Divide et Impera (Divide and Rule)-Romani AAR

Well met! This is my first ever AAR. I'm new to this stuff, so if I make a mess of things I apologize ahead of time. I will be playing on H/M as the Romani. This is going to be RP'ed out with political intrigue and of course warfare. I am going to follow a semi-historical expansion using Quintus's Guide as a base. I will be updating this sporadically, maybe a week or two between updates. So without further ado...

Divide et Impera (Divide and Rule)

https://img147.imageshack.us/img147/...5768541oo6.png


The sun slowly rises over the city of Rome and it is the beginning of the new Consular Year, 482 ab urbe condita. The senate convenes it's first meeting at the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus, Cnaeus Blasio is the presiding magistrate. "Senators, I bring before you news from the south, from Rhegion and Taras. As we all know, the Tarentines supported Pyrrhus of Epeiros in that war. That conflict is still fresh in all our minds. Our beloved Manius Dentatus pushed Pyrrhus out of Italia, thus ending the struggle, or so we thought. It appears that Taras has not given up her thirst for war, reports from our allies in Apulia have arrived speaking of Tarnetine aggression. Tarentine raiders are plundering their fields and stealing the livestock armed with weapons and war material from Epeiros. It appears that Pyrrhus has not forgotten Rome. Rhegion is another matter, soldiers we sent to protect the region have plundered the town and killed, or removed it's citizens. There they claimed the city for themselves, an act of total betrayal that cannot go unpunished...". Suddenly from the Senate a shout rang out "Cnaeus!", the speaker was Lucius Cornelius Scipio, a young senator who more than once has accused Cnaeus Blasio for undermining his elections into the higher magistracies, which have, to all but him, been completely unfounded. He walked to the middle of the floor and raised his hands accusingly to Cnaeus. "I as well as the Senate can see where this supposed issue is leading!" spat Scipio. "Do you Lucius? Please, enlighten me and the Senate." responded Blasio. "You Cnaeus are going to beg the senate to give you a Legion to war with the Tarentines, 'To protect the citizens of Rome and her allies', but I ask you Cnaeus is it for Romes glory or for yours?" Lucius with an edge in his voice. Cnaeus smiled and laughed, thrusting a finger at Lucius Scipio. "So you are afraid that I might gain something which you want for yourself! I am not asking the Senate for a legion to command, nor am I seeking glory for my own benefit! If glory is what 'YOU' seek then a legion under your command is doomed to defeat. Lucius you have a grasp of tactics, but your greed and glory seeking will be your undoing. You will lose, and you'll be sacrificing the lives of countless romans in the process." Lucius clenched his hands into fists, a clamor from the senate engulfed the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus as the debate flared.

Manius Dentatus slowly rose from his seat, raising his hands to silence the senate, walked and stood between Cnaeus and Lucius. "This is not a matter of personal objectives, nor should it be for motives of gain. This is about a crisis that has arisen to threaten our very borders, our allies, and those citizens that we vowed to protect. Our allies call out to us for help, and here we stand arguing of petty promotions and greed. The Tarentine and the traitors of Rhegion need to be dealt with. Cnaeus was right to bring this issue to us. I believe his intentions are just and proper." Manius turning to Lucius, rested his hand upon the young senators shoulder, and continued, "Lucius it is well known to many of us, of your abilities. You performed well as Tribune under my Consulship, but this is not the time for personal feelings to get in the way of sound judgement." Lucius turned away, and walked to the feet of the great statue of Jupiter. He had to think quickly, Cnaeus had him against the wall and he knew it, and old Manius wasn't helping matters. He turned and faced the Senate, "I am not seeking glory, my only interest is in the welfare of Rome and her people, long have the Scipii been faithful to this cause. We Scipii have stood as a pillar of strength, when the rest of Rome quivered in fear. We have died for the peace and sanctity of Rome. Senators, I do not belittle the other houses. I am only trying to exude that which my father, and forefathers have done for the Republic. If I seem overzealous in defeating Romes enemies, then what does that say about all previous commanders who have won Triumphs over the years. Cnaeus Blasio has tried to stifle my love for Rome by labeling me as selfish, greedy, and gloryseeking. This I beg you to consider, allow me to show you my abilities, my love for Rome, and I will bring you victory!"
Some of the Senators nodded in approval, others merely turned and looked at Cnaeus. Clearly the senate was still largely divided. For most of the day the debate raged back and forth, and by nightfall the die was cast.

Nominated by the Senate and elected by the people in the Comitia Centuriata (Popular Assembly), Cnaeus Cornelius Blasio and Cnaeus Cornelius Scipio Asina have been selected as Consuls for the year. Lucius Cornelius Scipio was given charge of the garrison in Etruria under the province Governors command. Manius Curius Dentatus remains in Rome, where he urges the senate to begin a levy to reinforce the consuls legion in Apulia, it is determined that the levies should be raised in Kalabria, one maniple of Hastati, and in Latium, one maniple of principe from the Roman citizenry. Also Manius begins work on paving roads in Latium (Stratae Viae). Taxes are also raised this year to help bolster the treasury with the ensuing war in Kalabria and Brettia.

Lucius fumed, "Again Cnaeus Blasio is elected, always does he mock me!". Caius Fabius Lucinus poured wine from a decanter and handed it to Lucius. Caius was a supporter of Lucius, he used the young Scipii senator for his only politcal agendas. "Lucius, the Senate as usual listens to Manius Dentatus. They view him like Romulus. Your outburst as well hindered your chances at being elected. You must show restraint when dealing with them." Lucius took a long hard drink, and said "Caius, my brother was elected over me. Me! That bungling fool, how everyone forgets his greed, and ambition! The senators call him Asina (Ass), and he still wins a command." Lucius threw his cup against the wall. Caius went and sat, and calmly continued "Yes your brother did get elected, but don't forget he is still a Scipii. Any victories he gains will still bolster your family's name. That is something we can use when the elections come around again. Besides, you won a command. It may not be anything that will win reputation, but it is a step in the right direction. You must remember Lucius, it is like a game, a puzzle. You must take your time, and be sure all the pieces fit before you show your hand." Lucius looked at Caius for a long few seconds, and finally relaxed. He let out a sigh and said "As usual Caius, your right. My only hope is that Blasio gets burned by his own ambition, and then I can step in and add wood to the fire."

Part 2 coming soon...

PART 2

Cnaeus Blasio not wanting to waste any time marched straight onto Taras, Cnaeus Scipio Asina was reluctant as he wanted to wait for the reinforcements that would have brought the Consular Legion some added strength. Blasio set up an enfilade around Taras, as both Blasio and Scipio Asina quarreled over battle plans in the command tent. "I'm telling you Cnaeus Scipio that we need to assault and take this city as quickly as possible. The longer we wait, the greater the chances that Epeiros might bring troops by sea to relieve the city!" he pounded his fist on the table with emphasis. "Blasio your being foolish, we forced marched on the city and the troops are tired. You forced them to build an enfilade with no rest. Morale is low right now, we should just hold the siege around Taras and starve them out. When the reinforcements arrive from Latium and Campania then we should assault the walls." Scipio Asina stepped over to the command tents flap and opened it to look out upon the Legions Camp, "Besides the auspices this morning were unfavorable." Blasio sat, and rested his head into his hand. "Scipio, it is my day to command, and we will take the walls by force. TRIBUNE! See to it that the centurions gather the men and prepare for assault! Scipio you will see that I am right!" Cnaeus Scipio turned and looked at Blasio as the tribune rushed off with the order. "Blasio you better be right, you go against the will of the gods."

SIEGE of TARAS
Blasio had his skirmishers deployed to either side of the battle ram as the Hastati took it up. He brought his legion up into a column, with the Equites on either side, he hoped to smash any defenders that stood in the way of the gates by sheer weight in numbers. Blasio positioned himself along side the Triarii, as Scipio Asina marched up front beside the ram. As the sun rose, Blasio gave the command for the legion to march in step. Arrows from archers positioned inside Taras' walls rained down on the Hastati pushing the ram.
It was a hard fought battle but the Roman troops were tired and by nightfall had to pull back. The Tarentines held off the concentrated assault. Many dead littered the ground around the city. Blasio was furious, "This was supposed to be my moment of triumph! The Tarentines gloat and mock me from thier walls, and there you stand Scipio smiling! I fail to find the humor in this!" Scipio took off his helmet and set it upon the table and sat across Blasio. "Cnaeus Blasio, I am not smiling at our defeat, we lost many a good roman today. What mirths me is that in Rome you claimed not to seek glory, or repute and here you are fuming about your reputation. I told you the auspices were unfavorable today, and the gods willed your defeat and gave victory to the Tarentines." Blasio looked at Scipio Asina with fire in his eyes. "So if the gods will it, so be it!" he said through clenched teeth.
Back in Rome, news had come of the defeat at Taras. It was only a matter of time until the news reached Lucius Cornelius Scipio's ears.

The Consuls both held the siege of Taras throughout the year reinforced by the new troops from Rome. News during the winter had arrived that Manius had fallen ill in Rome. Blasio learned of this from a centurion as he walked the siegeworks. "Manius has fallen ill !? This is grave news, find Scipio Asina and have him meet me in the command tent at once!" Both Blasio and Scipio then met in the command tent. "So the great Manius Dentatus is ill in Rome. Why summon me here Blasio?", "Because Scipio, if Manius passes I shall leave for Rome and take his place as Primus Inter Pares. Then there shall have to be a Consul Suffectis to replace me. Your younger brother Lucius will want that for himself." Cnaeus suddenly looked at Blasio, "So? What if he does?", "Scipio, you know as well as I that if he wins command he will have at his disposal an entire Consular Legion. He is hotheaded and may make a rash decision, he hates the senate. Think of the consequences." Scipio gave Blasio a thoughtful look, then said "You don't think he would march on Rome do you?". Blasio sighed and slumped down into his chair, "I don't think he would. Not right away anyways. With his ambition and greed though, he would create conflicts with neighbors and use any excuse to march off to deal with the problem. He is full of passion but only for himself."
Scipio Asina nodded slowly before replying, "You are right Blasio, I know that his ambition is indeed great but I think you judge him much to harshly.". At this Blasio looked up with a raised eyebrow, "Judge him to harshly? He has attacked my reputation, tried to sabotage my elections, has ridiculed me in the forum, and has even gone so far as to have thugs vandalize my home and yet I judge him to harshly !? Scipio, I would rather have one consul, than have a consul and a greedy, warmongering, glory hound!"

(Well I was going to upload a few pictures of the battle but my time is very limited right now, maybe over the weekend I'll add them. I hope anyone reading this likes what I have written so far, and thanks.):beam:

Well, I grant you I did not expect defeat at Taras - I'd say maybe 99 out of 100 Roman aars would feature a victory there in the beginning hehe.

I have only one suggestion to make, when you return maybe add some space between paragraphs in the first post to make it easier on the eyes.

PS: Someone better stab both Blasio and Lucius fast - 20+ stab wounds each will suffice. :yes:

Yea I lost because the time ran out. I chose to use the time limit because I feel that most battles were fought during the day, and when night came hostilities ceased (for the most part). I was 1:57 away from winning to as I held the town square. :laugh4:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Caligula

Yea I lost because the time ran out. I chose to use the time limit because I feel that most battles were fought during the day, and when night came hostilities ceased (for the most part). I was 1:57 away from winning to as I held the town square. :laugh4:

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Oh man, that stinks. I just started a new campaign yeaterday, and I've been so annoyed by the timer that I finally shut it off. The only problem is, if one of my cities is assaulted, then I won't be able to rely on the clock to bail me out. (I play VH/VH). Nice stuff so far. I'm working on a new AAR, and it's written in a totally different style from yours, so I think it'll be cool to have both types up and running at the same time. A little something for everyone huh? Nice work man.