, for example the Celtic Invasion 387 BC or the defeats against Italic tribes, the Romans managed to conquer one territory after another. Between 343 BC and 290 BC they fought three wars against the Samnites, in 340 the Latin Wars have been fought and finally Rome established a widely ramified confederation system. Many of the former enemies now fought in Roman legions. Still some, like the Samnites, took every opportunity to rebel against Rome.

In southern Italy, Rome fought a cruel war against Phyrros of Epirus. They even managed to take the city of Taras and seize power over Kalabria. But a few years later Phyrros came back, and reconquered his former lands.

In the north of Italy, Rome dispersed the Liguri and claimed their territory. Not long after that, as a result of the capturing of Patavium, the Roman Republic got into conflict with the Principality of Mediolanum, that also grasped for Venetia. Mediolanum, facing the Roman threat, seeked and found the Arverni’s aid, who could not afford to let down their wealthiest trading partner. In 260 BC they defeated the Roman general Caivs Avrelivs Cotta and slaughtered over 15’000 Roman soldiers. With that Mediolanum was save for now. To face the Celtic threat, the Romans stationed an Army near Liguria, but actually still on Mediolanian territory.


https://img502.imageshack.us/img502/9094/1romanarmynearborderwy1.png

Through several farmsteads they were quite well supplied there. Commander of this army was a Legatvs called Tiberivs Cornelivs Blasio the Younger. He was born into the family of the Aemilii but had been adopted by Ti. Cornelivs Blasio the Elder, who became the new governor of Liguria.

The army of the Arverni, only a few miles away, made for home when winter ended. Their diplomats and spies ensured safe passage through the territory of the Helvetii. The Samnites, who had fought by their side, went home.


https://img502.imageshack.us/img502/747/3armyinhelvetilandgc7.png

Well aware of the fact, that the war with Rome had but started, the Arverni did not reinforce the units of the troops that went home, because it would have taken too long to send word to all tribes, but instead just added new troops from the nearer tribes to the army.

Though many men now served in the army, the cities of the Arverni still prospered and economy evolved well. The same counted for their client kingdoms.


https://img141.imageshack.us/img141/8017/2bibractegrowstb4.png

Through the last years, many markets have been built and new branches of trade appeared. This and the tribute they received from Mediolanum brought much money into the treasury, that could now be spent for war.


https://img134.imageshack.us/img134/2691/4constructionreport258rb9.png

In spring 257 BC Belenos oi Lugos and Erbin moc Custennyn set off for Liguria again. In addition to the veterans from the first battle against Rome, 3’200 Teceitos from the tribe of the Treveri joined the army. The client king of Massalia, eager to prove his loyalty, contributed 6’500 Massaliotai Hoplitai and Keltohellenikoi Hoplitai. The Arverni reached the border to Liguria with almost 24’000 men and camped there during the summer.

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/arverni/arverni_teceitos.gif Arverni Teceitos

A great part of Rome’s army was bound in the south, due to the war against Epeiros. So Rome tried to control the north by diplomacy. Unfortunately, although it's not long since they've lost a great battle against Belenos, their diplomatists did not learn much from it, and offered the Arverni to become a protectorate and promised that they would not be extinguished if they retreated now.


https://img177.imageshack.us/img177/9537/5romansprotectoratemg9.png

Belenos oi Lugos did not know if he should laugh or jump out of his skin. But he knew how to put the Romans right. The answer was 24’000 Celts deploying on Roman territory.

Tiberivs Cornelivs Blasio immediately let his army march. In autumn he reached the Arverni and arrayed for battle.


https://img144.imageshack.us/img144/1841/10battleromanssa7.png

On Roman side many Celtic mercenaries from the alpine tribes fought. Especially the Raetii seemed to be friends of the Romanii. They contributed thousands of axe- and spearmen. All units considered, the Roman army mainly consisted of Hastati, Principes and Triarii, but also of Pedites Extraordinarii, Roarii, Samnitici Milites and Leves.


Camillan Principes https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/romani/roman_early_principes.gif

The part of the Celtic mercenaries, who fought for Roma, consisted of Appea Gaedotos, Tekastos and Golberi Curoas. Even some Gaemile Liguriae were there. Their cavalry was composed of Eqvites Romani and Eqvites Campanici. Also many graeco-hellenic soldiers, who used to fight for the former tyrannous Archon of Massalia, now were hired to serve Rome, so many Misthophoroi Keltohellenikoi Hoplitai and Misthophoroi Massaliotai Hoplitai fought in this Roman army..


https://img246.imageshack.us/img246/3743/9battleromansceltsub7.png

The core of the Arverni the troops from Massalia formed again, since they were more disciplined than the other Celts, and would not surge ahead without orders.


https://img253.imageshack.us/img253/4915/7battleaxehoplitaiyg4.png

The Romans seemed to have learnt much from the last battle. This time they arrayed uphill. Belenos stationed his cavalry near the edge of the woods, so they could step in immediately if needed. He knew, if he wanted to defeat the Romans again, he needed to proceed as disciplined as possible, so he ordered the cavalry not to attack until he ordered it. Of course they were highly indignant, for they always charged in the first (and only) battle line of Celtic armies, but finally they agreed, since they trusted their king.


https://img201.imageshack.us/img201/8609/8battleriderspi6.png

As expected the disciplined Massaliotai Hoplitai held the line against the Roman charge. A cruel and bloody battle began.


https://img178.imageshack.us/img178/7360/11battlestrugglefg5.png

Also as half expected the cavalry was much less disciplined and charged without orders, when they saw the infantry fight.


https://img128.imageshack.us/img128/2320/12battlecavallerychargecj6.png

The Celts broke cover all along the forest, and came out of the thicket. The Romans charged. 50’000 warriors butchered each other along a battle line of at least two miles.


https://img339.imageshack.us/img339/981/13battlestruggleum0.png

The Romans made one mistake. They entrusted their Celtic mercenaries with holding the flanks, which was exactly what they didn’t. After the first bloody charge of the Arverni’s heavy infantry, they routed and let the Arverni attack the flank of the Roman heavy core. The result of that once again was the loss of an entire Roman army. Legatvs Cornelivs could escape, but the rest of his army was doomed.


https://img187.imageshack.us/img187/6074/14battlestatsit8.png

After this great victory Belenos decided to overwinter a few miles further east, just between the location of the latest battle and the location of the first battle he fought against the Romani. He decided to camp there because this spot was not far from the city of Segesta, which he intended to reach in spring and – even more important – it was near the farmsteads the Romans used before, so he could maintain supplies throughout the winter.


https://img141.imageshack.us/img141/3565/15campbetweenfieldsofbaxq5.png

The Arverni came well through the tough winter. Soon they would march against Segesta, but Belenos intended to wait for the snow to disappear. One morning in spring 256 BC someone blew a Celtic horn. First Belenos thought it was one of the scouts who didn’t come back in time from their spotting, but then a second and a third horn were blown somewhere far away. The Arverni searched the horizon. Nothing….but then… on a hill a few miles away, an army appeared and deployed. Belenos couldn’t believe his own eyes. It was the Roman Legatvs again, Tiberivs Cornelivs Blasio, who brought with him another 23’000 warriors. One had to admit, that this general really never gave up. During the winter he visited the allied Celtic tribes and gathered a new army, consisting of Massaliotai Hoplitai, Misthophoroi Peltastai, Hastati Samnitici, Noricene Gaecori, Enoci Curoas, Aichmetai Leukanoi and a strong cavalry composed of Eqvites Campanici, Misthophoroi Hippeis, Liguriae Epos and even Gallic Curepos.

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/eleutheroi/italy/rebel_lucanian_spearmen_merc.gif Aichmetai Leukanoi

The Arverni left the camp, deployed in the woods and awaited the attack. But first Belenos held a speech, in which he reminded everyone not to charge without orders, for all their lives depended on that. After midday the battle began.


https://img140.imageshack.us/img140/1802/16battleattackedagainml2.png

The Celts on Roman side approached with a strong core. The Eqvites Campanici covered their right, the rest of the cavalry took care of the left flank.


https://img177.imageshack.us/img177/1207/17battlemapbx5.png

The Arverni waited for them to enter the forest. This time no one charged without orders. For the first time fighting the Romans, the Arverni were the more disciplined ones. When the enemies reached the edge of the woods, a rain of javelins lightened their ranks.


https://img140.imageshack.us/img140/6687/18battlejavelinsko2.png

This time the cavalry of the Arverni waited for orders and hid in the woods. So when the Roman cavalry tried to attack the Arverni’s right flank, they could surprise them and make them flee.


https://img145.imageshack.us/img145/2219/19battlecavalryho4.png

Also surprised but steadfast were the bodyguards of the Roman general, when they were surrounded by Belenos, Erbin and the rest of their cavalry.


https://img204.imageshack.us/img204/2407/20battlecavalryvsgenerafd4.png

The Celtic mercenaries on Roman side did not stand their ground for a long time against the Arverni’s battle-tested veterans.


https://img509.imageshack.us/img509/936/21battledyingsamniteqe9.png

When Tiberivs Cornelivs Blasio fell, no one could retain the rest of his army from seeking refuge in flight. The Arverni instantly tried to mutilate his body, but Belenos forbid them to do so. He respected his dead adversary for his courage and duteousness.


https://img105.imageshack.us/img105/1444/22battleenemygeneralfalak2.png

When the battle was over, 21’000 adversarial Celts lay dead on the ground. The Arverni lost 2’300 men, another 1’800 have been wounded.


https://img158.imageshack.us/img158/7538/23battlestatsau2.png

The few enemies that survived fled back to their tribes.


https://img242.imageshack.us/img242/4629/24battlenemyarmyroutsaa4.png

Belenos reinforced his army with 1’600 Appea Gaedotos mercenaries, who fought for Rome before, and some cavalry and slingers, since almost all of his slingers died in the last battles. Not long after this battle, the Arverni laid siege on Segesta, the former capital city of the Liguri and now governed by a man called Tiberivs Cornelivs Blasio the Elder, adoptive father of Legatvs Blasio, who died heroically in the woods.

When Belenos and his army reached Segesta, he sent a convoy of his own bodyguards to Blasio the Elder, and handed over the body of his son together with a royal Celtic longsword of best quality, an honour normally only conferred to the most valiant Celtic generals.





Known territory in 256 BC
https://img265.imageshack.us/img265/2544/30mapid1.png

[Mjolnir]

:2thumbsup:

[Tyrfingr]

I really like this AAR, it get two thumbs up!

[machinor]

Your Screenshots are absolutely EPIC!! Great AAR!! :2thumbsup:

[SwissBarbar]

Thank you very much :beam:

[I of the Storm]

Again, a great chapter! :2thumbsup:

[SwissBarbar]

Thanks for the kind words, guys :knuddel:

I hope to write the next chapter this evening or tomorrow :stupido:

[johnhughthom]

Very well put together AAR, enjoying it so far SB.:2thumbsup:

[SwissBarbar]

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/faction_banner_03arv.jpg
Of savage tribes and glorious empires




https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gifChapter 7 – Vae Victis! https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif



https://img167.imageshack.us/img167/4997/1newfamilymemberrl6.png

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.


https://img292.imageshack.us/img292/8720/2siegebeforebattlexa1.png

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.


https://img222.imageshack.us/img222/2613/3siegegreeksadvanceze2.png

It took not long to batter the wooden walls down.


https://img177.imageshack.us/img177/3987/4siegewallsdownob3.png

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


https://img523.imageshack.us/img523/4325/5siegejavelinsji2.png

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.


https://img187.imageshack.us/img187/8102/6siegestreetfightvq0.png

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


https://img104.imageshack.us/img104/1417/7siegegeneralstruggleyq5.png

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


https://img412.imageshack.us/img412/7866/8siegegeneralfallencd0.png

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


https://img520.imageshack.us/img520/3696/9siegemarchlg8.png

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.


https://img164.imageshack.us/img164/7572/10siegestatsft9.png

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.


https://img110.imageshack.us/img110/9449/11erbinbacktomassaliahx0.png

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.


https://img240.imageshack.us/img240/5160/12constructionreport256ar6.png

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.


https://img519.imageshack.us/img519/8876/12clientrulerhe3.png

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.


https://img99.imageshack.us/img99/3131/13campneararretiumjt7.png

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.


https://img134.imageshack.us/img134/272/14battlecavalleryjaveligg7.png

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


https://img145.imageshack.us/img145/1392/15battlegreekmercenariexv4.png

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.


https://img522.imageshack.us/img522/4039/16battlegreeksfighttothlp8.png

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.


https://img84.imageshack.us/img84/8530/17battlestatsvn4.png

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.


https://img518.imageshack.us/img518/4927/18beforebattleqz9.png

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.


https://img258.imageshack.us/img258/8631/19battlemakedonianphalaty9.png

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.


https://img84.imageshack.us/img84/2820/20battleromansunifyinger2.png

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.


https://img144.imageshack.us/img144/3791/21battlestrugglejj8.png

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.


https://img145.imageshack.us/img145/8614/22battlephalanxlj7.png

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.


https://img204.imageshack.us/img204/1108/23battlestatsdk0.png

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


https://img183.imageshack.us/img183/418/24romabesiegeddv3.png

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.


https://img220.imageshack.us/img220/2909/25erbinsmallbattlestatshc3.png


------------------------------------------------------------------


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.


https://img177.imageshack.us/img177/5332/32husbandformynnean0.png

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.


https://img141.imageshack.us/img141/2706/26siegerometakenstatsja3.png

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!


https://img145.imageshack.us/img145/4495/27peopleenslavedvb1.png https://img265.imageshack.us/img265/7738/28peopleenslaved2it5.png

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.


https://img228.imageshack.us/img228/1464/31hardconditionsra8.png

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.


https://img441.imageshack.us/img441/175/33fortsalongborderlinehx9.png

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.


https://img231.imageshack.us/img231/7873/30belenoswealthyps4.png https://img186.imageshack.us/img186/7536/29belenoslikebrennosew1.png

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
https://img522.imageshack.us/img522/6726/34mapbs6.png

[Olaf Blackeyes]

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

[Mjolnir]

Epic. :yes:

[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 :laugh4:

[HunGeneral]

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

[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]

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/faction_banner_03arv.jpg
Of savage tribes and glorious empires




https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gifChapter 8 – Through Snow And Ice https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif


“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 https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/eleutheroi/alps/rebel_appea_gaedotos.gif

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.


https://img228.imageshack.us/img228/6686/1aloneinthemountainsfg8.png

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.


https://img177.imageshack.us/img177/7126/2constructionreportbd8.png https://img218.imageshack.us/img218/7347/3constructionreportwm2.png

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.


https://img218.imageshack.us/img218/8896/4besiegementpc6.png

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.


https://img299.imageshack.us/img299/279/5rationingbe3.png

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 https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/arverni/arverni_lugoae.gif

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


https://img136.imageshack.us/img136/1642/6beforeattacksr6.png

The Arverni waited for the weather to play along.


https://img525.imageshack.us/img525/3470/8siegesuniz5.png

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


https://img232.imageshack.us/img232/5072/7siegetownze3.png

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.


https://img150.imageshack.us/img150/791/9siegestrugglefq5.png

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.


https://img218.imageshack.us/img218/3995/12siegemassalianofficerzb8.png

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.


https://img340.imageshack.us/img340/7016/14siegetownhall2ix9.png

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.


https://img91.imageshack.us/img91/9797/13siegebreakingdooril4.png

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


https://img407.imageshack.us/img407/5619/11siegeenemygeneraldeadrc7.png

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.


https://img128.imageshack.us/img128/7299/15siegestatsob6.png

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.


https://img100.imageshack.us/img100/1184/16mineslj8.png

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.


https://img168.imageshack.us/img168/6479/18governementrhaetiahw7.png

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.


https://img101.imageshack.us/img101/8809/19constructionreportkn3.png

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
https://img525.imageshack.us/img525/6974/20mapxa2.png

[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]

:2thumbsup:

[Mjolnir]

Looking forward to seeing what these "plans" are. :smash:

[I of the Storm]

Very good. Looking forward. :2thumbsup:

[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. :2thumbsup:

[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 :pleased:

[Potocello]

next chapter please :smash:

[SwissBarbar]

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

[SwissBarbar]

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/faction_banner_03arv.jpg
Of savage tribes and glorious empires




https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gifChapter 9 – About Brewing Treason And Being Betrayed https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif


“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.


https://img511.imageshack.us/img511/695/1lookininthefogbelenosxz1.png

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.


https://img141.imageshack.us/img141/1165/2ivomagosdaleryo9.png

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.


https://img216.imageshack.us/img216/3931/1riankiadocmocdrappescx8.png

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.


https://img102.imageshack.us/img102/9127/3cenabum2yr0.png

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.


https://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2264/4greatmarketbh0.png

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.


https://img514.imageshack.us/img514/4910/5tavernoi9.png

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.


https://img222.imageshack.us/img222/9753/6templesucelloshd3.png

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.


https://img255.imageshack.us/img255/3860/7armoryvm2.png

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.


https://img209.imageshack.us/img209/2797/9harborrv7.png


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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.


https://img519.imageshack.us/img519/3576/12spiesanddiplomatsatmenj1.png

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.

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/aedui/aedui_gaesatae.gif 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.


https://img204.imageshack.us/img204/2125/15battlestrugglecw1.png

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.


https://img204.imageshack.us/img204/2197/16factionleaderdiescj0.png

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


https://img147.imageshack.us/img147/3475/17battlestrugglecl8.png

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


https://img99.imageshack.us/img99/6307/18battlestatsxg1.png

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.


https://img164.imageshack.us/img164/3757/18newfactionleaderww5.png

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.


https://img144.imageshack.us/img144/814/10councilev7.png

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.


https://img150.imageshack.us/img150/3978/14daughterofbelenoshusbbv4.png https://img168.imageshack.us/img168/5052/14weddingrm8.png

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.


https://img440.imageshack.us/img440/6500/13wardh0.png

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
https://img140.imageshack.us/img140/1936/tribesforumbb9.png

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
https://img300.imageshack.us/img300/8210/19mapbv3.png

[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:2thumbsup::beam::2thumbsup:

[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. :book:

[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!

[SwissBarbar]

Thank you :-)

This dispute between Ivomagos d'Aler and the house of Belenos oi Lugos is necessary, for I have great plans in which the Hellenic and many other factions all around the known world will play even more important roles than they had until now in this AAR.

[Chirurgeon]

awesome...can't wait to read it!

[SwissBarbar]

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/faction_banner_03arv.jpg
Of savage tribes and glorious empires




https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gifChapter 10 – The Second Gallic War https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif


In the year of 246 BC fundamental changes of politics in the Hellenic world have been made. During the last decades, the mighty Koinon Hellenon arose like a phoenix from the ashes and conquered Peloponnesos, Thessalia, Makedonia and even parts of Thraikia and Mikra Asia. They subjugated the Makedonians and forced them to give up their sovereignty. The Koinon Hellenon were a very rich people, who carried on commerce with all peoples in the worlds, even the Celts in Gallia. A huge part of the Celtic wealth was founded on trade with the Hellenic peoples.


https://img223.imageshack.us/img223/170/3makedoniaalliesmediolaeu7.png.

In Gallia two alliances struggled for supremacy. On one side there was the League of the Arverni, composed of the tribes of the Treveri, Sequani, Segusiavi, Haedui, Aulerci, Saluvii, Rhaetii, of course the Arverni themselves and also the Italic people of the Liguri. Furthermore, the Roman Republic was subject to the Arverni.

On the other side there was the Principality of Mediolanum, who led a great campaign with the purpose to exterminate the League of the Arverni once and for all and to take over control in Gallia. Supported by the tribes of the Veneti, Pictones, Tarbelli, Volcae-Arecomici, Bituriges, Bellovaces and Nerves, the Principality of Mediolanum presented itself to be a worthy enemy.

The very rich Principality of Mediolanum and its allies had all advantages on their side. Not only did they surprise the Arverni, they also took advantage of the new political order in Greece. They forged an alliance with Makedonia and through that got access to the Hellenic rulers. Induced by Mediolanian diplomatists, the Koinon Hellenon declared war on the powerful king of Epeiros, who controlled southern Italy and the whole eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. They even managed to convince the Ptolemaioi to cancel their alliance with Epeiros. In response to this declaration of war, Epeiros had started an invasion in Sicilia in order to punish the Hellenic citizens of Syrakousai there.


https://img517.imageshack.us/img517/7500/5epeiroswarwithkhhx8.png

This war promised to shake the world and consumed a huge amount of the Hellenic peoples’ resources. The direct consequence of this fact was strikingly decreased Hellenic trade to the Arverni.

But at the moment the Arverni had other problems than decreasing trade with the Hellenes. War had been brought upon them. The second Gallic war had begun and would end either with the ultimate control over Gallia or extermination. So the Arverni’s governors and client kings prepared their cities for defence and adequate health care, for they expected many injured warriors.


https://img523.imageshack.us/img523/787/4construcionreportup6.png

Mediolanum, who had planned this for years, acted swiftly. Not long, and their armies laid siege upon the cities of Massalia and Viennos. They also tried to take over the lands of the Helveti, in order to provide a possibility to lead armies over the mountains and attack the lands of the Sequani.


https://img150.imageshack.us/img150/2257/6firstsiegesnd5.png

While the east was under attack, Ivomagos D’Aler, who had returned to Cenabum, his new capital city, prepared for a counterstroke in the west. The small armoury in the city was upgraded, so more soldiers could have access to good training.


https://img129.imageshack.us/img129/3672/2armourycenabumvw1.png

In the year of 245 BC, Ivomagos and Riankiadoc led an army of over 23’000 men onto the land of Armoriae, which was populated by the tribe of the Veneti. Unlike their Italic namesakes, the Veneti in Armoriae were better known for their fishermen than their warriors, so Ivomagos expected to defeat them quickly.

He split his army in two parts. Personally, he led the heavy infantry, consisting of 6’000 Bataroas, 1’200 Solduros and 1’600 Uirodusios and of course his bodyguard of 800 Brihentin. Unlike other Celtic peoples, the Arverni never had used archers so far. Ivomagos decided to be the first Arverni king to use archers instead of slingers, so he added 2’400 Massalian Toxotai to his army. Though he caused the death of Belenos oi Lugos, he shared his preference of Graeco-Celtic troops in his armies.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/eleutheroi/greece/rebel_toxotai.gif Massalian Toxotai

Riankiadoc led the light infantry, composed of 4’000 Gaelaiche and 4’800 Lugoae, and the light cavalry, composed of 2’000 Leuce Epos. Also he had a bodyguard of about 750 Brihentin. Other than the Lugoae, who counted as militia, the Gaelaiche were the lightest spearmen of the Celtic warrior class. Preferably they were used against light cavalry or to throw javelins against the enemy, while standing behind a line of heavier soldiers. Riankiadoc, who always enjoyed a good fight and spilling blood, could not wait to go to war.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/arverni/arverni_gaelaiche.gif Arverni Gaelaiche

The Veneti responded to this invasion with sending an army of their own. They gathered over 27’000 men, but 16’000 of them were not warriors but mere farmers, fishermen and craftsmen, barely armed and armoured. The core of their army consisted of 7’000 Lugoae, 1’200 Iaosatae and 3’200 heavy Neitos.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/aedui/aedui_neitos.gif Veneti Neitos

Ivomagos ordered the attack as soon as they arrived. He wanted to catch them still tired from the long march. The Arverni attacked from two directions. Ivomagos arrayed his heavy infantry in the north, while Riankiadoc approached from the east.


https://img244.imageshack.us/img244/2905/picrp3.png

Ivomagos deployed his part of the army in Celtic manner. One main battle line, while his naked warriors stood first and foremost and insulted the enemy. His Massalian Toxotai arrayed behind the battle line.


https://img520.imageshack.us/img520/9900/8battlearrayxj9.png

When the enemy approached he ordered his archers to fire at will.


https://img142.imageshack.us/img142/24/10archersqq5.png

Ivomagos held his warriors back. They should not attack to the very last moment. He wanted the enemy to tire and being decimated trough the archers, before he attacked. With this tactic he also gave his brother-in-law the time he needed to array his army. When the Veneti saw Riankiadoc’s army, their heavy infantry turned east and marched towards him.


https://img520.imageshack.us/img520/2379/11battlearraycy2.png

This was exactly what Ivomagos wanted them to do. Now that their heavy infantry was separated from the light units, he personally surged forward and, bawling his war cry, beckoned his warriors to charge. Already decimated by the archers, the enemy did not stand a chance. Most of them were naught but mere civilians who were lightly armed with knifes or shortswords. Alone the horses tramped down hundreds .


https://img171.imageshack.us/img171/3483/12battleivomagospersonanp2.png

Before their heavy infantry reached Riankiadoc, Ivomagos already chased half their army down the hill. When Riankiadoc saw that, he ordered his men to charge. Watching thousands of their men rout and die behind them, the Veneti heavy infantry got confused and their whole battle formation ended up in utter chaos. Riankiadoc, laughing like a maniac, charged amidst the enemies and swang his sword. Every time he killed an enemy it made his eyes light up and let him maffick. Many cried for mercy, none was given.


https://img523.imageshack.us/img523/2812/13battleriankiadocwatchrq3.png

The result was a clear victory, causing the death of 23’000 Veneti. The Arverni lost about 400 warriors and another 120 were injured.


https://img87.imageshack.us/img87/1439/14battlestatsdg6.png

While in the west the Arverni remained victorious, in the east things did not look that well. Mediolanum still besieged Massalia. They raised the siege they laid on Viennos, when they saw, that the garrison was too strong, but instead of Viennos they besieged Bibracte now. Apart from that, they tried to claim the lands of the Helveti again.


https://img135.imageshack.us/img135/3383/15siegebibracteandaventvh9.png

The rich Principality of Mediolanum even could afford to supply its troops during winter. Ivomagos also was well supplied, but did not reach the city of Darioritum before snow fell and had to camp at the edge of the great forest.


https://img22.imageshack.us/img22/5108/16wintercamp245bctp7.png

But not only Mediolanum caused Ivomagos headache. His uncle, Amminos oi Lugos, adopted a young man called Fergalos moc Lannildot. Amminos was a very old man, and had one young son called Faros oi Lugos. Though he was old, his mind was sharp as a knife, and he had the presentiment that something was wrong with his younger brother's death. Amminos adopted Fergalos, for the old man felt that he soon would die, and wanted to know his son to be protected by someone he trusted, after he was gone.


https://img504.imageshack.us/img504/4410/1adoptiontv9.png

Fergalos moc Lannildot was born into the tribe of the Sequani and was a quite talented leader. If he lost a fight, it was more likely because of bad luck than lack of talent. He would be the right man to protect his family from Ivomagos d’Aler and his high ambitions.

But not only Ivomagos had high ambitions. In early spring 244 BC, the Mediolanian nobles Lugort oi Lemovicae and Mandubracios oi Sinoa decided to attack the city of Massalia. They mobilised an army of 23’000 warriors and sounded charge. The Massalian client king Tincommios moc Gobannitio had gathered 19’000 men from the countryside before his city was besieged. While his light and medium infantry already stood on the walls to defend the city, his heavy Massaliotai Hoplitai and his personal guard had to be armed and armoured first. So the whole heavy infantry assembled at the great armoury in the center of the city.


https://img237.imageshack.us/img237/4414/17siegeheavyinfatarmourmd2.png

Meanwhile the enemy marched forth towards the huge white walls of the city they intended to erase. Not many Celtic cities had such massive walls these days, so the Massalians felt quite save behind them.


https://img240.imageshack.us/img240/6048/18siegewhitewallsgv3.png

But through its proximity to Rome and the wars they fought, the Principality of Mediolanum was known for its ingenuity when it came to sieges. The Arverni never saw a great siege tower before. It must have been quite impressive to watch this monstrosity approaching.


https://img167.imageshack.us/img167/2677/19siegetoweryc8.png

Since all Massalian archers served in Ivomagos’ army, Massalia only could defend itself with javelins and stones. When the enemy reached the walls, he was received with a rain of missiles.


https://img167.imageshack.us/img167/404/20siegejavelinsfq7.png

The massive city towers even managed to set the siege towers alight. What a great torch to enlighten the enemy’s path to Hades. Many got struck by falling pieces of burning wood.


https://img8.imageshack.us/img8/9867/21siegetoweronfirecr0.png

When the enemy’s light infantry climbed up the ladders, they found themselves confronted by a massive wall of spears. The Keltohellenikoi Hoplitai tried to push the enemies back and make them fall down the walls.


https://img299.imageshack.us/img299/1616/22siegedefendingwallste9.png

The Mediolaninas used a cruel but effective tactic. They sacrificed their light infantry in order to tire the Massalians, and kept their heavy Gaesatae for the final push.


https://img26.imageshack.us/img26/4718/23siegestormingwallscu6.png

Finally the Massalian heavy infantry was equipped and ready to march, so they left the armoury and hasted to the battle zone.


https://img89.imageshack.us/img89/4863/24siegegreekarmoryrs5.png

When the Massaliotai Hoplitai reached the walls, they had to recognise the Mediolanian tactic to be very effective, for they’ve managed to push back the Massalians and took a great part of the wall.


https://img7.imageshack.us/img7/3804/25siegetakingpartofthewka1.png

When Tincommios moc Gobannitio saw that, he decided not to send his heavy infantry up the towers and let them being slaughtered by those naked barbarians one by one. Instead he ordered to make a sally and to attack the two Mediolanian generals outside the wall. Those generals were accompanied by heavy cavalry, which was able to make a massive charge, but in the end they stood no chance against the fearsome Massaliotai Hoplitai.


https://img7.imageshack.us/img7/4493/26siegeoutbreakcq9.png

Soon most the enemy’s heavy cavalry was dead, so their generals decided to seek refuge in flight. Unfortunately both could escape. When they’ve turned and fled, the Massalians climbed up the enemy’s ladders and charged the walls. Since they’ve occupied the ladders, the enemy could not use them to flee and got slaughtered. Of the 23’000 enemies, only about 200 survived the massacre, the two generals included. The Massalians lost about 5’000 men, about 4’000 have been injured or crippled.


https://img15.imageshack.us/img15/784/27siegestatsty0.png

A great victory was won. Massalia was safe – for now. Immediately the Massalian client king ordered his people to lay in further supply, as a reserve for accidents. Furthermore he commanded the recruitment of more soldiers from the landscape, for he did not intend to wait for the next siege, but to strike back hard and without mercy.

In the same year, something happened that Amminos oi Lugos had foreseen. He died. Now it was upon his adopted son to take care of his child.


https://img5.imageshack.us/img5/4710/28amminosoilugosdiesrb6.png

In Viennos the establishment of the large bath house has been finished. It was Belenos oi Lugos, the Gods rest his soul, who once ordered the construction of this building. Though bath houses were nothing new to the Celts, Belenos brought this idea back from Roma and it was the first one to be built by the Arverni.

In Cenabum a blacksmith took up employment. As the new capital of the Arverni, Cenabum needed to be able to muster and equip the best among the best of Celtic soldiers.


https://img24.imageshack.us/img24/5352/29constructionreportso6.png


The fight in Armoriae and the siege of Massalia were only the first two battles that had been fought, and already tens of thousands of warriors had lost their lives. For the Arverni, this war went lucky so far. But Mediolanum and its allies yet had to reveal their most fearsome warriors - the Belgae.



Known territory in 244 BC
https://img515.imageshack.us/img515/1903/30maprf2.png

[Mjolnir]

And so it begins... :smash:

[johnhughthom]

Terrific AAR so far SB.

[Olaf Blackeyes]

LET THE BLOODBATH BEGIN!!!!!!!!
Nice chapter btw.

[HunGeneral]

YEAH. LET THE BATTLE BEGINN.

Arverni! Are you the rightfull lords of Gaul?.... Are there any who dare resist you????..... Then prove there foolishnes! .... Are you ready to fight?!?!... Then bring them Total War....

Nice update by the way. Keeps getting more exciting.

[Chirurgeon]

This is truly spectacular. The intrigue and backround story is incredible. It reminds me of MAAs civil war. I wondered when we would see such a well thought out AAR involving the dueling clans of Gaul. You have built this up to an almost unsustainable suspense which is of course excellent for the audience. There is no prediction upon the path of this story. That is what makes this truly remarkable. Its anyone's guess as to what will happen with these two powerful factions. I also like how you have incorporated the other factions including the Hellenes. I can foresee a major conflict between the old world of the Aegean and the new raw power of the Celts. It should make for an explosive and epic conflict...of course if you choose to go that way :)
I also love your screenshots. They are epic in everyway. This one really was impressive and truly shows the high level of detail with the men. Seeing Gallic men in a Hellenistic city so handsomely armored and adorned with shiny metal is an impressive site:


https://img237.imageshack.us/img237/4414/17siegeheavyinfatarmourmd2.png

Keep up the good work and please please do not let this go the way of so many AArs and find its way into the halls of the dead

[gamegeek2]

Oh come on can't you check my AAR out? Though I suppose I havent updated in a week...better get my ass of Broken Crescent and play some EB...

[Olaf Blackeyes]

lulz

[SwissBarbar]

Wow, I really appreciate your amazing comments, glad you like it. :beam: Thank you very much

[I of the Storm]

Great! I'm enjoying every update. :2thumbsup:

[SwissBarbar]

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/faction_banner_03arv.jpg
Of savage tribes and glorious empires




https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gifChapter 11 – Exodus https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif


Two Belgae Sotaroas crept uphill through the high grass, their bows ready to hand. They were the leaders of a band of archers, that just killed a handful of Arverni light infantrymen. Their hands were dripping wet from the blood of their dead enemies, since they searched their clothes thoroughly for anything of value. When the group came near the top of the hill, the noise they heard from screaming men, clashing weapons and shattering shields grew deafening.


https://img516.imageshack.us/img516/8146/13bowmenrj6.png

“Did you expect them to resist so vigorously?”, one of the Sotaroas asked. “No, they told us they were weak”, the other responded, turned around and beckoned his group of archers to catch up. By hand gesture he told them to form two lines. When they were ready, they sneaked to the top of the hill, stood up and for one moment just watched the spectacle that took place in the valley in front of them. At a sign, on the left and the right, thousands of Belgae archers raised from the high grass. Then one of their leaders said “Men, let’s finish this!”.



------------------------------------------------------------------


In the year of 244 BC the Gallic tribes fought each other desperately. An Arverni army, commanded by Ivomagos d’Aler and Riankiadoc moc Drappes, laid siege to the city of Darioritum, capital city of the Veneti. Darioritum was a quite small town and expected to be captured easily, especially now that the main army of the Veneti was destroyed.


https://img187.imageshack.us/img187/2053/1besiegementdarioritumpf3.png

While Ivomagos and Riankiadoc brought war upon the Veneti, their opponents gave their best to make the Arverni’s life a living hell. Especially the tribes of the Pictones and Bituriges surpassed themselves and contracted an unmatched passion of plundering, pillaging and doing murder in the lands of the Aulerci. Outside Cenabum there was nowhere to go without being highly endangered.


https://img187.imageshack.us/img187/7678/2situationcenabumcq2.png

In the south, Massalia just had successfully defended itself by destroying a complete army of the Principality of Mediolanum. Unfortunately the two hostile generals were among the few that could escape, so the client king of Massalia decided to hunt them down, before they could return with a new army. He knew, if they wanted to return to Mediolanum, they had to cross the wood at the border of Massalia. So there it was, where he set his trap.


https://img266.imageshack.us/img266/9244/3massaliatraptt9.png

Soon he was proved right. The two enemy generals had hired some Iberian mercenaries to protect them, but the Massalians still outnumbered them. When the enemy was near enough, the king ordered the assault. The light Iberians, though they fought bravely, stood no chance against the Massaliotai Hoplitai.


https://img21.imageshack.us/img21/7014/6iberianmercs2gj8.png

The heavier Iberian mercenaries were quite tough foes and even could challenge the Massalian heavy infantry. But outnumbered, also they had to abandon the field.


https://img238.imageshack.us/img238/9261/5iberianmercsqx0.png

This time the enemy generals could not escape. The highest ranking of them was the first one to die. His aid soon fell too.


https://img410.imageshack.us/img410/4305/4enemygeneraldeadzq2.png

Almost at the same time, Ivomagos d’Aler had been attacked by an army of the Pictones, who tried to rescue their Veneti neighbours. They even managed to surprise Ivomagos, who had to fight them only with his heavy infantry and his Massalian archers. Riankiadoc, who besieged the city from the north, could not get there in time. Supported by some troops from Darioritum itself, the Pictones attacked. Ivomagos did not fear them, for they mostly had naught but light infantry. Only the king of the Veneti himself could deploy some heavy infantry. Furthermore Ivomagos arrayed on a small rise. Since it rained, he was sure, that the enemy would have much bother to charge uphill on the wet grass.


https://img15.imageshack.us/img15/2509/7battledarioritumenemyrk6.png

The Greek archers decimated the enemy from distance, so it was no big deal for the Arverni’s heavy infantry to slaughter the rest. Once again, the valour of the Greek troops in Celtic armies was proven.


https://img516.imageshack.us/img516/4436/8battledarioritumroutinzh1.png

The Arverni could win the day without taking much casualties, while the enemy was destroyed and had to give up the city.


https://img213.imageshack.us/img213/4683/9battledarioritumstatsig6.png

Ivomagos entrusted Riankiadoc with the safeguard of the city, gave him light infantry and cavalry and left the city to occupy the harbour of the Veneti, which was even more important than the city itself, for the Veneti carried on commerce with the British tribes from there. Unfortunately they destroyed most of their ships before Ivomagos got there.


https://img515.imageshack.us/img515/4035/10darioritumtakenharborkb1.png

Now Ivomagos turned his eye westwards. He intended to attack the Pictones and their capital Lemonum, not only because he just destroyed one of their armies, but also to force them to withdraw their warbands from the lands of the Aulerci. But first they all had to overwinter anyway.

This winter was a very severe one, so ankle deep slushy snow still lay on the ground, when in spring 243 BC an army of Mediolanum attacked the city of Bibracte. The Mediolanian general Dumnacos oi Bragolos had besieged Bibracte for over one year now and could array an army of almost 19'000 men, mostly mercenairies from Italy or former loyalists to the tyrannical Archon of Massalia, who once had been executed by Belenos oi Lugos himself. Before winter came, the Mediolanian army was composed of over 22’000 men, but many died in this hard winter. They should’ve attacked in autumn, but Dumnacos was known to be a very terrible tactician.

The client king of Bibracte, Brycham moc Eporedemoros, could deploy an army of about 13’000 warriors, mostly Haedui Bataroas and Lugoae. Fortunately Bibracte was protected by a massive Celtic wall. Actually it once was the first Celtic city to have such a wall.


https://img150.imageshack.us/img150/5126/11battlebibractewallspf2.png

The Mediolanian army approached with a ram, a siege tower and several ladders. Fortunately they didn’t protect the siege tower, so soon it was set on fire. Also the ram soon burned, so the Mediolanians only had their ladders left.


https://img26.imageshack.us/img26/582/12battlebibracteenemymebv5.png

Dumnacos once again proved, that he was a terrible tactician and let his complete army march to the walls. Of course they immediately were received by javelins and everything else that wasn’t nailed down and could be thrown.


https://img136.imageshack.us/img136/3681/13battlebibractejavelinxz8.png

The heavy Samnites were the first to try taking the walls, but the Bataroas could repulse them.


https://img145.imageshack.us/img145/3535/14battlebibractesamniteox0.png

Watching his heaviest infantry being slaughtered, the Mediolanian general lost his nerves and let his whole army attack. What a chaos. There were not enough ladders for all of them, so his soldiers clustered and could easily be pelted with javelins and other missiles.


https://img13.imageshack.us/img13/861/15battlebibractemixed2ph7.png

What a victory! Brycham moc Eporedemoros let hound his adversary and almost all his bodyguards have been killed. But by ill luck the enemy general could escape with the only 30 warriors that survived the massacre.


https://img244.imageshack.us/img244/3250/16battlebibractestatstz4.png

Mediolanum was far from giving up, so as soon as the snow had melted, they laid siege to Gergovia.


https://img22.imageshack.us/img22/2747/17gergoviabesiegedrg4.png

But there was something far more disturbing than that. Just when Ivomagos was ready to march against the Pictones, he receive a message from the northern territories. A huge crush of people had been detected. It seemed that finally the Belgae had concluded to march south.


https://img22.imageshack.us/img22/2429/18belgiansmobilizefn0.png

Ivomagos was too far away to go there in time with his army, so the northern tribes had to manage this threat alone. But he had a cunning plan how to get rid of his family problems. Why not let the Belgae kill his adversaries? The messenger was sent to the city of Viennos and was ordered to bring a message from Ivomagos to Fergalos mocLannildot and Calpornos moc Ollovico, who watched over the young children of the deceased brothers of Ivomagos’ adoptive father. Ivomagos told them to go north to the city of Vesontio and to organise the resistance against the Belgae.

Since they could not leave their families alone, for they had to fear, that they would be murdered by Ivomagos’ henchmen, they headed out accompanied by their families and protected by a few slingers and spies.



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But the enemy was already closer than Ivomagos thought. The Belgae were known to be the wildest and most fearsome of all Celtic tribes. They colonised the lands in the north and even southern Britannia. All the time they fought wars against the Germanic tribes and remained victorious. Some said, that the Belgians even descend from those horrible Germans. During the last few centuries, there were three tribes of the Belgae that renderd themselves conspicuous.

The Nerves colonised the lands closest to the Germanic tribes. Therefore, they were considered to be the bravest and most frightening warriors among all the Belgae tribes.

The Bellovaces were the ones who claimed southern Britannia and became very rich through trade. Decades ago there was the great and famous tribe of the Remi, who also populated the territory which now belonged to the Bellovaces. The Remi have been assimilated by the Bellovaces, but still fought in their unique manner in their armies.

The Eubrones were the only tribe of the Belgae, which once could be defeated by a Gallic tribe. But only a few years after the tribe of the Treveri had subjugated them, they made peace and established trade. Since that day, the Eubrones were good friends and trading partners of the Gallic tribes and therefore did not participate in this war. When in battle, the Belgae fought in Celtic manner and equipment. But still there were some kinds of warriors, that distinguished themselves from the rest.

The Batacorii were a group of warriors that vaunted themselves on their gruff way of life. Though unarmoured, they still were well protected by their large high quality shields and made good melee warriors. These well trained and experienced warriors often carried some javelins with them, which they threw at the enemy before they charged.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/eleutheroi/belgae/belgae_infantry_batacorii.gif Belgae Batacorii

The Milnaht were an extremely fierce kind of warrior. They still wore bronze helmets, sometimes even bronze weapons as back ups and protected themselves with large, bronze rimmed shields, for they almost always fought bare chested, even in winter. One could not tell stories about skilled and fearsome warriors without mentioning their name.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/eleutheroi/belgae/belgae_infantry_milnaht.gif Belgae Milnaht

The armies of the Bellovaces were supported by Remi cavalry. The Remi were famous horsemen, brave and powerful. The Remi Mairepos were able to smash through even the closest infantry formations and used armour, shields and weapons of unmatched quality. No other Gallic cavalry could cope with them, but like any horsemen, they were vulnerable to pikes and spears. However, if there ever was a group of warriors, that could turn a losing situation into a victory, it was the Remi Mairepos.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/eleutheroi/belgae/belgae_cavalry_remimairepos.gif Remi Mairepos

The Belgae always were a highly independent people, but now things have changed. In the north the Swêbóz had unified many Germanic tribes and emerged a very strong and capable military juggernaut. The Belage knew, that they could not withstand the Germans for long, since they heavily outnumbered them now. When the second Gallic war started, the Nerves and the Bellovaces decided to join the Principality of Mediolanum, who promised to let the Belgae keep the lands they conquered. So in spring 243 BC those two tribes left their lands and headed towards the territory of the Arverni with more than 300’000 men, women and children. A few weeks later, they reached the lands of the Treveri and Sequani.

Of course the Gallic tribes knew of the Belgae threat, for no one could keep such a great exodus secret. So the Treveri and the Sequani, supported by an army from the near city of Bibracte, armed every man between 14 and 55 years and marched against the foreign intruders. The Belgae also gathered their warriors and arrayed for battle, while their king and a small part of his army protected the women and children a few miles behind the battle zone. The armies of the Haedui, Sequani and Treveri met the armies of the Remi, Bellovaces and Nerves near the great forest, through which the borderline between their lands was drawn.


https://img141.imageshack.us/img141/2204/1campaignmapsd2.png

The Belgae deployed their Remi cavalry of over 9’000 men at the left flank, supported by over 6’000 Sotaroas and 10’000 Gaelaiche. Their center was composed of 10’000 Bataroas, over 10’000 fearsome Milnaht, 8’000 Batacorii and almost 4’000 Iaosatae. The right flank was protected by the Nerves, who arrayed 12’000 Batacorii, 4’000 Curepos, more than 3’000 naked Gaesatae, almost 5’000 Milnaht and 5’000 Sotaroas and Iaosatae. Supportet by more light infantry, the Belgae mustered 89’000 warriors.

The Treveri, Sequani and Haedui arrayed almost 100’000 warriors, but many of them were too old or too young to rival the brutal warriors of the Belgae. When the battle began, the Haedui took the left flank, the Treveri formed in the center and the Sequani protected the right flank. In the early afternoon hundreds of Celtic battle horns raised their sound and with that the greatest battle of their time began, in which both sides fought for the right to exist.


https://img26.imageshack.us/img26/2638/2battlemapsl1.png

On the left flank, the Haedui Sotaroas opened fire and their light infantry charged.


https://img5.imageshack.us/img5/3725/3leftflankarverniarcherxv8.png

The fearsome Nerves answered to that with sending their 4’000 Curepos who should lighten the ranks of the Haedui with their javelins.


https://img262.imageshack.us/img262/6807/4leftflankaeduijavelincqr9.png

Then they sent forward their heavy Milnaht, who created a great bloodbath among the light Lugoae of the Haedui. Immediately the Haedui naked warriors, the Uirodusios, charged and could repress the enemy’s attack.


https://img242.imageshack.us/img242/7626/5leftflankstruggleyx3.png

At the right flank, the Remi Mairepos charged and for a short time caused the Sequani light infantry to rout. But when they sent forth their spearmen, the Remi had to retreat. The Sequani light infantry stopped routing and returned into the fray.


https://img201.imageshack.us/img201/8384/8centerremism9.png

While the flanks were heavily pressurised by the Belgae, the Treveri in the center managed to push back the Bellovaces’ Milnaht. They fought like heroes, but the heavy Soludros of the Treveri just were too well armed and armoured, while the Milnaht fought bare chested.


https://img27.imageshack.us/img27/3328/9centerpushbackmilnahtuc0.png

The fight continued until nightfall. When it was too dark to see anything, both sides retreated and reorganised. The Sequani had suffered many casualties, while the Treveri in the center had managed to push back the Bellovaces and fought a sanguinary battle against them. The Haedui at the right flank also sustained great losses, but could hold their lines against the horrible Nerves. This night, no one could sleep, for thousands of injured and crippled warriors cried themselves hoarse on the battlefield.

At dawn the battle continued. The Treveri had to thin out their lines in order to reinforce the flanks. So when the Haedui at the left flank began to totter under the Nerves furious charge, the Treveri sent their cavalry to support them.


https://img5.imageshack.us/img5/3889/19leftflankroutcavhelpslt3.png

They even managed to push back the Nerves and persuaded them.


https://img22.imageshack.us/img22/2355/12struggle2cr0.png

But the Sequani at the right flank had suffered to many losses the day before, so they could not protect the whole flank and had to shorten their lines. Due to this situational condition, the Remi could hide themselves behind a small hill and outflank the Sequani. They sent about 5’000 archers on top of that hill and their Mairepos hid in the woods. For a moment the archers watched the spectacle that took place in the valley in front of them.


https://img24.imageshack.us/img24/4783/11struggle1fv4.png

At a sign, on the left and the right, thousands of Belgae archers raised from the high grass. Then one of their leaders said “Men, let’s finish this!”. The Remi Mairepos surged forward and charged, accompanied by a dark cloud of arrows, in the Sequanis’ and Treveris’ rear. They rolled up the whole line of the Sequani.


https://img88.imageshack.us/img88/2157/remi2gu7.png


With that, for the Arverni the battle was lost. The Haedui and Treveri immediately sounded the retreat. Their drawback was covered by the heavy infantry and their spearmen, so the Remi Mairepos could not hunt them down.

Of all tribes, the Sequani sustained the most casualties, since they were the unlucky first ones, whose line had been rolled up by the Mairepos. The Treveri in the center caused the Belgae the most damage, who also had suffered unexpectedly many casualties. All in all it was a close defeat. Without the Remi Mairepos, the Belgians could have lost the battle easily.


https://img105.imageshack.us/img105/3526/10battlestatscampaignki6.png

Immediately the Sequani and Treveri evacuated the city of Vesontio, moved away from their homeland and sought refuge in Bibracte and Viennos. When the message of their victory reached the ear of the Belgae leader, he sighed with relief. He was an old king of the Nerves and had organised the Belgae exodus. He didn’t expect to lose that much warriors in this fight, but now he felt lucky, for his people could claim new lands further away from the Germans. In the evening of that day, the whole people of the Belgae left the great forest and marched into uncertain future.


https://img13.imageshack.us/img13/644/15belgaepeople3vc6.png


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Fortunately this all happened before Fergalos moc Lannildot and Calpornos moc Ollovico could reach Vesontio. When they met fleeing people of the Treveri and Sequani, and learned that just in that moment a great battle was happening, they decided to take advantage of this chaotic situation and turned east.


https://img525.imageshack.us/img525/6894/19fmonthewayix3.png

They fled trough the lands of the Helveti, who granted them safe conduct. Since they’ve been attacked by Mediolanum several times, the Helveti supported the Arverni whenever they could. A few weeks later Fergalos, Calpornos and their families reached the lands of the Rhaetii, where they supplied themselves with rations. Now they had to decide where to go with the children. Away from this horrible war. They all realised that they had to go far, far away, where Ivomagos could never find them. Now they had their own little exodus.



Known territory in 243 BC
https://img214.imageshack.us/img214/5601/21maptk2.png

[Mediolanicus]

Wow, just Wow.


(I wonder if I should support Mediolanum. You know, considering my name and all...)

[SwissBarbar]

You can if you want ;-) In my AAR not the Arverni are the only good ones and everyone else are the bad ones :book: Every faction has its own purpose and everyone just wants to survive and secure his future. Also among my Arverni are several "mean" people and also among their enemies are some very good fellas.

[Olaf Blackeyes]

HOLY #%##!!!! SUPOR EPIC TITAN BATTLE!!!!!!!!
(keels over in shock)

[Mjolnir]

This has to be the largest battle I've ever seen. Was it very difficult trying to control everything at once?

[SwissBarbar]

no, because 2/3 of my army was controlled by the KI *G* But it was quite hard to let them fight in a way so that one side did not dominate the other. And it was really annoying to start the battle twice, thanks to a CTD

[Mjolnir]

Damn CTDs. Well great work, I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happens next. :smash:

[SwissBarbar]

Thank you very much :yes: I hope I can update the next chapter sooner

[gamegeek2]

Nice battle. Our AARs seem to have diverged in path - I'm off sacking Italia, while you're unifying Gaul. As I've just gotten 50,000 from sacking Roman cities, I've hired a halfstack of mercenaries to add to my current forces AND have all my construction queues running once again. Apulia and Campania, here I come!

[SwissBarbar]

That's true ;-) But from my next chapter on, there's another special element that will be added to my AAR :beam:

[WonkoTheSane]

This just gets more and more fascinating...:2thumbsup:

[Chirurgeon]

Great job...some of those screenshots are incredible. Again you have us all captivated. I await more!!

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Nice chapter and an epic battle.
You've got some nice screenshots. I like the first one. When I first saw it I thought of a couple of hunters sneaking after some game through the tall grass.

[SwissBarbar]

Thank you very much, my friends :2thumbsup:

[machinor]

The last battle screenshot of this chapter, the one with the cavalry hordes ist simply epic. You really got a talent for awesome screenshots! Can't wait for the next chapter! :2thumbsup:

[SwissBarbar]

Thanks :beam: The next chapter is coming soon :yes:

[athanaric]

Great AAR and excellent screenshots :2thumbsup:

[Suomaa]

A very good AAR. Good screenshots, and roleplay elements. I dont play EB, because i play RTW with computer that has not a net connection, but i likely get a new computer on autumn, and then i download it. I hope that you do not grew bored to this story and stop it before it's over!

[SwissBarbar]

Thank you very much. I hope too, that the story is not getting boring ^^ Next chapter following tonight

[SwissBarbar]

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/faction_banner_03arv.jpg
Of savage tribes and glorious empires




https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gifChapter 12 – Part One: Europe At The Edge Of Total War https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif

In the year of 243 BC the war among the Hellenic peoples climaxed. The kingdom of Epeiros and the Koinon Hellenon delivered each other one great battle after another. Thousands of soldiers shed their blood, tens of thousands of civilians lost their lives and hundreds of thousands of woman and children had to leave their homes when the enemy approached, for they knew that no one would be spared. When the Koinon Hellenon had declared war upon the king of Epeiros, he invaded the lands of Makedonia, who were Hellenic protectorate. In an unprecedented campaign of extinction he destroyed the Makedonians with sheer brutality.


https://img160.imageshack.us/img160/3140/1makedoniadestroyedwk5.png

Seething with rage, the mighty Koinon Hellenon reclaimed those lands and massacred all Epeirote men, women and children likewise. Also the kingdom of Pontos interfered and claimed the former Makedonian lands in Mikra Asia. Epeiros again turned now towards Sicily, captured the city of Messana and threatened the Tyrannis of Syrakousai, an independent city allied with the Koinon Hellenon. The Carthaginians, who asserted their claim to power over Sicily, now deployed their armies on Epeirote lands in order to show strength. Though not yet at war, the situation between those two states was very tense. Carthage was allied to Roma, who were enemies of Epeiros and wanted to throw them out of Italy for ages. But the Epeirotes were friends and trading partners of the Arverni, to whom, on the other hand, the Romans were subordinates. One single act without due consideration, and the situation would escalate into total war.


https://img14.imageshack.us/img14/9619/1situationsiciliaby3.png

In northern Europe times were not more peaceful. The Celtic tribes in Gallia were at war with each other. Due to the Germanic threat, the tribes of the Belgae left their northern homeland, migrated to the territory of the Sequani and Treveri and claimed their lands. Not long after that, the Swêbóz occupied the former land of the Nerves.


https://img140.imageshack.us/img140/368/1sweboztakenerveslandzr1.png

The Belgae drove off two strong Celtic tribes, who were loyal to the Arverni. But their losses were greater than expected. Of the almost 90’000 warriors the Belgae tribes could field, less than 40’000 survived the great battle. They still were strong enough to defend their new lands against the neighbouring tribes of the Haedui and Segusiavi, but not to take the offensive. So the Belgae withdrew their participation in the war for now.

Further in the south of Gallia, the old client king of Massalia, Tincommios moc Gobannitio, decided to strike hard and invaded the lands of the Volcae-Arecomici. Now that he had defeated the army from Mediolanum and killed their two generals, he intended to displace the theatre of war to enemy territory and away from his people. With this selective measure, he hoped to force the enemy to raise the siege they had laid to Gergovia. Meanwhile Ivomagos d’Aler laid siege to Lemonum, the capital city of the tribe of the Pictones. The Pictones were quite weak since he had destroyed their army near Darioritum.


https://img15.imageshack.us/img15/9585/3besiegementlemonumandwes6.png

After a few weeks of besiegement, the Pictones made a sally. Since he outnumbered them, Ivomagos only sent forth his heavy infantry to push them back, but their 7’000 elite warriors almost managed to break through. When Ivomagos saw his battle line totter, he entered the fray shouting and swearing and pushed the enemy back with his heavy cavalry.


https://img91.imageshack.us/img91/8454/11battlestatslemonumjh1.png

Finally the Pictones had to give up and surrendered to Ivomagos, who occupied the city. Almost at the same time, the client king of Massalia, who already had set his camp on the lands of the Volcae-Arecomici, learned that his measure was successful. The enemy did no longer besiege the city of Gergovia. They besieged his camp instead.


https://img18.imageshack.us/img18/3230/11lemonumtakenmassaliansu3.png

Actually Tincommios did not expect them to deploy such a strong army. He was quite surprised when 19’000 men broke cover and marched out of the forest with four rams.


https://img3.imageshack.us/img3/5683/15massaliankingunderatthy7.png

Under the eyes of Tancogeistla moc Verucloetios, a very experienced and fierce warrior, the hostile army advanced and started to batter the wooden walls of the Massalian’s camp.


https://img144.imageshack.us/img144/4931/16enemygeneralwatchingrmy4.png

They battered down the walls at three places at the same time. When they charged, they were received with javelins by the Keltohellenikoi Hoplitai.


https://img172.imageshack.us/img172/1600/17doorbrokendd9.png

Soon the fourth ram battered down a part of the walls as well, so the enemy outflanked now the Massalian left flank.


https://img25.imageshack.us/img25/5340/18chargefromallsidesiz9.png

Also in the centre, where Tincommios himself fought in the first battle line, the struggle was fierce and brutal. The Volcae-Arecomici were very near the mark of breaking trough.


https://img440.imageshack.us/img440/4842/19strugglejc0.png

The right flank of the Massalians managed to push back the enemy, but their left flank was broken. Just in this moment, in the centre of the battle Tincommios met Tancogeistla and the old generals fought each other like two wolfs. Both specked with blood and moving like predators, it must have been a sight like Achilleus fighting Hektor. Tincommios right foot had been pierced by a javelin and brought him on his knees. Immediately Tancogeistla tried to decapitate him, but one of the Massaliotai Hoplitai protected his king. Tancogeistla killed the soldier and turned around to Tincommios, who brought up all his strength and rammed his longsword through Tancogeistla’s chest.


https://img228.imageshack.us/img228/8291/20enemygeneraldeadqx7.png

Now their general was dead, the Volcae-Arecomici started to rout in the centre. The Massalians turned to the left flank and also could push back the enemy there. When the enemy sought refuge in flight, the Massalians hunted them down throughout the forest.


https://img24.imageshack.us/img24/2595/22chaseintothewoodsds4.png

This was a very important victory. One of the best generals the Principality of Mediolanum and their allies could field, was dead. But also the Massalian force lost many good men. Most of their light cavalry and a large number of heavy infantry fell victim to the blades of the enemy, especially those who protected the left flank.


https://img88.imageshack.us/img88/8339/21deadmassaliotaihoplitvb8.png

Though in the end the victory seemed to be very clear, Tincommios knew, that his army stood at the edge of a defeat. If the enemy general had not died, they would’ve hold the line in the centre and attacked his rear, since they had managed to overrun the left flank.


https://img9.imageshack.us/img9/4439/23battlestatswb5.png

Tincommios hired about 1’500 Iberian mercenaries, so he could reinforce his decimated lines. Now he could field about 17’000 men. But unfortunately the army he just defeated was not the only one the Volcae-Arecomici could deploy. When the Massalians advanced towards the city of Tolosa, they again were attacked. This time the army was led by a young idiot called Caburos moc Ceanatis, who had no talent for the art of warfare. But maybe this wasn’t even necessary, for he could field almost 30’000 warriors, many of them heavy Iberian mercenaries or Celtic Golberi Curoas. The Volcae-Arecomici attacked in the good old Celtic fashion. One main battle line and full charge with the intention not to take any prisoners.


https://img22.imageshack.us/img22/4145/25attackmassaliankingbeem6.png

Since his adversaries had the advantage over him, the king of Massalia knew, that now he’d rather fight in disciplined Greek style than in the furious Celtic manner. He held a rousing speech, and promised his men victory if they followed his order and would not charge, until he ordered it. They had to repel the first attack of the enemy at all cost! Tincommios deployed his Massaliotai Hoplitai and the Keltohellenikoi Hoplitai in the center. The left flank was protected only by few Celtic infantrymen, but he hid his cavalry in the forest. At his right flank he arrayed his Iberians, his own bodyguards and the rest of his Celtic troops. With that he made the right flank the strongest, while the left, which traditionally was the weaker flank anyway, seemed to be even weaker than usually, but was protected by the hidden cavalry. The Iaosatae were deployed at the edge of the forest behind the main line, so they were protected by the trees from missiles and could use their slings from a sheltered position.


https://img9.imageshack.us/img9/7152/26attackarrayre9.png

When the enemy bursted out from behind the trees, the Massalians prepared to defend themselves but did not charge forward, as demanded by their general.


https://img5.imageshack.us/img5/9475/28enemyapproachesoz4.png

Tincommios plan worked out. In order not to get overrun by his strong right flank, the enemy attacked there hardest, while the exceedingly weak left flank was attacked by the light infantry. The hostile general thought it would suffice to attack the left flank with superior numbers. Even the Massaliotai Hoplitai in the center were not excessively attacked, the enemy seemed to concentrate at the right flank. That’s where the combat raged the most.


https://img165.imageshack.us/img165/5666/29strugglect3.png

In the center of the battlefield the Massaliotai Hoplitai could push back the enemy without effort. Then the cavalry broke cover and attacked the enemy at the center and made him rout. At this point the Massaliotai Hoplitai split up. One half turned right to relieve the right flank, the other half turned left and attacked the light infantry of the enemy, who immediately routed. The Golberi Curoas resisted for a few moments but then were totally overrun by the Hoplitai and the Celtic infantry.


https://img10.imageshack.us/img10/1065/30massaliotaileftflankmyf5.png

When the right flank of the enemy was slaughtered, the whole left flank of the Massalians turned to their own right flank and crashed into the rear of the enemy. At this point the battle was won. Only the naked Gaesatae of the enemy fought to their death. The rest fled.


https://img262.imageshack.us/img262/4069/31rightflankroutvm0.png

In the end over 27’000 men lay dead on the ground. 25’000 of them were Volcae-Arecomici.


https://img6.imageshack.us/img6/4138/32battlefieldhv1.png

This victory was the most heroic one, the Massalian king ever fought. Decades after his death his people will tell tales and sing songs about this day.


https://img8.imageshack.us/img8/602/33battlestatsbu7.png

After this great battle, the Massalians laid siege to the city of Tolosa. Meanwhile the Arverni cities prepared to support their armies in war. They built roads, barracks and temples to ensure the god’s support.


https://img161.imageshack.us/img161/1380/34constructionreport241lw8.png

The Arverni decided that it was time to gain the upper hand in this war and to attack Mediolanum itself. The client king of the Liguri sent his best general with a great army, composed of Gaemile Liguriae, Liguriae Epos and even Roman Rorarii, who reached Mediolanum only a few weeks later. No one had held him up so far.


https://img410.imageshack.us/img410/9234/36besiegementmediolanumes1.png

In Bibracte, the old client king of the Haedui died. Ivomagos decided to annihilate their status as a client kingdom and to turn the Haedui into a full member of the League of the Arverni. Since the king had no children, no one claimed the right to become his heir. Into the family of Ivomagos d’Aler himself a new son was born, while an old one past away. With the death of his adoptive father, Adcobrovatos oi Lugos, the last of the three sons of Aneirin oi Lugos, king of old, was gone.


https://img160.imageshack.us/img160/1394/35factionannouncementstf2.png

Now that Ivomagos concerned himself about his family, he remembered Fergalos moc Lannildot, Calpornos moc Ollovico and their families. They have disappeared. They never showed up in Vesontio, where they should’ve died at the hands of the Belgae. Ivomagos boiled with rage. Where were they? Yes, where were they….



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https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gifChapter 12 – Part Two: Far From Home https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif

On their way to Vesontio, Fergalos moc Lannildot and Calpornos moc Ollovico had heard, that there was a great battle going on. They decided to take the advantage of this chaos and fled through the land of the Helveti to the Rhaetii. There they concluded, that they could not stay within Ivomagos’ sphere of influence, for the children’s sake.

Fergalos moc Lannildot was the adoptive son of Amminos oi Lugos and took care of Amminos’ biological son, Faros. Calpornos moc Ollovico was married to Boudecea, daughter of Belenos oi Lugos. They had a daughter called Aerros and watched over Boudecea’s younger brother, Cunobelin. They all were accompanied by loyal archers and slingers from Viennos.

When the group left the capital city of the Rhaetii, they were accompanied by more loyal people, many of them soldiers, Appea Gaedotos, Gaeroas and Botroas, who once fought under the command Boudecea’s father.

The Rhaetii knew paths through the Alps no one else could know, so soon they reached the lands of the Epeirote, who were friends of the Arverni. In their humble spirit, they allowed them to pass their territory for not even that much money. Which was good, for they didn’t have much.


https://img223.imageshack.us/img223/5400/journeymapnx5.png

Fergalos moc Lannildot, who was chosen to be the leader of this group, for he was the most experienced one, knew exactly, that all of Greece was one huge battlefield, so they decided to go north through the lands of the Getai. Since they had no money to pay the Getai, they offered them their services. The Getai accepted and offered them safe conduct through their lands, if they helped them conquering the city of Ak-Ink. The Celts had no option but to do what they were told to do and therefore joined the siege of Ak-Ink.


https://img175.imageshack.us/img175/9086/2journeysiegetoakinkxb4.png

Ak-Ink was the capital city of the independent tribe of the Eravisci, who had taken this land from the Illyrians only a few decades ago. Their trade with the Hellenic peoples made them rich, but also attracted the fast expanding Thracian tribes of the Getae, or Getai as they were called by the Greeks. The king of the Eravisci was a very wise man and capable general, but would he, although outnumbered, stand a chance against the combined forces of the Getai and Arverni?


https://img502.imageshack.us/img502/355/4journeyattackakinkme6.png

When the battle started, the enemy didn’t even know, that there were even more hostile forces approaching from the north, so they focused on the southern walls, where the Getai attacked. The Arverni marched out of the forest and advanced with the ram.


https://img502.imageshack.us/img502/4071/5journeyramja7.png

At the same time the Getai advanced. Some of their warriors were very fascinating. They used weapons the Arverni had never seen before. Armed with their so called falx, they could cut down even heavily armoured enemies without much effort.


https://img153.imageshack.us/img153/7531/6journeygetaifalxmenjr6.png

When the walls were battered down, Fergalos was among the first to enter the town. He wanted to show the Getai how brave he was, so they would respect and not betray him.


https://img14.imageshack.us/img14/3127/7journeyfergalosintownbq1.png

The Arverni could almost advance to the town center, before the Eravisci realised, that there were more enemies than they expected. The brave enemy general assembled his reserves in the town center and tried to defend it against the superior Arverni.


https://img27.imageshack.us/img27/392/8journeytowncenterce2.png

When the general of the Getai approached, the Arverni already had killed most enemies in the town center.


https://img25.imageshack.us/img25/8412/9journeygetaigeneralgv5.png

In the end the Arverni had killed far more enemies than the Getai. The city was taken and the Arverni were allowed to move on through the lands of the Getai so long as they didn’t draw too close to their cities. As a reward for their valour, the Arverni received a small gift of gold, with which they hired a few mercenaries.


https://img4.imageshack.us/img4/4491/10journeybattlestatsdb1.png

They young son of Amminos oi Lugos, who, while he was young, had been protected by Fergalos moc Lannildot, had proved that he was worthy to be called a man in this battle. He fought among the Arverni infantry and killed five enemies. From now on his voice would be heard when important decisions had to be made.


https://img172.imageshack.us/img172/1038/12journeyfaroscomingofasy3.png

Now that Faros oi Lugos could look after himself, Fergalos no longer had to protect him. Now he finally could set up a separate family and married a young and beautiful woman called Marricandora.


https://img21.imageshack.us/img21/996/14journeyfergalosmarriewl2.png

After a modest ceremony, the Arverni moved on through the wide lands of the Getai, till they reached the border to the territory of the Sauromatae. The Sauromatae were a steppe people, known for their skilled horsemen and pugnaciousness. They fought wars against the Getai and the people of Hayasdan. But the Arverni didn’t know anything about that, except from the adventurous tales their mercenaries used to tell.


https://img201.imageshack.us/img201/3626/24journeylandsofthesaurgd2.png

Now, due to this long and exhausting journey, Fergalos, Calpornos and their families were tired and hungry. From time to time they had traded with the Getai peasantry to get some food for them and their armed retinue, but it wasn’t much.


https://img8.imageshack.us/img8/4934/journeymap2as5.png

The land of the Sauromatae was huge. Never before they had seen such a big country. From horizon to horizon there was nothing but grass-covered steppe. At least the horses had enough to eat. From time to time a small herd of deer appeared and many raptorial birds glided through the light blue sky, constantly prying for the copious quantities of rodent species on the wide terrain. No sign of human life as far as the eye could reach. But then, after marching through lush grass for a couple of days some blurred outlines appeared on the horizon…..



Known territory in 241BC
https://img502.imageshack.us/img502/4756/37mapkc8.png

[Mjolnir]

This AAR is nothing short of epic. Although I was hoping you were heading for Galatia rather than the steppes.

[SwissBarbar]

Well, who knows. Many roads lead to Galatia, some are longer, some shorter. You must consider, that one cannot pass the extremely densely populated Hellenic territory these days, for cruel wars are fought there.... especially not a larger group of Celtic warriors.

I didn't think so far ahead. Actually this AAR maybe could not have a happy end at all. Or does it? ^^

[Chirurgeon]

So you have gone after Mediolanum. Wow what an update. I really like your style. Its like reading a really good history and analysis of what went down. Truly remarkable. And the screenshots. Oh those screenshots.

[SwissBarbar]

Thank you very much :bow:

[Olaf Blackeyes]

(***** pants)
THIS. IS. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SwissBarbar]

:laugh4: :laugh4: Thanks Olaf. As always I really appreciate your pictorial comments. :2thumbsup:

[Hotseat_User]

:book: wow, these beautiful AAR's have forced me to join this forum. This one, SwissB, I enjoy the most so :2thumbsup: !
But all the other writers could also see this as a big REGARD for their ones, even if I won't spam this sentence in every threat.

Sometime, you all will get some blackforestcherrycake when my pig goes wild in the poke ... and I've studied bakin' it at my granny's.

:smash: H_U;

[SwissBarbar]

A great compliment, thank you. Hey, I recruited a new forum member, do I get a reward for that? :laugh4: :laugh4:

[SwissBarbar]

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/faction_banner_03arv.jpg
Of savage tribes and glorious empires




https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gifChapter 13 – Part One: Wrath Of Teutates https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif

In the year of 241 BC Europe was shaken by the one event everyone had feared. The powerful people of the Kart-Hadastim lent weight to their claim to the rule over Sicilia and thereby brought war upon the kingdom of Epeiros.


https://img19.imageshack.us/img19/9817/16warbetweenepeirosandcgl4.png

When they laid siege to the city of Messana, they reached the point of no return. The Romans immediately joined the war against their abhorrent enemy Epeiros in order to push them out of Italy. Since Epeiros was a trading partner and friend to the Arverni and Rome was Arverni protectorate but needed by them to defeat Mediolanum, the Arverni found themselves in a very awkward situation. Furthermore the Carthaginians were trading partners of many Celtic tribes and allies of Rome. Making a rash decision would have been very unwise. One way or the other, this war would have a lasting effect on the Arverni's destiny.


https://img18.imageshack.us/img18/589/16situationmessanaqi0.png

Against Mediolanum and their allies, the Arverni had won many victories and the fortunes of war seemed to change to their side, so the Liguri intended to win fame too. In the year of 241 BC, by command of the client king of Liguria, a Ligurian general called Cintugnatus moc Amminos led a massive army of Ligurians and Romans to the gates of the city of Mediolanum itself. But Mediolanum was not leader of many Celtic tribes for coincidence, for the principality was in possession of one of the most powerful armies in Europe. Motios moc Ceretheros, governor of Mediolanum and heir to the throne, maintained a personal guard of not less than 8’500 Gaesatae. Though many of his foes mocked him, and alleged him to prefer being amidst naked men, none of them did not fear the mighty Gaesatae when it came to close combat.

Motios moc Ceretheros was a very brave warrior and of great intelligence. He was the actual ruler of the Principality of Mediolanum, whose official leader was naught but his mere puppet. Like most of the tribes, who followed Mediolanum, also Motios moc Ceretheros was a passionate worshipper of Teutates.

The god Teutates, whose symbol was the wild boar, was the paternal guardian of many Celtic tribes and above all the god of war. After defeating an extremely fierce or odious enemy, hostile warriors have been sacrificed to him, usually by drowning. In special situations captives could be sacrificed in another way, but this happened very rarely. The bloodstained sacrifice of Roman prisoners by Belenos oi Lugos before the battle of Latium in 255 BC, was the first exception in over one hundred years.

Since the Mediolanian army was very strong, Cintugnatus moc Amminos intended to kill Motios deviously in order to demoralise the enemy. He planned to ambush them. He hid his army in a forest just next to the city and sent a negotiator to Mediolanum, who arranged a meeting outside the city between Motios moc Ceretheros and Cintugnatus moc Amminos. The trick worked well. When Motios and his mounted bodyguards came closer to the edge of the forest, Ceretheros ordered the attack. Before Motios could react, he was surrounded by hundreds of Ligurian and Roman soldiers.


https://img23.imageshack.us/img23/4269/2battlemediolanumassaulti0.png

Of course he stood no chance and soon died of dozens of wounds.


https://img23.imageshack.us/img23/6945/4enemygeneralfallencv6.png

Spitting with rage about this disingenuous, treacherous, dishonourable and unworthy attack to a negotiator and with this breach of a sacred ceasefire, the Mediolanian army, led by the 8’500 Gaesatae, made a sortie and charged.


https://img99.imageshack.us/img99/4378/3battlemediolanumarmyonuc3.png

Their screaming was louder than thousand Celtic battle horns. The Ligurian and Roman troops arrayed in disciplined battle formation, while the Mediolanians sprinted towards them in no formation at all. In their anger, they almost ran as fast as horses. Particularly the naked Gaesatae were an extremely fierce sight. Many of the inexperienced Liguri in the first battle line just held their shields out to the enemy, closed their eyes and hoped for a miracle, while others made some steps backwards when the enemy approached.

Blind with fury the Mediolanians just overran the first battle line of the Liguri without a stop. The Roman center in the second battle line did not withstand one single moment. In the blink of an eye the whole center was put to flight. The Gaesatae didn’t spare anyone. For a short while the cavalry and the left flank of the Roman troops defended themselves, but they were also overrun very soon.


https://img167.imageshack.us/img167/8207/5battlemediolanumstrugguv0.png

Cintugnatus moc Amminos did not expect this. Also he sought refuge in flight and was among the few who could escape. Most of the men the Mediolanians lost, were not killed by their enemy but just tramped down and squashed in the chaos by their own army.


https://img22.imageshack.us/img22/7672/6battlestatsnj8.png

Nonetheless their leader was dead. Oh, how could Teutates let his greatest worshiper fall victim such an unworthy ambush. For the Mediolanians and their allies it was clear, that Teutates was not on their side anymore, so thenceforth they placed their trust in Epona, goddess of horses, cavalry and war.

Three months later Tincommios moc Gobannitio, who besieged the city of Tolosa was attacked by the last array of the Volcae-Arecomici. After his heroic victory, the client king of Massalia had reinforced his army with more Keltohellenikoi Hoplitai and some mercenary Celtic archers and could deploy almost 19’000 men, while his enemy’s force was composed of nearly 22’000 warriors. When the enemy approached, Tincommios realised that they marched under the battle standard of the goddess Epona and not the boar of Teutates anymore.


https://img26.imageshack.us/img26/6623/9battletolosabattlestancl0.png

He addressed a prayer to Teutates. “Give me this victory over those who renounced you, and I shall build a temple in your honour”. One has to note, that Celts did not build temples in a literal sense for their gods, but the client king of Massalia was highly influenced by Greek culture. Just when he finished his prayer, the sky darkened and rain started to fall in sheets.


https://img18.imageshack.us/img18/5774/7battletolosaunitsskymq9.png

Tincommios smiled. He was sure his prayer has been answered. Immediately he ordered his army to deploy near the cornfields, in which his archers and slingers could hide.


https://img210.imageshack.us/img210/3180/8battletolosaunitsim6.png

The enemy attacked and slowly pushed back the Massalian force.


https://img7.imageshack.us/img7/8499/10battletolosaenemyovercq2.png

Tincommios, who personally fought in the first battle line, signalled his cavalry to join the battle. They immediately started to pelt the enemy with their javelins and managed to stop the enemy’s advance.


https://img7.imageshack.us/img7/536/11battletolosacavskirmizl4.png

Also the hostile general fought like a hero and killed many of his foes.


https://img444.imageshack.us/img444/8761/12batteltolosaenemygeneyh5.png

But a javelin, thrown by one of the Massalian’s light cavalrymen – but to the Celts obviously conducted by the war god Teutates – pierced the enemy general’s chest.


https://img6.imageshack.us/img6/3403/13battletolosaenemygeneeo5.png

When they saw their general fall, the enemies started to rout. The Massalians chased them down and killed as many as they could. The enemy’s reinforcements didn’t even defend themselves and routed as well.


https://img293.imageshack.us/img293/1664/15battlestatsou3.png

The Massalians cheered. The city of Tolosa now was theirs, the Volcae-Arecomici defeated. Tincommios looked up and watched the sky clearing. "Hail thee, Teutates", he whispered and rode from the field of battle.


https://img262.imageshack.us/img262/377/14battlewonskyclearvr4.png

After the capturing of Tolosa the Arverni had definitely gained the upper hand in this war and turned their eyes on the tribe of the Bituriges and their capital city Avaricum. Riankiadoc moc Drappes had installed a government in Darioritum and rebuilt its great harbour in order to establish trade to the tribes in Britannia. With the ships the Veneti built there, the Arverni soon could send diplomatists to the island.


https://img369.imageshack.us/img369/7571/26darioritumfleetsavailzr4.png

Now his duty in Darioritum was done, he returned to Cenabum, continued his journey to Bibracte and raised an army with which he laid siege to Avaricum.


https://img19.imageshack.us/img19/8466/26siegeavaricumvq4.png

With that, in the west of Gallia the war seemed to be won. In the east things looked different. When winter ended the army of Mediolanum, led by the captain of the Gaesatae, invaded Arverni territory in northern Italia. The man they hunted, Cintugnatus moc Amminos, faced them with the entire army of the Italic allies, who usually protected the border to the Roman Republic. Erbin moc Custennyn, governor of Bononia, arrayed his army an supported him, so together they could deploy almost 50’000 men. Though the enemy arrayed less than 30’000 warriors, they still had over 8’000 Gaesatae, who were not to be underestimated.


https://img12.imageshack.us/img12/7348/27beforeattackmediolanijj9.png


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https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gifChapter 13 – Part Two: "Little One At The Edge Of The Lake" https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif


The men cheered when the scout brought the news. A village. The blurred outlines at the horizon! A village! Finally a sign of human beings in this endless ocean of grass! O, what a relief for the Celts. For weeks they had have not enough food. Many men had died along the way here and the others were starving.


https://img14.imageshack.us/img14/7536/17journeyfactionannounchq9.png

Meanwhile also Cunobelin oi Lugos, son of the murdered high king Belenos oi Lugos, had come at age.


https://img7.imageshack.us/img7/5984/18journeycunobelinatagemt2.png

He was not like his father, who had been a charismatic hero and wise man, but trough the long and cruel journey he became a vigorous and tough man. Surely a hard life so far from home would form him further. Soon he would have the chance to prove himself, for the Getai negotiators brought news, that the village would not share their food with so many foreign people. They barely had enough for themselves. Beset by hunger, the Celts decided to raid the city and take violent measures.

Near the village there was a little forest, where they hid their families. then the men marched to take over the town. It wasn’t protected by walls, so they reckoned to take the village without much effort. After this long voyage trough the steppe, the men were happy to see small buildings, trees and even some hillocks.


https://img264.imageshack.us/img264/3246/20journeyvillagerg1.png

The Celts rejoiced. Not even wooden palisades. What an underdeveloped people. When they approached the inhabitants of the town took up arms. The villagers had big oval shields and good spears, but weren’t armoured at all. The Celts would chop them to pieces.


https://img11.imageshack.us/img11/3535/21journeylightinfenemywe7.png

They advanced faster. The villagefolk arrayed at the south entrance of the town and when the Celts were close, they blew a great, strangely sounding horn. On the nearest hillock in the west of the village a cloud of dust appeared.


https://img266.imageshack.us/img266/5285/22journeyenemycavxu1.png

Hundreds of riders appeared and seemed to fly towards their enemy. Never had the Celts seen such fast horses. They glared like the sun when they approached, for they obviously were not made of flesh and blood but of iron and bronze. The Celts stopped immediately and stared westwards in a state of shock.


https://img13.imageshack.us/img13/4780/24journeyhorsearchersgl7.png

Suddenly a could of arrows hurtled through the air. Before the Celts could wonder, why the enemy could shoot from such a great distance, the first already were struck down by the arrows. The enemies did not even have to stop to shoot their arrows carefully targeted.

Other metallic daemons appeared, who even gleamed more than the other ones. They were armed with lances and also rode fast horses. A group of Getai warriors, armed with falxes and known as fierce fellows, had advanced too far and were annihilated by those fearsome enemies, who didn’t even lose a man. This sight was to much for the Celts and they started to run. Of course the enemies were faster and slaughtered the routing men.


https://img26.imageshack.us/img26/820/23journeyglancecavmn4.png

Most of those Celts who were lucky enough to sit on horseback could escape. Everyone else would never leave the steppes again.


https://img338.imageshack.us/img338/2222/25journeybattlestatsfh7.png

Fortunately the enemy didn’t see great danger in the escaped Celts anymore, so they didn’t pursue them for long. After they had spent the night in the small forest, Fergalos, his family and his friends fled eastwards until they reached the lands of the Hay, a quite powerful people who currently was at war with those Sauromatae daemons and had a few problems with the neighbouring Arche Seleukeia. For food and a place they could stay, the Celts offered all gold they had left. It wasn’t much, but the Hay accepted. The Celts were allowed to cross Hayasdan.


https://img99.imageshack.us/img99/8052/journeymapfw1.png

There was a small lake near the southern borders of the Hay's territory. It was between this lake and the main trade route of Hayasdan, where the Celts were allowed to found their own little town. They constructed wooden huts, a small shrine of Sucellos and called their new town “Morgandy“ – little one at the edge of the lake. They lived from fishing, woodcutting, several activities of craftsmen and of course established trade with the great cities of the Hay.


https://img12.imageshack.us/img12/658/28journeynewarvernitowney0.png

After an odyssey of over four years, Fergalos moc Lannildot, Faros oi Lugos, Calpornos moc Ollovico, Cunobelin oi Lugos and their families finally found a new home. They were that much deeply grateful, that they forgot to ask, why a foreign people would allow them so generously to settle down on their lands…..



Known territory in 239BC
https://img18.imageshack.us/img18/4482/29mapdh0.png

[Chirurgeon]

Damn this is great. Again amazing screenies! That one of the little camp on the lake is awesome. That steppe battle looked pretty rough! Keep up the good work.

[Mjolnir]

Yes, an update! :2thumbsup: Keep'em cooming.

[SwissBarbar]

Thank you :-) The update came late, because I rewrote the story. When I realised on the one screenshot, that the Enemy has a battle standard of a horse instead of the usual boar, I decided to use this to bring in a little mythological lesson.

Little background information: The female name "Morgandy" actually means "little one from the edge of the sea" , but it was the one that fitted best, so my Celts here speak the ancient Arverni accent, so it's now meaning "little one at the edge of the lake" :laugh4: :laugh4:

[Hotseat_User]

:book: oh man, this is awesome. I wonder why that little gallic enclave is to be set at the traderoute...
*want more* :smash:

[SwissBarbar]

Thanks ^^ maybe you have to wait a little bit, as far as I can forsee it, the next chapter will only contain the history of the western gauls not the eastern ones ;-)

[Hotseat_User]

:beam: hey, I don't want you to haste with this. Good things have to take time - like a good wine.

I'm just developing my KH-Game, so that I can try to use it for an AAR - maybe.

H_U

[machinor]

What can I say that has not been said a dozen times by other people before? This AAR ist simply amazing. The epic scale not only of the Gaulic war in the west but also of the odyssey of those Gauls in the east is fantastic! I cannot wait how this grand saga will continue.
You, sir, are a friggin' genius! :2thumbsup:

[SwissBarbar]

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/faction_banner_03arv.jpg
Of savage tribes and glorious empires




https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gifChapter 14 – The Gallic Confederation https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif


Cintugnatus moc Amminos got quite nervous when he learned, that Erbin moc Custennyn and his army were delayed. Apparently they’ve been held up by hostile skirmishers. Actually Erbin should have joined Cintugnatus’ Italic army 2 days ago. Too well he remembered his last battle against this army from Mediolanum, when he lost over 20’000 men to the blades of the fierce Gaesatae. He had been among the few lucky ones who could escape. At least this time he had no inexperienced light Ligurian and Roman troops, but led an army of Italic roughnecks, armed to the teeth and ready to fight.


https://img365.imageshack.us/img365/8026/2battlereinforcementsdeoe8.png

He had deployed his army along the street that led from Bononia to Mediolanum and which drew a straight line trough the little forest at the borderline between Aemilia and Isubramrog. Somewhere among the trees on the right side of the street the Mediolanian army, led by the Gaesatae, was in hiding.


https://img26.imageshack.us/img26/9431/3battlearmyarrayds2.png

They were ready to fight and Cintugnatus couldn’t stave off the battle any longer. He would have to fight without the reinforcements. In a forced march at highest speed possible, he let his army array at the edge of the forest, along the street at the right flank of the enemy, who was protected by the trees. But exactly those trees blocked the enemies’ view, so they couldn’t react quick enough and the Italic troops could form undisturbed.


https://img27.imageshack.us/img27/3100/5battleeilmarschao1.png

Cintugnatus deployed his Samnites and Bruttians in the first battle line and let the Aichmetai Leukanoi form the second line. In forest combat the tactical use of cavalry was quite restricted, so the cavalrymen deployed behind the Leukanoi at the left flank of the army, where the forest ended and was replaced by a wide patch of grass. There the cavalry could be of use, for when the enemy decided to attack, he intended to circumvent the left flank of the Italic troops and attack there. But when they left the forest, the Italic cavalry drove them back by skirmishing.


https://img15.imageshack.us/img15/2186/6battleskirmishingcavdm1.png

The enemy changed his plans and started a frontal attack. When they broke cover and rushed forward, they pitched their spears towards the Samnites, who received the enemy this way as well.


https://img7.imageshack.us/img7/8356/7battleskirmishinginfha5.png

The enemy started a mass attack. The Italic troops skilfully and passionately defended themselves, but the enemy managed to outflank the right side of their first battle line and pushed them back.


https://img26.imageshack.us/img26/63/8battleenemyoutofwoodsea9.png

Cintugnatus ordered half his cavalry to ride to the right flank and support the troops there and let a part of his Leukanoi move forward and pelt the enemy with javelins.


https://img172.imageshack.us/img172/4913/9battlecavattackflankme0.png

Trough this measure the Italic troops managed to push back their adversaries into the forest. The enemy retreated, but Cintugnatus didn’t follow them. He redeployed his army at the edge of the forest and stationed rested soldiers in the first battle line. Though he managed to drive back the first attack, he had lost about 8’000 soldiers. He knew that the second attack would be impossible to repulse. But the enemy didn’t attack for over half an hour. Just when Cintugnatus started to wonder what had happened, a messenger arrived and told him the great news.


https://img264.imageshack.us/img264/4670/10battlereinforcementspi7.png

Erbin moc Custennyn and his army from Bononia finally had arrived. Erbin immediately sounded the charge.


https://img10.imageshack.us/img10/3996/11battleerbinmoccustenntk1.png

The enemy was surrounded. Together, Erbin and Cintugnatus defeated the hostile army. While Erbin hunted down the last survivors of the enemy, Cintugnatus left the field of battle with his army and – without a rest for his men – marched towards Mediolanum.


https://img5.imageshack.us/img5/958/13battleonthewaytomediozx6.png

The enemy army was destroyed, but also Erbin and Cintugnatus lost over 10’000 men and another 3’000 have been injured.


https://img15.imageshack.us/img15/6859/14battlestatsul2.png

Before summer 239 BC ended, the city of Mediolanum was besieged again. At the same time, an allied Roman army arrived at the gates of Patavium, where the leader of the Principality resided.


https://img23.imageshack.us/img23/5463/15romanarmynearpataviumtm8.png


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In central Gallia Riankiadoc moc Drappes had besieged Avaricum, the capital city of the last strong tribe west of Mediolanum, the Bituriges. The nobles of the Bituriges still could field many warriors, so soon Riankiadoc was confronted with two of their noblemen, who could field 37’000 warriors.


https://img178.imageshack.us/img178/3781/16beforebattleriankiadonb2.png

The armies of the Bituriges and the Arverni likewise were mainly composed of heavy infantry. In addition Riankiadoc could field uncommonly many slingers but no cavalry except for his own Brihentin.


https://img12.imageshack.us/img12/4382/17battleslingersfo9.png

The enemy on the other hand could field many thousands of cavalrymen, even some mercenaries from Britannia were among them.


https://img93.imageshack.us/img93/7417/18cassecavbd4.png

Riankiadoc was outnumbered, but the troops he had mustered in Bibracte were very experienced men who had fought many battles, while the enemy’s men were not yet battle-tested. Riankiadoc decided to attack at once and get the battle over and done with.


https://img253.imageshack.us/img253/3005/19chargect3.png

In close combat, the heavy infantry on both sides fell in a blood frenzy, which resulted in a furious combat.


https://img153.imageshack.us/img153/2126/20frayul0.png

When the Arverni managed to kill one of the hostile noblemen, his army started to rout. This circumstance forced the other army to retreat and cost it many losses.


https://img22.imageshack.us/img22/4197/21enemygeneraldeaduq4.png

With that, the battle was won. While the Arverni lost about 6’000 men, the enemy bemoaned over 28’000 dead.


https://img299.imageshack.us/img299/8906/22battlestatsxr4.png

But they had no time to rest, for the enemy attacked again. During the battle, a third Biturige noblemen had arrived with his army. The rest of the armies Riankiadoc just had defeated turned and arrayed again, so the enemy still could field another 22’000 men.


https://img14.imageshack.us/img14/7830/23beforesecondbattleyg7.png

Riankiadoc knew, that he had to decide this battle as fast as possible, since his men were very tired from the battle before. Ivomagos let his army array in the formation of a wedge, because he intended to split the hostile army up, break trough and kill the enemy noblemen who rode behind their men, in order not to die and with that to keep their warriors' morale intact.


https://img509.imageshack.us/img509/7065/24formationnb7.png

When the Arverni attacked his plan worked out. The peak of his formation drove a wedge amidst the enemy, the following soldiers pushed into the gap and broke through.


https://img26.imageshack.us/img26/7214/25breakthroughxk8.png

Before the two hostile generals realised what just had happened, they were killed by the Arverni warriors. The shocked enemy soldiers turned around and fled.


https://img141.imageshack.us/img141/1360/26enemygeneraldeadlq1.png https://img141.imageshack.us/img141/3568/27enemygeneraldeadbi6.png

Without taking great losses the Arverni prevailed. With that, the last strong hostile tribe west of Mediolanum was defeated. To honour the war god Teutates, Riankiadoc named his new battle formation "Head of the Boar" , since the boar was the symbol of Teutates. Even hundreds of years after this battle, variations of this formation will still be commonly used by Celtic and Germanic armies.


https://img145.imageshack.us/img145/5599/28battlestatscg7.png



------------------------------------------------------------------


Soon after the fall of Avaricum, the Romani took Patavium and killed the leader of the Pricipality of Mediolanum. Less than one month later, the city of Mediolanum itself opened the gates and surrendered. The Italic troops sacked the city and killed many citizens.


https://img216.imageshack.us/img216/2720/29mediolanumtakenandrairb6.png

With that, the second Gallic war was over. The Aquitani surrendered to the Arverni and became a client kingdom, governed by a man called Cunovindos oi Sucellos.


https://img7.imageshack.us/img7/5935/31characterdetailsaquitza1.png

When the Arverni deployed their armies at the borderlines to the Belgae, who had taken the territory of the Sequani and Treveri, they decided to forsake those lands, for they couldn’t afford one more great battle against all tribes of the League of the Arverni. Though the Sequani and Treveri protested, the Arverni made peace with the Belgae, for they needed them to act as a barrier between them and the Germanic tribes in the north.


https://img22.imageshack.us/img22/8853/30ceasefirebelgaeit9.png

Finally Ivomagos d’Aler returned to his beloved city of Cenabum. As a reward for their brave actions in the war and to appreciate their merits, Ivomagos entrusted Riankiadoc moc Drappes with the governorship over Bibracte and Erbin moc Custennyn with the rule over the city of Mediolanum.

Ivomagos had succeeded in something no one before him ever had achieved. He would enter the history books as the one who unified the Gallic tribes. In the city of Cenabum, at the Ogmioteriam Odemorix – the great Gallic council - Ivomagos received the leaders and kings of all the tribes in his league and let them pledge allegiance to him.


https://img26.imageshack.us/img26/9943/31councildl7.png

He granted them to govern their tribes on their own in order to make himself popular. Ivomagos d’Aler, though he actually remained the high king of the Gallic tribes, now officially was the first among equals of the former “League of the Arverni”, which now was called the “The Gallic Confederation”.



Known territory in 238 BC
https://img253.imageshack.us/img253/6463/32mapov8.png

[Mjolnir]

Good to see this war come to a victorious conclusion, I thought the killing might never end. :laugh4: :2thumbsup: I wonder what war the Arverni will be fighting next.

[Tyrfingr]

What did you do with the Aedui? Made them Belgae?

[SwissBarbar]

What did you do with the Aedui? Made them Belgae?

Yes, the Aedui were defeated, so the Faction "Aedui" became the Principality of Mediolanum. Now the Principality is defeated the Faction "Aedui" became the tribes of the Belgae, who are coloured pink now in the game.



What can I say that has not been said a dozen times by other people before? This AAR ist simply amazing. The epic scale not only of the Gaulic war in the west but also of the odyssey of those Gauls in the east is fantastic! I cannot wait how this grand saga will continue.
You, sir, are a friggin' genius! :2thumbsup:


Good to see this war come to a victorious conclusion, I thought the killing might never end. :laugh4: :2thumbsup: I wonder what war the Arverni will be fighting next.


Thank you for your continuing support, I very much appreciate it :yes:

You soon will discover that there are many more opportunities to fight. Not only in Europe, but also in the east the Celts will have to master new challenges. More about this in the next chapter ~;)

[Chirurgeon]

awesome job. Simply awesome!

[SwissBarbar]

Thank you :beam: I hoped the civil war didn't become boring by time, but it was necessary to unify the tribes. For the future I already prepared some quite special chapters, though it will take some ingame years until we get there.

[Hotseat_User]

I'm fine with this AAR :dizzy2: you caN'T do this with me :applause::applause::applause:
just waiting for the next :juggle2: :smash:

[Chaotix]

I've just finished reading the AAR from Chapter 2 onwards or so, and I must say it truly is an awesome piece of work. Your AAR writing skills rival those of Chirurgeon and Marcus!

:2thumbsup:

[SwissBarbar]

Thank you very much :beam: That must have taken some time to read all that stuff at once ^^

[SOSamurai]

I have to say, I'm loving this AAR. I often catch myself checking here for updates since you seem to be doing these chapters very quickly, yet it only seems to get better.

One question though, how did you give those territories to Aedui? Even if you could point me to a topic covering the how to on this would make me happy. I'd love to have the option of giving my enemies settlements so I don't have to kill them off early on before I've had a chance to truely fight them. The best thing is I can even roleplay it like you have so it's not a completely unfeasable concept that a faction suddenly becomes a threat again through rebel support.

Keep up the excellent work. :2thumbsup:

[SwissBarbar]

Thank you :-) I'll PM you

[Olaf Blackeyes]

@ SOSamuri: Ever hear of Forced Diplomacy?
Its an uber awesome mini-mod that lets you take total control over any campaign.
Try it.

[SwissBarbar]

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/faction_banner_03arv.jpg
Of savage tribes and glorious empires




https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gifChapter 15 – Galatia https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif


The great Gallic war was over. The Celtic tribes in Gallia formed the Gallic Confederation, whose council regularly converged outside the city of Cenabum. The victorious tribes invested men with power over the tribes they had defeated, so also these new tribes were present in the “Ogmioteriam Odemorix“. The Confederation consisted of the tribes of the Arverni, Segusiavi, Sequani, Treveri, Haedui, Aulerci, Veneti, Pictones, Bituriges and Volcae-Arecomici. Also the Aquitanian client kingdom of the Tarbelli, the Graeco-Celtic client kingdom of Massalia, the tribe of the Liguri who represented the Italic allies and the governor of Mediolanum and Bononia were members of the council. Therefore the Gallic Confederation ruled the fate of over 1.1 million people .

After eight years of war, the Celtic tribes managed to bring peace to their lands. Under the eyes of the council, they travelled to Britannia and established trade with the Casse, who had brought large parts of the Island under their control during the last decades.


https://img12.imageshack.us/img12/6947/12contactcasseaf1.png

To construct greater ships and manage the increased amount of trading goods, the tribes at the coasts built larger harbours. In Gergovia, the original city of the Arverni, the high king of old Aneirin oi Lugos, who once had transformed the Arverni into the greatest power in Gallia and defeated the Haedui, became revered as a semi god and his tomb was transformed into a shrine. Now the war was over, people had time for rituals and religion.


https://img10.imageshack.us/img10/567/13portsfortradewithcassll1.png

In Tolosa the Massalian client king, Tincommios moc Gobannitio, brought the construction of the temple of Teutates to completion, as he promised to the war god before he had subjected the Volcae-Arecomici.


https://img403.imageshack.us/img403/7/8tolosatempleofteutatesyk8.png

In Bibracte Riankiadoc married his daughter Bergo off to a young man called Berdic moc Ceanatis, who had proven himself to be worthy of this honour during the last campaign Riankiadoc had led against the Bituriges.


https://img201.imageshack.us/img201/4781/10daughterofriankiadocmvm0.png https://img18.imageshack.us/img18/9590/11characterdetailsberdiqx3.png

And also in Ivomagos d’Aler’s family the next generation’s time had come. Epasnactos, his son, had come at age. Ivomagos was very proud of his son, who was a prime example of what the Celts deemed to be a true man. Not only was he intelligent, well built and vigorous, he also was unselfish, optimistic and loyal to his people. Furthermore Epasnactos’ appearance was an image of his father. Everyone who knew him was sure, that he would become a very powerful and wise man.


https://img100.imageshack.us/img100/3443/9characterdetailsepasnatk5.png


------------------------------------------------------------------


Far in the east, the Celtic village of Morgandy prospered. Jewellery produced by the skilled hands of the Celts were the height of fashion in the great cities of Hayasdan. The Hay ladies were mad on these adornments as the men were on Celtic long swords. Many people who had lived in small and poor villages in the mountains moved into this town. Even from the lands in the south many people of Celtic origin, whose fathers and grandfathers had served as mercenaries in the armies of Makedonia, the Arche Seleukeia or the Ptolemaioi found a new home in Morgandy. For over two years the Celts lived in peace with the neighbouring peoples, so this was the right time for young Cunobelin oi Lugos to get married and thus start a family.


https://img26.imageshack.us/img26/2867/1journeycunobelinmarriemv9.png

But in the year of 236 BC the Celts received a message from a nobleman of the Hay, in which they were told that it was about time to discharge the debt. The Celts could settle down in Hayasdan for years and the Hay wanted the Celts to do them a favour in return now. Apparently the Arche Seleukeia had sent an assassin to kill the king of the Hay, who has been an enemy of the Seleukids for ages. He would take the main trade route and pass the Celtic village soon. The Celts were told to find and to kill him. And this was exactly what they did.


https://img4.imageshack.us/img4/8253/1journeydeathseleukidgebk4.png

Unfortunately this Seleukid assassin turned out to be a noble Statesman who was on the way to Armavir to make peace with the king of the Hay. The Hay nobleman who entrusted the Celts with the assassination of this man was one of those, who loathed the Arche Seleukeia and wanted to keep the status of war at any cost. Now the Celts were in a dilemma. Of course the king of the Hay didn’t know anything about the assault and held the Celts liable for this misdeed. At the same time the elder brother of the Seleukid nobleman, one of the most powerful and respected men in the whole empire, led his army to Morgandy without hesitation, in order to exterminate the assassins of his beloved brother.


https://img23.imageshack.us/img23/1043/1journeyseleukidarmyov0.png

Once again the Celts had to leave their homes. Led by Calpornos moc Ollovico, who had been elected to be the leader by his people during the last years, the inhabitants of Morgandy migrated southwards. When the Seleukid general had destroyed the small village, he sent a part of his army to chase them. Just before they caught up to the Celts, they reached the Seleukid city of Karkathiokerta, which was besieged by the Kingdom of Pontos.

After ousting the Arche Seleukeia from Mikra Asia, the King of Pontos had planned a great military campaign against the Arche. After taking Mazaka, Karkathiokerta, a great city protected by high walls but only a few warriors, now was his main target.

The king of Pontos promised the Celts to become client rulers over Galatia, where many people with Celtic ancestors lived and thus was not easy to control by non-celtic rulers anyway, if they took the city for him, so he could let the main part of his army rest. Furthermore, as his client rulers, in the time to come they had fight for him whenever he called. Calpornos moc Ollovico had no option but to agree and so the Celts joined the siege of Karkathiokerta.


https://img172.imageshack.us/img172/5756/2journeyhelpingsiegeponjd4.png

The Seleukid army that followed the Celts was surrounded by the army of Pontos, but many men could escape to the city of Karkathiokerta. Now, with no hostile army in their backs, the Pontic and Celtic armies started the attack.

The Celts stood in the first battle line, while the Pontic soldiers used their highly developed siege equipment to open the gates of the city. Never had the Celts seen such massive walls in their lives.


https://img9.imageshack.us/img9/6623/3journeymassivewallscp9.png

The allied soldiers started to batter down the gates of the city, permanently pelted with arrows from the city towers. At the same time the Pontic siege tower had reached the walls and the soldiers took them without meeting with resistance.


https://img8.imageshack.us/img8/8346/3journeyponticramyy7.png

When the gates were battered down, the Celts, led by Fergalos moc Lannildot, Faros oi Lugos, Calpornos moc Ollovico and Cunobelin oi Lugos, stormed the city and drove the enemy back to the city center.


https://img11.imageshack.us/img11/7691/4journeyarvernifmamongtju8.png

There they were received by some of the best warriors the Arche Seleukeia could field at these times. The fierce Shipri Tukul. Originally from Babylon, the Seleukid kings stationed these troops in many of their endangered cities at the borders to hostile territory.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/eleutheroi/neareast/rebel_babylonian_heavy_infantry.gif Babylonian Shipri Tukul

In addition the Seleukids deployed heavy cavalry. Protected by iron and bronze, just like the Sauromatae in the steppes, the shiny metal of these horsemen frightened many a Celtic warrior. At the same time these Seleukid soldiers never had seen real Celtic warriors before. Especially the ones armed with longswords and fighting naked were bloodcurdling.


https://img11.imageshack.us/img11/8162/5journeybabyloniansandhmp0.png

In the end the Celts crushed the enemy by sheer number and won the day.


https://img136.imageshack.us/img136/4927/6journeybattlestatspf0.png

As promised, they were now allowed to travel the kingdom of Pontos and settle down in Galatia. This time the Celts had definitely found a home, but still they knew that it would not take long until the marching orders from the king of Pontos would arrive, for he already hinted to have great plans with them.


https://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8516/journeymaprz9.png


------------------------------------------------------------------


With the end of the second Gallic war, northern Europe was at peace. But the south of Europe continued to be an inferno. The kingdom of Epeiros and the Koinon Hellenon still fought an unbelievably cruel war against each other. Now that Epeiros had to fight three opponents, the Romans, the Carthaginians and the Koinon Hellenon, they started to get into a tangle. In an expensive campaign the Koinon Hellenon managed to take Illyria Hellenike and the city of Epidamnos. Epeiros had made huge efforts in order not to lose this province, pulled out troops from Italia and sent them to Illyria. Weakened by this measure and though the Epeirotes could defeat the Carthaginians on Sicilia, they could not withstand the Roman armies, who conquered all of southern Italy within two years.

But now the Roman armies deployed at the edge of the Italian peninsula and were ready to take the last city of Epeiros on Sicily, which was exactly what the Carthaginians intended to do too.


https://img7.imageshack.us/img7/2125/0romanarmiesinsouthernive9.png

Rome knew that Carthage had claimed the rule over Sicily, but the Epeirotes had to be thrown out of Italy and Sicilia, so the Romans conquered the city of Messana too and declared the Carthaginians claim for Sicily to be illegal. The Kart-Hadastim could not let them get away with that, deployed an army near Messana and started, what the Romans later will call the first Punic war.


https://img23.imageshack.us/img23/824/7warbetweenromeandcarthfg4.png

235 BC, after one year of war and several defeats, the Romans managed to lay siege to the city of Lilibeo and were not far from throwing the Kart-Hadastim out of Sicily.


https://img25.imageshack.us/img25/8320/7zromansbesiegelilibeood2.png

It was in the same year, that the peace in northern Europe was on a knife-edge again. The Celtic Confederation had recovered well from the great war and flourished. But there was a people, that started to bother the Celts more and more……



Known territory in 235 BC
https://img526.imageshack.us/img526/8129/14mapfx2.png

[Mjolnir]

And they finally make it to Galatia, that should give you some fun recruitment options. I can't wait to see who the next war will be fought with. :2thumbsup:

[Olaf Blackeyes]

Dont u DARE touch the Sweboz!:furious3::skull::furious3:

[machinor]

Absolutly fantastic as always! :2thumbsup:

[Tyrfingr]

I'll say "into the boats and over the channel!"

[Chirurgeon]

Excellent update! Some great twists and turns there. I like what you have done with Rome, Epirus, and Syracuse.

[machinor]

After having taken a closer look at your map I must say that I really like the Getai and Pontic AI expansion.

[I of the Storm]

Great chapter and interesting development. Who will be next? Those Belgae? Sweboz? Casse?

[SwissBarbar]

Absolutly fantastic as always! :2thumbsup:

Thank you very much :beam:


Excellent update! Some great twists and turns there. I like what you have done with Rome, Epirus, and Syracuse.

Thank you! The Romans, Carthaginians and the Hellenic Factions will play important roles in the chapters to come.


Great chapter and interesting development. Who will be next? Those Belgae? Sweboz? Casse?


I'll say "into the boats and over the channel!"


Dont u DARE touch the Sweboz!:furious3::skull::furious3:

Hehehe, who knows ^^ Maybe one of them, maybe it's another faction you don't expect? You'll see.



After having taken a closer look at your map I must say that I really like the Getai and Pontic AI expansion.

Yes, I have to say the AI expansion is really great in this campaign, also the Saba, which you don't see on this map expand as I have never seen it before. The Saba and the Getai have expanded completely without my help. Pontos on the other hand was given many, many Mnai, for it was important for my "eastern chapters" that they took Mikra Asia from the Seleukids. Also the war in Greece was sponsored by "Mediolanian Money" (well, of course I gave it to them, but as I mentionned in a chapter, the rich Mediolanians took influence and let the KH/Makedonia and Epeiros start a war, so I roleplay that it came from Mediolanum). Both Factions got money from me, so they could throw fullstacks against each other, which was exactly what they did :beam:

[Hotseat_User]

wow, a really good one! I thought of an own east-celtic kingdom but client-govenership fits much more in the place. Just keep this. :smash:
And I'll also roger that:

And they finally make it to Galatia, that should give you some fun recruitment options. I can't wait to see who the next war will be fought with. :2thumbsup:

[SwissBarbar]

Thanks Hotseat_User :-)

Ups, I forgot to quote Mjolnir :shame:


And they finally make it to Galatia, that should give you some fun recruitment options. I can't wait to see who the next war will be fought with. :2thumbsup:

Thank you, my friend ^^ Also in the east the Celts will have master great challenges in the Service of Pontos.

[Andronikos]

Great AAR, story, moding and this:


https://img11.imageshack.us/img11/8162/5journeybabyloniansandhmp0.png

awesome:2thumbsup:

[SwissBarbar]

Thank you :beam: I hope to post the next chapter this weekend...

[Ruepelheinz]

Until the start of this AAR, I remembered the Averni only as the victim of my Adui "blitz" in version 1.1. I even decided that I would not play this faction at all. Now, due to your fascinating story-telling I might reconsider.
:2thumbsup:

[Vasiliyi]

I just sat down and read your entire AAR and it is EPIC. Awesome story and you seem to keep the details in still. Very cool stuff. That, and Arveni are my favorite Celt faction. :2thumbsup:

[SwissBarbar]

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/faction_banner_03arv.jpg
Of savage tribes and glorious empires




https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gifChapter 16 – Masterly Moves https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif


After the great war, the Gallic Confederation swiftly recovered from its wounds. The Celtic cities constructed many buildings for public amusement and religion. Also trade and economy very much have been promoted and especially maritime trading routes to islands like Korsim, Sardinia and of course Britannia have been expanded and increased.


https://img502.imageshack.us/img502/1223/0constructionreportxf8.png

Especially the people of the Veneti, who were the most skilful seafarers of all Celtic tribes, started to become one of the major trading partners of the Casse in Britannia. But this new flood of Celtic trading goods, which caused a crumbling of prices on Britain’s markets, alienated foreign merchants, who had become very rich trough the trade with the Casse and intended to maintain this state of affairs. Especially the Iberian coastal tribes tried to fight the competition, cut prices, denigrated Gallic commodities and even went so far to hire Nordic pirates, who boarded and plundered many merchant vessels of the Gallic Confederation.

To counteract these adverse effects on trade, the leaders of the Gallic Confederation decided at the Ogmioteriam Odemorix of the year 235 BC, that the Iberian peninsula be invaded and the coastal tribes be brought under control. The responsibility for this operation was delegated to Riankiadoc moc Drappes, who was the most experienced military commander the Gallic Confederation could deploy.

Since the military reform of Belenos oi Lugos, king of old, had remained valid after his death, still all young men of noble birth had to be on active service in times of war. The idea behind this decree not only was, that the future leaders of the Celtic tribes would have recourse to a profound knowledge of warfare in cases of emergency, but also that they would prove their courage and trough that gain the unconditional respect, trust and loyalty of their subjects. So it was beyond debate, that also Riankiadoc’s son-in-law Berdic moc Ceanatis and Ivomagos’ eldest son Epasnactos d’Aler would join the campaign and fight under Riankiadoc’s command.

In winter 235 BC massive conscriptions have been made and an army of almost 29’000 warriors was levied. This army was composed of 1’200 Gaesatae, 3’200 Uirodusios and 3’600 Solduros as a core of heavy infantry, 6’000 Gaelaiche and 7’200 Lugoae represented the ranks of the light infantry, the missile troops consisted of 1’200 Iaosatae and 2’400 Sotaroas, and 2’000 Leuce Epos acted as light cavalry and skirmishers. The personal bodyguard of Riankiadoc and his young officers made up the heavy cavalry of about another 2’000 men.


Uirodusioshttps://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/arverni/arverni_uirodusios.gif Gaesataehttps://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/arverni/arverni_gaesatae.gif Solduroshttps://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/arverni/arverni_solduros.gif

Gaelaichehttps://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/arverni/arverni_gaelaiche.gif Lugoaehttps://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/arverni/arverni_lugoae.gif Iaosataehttps://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/arverni/arverni_iaosatae.gif Sotaroashttps://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/arverni/arverni_sotaroas.gif

Leuce Eposhttps://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/arverni/arverni_leuceepos.gif Brihentinhttps://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/arverni/arverni_brihentin.gif

Riankiadoc intended to conquer the western coast of Iberia quickly and didn’t want to give the Iberian tribes the chance to organise resistance, so this invasion was meant to be performed at one stride. Therefore Riankiadoc mustered a second huge army, composed of 29’000 Lugoae and 8’500 Iasosatae, all veterans who were primarily specializing in supportive operations. That army was not designed for participation in battle except for cases of emergency, but for marching some miles distant from the main force in order to maintain and protect supply, secure bridges, mountain passes and conquered cities and to cover the flanks or unexpected strategically important retreats of the main force.

In spring 234 BC the invading army of the Gallic Confederation, composed of altogether over 66’000 men, set foot on the Iberian peninsula.


https://img14.imageshack.us/img14/2051/1invasioniberiayp0.png

The first region that had to be brought into subjection was Cantabria, which was the gate that led from Aquitania into Iberia. The independent tribe of the Cantabri not only was famous for its excellent axemen, the Clona Tekonac, but of course primarily for its light cavalry, which was considered to be the best skirmisher cavalry in Europe. Riding small and shaggy horses, though in plain land not as fast as lager breeds, these men could outride any other mounted soldiers in the rugged hills of their homeland. Armed with a multitude of javelins and a falcata sword, but protected by naught but their caetra shied, they fought in the armies of many Iberian tribes. Famous among even foreign peoples they got for their signature formation, which was the „Cantabrian Circle“.


https://img261.imageshack.us/img261/9591/2battlecantabricav.png

They were one reason, why Riankiadoc had planned a surprise attack. These horsemen were able to wear down a whole army in the hills of Cantabria, without even showing themselves longer than a minute. But they were not made for defending towns and cities and that’s why Riankiadoc led his army to the Cantabrian center of government and culture, the small town of Vellika, before the Cantabri were prepared for war.

In a swift but bloody battle, in which he lost over 3’000 men, Riankiadoc occupied Vellika, which was not even protected by a wall and took hostages from the noble Cantabrian families. By this measure he ensured save passage for his army. In Vellika itself he stationed 9’500 soldiers from his supply troops, who even outnumbered the inhabitants of the whole town, to protect the hostages and keep up peace.


https://img12.imageshack.us/img12/6784/3battlestatsvellika.png

Without hesitation Riankiadoc marched forth towards Asturia and their capital city Pallantia. The Asturi were subject to the strong tribe of the Lusitani, also called Lusotannan, who controlled the whole northern and western coast of Iberia. Of course the Lusotannan did not intend to give up a rich region like Asturia, for from there they supplied important trading routs to Britannia. So when the Gallic Confederation laid siege to Pallantia, the Lusotannan deployed two armies, one of their own of over 18’000 warriors and led by their king himself, and another of over 4’000 men recruited from the tribe of the Astrui.


https://img187.imageshack.us/img187/1790/4warlusotanacelticconfe.png

Riankiadoc decided to array his 25’000 men in an improved variation of the formation he developed during the second Gallic war, the “Head of the Boar”. Back then he had one main battle line and just positioned his wedge-formation in front of it. Nowadays he forwent the main battle line, instead divided his army into three parts and formed three wedges. He also refined the composition of the formations by stationing his naked warriors at the very front and his heaviest soldiers right behind them. This way, by willingly sacrificing their lives, the fanatic naked warriors would breach a gap into the enemy’s formation, in which the heavy infantrymen would throw themselves in order to extend it. The light infantry behind the heavy soldiers would push as forceful as they could, like a hammer striking on the wedge, and split the enemy’s formation.

In order to decimate the enemy formation and to ease the breakthrough, Riankiadoc stationed his light skirmisher cavalry in front of the infantry and the archers and slingers behind it.


https://img262.imageshack.us/img262/5274/5battleformation.png

The right division was commanded by Berdic moc Ceanatis, while the left flank was entrusted to Epasnactos d’Aler’s care. Riankiadoc himself commanded the formation in the center. The Asturi attacked from the south while the Lusotannan approached from the west. Riankiadoc had to split up his army and decided to face the Lusitani together with his son-in-law. Epasnactos d’Aler had to deal with the Asturi alone, as long as the Lusitani were not defeated. Unlike his companions, Epasnactos had the advantageous possibility to attack downhill, so Riankiadoc was sure he would master the challenge. Nonetheless he left the light cavalry under young Epasnactos’ command, just to be sure. It was this light cavalry to engage the enemy and open the battle.


https://img9.imageshack.us/img9/5281/6battleskirmishcav.png

While the Leuce Epos skirmished and held the enemy up, Riankiadoc and Berdic didn’t hesitate and attacked the enemy. Just like Riankiadoc had supposed, the fierce Gaesatae and Uirodusios threw themselves at the enemy without caring for their own lives. Drugged to the eyeballs some of the Gaesatae even ripped javelins that had struck them free from their bodies, and hurled them back. Almost within a blink of an eye even the smallest gap in the enemy’s formation was taken advantage of by the heavily armoured Solduros. The ulterior ranks of the enemy could do naught but just watch their comrades in the front tremble and finally break.


https://img12.imageshack.us/img12/5927/9battleformationbreakth.png

This breakthrough happened so quickly, that not even the Lusotannan king could turn back and escape. He fell aside his warriors.


https://img105.imageshack.us/img105/654/11battleenemykingdead.png

At the right flank, the general of the Asturi and his fierce, iron-masked bodyguards fought bravely, but after the break of the Lusotannan army, the Asturi started to panic and were crushed too.


https://img413.imageshack.us/img413/3393/10battleironfacedbodygu.png

In the end the enemy was defeated. The army of the Asturi was even destroyed to the last man, so the city of Pallantia was defenceless and had to surrender.


https://img365.imageshack.us/img365/9034/12battlestatspallantia.png

In order to secure the region on this side of the mountains, that separated Asturia from Galaeccia, Riankiadoc left the major part of his supportive army in Pallantia and headed for the Galaecci city of Tyde with his 23’000 men strong army, only accompanied by 9’600 warriors of his auxiliary force. Before he reached the mountains, Riankiadoc hired 1’600 Dunaminica to reinforce his main army. These men originally came from Celtiberia and could be trusted, for the Celtiberi were one of the last tribes that had not been subjected by the Lusotannan or Carthaginians, and were not at all considerate towards the Lusitani.


Celtiberian Dunaminica https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/lusotannan/ele_ibe_dunaminaca.gif

https://img25.imageshack.us/img25/108/13onthewaytotyde.png

Due to his fast advancement and the extermination of their main force in northern Iberia, the Lusotannan could not send an army to Tyde in time. Faced with 33’000 battle-tested Celtic warriors, the city of Tyde surrendered without even defending itself. Riankiadoc stationed his 9’600 auxiliary forces in the city and proceeded southwards along the coast at once.

After some days, the army of the Gallic Confederation finally met the Lusotannan force of over 20’000 men, that originally had been sent to defend the city of Tyde. The two armies arrayed for battle and the Lusotannan advanced without hesitation, in a remarkably disciplined formation, which indicated that the Iberians finally deployed experienced veterans and no green recruits. Riankiadoc recognised, that these enemies not easily were breached like those before and in addition his heavy infantry, especially the Gaesatae and Uirodusios had suffered from many losses recently, so he decided to use another strategy to deal with this enemy and to take advantage of the terrain.

Led by his son-in-law Berdic, the heavy infantry with the archers and slingers deployed in the center, while Riankiadoc himself commanded 4’800 Lugoae and 2000 Gaelaiche at the right flank, which he didn’t array on the same line like his centre, but a little bit displaced backwards. Protected by the sea, the right flank could not be outflanked. The left flank, commanded by Epasnactos, was given a special task. Hidden in the small forest at the left, 4000 Gaelaiche, 2’400 Lugoae and the whole contingent of light cavalry waited for the right moment to surprise the enemy.


https://img16.imageshack.us/img16/1747/14battlearray.png

The enemy first sent forth his light cavalry in order to skirmish, but they were driven back by the slingers and archers in the center. The enemy recognised the Gallic center formation to be protected by only a few light infantrymen on the right flank, to their general decided to break the center and then turn left to the right flank of Riankiadoc’s army. This was exactly what Riankiadoc had intended to provoke.


https://img239.imageshack.us/img239/7259/15battleenemyattackscen.png

When the enemy dashed against the shields of the heavy infantry in the center, Riankiadoc and his light infantry advanced at the right flank in order to outflank the enemy. At the same time the hidden army broke cover, and while the light infantry attacked the adversarial flank, Epasnactos himself and his cavalry circled around the enemy’s formation and crashed into their rear.


https://img24.imageshack.us/img24/5172/16battleoutofthewoods.png

Shocked by this sudden surprise the enemies’ morale was corrupted, the whole formation broke and the soldiers sought refuge in flight.


https://img8.imageshack.us/img8/3348/17battleenemypanic.png

Not many of these soldiers survived that day. They were hunted down by the cavalry and killed. Over 18’000 men have been killed, while Riankiadoc’s army lost less than 2’000 warriors.


https://img54.imageshack.us/img54/599/18battlestats.png

After this great victory, Riankiadoc sent word to the city of Pallantia, where the major part of his auxiliary force still was stationed. When they arrived, he crossed the river Tagus, and laid siege to Oxtraca, the capital city of the Lusitani, while his auxiliary troops secured the bridge and ensured the maintenance of supply over the river.


https://img403.imageshack.us/img403/2708/20siegeoxtraca.png

At the latest from this point in history on, Riankiadoc moc Drappes was recognised as one of the most brilliant tacticians of his time.


https://img100.imageshack.us/img100/9991/21riankiadocgreattactic.png

Riankiadoc gave the citizens of Oxtraca the choice. “Surrender and hand over the city, and I will spare your lives. If not, may the gods be merciful, for I won’t be.” Not long after this ultimatum, the new king of the Lusotannan approximated with an army of over 11’000 men, mostly infantry like the Gestikapoinann and elite shock troops like the fearsome Ambakaro, to free Oxtraca. One had to admire, that the Lusotannan kings obviously didn’t let their generals fight for them, but did the work themselves. Together with the 19’000 warriors from Oxtraca itself, the Lusitani could field over 30’000 soldiers. The soldiers from Oxtraca left the city singing with joy, accompanied by their wifes and children who wished them luck and waved farewell. They were sure that the enemy soon will be destroyed, now that their king had arrived.

Heavily outnumbered indeed, Riankiadoc moved his army away from the city walls and deployed his force on a little hill, so the hostile king’s army admittedly could attack on plain terrain, but the larger force from the city would have to attack uphill.


Lusotannan Ambakaro https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/lusotannan/lus_ambakaro.gif Lusotannan Gestikapoinann https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/lusotannan/lus_gestikapoinann.gif

Riankiadoc arrayed his heavy infantry at the very front, in a rectangular formation, while his light infantry formed a battle line behind them and as usually the archers and slingers were stationed behind the infantry. Riankiadoc concentrated his light and heavy cavalry further behind the missile troops, so he not only could overview the front, but also could keep his horsemen out of the fray until the right moment would come. This time Riankiadoc did not intend to use his heavy infantry as a wedge and his light infantry as the hammer, this time the whole infantry should act as an anvil and his cavalry would be the hammer. Though this tactic was popular among the Hellenic peoples, to the Celts in Gallia it was a new kind of warfare. Though Celtic cavalry was feared and famous all over Europe, the infantry, be it the strong and heavily armoured Solduros or the fierce and naked Gaesatae, had taken the part of the hammer stroke until this time.


https://img14.imageshack.us/img14/545/22battleformation.png

The enemy intended to take advantage of his superior numbers and to heckle Riankiadoc’s infantry. The king of the Lusitani let his infantry attack the right flank of the Celtic rectangle formation, formed by their heavy infantry, and the right flank of the light infantry’s battle line at the same time, while the troops from Oxtraca attacked the left flank. Through the heavy infantry in front of them, the light infantrymen in the center of their battle line were not involved in the combat, only their flanks were under attack. Thereby, when the enemy had outflanked and surrounded the right flank of the Celtic heavy infantry, and tried to attack their rear, these light infantrymen could charge, crash in the enemy’s back and coerce them to a deadly close combat from all sides themselves. Through this cunning array, the enemy automatically let himself being outflanked by trying to outflank the Celtic heavy infantry, and so the combat in the center was dominated by the Celts.


https://img230.imageshack.us/img230/1337/23battleflankattack.png

While the infantry was fighting in the fray, Riankiadoc circled with his fast cavalry around the flanks, turned, attacked the enemy infantry and their king, who had attacked the right flank of the infantry, in the rear and rolled up their line.


https://img11.imageshack.us/img11/461/24battlecavattackinrear.png

Seeing their battle line being rode down, the enemy’s light infantry turned and sought refuge in flight.


https://img410.imageshack.us/img410/1014/25battleroutingenemy.png

Their king was not even given the change to decide whether he should run or not, for he was among the first to fall to the Celtic cavalry’s spears.


https://img213.imageshack.us/img213/9716/26battleenemykingdead.png

Though the Celtic Confederation lost almost 6’000 men in this bloody encounter, the enemy’s armies were destroyed and the victory was Riankiadoc's. Out of six hostile soldiers only one survived the battle.


https://img21.imageshack.us/img21/4675/27battlestats.png

But also these soldiers did not survive the day. When the women of Oxtraca saw their men routing and fleeing towards the city, they knew that their enemies had won the battle, though they were outnumbered. In their frustration the citizens of Oxtraca bursted out from behind their walls and killed their own homecoming soldiers. Many a man was killed by his own wife this day. None survived.


https://img26.imageshack.us/img26/2605/28enemyarmyroutskilledb.png

As announced before the battle, Riankiadoc let his soldiers pillage the city.


https://img11.imageshack.us/img11/8781/28oxtracaenslaved.png

With that, Riankiadoc had achieved his first war aim and intended to overwinter his army outside Oxtraca. He had conquered the whole northern and western coast, that was controlled by the Iberian tribes and established the Celtic Confederation as the major trading partner of the British tribes now. But this was not the only acquirement Riankiadoc brought to his people. Due to his ingenious art of war, the Celts recognised the tactical value of disciplined soldiers marching in battle lines and their advantage over simple hordes of warriors, who only fight for themselves and not as a team, and therefore reorganised their military system.


https://img403.imageshack.us/img403/728/29timeofsoldiers.png

The combination of fearsome and wild warriors fighting in disciplined battle array and the incredible wealth the Celts had achieved through trade and territorial expansion, turned the Celtic Confederation’s military juggernaut into the most capable force in Europe.


https://img413.imageshack.us/img413/487/30strongestfaction.png

The Celts in western Europe prospered further and didn’t get to know the awful event that happened to their distant relatives in the east….



Known territory in 233 BC
https://img261.imageshack.us/img261/8466/30map.png

[machinor]

Unsurprisingly awesome!! :beam:


https://img413.imageshack.us/img413/3393/10battleironfacedbodygu.png
This pic is fantastic!

[WonkoTheSane]

Awesome, as always. :2thumbsup:

I especially like the screenshot with the fleeing skirmishers.

[SwissBarbar]

Thanks a lot :beam: I thought describing different battle-tactics might be an interesting passage to herald the start of the time of the soldiers and would appeal to those readers who usually prefer "non-barbarian" factions :yes:

[Mjolnir]

Well it looks like Olaf's Sweboz get to live a bit longer. Great update as always. :2thumbsup:

[Chirurgeon]

I wonder what Castulo would think of all this...sad but good update

[Lovejoy]

Wow! I most say I really like your screen shots! They are AMAZING! This one was really good:
https://img12.imageshack.us/img12/5927/9battleformationbreakth.png
But I like em all. Enter one in the screen shot competition if you haven't already. Keep it up! :2thumbsup:

[Tyrfingr]

The awesomeness are just building up! Wash that brown stain off the Iberian peninsula!

[I of the Storm]

An excellent update! I really enjoy this AAR. :2thumbsup:

[SwissBarbar]

Well it looks like Olaf's Sweboz get to live a bit longer. Great update as always. :2thumbsup:


I wonder what Castulo would think of all this...sad but good update


Wow! I most say I really like your screen shots! They are AMAZING! This one was really good:
https://img12.imageshack.us/img12/5927/9battleformationbreakth.png
But I like em all. Enter one in the screen shot competition if you haven't already. Keep it up! :2thumbsup:


The awesomeness are just building up! Wash that brown stain off the Iberian peninsula!


An excellent update! I really enjoy this AAR. :2thumbsup:



Thank you all very much :2thumbsup:

[Hotseat_User]

wohoooo - I've just clicked on your spoiling signature :2thumbsup: but O_o; it spoils quite alot - I'll never try it again, so the excitement stays even longer. Nevertheless, it seems to become the more aweful the further it grows. :smash:

and errr, can some native englishspeaker correct my grammar :dizzy2:

[SwissBarbar]

thanks, but why spoils it something, all the things described already occured. The Celts are in Galatia, treason has ben made, the first Punic war is going on and Syrakousai is an independent city in the middle of the mediterranean and trading with the hellenes, whose great war is going on since 5 or 6 chapters :2thumbsup:

Don't worry, I have plans for chapters you would never expect "exactly like this". :smash:

[SwissBarbar]

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/faction_banner_03arv.jpg
Of savage tribes and glorious empires




https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gifChapter 17 – Unleashed https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif


In the year of 281 BC, a Celtic warlord only known as “Brennos” – which actually is the title that Celtic warlords kept in times of war – invaded Greece and just in time could be inhibited from plundering the temple of Apollo at Delphi. After being defeated, Brennos commited suicide and thereby put an end to his story.

At the same time another story just was about to begin. A second group of Celts, men, women and children likewise, were migrating trough the lands of the Getai and Thracians. 279 BC they had separated from Brennus’ people and appeared in Mikra Asia a little more than one year later, at the invitation of Nikomedes I of Bithynia. They should help him defeating his usurping brother, which was exactly what they did. Furthermore they supported him in fighting the Seleucid king Antiochos I Soter.

After the Celts had pillaged many cities in Mikra Asia, who were allied to the Arche Seleukeia, Antiochos managed – though outnumbered - to defeat the “Galatai”, how the Celts were called in Greek, by using elephants in battle. Never before the Celts had seen such huge beasts and due to the shock, their whole line was broken within a blink of an eye.


https://img144.imageshack.us/img144/3497/80battle.png

After this great battle, Nikomedes and Antiochos made peace and the Celts were rewarded for their services as mercenaries with the permission to settle down in the north-eastern part of Phrygia. As time drew on, this region got renamed after their new residents into “Galatia”.

Over the course of the great Pontic expansion between 272 and 265 BC, Galatia formally fell under the rule of Pontos. But in fact the Galatians still governed themselves, for these wild men could not easily be controlled. Various attempts of investing Pontic governors in Ankyra resulted in the poor men’s homicide.

So the kings of Pontos altered their tactics. By making the amenities of Hellenic Culture palatable to the wild Galatai, they tried to make them susceptible to Pontic governors. But though gradually influenced by Hellenic lifestyle, especially in matters of language, many Galatai still held onto their ancestors’ religion and culture and some almost started to worship the old Celts.

Therefore, when in the year of 236 BC Calpornos moc Ollovico, Fergalos moc Lannildot and their families appeared in Sophene and helped Pontos to take the city of Karkathiokerta, the Pontic king took the chance, and gave them the rule of Galatia. Though some Galatai still didn’t accept those new rulers, many delighted in having some “real” Celts as their leaders. For the newcomers it was no big deal to learn the language of the Galatians, for they spoke a Graeco-Celtic mixed tongue, mostly similar to the language also spoken back in Europe, in the city of Massalia.

As mentioned, the Hellenic peoples called the Celts simply “Keltoi” or “Galatai”. The Celts from Galatia called themselves “Milnaht Soldouroi Galatias”. Milnaht is a Celtic word and means great men. The word Soldouroi comes from the Celtic word Solduros, which means “devoted ones”, and is Hellenised. “Milnaht Soldouroi Galatias" therefore means broadly translated “great men devoted to Galatia”.

Though Pontos was at war with the Arche Seleukeia again and waged a promising campaign to the east, the Galatians themselves lived in peace. Especially Fergalos moc Lannildot excelled in reorganising the state and it was him who more than once could avert marching orders from Pontos, due to his diplomatic skilfulness. But at the end of the year 234 BC fortunes of war seemed to change sides. Not only did the Arche Seleukeia defeat one of Pontos’ greatest armies, but also the Ptolemaioi supported the Seleucids with great amounts of money and threatened the southern part of the Pontic kingdom. Now Pontos desperately needed the Galatians to join its armies.

The king of Pontos decided to send the Galatians to the south of his empire, where he intended to let them protect the border. But first he had to give them a good reason to wander from the path of peace. In the year of 233 BC the king of Pontos found a way to kill two birds with one stone. He let Fergalos moc Lannildot, the man who could influence his people more than anyone else, and always militated against going to war, murder in cold blood by one of his master assassins.


https://img12.imageshack.us/img12/6276/0journeyfergalosassassi.png

Of course the Galatai were told, that it’s been a Ptolemaic assassin, who intended to cause dispeace in Galatia, which at this time was located exactly in the heart of the Pontic empire.

But the king of Pontos completely underestimated the effect this event would have. He only wanted the Galatai to protect his broder. But full of rage, the Galatians cried out for revenge. Less than four month later an army of almost 30’000 men, led by Cunobelin oi Lugos, left Galatia and marched trough the lands of Pontos towards Antiocheia, the most northern city controlled by the Ptolemaioi. One has to understand that this army was a huge mix of different kinds of soldiers. Some of the Galatians were armed according to the custom of their forefathers, some even fought naked. Others armoured themselves in Hellenic style, fought like Thureophoroi, Hoplitai and even makedonian Phalangitai, though a bit clumsy looking.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/pontos/pon_thureophoroi.gif Hellenic Thureophoroi

Of course the king of Pontos had no way to stop them, for in their rage they most likely would have pillaged his lands, which would have broken the supply for his armies in the east. This way, without having planned it, the king of Pontos had started a war between the Galatians and the Ptolemaioi.


https://img110.imageshack.us/img110/9168/1journeywarwithptolemai.png

In the year of 232 BC the Galatians appeared near the city of Antiocheia. This invasion caught the Ptolemaioi off guard, for actually it was not them who had murdered Fergalos moc Lannildot. So they did not expect to be attacked and Antiocheia was guarded by only somewhat over 5’000 men. But due to the civil commotions in the lands along the seacoast from Syria to Ioudaia, many Ptolemaic noblemen and their armies were present in this region in order to stifle the insurrections.

When he heard the news about an enemy force at the gates of Antiocheia, the Ptolemaic nobleman Krates Kleopatrites, accompanied by his cousin Stolos Salaminios, immediately moved his army of 15’000 men to this region. He intended to face the enemy before he reached the city. Therefore he commanded the Satrap of Antiocheia, Demokrates Aradou Syriakou, to join his army with 5’000 men of his garrison. He only left a few hundred men back in Antiocheia as city ward.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/ptolemaioi/ptol_kleruchikon_agema.gif Ptolemaic Klerouchikon Agema

The Ptolemaioi didn’t know exactly how many Galatians had invaded their lands and very likely underestimated the enemy army. Krates Kleopatrites trusted his elite Klerouchikon Agema to deal with any hostile force anyway. Cunobelin oi Lugos, on the other hand, did not underestimate the enemy at all. In a vast forced march his army advanced faster than any enemy could expect and set a trap.

Cunobelin hid his army on two tree covered hills, between which the enemy force had to march through. When the last man of the Ptolemaic army had entered the valley the Galatians rushed forward and attacked.

In their eagerness many of the Galatian Phalangitai dropped their Sarissa and attacked with shortswords. If the situation would not have been so cruel, it would have been quite a funny sight.


https://img22.imageshack.us/img22/4664/3journeybattlephalangit.png

The three Ptolemaic noblemen were among the first to fall, before they even could think of defending themselves.


https://img525.imageshack.us/img525/307/5journeybattleenemygene.png https://img19.imageshack.us/img19/1280/6journeybattlesecondene.png
https://img407.imageshack.us/img407/9819/8journeythirdenemygener.png

Shocked and surprised the whole Ptolemaic army began to rout. But it was to late. They could do naught but watch their comrades fall and wait for death.


https://img502.imageshack.us/img502/3168/4journeybattlegreeksold.png

Within two hours the Ptolemaic army was slaughtered.


https://img19.imageshack.us/img19/7057/7journeydead.png

More than 18’000 enemy soldiers fell. The Galatai only lost about 2’000 men, which quite equalled the number of how many Ptolemaic soldiers could escape the bloodbath.


https://img17.imageshack.us/img17/701/9journeybattlestats.png

Having destroyed the whole protection of Antiocheia, the Galatians breached the gates of the city and sacked it. As a revenge for the alleged assassination of their beloved leader Fergalos moc Lannildot, the Galatians killed every man of fighting age and sold the rest of Antiocheia’s citizens into slavery, all in all almost 165’000 people, many of them women and children.


https://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8127/10journeypopulationofan.png https://img17.imageshack.us/img17/5163/11journeypopulationofan.png

A young Galatian noble - whose father and grandfather once had come with Brennos to Greece, went further to Mikra Asia and fought for Nikomedes I of Bithynia - was invested with the governorship over Antiocheia. His name was Teutomatos moc Brycham.


https://img8.imageshack.us/img8/7502/12journeygovernorofanti.png

Due to his effort, the young man could establish a good relationship to the Malek of Saba – the king of the Sab’yn. Once a small people beyond the ocean of sand, the As’Sab’yn wal’Jau now governed a huge territory that reached from Maryab to Palmyra and controlled a great part of the trade routs between India and Afrika.


https://img10.imageshack.us/img10/6972/13journeyalliancesabyn.png

Meanwhile the Galatian army marched further southwards towards the city of Sidon, where already another Ptolemaic force waited, consisting of the 24’000 men strong army of mostly young recruits led by Hippomedon Krokodilopolites, enforced by the 7’000 men strong garrison of Sidon, led by its governor Demosthenes Terenuthites. This time the Galatai had to face the Ptolemaioi in open field. In winter 232 BC the armies met. In these lands winter was quite warm, so wars also were fought in this season.

Like it was tradition back in Gallia, the light Cavalry started the battle by skirmishing. But the decimating effect they had against the bare-chested fighting Celtic warriors back in Europe failed to appear.


https://img16.imageshack.us/img16/2056/14journeybattleskirmish.png

Quite different from the Iaosatae, whose projectiles even could hit through the armour of the Ptolemaic heavy cavalry. Killed by one of the stray projectiles of these slingers, the governor of Ipsos was among the first to fall.


https://img293.imageshack.us/img293/3329/15journeybattleenemygen.png

The Ptolemaic army advanced as a deadly wall of spears. Though this time the Celtic Phalangitai held their formation intact, they were not to compare to the disciplined Machimoi Phalangitai of the enemy.

But Calpornos moc Ollovico had reckoned with that. He didn’t intend to let his Celtic Phalangitai compete with the Machimoi. Instead he sent his light infantry, the Kluddolon, forward. The concept of these soldiers came from the Celts who emigrated to Galatia and once had to fight Seleukid phalanx formations many times. The Galatikoi Kluddolon were specialised to get under a phalanx and gut it before heavier soldiers would enter the breach.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/eleutheroi/galatia/galatian_kluddolon.gif Galatikoi Kluddolon

And this is exactly what they did this time again. Thanks to their light equipment, the Kluddolon could outmanoeuvre the inflexible enemy phalanx formation. Where they were repulsed by the enemy, they retreated behind their own phalanx formation, but where they could create a gap, immediately heavier units entered the breach and cut down the spearmen from within.


https://img140.imageshack.us/img140/8195/16journeyshortswordmena.png

When the breaches got larger also the Celtic Phalangitai advanced, of course not in formation, but still as a wall of spears.


https://img23.imageshack.us/img23/4948/17journeybattlefray.png

The young and green enemy soldiers started to rout, when their formation was broken. This was the moment where the light cavalry yet still could be of use. Now they hunted down the routing enemies and caused a blood-bath among them. When the enemy General saw his army break, also he sought refuge in flight. But in the end he had to share the fate of over 26’000 of his soldiers.


https://img152.imageshack.us/img152/8848/18journeybattleenemygen.png

Though the Galatians had won the battle, they had lost almost 5’000 men to this army of inexperienced young recruits. It was no secret, that the Ptolemaioi, who were at the height of their power, could field many more armies consisting of much heavier soldiers.


https://img165.imageshack.us/img165/8355/19journeybattlestats.png

Calpornos moc Ollovico intended to make the Ptolemaioi fear the Galatians. They should tremble if they only heard a rumour of a near Galatian force. Therefore he let his soldiers deal with Sidon the same way as they did with Antiocheia.


https://img13.imageshack.us/img13/7095/20journeysidonenslaved.png

And again he gave the governorship over the city to a young Galatian noble in order to make himself even more popular among the Galatai. The new governor of Sidon was named Tincommios oi Bregonae.


https://img16.imageshack.us/img16/2018/21journeygovernorofsido.png

When the year of 231 BC began, the Galatian army advanced further southwards and laid siege to the city of Hierosolyma. Due to their fast movement and by surprising the enemy, the Galatians had advanced so far without being held up by naught but inexperienced troops, who never had seen battle before. But this time was over now. The Ptolemaioi intended to strike back and prepared...




------------------------------------------------------------------



Meanwhile in Europe great changes of power had happened. The Romans emerged victorious in the war against the Karthadastim and gained control over their former property on Korsim, Sardinia and Sicilia in 234 BC. But though they had broken the unbreakable Carthaginian navy, the Romans were no maritime nation and bequeathed a power vacuum in the Mediterranean.

This situation was taken advantage of by the rich city of Syrakousai, whose fleets now controlled the main part of the Mediterranean trade. Within two years, Syrakousai brought the cities of Kyrene in Afrika, Emporion in Iberia and the island of Krete under its control and established trading bases at these important key locations all over the Mediterranean sea.


https://img22.imageshack.us/img22/8421/54syrakousaitradingempi.png

Syrakousai arranged strong trading alliances with rich nations all over the world, including the prevalent forces in Iberia. One of them were the Carthaginians, who had concentrated on Iberia after having lost the war against the Romans and had conquered the whole eastern coast of the peninsula and defeated the Lusotannan. The other major force in Iberia was the Gallic Confederation, who controlled the western shores of the peninsula. Only one Iberian tribe was not yet under foreign control. The Celtiberi could defend their lands against the Carthaginians and could prevent the Celtic Confederation from invading their lands by serving in their armies.


https://img407.imageshack.us/img407/9949/50arvernisyrakousaitrad.png

The tyrannis of Syrakousai got incredibly rich very fast, especially due to the trade with one nation. To face an ominous invasion of wild and fearsome men from the north, the wealthy Ptolemaioi imported Celtic weapons, Greek armour, Iberian horses and foodstuffs from the well stocked granaries of Carthage – all through the trading fleets of Syrakousai.

The Ptolemaic war preparations truly were beyond compare. Supplied by an endless stream of goods from Europe, their armies marched soon. From Alexandreia they sent a force of 35’000 men, led by the 10’000 Klerouchikon Agema of the Royal Guard.


https://img205.imageshack.us/img205/6913/92ptolemaioi3.png

From Memphis an army of 40’000 men crosses the river Neilos and headed northwards in order to unify with the force from Alexandreia.


https://img150.imageshack.us/img150/135/91ptolemaioi2.png

And from the lands in the south the Ptolemaioi arrayed a 10’000 men strong army of their Ethiopian and Nubian subjects.


https://img527.imageshack.us/img527/5959/93ptolemaioi4.png

Due to this threat the Galatians sent diplomatists to their new allies, the Sab’yn, who were at war with the Ptolemaioi for ages. If they joined the Galatians, they could challenge the Ptolemaic armies together. One fact was clear: Soon the sandy soil of Ioudaia would redden from the blood of thousands of soldiers...



Known territory in 231 BC
https://img23.imageshack.us/img23/9060/60map.png

[Chirurgeon]

Thank the gods this has been updated. ten days is way too long! Awesome job and your screenshots worthy enought to be in an art gallery, continue to amaze me. That is quite the map you have there at the end of the chapter. I thought the Galatians had spread south? It looks like they still only control Galatia. Otherwise great job and can't wait for the next one...

[Cyrus]

Wow,great story man!

[SwissBarbar]

Thank you very much :shakehands:

This time it's more to read than usual, but the story is becoming more complex. :book:


Actually they have moved southwards, the Arverni-Green and the Ptolemaioi-Yellow are just very similar, therefore it's hard to differentiate. Look close, veeeeeery close :study:, and you'll see the difference :beam:

[Chirurgeon]

Being color blind sucks...I cant tell the difference between the Lusitann and KH or the Aedui or the Romans!

[Olaf Blackeyes]

That does suck.
Epic chapter as always.
Quick question did you photoshop those nation names into the pics? Cuz otherwise you would have had to do some fancy splits.

[SwissBarbar]

Yes, except that I have no photoshop. I did it in Microsoft paint, by cutting out ever single letter of its own from other pics and put them together again on this one...

[A Very Super Market]

A lot of hard work... good job!

[Mjolnir]

I finally got a chance to read this update, very very impressive. :2thumbsup:

[Hotseat_User]

hehe just one word: AWESOME :dizzy2: keep it up :smash: :smash: :smash:

[NickTheGreek]

Wow, that was once hell of an update :2thumbsup:

[machinor]

Is it possible, that this AAR is getting even better than it was in the past? Obviously it is! Simply amazing. :2thumbsup:

[SwissBarbar]

A lot of hard work... good job!


I finally got a chance to read this update, very very impressive. :2thumbsup:


hehe just one word: AWESOME :dizzy2: keep it up :smash: :smash: :smash:


Wow, that was once hell of an update :2thumbsup:


Is it possible, that this AAR is getting even better than it was in the past? Obviously it is! Simply amazing. :2thumbsup:

Is it possible, that your comments are getting even more kind than they were in the past? Obviously they do! :2thumbsup: :2thumbsup: Thank you guys!!

[SwissBarbar]

Hmm, what say you:


Would you like to read a shorter chapter with more pictures about 2 important battles against 2 different enemies (each will have great aftermaths), already tomorrow, or would you wait for the weekend and read a longer chapter?

[machinor]

Vote for short chapter with awesome pictures of epic battles! I'm a "Spatz in der Hand"-man. :2thumbsup:

[SwissBarbar]

A "Spatz-in-der-Hand" - man? :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4: den merk ich mir :smash:

[I of the Storm]

Well, come to think of it, you could split chapters geographically. The situation in Asia Minor is almost totally independent from the rest for example... So why not make smaller chapters?

[SwissBarbar]

Right, though this is what I've done before, I just posted them together because they happen at the same time and the map at the end would be the same.

I could split the chapters as you say, and only post the eastern half of the map at the end for the eastern chapters, and the western half of the map for the western chapters.

I think I'll make it that way:

Today: Chapter east + west

Weekend: Chapter about the diffrent factions of the known world (so you don't lose the overview, because many factions are not original anymore: There is The trading Empire of Syrakousai, The Belage, The Celtiberi, The Gallic Confederation, The Milnaht Soldouroi Galatias...)

After next Weekend: Every Wednesday/Thursday a chapter about the east and every Saturday/Sunday a chapter about the west.

Thanks for your inputs :yes:

[Hotseat_User]

*press F5* *press F5* *press F5* *press F5* *press F5* *press F5* *press F5* *press F5* *press F5* *press F5* :juggle2:

[SwissBarbar]

It's 13:00 in my country, you will have to wait till 22:00 i guess, I'm not at home before.. :laugh4: :laugh4:

[Hotseat_User]

hehe, same time zone, thank you :-) :study::bounce:

[SwissBarbar]

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/faction_banner_03arv.jpg
Of savage tribes and glorious empires




https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gifChapter 18 – Part One: Settling Old Scores https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif


In the year of 231 BC the Koinon Hellenon razed the city of Ambrakia to the ground and thereby put the great Hellenic war to an end, for the fall of their capital city walked hand in hand with the demise of Epeiros’ royal dynasty.


https://img205.imageshack.us/img205/9124/1greeks.png

The power vacuum that arose from their former possessions in Dalmatia and Pannonia Illyrica was filled by the ever-expanding Thracian tribes of the Getae within very short time.


https://img147.imageshack.us/img147/6725/1epeiros.png

Soon the remains of the formerly strong kingdom of Epeiros were washed away by the waves of time. Almost at the same time, another people who once had survived the pillaging of its capital city, sought for vengeance for this humiliation. The Roman Republic recently had emerged victorious from the war against Carthage and felt strong enough to burst the chains the Celts from the north once put them in.

Since the major part of the Celtic Confederation’s army still was Iberia, a better time to strike would never come. The Romani immediately sent their battle-tested Legio II Sicilica and Legio IV Victrix northwards, commanded by a young Legatvs called Sextvs Cornelivs Scipio, who had excelled in the Punic war.

With the incursion into the region of Aemilia, the Romans declared war on the Celtic Confederation.


https://img171.imageshack.us/img171/7325/1warromanigallicconfede.png

The only ones who could answer to this threat were the Liguri and the cities of Bononia and Mediolanum. The Celtic counterattack was led by the Ligurian general Cintugnatus moc Amminos, who in the second Gallic war had defeated the main army of the Principality of Mediolanum, led by the fearsome Gaesatae. The Liguri could deploy the most soldiers and therefore formed the main force with 14’000 Gaemile Liguriae and 2’000 Liguriae Epos. Erbin moc Custennyn, governor of Mediolanum, could send 3000 light cavalrymen to support them, but his infantry couldn’t get there in time. The city of Bononia could field 2’400 heavy Gaesatae, 4’800 Lugoae as light infantry and 3’600 Sotaroas as supportive archers. All in all the Celtic Confederation arrayed a little more than 30’000 warriors to meet the Romans.

The two Roman legions deployed 3’200 Hastati in the first battle line and 3’200 Principes in the second. 1’600 Triarii made the elite- reserve for cases of emergency. Traditionally weak, the Roman cavalry only was composed of 2’000 Eqvites. 2’400 Leves and 1’200 Accensi acted as skirmishers. This made the two legions consist of a bit over 13’500 men, exclusive the Legatvs’ bodyguard.

Of course the Romans also deployed forces they had recruited from their allies. When the Celts had conquered Roma, the Italic peoples, especially the Samnites, had joined them and had protected their border line to the Roman Republic. But since in the Second Gallic war the force of the Italic allies had been heavily decimated, being wasted on the fearsome Gaesatate of the enemy, they had lost their faith in the Celts. Now the Romani even had defeated the mighty Carthaginians, the Italic peoples, with the Samnites leading the way, had formed an alliance with the Roman Republic.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/romani/roman_leves.gif Roman Leves

Thus Sextvs Cornelivs Scipio could draw on auxiliary forces from all over Italy. The Samnites contributed 3’200 Hastati Samnitici, the Bruttii 1’600 Pezoi Brettioi and the Lucanians had sent 1’600 Aichmetai Leukanoi. Since Roman cavalry generally was quite weak, their allies traditionally had to field a way larger amount of cavalry. In this case the Campanians contributed 4’000 Eqvites Campanici. In addition 4’800 Akontistai from the former Hellenic cities in Italy arrayed as skirmishers, which made the amount of the allied force consisting of over 15’000 men. Therefore the Roman army was composed of almost 30’000 men.

The two armies met on a rainy day in summer 231 BC. Cintugnatus moc Amminos let his main force, his Gaemile Liguriae, form in the center.


https://img4.imageshack.us/img4/8278/2battlearray.png

The light Lugoae from Bononia protected the flanks, while the fearsome Gaesatae arrayed in front of the Gaemile. The 3’000 Leuce Epos from Mediolanum deployed at the left flank, while the 2’000 Liguriae Epos hid in the forest at the right flank. The archers stood behind the infantry in the center, from where they could shoot at the enemy while being protected by the men in front of them.


http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/764/3battlearray2.png

As it was tradition in Celtic warfare, the light cavalry opened the battle by skirmishing. The Romani had exactly the same idea and so the 4’000 Eqvites Campanici and the 3’000 Leuce Epos met in the middle of the battlefield and started to pelt each other with javelins.


https://img166.imageshack.us/img166/2701/4battleskirmishcav.png

The Eqvites Campanici were some of the best cavalrymen one could find in the whole Italian peninsula. But still they could not match the lightest of Celtic cavalrymen. The Celts knew that, and though outnumbered passed over to melee.


https://img24.imageshack.us/img24/4043/5battlecavmelee.png

The Leuce Epos could push back the Campanici and even could make half of them rout. But when the Roman heavy infantry approached, they had to retreat. The Celts sent forth their Ligurian infantry, which met the Roman main battle line short after the Gaesatae had thrown themselves at the enemy. A division of Eqvites Romani tried to attack the Ligurian’s flank, but the Leuce Epos joined the battle again and could stop them and force them to melee.


https://img15.imageshack.us/img15/6206/6battlefray.png

When the battle peaked, the Samnitici could push back the left flank of the Liguri, while the Gaesatae and the Ligurian infantry had managed to break the first Roman battle line and to drive back the center of the Roman heavy infantry, now defended by the Principes. The rest of the Campanian cavalry and 1’000 Eqvites Romani had tried to outmanoeuvre the right flank and got surprised by the Liguri Epos who were hidden in the forest. While the Eqvites Romani had died like flies, the Campanian cavalry could resist and gradually managed to gain the upper hand.

After an hour of fighting, both armies had incurred great losses and turned out to be technically evenly matched. But now the soldiers were tired and raddled from the wounds they had received, the superiority of the Roman art of warfare was given expression. Just at the right moment Sextvs Cornelivs Scipio sent his rested Triarii into combat.


https://img528.imageshack.us/img528/7743/7battletriarii.png

Fighting in a compact Greek phalanx formation, the Triarii could push back the Ligurian battle line and make the difference. Most of the Celtic heavy Gaesatae were dead and the tired Ligurians could not take the punch of the Triarii.

Cintugnatus moc Amminos tried to withdraw his army in an ordered retreat, which he managed with his center formation. But the light infantry and cavalry at the flanks got the order too late and was broken.

At the end of that day, 20’000 warriors of the Celtic Confederation and 13’000 warriors of the Roman Republic were dead.


https://img18.imageshack.us/img18/6287/8battlestats.png

Since the force from Bononia was the one, which had been broken first and had suffered from many casualties, the city was defenceless and had to surrender to the Romans. The remaining force of the Celts had to retreat to the cities they came from in order to protect them.

But the Romans had not reckoned with that much casualties. Though they had won the battle and conquered the region of Aemilia, they were not strong enough to advance further. By the time they had reinforced their army, the Celts already had sent reinforcements from Massalia and Viennos. Thus the Romans used their military force to protect their new lands and the border to the Celtic Confederation. This was not the last time the Romans and Celts would clash violently, but for now, with the exchange of prisoners of war, the Celts and Romans concluded an armistice.

Though this great and brutal battle would not be forgotten by the peoples in Europe, and though it would turn out to have great effects on future events, it was nothing compared to what was going to happen on the dunes in the wilderness in the east of the Dead Sea….





(The second part of this chapter follows tomorrow)






.

[Hotseat_User]

short and good. :applause:

[Dragonslicer]

This story is absolutely amazing. I started reading today and couldn't stop. I even called off work all afternoon just so I could keep reading it. Truly epic. Keep up the good work

[SwissBarbar]

:laugh3: :laugh3: Aha, that's why you took off. Now I got you. I'm your boss, you know. :laugh4:

[SwissBarbar]

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/faction_banner_03arv.jpg
Of savage tribes and glorious empires




https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gifChapter 18 – Part Two: Fall Of A Dynasty https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif


Only three weeks after reaching Hierosolyma, the Galatian army stormed the city and took it by force. The 7’500 men of the garrison and the 6’000 Ioudaioi locals who had come to help defending the city, died aside their leader Bion Thraikikos.


https://img408.imageshack.us/img408/7561/54journeybattlestats.png

The citizens of Hierosolyma didn’t fare better. As before, the Galatai killed every man older than fifteen years and sold the rest into slavery.


https://img528.imageshack.us/img528/2641/55journeyhierosolymaens.png

After this victory, Cunobelin oi Lugos and Faros oi Lugos decided to stay in Hierosolyma in order to keep peace and secure the stream of supply for their troops, which continually flowed from Galatia to wherever their army would march. To compensate the men he separated from the army to protect the new conquered city, 6’000 new Galatikoi Kluddolon from Ankyra joined the main force, which now was commanded by Calpornos moc Ollovico. Calpornos extended his army further with archers by hiring Toxotai from Ioudaia and started to march with 25’000 men towards the Ptolemaioi armies of which he had heard recently.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/pontos/pon_toxotai.gif Ioudaioi Toxotai

At the same time the three armies of the Ptolemaioi marched in three columns towards the invaders.

The first army was led by Ger-Ashtart Ptolemaios, eldest son of the empire’s ruler Xanthos Ptolemaios. Sailing from Alexandria along the seacoast till they reached the border to Ioudaia and then continuing on land, this force of 35’000 soldiers had advanced quite fast. Out of these 35’000 men, 10’000 were elite Klerouchikon Agema and another 5’000 were Toxotai Kretikoi, hired from their trading partner Syrakousai who controlled the island of Krete. These units turned this army into the pride of the Ptolemaioi and the sheer nightmare of every enemy.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/koinon-hellenon/kh_cretan_archers.gif Toxotai Kretikoi

The second army was led by Kallimedes Ptolemaios, second of the two sons of Xanthos, and was composed of 40’000 men from Memphis, mostly native Egyptians, who were called “Machimoi”. The Machimoi fought as swordsmen, also armed with several javelins, or as Machimoi Phalangitai. The most noble ones formed the Machimoi Hippeis, some of the best horsemen the Ptolemaioi could field.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/ptolemaioi/ptol_machimoi.gif Aigyptoi Machimoi

The third army was led by Timophron Apites. This young man was the vicegerent of the southern territories and kept the ever-truculent Nubians and Ethiopians under control with an iron fist. From there he brought an army of 10’000 native soldiers with him, mostly cavalry but also fearsome Ethiopian swordsmen.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/saba/saba_ethiopian_swordsmen.gif Aithiopikoi Machairophoroi

According to his plan, Calpornos moc Ollovico retreated his more mobile army, when he was near the enemy force, and provoked them to chase him. After hunting him through southern Ioudaia, the Ptolemaioi armies finally could deploy in the east of the Dead Sea, where the Galatian army now stopped and set a camp. Here it was, where the fight should take place.

The Ptolemaioi were not very surprised, when they saw two armies of the Sab’yn array in front of them. They had been their enemies for ages and it didn’t escape their notice that the Sab’yn and the Galatai had become allies.

One of the Sab’yn armies was led by Ham Yatha’, a member of the Sab’yn royal dynasty. He had led his army from Bostra to this place. This force was composed of 25’000 warriors. Many of them came from the regions at the Red Sea, and fought as light infantrymen, called “Giusim Aravim 'im Garzenim”. Also many Dorkim Ezra'him – Sabaean Levy Spearmen – were among them. But the core of heavy infantry in this army was formed by the famous Red Sea Hoplites. Though they were not as heavily armed as the original Greek Hoplitai and more were meant to fight light infantry, they still represented a capable force.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/saba/saba_red_sea_hoplites.gif Sab’yn Hoplitai Troglodutikes - Red Sea Hoplites

The other army was an Arabian auxiliary force, led by a young captain called Zari’. The Arabians had sent 20’000 men, mostly light skirmishers and cavalry. The pride of the Arabians were their horsemen and of course their famous archer-spearmen, who not only were deadly at high range, but also could stand their ground in melee.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/saba/saba_northern_arab_levy.gif Giusim Aravim Tsfonim - Arabian Light Archer-Spearmen

The 85’000 Ptolemaioi still not only outnumbered the 70’000 Galatai and Sab’yn, they also were heavier armed and armoured and therefore arrayed on the dunes of Ioudaia and Nabataia with no doubt that they would eliminate the invaders. But they did not know, that Calpornos moc Ollovico had another ace up his sleeve.


https://img104.imageshack.us/img104/3909/journeymap.png

Calpornos moc Ollovico deployed his army along the dunes. Though the Phalangitai formed the core of his force, he knew they could not match the Ptolemaioi Phalangitai – especially not the Klerouchikon Agema – and therefore stationed again his Kluddolon in front of them, in order to get under the enemy phalanx and open breaches. His heavy naked warriors, the Gaesatae and Tindanotae were deployed behind the Phalanx and the Kluddolon as a elite-reserve.


https://img504.imageshack.us/img504/4585/61journeybattlegalatian.png

Just in front of the Galatai, Ger-Ashtart Ptolemaios arrayed his heavy cavalry on a hill. Their mission was clear. Should the infantry - against expectation - not break through, they were supposed to roll up the enemy’s line from the flank or the rear.


https://img24.imageshack.us/img24/7118/62journeybattleptolemai.png

But only if the Toxotai Kretikoi left something over, for these archers were known for their excellent marksmanship.


https://img24.imageshack.us/img24/7894/63journeybattleptolemai.png

The center of the Ptolemaic formation was formed by the Klerouchikon Agema, flanked by lesser kinds of Phalangitai.


https://img407.imageshack.us/img407/1883/64jounreybattleptolemai.png

While the Nubians and Ethiopians formed a semicircle behind the Ptolemaioi armies, Kallimedes Ptolemaios arrayed his force at the right flank of the battlefield. Like his brother's army also his formed a terrible wall of spears, ready to pierce every approaching enemy.


https://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4446/67machimoiarray.png

In the center of their opponent’s force, the Sab’yn arrayed a dense formation. Obviously they intended to throw themselves at the phalanx and to push trough.


https://img232.imageshack.us/img232/6996/65sabeanarray.png

The Arabian force at the left flank had another strategy. Since most of them were fighting as skirmishers, they deployed in lighter formation.


https://img147.imageshack.us/img147/1983/66arabianarray.png

The battle was opened by the Toxotai Kretikoi, who caused a bloodbath among the light Galatian and Sabaean units.


https://img209.imageshack.us/img209/9140/69battlekretikoishoot.png

The Galatians sent forth their naked warriors, who, though not protected by armour, had huge shields and could protect their comrades. When the Toxotai Kretikoi retreated behind the phalanx again, the infantry on both sides started to move down the dunes and met just in between those little hillocks. Immediately the Kluddolon tried to get under the enemy phalanx and gut the heavy Klerouchikon Agema from within.


https://img9.imageshack.us/img9/1418/70battleagemastruggle.png

But the Agema were too strong, the Kluddolon had to retreat and the phalanxes met. Being certain of victory and by the command of their general the Ptolemaioi Phalangitai in the second rank and behind, started to sing archaic war songs in order to lower the enemy’s morale and to strengthen their own. But ironically this also had a positive effect on the Galatai. They were so impressed by their enemies and even started to have fear, which Celtic warriors usually did not know, that they didn’t left their formation in order to gain glory in melee, but kept the phalanx in order.


https://img525.imageshack.us/img525/5214/70battleagemastruggle2.png

In the center of the battlefield, the Sab’yn threw themselves at their opponent’s phalanx and tried to break trough. Their light infantry suffered from many casualties.


https://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6114/71sabeanstruggle.png

The Red Sea Hoplites could keep their formation and challenge the lighter infantry who protected the flank of the Phalanx.


https://img25.imageshack.us/img25/1663/72redseahoplitesstruggl.png

The Arabians, on the other hand, immediately started to pelt the Machimoi with their javelins and arrows.


https://img4.imageshack.us/img4/3513/73arabiancavstruggle.png

Their lethal missiles darkened the sky and caused great despair among the enemy.


https://img15.imageshack.us/img15/1467/74arabianskirmishersstr.png

The Ptolemaioi were not prepared to that. While the Galatai and the Sab’yn heavily were under pressure, the Arabians managed to break the enemy’s right flank due to the total chaos their skirmishers had caused.


https://img19.imageshack.us/img19/1416/75arabianscanbreakflank.png

Seeing their right flank break, the Ptolemaioi ordered Timophron Apites to bring in his rested Nubians and Ethiopians.


https://img24.imageshack.us/img24/2330/80ptolemaioi5.png

But this was exactly, what Calpornos moc Ollovico had waited for. Long before this battle, he had contacted the Nubians and Ethiopians through the Sab’yn, and made a pact with them. Since they were subjected by the Ptolemaioi, they had waited for a chance to free themselves. Now it had come. Calpornos moc Ollovico ordered one of his Archers to shoot a burning arrow into the air, the only sign he could send from the other side of the battlefield.


https://img19.imageshack.us/img19/1015/80firearrowfromhill.png

The Ethiopians killed Timophron Apites and his bodyguard, swivelled in and crashed into the rear of the entirely surprised and shocked Ptolemaic army.


https://img27.imageshack.us/img27/6418/85timophronapitesfallen.png

The Sab’yn Hoplitai and the Galatian heavy infantry now did all they could do for the final push.


https://img160.imageshack.us/img160/8375/81nubiansstruggle.png

Between the large shields of the Red Sea Hoplites and the horses of the Nubians and Ethiopians, the enemy phalanx literally got crushed.


https://img21.imageshack.us/img21/7707/82betweenlargeshieldsan.png

The two only sons of Xanthos Ptolemaios died with their soldiers.


https://img13.imageshack.us/img13/9106/83gerashtartptolemaiosf.png https://img24.imageshack.us/img24/9397/84kallimedesptolemaiosf.png

The impossible had become truth. The unbreakable armies of the Ptolemaioi were broken, the dynasty of old Xanthos Ptolemaios seemed to be annihilated. Note many more than 2’000 Ptolemaic warriors survived this battle. Though the Galatai had held their line quite good, they had lost about 6’000 soldiers. The Sab’yn force under Ham Yatha’ was most badly affected and had lost over 12’000 men. The Nubians and Ethiopians under captain Murthid and the heroic Arabians under captain Zari’ did lose less than 3’000 warriors each, but had killed the greatest amount of enemies.


https://img518.imageshack.us/img518/9928/99journeybattlestats.png

After this battle the Ptolemaioi were broken. If Calpornos had invaded Egypt and captured Alexandreia, nothing would have stopped him from subjugating the Ptolemaic empire. But he could not do that. The Arche Seleukeia had managed to recapture the city of Karkathiokerta and now threatened his northern conquests and therefore he had to return to Antiocheia with his army. From Hierosolyma Cunobelin oi Lugos returned to the army and took over command again. Faros oi Lugos stayed in Hierosolyma to protect the southern border.

But this wouldn’t have been necessary, for the Ptolemaioi now threw themselves into a civil war. Now the sons and heirs of Xanthos Ptolemaios were dead, a mighty man called Charopidas Helinaios tried to topple the Ptolemaioi dynasty and seize power over Egypt. From his capital city Pselkis, he acclaimed himself emperor while the southern cities of Dispolis-Megale, Hibis and Ptolemais-Theron clustered round him. They called themselves Apeleutherotai Aigyptou – Liberators of Egypt.

In the north of the empire, the highest general of the Ptolemaioi, Leontiskos Thraikikos, whose father recently fell defending Hierosolyma against the Galatai, declared martial law and took over the army. Controlling the cities of Augila, Ammonion, Paraitonion, Memphis, Salamis on Kypros and the capital city of Alexandreia, he pretended to be defending the legitimate rulers of Aigyptoi and therefore his retainers were known as Pistoi en Ptolemaiois – the ones faithful to the House of Ptolemaios. But in fact he intended to elevate himself to the leadership over the former Ptolemaic empire.

While the Ethiopians in the very south remained independent, the Nubians made an alliance with the Sab’yn and hoped this friendship would help them keeping the Hellenes out of the land of Kush, which they had claimed for themselves.

Meanwhile the Galatai established first contacts to the peoples in the east, the Kingdom of Baktria and the mighty tribes of Pahlava. Maybe they could help to keep the still powerful Arche Seleukeia away from Antiocheia…..



Known territory in 229 BC
https://img510.imageshack.us/img510/8497/99zzmap.png

[penguinking]

Great update. :2thumbsup:

[Olaf Blackeyes]

DAMN!!! GO GETAI!!!!!!:laugh4::laugh4::laugh4::beam::beam::beam::beam:

[SwissBarbar]

Thank you :beam: Yeah, the Getai are expanding as I did never see it before, though they didn't get no help from me, unlike the KH, Epeiros (in order to fight each other in an epic war with fullstacks - worked excellently) and Pontos (to push the Seleukids out of Mikra Asia and conquer Galatia) got from me.


Concerning the Map, I just saw I made a mistake. It's the known world in 229 BC, not 231 BC. I just changed it.

[I of the Storm]

Epic! Especially the screenies, they're great ... again.

[Hotseat_User]

:applause: nice nice nice

but where do you get these agyptian factions from? just change the color of the yellowDeath or?!? the dead epirotes? :dizzy2:

[SwissBarbar]

Exactly. The Apeleutherotai Aigyptou (blue) are made of Epeiros, the Pistoi en Ptolemaiois (red) are the Ptolemaioi.

Actually no single faction has yet been kicked out of the game, also not the ones who were "destroyed" in roleplay.


This weekend I will post a short overview over the known world.

[machinor]

The epic scale of this campaign and AAR is second only to MAA's "The Pyrrhic Dynasty". Amazing in every aspect. :2thumbsup:

[Mjolnir]

Epic to see Celts fighting on sand dunes, keep it going. :2thumbsup:

[Ibrahim]

I call bloody murder..too many arabians dead:clown:

but that battle was awesome! a hellene vs. celto-Arabian alliance, all on a collection of sand dunes.. If that is not cool, I do not know what is.:2thumbsup:

[Chirurgeon]

truly great man!! Once again your screenshots are amazing. The one of the endless horses in the desert is particulary epic! This AAR is totally amazing. creme de la creme!

[Olaf Blackeyes]

All that i can say is that Swiss is right up there with MAA and Chruriegon.:laugh4:
Keep it up.:beam::beam::beam::beam::beam::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes:

[Lucius Verenus]

All that i can say is that Swiss is right up there with MAA and Chruriegon.:laugh4:
Keep it up.:beam::beam::beam::beam::beam::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes:

I second that emotion :2thumbsup:

Been lurking and learning a lot from these three gentlemen, just waiting for my new PC to finally be ready - 2 months waiting while the supplier quibbles about replacing the duff motherboard they supplied :hmg: - so I can run EB at full power and put some of it into practise

Meantime I have been spending more tiem reading these Three's AAR's than just about anything else makes weekend and nightshift work worthwhile !! :beam:

[SwissBarbar]

The epic scale of this campaign and AAR is second only to MAA's "The Pyrrhic Dynasty". Amazing in every aspect. :2thumbsup:


Epic to see Celts fighting on sand dunes, keep it going. :2thumbsup:


I call bloody murder..too many arabians dead:clown:

but that battle was awesome! a hellene vs. celto-Arabian alliance, all on a collection of sand dunes.. If that is not cool, I do not know what is.:2thumbsup:


truly great man!! Once again your screenshots are amazing. The one of the endless horses in the desert is particulary epic! This AAR is totally amazing. creme de la creme!


All that i can say is that Swiss is right up there with MAA and Chruriegon.:laugh4:
Keep it up.:beam::beam::beam::beam::beam::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes:


I second that emotion :2thumbsup:

Been lurking and learning a lot from these three gentlemen, just waiting for my new PC to finally be ready - 2 months waiting while the supplier quibbles about replacing the duff motherboard they supplied :hmg: - so I can run EB at full power and put some of it into practise

Meantime I have been spending more tiem reading these Three's AAR's than just about anything else makes weekend and nightshift work worthwhile !! :beam:

Thank you guys :beam:

I hope I can update the Overview-Chapter today. I didn't think a summary and overview would take so much time :dizzy2: :dizzy2: :dizzy2:

[SwissBarbar]

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/faction_banner_03arv.jpg
Of savage tribes and glorious empires



https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gifChapter 19 – The Overview https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif



Introduction:

I'm well aware of the fact, that this summary is very large. This tale is quite complex and almost all peoples of the known world play an important role in it (or will). Therefore I recommend you to just ignore the parts that are not of interest to you.

- Don't you remember what exactly happened in this tale? Well, just take a look at the summarized history of the western and eastern Celts.

- Do you want to know more about one certain people that plays a role in this story (or once did)? Have fun reading the faction-part!

- Do you not like reading a lot of text and want to see some pictures? Then you might want to take a look at the last part of this chapter.

I very much thank everyone who reads this AAR, your kind comments really keep me doing this!
Special thanks go to Maion Maroneios who very, very much helped me in matters of Greek language and different cheats! :balloon2:




The face of the known world very much changed since this tale has been started. Kingdoms have disappeared and new empires did arise. The risk of losing the overview is great. Therefore today we consult the historical traditions of the contemporary annalists and then take a look at the different peoples that live and at others who disappeared.




Summarized history of the western Celts

seventies - Gallic War
272 BC - Battle of Mrogaedu - Clear Victory, Aneirin oi Lugos vs. Dennoros and Cocolitanos (t), Gallic War
272 BC - Submission of Bibracte - Gallic War
270 BC - Brycham moc Eporedemoros becomes client king of Bibracte

sixties - End of the Gallic War and start of the Roman War
269 BC - Battle of Mrogaule - Clear Victory, Aneirin oi Lugos vs. Captain Conan (t), Gallic War
269 BC - Submission of Cenabum - Gallic War
268 BC - Ultimate extermination of the Haedui royal dynasty
268 BC - The Principality of Mediolanum becomes protectorate
265 BC - Submission of Massalia, Massiliote Conflict
264 BC - Tincommios moc Gobannitio becomes client king of Massalia
262 BC - King Aneirin oi Lugos dies of natural causes / Belenos oi Lugos becomes ruler
260 BC - Battle of Patavium - Heroic Victory, Belenos oi Lugos vs. Caivs Avrelivs Cotta, Roman War

fifties - Submission of the Roman Republic
257 BC - 1st Battle of Liguria - Heroic Victory, Belenos oi Lugos vs. Tiberivs Cornelivs Blasio t. Younger, Roman War
256 BC - 2nd Battle of Liguria - Clear Victory, Tiberivs Cornelivs Blasio t. Younger (t) vs. Belenos oi Lugos, Roman War
256 BC - Submission of Segesta - Roman War
255 BC - 1st Battle of Latium - Clear Victory, Caivs Avrelivs Cotta vs. Belenos oi Lugos, Roman War
255 BC - 2nd Battle of Latium - Clear Victory, Tiberivs Cornelivs Blasio t. even Younger vs. Belenos oi Lugos, Roman War
254 BC - Battle at the Lacus Sabatinus - Clear Victory, Captain Decimvs (t) - Erbin moc Custennyn, Roman War
254 BC - Submission and pillage of Roma - Roman War
254 BC - The Roman Republic becomes protectorate
251 BC – Battle of Veldideno – Clear Victory, Belenos oi Lugos vs. Catavignos (t) and subjugation of the Rhaetii
250 BC – Ivomagos d’Aler is entrusted with the high command over the Arverni military forces

fourties - The Second Gallic War
249 BC – Mediolanian assault at Lugonesis – Clear Defeat, Motios moc Ceretheros vs. Belenos oi Lugos (t)
249 BC – Ivomagos d’Aler, responsible for Belenos’ death, becomes high king
248 BC – Cenabum becomes capital city of the League of the Arverni
247 BC – Founding of the Great Gallic Council in Cenabum
246 BC – Principality of Mediolanum declares war upon the League of the Arverni
245 BC - The tribes of the Veneti, Pictones, Tarbelli, Volcae-Arecomici, Bituriges, Bellovaces and Nerves join Mediolanum in the war against the Arverni, Second Gallic War
245 BC – Battle of Armoriae – Clear Victory, Ivomagos d’Aler vs. Captain Fergusoe (t), Second Gallic War
244 BC – Assault on Massalia – Lugort oi Lemovicae vs. Tincommios moc Gobannitio, Clear Victory, Second Gallic War
244 BC – Amminos oi Lugos dies of natural causes
244 BC – Ambush at Volcallra - Tincommios moc Gobannitio vs. Lugort oi Lemovicae (t), Clear Victory, Second Gallic War
244 BC – Battle of Darioritum – Clear Victory, Ivomagos d’Aler vs. Captain Riankiadoc (t) and Captain Caratawc (t), Second Gallic War
244 BC – Capture of the city of Darioritum by Ivomagos d’Aler, Second Gallic War
243 BC – Attack on Bibracte – Heroic Victory, Dumnacos oi Bragolos vs. Brycham moc Eporedemoros, Second Gallic War
243 BC – Battle for Sequallra – Clear Defeat, Belgae tribes vs. Haedui, Sequani and Treveri, Second Gallic War
243 BC – Region of Sequallra conquered by the Belgae, Second Gallic War
243 BC – Conquest of Lemonum, Second Gallic War
242 BC – Battle of Volcallra - Clear Victory, Tancogeistla moc Verucloetios (t) vs. Tincommios moc Gobannitio, Second Gallic War
242 BC – Second Battle of Volcallra – Heroic Victory, Caburos moc Ceanatis vs. Tincommios moc Gobannitio, Second Gallic War
241 BC – Ambush at Mediolanum – Clear Defeat, Cintugnatus moc Amminos vs. Motios moc Ceretheros (t), Second Gallic War
241 BC – Battle near Tolosa – Clear Victory, Captain Prasutagos (t) and Caburos moc Ceanatis (t) vs. Tincommios moc Gobannitio, Second Gallic War

thirties - End of the Second Gallic War, submission of western Iberia and Second Roman War
239 BC – Battle at the Isubramrog Forest – Clear Victory, Cintugnatus moc Amminos and Erbin moc Custennyn vs. Captain Berdic (t), Second Gallic War
239 BC – First Battle of Avaricum – Clear Victory, Cadeyrn moc Teutomatos and Dumnacos oi Bragolos(t) vs. Riankiadoc moc Drappes, Second Gallic War
239 BC – Second Battle of Avaricum – Clear Victory, Praesutagos moc Galba(t), Cadeyrn moc Teutomatos(t) and Captain Acco(t) vs. Riankiadoc moc Drappes, Second Gallic War.
239 BC – Capture of Avaricum – Riankiadoc moc Drappes, Second Gallic War
239 BC – Capture and pillage of Mediolanum - Cintugnatus moc Amminos, Second Gallic War.
238 BC – Surrender of the Aquitani and end of the Second Gallic War
238 BC – Cunovindos oi Sucellos becomes client king of Aquitania
238 BC – Ceasefire with the Belgae, restitution of Sequallra to the Arverni.
238 BC – Founding of the “Gallic Confederation”
237 BC – Establishment of trade routs to the Celtic tribes of Britannia
234 BC – Invasion into the Iberian peninsula by Riankiadoc moc Drappes, accompannied by Riankiadoc’s son-in-law Berdic moc Ceanatis and Ivomagos’ eldest son Epasnactos d’Aler, because of Iberian assaults on Celtic trading routs to Britannia
234 BC - Lightning war which results in the submission of the Cantabri and the Lusotannan territories along the western seacoast of Iberia.
233 BC – Reorganisation of the Celtic Confederation’s military juggernaut.
232 BC – Alliance between the trading empire of Syrakousai and the Celtic Confederation
231 BC – Seeking independence, the Roman Republic declares war upon the Celtic Confederation
231 BC – Battle of Aemilia – Clear Defeat, Cintugnatus moc Amminos vs. Sextvs Cornelivs Scipio, Second Roman War.
231 BC – The Roman Republic captures Bononia, but has to make a ceasefire with the Celtic Confederation due to the many losses at the battle of Aemilia.





Summarized history of the Celtic emigrants

fourties - Exodus from Gallia to Hayasdan
243 BC – Fergalos moc Lannildot and Calpornos moc Ollovico escape eastwards with Faros oi Lugos and Cunobelin oi Lugos, so they don’t get killed by Ivomagos d’Aler.
242 BC – Attack on Ak-Ink – Clear Victory, Fergalos moc Lannildot and Captain Brasos (Getai) vs. Calpornos (t)
241 BC – Bloodbath of Gelonus – Clear Defeat, Fergalos moc Lannildot vs. Babai and Spadinos (Sauromatae)
240 BC – Founding of the town Morgandy in Hayasdan.

thirties - Galatia and Ptolemaic War
237 BC – Assassination of Erasistratos Gambreiou Mysiakou (t) by the Celts, based on misinformation
236 BC - Retaliation campaign of the Seleukids, destruction of Morgandy and exodus of the Celts
236 BC – Attack on Karkathiokerta by Pontos with Celtic support – Clear Victory, Calpornos moc Ollovico and Captain Oxyartes vs. Captain Antiochos Soter (t) and Captain Metrophanes (t)
235 BC - Assumption of power over Galatia
233 BC – Assassination of Fergalos moc Lannildot by a Pontic murderer. Pontic spies deliver messages, which make the Ptolemaioi responsible for this murder. Thereby Pontos tries to make the Galatai protect their border to the Ptolemaioi.
232 BC – The Pontic plan gets out of control, the Galatai declare war on the Ptolemaioi and lay siege to Antiocheia.
232 BC – Ambush near Antiocheia – Clear Victory, Cunobelin oi Lugos vs. Krates Kleopatrites (t) and Demokrates Aradou Syriakou (t), Ptolemaic War
232 BC – Surrender and pillage of Antiocheia
232 BC – Teutomatos moc Brycham becomes governor of Antiocheia
232 BC – Alliance between the Sab’yn and the Galatai
232 BC – Battle near Sidon – Clear Victory, Demosthenes Terenuthites (t) and Hippomedon Krokodilpolites (t) vs. Cunobelin oi Lugos, Ptolemaic War
232 BC - Surrender and pillage of Sidon
232 BC – Tincommios oi Bregonae becomes governor of Sidon
231 BC – Surrender and pillage of Hierosolyma
231 BC – Bloodbath of Nabataia – Clear Victory, Calpornos moc Ollovico, Ham Yatha’ (Sab’yn Army), Captain Zari’ (Arabian Army) and Captain Murthid (Nubian and Ethiopian Army) vs. Ger-Ashtart Ptolemaios (t), Kallimedes Ptolemaios (t) and Timophron Apites (t), Ptolemaic War





The world’s peoples


https://img510.imageshack.us/img510/8497/99zzmap.png


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/arverni/arverni_arjos.gif Celtic Arjos

The Gallic Confederation: Many Celtic tribes once populated the lands of Gallia. Much as progressive they were – they carried on commerce to distant peoples, were masters of rhetoric arts and used Greek scripture - they also loved nothing more than fighting each other. After two great wars, the tribe of the Arverni managed to unify the Celtic peoples under their banner. Now at the Ogmioteriam Odemorix, the leaders of the Arverni, Volcae-Arecomici, Bituriges, Pictones, Veneti, Aulerci, Haedui, Treveri, Sequani, Raetii and the Segusiavi, and also the king of Massalia and the rulers of the Aquitani and Liguri periodically meet and form the Gallic Council. They rule the fate of over one Million people from eastern Gallia to Iberia and command the most capable military juggernaut in the western world.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/pontos/pon_kuarothoroi.gif Galatikoi Kuarothoroi

Milnaht Soldouroi Galatias: The Celts from Galatia call themselves “Milnaht Soldouroi Galatias”. Milnaht is a Celtic word and means great men. The word Soldouroi comes from the Celtic word Solduros, which means “devoted ones”, and is Hellenised. “Milnaht Soldouroi Galatias" therefore means broadly translated “great men devoted to Galatia”. Galatia already was populated by Celtic people who had come with Brennus to Greece and Mikra Asia decades ago. When the Celts, who emigrated from Gallia because of a civil war, arrived there, the Galatai began to flourish. Though being a Pontic protectorate, the Galatai could avoid having to join Pontos’ war against the Arche Seleukeia, mostly thanks to the diplomatic skill of a man called Fergalos moc Lannildot. When also the Ptolemaioi appealed to the sword, the king of Pontos let murder Fergalos and put the blame on the Ptolemaioi. He had hoped that due to this action, the Galatai would protect his border and deter the Ptolemaioi from joining the war. But in their rage, the Galatai invaded Ptolemaic territory, sacked the cities of Antiocheia, Sidon and Hierosolyma and – with great help from the Sab’yn, the Arabians, Nubians and Ethiopians – crushed the Ptolemaic forces in the “Bloodbath of Nabataia”. Almost 75’000 Ptolemaic soldiers lost their lives. This catastrophe resulted in a Ptolemaic civil war. The only thing that held the Galatai from invading Afrika, was the fact that the Seleukids recently won the overhand in their war against Pontos and now also threaten Galatian territory.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/ptolemaioi/ptol_basilikon_agema.gif Ptolemaic Basilikon Agema

Ptolemaioi / Pistoi en Ptolemaiois: Ptolemaios I. Soter – an epithet he got after his victory over Demetrios of Kypros in 304 BC – once was a general of Alexander the Great and was entrusted with the governorship over the Satrapy of Aigyptos. After Alexanders death he managed to keep his Satrapy safe even trough the wars of the Diadochi. After his death in 282 BC, his heir even could conquer more territory and the Ptolemaic empire became one of the greatest powers in the near east. Under Xanthos Ptolemaios the empire reached its greatest dimension and ruled the lands from Nubia to Augila and from Antiocheia to Ethiopia. When Xanthos Ptolemaios lost his two only sons and heirs in the “Bloodbath of Nabataia”, the Ptolemaic dynasty was at and end and therefore civil war came upon the empire. The highest general of the Ptolemaioi, Leontiskos Thraikikos, declared martial law and took over the army. Controlling the cities of Augila, Ammonion, Paraitonion, Memphis, Salamis on Kypros and the capital city of Alexandreia, he pretendes to be defending the legitimate rulers of Aigyptoi and therefore his retainers are known now as Pistoi en Ptolemaiois.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/ptolemaioi/ptol_machimoi_phalangitai.gif Native Machimoi Phalangitai

Apeleutherotai Aigyptou: When the heirs of Xanthos Ptolemaios were dead, a mighty man called Charopidas Helinaios decided to topple the Ptolemaioi dynasty and seize power over Egypt. From his capital city Pselkis, he acclaimed himself emperor while the southern cities of Dispolis-Megale, Hibis and Ptolemais-Theron clustered round him. They call themselves Apeleutherotai Aigyptou – Liberators of Egypt.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/saba/saba_assilinmodarra.gif Sab’yn Lo'hamim Azzilim

Sab’yn: Once a small people beyond the ocean of sand, the As’Sab’yn wal’Jau now govern a huge territory that reaches from Maryab to Palmyra and control a great part of the trade routs between India and Afrika. They are allies of the Galatai and their participation in the famous battle of Nabataia was vital to the success. One of the most capable force they can field, is their auxiliary army from Arabia. Recently the Nubians became allies of the Sab’yn.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/arche-seleukeia/seleukid_thorakitai_argyras.gif Seleukid Thorakitai Agematos Basilikou

Arche Seleukeia: Like the Ptolemaioi, also the Arche Seleukeia was founded by one of Alexander the Great’s generals. And like the Ptolemaioi the Seleukids have seen better times. Baktria and Pahlava have conquered great parts of the eastern empire. At least the war against Pontos seems to turn, for recently the Seleukids could recapture the city of Karkathiokerta.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/pontos/pontos_pontic_thorakitai.gif Pontikoi Thorakitai

Pontos: Once a small kingdom, Pontos now controls Mikra Asia and fights a great war against the Seleukids. One of the most fearsome force they can field are the Galatai. Though uneasy to control, they are an essential part of the Pontic empire.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/baktria/bak_baktrioi_hippotoxotai.gif Baktrioi Hippotoxotai

Baktria: This fromer Satrapy of the Arche Seleukeia meanwhile not only managed to become independent, but also to conquer parts of their former lords. Though they can field mighty armies, they have great problems with not yet identified tribes from the north-eastern lands.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/pahlava/pah_zradha_pahlavans.gif Zradha Pahlavans

Pahlava: Not even the mighty Arche Seleukeia could withstand the power of the Pahlava horsemen. Only the Sauromatae can field horsemen of similar quality.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/sauromatae/sau_ragon_sauromatae_uaezdaettae.gif Ragon Sauromatae Uaezdaettae

Sauromatae: The great time of the Sauromatae seems to be over. When the Celtic emigrates from Gallia crossed their lands, they still had controlled a territory from Dayhu Aursa to Budinije. But between then and now the Getai and the Hay have conquered half of their former lands.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/hayasdan/hay_nakhararakan_tiknapah.gif Hay Nakhararakan Tiknapah

Hayasdan: This strong people managed to take great lands from the Sauromatae in the north. In the south they are at war with the Arche Seleukeia for ages, but the borderlines did never move. They once abused their power over the Celtic emigrates who had crossed their lands. First they allowed them to found a city in Hayasdan, but then they wasted them to the Seleukids and thereby forced them to continue their migration. Though they could face mighty peoples like the Sauromatae or the Seleukids, another people now threatens their northern territory. The Getai seem to be dangerous and maybe the Hay soon have to send further armies to the north.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/getai/getai_thrakioi_peltastai.gif Thraikioi Peltastai

Getai: The Thracian tribe of the Getae became very powerful in the last forty years. Their empire is at least as big as the territory of the Gallic Confederation. They are able to deploy one of the most powerful armies of the known word, composed of swift horse archers and armour-breaking falxmen. The only people that maybe could stop them at the moment are the Koinon Hellenon in the south. But with them they are at peace – for now.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/koinon-hellenon/kh_epilektoi_hoplite.gif Epilektoi Hoplitai

Koinon Hellenon: The Koinon Hellenon control all of Greece and great territories beyond. They had managed to turn Makedonia into their protectorate. When Makedonia got extinguished by the kingdom of Epeiros, the Koinon Hellenon fought a cruel and bloody war against the Epeirotes, which they finally won. Except for their small possessions in Mikra Asia, all borderlines on land are shared with the Getai, so it could be possible that the Getai soon will be witness of Hellenic power from close up.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/romani/roman_early_principes.gif Camillan Principes

Senatus Populusque Romanus: The Roman Republic had a very hard time. Their conflict with the Principality of Mediolanum resulted in a war with the League of the Arverni, in which hundreds of thousands of Romans lost their lives. Alone the pillage of Roma itself by Belenos oi Lugos cost 150’000 Roman citizens their lives. But Roma would not have been Roma if it didn’t rise like a phoenix from the ashes. When the great Hellenic War between the Koinon Hellenon and the kingdom of Epeiros spread to the Italian peninsula and Epeiros conquered Messana and threatened the Hellenic city of Syrakousai, Carthage joined the war and defeated Epeiros in several battles. The Roman Republic, ally of Carthage, took the occasion and conquered the Epeirote possessions in southern Italy and the city of Messana on Sicily. Thereby Rome broke its agreement with Carthage, in which Sicily was declared to be within Carthaginian sphere of influence. In the following Punic war, the Roman Republic could push Carthage out of Sicily and win the war. Carthage was forced to hand over the islands of Sardinia and Korsim to the Romans. Not long after emerging victorious from this war, the Senate of Rome declared its independence from the rule of the Celts and could force this through in a great battle, after which the city of Bononia became Roman possession.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/kart-hadast/kar_liby-phoenician-inf.gif Carthaginian Dorki Leebi-Feenikim Mookdamim

Karthadastim: After having lost the war against Rome, the Karthadastim were not the dominant maritime force in the Mediterranean anymore. But they still are a potent power who could challenge any people in the known world. When they had to forsake the islands of Korsim and Sardinia, they decided to spread their sphere of influence in Iberia instead. Meanwhile they control the eastern coast of the Iberian peninsula and make a good recovery from the war against the Romans. Soon they will be strong, perhaps even powerful enough to challenge the Roman Republic again.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/lusotannan/ele_ibe_dunaminaca.gif Celtiberian Dunaminica

Celtiberi: Once the Lusitani were the most powerful tribe in Iberia. Only the Celtiberi and the Cantabri had remained independent from them, though the Lusotannan had tried to conquer them more than once. When the Celtic Confederation invaded Iberia they conquered the lands of the Cantabri and a great part of the Lusotannan territory. The Carthaginians took the rest. Now the Celtiberi are the last of the Iberian tribes to be independent. They had fought against the Lusotannan with the Celtic Confederation and therefore are their allies.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/casse/casse_chariot_cidainh.gif Casse Cidainh

Casse: Southern Britannia once was populated by the Belgae tribes of the Dumnoni and Cantiaci. When the British tribe of the Catuvelauni and the Cantiaci unified, they formed the great people of the Casse, which conquered great parts of Britain until today. They are a very important trading partner of the Celtic Confederation.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/aedui/aedui_cavalry_remimairepos.gif Remi Mairepos

Belgae: The Belgae were known to be the wildest and most fearsome of all Celtic tribes. Once they had colonised the lands in the north and even southern Britannia. All the time they fought wars against the Germanic tribes and remained victorious. Some said, that the Belgians even descend from those horrible Germans. During the last few centuries, there were three tribes of the Belgae that rendered themselves conspicuous. The Nerves colonised the lands closest to the Germanic tribes. Therefore, they were considered to be the bravest and most frightening warriors among all the Belgae tribes. The Bellovaces were the ones who claimed southern Britannia and became very rich through trade. Decades ago there was the great and famous tribe of the Remi, who also populated the territory which now belonged to the Bellovaces. The Remi have been assimilated by the Bellovaces, but still fought in their unique manner in their armies. The Eubrones were the only tribe of the Belgae, which once could be defeated by a Gallic tribe. But only a few years after the tribe of the Treveri had subjugated them, they made peace and established trade. Since that day, the Eubrones were good friends and trading partners of the Gallic tribes and therefore did not participate in this war. When in battle, the Belgae fought in Celtic manner and equipment. But still there were some kinds of warriors, that distinguished themselves from the rest. The Belgae always have been a highly independent people. But when in the north the Swêbóz had unified many Germanic tribes and emerged a very strong and capable military juggernaut, the Belage knew, that they could not withstand the Germans for long, since they heavily outnumbered them now. When the second Gallic war started, the Nerves and the Bellovaces decided to join the Principality of Mediolanum, who promised to let the Belgae keep the lands they conquered. So in spring 243 BC those two tribes left their lands and headed towards the territory of the Arverni with more than 300’000 men, women and children. Not long after their exodus, the Swêbóz conquered the former land of the Nerves. A few weeks later, they reached the lands of the Treveri and Sequani. In a great battle against the Haedui, Sequani and Treveri, the Belgae tribes emerged victorious and could claim the lands of the Sequani and Treveri. But when the Principality of Mediolanum was defeated, they were forced to make peace with the League of the Arverni and to restitute the conquered lands. Now they live between the Celtic confederation and the Swêbóz.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/sweboz/sweboz_hertheganautoz.gif Swêbóz Herthaganautoz

Swêbóz: We don’t know much about the Germanic tribes, except for the fact, that they are they can field some of the most fearsome warriors in the known world. Once living as many different tribes, like the Celts, they were unified by the mightiest of their peoples, the Swêbóz. There are not many people, who could withstand the power of the unified Germanic tribes. Currently their annual raids concentrate on the east, but should they decide to turn westwards the gods may show mercy to the peoples they meet, for the Swêbóz won’t.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/eleutheroi/italy/rebel_syracuse_hoplite.gif Syrakosioi Hoplitai

Trading empire of Syrakousai: Even during the great Hellenic war and during the Punic war, the Tyrannis of Syrakousai could keep its independence. When the Carthaginians were defeated by the Romans, they had to give up their possessions in Sicilia, Sardinia and Korsim and thereby lost their maritime supremacy in the Mediterranean. The Romans were not able to take over this ascendancy. This situation was taken advantage of by the rich tyrannis of Syrakousai, whose fleets now controlled the main part of the Mediterranean trade. Within short time, Syrakousai brought the cities of Kyrene in Afrika, Emporion in Iberia and the island of Krete under its control and established trading bases at these important key locations all over the Mediterranean sea. Syrakousai got incredibly rich due to the trade with one nation. To face an ominous invasion of wild and fearsome men from the north, the wealthy Ptolemaioi imported Celtic weapons, Greek armour, Iberian horses, foodstuffs from the well stocked granaries of Carthage and Archers from Krete – all through the trading fleets of Syrakousai.





The unlucky peoples who have lost their independence to greater powers



https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/aedui/aedui_carnute_cingetos.gif Carnute Cingetos

Haedui: Generally all Celtic tribes in Gallia now are members of the Celtic Confederation. Some on their free will, others had to be forced. One of these tribes has to be emphasized. Unlike the other Celtic tribes, the Haedui also had formed kind of a League, like the Arverni. Had they not lost the war against the Arverni, surely they would have conquered a great part of Gallia by now.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/aedui/aedui_gaesatae.gif Gaesatae

Principality of Mediolanum: Once Mediolanum was a possession of the Haedui. When they went down in the first Gallic war, Mediolanum became Arverni protectorate. When the young Arverni Ivomagos d’Aler toppled high king Belenos oi Lugos, he had hired a Mediolanian force to ambush his victim. But Mediolanum wanted more and declared war upon the Arverni. The tribes of the Veneti, Pictones, Tarbelli, Volcae-Arecomici, Bituriges, Bellovaces and Nerves joined Mediolanum. After a bloody war, Mediolanum succumbed to the Arverni.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/lusotannan/lus_scutari.gif Iberi Scutari

Lusotannan: The Lusotannan once were a mighty people and controlled the major part of the Iberian peninsula. They carried on commerce with many peoples, especially the Celtic tribes from Britannia. When the second Gallic war was over and the Celtic Confederation started to trade with the Casse too, the Lusotannan tried everything to keep the Celtic merchant vessels from Britannia. They even hired pirates to board Celtic ships. But they underestimated the Celtic Confederation. Within two years they conquered the whole western coast of Iberia and drove the Lusotannan back. The Carthaginians, who intended to extend their sphere of influence on Iberia after having lost the Punic war against the Romans, gave the Lusotannan people its quietus.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/epeiros/epe_chaeonian_agema.gif Chaeonion Agema

Epeiros: The kingdom of Epeiros seemed to have everything it needed to become one of the greatest powers in Europe. They had conquered southern Italy, Illyria, Dalmatia and Makedonia. Coaxed by the Principality of Mediolanum, they even started the great Hellenic War, which caused hundreds of thousands of casualties. At the beginning of this war, the Epeirotes could achieve some great victories and managed to drive back the Koinon Hellenon. But then they overestimated themselves and ended up in fighting wars against the Roman Republic, Carthage and the Koinon Hellenon at the same time. This pressure they could not withstand and in the end their lands were claimed by their enemies.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/makedonia/mak_pheraspidai.gif Peltastai Makedonikoi

Makedonia: Alexander would be turning in his grave, when he knew what happened to his people of origin. After being defeated by the Koinon Hellenon, Makedonia became their protectorate. The great Hellenic war was started by Epeiros with the merciless extermination of the rest what once was a proud Makedonia.




– These were the most important peoples of this story. There are many other small peoples who lost their independence to greater powers or still could defend their freedom. Unfortunately they cannot all be mentioned here -





Impressions

295 BC - Battle of Sentium: The Roman Republic defeats the Samnites in the third Samnite war. 8’500 Romans and 25’000 Samnites and Celts lose their lives.


https://img141.imageshack.us/img141/7936/295bcromanisamnites.png


271 BC – Once again a Germanic tribe invades the lands of the Helveti.


https://img21.imageshack.us/img21/8318/271bchelvetisweboz.png


268 BC – Battle of Larissa: The Koinon Hellenon invade Thessalia and can be defeated by the Makedonians. Nonetheless this will be the last victory in the history of this people.


https://img513.imageshack.us/img513/9150/268bcmakedoniakh.png


252 BC – Siege of Karmana: Baktria takes the Seleukid city of Karmana


https://img5.imageshack.us/img5/6692/252bcbaktriaseleukeia2.png


247 BC – Battle in the hills near Sarmiszeghetusa: The Sauromatae invade Getia Koile and get confronted with a Getae army. Though the first impact of the heavy Sarmatian cavalry is devastating, the elite falxmen of the Getai withstand and cause a bloodbath among the Sauromatae.


https://img122.imageshack.us/img122/1447/247bcsauromataegetai.png


240 BC – Battle of Sicilia: Epeiros defeats a Carthaginian army in Sicilia and thereby can keep Carthago from besieging Messana.


https://img11.imageshack.us/img11/4769/240bcepeiroscarthagesic.png

[A Terribly Harmful Name]

Superb!

[Olaf Blackeyes]

AWESOME!!!!!:2thumbsup::laugh4::laugh4::laugh4::laugh4::beam:

[Hotseat_User]

:dizzy2: this is just insane. I do not know what to say further. Just insane. How is that with the ballons?!? :-D just fill one with air and then overhand it? While reading incredible chapters I've worked on this one :balloon2:

[I of the Storm]

Very good!

[SwissBarbar]

Superb!


AWESOME!!!!!:2thumbsup::laugh4::laugh4::laugh4::laugh4::beam:


:dizzy2: this is just insane. I do not know what to say further. Just insane. How is that with the ballons?!? :-D just fill one with air and then overhand it? While reading incredible chapters I've worked on this one :balloon2:


Very good!


:bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Very in depth and complex campaign and AAR you have here. Very interesting.

[SwissBarbar]

Thank you :2thumbsup:

I found out, that the Hellenic war must have been even much more cruel as I told in my story and that it was not only in my roleplay that Epeiros first was winning the war and then overestimated themselves. I just discovered 6 (yes, six) sites of famous battles in Greece, all 6 from Epeirote victories :smash:

[machinor]

6 sites is indeed much. It's always cool to find AI sites of famous battles... it feels like some kind of ingame archeology. :beam:

The overview posting is breathtaking as always and so are the screenshots.

[NickTheGreek]

Epic, particularly the battle scenes at the end :2thumbsup:

[Chirurgeon]

Truly amazing. I know how long that took you to do and I am humbled before you.

[SwissBarbar]

6 sites is indeed much. It's always cool to find AI sites of famous battles... it feels like some kind of ingame archeology. :beam:

The overview posting is breathtaking as always and so are the screenshots.


Epic, particularly the battle scenes at the end :2thumbsup:


Truly amazing. I know how long that took you to do and I am humbled before you.


Thank you guys. :2thumbsup:

@ Chirurgeon: Thank you, I also always read your great AAR and am looking forward to the next chapter :2thumbsup:

[gamegeek2]

Great work, Swiss. Back in my AAR, I just put down the rebellion of Avaricum and I'm getting ready to punish its ally, Burdigala.

[SwissBarbar]

I know, I've read the "The Battle of Avaricum" :2thumbsup:

[Cyrus]

Hey SwissBarbar, love your AAR!
But on your signature it says the nextupdate should have been 3-4 days ago,what gives?

[SwissBarbar]

Thank you :beam: Yeah, you're right. Atm I have no access to my computer where I have EB :oops: , but in 2 days latest i should have it back... the first thing I'll do is updating my AAR :2thumbsup:

[delablake]

truly epic!

[SwissBarbar]

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/faction_banner_03arv.jpg
Of savage tribes and glorious empires




https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gifChapter 20 – The World Ablaze https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif

A few weeks after the bloodbath of Nabataia, the Galatian army under Calpornos moc Ollovico and Cunobelin oi Lugos had reached Antiocheia and camped outside the city. Fortunately the Seleukid threat meanwhile had been defused by Pontos and the Sab’yn. The city of Karkathiokerta was in Pontic hand again. Due to the eastern war, the Arche Seleukeia had to pull out troops from the western frontline, which had given Pontos the opportunity to win the upper hand again.


https://img213.imageshack.us/img213/7305/1eastpontoskarkathioker.png

Too bad that this had not happened earlier, for the Galatians had have the Ptolemaioi on the run and could have defeated them once and for all. By now the Pistoi en Ptolemaiois had secured their borderline to Ioudaia again and it would not be that easy to invade their lands, as long as the trading empire of Syrakousai supplied them with mercenaries from all over the world. As long as the Ptolemaioi could afford those troops, so long they would be able to replace even great losses in short time.

There was one circumstance, that weakened the Ptolemaioi. Their civil war against the Apeleutherotai Aigyptou – the liberators of Egypt. They controlled the southern part of the former Ptolemaic empire, where a great share of the Ptolemaic wealth had come from. To the Ptolemaioi, the main source of wealth now was the Island of Kypros. In the great market of Salamis, the main part of the trade in the eastern Mediterranean has been settled. It was the only serious competition to the trading empire of Syrakousai in these waters.


https://img136.imageshack.us/img136/7370/5salamismarket.png

From the inexhaustible copper mines of Kypros – copper from Tamassos, Politiko and Mitsero was extremely famous for centuries – cargo after cargo left the island trough the great harbour in direction of Alexandreia, Krete or Sicilia.


https://img15.imageshack.us/img15/1180/6salamismines.png https://img142.imageshack.us/img142/8792/4salamisport.png

Therefore this island was the next target of the Galatai. Cunobelin oi Lugos was entrusted with this task, for while his friend Calpornos moc Ollovico was a distinguished expert in pitched battle, as he had proved at Nabataia, Cunobelin oi Lugos was the eminent authority in planning invasions and taking cities, a fact which he had demonstrated by taking Antiocheia, Sidon and Hierosolyma in record time. With the help of Pontic shipbuilders, the Galatai started to construct respectable transport ships in the huge harbour of Antiocheia. Though they worked flat out, it would take a while to build enough ships to carry an army to Kypros.


https://img90.imageshack.us/img90/4551/2eastpontomorafleet.png

While the Celts were constructing ships, Pontos took the offensive and invaded Seleukid lands with a force of 35’000 men, of which 4’000 were war chariots. Due to the war the Arche Seleukeia had to fight in the east, the Pontic soldiers could march into the heartland of the Seleukid empire without having met with resistance and reached the city of Seleukeia unharmed. There they came into conflict with the Seleukid royal guard, consisting of a core of 8’000 elite Thorakitai Agematos Basilikou and 5’000 Persian archers, supported by 5’000 native infantrymen and 2’000 men of the Persian heavy cavalry.

Though in the Battle of Mesopotamia 230 BC the Seleukid forces held their ground well against the Pontic superiority, they got overrun by Ponto’s strategically intelligent use of their heavy chariots. Not long after his battle, Pontos took the city of Seleukeia.


https://img13.imageshack.us/img13/2649/40pontos2.png
Battle of Mesopotamia

Almost at the same time, the Babylonian Ištar-Guard had to face a Sab’yn invading army. Cut off from supply they soon had to surrender. The Seleukid king was in the east fighting Palahva and Baktria, and therefore did not fall to the blades of Pontic or Sab’yn soldiers. As long as he lived, the Seleukid empire would continue in its existence.


https://img264.imageshack.us/img264/3954/40guardbabylon.png
Babylonian Ištar-Guard

In the year of 229 BC, when enough ships were ready to transport an army of 10’000 men to Kypros, Cunobelin oi Lugos crossed over with 5’700 Galatikoi Kluddolon, 2’100 Tindanotae and Gaesatae and 1’200 slingers. Though Kypros was ruled by the Ptolemaioi, they still had their own defending system. In the event of war, every town on Kypros had to send between 50 and 500 men to defend their Island. The capital city of Salamis contributed a core of 3’000 warriors. This way the home guard of Kypros could field almost 6’500 heavy infantrymen and 2’400 skirmishers. Other than their Ptolemaic lords, the citizens of Salamis did not preferably fight as a core of a Macedonian phalanx, but as classical Hoplitai.

The first clash of the Galatai and the men from Kypros took place in an alleyway near the eastern seacost. Flanked on both sides by hills and cliffs, the heavier armed and armoured Hoplitai would have an advantage over the lighter Celtic warriors.


https://img401.imageshack.us/img401/7311/8enemyhoplitai.png

Cunobelin oi Lugos deployed his fearsome naked Tindanotae and Gaesatae in the first battleline, for they had the largest shields. Behind he arrayed his light Kluddolon who should act as skirmishers.


https://img11.imageshack.us/img11/3053/7arraybetween2hillbattl.png

The enemy indeed managed to push back the Galatai first. But still the Galatai’s battle line did not break.


https://img401.imageshack.us/img401/114/9struggle.png

Cunobelin had reckoned with the enemy having much heavier soldiers and was prepared. He had stationed his slingers on one of the smaller hills at the left flank. When the enemy had pushed back his line far enough, his slingers appeared and pelted the enemy with their stones from the flank.


https://img3.imageshack.us/img3/2699/10slingersonhill.png

The enemy had no choice but to retreat. Though the Hoplitai retreated in order, the skirmishers suffered from many losses.


https://img91.imageshack.us/img91/3363/11battlestats.png

Disappointed by this not crushing but still shameful defeat, some smaller towns on Kypros surrendered to the Celtic invaders. Due to this fact, the Kypriote army lost a great part of its light skirmishers. The main core of the hostile army retreated in direction of Salamis, but did not reach the city before the faster Galatai showed up too and forced the Kypriotai to the decisive battle.


https://img13.imageshack.us/img13/6321/15battlekluddolonjaveli.png

In open field the more flexible formation of the Galatai was vastly superior to the rigid phalanx formation of the enemy, who could not cover his flanks by light infantry anymore, and eased to a victory.


https://img10.imageshack.us/img10/9846/16battlestats.png

By this complete victory the Galatai gained control over Kypros and thereby cut off the Pistoi en Ptolemaiois from their major source of wealth, which had great effects on other nations in the world. By this weakening of the Ptolemaioi, pressure was taken off the Apeleutherotai Aigyptou, who still fought out their civil war with the Pistoi en Ptolemaiois. Now the “liberators of Egypt” could send expeditions southwards and conquer the so called “goldlands” of Nubia and the territory of the Ethiopians, known for their mineral wealth and abundance of fearsome mercenaries.


https://img23.imageshack.us/img23/2541/50struggleformeroe.png
Attack on a military camp of the Apeleutherotai Aigyptou by a Nubian force near Meroe

Even greater than in Africa and Asia were the battles in Europe, when two of the most powerful peoples in the known world went to war with each other. Feeling threatened by their Getae neighbours, the Koinon Hellenon decided to make a preventative strike and invaded Getic territory in Scorcouw and Odrysai with tremendous forces. But still they had underestimated the Getae, whose armies were not as heavily armoured as the Hellenic ones, but still extremely fierce and large in number, for they were masters to all the Thracian tribes, who even the great Hellenic historian Hēródotos had defined as the second-most numerous people in the known world, and potentially the most powerful.

In two great battles, which were surpassing each other in cruelty and mercilessness, the Koinon Hellenon got beaten back by the Getae. Especially about the battle of Tylis many myths and legends wandered the world. In one of these myths, told by many Hellenic historians, the Getai had built a temple for their war god, with a size of the floor area of 60’000 square feet and 65 feet high pillars, constructed with naught but the bones of the fallen Greek soldiers. Another legend, extolled by Thracian bards even centuries after this battle, explained the great number of Getic casualties not by being killed by hostile soldiers, but by being drowned in Greek blood.

Of course one can not give credit to such tales. Most probable about 30’000 Greeks and 38’000 Getae lost their lives in the battle of Tylis, which still is a great amount of human lives thrown away.


https://img13.imageshack.us/img13/7122/kopievon70battleoftylis.png
Battle of Tylis: 45’000 Greeks and 60’000 Getae and Thracians meet

Despite their initial success, the Getae soon had to split up their armies and send a great number of soldiers north-eastwards. No one had expected it, but the Sauromatae were back. After being driven away by the Getae and the Hay, the Sauromatae had recovered and conquered wide lands from Dahyu Aursa to the border of the Saka Rauka. The surprised Hay stood no chance, when thousands of riders appeared at the horizon and swashed over the land like a deluge. The Sauromatae started to cut off the northern possessions of the Hay from their homeland, conquered Maeotis and thereby again shared a borderline with their former enemies, the Getai.


https://img27.imageshack.us/img27/4066/80battleofyazigasteppek.png
How the mighty fall in the steppe of Dahyu Yaziga

This had two effects. For one thing the Hay lost a great part of their leading nobles to the lances and arrows of the Sauromatae. This weakened the Hai in the south of their lands and allowed the heavily stricken Arche Seleukeia to attack the Pahlava, who now could not hope for Hay help. Yielding to the superior forces from the west, the Seleukids expanded eastwards and soon laid siege to the city of Asaak, which had been taken from them only a few years ago by the Pahlava.


https://img16.imageshack.us/img16/8981/kopievon90siegeofasaak1.png
Siege of Asaak

And for another thing, the Getai could not protect their vast borderlines against 2 strong enemies after the great losses at Tylis and Sigdunum. Therefore, though they had emerged victorious from the battles against the Koinon Hellenon, they had no choice but to accept Hellenic rule in order not the get exterminated at to frontlines.


https://img14.imageshack.us/img14/5144/12clientkingdomkhgetai.png

Ever since the Koinon Hellenon ruled the Getai, they seemed to be unstoppable. Now that they had secured the northern borderline, they could focus eastwards, as they always had wanted. Already smaller groups of Hellenic scouts skirmished with Pontic patrol in Bithynia.


https://img25.imageshack.us/img25/9733/60struggleinbithynia.png
Struggle in the forests of Bithynia

Not long and the Galatai would have to defend their homes against Greek intruders. Since a great part of Pontos’ armies fought in the east, they surely could not hold back the Hellenic invaders alone. Elaborate preparations immediately were begun.



Known territory in 226 BC
https://img18.imageshack.us/img18/2121/100map.png

[Hotseat_User]

ye ye ye yeah! another awesome chapter. uhhhh damn it, I'm mind-fighting with my hands not to start EB 'cause this would steal a lot of sleep -_-; :no:

but Swiss, waiting for the next one :smash: :clown: :smash:

[SwissBarbar]

thanks, glad you enjoyed it. :2thumbsup:

[Cyrus]

Great update!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:2thumbsup:

[Tyrfingr]

I stand in awe for this AAR! Great update!

[machinor]

I stand in awe for this AAR! Great update!
'Nuff said. :book:

[HunGeneral]

Wow. I finally managed to read it all and I must say I'ts great.

Swiss, you even got me a bit scared of those celts although I always categorized them as "average warriors" - quess I was wrong:sweatdrop:

I will keep following this fantastic AAR.

[penguinking]

Fantastic screenshots. Sort of disappointing about the Getai, though, since once a faction becomes a protectorate they tend to stop expanding or doing anything.

[machinor]

There's one thing that I keep wondering about... how do you create the screenshots of battle you didn't take part in? Do you recreate them in a skirmish?

[Chirurgeon]

Truly amazing screenies. I love the one of the guy with the arrow going through him! Great stuff and what a complex web you have woven worldwide.

[SwissBarbar]

Thank you very much @ all

@ chirurgeon: yes, events can have wide effects :2thumbsup: Actually I use this, to bridgeover the times of peace the Celts have. Even Celtic peoples need a break from war from time to time, so their culture can flourish. Besides that, the story is growing near to the 1 or 2 special chapters I was planning in the west.

[I of the Storm]

Truly amazing screenies. I love the one of the guy with the arrow going through him! Great stuff and what a complex web you have woven worldwide.

QFT! That one was my favourite too. Your AAR leaves me speechless everytime. Just plain awesome.
:smash::smash::smash:

[SwissBarbar]

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/faction_banner_03arv.jpg
Of savage tribes and glorious empires




https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gifChapter 21 – The First Hellenic War https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/menu_faction_03arv_on.gif


In the year of 226 BC, Cunobelin oi Lugos and Calpornos moc Ollovico had been invited to a meeting, convened by the king of Pontos, in the capital city of the Pontic Kingdom, Ipsos. When Cunobelin had returned from Salamis to Antiocheia, they travelled together there. In Ipsos they got to know about a Hellenic invasion in Bithynia. The vast armies of the Koinon Hellenon were on their way to capture the city of Nikaia. Unfortunately the elite of Pontic military staff was occupied with fighting the Arche Seleukeia in the east. Though for the Pontic king it was extraordinarily hard to admit, the most able commanders he could field in the west were Cunobelin and Calpornos….Celts. Furthermore he first had to assemble his armies in the west, so for now the Galatai and the already recruited Pontic soldiers had to deal with the Koinon Hellenon alone.

Calpornos and Cunobelin were given the command over a Pontic army, which they had to complement with their own Galatian soldiers. In short time the troops were gathered. Since Pontos and Galatia were in state of war for years, there was nothing they could do faster than gather troops if needed.

The Pontic army they commanded was composed of almost 10’000 Phalangitai, heavy infantry of Hoplitai, Peltastai, Hoplitai Haploi and Thureophoroi, each 1’600 men, 2’400 Akontistai, almost 1’000 Sphedonetai and 1’000 Hippeis. From the regions near Hayasdan, 1’600 Caucasian Archers joined the army.


https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/eleutheroi/hellenic/merc_pezhetairoi.gif Phalangitai https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/pontos/pon_hoplitai.gif Pontikoi Hoplitai https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/eleutheroi/hellenic/merc_thureophoroi.gif Thureophoroi

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/pontos/pon_taxeis_hoplitai.gif Hoplitai Haploi https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/eleutheroi/greece/rebel_akontistai.gif Akontistai https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/eleutheroi/greece/rebel_sphendenotai.gif Sphedonetai https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/eleutheroi/hellenic/rebel_peltastai_merc.gif Peltastai

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/eleutheroi/caucasus/rebel_thanvare_kavakaza.gif Kovkasi Lernain Netadzik https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/eleutheroi/greece/merc_hippeis.gif Hippeis

The Galatian reinforcements consisted of warriors that fought in a Celtic style and ones that fought in Hellenic manner. Latter were represented by Galatikoi Hoplitai and Keltohellenikoi Hoplitai, who more fought like Thureophoroi, each 1’600 in number. The 4’000 Galatikoi Kluddolon, the 1’200 Gaesatae and the 1’200 Sotaroas fought like their Celtic ancestors did.



https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/eleutheroi/greece/rebel_hoplitai.gif Galatikoi Hoplitai https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/eleutheroi/celtic/rebel_mist_keltohellenikoi.gif Keltohellenikoi Hoplitai

https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/pontos/pon_kluddolon.gif Galatikoi Kluddolon https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/arverni/arverni_gaesatae.gif Gaesatae https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/arverni/arverni_sotaroas.gif Sotaroas

Alltogether Cunobelin oi Lugos and Calpornos moc Ollovico led an army of 32’000 men westwards. They had to hurry, for though winter was near, the Hellenes already had laid siege to Nikaia. It was said to be “a huge force”, but how many enemies had to be dealt with they did not know until they reached them.

The Hellenic force was divided to four armies. The first army was led by Eugenios Rhodios and Posidonios Eurypontidos Lakedaimonios. Former was a nobleman from Rhodos and the general in charge of the whole force, while latter, a member of the royal family, was the commander of this first part of the army, which had a strong core of Illyrian soldiers, and all in all consisted of 18’500 soldiers. The second army was composed of a small amount of light infantry from Thraikia, many heavy Iphikratous Hoplitai and Thureophoroi and a few elite Epilektoi Hoplitai. These 12’000 men were led by captain Laminos, a young officer from Athenai. The third army, led by the general’s younger brother, Archeias Rhodios, was the true elite of the whole force. He not only commanded a core of Koinon Hellenon Phalangitai, but also could field 2’000 Spartiatai Hoplitai. The flanks of this army of 17’700 men were protected by a great amount of Hoplitai Haploi. The fourth army was composed of Epilektoi Hoplitai and many light supportive units, all in all 8’200 men. They were meant to form the rearguard of the force and guard the impedimenta. Entrusted with the command over this army was an old Korinthian captian, named Zethos. The Greek Strategoi often let their elite forces protect the impedimenta during military operations on foreign territory, since nothing was more important, especially when they had to feed a force of over 56’000 men like this one.

Of course when the Galatians arrived, they did not yet see the full extent of the Hellenic invasion force. The Koinon Hellenon sent a part of about 40’000 warriors to battle, while the rest kept up the siege to Nikaia. When in winter 226 the armies met, Cunobelin oi Lugos deployed his army with a strong center of the strong Pontic phalanx, archers behind. The left flank was protected by the Pontic Thureophoroi and Hoplitai, since they were more disciplined and therefore should hold the weaker left flank. The Hippeis were stationed behind the army on the left flank, so they could interfere the battle whenever necessary. The slingers in front of the Hoplitai should lighten the enemy’s rank before the battle lines clashed.

The Celtic troops on the right flank were led by Calpornos moc Ollovico. Similar to the Pontic troops on the right side, also he arrayed their Hoplitai and thureophoroi-like Keltohellenikoi Hoplitai, but deployed the fearsome Gaesatae in front of them. Instead of Hoplitai Haploi and Hippeis, he had 4’000 Galatikoi Kluddolon as a reserve stationed behind.


https://img22.imageshack.us/img22/5751/0galatianarmy.png

It was early in the morning and the Keltopontikoi troops had arrayed on a vast prairie, while the Hellenic armies marched over a hilltop. It was only then, when Calpornos moc Ollovico and Cunobelin oi Lugos had a first impression of the sheer magnitude of the enemy’s forces. The ground was shaking as the lock-step marching Greek phalanx appeared. Sharp weapons and thick armours rattled, nervous horses neighed, harsh officers yelled and after each man crossing the hilltop a further one seemed to appear. Many of the young and green soldiers in the Galatian army got the jitters, facing the impressive spectacle held by the Hellenic armies.

But not the two battle-tested generals. Calpornos moc Ollovico once faced an even lager force, back then in Nabataia, and felt no fear, though at that time he had not been outnumbered like this day. He even smiled to Cunobelin oi Lugos, and said “The Hellene who could beat a true Celt in battle hasn’t been born yet.” Calpornos unintentionally still took care of his wife’s younger brother, though he was no boy anymore but a thirty years old, battle-tested and much respected man. They shook hands, wished each other luck and then rode to their places, where they intended to lead the army from.

Traditionally the skirmishers opened the battle. Covered by the Hippeis they rushed forward and engaged the Hellenic skirmishers.


https://img10.imageshack.us/img10/1868/1battleskirmishers.png

The Greek cavalry charged towards the light infantrymen, who retreated and were chased by the Greeks, who did not see the enemy Hippeis approach. They crashed in their flank and pushed them into the spears of the Pontic phalanx, where they were doomed. Then the Pontic Hippeis had to retreat, since the Greek phalanx came closer and closer.

As the armies clashed especially the left flank heavily was under pressure, for it was attacked by the elite force of the Greek army, the Epilektoi Hoplitai. They managed to push back the bravely fighting Pontic Hoplitai and Thureophoroi.


https://img166.imageshack.us/img166/3672/2leftflankepilektoi.png

On the right flank, the Galatian soldiers were more lucky and fought lighter Hoplitai, while several hundred light cavalrymen appeared on the hilltop. They engaged and pelted the Gaesatae with their javelins, but then were driven back by the unerring Caucasian archers.


https://img10.imageshack.us/img10/2971/3rightflankgaesatae.png

The two generals gave orders, rode up and down along the battle line, shouting and yelling. When Calpornos saw that his men held their ground well, he turned towards Cunobelin and gave him the sign.


https://img171.imageshack.us/img171/2501/4signtothephalanx.png

They rode along the battle line and yelled “Men, show that you’re made of sterner stuff than those milksops.” Calpornos turned around and rode back to the right flank, shouting “On my command!", and gave the sign to the officers. In the very same moment one hundred Celtic battle horns sounded. “PHALANX, ADVANCE!” was the order, “PUUUUUUUUSH!!!” the officers yelled. One step forward. Two steps. The Greeks masterly held their ground, for this was the kind of warfare they knew best. Also their officers yelled to push. The phalanx stood still, if a bird had watched this from above in the sky, he would have thought the armies were not moving. But the men in the first battle line shed their blood, pushed, stabbed and died like flies. About 10 minutes the armies did not move a bit, but then a jolt went through the whole crowd of men, and the phalanx’ began to turn. While the strong right flank managed to drive the Greeks back, the Epilektoi Hoplitai put the left flank under pressure..


https://img18.imageshack.us/img18/3883/5push.png

“HOLD THE LINE!” , Cunobelin yelled, but his voice perished in the whirlpool of death cries and rage of war. He ordered his skirmishers to pelt the enemy with missiles and to drive him back.


https://img16.imageshack.us/img16/6121/6skirmishersleftflank.png

They managed to do this. The enemy lost many men, among them Posidonios Eurypontidos Lakedaimonios, leader of the first army. But if someone thought this would demoralise the enemy, was proven wrong. They fought all the harder.


https://img25.imageshack.us/img25/8130/8enemygeneralfallen.png

The battlelines had turned almost 90°, which turned out to be of advantage for the Celts, since where at the beginning of the battle their left flank was, now another army appeared. Cunobelin rode to Calpornos and warned him. He never had seen these warriors in battle, but Calpornos had heard of them. He looked worried. Cunobelin asked him “What’s up? Should we be worried?”. “No, no”, Calpornos answered with dry sarcasm. “That’s their light supportive infantry. See? They have an Λ on their shields. 'L' means 'light'.”. Calpornos slowly turned his head towards his friend, smiled and rode towards the right flank. “Are you kidding me? Hey! Wait!”, Cunobelin shouted and followed him.

Of course these were no light troops, but Spartiatai Hoplitai, who represented one of the most capable kind of warrior in the known world. The Greek reserve-troops had arrived. Apparently they were pulled out from the siege of Nikaia. When they had reached the fray, almost immediately they managed to push back the whole line of the Galatai.


https://img165.imageshack.us/img165/9189/9spartiatai.png

At this point of time, the Greek generals decided to attack the right flank of the Galatai with their own bodyguard infantry, since they had no heavy cavalry left for the job. Cunobelin, who rode behind Calpornos saw this, pulled around his horse and rode to the archers and slingers. At his order they shot a cloud of arrows and stones towards these Epilektoi Hoplitai and tried to lighten their ranks as they approached. At the same time, Calpornos, who also had recognised the enemy’s plan, ordered 2’000 Galatikoi Kluddolon of the reserve troops to outflank the outflankers and to pelt them with javelins from behind. Before the enemy had reached their enemy’s right flank half of their bodyguards and one of their general had died. The Kluddolon charged and forced the Ekdromoi Hoplitai to close combat. Of course the elite of the Greek Hoplitai were vastly superior to the light Kluddolon, but they had to turn around, in order not to get slaughtered from behind by them. Thereby they were forced to expose their rear to Cunobelin and Calpornos, who now charged with their heavy cavalry. Within short time all three Greek generals were on their way to Hades.


https://img516.imageshack.us/img516/7578/10enemygeneralfallen.png https://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5081/11enemygeneralfallen.png https://img24.imageshack.us/img24/4176/7enemygeneralfallen.png

This time the enemy army was shocked. The officers who watched their generals die did fall back in order to reorganize, others who did not get the order to retreat stayed. Thereby gaps were opened and the Greeks could be pushed back. The Pontic phalanx pressed forward and just marched over the weakened enemy, while the reserve troops put the enemy’s flank under pressure. The Greeks who had retreated, arrayed on a hill to fight again, but they had lost to many men in the chaos and soon were defeated.


https://img6.imageshack.us/img6/7994/12hillapproach.png

At the end of that day, 19’000 men of the Keltopontikoi army were dead, another 3’000 wounded. The Koinon Hellenon had lost 47’000 men, only about 10’000 survived the battle.


https://img6.imageshack.us/img6/7342/13battlestats.png

Though this was a great victory, Calpornos’ and Cunobelin’s army was very much weakened, while the war against the Koinon Hellenon just had started. In this very moment another huge army had crossed the Hellespont, two others were about to follow, while another two armies had invaded Bithynia from Byzantion. The mighty kingdom of Pontos finally had arrayed its reserves and also sent huge forces to the west, which, although their true elite troops were stationed in the east, still formed a very powerful force.

After their army was reinforced with Hippeis, Thureophoroi, Iaosatae, Peltastai and Caucasian archers, led by the son of Calpornos, Valetiacos moc Ollovico, the Galatai were sent northwards to secure the way from Byzantion to Nikaia, but soon were surrounded by the two Hellenic forces, sent from there.

But before we dwell on the story of Valetiacos moc Ollovico, it’s about time that we took a look at the current situation in western Mikra Asia.


https://img213.imageshack.us/img213/4166/17overview2.png
The First Hellenic War, Situation 225 BC


1 This army of over 13’000 men was led by Damon Lakonikos, a distant relative to the Koinon Hellenon royal family and consisted of several thousand heavy infantrymen. In fact this troop was the first part of the huge force he lead. The main part acted quite independently.

https://img293.imageshack.us/img293/704/kopievon18greekarmy2.png

2 Led by captain Deukalion, the main force of Damon Lakonikos’ army represented one of the most powerful armies in the known world. While the core of several thousand Spartiatai Hoplitai, Epilektoi Hoplitai and Iphikratous Hoplitai would slaughter any enemy, while their flanks were guarded by Thureophoroi, the lighter Ekdromoi Hoplitai would kill any Skirmishers who could become dangerous for the slowly moving heavy infantry. Of course this army also had it’s own skirmishers. This force of over 25’000 men was not easy to stop, that was for sure.

https://img293.imageshack.us/img293/8826/kopievon18greekarmy3.png

3 This army was one of the two forces who had surrounded the Galatai. Its captain, named Agelaios, was in charge of over 23’000 soldiers, many of them heavy infantrymen.

https://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7913/kopievon18greekarmy4h.png

4 The second of the two armies surrounding the Galatai was led by captain Kretheus, an old and battle-tested warrior. His 22’000 men would give their lives for him.

https://img214.imageshack.us/img214/6308/kopievon18greekarmy5.png

5 In spring 225 BC Euthymidas Kretikos crossed the Hellespont with an army of 23’000 men. This special force not only was composed of Greek heavy infantry and, unlike the other armies, cavalry, but also a great amount of Getic and Thracian troops, who now had to serve in Hellenic armies. Also some Celtic mercenaries from the eastern, independent tribes, fought in this army

https://img172.imageshack.us/img172/4647/kopievon18greekarmy6.png

6 The Keltopontikoi army under Galatian leadership was composed of 23’000 men, due to the reinforcements. But they had less Phalangitai and more light infantry and cavalry as before the battle of Nikaia.

https://img99.imageshack.us/img99/5632/kopievon19arverniarmy1.png

7 This Pontic army, led by Intaphrenes Kianos, was one of the most capable forces Pontos could field in the west. This army of 25’000 soldiers was composed of almost every kind of soldier that Pontos could array. Naked fighting Galatian warriors, Greek medium and light cavalry, Celtic cavalry, Phalangitai, skirmishers, light Hoplitai, light Celtic infantry and even eastern horse archers!

https://img99.imageshack.us/img99/8241/kopievon20ponticarmy3.png

8 Stationed in the city of Ipsos, a great force of 24’000 men, of whom 17’000 were Phalangitai, would spear any enemy grasping for the capital city of the Pontic kingdom.

https://img407.imageshack.us/img407/8744/kopievon20ponticarmy4ip.png

9 Also the army stationed in the important city of Pergamon was very impressive. Commanded by a son of the Pontic royal family, the 35’000 warrios, among them several thousand elite Phalangitai, made Pergamon the best defended city in all of Mikra Asia. But most likely this army would not stay there forever, but move and search for enemies to perish.

https://img407.imageshack.us/img407/3070/kopievon20ponticarmy5pe.png

10 Captain Artaxerxes and his 20’000 men besieged the Hellenic city of Mytilene, in order to take their harbour there from them, so they could not supply their forces in Mikra Asia so easily.

https://img407.imageshack.us/img407/9634/kopievon20ponticarmy6.png

These only were the main armies that currently played an important role in this young conflict. Besides the 106’000 soldiers of the Koinon Hellenon and their allies, and the 127’000 men of Pontos and its allies, of course many more smaller armies moved in the area, and of course thousands of soldiers were still being recruited in their homelands just at that moment.

Though this situation had great potential of becoming one of most epic conflicts in the history of the known world, this upcoming war would be naught but a scenery for the destinies of two young men, born and therefore coming at age at the very same day.


https://img520.imageshack.us/img520/6053/14comingofage.png

One of these men was Valetiacos moc Ollovico, son of the great Galatian general Calpornos moc Ollovico. Taking after his father, Valetiacos was a very intelligent, well built and charismatic young man. Untouched by fear he would fight the Koinon Hellenon by his father’s side, unselfishly throwing himself at any enemy to save one of his comrades from death. Not appreciated in Pontic high society, but loved by the mere Galatian soldier, his strong language was able to inspire any man before combat, although Valetiacos never had fought in a greater battle, and therefore still was considered to be a greenhorn.

The other of these two men was Acco d’Aler, younger son of Ivomagos d’Aler, born in Cenabum. Though, in his youth, he was more interested in fighting and drinking, and not in learning from wise druids like his father, he took after him and very likely was to become a great general. Inspiring by his optimism, unselfishness and honest loyality, he was a prime example how a young Celtic nobleman should be like.


https://img220.imageshack.us/img220/5562/15valetiacosmocollovico.png https://img407.imageshack.us/img407/8131/16accodaler.png

Providence soon would bring them together, but not even the gods could tell, if this meeting was going to turn out in a friendly way or not.




-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Unlike that, the fact that the outcome of the meeting between an army of the Arche Seleukeia and an army of the Sab’yn near Babylon in 225 BC would not be very friendly at all, was all the clearer. The expedition of the Seleukids to take back Babylon perished in fire.


https://img401.imageshack.us/img401/159/21fightforbabylonsabyns.png
Battle of Babylon 225 BC


In the same year, the Pahlava invaded Astauene, which had been taken from them not long ago. The Seleukids could field many armoured war elephants and chariots, but managed to defeat themselves. When they attacked the camp of the Pahlavan army, their elephants tramped down the chariots or made their horses panic, while the sharp scythes of the chariots heavily wounded many elephant, and made them run amok. A few days after this shameful defeat, the Seleukids – again – had to leave Asaak.


https://img520.imageshack.us/img520/5012/25pahlavaasaak.png
Battle of Astauene 225 BC


Not shameful at all was the great cavalry battle between the Sauromatae and the Hay, who both fought for Dahyu Roxsalanna. The heavy cavalry of the Hay, copied from the successful Sauromatae riders and fighting like them as armoured horse archers or heavy shock cavalry, even could defeat the Sauromatae, but took that many losses, that one year later, in 224 BC, they had to forsake the lands of the Ruxs Alan, how the Roxolanoi were called in their own language, and thereby lost the last of their northern territories.


https://img301.imageshack.us/img301/6528/22fightforroxolania.png
Battle of Dahyu Roxsalanna 225 BC




Known territory in 224 BC
https://img257.imageshack.us/img257/1945/99map.png

[Cyrus]

Awsome update!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:2thumbsup:
Just a few questions though, how did u manage to get silver and gold weapons and armour, i'm talking about the description of the galatian army. And what does the "mescoir" trait mean?

[Chirurgeon]

by my pinions this is incredible! What an incredible battle! 4600+ dead!! By the gods that is truly epic. I bow to you sir but I fear you have some ferocious fights ahead of you

[Olaf Blackeyes]

AWWWW **** man. Now i gotta clean my pants again.
:laugh4::laugh4::laugh4::laugh4::laugh4::laugh4::laugh4:
****in awesome.:2thumbsup::2thumbsup::2thumbsup:

[SwissBarbar]

Thank you all very much :2thumbsup:



Awsome update!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:2thumbsup:
Just a few questions though, how did u manage to get silver and gold weapons and armour, i'm talking about the description of the galatian army. And what does the "mescoir" trait mean?

As for the gold chevrons of the family members and the Kluddolon, they are well earned by slaughtering masses of enemies etc.

The gold weapons and armour of the 3 Phalangitai units (originally 4, but so many of them were slaughtered by the Greeks, that I had to regroup them) were cheated, since they should've represented a core of Pontic elite Phalangitai (which I can't get, but my FM lead a Pontic army), armed and armoured with the best of the best, royal guard of the pontic king. But I scratched that part, because the chapter would've become too long and complex.