Re: The Will of the Senate - Battle reports
It is difficult to say whether I made the right choice in bringing him here. I could have left them in Rome. Until this point in time I did what was right, what was necessary. I did what I must in the name of Rome. I did what must be done to preserve the Republic for posterity. But I wonder now, if bringing Marcellus and Oppius to Afrika was the right thing to do. Perhaps, when this day is done, I should send word to them at the fort.
For now, there is battle to be done. Two Carthaginian armies of consular size have set themselves on Cartago, one immediately besieging us from the south, the other taking up camp at the site of our historic victory against Captain Ashtartyatan.
I can see those wretched worms besieging the city in their camps from the walls, but I will not play their waiting game. The citizens of Cartago will watch with their own eyes the might of Roman power as the Carthy army is driven in disarray from our city.
https://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a5...engagement.jpg
As I gazed out upon the land from the battlements I knew it was time. It was noon, the sun blazing in the sky, the heat sweltering and the Carthy army all wandering about outside their tents. As they noticed the gates to the city open, their was a mass scramble amongst them to form up, and as the last of our men has exited the city, they had formed a battle line.
https://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a5...yFormation.jpg
We too were quick to form, and set ourselves up for a skirmisher heavy battle.
https://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a5.../Romanarmy.jpg
As the formation fell into place, I moved to the front of the army, my back defiantly towards the Carthy army, and adressed them with pride. "Look about you! Before my eyes I behold the valiant bloodlines of men from around the world. Unmatched in their prowess and courage on the field, and unmatched in their understanding of what it is to do your duty for Rome. The men I see before me have died a hundred deaths with me in this god forsaken place. You have wept tears of blood, and you have bled sand from your veins, and you have done so without a whimper or a cry. And for that I salute you! But it seems that the trials before us have only just begun. Before us lie a band of Carthaginian soldiers intent on recapturing their capital of Cartago, and another lies beyond them, at the site of our famous victory. These armies must be laid to rest, and forever set to shame. Do this in the name of Rome, and all that the gods could offer you in the afterlife will be yours!" The resounding cheers of the men were a clear indication that the speach was well received and struck a valiant chord amongst them.
https://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a5...gthetroops.jpg
Our slingers began by opening up on their javelinmen, who, in turn, had no way to defend themselves but to mount a charge. As they neared our Numidian skirmishers our spearmen were ordered through the Numidians thin formation in a charge.
https://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a5...stakelives.jpg
Their skirmishers were put swiftly to death and their advance lines suffered heavy casualties.
https://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a5...rthycharge.jpg
Moving forward then with their spear infantry the Carthies attempted a direct charge on the front line, some overzealous gauls charged early and were surrounded, but the line as an entirety held firm while our cavalry cut out swiftly to the flanks, followed by our heavy Roman infantry.
https://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a5...valryflank.jpg
As the Roman infantry engaged the Carthy spearmen at their flanks and rear, our cavalry went around the fray and charged straight into the ranks of their remaining skirmisher units, scattering them to the wind like ash. They could not escape, and the vast majority of them were ridden down.
https://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a5...ort/futile.jpg
As our cavalry turned and charged the rear of the Carthaginian spears, there was nothing that could be done to turn the tide away from Roman favor, and the resulting Carthaginian route turned into a coward hunt. The bleached sands outside Cartago were stained red with blood, and the Carthaginian defeat here became an example to all those within Cartago who may harbor rebellious thoughts.
https://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a5...rt/brutal1.jpg
https://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a5...rt/brutal2.jpg
https://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a5...rt/brutal3.jpg
The battle was a strong victory for Rome, and it left a lasting impression on the citizens of Cartago.
https://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a5...omthewalls.jpg
But there was no time to rest. There was still yet more to be done. Before our return to the city we first had to head back to the bridge we had become so familiar with, it was almost beginning to seem to us like a home on the battlefield..
(ooc - part 1 end, part 2 coming up soon)
Re: The Will of the Senate - Battle reports
It was a swift march down the paved road, two, maybe three hours time passed since our first battle, and the men, though a bit tired, were given significant time to rest before we finally approached the bridge. A number of mercenaries were also hired along the way from a traveling group of Gallic warriors. It wasn't long before we arrived at the river crossing, and just upon its sight their spirits were instantly lifted, any aches they had became unimportant compared to the symbolism of fighting once again at the site of their historic victory.
Making our way down the hill, the Carthaginian army must have had heard word from scouts that we were coming, and were already deployed on the opposite side of the river. This time, their army was much more flexible. This time even bringing with them members of Carthage's elite, sacred band infantry.
https://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a5...rebalanced.jpg
But it did not matter, this day, this bridge, this entire campaign, it was all meant for Rome. The men were eager and ready, their morale impetuous. Servius advanced to the bridge with only a handful of bodyguards to survey the opposing army.
https://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a5.../surveying.jpg
Eager to make history for a second time, the Roman army rushes across the bridge on Servius's command. Almost fighting amongst themselves to get to the front first.
https://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a5...secondtime.jpg
This time, the Carthaginian captain was wise to the mistakes of Ashtartyaton, and maintains that his force holds as Rome develops her lines, not wishing to have his troops startled on the unexpected volley of pila and javelins.
https://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a5...t/theyhold.jpg
Roman funditores and Balearic slingers open fire on the enemy lines, harassing and antagonizing the enemy until finally a unit of spearmen can no longer contain its frustration and rushes forward.
https://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a5...elessanger.jpg
The rest of the line charges after them and the Romans have a distinct advantage from the immediate start. Rushing around the line the Roman cavalry head straight for the skirmishers, Roman heavy infantry wheeling, yet again, around the left and coming down hard on the Carthaginian rear.
https://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a5...nadvantage.jpg
The Carthy skirmishers are cut down where they stand by the rush of the cavalry into their lines, and as the Romans descend on the Carthaginian rear, a rift opens in their lines. On the Roman left flank, the Carthy spears have been gravitated apart from each other, the rear contending with the Principes and Gauls while the front holds firm against the mercenary spears.
Seeing this split in their formation, Servius orders a full charge into the breach.
https://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a5...ntercharge.jpg
The result is a cavalry wedge being driven directly between the open crack in the Carthaginian line, somewhere in the confusion their captain is slain, and all morale the Carthies may have had left escapes them.
They are run down again, though not to the extent they were last time. These people may be foul and backwards, but I am no butcher and they can be taught the value of Roman ways. Sicily has proven us this. Once again a great victory is granted to us at this bridge, and the men are ready to return to Cartago with their spirits high and their pride even higher.
https://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a5...ctoryagain.jpg
OOC - part 2 end.
Another one bites the dust...
Outside Hadrumentum, 253 BC
Marcellus Aemilius, glad to leave the fort where a huge battle and an odd meeting had taken place, was walking by his army, supervising the construction of the siegeworks. Soon, very soon, they would be used to take Hadrumentum.
Siege assault. Ah, this is more like it.
His teachers back in the Scriptorium had particularly emphasized this method of battle, for whatever reason. The teachings had stuck with him, and now he was regarded as something of an engineer.
"Good, good work Secundus. Pretty soon we'll be feasting on Afrika's finest delicacies."
They were about ready to assault. But then, he spotted a lone horseman riding hard, straight for him. The direction was from the north. This would not be good news.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Servius Aemilius
Carthage's army besieging our western fort has lifted the siege in order to make an attempt at breaking your siege of Hadrumentum.
Damn.
https://i113.photobucket.com/albums/...te_pbm_016.jpg
Ok, Marcellus thought, there were still positives. The Carthaginian forces were smaller, he had more experience fighting them, and Oppius was no longer afraid. The only problem would be killing the relieving force quick enough to prevent them from combining with the garrison.
Marcellus planned to march up and send hell in the form of pila. If that still didn't break 'em, then the infantry and cavalry would do the job.
https://i113.photobucket.com/albums/...te_pbm_017.jpg
The pila worked wonderfully, killing about a hundred Carthaginians before there was any hand-to-hand combat. But it did nothing in terms of morale, and the Liby-Phoenician spearmen charged straight for his infantry.
Not again, Marcellus groaned. This time, he knew what to do though. He and Oppius went straight for the enemy captain.
https://i113.photobucket.com/albums/...te_pbm_018.jpg
It had worked, and some of the forces that were hit hardest with the pila began to rout. It had seemed like another chain rout would take place, but then a foreign horn blew. The garrison of Hadrumentum had arrived, with its excellent commander Ribaddi Clupea leading it. Marcellus was not quick enough in driving away the relief force, and now this problem would only cause more headaches.
He ordered any free units to head straight for Ribaddi, knowing that the death of yet another Carthaginian general would simply be too much for the Afrikans. Ribaddi was in serious trouble.
https://i113.photobucket.com/albums/...te_pbm_019.jpg
The Principes had made quick work of his entire escort, aside from the most important member. Ribaddi had somehow got out alive. Cursing, Marcellus wheeled his horses around. He had lost far too many men already and if Ribaddi escaped, then the battle would have served no purpose.
As he pursued, Ribaddi screamed something in Phoenician, which Marcellus had a pretty good grasp of. What he said only made Marcellus ride harder:
"Looks like I picked the right Aemilius to get in a fight against! You scoundrel, you can't even kill the most important person on the battlefield! No wonder you were only a side operation! That's all you'll ever be!"
Marcellus burned with hatred. Oh, no. The rage was taking over. He had had it under control for so long...
In a fury, he rode after Ribaddi all the way back to Hadrumentum, never quite catching him. The Carthaginian general slammed the gates shut and continued to torment him from behind high walls. Marcellus reluctantly made his way back to camp where he found that Oppius had finished things quite nicely.
https://i113.photobucket.com/albums/...te_pbm_020.jpg
~~~~~~~
"Double time, men! The sooner we finish these engines, the sooner that we sleep in actual beds!"
It was a couple of weeks later. Hadrumentum was still annoyingly in Carthaginian control. But finally, it was ready to be assaulted. It was a siege assault, Ribaddi was inside, and there was no other Carthaginian army in the area. He hadn't received the orders from Servius but this was now personal.
https://i113.photobucket.com/albums/...te_pbm_023.jpg
There were only a handful of Carthaginians who survived the last battle and made it back to Hadrumentum, but one of them had mattered more than the others. Ribaddi Clupea would be dead by the end of the day.
https://i113.photobucket.com/albums/...te_pbm_024.jpg
Marcellus only took a few troops inside. His escort, obviously, and Oppius' too. The Principes that had decimated the enemy's escort but failed to finish Ribaddi off, and then a unit of Hastati and Velites for good measure.
In the center square, Ribaddi had resumed his taunting.
"Is this all that remains of the mighty Consular Army? Are you really that incompetant that your army is that under-strength in only two battles? Oh, happy days, this should be easy!
Cursing, Marcellus abandoned all thoughts of Roman discipline and charged straight for his tormentor. When the tide of the battle took him away from his target, Marcellus reared back and flung his gladius.
https://i113.photobucket.com/albums/...te_pbm_025.jpg
It implanted itself in Ribaddi's skull, and the battle was over.
https://i113.photobucket.com/albums/...te_pbm_026.jpg
Now if I could only do that to UPS Maximus, Marcellus thought with a chuckle as he fed Ribaddi's body to the pigs.
Re: The Will of the Senate - Battle reports
Northern Afrika – 253 Autumn
Flavius Pacuvius was staring intently at the table in front of him filled with numerous maps, each and every one containing Northern-Afrika. And each and every one of them was different.
‘’Is it really that hard to make a decent map of this bloody excuse of a land ?!’’ He barked at the nervous looking Numidian Slaves in the front of his command tent. They of course weren’t stupid enough to answer, but then again Pacuvius didn’t want one.
For He of course knew perfectly well where he was, but as every self respecting general knew ;knowing where you are is one thing, knowing the land on which you’re going to fight is a completely different thing. It was also knowledge our general didn’t have. And he didn’t like that at all. He was going to have to improvise.
Luckily the consul had been generous, and he had a lot to improvise with. A full consular army was at our general’s disposal. And the force he was assigned to attack was only a mere ¼ of that size, if not less.
The Only thing that had to be taken care of, was to minimise the amount of losses in battle. As the enemy force apparently (if our intelligence is to be trusted that is) consists predominately of skirmishers accompanied by about 150 spearmen. That's about 800 javelins, if every skirmisher has two, and quite possibly a lot of injured or dead Romans
The armies engage, the Gods favour us – so it seems
https://img194.imageshack.us/img194/...6451120sw8.png
Flavius Pacuvius sends a token force to bait the Cartheginians, these Numidian mounted skirmishers claim to know the lay of the land – for their sake, let’s hope they’re right!
The Larger army is set to follow when the Cartheginians take the bait, or simply come close enough to be engaged by the large, consular sized, force
Pacuvius rode amongst his men as they marched towards the now clearly visible modes Cartheginian force. Morale was high, they outnumered and outclassed the enemy greatly. And the men knew it.
‘’Remind me to reward captain Kaeso for his excellent manouvering on the field, and of course for bringing the Punic fools in reach of Roman steel’’ Flavius said to a nearby scribe, a young Samnite, who followed Pacuvius’ every move, and wrote down every word. Who but the Gods knew if they might come in handy later! Hey, they might even make for some great quotes later on!
‘’ And of course to send a letter to the senate, I daresay those nervous old men ‘ll love to know how I did’’ He added.
The Numidian horsemen were now mere feet away from the main body, and we’re ordered to proceed to the left flank. And wait further instructions.
Roman Army on the March
https://img177.imageshack.us/img177/...7121150kh2.png
The army was now about 150 yards from the Cartheginian army, the mercenary stone slinging Funditores set to work immediately. The Skirmishers were ordered to form a line in front of the Gaullic mercenaries, who were in turn backed by the Roman soldiers. The Hastati, Principes and Triarii. Flavius and his entourage were located in a central position behind the Roman Soldiers, and the other detachment of Cavalry was moving towards the Right Flank. Ready flank and engage when the time came.
The Funditores and Mercenary Slingers were ripping the lightly armoured enemy skirmishers appart, the Cartheginian force, however, held it’s ground.
Not for long however.
Charidemos was getting more and more impatitient with each volley of stones hitting his vulnerable skirmishers, and decided to order them forward. To engage the enemy, not with their ranged weapons, but with their knives.
A desperate charge and fight ensue
https://img168.imageshack.us/img168/...laatje5dj9.jpg
The slingers and funditores were able to retreat behind the Gaullic Mercenaries, a couple of Velite soldiers decided to face the charge and help repell the desperate Punic Skirmishers.
However, the Gaullic troops proved to be better in a melee, and didn’t need a lot of time to rout the skirmishers. The Gauls, as is their nature, persued their prey eagerly.
The Skirmishers break.
https://img177.imageshack.us/img177/...7155359st2.png
Charidemos, the enemy general, saw his skirmishers charge and die againt the fastly superior force, what to do ?
Die on the field ? Or live another day ?
Being an honorless Carthaginian, he proceeded to do the latter. The entire enemy force was retreating, what was left of it at least.
The Cavalry are ordered to persue the still remaining enemy force.
https://img168.imageshack.us/img168/...7164214xf7.png
Seeing that this was not a trap Pacuvius ordered his two cavalry detachments to chase the tired and beaten force. Needless to say, being the brave Roman that he is, he participated in the chase himself. Alongside of captain Kaeso, to whom he partly owned his very first victory as a general. And they were both very well aware of this fact
The Chase Ends.
https://img168.imageshack.us/img168/...7173092pv5.png
The Battle ended right there, it was not a total victory – the cowardly enemy general had seen to that – but it was a victory non the less. And that was all the Roman people cared for really, and he knew, and the senate knew it.
The Results
https://img168.imageshack.us/img168/...7182776ot8.png
Alas, 15 soldiers had to die this day, mostly due to the bold and unexpeted charge of the enemy skirmishers. But it could have been a whole lot worse, had the enemy given battle in a more honorable way, and if captain Kaeso hadn’t done such a splendid job in baiting the enemy force.
The reward you ask ?
Well Pacuvius knew the perfect one:
A fine new General awaits command in the Afrikan Theatre.
https://img274.imageshack.us/img274/...7200871cq0.png
:balloon2:
Re: The Will of the Senate - Battle reports
The battle of Utica
The War in Northern Afrika was going as planned, not one battle was lost and thousands of Carthaginian soldiers and citizens had already died. Almost all of the most important cities were already taken by Roman force, only Utica and Hippo Regius still remained a threat to Roman liberation of the land. Of course, the Carthaginians still had numerous inland settlements, but these poor and desolate cities were not going to help Carthage vanquish Rome anytime soon. Our conquest at the moment at least, was confined to Carthage Proper and all of it’s coastal cities. Fine with me.
We are now but a few hours marching distance from the city of Utica, our scouts report that the resistance, let by a mere captain named Gisgo, is about 860 soldiers strong. At least half of those is comprised of Skirmishers and the other half of Spearmen fighting in a greek phalanx.
All in all, this shoudn’t give to much problems for my, by now, fairly experienced consular sized force. Even the impetuous Gauls have yet to let me down, a fact which ‘ll no doubt surprise Augustus Verginius quite a lot.
The plan of assault was to split the army up in two different groups, one comprised solely of trustworthy Roman troops, and the other of brave gaullic mercenaries. Both Swordsmen and Spearmen.
Knowing how my right flank would appear weaker than my centre, I was hoping the Carthaginians would underestimate my Gaullic force, and concentrate their energy on breaking them.
The troops deployed
https://img458.imageshack.us/img458/...4520129px7.jpg
As soon as the battle horns were blown, the battle started, the enemy skirmishers and a platoon of spearmen headed for my right flank. And the skirmishers proceeded to charge my spearmen.
The Carthaginians play right into my hands, they charge the Gaullic Spearmen.
https://img458.imageshack.us/img458/...4535073tn5.jpg
A combination of said spearmen and a contignent of Italian Cavalry break the Skirmishers in no time.
A great display of team work, a move straight out of the textbooks.
https://img458.imageshack.us/img458/...4542343ng8.jpg
The Carthaginian spearmen try, in vain, to succeed in what the skirmishers could not. But the Gauls appear to be the better fighters, no surprise there.
The Spearmen decide to flee.
https://img139.imageshack.us/img139/...4553665tu7.jpg
The victorious right flank moves forward, halting just before the street leading towards the city plaza. Again they meet a band of Spearmen.
Forming ranks.
https://img245.imageshack.us/img245/...4590453dg2.jpg
Engaging spearmen once again
https://img245.imageshack.us/img245/...4594231zb6.jpg
This time the spearmen hold out for quite some time, they fight with unexpected fierceness.
https://img139.imageshack.us/img139/...5000592gb4.jpg
Flavius now ordered his main force to move, seeing his right flank was doing fine on its own. He decided to move to the city plaza, and move in from two sides, to not get bogged down in the city streets – where the enemy phalangites were at their best.
The orders are issued.
https://img245.imageshack.us/img245/...5063201kb5.jpg
At that exact time, however, the Carthaginian captain decided to attempt a brake through on the right flank by charging his own unit into the marching Gauls. The slingers leading the right flank get caught trying to retreat and suffer some casualties.
On the other side of the plaza, the Roman main force engages the remaining spearmen and Skirmishers. Flavius himself moves to a more central position on the plaza, trying to get a quick overview of the battle at hand.
The Fight for the plaza ensues.
https://img245.imageshack.us/img245/...5080728cx5.jpg
The Tide turns once the enemy leader dies.
The enemy captain get’s surrounded and dies in a desperate fight.
https://img245.imageshack.us/img245/...5091703lo3.jpg
The desperate Spearmen fight to the last man.
https://img139.imageshack.us/img139/...5105054ld8.jpg
The battle was a succes, 174 friendly soldiers died. Mostly Gauls, as expected before the battle. A fair trade off againt 867 dead Carthaginians.
The Results.
https://img241.imageshack.us/img241/...5111920jy4.jpg
Now that Utica was secured Rome held most of the Original Carthaginian settlements, and had destroyed most – if not all- of it’s might.
Next Stop, Hippo Regius.
- Flavius Pacuvius.
:balloon2:
Re: The Will of the Senate - Battle reports
Battle of Hippo Regius.
Northern Afrika, winter of 253.
‘’If I spend one more year in the dessert I swear I’ll turn into sand myself ‘’Flavius thought to himself while reading the orders his Consul had just issued him. Besiege the City of Hippo Regius and eventually attack and enslave the city. Killing the enemy general, one of Carthage its finest, wasn’t specifically asked for, but was of course a nice bonus.
Hippo Regius was about a season’s march from the newly conquered city of Utica, and it could therefore, be taken two season’s after the marching order. If al went according to plan that was.
And thus in the winter of 253 Flavius Pacuvius faced the Carthaginian general Bisaltes the Mad, a worthy adversary – this battle could very well be harder than expected.
Our Consular army attacks the City.
https://img124.imageshack.us/img124/...6173270hr1.jpg
The enemy’s 673 men are comprised mostely of Skirmishers, the general’s personal bodyguards and two units of Pikemen. Nothing our general hadn’t faced before, as a matter of Flavius had had more than enough training facing such an army. As an added bonus, he had been heavily tutored in the fighting of sieges, an art of war he had come to like quite a lot.
‘’We’ll split up our army once again, Gauls to my left and the Romans in the centre’’ Flavius told his chief centurions and legates.
‘’If we’ve learnt anything these past battles, it’s that the Carthaginians always underestimate our veteran gaulic mercenaries’’
‘’They’ll split up, and come to us piecemeal’’ Flavius spoke to his centurions, before ordering them to deploy the troops the way he told them to.
The Roman centre re-deploys.
https://img124.imageshack.us/img124/...6220912bq3.jpg
Not surprisingly the Carthagnians split up their forces again, and decide the Gauls are easy pikkings. We all know how that worked out for them in Utica. I guess they’ll never learn...
The Spearmen march to engage, whilst taking casualties from the mercenary slingers.
https://img260.imageshack.us/img260/...6224690li6.jpg
The lone detachment of spearmen engage the friendly spearmen, and whilst under fire, get surrounded by even more spearmen.
Enemy speamen surrounded
https://img124.imageshack.us/img124/...6231296pg5.jpg
Meanwhile, Flavius orders his Roman soldiers to move on towards the main city streets. The ones leading towards the Town plaza. And the enemy general.
On the other side of the battlefield, as lone unit of skirmishers decided to join the melee, they were easily repelled. The Warbands were, however, having a hard time finishing the hardy Carthaginian spearmen off.
The Phoenician spearmen fight to the death.
https://img347.imageshack.us/img347/...6250100gl4.jpg
Bisaltes the Mad, seeing his right flank was crumbling and taking heavy casualties, marched out by himself to charge the Roman centre. He was living up to his name so it seemed.
Flavius himself meets the enemy General in battle
https://img347.imageshack.us/img347/...6270312xp7.jpg
The sacred band get’s surrounded, but keeps on fighting. What’s Bisaltes trying to prove ?
The enemy generals bodyguard units slowly die off.
https://img347.imageshack.us/img347/...6273700yp4.jpg
Finally, Bisaltes sees the stupidity of his actions and retreats tail between his legs, back towards the city plaza. To join and rally his beaten troops.
Flavius orders his men forward, skirmishers ahead of the main force, to take the plaza.
There the enemy general tries once again to force a breakthrough, again, un succesfully.
Bisaltes the Mad finally dies.
https://img347.imageshack.us/img347/...6320654bp6.jpg
Only a unit of skirmishers and phoenician spearmen where left on the city plaza, both were engaged and overclassed by the Roman principes, hastati and triarii. They do, however, hold out a long time, and a charge in the back by the general’s bodyguard itself is needed to brake them..
Pacuvius himself charges the skirmishers.
https://img124.imageshack.us/img124/...6325809ck3.jpg
On the other side of the plaza, the phoenicians fight on, to the last man, but die in vain. They were outnumbered and outfought.
The last of the Phoenicians die.
https://img347.imageshack.us/img347/...6342325yw9.jpg
Another battle is won, and the soldiers know it.
The Romans celebrate yet another victory.
https://img347.imageshack.us/img347/...6352339lf9.jpg
These were the results Flavius sent to his consul:
A clear victory.
https://img347.imageshack.us/img347/...6353210np2.jpg
Again, the Gallic soldiers suffer the most.
https://img124.imageshack.us/img124/...6353470mt2.jpg
Another successful battle added to the growing list of Flavius Pacuvius, now, however, another interesting question came to mind. What next, what would the consul have me do now ?
We shall know soon enough...
:balloon2:
Re: The Will of the Senate - Battle reports
(ooc: pictures will come later, I wanted to at least get this up)
Battle of Arsinoe, 252 BC
Appius hesitantly opened the tent flap and sniffed the air. Livestock. He shook his head and went back into his tent.
"Marcus," he asked the young man sitting with a writing board, "is there some reason the quartermaster is stationing the cattle not even a stone's throw from the camp? Upwind?"
Marcus looked up at Appius. "I imagine it's to irritate you, young one."
Young one! thought Appius. Look who's talking. "Well, he's succeeded. I'm about ready to go slaughter them myself right now. Except that wouldn't help the stench..."
"Probably make it worse," interjected Marcus.
"...so I'll go review the troops," Appius finished. "Get your stylus ready. It's going to be quite the day." He grinned that grin which often made others feel as if Appius was about to go mad. He knew this, and used it to great effect at times. Or he thought so, at any rate.
Appius threw open the tent flap a little less hesitantly this time. He walked about the camp, noting the ordered areas with praise, chastising those whose tents showed signs of unrepaired tattering. He chatted casually with some of the men, the ones who did not look at him as if he were a five year old boy. Some of the men were twice his age and looked at him as if they knew it very well. Appius, however, had grown used to this and walked on past them as if he saw nothing.
His walk led him to the eastern wall of the camp. From here he could see down into the valley below, barren except for a few scraggly trees. Down there beyond a small creek lay the city of Arsinoe, his target.
The First Consul had written to him, to him! His first reaction had been to shoo everyone out of his tent and read fervently. Numerius had stepped aside to give him command of the battle, and now he was on the edge of his first command. Fear and glory coursed through him as he looked down at the city. Which would control him even he could not tell.
The next morning dawned clear and bright, but the sun found the camp dismantled and the men lined up outside the wall-less town. Appius did not believe in sleeping late.
The people of Arsinoe had managed to field perhaps four groups of phalangites, some slingers, a scattering of horse. Appius tried to quell the feeling that this was a slightly pitiful force for his men to face. He would take no chances.
As he lined the men up, two of the phalangites from the town decided they would rather fight on open ground and came out of the city. Appius sent funditores and skirmishers at them, telling his heavy troops to back away as the phalangites approached. The phalangites were all a muddle; charging the funditores only to find they had melted away and were sixty paces off, now charging the skirmishers to the same effect. All the while they lost man after man to a constant hail of javelins and stones.
Finally, down to three-quarters their original numbers, they decided they had had enough and turned to go back to the city. Appius gave the signal, and four units of horse mowed them down as they ran, slaughtering them to the last man without a single horse dropping.
Appius coughed. "Did you get that, Marcus?"
"Oh, yes, I think so, yes sir, yes," replied Marcus, scribbling like mad on his vellum.
"I think you and I can stay up here on the hillside and watch. Better view, and it's shady." Appius bit into an apple, squinted for a moment, then ordered the cavalry to position themselves at all the city exits.
Now was the time for the spearmen and principes to do their work. After positioning themselves at three of the main streets through the city, they began the march into the forum where the miserable remains of Arsinoe's army huddled.
Appius' stomach tightened as the men neared the centre. He knew the Arsinoeans would fight to the last man, and he feared a mishap. However, he had laid his plans out to his captains the night before, and there was no use turning them now.
Finally, the sound of shield smashed against shield in a mighty roar came to his ears as Appius' spearmen and triarii locked horns with the phalangites in the city centre. The forgotten apple dropped to the ground as Appius noticed the Arsinoean horsemen lining up for a charge into the back of his triarii. He closed his eyes as they began the charge, and opened them a moment later to find that his hastati had intercepted the charge and were slaughtering the horsemen as if they were wheat under the sickle.
The horsemen fell quickly to the hastati's massed attack. Now only the phalangites remained, and they proved more stubborn than a wild ass. Attacked from three sides, with cavalry blocking all the exits, and their horsemen destroyed, the phalangites fought on like dragons and took many men with them to Hades. Finally they broke and attempted to flee the city, but they were all cut down before reaching even the edge of Arsinoe's forum.
As the cheer of victory went up, Appius breathed a sigh of relief and rode down from the mountain, into the city he had now taken for the glory of Rome.
Re: The Will of the Senate - Battle reports
Summer of 252 BC
Flavius Pacuvius was studying the newly arrived pieces of parchment intently, they contained the new marching orders. And were of course sent by the consul Servius Aemilius. The orders were easy enough; kill all the defenders and enslave the populace, Rome needs the slaves.
And thus it was that Flavius Pacuvius marched to, yet again, take a Carthaginian city, and he didn’t mind at all. There is only so much sand in ones bed a noble Roman General can take.
On to Kirtha.
During the march from Hippo Regius to Kirtha, which took about one season, the consular sized force was stripped of its Gallic soldiers – only the slingers still remained. It was to be the first time the Roman troops were to be tested. If tested was of course the right word, again the opposing forces were of such a level that none would have mistaken them to be anything other than Carthaginian. One can only kill so many Carthaginian Skirmishers....
This settlement did however differ in one fairly major aspect, this settlement had walls. Wooden walls, yes, but walls nonetheless. This wasn’t something our dear general had much experience with – as a matter of fact, it was the first settlement in which he would have to deploy actual siege equipment....
The Siege is started.
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This was to be a simple assault, two battering rams would march on to the eastern section of the walls, and keep on ramming it untill the gate, and walls would come down. After that, the slingers and skirmishers would fire their load at any enemy soldier foolish enough to come too close to the fallen walls.
The General oversees the assault.
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The wooden rams didn’t need a lot of time to deal with the simple wooden walls on which the Carthaginians relied. The Gate was the first section to go down, followed shortly thereafter by the other targeted section of the walls.
The Gate is breached !
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The soldiers manning the rams were ordered to form a square on the Roman side of the destroyed walls, they were not to march into the city yet... First the slingers and skirmishers would have their way with the enemy, who indeed reinforced the downed sections of the wall.
The enemy captain himself comes to defend the walls, does he have a death wish ?
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The gallic slingers throw volley after volley of stones into the marching Carthaginians on the far side of the walls, instead of defending the city plaza en masse – which every self respecting captain, or general, would have done – the Carthaginian captain decides to use his troops as stone catchers...The slingers inflict heavy casualties on the enemy soldiers, especially the skirmishers suffer badly.
The battle was almost won without even having to unsheath Roman steel. And it minded Flavius Pacuvius not for one bit.
The Bodies cover the dusty floor.
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Now it was the time to enter the city, the troops met no resistance whatsoever when the marched through the destroyed sections of the enemy walls.
The walls were captured.
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The soldiers were ordered to advance to the city plaza, where the enemy captain held what was left of his forces. The hastati led the march, followed by the principes and triarii, Flavius himself oversay it all from the back of the line.
The Romans march towards the plaza.
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Whilst turning the last corner to the plaza, the hastati are attacked by what is left of the captains contignen and by a sad bunch of already worn skirmishers.
The Captain tries to motivate his soldiers one last time, but once the triari charge into the skirmishers, it’s all over.
A massive retreat to the plaza begins...
The Triarii engage the skirmishers.
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The retreat was closely followed by the eager hastati and triarii, the rest of the forces also joined in, and not long after the initial rout, the soldiers slaughter what is left of the enemy on the city plaza.
The enemy captain died fighting, slain by a heavily armoured trairii soldier.
The enemy captain lies dead on the ground.
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Victory was totall, the entire Carthaginian force was destroyed with only eleven losses mostly due to own fire.
A clear victory...
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Another victory was added to Flavius Pacuvius’ rapidly growing list, he could now even call himself a surperior commander. Things were going well, one thing , however, bothered the General...What would the Consul have him do next ?
- Flavius Pacuvius.
:balloon2:
Re: The Will of the Senate - Battle reports
Quintus Libo's Journal, December 14, 251
It is cold day. It seems that the winter never ends here on the Frontier, and I'd give my own horse's life to be in Afrika or Palma... somewhere where I hear the heat is relentless. The consul has ordered that I lead my legions against an Iberian army in the dead of night, the first of many strokes against this awesome power that has shadowed Rome from the west and north for decades. Now I must change that.
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I order my slingers to engage the Iberian front, a long line of untested warbands, no match for my legions. They take the rain of pebbles without moving, refusing to come off of the hill the cling to like they no doubt cling to their mothers.
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My Roman, Italian, and Gaullic infantry hold the charging Iberians, though some of thier infantry tries to flank my line. I order my son in law to charge them directly, and they break immediatly after. This leaves the entire rear of the Iberian force open to my cavalry, since they have no cavalry of their own. I take care of their slingers w/my bodyguard while the rest of the Gaullic Cavalry smashes the rear of the infantry, causing them to turn and run en mass.
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The battle is soon over. Not even one hundred of my men are dead, though over a 12 hundred of the Iberians are. Now Iberian-Occupied Germania lies open to my army, Viberi is just down the road, and accross the Rhine... the unprotected lands of Iberian-Gaul.
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