Thank you very much. I hope too, that the story is not getting boring ^^ Next chapter following tonight
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Thank you very much. I hope too, that the story is not getting boring ^^ Next chapter following tonight
https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/m...n_03arv_on.gifChapter 12 – Part One: Europe At The Edge Of Total War https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/m...n_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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
They battered down the walls at three places at the same time. When they charged, they were received with javelins by the Keltohellenikoi Hoplitai.
Soon the fourth ram battered down a part of the walls as well, so the enemy outflanked now the Massalian left flank.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In the end over 27’000 men lay dead on the ground. 25’000 of them were Volcae-Arecomici.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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/m...n_03arv_on.gifChapter 12 – Part Two: Far From Home https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/m...n_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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
When the general of the Getai approached, the Arverni already had killed most enemies in the town center.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
This AAR is nothing short of epic. Although I was hoping you were heading for Galatia rather than the steppes.
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? ^^
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.
Thank you very much :bow:
(***** pants)
THIS. IS. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:laugh4: :laugh4: Thanks Olaf. As always I really appreciate your pictorial comments. :2thumbsup:
: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;
A great compliment, thank you. Hey, I recruited a new forum member, do I get a reward for that? :laugh4: :laugh4:
https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/m...n_03arv_on.gifChapter 13 – Part One: Wrath Of Teutates https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/m...n_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.
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.
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.
Of course he stood no chance and soon died of dozens of wounds.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The enemy attacked and slowly pushed back the Massalian force.
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.
Also the hostile general fought like a hero and killed many of his foes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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/img12/73...diolanijj9.png
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https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/m...n_03arv_on.gifChapter 13 – Part Two: "Little One At The Edge Of The Lake" https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/m...n_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.
Meanwhile also Cunobelin oi Lugos, son of the murdered high king Belenos oi Lugos, had come at age.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Most of those Celts who were lucky enough to sit on horseback could escape. Everyone else would never leave the steppes again.
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.
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.
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
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.
Yes, an update! :2thumbsup: Keep'em cooming.
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:
:book: oh man, this is awesome. I wonder why that little gallic enclave is to be set at the traderoute...
*want more* :smash:
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 ;-)
: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
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:
https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/m...n_03arv_on.gifChapter 14 – The Gallic Confederation https://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/m...n_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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Erbin moc Custennyn and his army from Bononia finally had arrived. Erbin immediately sounded the charge.
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.
The enemy army was destroyed, but also Erbin and Cintugnatus lost over 10’000 men and another 3’000 have been injured.
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.
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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.
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.
The enemy on the other hand could field many thousands of cavalrymen, even some mercenaries from Britannia were among them.
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.
In close combat, the heavy infantry on both sides fell in a blood frenzy, which resulted in a furious combat.
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.
With that, the battle was won. While the Arverni lost about 6’000 men, the enemy bemoaned over 28’000 dead.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaertecken
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Originally Posted by machinor
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Originally Posted by Mjolnir
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 ~;)
awesome job. Simply awesome!
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.
I'm fine with this AAR :dizzy2: you caN'T do this with me :applause::applause::applause:
just waiting for the next :juggle2: :smash:
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:
Thank you very much :beam: That must have taken some time to read all that stuff at once ^^
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:
Thank you :-) I'll PM you
@ SOSamuri: Ever hear of Forced Diplomacy?
Its an uber awesome mini-mod that lets you take total control over any campaign.
Try it.