[Multi-AAR] - History of men - EB part

Hello. I decided to put the EB part of my Multi AAR (I'll explain in a second) here, since this forum is quite vivid and the meadhall simply isn't.
So what is this about?

Taken from my first post

What is this AAR about?
This AAR can be considered as a mammoth project I have been thinking about for a while. History of man will replay an entire string of history, from the Persian Empire till the American domination of the 20th century. Yeah that’s right, I want to pull off a series of AARs that connect to each other, an entire alternative history.
Since I know this is a big AAR and everyone will most likley have doubts ("yeah he’ll start it and never finish it."), I’ll post first things first. I am fully aware how much work this will be, that’s why I will take a slow approche. A very slow aproche. Secondly, I have allready played a test run from 300BC till 1500 AD, and playing that alone alread took me half a year. But I am willing to take my time.

What are the methods?
Since this is my first AAR I’ll have to try a few things out as we go. But this AAR will be written as pseudo realistic primary sources. Certain people will write about something in history. Sometimes they are writing to back up a king, sometimes an aristrocate will write negative comments about a ruler. Sometimes a historical source will be critical with the situation itself. Sometimes it will have lies and plot-holes in it. Some writers might be more interessted in facts, some in myths, and well often enough a writer will be more curious about who the king/emperor/president is having an afaire.
But there will be also historians posting scientific or populistic work about it. You will meet all those persons as we go.
What I want with this method is to create a multi-structual history. I don’t want to simply entertain with jokes or simple dialogs, I want my reader to think and re-live my history with me.

Do I have to read all the previous posts to enjoy this part of the AAR?
Not necessarily. This AAR should be understandable without the previous updates for the most part. But it can't hurt to read either if you like, since some less essential parts will be less clear, like for example why there were five Samnite wars. If you wan't to read all the stuff go here: History of Men

reserved

reserved 2

Diplomacy is the art of saying "Nice doggie" until you can find a rock.

-Will Rogers

First punic war

The Roman Empire, by Wolfgang Schreier, Bonn 2003

With Pyrrhus gone from Italy, the Romans were exhausted from a century of war, after facing a total of five wars against the Samnites. But the war was not completely over yet, Pyrrhus left a small garrison at Tarrentum, but otherwise he did not support his Oscan allies. The Oscans raided the the southern Roman border, but that seemed to prove counterproductive. In 271 BC a consular army Lucius Quincitus Caudinus marched on Tarentum itself and stormed the city after a brief siege.


https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...ixiwee/272.jpg
Rome in the winter 272 BC. A Oscan raiding band can be seen atacking Campania.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/.../Tarentum1.jpg
Consul L. Quintus Caudinus is ready to take the city by force.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/.../Tarentum2.jpg
Bruttian Infantry from Calabria played an important role in taking of the Tarentum.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/.../Tarentum3.jpg
The fightings in the city were unlike for antiquity, but from time to time street fighting like here occured.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/.../Tarentum4.jpg
Roman cavalry securing a small alley conecting two major routes. Much fighting took place in small groups in small alleys like this one.

A Roman envoy reached Epirus the next year and made a final peace treaty that settled the south Italy as a Roman sphere of influence. In conclusion the Romans lost most of the battles against Epirus, but nevertheless won the war.



The following year, 269 BC, the Romans had one last problem to deal with in south Italy. During the 4th Samnite war Rhegion, modern-day Reggio Calabria, was garrisoned with Campanian and Roman troops who declared their independence from Rome. The Roman senate did not respond well to that kind of mutiny and sent an army to the city which was besieged more then a year and starved to submission. While the city it self was preserved from looting and destruction some 300 captured Roman renegades were beheaded on the Roman forum.



https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/Rhegion.jpg
Rome besieging Rhegion. The city was well fortified by experienced soldiers. It took the Romans over a year to take it, and that only by starving the city to submission

Now the Romans had all the land they could possibly use for their own needs and most Roman citizen and senators agreed that the last wars were long and bloody and that Rome needed some rest. But that would not happen.


The situation in Greece:
https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/Greece1.jpg

In Greece the new Epirote king Alexander II defeated the Macedons under King Antigonos Argeades in 258BC and gained the city of Pella. In the meanwhile the Macedons, though weakend, were not idle and pressed against Athens and caputred it in 256 BC. Attempts to take Sparta failed.


Silanos – Historiai
(written about 130 BC)

Who is Silanos?

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/Silanos.jpg
Silanos was a greek historian who lived from 200BC to 120 BC. He came to Rome [under reasons that have not happend yet - this will be edited]. His account on the Roman history are of high value since he followed the pragmatic histiography like Demosthnes of Ancyle.

Book IV
[…] In the year that M. Atilius Flaccus and D. Iunius Caudex were consuls [264BC] the Mamertine, which means “Son of Mars”, mercenary captain Ennychos from Messana in Sicily started raiding the Bruttium [modern Calabria] coast with small ships, ignoring the fact that there was still a consular army stationed in Rhegion. It is hard to reconstruct the reason for Ennychos brutal attacks. Possibly he was trying to achieve more wealth to fight of his main enemy, Hieros from Syracuse. Nevertheless it is very likely that Ennychos was looking for a quick way to get his hands on some booty, being unaware that he would start a war between two other nations.
The Romans on the other hand were hoping that the problem would go away by itself, doing nothing at first. The following year Ennychos repeated his attacks once more and the Roman senators grew weary by the raids. What happened then was changing history significantly so it is most important to describe the details in length here.
The Romans had a long history of a friendly relationship with the Carthaginians, both sides traded vividly with each other and in some cases Carthage even sent the Roman military aid, for example during the war with Pyrrhus (source: Kalisthos of Syrakousai). However the diplomatic contact of both city-states was rather weak and both powers missed the important chance to talk about the sphere of influence in Sicily. Not at one point either of the states declared a border to the other. From this perspective the Punic war might be seen as a simple mistake, but there is also something deeper then this.
Growing tired of Ennychos the Roman senate debated over the possible actions. But being stressed out from the numerous wars with the Samnites and the Oscans, and possibly also being aware of the danger about leading an army to Sicily many Senators under the lead of L. Cornelius Arvina, spoke out against taking action to Messana, but rather fortify Bruttium with Roman colonies to annihilate Ennychos. The senators could not agree on this matter so they decided to let the Comitia have a decision over the matter. The voters of popular assembly also showed hesitation for they also thought that Rome needed rest from the wars, but eventually the opinion was swayed by the idea to lead a consular army to Sicily and swiftly gain booty and wealth. This was seen as a simple military expedition without aim to gain permanent hold on the island itself, something Carthage didn't know. Next year the army was lead by the consul C. Fabius Caudex, with him was a man called L. Conerlius Scipio, who I will talk later in greater detail.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...e/Rhegion2.jpg
Raids by Messana as described by Fabius.


A history of Rome, by Prof Alfred Kennard, 2002 New York

The consular army that crossed the strait of Messina in 262 was lead by Consul C. Fabius Caudex. This act would ultimately lead to war with Carthage, since a small band of Carthaginian troops were stationed close to Messina and violence broke out when Roman scouts reached the Carthaginian outpost. It is hard to tell if that event was intentionally used as a reason for both sides to wage war against each other or if the whole act was accidental. It is not unlikely though that a diplomatic solution could have been achieved. The Carthaginian could have had Messina, while the Romans would have controlled the straight of Messina which seemed to be the key of the conflict.

Ennychos was dealt quickly with. The citizen of Messina had enough of Ennychos reign of terror and opened the gates to the consular army. The mercenary captain did not surrender and barricaded himself in the inner city. It took two days of fighting after which about 2000 Roman troops and 800 Mamertines were killed in the struggle.
With the open conflict that emerged against Carthage the Roman senate decided to hold Messina, since they didn’t want to let the city fall into enemy hands.
Despite the open conflict both sides hesitated with attacking the other for the first few years and the first phase consisted of very minor skirmishes and mostly shadow boxing. Oddly enough there were no diplomatic talks; both Fabius and Silanos confirm that.
In 258 BC the Romans were able to gain the support of Syracuse, leaving Hieros in office, who joined an alliance with Rome, sending money and troops for their cause. Two years later, L. Cornelius Scipio was elected Praetor, which was significant for the war since he was sent to Sicily to organise Roman rule on the island.


https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...ixiwee/256.jpg
Carthaginian troops land on Sicily in the winter of 256. The following year the Romans would also strenghten up their forces.

In the following year, 255 BC, both sides built up their forces and a massive clash of war seemed to become inevitable. The Carthaginians had two armies stationed on Sicily lead by Hamalcar the Elder and his son Hamalcar the Younger. The Roman consular army started campaigning in the west of Sicily, but Hamalcar the Elder tried to wear out Roman supply and resources, thus avoiding direct confrontation. It wasn’t until 254 BC when the consul L. Valerius Maximus marched on Lilibeo, the most important city on Sicily, so that Hamalcar the Elder decided to attack the Romans.

What followed was one of the bloodiest battles of the war. […]

Holy ****.

Hmmmm.... it seems that Multi-game AARs are much more common than i thought. Yeah....crap.
But anyways AWESOME Alt His TL.:2thumbsup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Olaf Blackeyes

Hmmmm.... it seems that Multi-game AARs are much more common than i thought. Yeah....crap.
But anyways AWESOME Alt His TL.:2thumbsup:

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You said I should write an AAR about it way back:
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=111244

;)

Great, I'll be following this one!

“When soldiers have been baptized in the fire of a battle-field, they have all one rank in my eyes.”
-Napoleon

Battles of history with Patrick Goodwin

Battle of Mazana 254 BC

Who is Patrick Goodwin?

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Patrick Goodwin is a renown BBC anchorman who has worked with the station for over 40 years. He is famous for his political and historic works. Goodwin currently works at a new series "Battles of history" which brings important and infamous engagements back to life.
https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/old_man.jpg

Goodwin: In the middle of the 3rd century BC the Roman republic was at war with the Carthage. The reason for this war was a conflict for the Mediterranean Sea around Sicily. But when the war started in 262 BC nothing happened at first. The Romans did not use their superior land forces to secure the Island, and the Carthaginians at the same time did not use their fleet to cut the Roman supply from the mainland with their fleet. But a few years later both sides bolstered up their troops on Sicily. The Roman Senate decided to send a consul under the name Lucius Valerius Maximus in the year 254 BC with two consular armies and allies to secure the Island with a deceive blow against the Carthaginian army. We asked Alfred Kennard, a university professor from the University of New York about the reasons that lead to the Battle of Mazana.



Alfred Kennard

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...1761820bin.jpg

Kennard [sitting in his office]: The first Punic war is actually quite a mystery for modern historians. We do not know the exact reasons why this war started. We have no clear aggressor; Rome had acquired all the land it needed to feed its population in the last wars. Land grabbing for reasons of trade cannot have been a reason either, Rome was no trading state and there were no merchants that influenced politics yet. Also Sicily was not the Mediterranean granary it would later become, so the strategic importance of Sicily was not a priority either. I personally believe this war was an accident and the lack of communication techniques, unlike today, made it impossible to find a compromise. As the war went on, for Rome this was simply a war to keep Carthage away from the mainland.


Goodwin: In the year 254 BC the Roman consul Lucius Valerius Maximus was campaigning in Sicily. The enemy army was commanded by two people, Hamalcar the Younger and Hamalcar the Elder, father and son. Both were Carthaginian generals that brought mercenary troops from Africa, Spain and Sicilian Greek. When Maximus reached Lilibeo, an important stronghold for Carthage, father and son decided to lay a trap for the Roman consul. Hamalcar the Elder was a seasoned and experienced military leader who had fought with much success on other Carthaginian borders and his soon showed much potential to reach his glory.


[Both father and sun sitting on a horse near a cliff that overlooks the area to Lilbeo and the sea.]
https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/.../HamalcarY.jpg https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/.../HamalcarE.jpg

From left to right: Hamalcar the Elder, Hamalcar the Younger





Father: We have evaded the Romans for long enough, Maximus troops are now close enough. The key to our victory is that we have a superior number of troops, elephants and a sacred band from our mother, the city of Carthage. Son, I know that you are eager to show your will to fight in battle, but I need you to stay in reserve and wait for my signal.
Son: But father, I need to show my troops that I am able to lead them to battle. I can’t go on like that for ever.
Father: Silence! I will not have you question my command. I will charge you with treason if you do not obey my orders to the point. Did I make myself clear?
Son: Yes my leader.


Goodwin: The following day Carthaginian troops marched against the Roman camp, Maximus orders them to order up in a tight formation.


https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/Maximus.jpg
Maximus: Listen up my fellow Legates. My plan is to fight in a tight formation - let our army be a "Phalanx" so that Hamalcar will burst asunder with his troops . This way we can balance the large army the enemy has brought before us. Nothing can stop us now.


Goodwin: Both sides were ready and prepared for battle. The Romans had about 30.000 troops, while the Carthaginians had about 40.000 men.


https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/Lill01.jpg


The roman troops were waiting eagerly for the Carthaginians to arrive. Maximus was hardly an experienced general, but the Romans feared the Carthaginian power and were willing to stick with Maximus. Ancient historian Fabius tells us:
The soldiers of every rank were looking at the troops marching towards them; they had brought many man and fierce elephants. Unlike Hamalcar the Elder - Maximus was not a really good leader. He had only achieved the office because his family connections with the Senate and he wanted prove his worth as a leader. But besides that the Romans were loyal to him, because nevertheless he was a kind and forgiving man.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/Lill02.jpg

Goodwin: In the late morning the battle is a bout to begin, the mood is tense on both sides. This battle could determine the winner of Sicily.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/Lill03.jpg

Goodwin: The Romans have formed up in a good position, but the Carthaginians have a terrible weapon that can strike fear into any soldier; the war-trained Elephant.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/Lill04.jpg

Kennard: The Romans did not face Elephants for the first time. Pyrrhus, when he attacked Italy some 30 years earlier, he also brought Elephants with him. Nevertheless the sight of Elephants was a terrifying one, and the Romans had not yet developed any tactic to counter this ancient battle tank.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/Lill05.jpg

Goodwin: When the scouts confirmed sighting of Elephants the Roman soldiers became worried. It takes a lot to bring down an African Elephant. The only hope was that the beasts would panic when wounded and run away.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/Lill06.jpg

Goodwin: About 150 feet from the enemy, the Cartheginians start to charge with war cries, while the Romans throw their pila, a roman javelin onto the soldiers.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/Lill07.jpg

Seconds later the Carthaginian cavalry also charges into the Roman line. The impact is overwhelming, the Romans get to feel all the military power of Carthage. But the most important attack happens on the left flank of the Roman side.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/Lill08.jpg



The Elephants attack the left flank and are about to annihilate it. This is a dangerous moment for Maximus. He orders his most experienced soldiers to secure the left flank, the Triarii.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/Lill10.jpg

But even with the Triarii trying to secure the situation the Carthaginians are about to crush the left flank and the Romans are endangered to be encircled.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/Lill09.jpg


Meanwhile heavy fighting occurs in the centre and at the right flank. Cost of man is high on both sides and the battle proves to be a terribly acrimonious one.


https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/Lill12.jpg


https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/Lill11.jpg


https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/Lill13.jpg


Moments later Hamalcar the Younger sends his troops to battle, after his father sent the signal. He hid his army, about 10,000 people in the nearby woods.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/Lill14.jpg

In the centre the death toll rises, brutal hand to hand fighting that cost lives on both sides. Here Roman Hastati, the light infantry, faces the Sacred Band, a Carthaginian elite force.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/Lill15.jpg

The Romans cannot break through such a well organized attacker, so they sent their cavalry to encircle the sacred band. But this move leads to a crack in the left roman flank. Allthough the Romans were able to panic the Elephants under severe costs of their own men, the left flank is finally about to break away.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/Lill18.jpg


https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/Lill16.jpg

[Maximus sitting on his horse, a military legate is aproaching him.]

Sir, the enemy is outflanking us and we will most likely become encircled. What are your orders?
I… I don’t know?
Sir! The men need your orders least we all get slaughtered.
We… Prepare my man to charge the flanking enemy immediately.

Kennard: What Maximus intended next was called the devotion, a self-sacrifice or suicide for the greater cause of Rome. With this act he wanted to restore faith in his man to fight to the last man.

Maximus charges into the flanking enemy to the surprise of the Carthaginians. There he is lethally wounded by an enemy spear. Word of his suicide for the cause of Rome, restoring his name as a general inspired his troops who were about to loose heart.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/Lill17.jpg

The Principes, the standard soldier of the Roman army, rally and form a line of defence to hold up the advancing enemy.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/Lill20.jpg


The Carthaginians were not able to completely encircle the Romans and now faced a foe that was willing to make a final stand in this position. The hours went on, and the fighting was still grim and fierce. Dead bodies lying everywhere, wounded screaming for help and some thousand man on both sides still fighting and trying to win.
Hamalcar the Elder is now in a difficult position. He fears that the Romans are to determined to win, so he orders that he will personally attack with his unit of heavy horses and break the spirit.

Hamalcar the Elder: Our cavalry is the needs to break the Roman spirit. We need to push hard, constantly charging the enemy. We can break the spirit, I know it. Ba’al give me strength.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...e/Lillplus.jpg


https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/Lill21.jpg

Hamalcars charge did not have the effect he sought. The Romans still stand and fight. Fabius tells us about this particular moment:
But the Roman soldiers were enraged, willing to fight to the death. The spirit of Mars was firing up their will to give all and everything. When Hamalcar charged Roman soldiers were screaming everywhere: Kill that pig! Get him! It was that moment when Hamalcar realized what a terrible mistake he did.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/Lill22.jpg

Hamalcar the Elder was quickly surrounded and dragged of his horse. He was dead minutes later. But now the Carthaginians were also furious by the death of the leader and fighting continued for hours. The whole field was filled with dead. In the afternoon about ¾ of each army was either dead or wounded.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/Lill23.jpg

During the late afternoon the Carthaginian flanking force was stopped and routed, the centre-force was still fighting by all means necessary. The Sacred Band was fighting fiercely and the Romans were not able to break through their Phalanx formation.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/Lill24.jpg

It was already becoming night and the troops ceased fighting because of the dark. Zones of battles disintegrated and both sides returned to their camps. The following morning both sides were utterly weakened and retreated. The battle of Mazana ended indecisively as a draw. The Romans brought about 30,000 troops and at the end of the day only 6,500 were left, thus loosing about 23,500 men. Carthage brought about 40,000 men to the battle, at the end of the day they only had 6,000 left, thus loosing 34,000 men.

One might think that the Romans won statistically, but that is not correct: The Romans had to retreat from western Sicily, while Carthage was able to hold their ground.

Kennard: This remarkable yet terribly brutal battle marked the beginning of a new phase in the battle of Sicily. One might think that the Romans won statistically, but that is not correct: The Romans had to retreat from western Sicily, while Carthage was able to hold their ground.
Now both sides had shown what they are worth in battle. From a military point of view this battle changed little. No tactics were changed afterwards, nor did the battle determine a shift of power. This bloody battle only cost a lot of lives and radicalized the Punic war.

Now it was clear, the battle for Sicily would need to be fought with any needs necessary.

Very good update.

Rome should break the deadlock by building a fleet and invading North Africa. It never fails.

Minor nitpick:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fixiwee

The battle of Mazana ended indecisively as a draw. The Romans brought about 30,000 troops and at the end of the day only 6,500 were left, thus losing about 13,500 men. [/COLOR]Carthage brought about 40,000 men to the battle, at the end of the day they only had 6,000 left, thus losing 34,000 men.

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That should be 23,500 Roman casualties.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by penguinking

That should be 23,500 Roman casualties.

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Oh, that's the reason I studied history and not mathematics. Cheers. ;)

You should definitely mod your DMB to give the Carthies two-handed lance sacred band horsemen. It looks awesome. I can detail this if you're interested...

By the way, what battle formations mod you're using? I liked your Roman deployment.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gamegeek2

You should definitely mod your DMB to give the Carthies two-handed lance sacred band horsemen. It looks awesome. I can detail this if you're interested...

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Well, sounds interessting, but is it realistic?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by A Terribly Harmful Name

By the way, what battle formations mod you're using? I liked your Roman deployment.

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Well I only use alex.exe, I manually set up my armies in a historical way. Hastati in the front, Triari in the back etc.

In politics, strangely enough, the best way to play your cards is to lay them face upwards on the table.
- H. G. Wells

Scipios Gamble

The Roman Empire, by Wolfgang Schreier, Bonn 2003

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/Scipio.jpg
Lucius Cornelius Scipio

After the devastating Battle of Mazana the Romans were once more determined to turn the war to their odds in 251 BC. The people of Rome elected Lucius Cornelius Scipio as consul, a man who had had many dealings with Sicily already and therefore knew the land and people. Scipio tried to break the deadlock with a swift and decisive push against Lilibeo like Maximus before him. Hamalcar the Younger faced the consul in the Battle of Lilibeo 251 BC. Scipio was a talented military leader and unlike Maximus 3 years earlier, he used the flexibility of his troops to his advantage. He won a solid victory over Hamalcar without destroying his army though.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...mabattle01.jpg
Heavy cavalry attacking the Roman line.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...mabattle02.jpg
Carthage had high quality mercaneries from around the world, but Scipios military competence prevailed in the battle.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...mabattle03.jpg
Scipio won the battle because he used his cavalry wisely despite the difficult terrain. Here Greek mercenaries get caught in between a Roman maneuver.

But fortune turned against Scipio when he started to lay siege against Lilibeo, in the hot summer days a devastating plague broke out among the Romans, Scipio had to break off the siege and retreat. Nevertheless the victory over Hamalcar added much prestige to the Scipio family.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...ixiwee/250.jpg
250 BC - Scipio retreats back to Messana after the plague.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...skirmish01.jpg
Small skirmish, Roman Hastati facing spanish mercenaries fighting for Carthage.

For the next years the Punic war turned into small battles and skirmishes once again. Scipio remained head of the army in 250 BC as proconsul, when a year later he was elected censor and had to return to Rome for political duties. Hamalcar realised his chance and sent an army under his general Giscon to push for Messana. Giscon was a close friend of Hamalcar and the second in command of the Sicilian troops. When reinforcements under consul Caius Valerius Mas landed to support the troops in Messana, Giscon was outnumbered and decided to retreat to a safer position. The Punic war was still far from being over.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...ixiwee/249.jpg
249 BC - Giscon attacking Messana

In 247 BC the Romans had not yet achieved any significant progress in Sicily. Both sides were equally strong and each offensive against the enemy stronghold was blighted by the fortunes of war. It was clear that the Romans had to do something more drastical to break the deadlock. Some Senators, among them was Lucius C. Scipio, spoke out for a landing in Africa.
Africa! Attacking a distant continent was something new to the Romans, who had mostly fought their wars on the Italian peninsula. But the people voted in favour for Scipio, who was elected consul a second time the following year. But to deceive the ambitious plans, Scipio went to Sicily to pretend another major push on Lilibeo. Meanwhile the second consul, Caius Aurius Cotta, a relative unknown plebeian with little military experience was charged with leading the fleet and the troops to Africa in 246 BC. This was quite a gamble, but Cotta was an ambitious man nevertheless, who wanted to live up to his duties.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...ixiwee/247.jpg
247 BC - Cotta landing in Africa to the suprise of Carthage.

The fortune now turned in favour to the Romans, the Carthaginians had most of their troops in Sicily, since they feared Scipios attack. So when Cotta landed in Africa very little Carthaginian troops were stationed there. He quickly secured a port to get additional supplies and hasted to attack Carthage. The city was not prepared for a siege, despite its huge walls and enormous size. The council agreed to surrender, despite the fact that they were not beaten on the field. To defend Carthage the council would have had to order the troops in Sicily back, which would have left Sicily open for the taking anyway - plus the attack on the city of Carthage was a symbolic and military humiliation.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...ixiwee/246.jpg
Cotta laying siege to Carthage - What a humiliation for the might Carthaginian Empire!

Carthage had to pay a large amount of money and agreed to give Sicily and Corsica to the Romans. Over all the war was won by a tricky yet successful military move. Carthage had to pay large quantities of money, but the military might was far from broken.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...peacecarth.jpg
Rome dictates a harsh peace

For the Romans a peaceful and prosper time began with new trade routes to Sicily and Corsica. But Carthage was saw this peace as vile and shame – more conflict was bound to happen.

Awesome AAR - How are you going to go all the way up to 1500 AD though?

Good to see this is still going

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gaiscedach

Awesome AAR - How are you going to go all the way up to 1500 AD though?

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In my first test run I actually played untill 1500 AD, so it's possible. It just takes a lot of time and patience. :)

Transcript of the college presentation during the lecture „The Roman Republic“ in 2003, University of Minnesota, USA

[Trevor Adams speaking]:
Dear colleges, dear professor, my presentation today is about the Roman peacetime period between 246 BC and 220 BC. In this presentation I will tell you about the events during this particular period and what actually lead to the series of devastating wars in 220 BC. First of all, 246 BC marks the beginning of a peacetime era for Rome. The first Punic war was over; Rome had endured many decades of war and thus tired of fighting. But the victory over the Carthaginians also brought new land, or provinces, which were governed by senators. That meant new taxes and trading posts for the growing “Roman Empire”. This era was also called the small golden age, since there was little foreign threat and Rome became a rich through trade.

But the peacetime period was not uneventful, there were even small wars which make the term “peacetime period” sound rather absurd. But nevertheless the conflicts were quite small compared to the first Punic war.

Well, the Romans made new allies in southern France and Spain. In those areas independent Greek colonies existed that were harassed by Gauls and Celtic tribes. The Romans allied themselves with the two major Greek cities Massalia, modern day Marseille and Empuries or also called Emporion. The deal was that the Romans sent troops for security while the Greek cities had to trade heavily with Rome. De jure those cities remained independent, but in reality the cities slowly became a part of Rome. Oh I forgot to mention, that deal was made around 235 BC. Well anyway…

Another important event happened in 238 BC, when the Carthaginian mercenary general Hipposander revolted in Sardinia, which was nominally under the rule of Carthage. Some Roman traders were killed in that revolt and Rome was quick to dispatch troops to Sardinia and killing Hipposander. Carthage feared another war with Rome and did not demand the control back over Sardinia. But this lead to much mischief with the Carthaginians and more and more people demanded revenge, which would eventually lead to another war with Rome in 220 BC.

In 225 BC the Boii Celts, situated in the Po valley in Italy, attacked the kingdom of Illyria and envoys came to Rome begging for help. The Romans had not much love for those Celts and agreed to snet assistance. The disciplined Roman army had no trouble defeating the small Celtic amry in modern day Slovenia and they placed the king Deutemirus back to power. There was no formal treaty, but the Romans were now “friends” – or amici as the Romans would say – with the Kingdom with Illyria. The link was a moral one, which arose from the “beneficium” of their liberation. They had to show Rome practical gratitude, while Rome was morally engaged to maintain their liberty.

The year 220 BC saw an end to the Roman peacetime period. Reason for this was a treaty made in 222 BC with the kingdom of Macedon. A year later the Epirotes, an old enemy of Rome, started a war with Macedon and the Romans decided to step in and solve the situation. But this, I think, is already the topic of the presentation next week by my college Mary.
My conclusion of this so called peacetime period is that it was a period of increasing wealth and expansion for the Romans. Rome was now a major player in the Mediterranean Sea and solved a few crises with military might. Thank you.

[The Professor speaking]:
Thank you mister Adams. Good presentation with many important details. One major flaw though, you could have used more maps for clarification. I think not everyone in this room knows exactly where the Illyrian kingdom was situated.

Why is this only a small pictureless update? FRAPS did not take pictures during this period so I lost my data and information. Hence I decided to make a small update, since this period was rather uneventfull anyway. The text was written like someone would actually speak it. I hope it's not a pain to read that way. :)

It reads well!

Actually your AAR formed the inspiration to begin my AAR - although yours has more screens in a normal update....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mediolanicus

It reads well!

Actually your AAR formed the inspiration to begin my AAR - although yours has more screens in a normal update....

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Wow. I am already an insperation to other people. And I am still quite the newbie with AARs.
But hey cheers for your nice words. :)

"Zeus most glorious and most great, Thundercloud, throned in the heavens! Let not the sun go down and the darkness come, until I cast down headlong the citadel of Priam in flames, and burn his gates with blazing fire, and tear to rags the shirt upon Hectors breast! May many of his men fall about him prone in the dust and bite the earth! "
-Homer - The Illiad


534 Ab Urbe Condita

Silanos – Historiai
(written about 130 BC)


Who is Silanos?

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/Silanos.jpg
Silanos was a greek historian who lived from 200BC to 120 BC. He came to Rome [under reasons that have not happend yet - this will be edited]. His account on the Roman history are of high value since he followed the pragmatic histiography like Demosthnes of Ancyle.

Book VI
[…] So it came that the year 534 ab urbe Condita [220 BC] saw the start of a series of conflicts. But before the reader is able to understand what lead to the second Epirus war and the second Punic war as well, the reader has to look at the political situation that preceded the war. To the west of Rome Carthage was expanding in Spain to compensate the losses of Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica. Carthage was a trading nation and the coast of Spain offered new possibilities for trade.
To the east the kingdom of Epirus was waging war against Macedon. In 536 AUC [222 BC] the Romans signed a formal treaty with the Macedon king Antigonus III Amynous to send money and supplies to the Macedon cause. A year later the Macedons lost another battle so that Antigonus III had abandoned most of the Macedon home land.
The Romans felt a moral obligation to aid their allies against the king of Epirus Polyanthes Aiakides and without much hesitation and trouble they sailed a full legion to the coast of Epirus in the year 534 AUC [220 BC]. At that time the king of Epirus, Polyanthes Aiakides, was residing in the capital Ambrakia with only his royal guard to his protection. His army was campaigning against Macedon out of his reach. When the Romans realized that Polyanthes was in the capital without any troops they quickly started laying siege against the city, closing every road in and out of Ambrakia. It is said that Polyanthes screamed “Bring me the man who taught those primitive Romans how to use a boat!” when he became aware that he was trapped.
Despite being a proud and brilliant military leader and king Polyanthes agreed, heading his advisors to negotiate with his enemy. The Roman consul Quintus Atilius Scaevola received the proud king in his army tent, greeting him with all military honours. There the consul made clear that the Roman people had no interest in killing Epirotes and plundering Polyanthes lands. What both man talked that day is not written down, so I cannot retell the story about it, but in the end the king of Epirus agreed to stop making war against the Macedons and restore their land to the status quo while the Romans would return to their land and make peace with Polyanthes. So in the autumn 534 AUC [220BC] the conflict seemed to be over already.
In the winter of the same year a group of Carthaginian ships landed in the port of Emporion, a Greek city-state situated in Spain and allied with Rome. The Carthaginian ships destroyed a few Greek ships and plundered some minor goods. It was by all means clear to the Carthaginians that this action against an ally of Rome was a direct threat to Rome itself. But it has puzzled many historians as well as myself as of why the Carthaginians were eager to battle the Romans again. Yet this small incident was the beginning of a long and bloody conflict in Spain. At the same time Polyanthes was already planning his next step against the Macedons and the Romans.
In this sense, the year 534 marks a new step in the history of Rome, as it was more and more drawn into the affairs of the Greeks.

“Monarchy degenerates into tyranny, aristocracy into oligarchy, and democracy into savage violence and chaos”
- Polybius

Second war with Epirus 220 BC - 214 BC

The Roman Empire, by Wolfgang Schreier, Bonn 2003

Once the Romans left Polyanthes Aiakides, the king of Epirus, to do as he pleases, he immediately began preparing for a new offensive against Macedon. In late 219 BC he attacked and beat Antigonus Amynous once again in 218 BC at the battle of Berora much to the displeasure of the Romans. In the same year the Senators of Rome agreed to attack Polyanthes once again and a year later a Roman legion embarked over the sea to Epirus.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/map210.jpg
The map shows the world in 220 BC and the Roman camapigns in Epirus. Note that the Romans only campaigned in the Epirus homeland.

Polyanthes had reinforced Epirus since he knew that the Romans might eventually attack, so in 217 BC it came to the battle of Epidamnos under the Roman consul L. Aurelius Cotta. Though the Romans suffered notable casualties the maniple system proved to be flexible enough to overcome the Greek phalanx.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/Epid01.jpg
Roman Hastati outflanking a Phalanx, due to their better mobility.

At the same time the war with Carthage in Spain was making hardly any progress for the Romans until 217 BC Cn. Aurelius Cotta, the brother of the victor at Epidamnos seized the Carthaginian city of Arsé. Lucius Cotta was assassinated in the same year, while Cnaeus died of natural causes a year later. The war in Spain stalled again.

A history of Rome, by Prof Alfred Kennard, 2002 New York

In the year 216 BC the Romans won the important sea battle of Thiro against the Carthaginians, securing sea superiority in northern Mediterranean Sea. The battle actually consisted of three separate sea engagements in over two weeks. The Carthaginians tried to flank the Roman fleet with faster ships, but the Roman tactic of boarding enemy ships with ground troops proved to be superior. In total the Romans lost 45 ships, while the Carthaginians lost about 90 ships. This victory secured the vital sea trade and transportation of troops to Spain.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...e/seathiro.jpg
This map shows a reconstruction of the Battle of Thiro. 1) The Roman fleet under Admiral Decimus Papirus Turdus gets attacked near the port of Thiro by the Carthaginian Admiral Bodinelquart. After his defeat Bodinelquart retreats and regroups to the west. A few days later Turdus gets attacked at 2) again by Admiral Tabnit with the main fleet, but this battle is indecissive. The Romans move further west where Tabnit atacks with his mainfleet at 3) again.Bodinelquart regrouped at 4) and moved to the battle trying to flank the Romans. Though the Romans suffer signifianct casualties, they are able to rout the enemy fleet.

Meanwhile the tide seemed to turn for the kingdom of Epirus. The assassinated Roman Consul Lucius Aurelius Cotta was replaced by the new consul Cnaeus Pomponius Titus. Apollodoros Aiakides, the brother of the King of Epirus Polyanthes Aiakides, destroyed a Roman army in the battle of Toryne. Unfortunately only fragments of the historical sources concerning this battle survived but it is clear that poor Roman leadership lead to the loss of 15.000 Roman lives.
This defeat led to a change in the Roman military system. Soldiers were now divided into the three existing military groups (Hastati, Principes, Triari) by age and experience rather then by wealth. While not a revolutionary reform, this change was an important step to ensure the necessary military strength needed to fight in foreign regions like Greece and Spain.

With the defeat at Toryne the Romans were caught off guard. But the RomanRepublic had access to a vast amount of military manpower and a year later another Roman legion landed at the shores of Epirus.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...ruslanding.jpg

It is said that the Aiakides brothers had a dispute over the war with the Romans since the kinghimself, unlike his brother, had not yet won a single battle against them though he had beaten the Macedons time after time. King Polyanthes Aiakides feared loosing support to his brother who had smashed the Romans last year. So he decided for a swift and quick attack against the Roman legion under the command of Consul Publius Claudius Nero while they were still on the shore. As we have seen before the Romans lacked experienced and talented leaders during this period. Polyanthes moved with his troops against the Roman encampment where it came to the battle of Cassope in 215 BC

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...e/cassope1.jpg
Battle of Cassope 215 BC - A battle with poor leadership for the Romans

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...e/cassope2.jpg
Greek cavalry trying to punch through the Roman lines.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...e/cassope3.jpg
The Romans had the high ground and the numbers to hold the line. Without outflanking this formation the Epirotes are not able to break through the enemy.

Polyanthes was one of the best military leaders of his times and his troops where experienced, but the Romans had the high ground and more troops. During the battle Polyanthes was killed trying to manoeuvre his troops around the Roman flank. With his demise the troops where unable to complete the manoeuvre, thus the Romans remained in advantage over the Epriotes and eventually won the battle. The Romans lost about 5.000 soldiers, while Polyanthes lost his own life and 15.000 soldiers. According to Silanos the victory at the battle of Cassope was a surprise to the Romans, since they did not believe they could win the war against Polyanthes in a single battle.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...e/cassope4.jpg

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...e/cassope5.jpg
Despite the dangerous situation, the royal guard fought the Romans bitterly to the last men - a fact that the Romans were proud to defeat such a tough enemy.

With the destruction of the Epirote army the Romans quickly moved to the city of Epidamos where Apollodros Aiakades held out. In the same year the consular army stormed the city and took Apollodros prisoner.
The following year, 214 BC Polyanthes son, Xanthippos Aiakades, now legitimate heir to the throne, met with the Romans to discuss the term of peace. With the whole of Epirus in the hand of the Romans, the king being dead and his brother being shipped to Rome in chains Xanthippos did not have any trumps to come to reasonable terms with the Romans. Xanthippos went to exile to the Seleucid Empire to the east. Epirus became Roman province and the Macedon King Antigonus III was restored in Greece. Apollodros Aiakades, the victor over the Romans in the battle of Toryne, was publicly executed during the triumph of Publius Claudius Nero.

It can be questioned why the Romans bothered so much with Epirus in the first place. Land hunger and military expansion cannot be the reason, since they did not try to gain any land when they first landed in Epirus in 220 BC. If we are to believe Fabius, the Romans felt a moral obligation to help the Macedons since the Romans allied themselves with them. From their perspective Polyanthes was a problem that was troubling the Roman-Macedon agreement and they just wanted to solve this problem and goy away again. Since Polyanthes did not stand to his word and attacked the Macedons again he had to be removed completely. To ensure further aggression from the king Romans dissolved the throne and made it Epirus into a province so that no one else could take control over Epirus again. From the view of the Romans they were just making sure that peace would endure.
From the view of the Greeks the Romans were now a power factor bigger then themselves which could not be ignored any more.

But with the second Punic war still going on in Spain, peace in reality was a far goal for the Romans in 214 BC.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fixiwee

You said I should write an AAR about it way back:
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=111244

;)

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.
..............wow im ***** stupid.:oops: This is still pretty awesome though.:laugh4:

EDIT: I also notice that the Averni are hurting my Germans. THIS ANGERS ME!

Dont worry. A few decades from now a man will rise up to conquer those dirty gauls and save your beloved germanic tribes! :)

A rey muerto, rey puesto
-Spanish proverb

The Iberians

Transcript of the college class lecture „The RomanRepublic“ in 2003, University of Minnesota, USA

[Prof. Saramotti speaking]:
Good day everyone to today’s class. Let me start right away with an announcement that Professor Marshal from Chicago will hold a special presentation about King Cambyses conquest of Anatolia and the impact to the Greek world. It’s certainly something you shouldn’t miss. Oh yes, the presentation itself is next Thursday at Coffman’s.
Alright, today’s topic is the second Punic war. As we look at the second Punic war and we notice something interesting: During the first ten years of the war hardly anything happened. We have already seen that an important war for the Romans started the same way… Right, the first Punic war. But we have to be more specific, because the first ten years of the war a man called Tiberius Cornelius Scipio Asina, the son of Lucius Cornelius Scipio who already fought in the first Punic war, conquered great parts of the Spanish coast up to Mastia in the south. From 220 BC to 210 BC most battles were just small skirmishes. The situation seemed to change in 210 BC when the Carthaginians under the military commander Mytonnes Neperis allied themselves with the strong Celtic tribe called Carpetani under the King Mutorke Carmocoi. This alliance with the Carpetani seemed to shift the balance for the Carthaginians. Hence Scipio Asina retreated back to Arsé in the north. The Roman Senate realized that Spain was now the battleground where the war with Carthage had to be fought and sent more troops to aid Scipio Asina
[Student asking]: Under what authority was Scipio in Spain for such a long time?
[Prof. Saramotti speaking]: Very good question. Scipio Asina became consul in - I think - 218 BC and went to Spain fighting Carthage like his father did. Once he finished his consulship he stayed there as a pro-consul. So he had complete command or “Imperium” over the troops there without actually being a consul. We will talk about this in more detail when we come to his son who was the first to bend the rules in that sense.
Anyway. In 209 BC it came to the first battle on a larger scale, the so called Battle of Ildum. But let’s take a break first.
[…]


The Roman Empire, by Wolfgang Schreier, Bonn 2003

The battle of Ildum in 209 BC marked the escalation of the second Punic war. Compared to the later battles it was still a small military clash, but it was an important one because the Romans won the battle and gained the initiative again. The Senate in Rome was also noticing Scipio Asinas effort in fighting the Carthaginians in mostly unknown lands.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...e/asculum1.jpg
Roman Hastati throwing spears at the aproaching enemy.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...e/asculum2.jpg
The Carthaginian army consited of numerous ethnic groups so that the Romans had to fight off different fighting techniques.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...e/asculum3.jpg
Though relying on mercanaries the Carthaginians also had their own elite troops. Here elite Hoplites fight against te Romans. These troops were a tough opponent for the Scipio.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...e/asculum4.jpg
Fabius mentioned the use of five African war elephants in the battle, but they did not have any major impact on the battle.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...e/asculum5.jpg
Far more important was the Roman cavallry which was used as shook troops to break and route the enemy army.

Scipio Asina knew how to use his victory and pushed with the rest of his troops including Celt Iberians auxiliary to the south where he captured the city Mastia including the general he defeated at Ildum - Mytonnes Nepheris.
His pro-consulship ran out that year and he returned to Rome celebrating a triumph. Scipio Asina remained with the Senate but did not run for Consul anymore.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...na_triumph.jpg

In the same year consul Titus Fabius Maximus won the battle of Segestia against the Ligures under the king Cador in North Italy. Now all of Italy was in control of Rome and this victory lead to the creation of a new province in North Italy called Gallia Cisalpina, which means “Gaul on this side of the Alps”.

The following years Carthage retreated to the southwest of Spain and reorganized their troops. The Romans had won a battle, but the war was not decided yet. Meanwhile the Carpentani tribe was keeping the Romans busy and small battles with some 5000 to 8.000 troops on both sides occurred every year. The situation seemed to change when a 26 year old Roman legate called Spurius Cornelius Sulla serving under pro-praetor Decimus Tullius Mes faced King Mutorke Carmocoi in battle.


Fabius - Ab Urbe Condita
(written at about 50 BC)

Book XIV

(4) In the winter of the year 550 ab urbe condita [204 BC] the Carpentani attacked roman lands in Spain under their King Mutorke Carmocoi. But before I will retell the story of the battle at Etovissa, I want to talk about both leaders.
Mutorke Carmocoi was a proud barbarian king of old age. He was loved by his people, he was a brave warrior, but also a brilliant leader. Among his people, it is said that he was the best hunter and no one could match his skills with the bow. Another legend says that since his birth Mutorke Carmocoi has never cried out of pain or fear. These kind of legends always surround famous leaders, nevertheless one thing can be said for sure; he was one of a proud barbarian king.
Spurius Cornelius Sulla came to Spain with the new pro-praetor Decimus Tullius Mes to Spain and. He served as a military tribune, queastor and military legate under his patron. Decimus Tullius Mes was not much of a fighter and let Sulla in command against the Iberians, despite Sulla being only in his 20ies. Sulla was born and educated in Rome, he was a smart man interested in politics and philosophy. He was a brilliant orator and many disputes were decided by his cunning and striking words. Nevertheless he was still young and inexperienced and of both Sulla was inferior to Carmocoi.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...e/Carmocoi.jpg

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...oung_Sulla.jpg



A history of Rome, by Prof Alfred Kennard, 2002 New York

The battle of Etovissa in 204 was one of the largest during the Roman-Iberian wars. While the Carthaginians were still reforming their army, the Carpentani were keeping the Romans busy.
Both armies were equal in numbers and strength. Fabius account on the leaders and the battle itself is difficult to examine, since it is filled with stereotypical views about the educated dynamic Roman general fighting the brave and strong yet uncivilized Barbarian.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...Etovissa01.jpg
The Iberians were renown fighters. Here an elite cavallry band gathers for battle.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...Etovissa02.jpg
A Roman manipel charging a small hill while being harrased with spears by the enemy.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...Etovissa03.jpg
The wise use of cavallry as a flanking unit won Sulla the advantage over the Iberian king.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...Etovissa04.jpg
Roman cavallry trampeling the fleeing enemy to death. It was not a habit to take prisoners.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...Etovissa05.jpg

In the end, the 26 year old Sulla won by using his cavalry to encircle the enemy and crushing the Carpentani completely. That the king Carmocoi was slain in battle added much prestige to Sullas name. It is no surprise that his career got a boost: the following year he was already elected as Curulian Aedile. Nevertheless the war was far from over, the Iberians and the Carthaginians were still strong enemies, but for now Rome had won the initiative.

Where do you run to now, Quintus?
by Sarah Buehler, 2007

Chapter Nine

A ceramic bottle of wine and sour smell was the first thing he noticed when he entered the room. He looked around, but could not find the culprit of the foul stench. Quintus nose was starting to itch, his feelings about the offending smell was starting to bother him. “No, Appius Aurelius Cotta, the great roman senator is not here” Quintus said to himself after he decided that the smell was probably just part of the room. “Typical” he added as he noticed that he was really talking aloud. The slave, a young Spaniard called Modiac could not help himself but to grin. Slaves from Spain were en vogue since Scipio Asinas famous campaign in this wild and uncivilised land and a sophisticated man like Appius could not resist the exotic goods coming from the end of the world. As for the slave Modica, Quintus wasn’t mad at him for smirking, but rather surprised that he understood him. This young man mastered the Latin language so quickly, spotting the sarcasm that he implied when he referred to Cotta as a great roman senator. Appius Aurelius Cotta was not a brilliant politician, he was no man of great words or military exploits. But on the other hand he was not stupid. Appius knew how to keep friends, when to say yes when you actually mean no. In all those years, as Appius Aurelius Cotta was now in his 60ies, he became one of the oldest and most respected members of the senate. And he was a complete drunk.
The stench, there it was again. It seemed to come from the window, so Quintus decided to move in that direction. “Ah! What a great view” he remarked as he looked outside, noticing the cityscape around him. The mansion he stood in was situated at the top of the Caelian hill, a friendly and rich neighbourhood in Rome. He cold spot some hundred chimneys from up here with fumes rising up to the sky like grey pillars.
The smell seemed to worsen as he studied the view. He sniffed and realized that the stench was coming directly from the ground. “Oh gross” he shouted when he finally discovered that someone had vomited out of the window, covering the wall with disgusting puke.

“Don’t worry, it’s not going to be there forever.” A strong determined voice spoke to Quintus. “I tried to get someone to clean it up all morning, but imagine this. This household does not have any leaders. Not a single one.”
“Ah, Appius Aurelius Cotta” Quintus reacted and quickly tried to hide the disgust written in his face. “On behalf of my family…”
“No need for formalities Quintus, you have been my client for 15 years now. I think we can be more direct with each other.” The Senator said in a voice that was relaxing yet consisted a significant sound of authority while he was sitting down behind his desk. Usually a drunk like Appius would become fat over the time, but for some reason Appius stayed in perfect shape for his age.
“Alright, so why did you call for me?”
“Do you know my grandfather?”
“Uh, pardon me”?
“My grandfather! Caius Aurelius Cotta. As a lawyer and historian you should know him.”
“Of course I do. He was the one who laid siege to Carthage, thus ending the first war we had with that city” Quintus mentioned with a suddenly determined voice.
“Help me do the same thing.”
“I am sorry - what?”
Appius stood up in sudden eagerness shouting aloud: “Help me conquer Carthage. As a historian you can find out what he did and how, so I can do the same.”
“But… I mean… History does not work that way.”
“Why not? You can study exactly what happened and how he did that. History does work that way.” He suddenly leaped toward Quintus grabing him by his arms, passing by his desk. “You historians always say that people don’t want to learn from the past. Now you can prove yourself wrong.”
Quintus started to think this through. Indeed Appius Aurelius Cotta, his legal patron was just asking him a favour. But the way he spoke seemed to scare him, as if Appius had no idea of warfare so that Quintus had to come up with a magic formula written down by some old mysterious librarian 40 years ago.
“All right, all right! I just didn’t expect using my skills for war like that. I guess I can look into the books and the annual reports. Maybe we can indeed find a clue or two.”

After the usual small talk and the discussion of some minor legal issues Quintus left the manor. “Was he drunk or is he really planning to conquer Carthage?” he thought while going down a busy winter street. He pondered the situation, Rome and Carthage were both fighting a terrible and bloody war in Spain. Landing troops in Africa might solve the deadlock in this terrible war, just that no other Senator was speaking of this option for some reason. Was it possible? Or was it simply too dangerous with an enemy who might actually have learnt from its mistakes.
“I don’t like the idea. This is going to end bad for me.” Quintus said while he was walking down a busy street in the cold city of Rome.

“Marta was watching the football game with me when she said, "You know, most of these sports are based on the idea of one group protecting its territory from invasion by another group." "Yeah," I said, trying not to laugh. Girls are funny.”
-Jack Handy

Invasion

A history of Rome, by Prof Alfred Kennard, 2002 New York

After his victory in the winter 204 BC Spurius Cornelius Sulla returned to Rome as a Curulian Aedile, using his position to get more attention for the situation in Spain. At the same time an elderly ex-consul by the name of Appius Aurelius Cotta, child of the victor at Carthage in 246 BC, was speaking against Sulla arguing that only an attack on Carthage would end the war for the Romans.
The following year Sulla returned to Spain with more troops, but not as much as he actually hoped to. His aim was to capture the most important Carpentani city of Baikor under the new king Novantutas Carmocoi. Sulla pushed for the city in 202 and 201 BC, but he was constantly harassed by the enemy, who knew the terrain better then him. Although he did not loose any battle, supply and troop where growing thin during both campagins so he decided to return to Mastia and stay on the defence.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...korcampmap.jpg
Sullas campaigns in 202 and 201 BC. Despite hard effort the unknown enemy territory seems to be impregnable.

In 200 BC C. Publius Sergius Orata, a close friend of Cotta, became consul who prepared troops, ships and supply for an attack on Africa. That implied that Cotta would run for consul again next year to take command over the invasion.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...ppiusCotta.jpg
Appius Aurelius Cotta

On the side of Carthage a man called Carthalo Carales was charged with defending the city. Carthalo was an experienced military leader who fought against the Ptolemy dynasty in Egypt. He was a deep admirer of the Greek culture, their literature and philosophy, all in all a smart and seasoned opponent for the Romans.
Appius Aurelius Cotta landed in early 199 BC in Africa, after being elected as consul. Upon landing he was informed that Carthage was well prepared for a siege and troops in the south where waiting to fall in the back of Cotta. So he decided to attack the army to the south. At this time Cotta did not know though, that Carthalo was moving his troops as fast as he could from a campaign in Egypt.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/CarMap1.jpg
The red line symbolizes Cottas advance against the small enemy camp to the south of Carthage. The longer white line symbolizes Carthalos troops marching towards the homecity Carthage.

The troops south of Carthage were commanded by Hiempsal Sabrata and were much smaller then Cotta originally estimated. Only a few thousand troops were situated in the camp.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/.../1Hadrum01.jpg
It is said that Sabrata fought bravley against the large quantity of Roman troops.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/.../1Hadrum02.jpg
In the end he and the survivours fleed from the Romans. Fabius quotes him saying: "You're victory here means nothing".

The battle turned out to be a small skirmish and eventually the Carthaginians benefited from winning more time for Carthalo. Carthage realized its chance to delay Cotta even more and decided to move out the troops in the city under the militia commander Milkherem to meet the Romans. The Carthaginian suffets knew, that even if Milkherem would loose, it would be impossible for Cotta to take the before Carthalo would reach the Romans. The first battle of Sabo was about to happen.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/CarMap2.jpg
After the small skirmish Cotta was eager to sieze Carthage. Moving northwards the Carthaginian militia leaves the city to face him on the field. Meanwhile Carthalo draws closer and closer to the Romans, marching with incredible speed with a large army.


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Roman Hastati, the usual front line infantry, wating for the enemy attack.

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Allthough mostly consisting of militia, Milkherems army consisted some well equiped Phalanx troops.

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The Carthaginians plan was to shock the enemy and break right through the main line where the Romans were actually the strongest.

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Cottas beast weapon were the heavy lancers. Having them placed well, he used them during the battle to fall in the back of the militia troops.

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The effect is devastating. Milkherem gets killed and the troops break away.

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Even the elite troops flee after the sucessfull Roman push.

In the end the first battle of Sabo was indeed a victory for the Romans. They had only lost 3000 men from 26.500, so they still had about 23.500 men left. Nevertheless Cotta was not making any progress against the enemy. Shortly after the battle he finally realized that Carthalo was marching against his position with 33.000 troops. The second battle of Sabo would decide the outcome of the invasion and possibly ending the second Punic war.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/CarMap3.jpg
The Romans finaly realized that Carthalo was marching against their position. Cotta choosed to use the same position at Sabo to anticipate Carthalos attack.

Where do you run to now, Quintus?
by Sarah Buehler, 2007

Chapter Thirteen

This was the very moment when Quintus, now centurion in Appius legion, was most scared during the war. It wasn’t the first or the second battle at Hadrumentum, where he faced death on one of the most brutal and bloodiest battles of his lifetime. No, it was this moment and it started with a “Screwed. I am so screwed!”
Appius was sitting on his chair in the middle of his tent, having a total fit. Once again Quntius smelled a rotten stench, but this time it was obvious that his glorious leader had spilled wine over his tunica. He decided to try helping the screaming old man.
“Sir, you better dress up your combat gear. Our scouts indicate that Carthalos army is 10 miles from our position. It’s best…”
“Don’t you tell me what I have to do. I have to do nothing. Absolutely nothing.” With a sudden move the old body of Appius leaped forward, catching Quintus off guard and pulling him to the ground. The closing fist moving towards his nose was the first thing he noticed when he realized what was going on and it was the last thing before he blacked out.

Quintus came to senses again, slowly standing up. At first he didn’t hear anything but his own heartbeat. The next thing that came to his mind was that his nose was hurting terribly. Appius was sitting in his chair again, crying pathetically and repeating himself over and over again.
“Screwed. I tell you.”
His nose was broken.
“I am so screwed”
But he figured that he had to see this through.
“Sir!”
Even with this pain.
“Sir!” Quintus said again. “Think this through. You cannot give up now.”
His superior replied: “Carthalo is ten times the commander then I am. He has more troops and supplies. This was supposed to be my victory. You said it so.”
“With all due respect, sir. You asked me about history and I told you that it does not work this way, remember?”
“Bah!” Appius grunted with as much disgust as he could.
“But the battle is not decided yet. If you give up yourself, that’s fine. But don’t you dare giving up on Rome.” For Quintus saying such a thing was quite the gamble. Appius could have easily beaten him to death this time.
But surprisingly and against all odds Appius actually said: “Well. I guess you are right. I don’t think it makes any difference. By Plutos hairy arse maybe we’ll even win this one.”

Quintus was delighted, yet surprised over the turn of the events. It was obvious to him that this mod swing was just temporary, but he did everything he could to get this strange old men going. He returned to his tent to get his armor and sword, for south of the camp the mighty Carthalo was coming.

Battles of history with Patrick Goodwin

Second battle of Sabo 199 BC

Goodwin: The second Punic war is shaking the Mediterranean Sea in 200 BC. Like the first Punic war, the second started because of trivial causes and turned out to be a terrible war for both the Carthaginians and the Romans. The war started in 220 BC when Carthaginian ships raided a Greek colony in Spain that was allied with Rome. Trivial the cause may be, but the conflict roots back deep to the old rivalry for the Mediterranean Sea between the two forces.
By 200 BC, 20 years after the war started, hardly any progress was made on either side. Most fighting took place in Spain with high causalities on both sides. In 200 BC an elder senator by the name of Appius Aurelius Cotta remembered that his father, Caius Aurelius Cotta, ended the first war with Carthage by attacking the the helpless city itself. Appius Aurelius Cotta planed to live up to his fathers’ reputation and win the second Punic war by defeating the Carthaginians in Africa. In 199 BC he landed with a huge force of 3 legions, facing a strong enemy. In the first battle of Sabo he defeated the Carthaginian militia who were trying to win time for the arrival of Carthage best general coming from Egypt: Carthalo

[The scene is a larger army force marching by foot and horses in a wide column. Carthalo is sitting on his horse; his face is unwashed and dirty because of the marching. Next to him are three of his military advisors; he is delivering a long monolog to them.]

Carthalo [speaking calmly]: Milkherems attack on Cotta was not successful, but they probably bought us enough time to reach Cotta before he can advance on our city and mother. I have been thinking about the Romans a lot. These men from Italy are well trained and disciplined. Breaking their back won’t be easy. Hence I have been pondering how to defeat the Romans. 50 years ago there was a terrible battle that we fought against these men at a place called Mazana. There the great Carthaginian leader Hamalcar nearly defeated the Romans. How did he do that? He outflanked their flanking force, pushing mainly through the right side. This is a risking manoeuvre, but if we can hold our Phalanx against their line of infantry, our cavalry might defeat their mounted troops for good. I believe that is the key for victory.

[The scene moves away from Carthalo, fading to a view of the whole army marching to the north. Over 30.000 troops can be seen marching and producing a huge cloud of dust.]

Goodwin: The second battle of Sabo was located at the small hill of Sabo where Cotta placed his troops. On the 5th of June Carthalo reached the Roman encampment and both sides prepared for battle.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/sabo01.jpg

Cotta placed his cavalry for flanking duty on the left and right side of his army, while Carthalo placed his cavalry on the entire left flank to break through at that specific point

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/sabo02.jpg

The Romans wait for Carthalo to make the first move.
Roman Soldier: This one is going to be the big one. This battle might decide everything. Mars be with us.
Other roman soldier: Mars be with us.

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Carthalo moves his cavalry; Cotta reacts quickly throwing his reserve to the left flank. Meanwhile the Roman leader gives the sign to charge.

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Charging against a phalanx is a deadly endeavour, but in this case it seems to be necessary to keep the enemy at bay while the cavalry wins the flanks.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/sabo06.jpg

All eyes lie on the left flank where heavy mounted troops from the Italian region Campania battle Carthaginian mercenaries.

Campanian rider to the military messenger: Too many of them, they are to fast. Send note to Cotta: “Cavalry is overwhelming us – Carthalo himself moving to the left flank as well – we need the Triarii to cover the left flank.”

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While the cavalry was fighting on the left flank, Roman infantry was taking heavy casualties in the centre. It was clear that Cotta would loose the battle if the left flank would break away.
The messenger reached Cotta, but it was too late. Carthalo himself positioned him on the left flank, ready to attack the Roman force there. Both sides where ready to charge.

Campanian rider: Alright men. We don’t have enough time to talk this trough. But if we win this one, we can all go home to Rome. Trumpeter, give the sign to charge. The man who kills Carthalo will enter Rome as a rich man.

The battle on the left flank is about to be decided. Both sides charge.

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The impact was terrible. Within minutes people get pierced by lances, fall of their horses and get trampled to death. War in antiquity is no less brutal then today.

Carthalo screaming in battle: Get those Roman pigs. Slay them all! For our city and mother.

Carthalos men cause heavy losses on the campanian cavalry. The Roman left flank is breaking away.

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The result of this is devastating; the Roman left flank is getting hammered by heavy Carthaginian troops.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...wee/sabo13.jpg

Cotta: This is not going well. Fortuna! Fortuna! Why? My name is in shame.

The tide is turning in favour of the Carthaginians. But Cotta remembers the old Roman tradition of devotion where a military commander would deliberately make a suicidal charge against the enemy to inspire the troops and restore the family name.

Cotta: The old roman man is about to die. The old roman spirit is about to live. For Rome! For Victory!

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Cotta charges against the right flank, hoping to cause panic at the weaker side of the Carthaginians.
The number of his guards dwindled until he is all alone by himself.

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He gets dragged of his horse and beaten to death on the battle field.

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The Roman spirit is ignited once again. All troops charge and press against the overwhelming enemy. But is that enough to win the battle?

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Meanwhile Roman cavalry rides to the right flank to retrieve Cottas body. Seeing that they are loosing the battle, they would not let Carthalo get the trophy of Cottas body.

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Cottas devotion inspired the troops to fight like mad men and although they are able to inflict heavy causalities on the enemy, in doing so the Roman number of troops also grows dangerously thin.

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Roman rider: There is his. Get his body and then let’s get out of this hell.

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The Roman cavalry is able to retrieve Cottas body, but while returning to their post the moral of the Romans is breaking. After two hours of fighting they are exhausted and weakened. They retreat – they run like hell.

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The whole roman army is fleeing, the battle is finally decided. Carthalo has won.

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Kennard [sitting in his office]: Even though the Romans inflicted heavy casualties on their most hated enemy the second battle of Sabo was a complete defeat for the Rome. They did not achieve anything, the invasion was a failure, a consul was dead and a good deal of the 5.000 Roman survivors were captured and killed during the march towards the sea. Three legions plus auxiliary was lost. It was only a close victory for Carthage, but it was a total loss for Rome.

Rome had suffered a terrible defeat. But Carthage had only won a battle, not the war. This defeat gave younger and unknown people like Sulla the chance to prove their worth. And indeed, the ancient historian Fabius tells us, that Sulla shouted “By the gods! What a terrible defeat – we can finally win this war” when he heard about the outcome at Sabo, pointing out that his plan for defeating Carthage in Spain might work out after all.

Second battle of Sabo:

Romans:
Soldiers: 24.000 - Lost: 19.000

Carthaginians:
Soldiers: 33.000 - Lost: 22.000

Quote:

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till the American domination of the 21th century.

---

20th Century.
I don't think I need to condescend and inform you on recent current events, but "American domination of the 21th century" is an amusing prophesy..

I had to correct specific number in my AAR on multiple occasion because of my terrible skill with numbers but this one is quite embarrasing. Yeah you are right, I meant the 20th century.

nice last few chapters

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Roka

nice last few chapters

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Yeah, they've been pretty damn good.

Where do you run to now, Quintus?
by Sarah Buehler, 2007

Chapter Twelve

„I have killed Cotta!”
Quintus was running like mad through the bulky Macchia, he was thirsty beyond any means and his feet were bleeding because of the thorny bushes.
“This can’t be true! I have killed Cotta.”
He was still in his chain mail, his face was dirty and unshaven. The soldier and historian left the battle fleeing. He and his group were chased by a dozen heavy riders after the battle when they reached a small wood with thin trees where Quintus tripped, fell down from the edge of a cliff.
And then there was blackness.

“I have killed Appius Aurelius Cotta!” was the first thing when Quintus opened his eyes, regaining conciseness. It was late afternoon; Quintus got up and realized that he had led Cotta to certain death. “I could have said no back then” he mumbled to himself. He started to remember that it was some years back in Rome where this whole disaster started, when Cotta asked him to help him repeat history – simple and easy as he said to Quintus.

But now Cotta was dead. And with him thousand of Romans and their Italian allies. Quintus didn’t realise that he had a mental break down.
“…killed Cotta” he was repeating it over and over again.

While Quintus was moving through the lands of Carthage he started to dehydrate under the hot African summer sun. Being out of his mind, he didn’t realise the circumstance that his mouth and lips started to dry terribly. Being out of air he couldn’t run anymore, though his mind seemed to focus for a short moment and he thought if this would be the end of him.
He walked up a rise and noticed that he had reached the coastline. By the gods! There was a small village of eight houses too.
The Roman soldier thought he was running towards the village though in reality he was limping like a wounded man. Someone was shouting something and at first Quintus did not understand anything. He thought that some Carthaginian peasant was insulting him, but then he became aware that the voice was speaking in Greek. He stopped and looked up, a young man was standing a short distance away, with a thin beard that still had blank spots on the face. For a moment he wondered what Greeks did in the lands of Carthage, but then he remembered that these people use to flee from their homes because their women are so ugly and the food so horrible.

For a moment Quintus smiled. In this moment he remembered that he was still alive. Then he passed out. “So thirsty…”

Loosing consciousness had become quite the habit for Quintus. When he woke up from his dreamless slumber he heard several people talking, becoming aware that he was in one of the houses. They all spoke Greek with each other, guessing that a Roman soldier would not be able to understand them. But Quintus was a historian educated in Greek, enabling him to follow the conversation. They were arguing what to do with him. Roman slaves pay well on the bazaar of Carthage. On the other hand this man had not done any harm to the Greeks. For a moment Quintus became focused. His chain mail was gone, but his Gladius was on the table close to him. Then it struck him again: “Cotta. Dead. 20.000 mean. Dead. Why? Because of me. Because I promised to lead Cotta to Carthage. Because I promised to lead three legions to victory. Dead. All dead.”
His heartbeat increased.
He became terribly nervous.
His clear thoughts were overtaken by devils of madness again.
He was loosing control.

„I have killed Appius Aurelius Cotta!” Quintus screamed, leaping upwards from the bed, grabbing his Gladius. The Greeks, some five men and two women were arguing too much to react quickly on the furry of the Roman. Before they could overwhelm him by their sheer number Quintus had the blade in his hand. This short sword was excellent to thrust quickly at multiple enemies.
Quintus stabbed the first man in the shoulder.
The next men, an elderly man with a bushy beard got a very deep cut in his arm.
With the same swing he hit a dark haired woman in the stomach.
She went down screaming in terrible agony while her husband ducked down to cover her body trying to cover her from further harm.
The man with the thin beard that found Quintus quickly grabbed him by the wrist, blocking any further attacks with the Gladius. But a roman soldier was skilled in close combat.
Quintus used his whole weight to ram the young Greek against the wall with his bare shoulder. This move surprised the opponent who tumbled while his ribs broke with an unpleasant sound.

“You can’t stop me you Carthaginian pigs.” Quintus screamed, triumphing over his captors. No one tried to oppose him anymore.
Having lost any sense of reality, Quintus ran out of the house where a few Greeks where staring at him without taking action. The Roman was running to the dock, entering a small fishing boat.
He turned his head back to the crowd where the Greeks gathered to look at the madman. “I have killed them. It was me! Don’t you understand? I didn’t mean to!”
They didn’t understand. He spoke in Latin. But they were too scared to approach an armed man.
He released the rope holding the small vessel, gave it a push and started to rudder with a paddle. Quintus left the village behind him. Turning his head westwards he saw the sun going down, the few clouds on the sky turned into a bright orange. He stopped paddling. The air smelled salty. “What point does it all make now?”
There he sat, in a small fishing boat without food or water. To Quintus it didn’t matter any more.
“I’m tired of running.”
Quintus closed his eyes.

End.

“I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is the moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious”
-Vince Lombardi

Second Punic war climax
(Part 1 of 2)

Silanos – Historiai
(written about 130 BC)

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...ee/Silanos.jpg
Silanos was a greek historian who lived from 200BC to 120 BC. He came to Rome [under reasons that have not happend yet - this will be edited]. His account on the Roman history are of high value since he followed the pragmatic histiography like Demosthnes of Ancyle.

Book VI

[…] The invasion to Africa turned out to be a complete disaster for the Romans. It clearly shows the weakness of the political system by electing an incompetent military leader just because of his legacy. At the same time the following years also show exactly the strength of the Roman system.
The Roman annual reports state that Spurius Cornelius Sulla returned to Spain as a proconsul in 556 AUC [198 BC] battling the Bastetani, another barbarian group under their king Ultu. The battle was small and probably didn’t exceed a total of 10.000 men, although no sources are specific on the numbers nor the exact location. This victory enabled Sulla to prepare further attacks on Romans biggest barbarian rival – the Carpentani. Having learnt important lessons from his campaigns against the Carpentani in 554 and 553 AUC [202/201 BC] he prepared for a longer and more daring attack on Carpentani soil, where Novantutas Carmacoi the son of the defeated Mutorke Carmacoi was still king. Little facts survive this campaign. But the remaining facts state that Sulla spent the winter in enemy territory fighting small skirmishes and promoting the Romans cause to local tribes. In 554 AUC [196 BC] he eventually conquered Baikor and captured the Carpentani king. The battle of Baikor cost the Romans a high amount of 10.000 men, but the barbarians threatening the Roman coastline of Spain were defeated. It is said that Sulla enslaved a great amount of people to Italy and plundering the Iberian cities.

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But this victory came at a great cost. Meanwhile the Carthaginians moved a huge amount of troops to Iberia in Martius of the same year [March 196 BC]. Strengthened after the victory at Sabo, Carthage was planning to defeat the Romans in Iberia too. The Carthaginian army was lead by Carthalo Carales, the victor at Sabo and Hamalcar Aleria, a younger but talented military leader. Some Roman sources claim that Carthalo had an amount of 90.000 troops under his command, but my guess would be that he had about 65.000 troops under his command. Nevertheless the number of troops was a tremendous threat for Sulla.

The first move was made by Hamalcar, who lead 30.000 men towards Carthago Nova, once a Carthaginian city in the middle of Maius [May]. There he defeated a legion of 6.000 Romans under the command of Manius Spurius Turus and 25.000 Iberians, mostly Constetani and Edetani allies at the battle of Baria. Hamalcar was exploiting the absence of Sulla who had only recently defeated the Carpentani king. This attack came to a great surprise to the Romans who didn’t anticipate an attack by this magnitude.
Carthago Nova was once more in the hands of Carthaginians and this development was alarming the Senators in Rome. At the same time Sulla, realizing the threat of being cut off from his costal cities charged his military most talented legate Tiberius Cornelius Scipio Asina, the son of Tiberius Cornelius Scipio Asina triumphant at the battle of Ildum, to defend the coast in his absence.

That the Romans reinforced the Spanish coast with two additional legions within months can be seen as a crowning achievement to their logistic and military understanding. Whenever needed, Rome recruited huge amount of soldiers from their Italian allies and reinforced any losses.
After conquering Carthago Nova, Carthalo started to push northwards against the city of Arsé in late Qunitlis [July], while Tiberius Cornelius Scipio prepared to stop this offensive at the city of Akra Leuke [modern Alicante]. On the 5th of Sextilis [August] it came to the battle of Akra Leuke, where the young Scipio faced the elderly and seasoned Carthalo.

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Both sides had about 20.000 troops, but Scipio wisely used a bridge as a chocking point to engage the superior enemy army. The victor of Sabo underestimated the cunning Scipio and tried to break through with full force. What happened next is till this day subject of great debate. I have travelled to Spain to listen the local accounts, I have spoken with Senators related to the Scipiones and I have researched various texts and letters stored in the libraries and found about 8 different versions of the battle. Some say that Scipio killed Carthalo with his own sword, another popular account is that Carthalo, seeing his man being slaughtered killed himself on the battlefield. For this matter we can only presume that the circumstances will for ever remain a myth. In the end we only know that the young Scipio defeated Rome’s greatest enemy, but didn’t defeat the enemy army. Most of the 20.000 Carthaginians retreated safely after Carthalo was killed.

In fall of 554 AUC [196 BC] the remaining Carthaginian troops reorganised and prepared for winter in Carthago Nova. They still had some 60.000 troops, while the Romans steadily reinforced up to 45.000 men. Sullas next move was a bold and risky one.

Second Punic war climax
(Part 2 of 2)

Fabius - Ab Urbe Condita
(written at about 50 BC)

Who was Lucius Fabius?

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Lucius Fabius was a Roman historian who wrote a universal history of Rome. He started with the legendary myths of the founding of Rome up to his present day. Fabius portraits a lively version of the Roman history and he is more interested in various details rather then a critical approach on the matter. Reason for that is the time Fabius was living in, the Roman civil war is on going and Fabius experiences what he calls a "decline of morality". His work was to remind the Romans what virtues made the Rome strong and how they dealt with certain flaws in society. Besides that his work can be considered as very inaccurate with a lack of sources. The modern historian Brian Lewis said about Fabius "He is master of lies in history. But that does not mean his stories do not have a kernel of truth in it".

Book XVI

On the 24th of September Spurius Cornelius Sulla returned with his legions to Scipios camp. The young Scipion greeted his commander with all obligatory military procedures. Dismounting his brown stallion Sulla raised his hand to his victorious legate: “I salute you young Scipio. You really live up to your family name.”
“I did what was expected. If Rome would ask me to travel to the end of the world, I would” the young victor replied.
For now the two men would eat, drink and relax. The weather was still very warm and there was plenty of food for the whole army. After a few days Scipio asked his commander what his next move was. Hamalcar, who had taken over grand command over the troops, was still a big threat. Sulla thought about the situation for quite some time and then came up with another daring plan.
“If I was Hamalcar and had over 80.000 men at my command, what would I fear most? I would fear that my supplies grow thin and that my enemy, the Romans, would attack me in my most weakened state. So my good Scipio, I plan to attack them during the winter. During that time supply becomes rare while the climate here still allows me to attack the enemy. I have done the same thing against the Carpentani and I am also able to do so against the Carthaginian. This way we can easily use our smaller numbers against a larger, yet starving army.”
Scipio who always was up for a military challenge agreed to the plan, as did all the other legates under the propraetorian commander. Preparations were made in all of October, stocks filled and the soldier trained. Early November the weather was still warm enough when Sulla gave command to start moving south against Hamalcar in Mastia. Four Roman legions and several Iberian allies marched forth to face an enemy superior in number.
The first legion was commanded by Sulla, while the second was lead by his legate Tullius Cornelius Marcus. The other two legions took another route to maintain more supplies on the road and were lead by Tiberius Cornelius Scipio Asina and Decimus Papirus Pulcher.
The Carthaginian forces were separated into three armies lead Hamalcar Aleria, Abdeshmun and Asdroubas. When they realised that Sulla was forcing them into battle in November Hamalcar decided to counter the attack and launch his troops quickly against Scipios and Pulchers legions to separate them from Sullas army. The young legate was furious when he realized that Hamalcar was about to attack him on the 13th of November and that Sullas troops where out of reach. He ordered his best messenger to send word on the situation and prepared to defend the position until Sulla would come to help.

Scipio gave an important speech about one hour before the battle: “Men, I know that our surprise attack has failed and that a great number of troops is about to charge our position here. I know that they are great in numbers, but we can hold out here. They will find that a Roman legion is a hard nut to crack. Though we lack the numbers, we are the greater warriors, disciplined and trained in the arts of war. My grandfather defeated the Carthaginians in Sicily, my father did the same here in Spain and I already killed their most skilled leader. We can defeat this army here, we will stand, fight and we will win.”

Hamalcar rushed into the battle trusting that his great amount of troops would be enough to destroy a Roman legion. Scipios and Pulchers legions were lined up in a small valley where they hope to control the enemy movement.

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The Carthaginian leader knew that he had to strike fast and without mercy, because by now Sullas legions where already on the way to support Scipio in battle. He gave instructions to his military tribunes and signalled the attack. The troops started to charge 300 meters away from the Roman line.

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Immediately the battle changed into close quarter fighting and the huge number of troops turned this battle into a terribly bloody clash with men dying left and right.

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Scipio pressed hard against the enemy so he could not organise the encirclement of his own legion. By constantly pushing forward the enemy was not able to flank the bold young legate. Time was of the essence and for two hours Scipio pushed and pushed demanding the maximum of what a soldier can endure in battle.

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It started to look grim for Scipio, who had already killed about 15.000 enemy Carthaginians, but also lost 5.000 of his own men. Asdroubas brought another 20.000 men to make the final strike against Sulla when a messenger brought news: “Legate Scipio, Propraetor Sulla will be here within half an hour. Surely the gods are giving speed to the feet of his troops.” This news inspired the remaining Roman soldiers to hold their lines. “For the people and the senate of Rome! We fight or fall!” could be heard all over the grim battlefield.

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The vast and skilled legion of Sulla entered the battlefield, ready to relieve Scipios army and push back the Carthaginians. During the course of the battle the fighting shifted to the nearby woods making Roman cavalry moves impossible. Finaly the Carthaginians were defending.

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The fight was going on for hours, all the hatred between the two cities was unleashed in this engagement. The battle line dissolved into fighting of smaller and greater groupings.

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The struggle went on like this for some further three hours and no commander knew what was going on exactly. It was simply too many soldiers on both sides to maintain a clear chain of command. Although the Roman centurions remained a clear head and led their troops well by their best will. At the 8th hour [2PM] Asdroubas was killed in one of the pockets.

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An hour later Sulla and Scipio finally met on the battlefield. By now most of the Carthaginian troops were dead or have fled. Despite this Hamalcar and some 10.000 men were still fighting against the now larger Roman army. Sulla pushed his military tribunes to outflank Hamalcar and encircle then. The tenth hour [4 PM] finally brought the decision when the Pedites extraordinares [Italian elite troops] encircled Hamalcar, brought down his horse and killed the proud Carthaginian leader who said “It was not enough” while dieing.

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The rest of the Carthaginian troops fled. After nearly 6 hours of fighting no Roman soldier brave and bold had the power to chase any of the fleeing enemy. Sulla had won a decisive victory with Scipios help.


A history of Rome, by Prof Alfred Kennard, 2002 New York

Fabius account on the battle of Mastia tells us inaccurate numbers, but with Silanos version of the battle we are able to reconstruct the casualties of the battle.

Carthage:
Soldiers: 60.000 – Lost: 50.000

Rome:
Soldiers: 45.000 – Lost: 20.000

This battle was the largest and bloodiest battle in the second Punic war. Rome smashed the Carthaginian war effort to pieces. The young Scipio and the already popular Sulla became war heroes to end the second Punic war. And indeed, the next spring of 195 BC a delegation under Senator Lucius Cornelius Dolebella went to Carthage to meet with the Suffet Carpophorus to dictate their terms of peace.
Carthage had to give all the remaining outposts in Spain to Rome and pay a large sum of gold. The long second Punic war was over.
In a conclusion this war secured Rome’s position as a Mediterranean superpower. Both militarily and economically Rome established itself as a “global player” in a wider sense. While Carthage still remained strong it lost a prestigious and costly war against its arch enemy.

The second Punic war had long-lasting effects on the Roman society and it somehow connects with the later Roman civil war. Rome expanded its provinces in foreign parts of Europe that changed the political tradition (more Quaestors and Praetors) and rules of taxation (Stipendia). In a wider sense the first problems with ruler ship became apparent. The young generation of Sullas and Scipios lead and ultimately won the war, without being able to actually have leading positions. The Senate skipped the problems by assigning de facto leading positions like the Propraetor, but that did not actually solve the problem. This is one issue that would play a bigger part later on in the civil war.
The real heroes of this war were not Carthalo or Sulla, it was the Roman allies in Italy. Without them, the Roman Senate could not have build up such a large quantity of troops. The allies, for now, stood loyal to Rome.

What a lovely day, yeah, we won the war.
May have lost a million men, but we've got a million more.
-Portugal. The man

Saneus gambles with Rome and looses

The Roman Empire, by Wolfgang Schreier, Bonn 2003

After the Second Punic war ended in 194 BC the Roman society wanted to recover from the high war effort. Despite this, the Romans still had to fight wars the following years, though those conflicts were much smaller in comparison to the war with Carthage.
Immediately after the peace with the Carthaginians was settled a border conflict occurred with a Celtic tribe called the Turduli. Their king Biurtilaur Alonicoi did not agree with the peace settlement between the two superpowers, thus having to give up some areas of his domain. The Roman presence in the centre of Spain was not big, so Sulla successfully convinced his former enemies, the Carpentani, to hold the Turdulis at bay. For the next years a single Roman legion and the Carpentani fought side by side against the Turdulis.

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Map showing the Turduli domain in Spain prior to the war.

In 191 BC the successful Sulla returned to Rome, celebrating his triumph and concentrating on his career. Lucius Iunus Brutus became the new Propraetor of Hispania Ulterior who charged the popular 25 year old Scipio as a Quaestor and as a military legate to deal with the Celtic tribes. Being so young and already leading a legion was only possible due to the legacy of his ancestors. In summer of the same year the young Scipio defeated the Turduli at the Battle of Contasti. The king Alonicoi fled to the north, while the Romans occupied the lands of the Turduli the following spring.

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Spain in 190 BC. A great deal is already conquered by Rome.

By 192 BC the Macedonians seemed to give up the treaty it had with Rome. The Macedonian kings had long lasting treaties with the Senate, but after the second Epirote war broke out in 220 BC the relationship seemed to worsen to a certain degree. By 192 BC the Macedon king Dionysianos Saneus publicly demanded to inherit the throne of Epirus, which had been vacant since the end of the second Epirote war in 214 BC. Silanos, the Greek historian, pointed out that this was a ridiculous and obsolete claim.

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But the Romans didn’t get to rest after stability was recovered in Spain for the time being. In 188 BC the king Saneus send emissaries to Rome stating that if the Romans would not leave Epirus he would take it by force. The Romans did not think that he would dare attacking a former ally and when Saneus marched into the Epirote city of Ambrakia in early 187 BC, the Roman legion stationed in Epirus stood down and did not prevent his actions, because the garrison commander had no specific orders to attack the Macedonians.

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But Saneus didn’t have the support of all the Greeks to fight against Rome. Some thought that attacking an old ally, who in fact helped the Macedonians against the Epirotes during the first Punic war, was a terrible crime. The first Macedon war ended the same year it started. A noble under the name Leocharis Eurypontidos revolted against Saneus, quickly won all the support and arrested Saneus. To show the good will of the Macedonians he turned Saneus over to the Romans. The Senate decided to put Saneus to exile to the Seleucid Empire in the east, where the old and bitter king spent the rest of his remaining years.
While not a long war, the first Macedon war utterly destroyed the once good relationship between the Senate and the Macedonian king.

Transcript of the college presentation during the lecture „The Roman Republic“ in 2003, University of Minnesota, USA

[Anna Chow speaking]:
Dear colleges, dear professor, last week we heard about the end of the second Punic war and the first Macedonian war. What was following these wars was a rather calm period without many foreign conflicts for Rome. I will give a short summary for this period that lasted until 166 BC, when the infamous Metellus became consul.
The war hero Spurius Cornelius Sulla became consul in 184 BC. In the first half of the second century BC the Senate was ruled by rich and prestigious families like the Scipions and the Cornelii. Even though the rich families often fought each other for power in the Senate, disputes were – yet - bloodless and civilized. One problem was that young people, like for example Tiberius Cornelius Scipio, were already popular, yet they were to young to have real power in the Senate, despite their influence. Scipio was a good example for this. He led armies to victory at the age of 25 in Spain, when he returned to Rome he was nothing but a young Senator in Rome. Bitter he turned to the military again, going to Greece where tensions were still high after the first war with Saneus. The other problem was that these prestigious families had become quite rich through the second Punic war, corruption and miss governance in the provinces was an untreated issue.


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Rome in 180 BC.


Although a rather peaceful period, two smaller armed conflicts happened. At 179 BC the Taurisci, also called the Norici, invaded the northern border of Italy coming from the Alps. Although the numbers of people invading didn’t exceed some 8000 people it was the first barbarian invasion for over 100 years. In the same year consul Publius Denatus defeated the Norici at Ceneta and enslaved the saviours.
The following year the Macedonian king Leocharis Eurypontidos, who restored diplomatic relations with Rome, was murdered by Alexander IV a follower of Saneus, who declared himself king. Tiberius Scipio, always ready to go to war attacked Alexander IV in 178 BC after being provoked by the new king. In 176 BC he defeated the new king in the battle of Berora. Alexander IV had to agree to accept Roman governance in Epirus and disclaim hegemony over Greece. The Second Macedonian war only lasted for two years, but by now the Macedonian-Roman relationship was terribly hostile.
Scipio returned to Rome in 174 BC to finally become Consul, using this position to accumulate his fame and especially his wealth. His former friend and mentor Sulla, who also became consul in 172 and 170 BC, refrained from Scipio due to personal reasons.
The political situation in the Senate changed when the rather unknown former Praetor Caius Caecilius Metellus came to Rome in 167 BC.

“Laws control the lesser man... Right conduct controls the greater one.”
-Marc Twain

The new Roman Nobility

A history of Rome, by Prof Alfred Kennard, 2002 New York

The Second Punic war brought a lot of wealth to the noble families in Rome. The Senate was populated by a few rich and prestigious families like the Aemilii, Cornelli, Fulvii and of course the Scipios. What we can gather from the ancient sources the wealth was not distributed equally between the Patricians and the Plebeians. The economical situation seemed to worsen for the Plebeians from 180 BC onwards, while people like the Scipios built luxury mansions around Rome. Speculations about corruption were daily topic, but unfortunately no one tried to challenge the rich families. Miss governance of the provinces seemed to increase as well, for example the rumour was that Numerius Cornelius Scipio, a cousin of the victor from the second Macedonian war, used his position as a governor in Sicily to put as much money in his pocket as possible.
But the corruption of the noble families was also a possibility for new Senators to reform the system. One of these men was a Plebeian called Gaius Caecilius Metellus. He was born in Rhegion in 207 BC to the Caecilian gens. This Plebeian gens was one of the richer and prestigious families in Rome who had already produced a few consuls. They were known for their rather conservative sense of politics. Metellus served as a soldier in the First Macedonian war and became a Quaestor in Sicily therafter. There he got to know Numerius Cornelius Scipio and became witness to the corruption, while at the same time the cousin of Numerius, Tiberius Cornelius Scipio Asina, came back from the second Macedonian war as a triumphant war hero. Afterwards he served as a Plebeian Tribune and Plebeian Aedile, both positions he used for architectural improvements to Rome (as we will see later). After serving as a Praetor in Sardinia in 168 BC he returned to Rome to fight against the widespread corruption.

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Fabius - Ab Urbe Condita
(written at about 50 BC)

Book XXVIII

At the end of the year 586 AUC [168 BC] Caius Caecilius Metellus returned to Rome after serving in Sardinia. His service was superb, he came to a rather troubled region and left with order and morality restored. Magistrates in Sardinia were said to work hard and efficient even 20 years after Metellus left.
When he returned to Rome the corrupt nobility did not take any notice of it at all, despite his public speeches against corruption throughout his years. It is remarkable that Metellus started to work the very first day he came back. For a man of his character, there was never an idle moment. Each day had to be used to work for the best of Rome and its people. He only took a day off to visit friends and relatives he had in Rome, but besides that he already dealt with his clients on the very first day.
Before Metellus could stand up against the widespread corruption and loss of morality by the Senate he had to work with his clients. Since he had been gone for over a year this work took over the first months and it wasn’t until the spring of the next year [167 BC] that he could go to the courts.
In late March Metellus decided that the time was right. The day before making his announcement he organized a small festivity in his house to invite friends and political allies. The next day Metellus publicly announced his actual endeavour with a small speech: “For too long the nobility in the Senate has stood and watched while some men with influence put their power to enrich them selves first before the needs of Rome. As a firm believer in the greatness of the Roman Senate and its people it is my obligation to bring those responsible to court and see them convicted. I therefore announce to put, among others, Caius Cornelius Sulla [Sullas son], Marcus Cornelius Lentulus and foremost Tiberius Cornelius Scipio Asina, victor in Spain and Macedon, before court.

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A history of Rome, by Prof Alfred Kennard, 2002 New York

Among the nobility the accusation from Metellus was quite the shock. Even though everyone seemed to know that Scipio was corrupt, his deeds to Rome, his ancestry of two great victors against the Carthaginians was enough to let him live with his flaws. Metellus was a calm man of principle, who wanted to see order and honesty restored to the Senate. But he also had the momentum at his side, his proclamation to bring the corrupt people to court was quite the news and made Metellus instantly popular among the masses. Resisting such a man could mean possible riots and disorder among the Plebeians and the Scipios knew that very well.
The only chance for them was to face Metellus in court and use his weapons against him. The Scipios tried to confront him directly in court and delayed the procedure wherever they could. The sessions went on till October of the same year, when Metellus got unexpected support. The youngest son of Sulla, Marcus Cornelius Sulla supported Metellus in court and spoke out against his older brother Gaius. Spurius Sulla had already withdrawn from daily politics in 169 BC and retired to a villa north to Rome. Fabius interprets that the popular Spurius Sulla, fearing that his name might be put to shame through his son Gaius, told Marcus Sulla to speak out against his brother. While the famous Sulla retired indeed as a rich man, it was said that he did so rather honestly and even if he made money by illegal means, at least he spent a good portion to the public cause.

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Eventually Metellus won the case and the convicted Senators, among them Numerius Cornelius Scipio and Tiberius Cornelius Scipio Asina, went into exile. Metellus had become the hero of Rome and immediately the next year he became consul. Within one year the Plebeian Senator became the most prominent member of the Senate and would guide Roman politics for the next years.

Cool story bro.

It's beautiful keep up the good work

“He conquers who conquers himself”
Latin Proverb quotes

Macedonicus

A history of Rome, by Prof Alfred Kennard, 2002 New York

The consulship of Metellus was characterized by the lex orata, an anti luxury law that limited the wealth people could own without taxation. The law was well intended, but never actually used. Nevertheless it marked Metellus as a guardian of morality and as a fighter against corruption. Metellus tried to make a good example and used his own money on public buildings and infrastructure. He assigned his childhood friend Manius Claudius Sabinus during his consulship to build a network of roads in Spain, needed for the military and trade. Metellus always was interested in architecture and later in his life he wrote a book called “de architectura” in which he describes his work on roads in Sicily and the improvement of the existing Aqueducts in Rome.
After his consulship Metellus remained an important figure in the Senate and his opinion on political matters remained heavy, even with different consuls.

In 164 BC Spurius Cornelius Sulla died peacefully in his mansion with old age. The popular victor over the Celts and Carthaginians was mourned by a 2 week festival in Rome. Metellus publicly honoured his great skills in battle and the name Sulla remained valued, despite the fact that Metellus exiled one of his sons.

The next year, in fall of 163 BC, Alexander IV Idomeneus invaded Epirus once again. The Roman legion retreated to the south-west since the Macedonian army was too large. It had about 45.000 men, 25.000 attacking from the north and 20.000 from the south. The most important factor was that Alexander IV had reformed his army since the last defeat against the Romans in 176 BC. Now his Phalanx was filled with Illyrians to make up the low numbers of Macedonians in the army and the equipment was improved as well.
The Romans elected a Publius Valerius Maximus as of the two consuls, a disimpassioned and unimposing Senator with promising military skills. Already in February of 162 he sailed with a small fleet and an additional legion to Greece.
The Macedonians sent their large fleet under their admiral Astrabakos to prevent the Romans from landing troops. But Astrabakos was halted by rough days at the sea and arrived to late to prevent Maximus to land. Nevertheless it came to a sea battle at the gulf of Avlona (modern day Vlorë in Albania) where about 150 modern warships destroyed a great portion of the 50 Roman ships. For the time being, the Romans didn’t have an adequate fleet, so the superiority of the see remained with the Macedonians. Nevertheless Maximus landed his troops successful in Greece, ready to attack Alexander IV.
Two legions were situated in the south ready to attack Alexander’s forces, naturally Maximus task would have been to engage the larger northern army. But Maximus wanted to risk a strategic move to end the war quickly by concentrating all his troops to the south. Alexander was caught off guard and retreated east to the mountains, but had to face Maximus at the battle of Milea in the fall of 162 BC.

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Silanos – Historiai
(written about 130 BC)

Book X

[…] Alexander IV was indeed a strange yet fascinating man. Now being in his 60ies, he was still strong and vivid in everything he did. On the one side he was a brilliant political leader that united all the Macedonian and Greek factions with passionate speeches, he was inclined to philosophy but never lost sight for what was possible. On other side, however, he was that he was obsessed with his eponym Alexander the Great. The tale of a 30 year old young man conquering the whole Persian Empire fascinated him since he was young. It was his believe, that he had the spirit of Alexander the Great in him. Needless to say, the new Persian Empire was seen as the Roman Republic, who in his eyes sought to conquer all of Greece and Macedonia. By attacking the Romans he hoped to conquer all of Italy, Illyrian and Spain, creating a new Alexandrian Empire. After his defeat against Scipio he reformed his armies, filling ranks with Illyrians and Barbarians.
When Maximus attacked him with a large army he was surprised by the bold move of the Roman, as the Macedonians and the Greeks saw the Romans as untalented tactical leaders. Alexander used the terrain for his advantage, trying to split the legions apart, fighting one legion at a time. A victory at the valley of Milea could change everything for the Macedonian king.

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The battle was fought on the hill slopes on the left flank of the Romans

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Roman skirmisher (Velites) marching to position

Milea itself was an old settlement destroyed long ago by invading Barbarians, the ruins were still a landmark when the bold Maximus attacked Alexander.

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The Maceondian army consisted of a good deal of Thracian mercaneries.

Both leaders knew that the whole battle was to be decided by the slopes of the local hill. The best troops on both sides fought here for the control of the battle.

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Roman cavalry engaging Macedonian heavy skirmisher on the hill slopes.

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The fighting on the slopes were difficult and exhausting for both sides.

Both sides fought bravely and determined to win. Unfortunately for the Macedonians Alexander was stabbed during the battle in the stomach by a Roman equestrian, harming the Macedonian king. Alexander had to retreat from the battlefield to his camp since he was bleeding terribly. But unlike the battle of Berora against Scipio Alexander’s troops were disciplined and fought on for the cause of their king.

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Macedonian heavy infrantry regrouping on the battle field.

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Roman light Infrantry (Hastati) fighting though a Phalanx.

Alexander was successful in splitting Maximus’ troops apart since the reinforcements did not arrive to the battlefield that day. Nevertheless the wounded king was unable to lead his men from the bed of his camp. Maximus eventually won the flanks on the slope tearing the Macedonian Phalanx apart and thus wining the battle. When the disorientated Macedonians started to flee, the Roman cavalry hunted down many fleeing soldiers. When the surviving troops came back to the camp they were informed by the Greek doctors that Alexander was lethally and bled to death. This was the day the last Macedonian king died.

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Macedonians fleeing from the enemy.

A history of Rome, by Prof Alfred Kennard, 2002 New York

After the victory Maximus returned to Ambrakia, the rest of the northern army retreated to the Borders of Macedonia. Maximus spent the winter there, reorganising his troops. He sent word to the senate in Rome what to do with Macedoni. The answer came not from Rome but from a nephew of Alexander who was about to proclaim himself king: Lysanias Saneus.
For the Romans the position was clear, the Macedonians had betrayed them multiple times and not followed treaties, furthermore Alexander had illegally attacked the Achaean league prior to the war. For the Maximus the Macedonians could not be trusted anymore and had to be defeated. The following spring in 161 BC Maximus marched on the undefended city of Pella, the capital of Macedonia. Maximus made an offer to the inhabitants that he would not kill a single human being if they submitted to the Romans. The inhabitants of Pella agreed and were eventually sold to slavery. Maximus order his soldiers to plunder and burn down the city as a sign against the Macedonians. In the summer Maximus marched to the south hoping to face Lysanias Saneus in battle.

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In the battle of Demetrias Maximus faced a strong Macedonian army.

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Reformed Macedonian Phalanx fighting against the Roman legion

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Lysanias being killed in battle.

But Lysanias was too young and too inexperienced as a military leader. He lost his life and the battle as well. In the fall of 161 Maximus entered the city of Athens, making him the conqueror of one of the most prestigious city of antiquity. Maximus was welcomed as the liberator of Macedonian tyranny, and even though he did not like the Greeks at all he took part in a public welcoming.

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News quickly spread in Rome that the ancient city of Athens was in Roman hands – the popularity of Maximus was rising and for the people it looked like the Macedonians were already defeated. But a large Macedonian army was still located at Serdike (modern-day Sofia) threatening to conquer back the territory. It wasn’t until 159 BC that Maximus had his troops ready to attack to the north. There he met the military leader of the army Ptolemas Libethrios at the battle of Astibos.

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Thracians made up most of the army of Ptolemas

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Hastati waiting for the enemy attack.

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A centurion charging with his maniple against the Macedonians.

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Tense fighting on both sides.

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The aftermath.

Maximus won the third and last battle in his campaign by using his huge amount of cavalry to outflank the enemy and encircle the Macedonian Phalanx.
There was no one opposing Roman conquest in Macedonia anymore, Alexander IV was dead and all important cities in Roman hand. In late 159 Maximus declared victory over the Macedonians and returned to Rome in 158. His return to the city was celebrated with a large triumph. The senate was so pleased with Maximus’ success in Macedonia that they rewarded him with the title of Macedonicus to his surname. His full name was now Publius Valerius Maximus Macedonicus.

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The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.
Theodore Roosevelt

A protagonist of his time

The Roman Empire, by Wolfgang Schreier, Bonn 2003

By 156 BC Caecilius Metellus started to propose waging war against Carthage. He argued that after the third Macedonian war the Roman army was disciplined enough to win against a war against its archrival. Metellus saw Carthage as a constant threat to the security of Rome which had to be dealt with, and his eyes, rather sooner then later. The senators were indifferent to this proposal, Rome had just been through war and Carthage did not threaten Rome right now. On the other hand Rome was waging war in Spain. The Celts from the city of Numantia were constantly harassing the Roman borders, which drew much military attention.

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Open battles against the Celts were rare. Whenever the Celts could they would rather raid trade routes and undefended Roman colonies. The Numantians were strong enough in numbers to face the Romans in open battle.

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Romes biggest advantage over the celts were a strong cavalry that outflanked the strong Celtic infantry. It is asthonishing that the followind decades the Romans would decrease their number of Equites.

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Celtic infantry were well equipped formidable foes.

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The battle of Numantia was a huge battle that saw the defeat of Celtic resistence in the center of Spain.

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Thousand of men fighting.

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Cavalry outflanking the Celts and crushing them from the rear.

But Metellus remained calm and waited for a better moment. Meanwhile he was appointed Censor in 154 BC, a crowning achievement for his career.

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In the same year a roman Legion defeated the Numantians before their city gates and thus more military stability was granted in Spain again. Metellus made a vow for war again and this time opinions in the Senate were swayed. Metellus was appointed Proconsul to defeat Carthage. In 153 a large fleet with about 60.000 Roman soldiers gathered in Sicily to embark against Carthage once again.

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The large Roman fleet landing in Africa.

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Metellus making his way to the city.

The overwhelming masses of Roman legionnaires landing in Africa took the Carthaginians completely by surprise. They had not rebuilt their army since the second Punic war and the current Suffet Abdesmnun only had some 10.000 men ready to defend the city.
Abdesmnuns actions already puzzled ancient historian Fabius, since the Romans thought that a long and exhausting siege was about to start. But Abdesmnun gathered his troops in front of the city and marched against the Romans. Perhaps he thought that he might win a surprise victory by attacking an enemy that was rather prepared for siege then an open battle. At the battle of Carthage in 152 BC he fought against 2 legions under the command of Metellus. Abdesmnuns timing was well enough since he only faced an army of 25.000 men.

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The battle of Carthage saw some small pokets of fierce fighting, but overall the Romans were baffled by the lack of resistance by the Carthaginians.

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The battle only lasted for two hours, afterwards the remaining Carthaginian troops retreated to the city.

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Romans love slaves. Oh yes, they do.

In the end Metellus was victorious. The supreme council in Carthage surrendered to the Romans and opened the gates to Metellus. He was the first one to enter the city as a conqueror and ordered the enslavement of all citizens and the destruction of the city. Carthage was looted and then burned to the grounds. The ancient and prestigious city now lay in complete ruins. Metellus returned to Rome as a victor and was granted a triumph for defeating Carthage. The conquered lands were formed to the province Africa. Carthage itself would lie in ruins for decades.

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The Roman Republic in 150 BC.

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Far to the east, but without relevance to the Romans as of yet, the Parthians were overrunning the Seuleukid Empire.

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Parthians overruning the Capital Seleukeia in 148 BC

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In the east a new empire was forming, the Parthian Empire. The map shows Parthian domain at 140 BC.

The borders of the Roman republic turned calm with the end of the third Punic war. To the start of the Roman civil war only a few conflicts arose now and then. A short summary is presented here:
In 154 BC Consul S. Aemilius Lepidus conquered the former Carthaginian colony of Leptis Magna and installed a Rome-friendly but politically independent client ruler.
In 138 BC a Greek envoy from Mytilene an island-state in the Aegean Sea sent by the ruler Archagathos asked for help in the struggle of a civil war. The city exiled Archagathos who went to Athens to maintain contacts with Roman politicians there. Archagathos had declared himself as a friend (amici) two decades earlier and now needed the Senates help. After some heated debates among the Senators the Senate eventually agreed to help Archagathos and sent the Roman consul K. Iunius Brutus to the island in 136 BC.

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The rebels were defeated and Archagathos returned to power. But Brutus did not return to Rome immediately. After he had learned that the campaign against Archagathos was sponsored by the Kingdom of Pergamon under their king Aristos, he decided to invade Pergamon without the Senates approval. The king did not suspect that this conflict would summon the Romans to his domain, after all the forces of Pergamon were no match for the Roman legions. Aristos was defeated in the battle of Cyme in 136 BC. Brutus returned to Rome and while the Senate had mixed feelings about Brutus decision it agreed to install the province of Asia in the old kingdom.

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The Roman Republic in 135 BC, after the Pergamon campaign.

In 133 BC the Lusitani in Spain, who had been conquered in 166 BC, rebelled against the Roman rule caused by miss governance and corruption. The rebellion was quelled by the military legate Publius Cornelius Sulla, a nephew of the famous Spurius Cornelius Sulla.

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The Lusitani rebellion. The small city of Oxtraca was the center of the Celtic rebellion.

The same Sulla attacked the Callaeci in 126 BC defeating them in a costly battle of Tyde in the same year. Now most of Spain was in the hands of the Romans, with only the Celtic tribes of the Austures and the Cantabri still being independent.

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The battle of Tyde saw great casualties for the Romans. Supply was rare far up in the north of Spain. The unknown terrain was a dangerous area.

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The battle of Tyde is a good example of superior Celtic infantrymen. While the Celts have less men then the Romans they are able to inflict tremendous casualties to the Romans who nearly lost the battle.

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Eventually Roman cavalry turned the tide of the battle once again. Here they are waiting to manuever against the enemy.

In 123 BC Caecilius Metellus died at the age of 84. For decades Metellus was the most prominent member of the Senate. He had conquered Carthage and influenced the outcome of the third Macedonian war. He was also a very conservative politician who fought against the widespread corruption and thus brought down the legacy of the Scipions. For generations to come Metellus was the example of the “good old Roman politican”.
It has been vividly debated whether Metellus prolonged the civil war by actions his against corruption or if his refusal for any political reforms actually accelerated it.

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An interesting alternative could be the early destruction of rome, or the failure of Caesars' gallic conquest. Or a Victory to hannibal from a headstrong Rome willing to engage him in the field once more! :book:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Celtic_Punk

An interesting alternative could be the early destruction of rome, or the failure of Caesars' gallic conquest. Or a Victory to hannibal from a headstrong Rome willing to engage him in the field once more! :book:

---

Well I am limited to the possibilities. Since I will continue this AAR with Invasio Barbarorum it implies that Rome will not be destroyed early one. I also need a Caesar to bring down the republic for the sole reason of his name.
But somethings will be different, the roman civil war starts the same way as the historic one, but afterwards it seems to change the direction as of far. As for the conquest of gaul, nothing is written in stone yet. ;)

"A nation can survive its fools and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and he carries his banners openly against the city. But the traitor moves among those within the gates freely, his sly whispers rustling through all alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself. For the traitor appears no traitor; he speaks in the accents familiar to his victim, and he wears their face and their garments and he appeals to the baseness that lies deep in the hearts of all men. He rots the soul of a nation; he works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of a city; he infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist. A murderer is less to be feared. The traitor is the plague."
Cicero

The beginning of the end

The Roman Empire, by Wolfgang Schreier, Bonn 2003

For quite some time in the 2nd century BC already some insightful senators saw that the owners of large estates were rising and the certain problems were connected to that process. In 140 BC a Consul by the Name of Gaius Laelius was the first one to address the problem by reforming the public lands in Italy, but without success.
The problem was that the vast expansion of the Roman Republic was causing further issues. The steady income of foreign slaves enabled landowners to create large estates (Latifundia) run by these serfs. That also meant that small owner of estates became poor and went to the cities where they would serve as day-labourers. This had another effect that the Roman census, which determined the class in the army and the equipment one had to own, was running out of manpower.
In 123 BC a process started with the plebeian tribune Gaius Aurelius Cotta which effectively triggered the Roman civil war, even if at that time no one was aware of that. Cotta the Tribune (Cotta was not called like that until the French Revolution, when he became a popular figure) came from a prestigious Plebeian family, he shared the same name with the Cotta who failed conquering Carthage at the second battle of Sabo in 199 BC, but he was only distantly related to him. Far more important was that his father and his uncle were both Governors in Nearer Hispania and Further Hispania, so Cotta the Tribune was a respected and wealthy upcoming Senator.

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Helenos – Bíos

(written about 100 AD)

631 ab urbe Condita [123 BC] began as a normal year for the Roman people. But in early Ianuarius [January] Metellus the Censor died of old age. He did not live to see what chaotic years followed his passage to the afterlife. It is also a strange coincidence that the following events occurred in the year of his death, but there seems to be no evidence that Gaius Aurelius Cotta planed to wait with his actions till the death of Metellus.
Gaius Aurelius Cotta’s tribuneship started out normally that year. The first months in office he worked with his plebeian clients about legal matters. But in April Gaius Aurelius Cotta presented his law “lex Aurelia” to the Peoples Assembly. This law saw the redistribution of the ager publicus Romanus [Roman public land in Italy] to the destitute peasants. Every peasant should 500 iugera for cultivation, with additional 250 iugera for one, or 500 iugera for two sons. Linked with the law was the proposal to establish a public commission to distribute the land to those who needed it.
Cotta did not present the law to the Senate which had been common for hundreds of years since he did not want to risk wealthy Senators speaking against it, which actually infuriated Senators in the first place.
These Senators spoke to a tribune called Quintus Octavius to make use of his power of intercession to stop the “lex Aurelia”. Cotta was mad that his college spoke out against such an important law, but he did nothing else for the moment. He tried again a few days later, but Quintus Octavius spoke against the law once more. Cotta replied that he would take any necessary step to serve the republic and called for a vote among the 10 tribunes to relieve Octavius from his office. Such thing had not happened since the foundation in Rome because the Plebeian Tribune was in fact a sacred office sworn to protect the Plebeians at all cost. Now this man destroyed the ancient tradition.
It came to a vote and Octavius was relieved from his office. Cotta went for another try with his law and this time no one tried to speak against it.
The Senates was mad when they heard about Cottas actions. Nevertheless they did not dare to take actions against the tribune since his sacral power protected him from those Patricians. A try to harm him would have put all the anger from the Roman people against the Senate, so for now they had to wait until the year was over when Cotta was released from his duties and privileges.
The agrarian commission was instituted under the leadership of Cotta himself. His two colleges were Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus and Titus Aemilius Mamercus. The commission began to work immediately, redistributing lands to the poor.
But Cotta was a smart Plebeian with insight for what was happening. He knew that once the year was over his political power would run out and his work could have been for nothing. All it took was another tribune to reverse the law and abolish the commission. Some Senators openly spoke about such a plan. Cotta, realising his desperate situation and fearing for his life, announced that he would run for tribune for the following year again. The witty Plebeian outsmarted the opposing Senators, who were shocked over his apparent arrogance. But people were already wondering if his law was simply too much and if Cotta had broken too many rules of the Mos Maiorum [Custom of the ancestors]. Nevertheless the commission continued the work in 630 AUC [122 BC] after Cotta was re-elected as Plebeian Tribune
On the 12th of Martius [March] of the same year Cotta made public that he would run for Tribune as long as the commission had work to be done. He saw the needs of the land hungry masses of Rome as his most important work in life and he, so he argued, could not be slowed down by any ancient traditions. But by doing so he alienated himself from the people, his supporters became fewer every day. And most important, his announcement that he would run for Tribune again infuriated the Senate to the highest point.
The next day the Senate met in session, but any sense for a calm discussion was lost. Turmoil and loud arguments flew through the air like javelins in war. Some supporters of Cotta were physically attacked and fled from the Senate. The remaining people discussed their options, but all talking was in vein when the consular Quintus Hostilius Manicus stood up and left the Senate with his followers.
Hostilius Manicus marched towards the Forum where Cotta was talking to the masses from the Rostra [political platform]. There on the late afternoon the Senators under Hostlius Manicus clashed with Cottas followers. Before anyone had any idea what was going on violence terrorized the Forum and people were severely injured. Citizens ran in all directions and chaos broke out among them. No one knew what happened exactly but in the end Cotta and a many of his followers lay dead, covered in blood on the ground of the Roman city. His followers fled, his body was covered in linen and dumped into the Tiber the following day. For now the problem for the Senators was solved, so it seemed to them. […]

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The Roman Empire, by Wolfgang Schreier, Bonn 2003

These events were a shock to the Roman people. 30 years ago Rome engaged in wars all over the known world and defeated Carthage and Macedonia, now the Romans were killing each other on the Forum Romanum. The supporters of Cotta were pursued and put before a legal tribunal appointed by Senators. Many people around Cotta were sentenced to death, among them his close friend and commissioner of the agrarian reform Aemilius Mamercus.
It could be argued that the rich prestigious Senators did not want to give away a piece of the big cake that was the public land in Italy. This is not exactly true however, because the Commission for agrarian reforms did not cease to work, their missing ranks filled with other Plebeians. Furthermore Cottas opponents like M. Popillius Leanas adorned their legislating in improving the situation for the have-nots through the commission. It seems that the ager publicus was not the essential issue. The root of the conflict lay in the process of ignoring the Senate as a well established political institution and the activation of the Plebeian Council as the sole lawgiving assembly.
This new way of making politics split the political positions in two, even though if the constraints were variable. The one claimed working for the well being of the people, which were called populares; the other ones represented the best, optimi, of people, hence their name optimates.
One should not however confuse either group as a modern political party with different agendas. Simply put the populares meant to rule through the popular assembly, while the other group acted through the Senate.

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

A country can be judged by the quality of its proverbs.
German Proverb

The military crisis of the late 2nd century.

A history of Rome, by Prof Alfred Kennard, 2002 New York

After Cotta had been more or less accidentally killed and henceforth dealt with most Senators acted if nothing happened and continued their political work. For a few years this seemed to be plausible, the temple of the Roman goddess Concordia [goddess of harmony] was renewed in 120 BC as a symbol that order was restored.
But from 118 BC onward another process started that enhanced the Roman civil war, yet this time it started external. Within a few years multiple enemies, without consulting each other, started pressing against the boarders of the Roman Republic. This effect should lead to a serious military crisis. It all started in Africa.
The following chapters shall offer a short summary of these costly conflicts.

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The map shows the Roman Empire in 120 BC and the military conflicts.

1. War against Bodmelquart

From around 118 BC it seemed like Numidian raiders started crossing the Roman borders and attacking trade posts that were part of the Roman province Africa. Each year the attack seemed to worsen, and in 116 BC the governor of the province decided to station mercenaries on the boarder to protect the trade trade. These raiders were actually led by a Numidian noble called Bodmelquart. Bodmelquart was a leading some 4000 men at the beginning of the conflict. But his reputation as a wise philosopher and fearless soldier made him famous in Africa and with the rising conflict against Rome warriors and mercenaries flocked to him.
When Roman auxiliary met the Raiders in open battle in the same year the Romans could stop the small raiding band.

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Raiders attacking the province.

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Numidian raiders advancing.

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Roman auxilliary troops defending Numidians. These troops may not be equipped well, but their fighting spirit was remarkable.

Bodmelquart decided to attack the Roman territory with some 1800 men. The Romans did not have any legion in Africa, only a few auxiliary troops at their disposal. Rome sent word to the Numidian king Bathyaes to call Bodmelquart back, but he denied any direct involvement with the Raiders. The Roman Senators did not quite believe those claims and decided it would be best to declare war on the Numidians. The following year a consular army by Servius Aemilius Lepidus was sent to Africa to deal with the Numidians and to defeat Bodmelquart. At first the Romans drove the Numidian raiders back and attacked the Numidian army on the northern coast of Africa. But Aemilius Lepidus took his time with his war. It took him two additional years (114 BC) to capture the important city of Ippone, even though Numidia didn’t have any serious forces stationed there.

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Aemilius Lepidus taking Ippone in 114 BC.

The following year the Numidians retaliated and attacked the most important city in Africa, Atiqa, ultimately threatening to cut of the Aemilius Lepidus from vital supplies. At the battle of Cirthul in 112 BC some 29.000 Roman troops faced a smaller Numidian army of 20.000 men. There is no surviving account on what exactly happened during the battle, but according to Fabius, Aemilius Lepidus was killed and the Romans lost 18.000 men.

The Romans sent another two legions under the prêt or Servius Atilius Calatinus. Calatinus commanded the forces to destroy Bodmelquarts forces in the hinterlands, while he ordered his promising military legate Quintus Sergius Orata (who would play an important part later) to secure the coast of Africa.

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Calatinus and Orata landing in Africa, prepearing to attack the Numidians.

In 111 BC it came to the battle of Sarpetas where Sergius Orata faced the prominent Numidian general Maharabal.

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Orata was not a brilliant tactician, but he sticked to the usual Roman tactics.

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The heavy infantry in the ranks of the Numidians were Greek mercanaries which had the equipement to fight against the Romans.

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Lacking heavy cavallry, the Numidians often lost fighting at the flanks and thus being encircled by the Roman legions.

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Marahabal fleeing from the field. His future after the battle is unknown.


While Orata had won an important victory over the Numidians he returned to Rome after the battle, while it was rumoured that he had not a stomach for battle. Nevertheless the battle proved to be a gain in prestige for Orata.
Meanwhile Calatinus campaigned deeper in the African hinterlands without having to fear being cut off from supplies after the battle of Sarpetas. Yet it took him another two years until he could face a Numidian army at the battle of Turuth in 109 BC.

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Calatinus campaigning in the Numidian hinterlands.

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Battle of Turuth

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This battle was decided by the lack of heavy infantry of the Numidians. Being cut of the sea, the steady flow of Greek mercs ceased.

Despite winning the battle (there are no sources on the casualties) Calatinus mandate was running out that year and he had to return to Rome, being replaced with the inapt Spurius Sergius Esquilinus. Sergius Esquilinus directly attacked Bodmelquarts stronghold in the city of Kirtan, where he lost the battle of the Kirtan hills in 108 BC. He remained in Africa the following year without trying to confront Bodmelquart at all. The following year he was recalled to Rome because of the lack of progress.

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In 106 BC the praetor Kaeso Curius Denatus arrived in Africa. Like Sergius Esquilinus he attacked Bodmelquart directly. But Denatus was a great organiser and had a sense for logistics, so he knew how to move thousand of troops through mostly unknown terrain. In 106 BC it came to the battle of Kirtan (not to be confused with the battle of the Kirtan hills).

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Denatus facing Bodmelquart

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Despite not being forticated, Kirtan was build on a natural hill that made reaching the city extremly difficult.

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Roman Hastati moving up the hill.

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The Numidians immidiatley started engaging the Romans, trying to stop them before they could enter the city.

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Heavy Roman lancers moving into position.

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Fabius tells us, that at the look of the Numidians the Romans begann to laugh, but once engaged they were suprised over their steadiness and bravery.

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The Numidian nobles used Carthaginian equipment.

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The battle was going on for hours when...

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...when heavy Roman lancers destroyed the outer defence of Kirtan. Denatus knew how to trap the enemy in a pocket.

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Triari moving up to enter the city.

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Roman soldiers are about to enter the city.

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After some fierce fighting in the small city the Romans eventually slaid Bodmelquart and took the city. The Numidians were utterly defeated.

With Bodmelquart and a great deal of the Numidian army being dead the Numidian king had no other choice but to make peace with the Romans in 105 BC. Numidia became dependent of Rome and had to pay tribute. The king was removed from his throne and the lands were now open to Roman colonization. This was the end of Numidian rule in Africa.

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Rome in 105 BC.

Denatus remained in Africa until 102 BC making sure that the situation in Africa was secure. When he returned to Rome he was celebrated as a war hero (much to his surprise) and awarded with a triumph.
The war lasted for over ten years and cost the Romans dearly with only little gain. It was the first time the Romans had problems recruiting soldiers after two important battles were lost during the campaign. The problem would not become apparent however until the Teutonic invasion.

2. War in Spain

The more or less stable political situation with the remaining northern Celtic tribes in Spain ended in 112 BC when the Astures under their King Kuintitaku Nertobricoi invaded Roman territory and raiding the country side.

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Astures crossing the Roman border.

Being engaged in France and Africa at the same time, the Romans had little possibilities to deal with the problem. While not being strong enough to attack one of the important cities, the Astures fought a bitter guerrilla war against the Romans, raiding small villages and trade caravans. It took the Romans several years until they waged to attack the Asturian lands directly. But in 103 BC the praetorian army under Kaeso Calpurius Bestia engaged the King in the battle at the Pallantian forest.

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The battle was fought in difficult terrain.

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Asturian axemen were infamous and feared enemies.

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But the sheer number of Roman soldiers made the Asturians fall back to the woods.

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The Roman cavallry chasing skirmishers.

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During the battle, the Romans had to move up to the woods where the Astures reorganized. Romans were not used to fight in woods, so they did not know what would happen.

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The fighting in the wood was fierce and the Romans lost a good deal of men. But also in this case the Romans could drive the Astures off by their sheer number of force. But these victories came at a great cost.

With the defeat of the Astures at the Pallantian forest only the Celtic tribe of the Cantibri remained independent of Roman rule. The Asturian domain was added to the Roman provinces in Spain.

3. War in Southern France

In 114 BC the Celts from the Arverni tribe attacked the greek city Massalia [modern day Marseille] which was allied with Rome. Massalia and the Arverni Gauls had an uneasy history for decades, but this time the attack was more sincere and threatened the destruction of the city. Rome had important business interests with the city and decided to send an army to aid the Greeks. Gaius Curius Denatus, the younger brother of Kaeso lead an army against the Arverni in 113 BC where it came to the battle of Narbo.

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The Arverni were known for producing sowrds and armor that exceeded the once from the Romans.

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In the battle of Narbo the Romans used another legion to outflank the Gauls. This caused massive panik amon them.

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According to Fabius, some Gauls were such fierce warriors that they did not flee and run for their life, but rather died in battle being greatly outnumbered.

Through the victory at Narbo the Romans now had the entire southern coast in modern-day France under their control, including the wealthy city of Tolosa [modern-day Toulouse]. The conquered area was made to the Roman province “Gallia Narbonensis”. But the victory also left an uneasy relationship with one of the most powerful Celtic tribe in Gaul.

4. Teutonic Invasion

The latest conflict of the late 2nd century crisis was caused by the Germanic tribe of the Teutons. This tribe moved from Jutland or Scandinavia due unknown reasons towards the Balkan and Italy. A small band of 5.000 raiders crossed the Alps in 109 BC scouting the wealthy Roman Republic. They were driven off the following year in 108 BC by the consul Servius Iunius Brutus who engaged the slow moving Teutons in the battle of the Karsian hills. The exact location of the battle is unknown, but we know that it was fought somewhere in the Swiss Alps.

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Teutonic Axemen charging against the Romans.

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Fighting in unknow terrain against an unknown enemy was tough and many soldiers fleed after being surrounded.

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Germans defending against an attack by the Romans.

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Despite being an indecesive battle, the Romans lost many men. These casualties could not be replaced easily anymore.

The account on the battle is scares, only Fabius tells us that it was neither a victory for the Romans or the Teutons. Yet the battle cost the Romans many men. For another 6 years the Teutons moved through Gaul and returned in full force in the summer of 102 BC attacking the city Mediolanum [modernday Milan]. It was the same year when Denatus returned from Africa after he defeated Bodmelquart. The news of “Barbarians” invading Italy caused panic among the Romans.
[…]

Timeline of the events
(all dates are BC)

118 First Numidian Raiders attacking the Roman province Africa.
116 Romans win the first skirmish against the Numidian Raiders.
116 Bodmelqart starts a counter attack and defeats the Romanan auxilliary.
114 Aemilius Lepidus takes the costal city of Ippone in Africa.
114 The Gaul tribe of the Arveni attack Massalia in southern France.
113 Numidians attack the Atiqa in Africa.
113 Battle of Narbo - Gaius Curius Denatus defeats the Arverni. The area becomes the Roman province Gallia Narbonensis
112 The Celtic Astures start invading and raiding the Roman provinces in Spain.
112 Battle of Cirthul - The Romans lose against the Numidians and give up the city of Ippone.
111 Battle of Serpetas - Sergius Orata defeats the prominent Numidian general Maharabal. Ippone is back in Roman controll.
109 Battle of Turuth - Atilius Calatinus defeats the Numidians who are on the defence from now on.
109 First Teutons arrive in Italy.
108 Battle of the Kirtan hills - Sergius Esquilinus is not able to defeat Bodmelqart at his stronghold.
108 Battle of the Karsian hills - Iunius Brutus engages the Teutons. The battle is indecicive
106 Battle of Kirtan - Curius Denatus defeats Bodmelqart.
105 End of the war against Bodmelquart.
103 Battle at the Pallantian forest - The Romans under Calpurius Bestia defeat the Astures.
102 Denatus returns to Rome, celebrating his triumph.

War is necessary - war brings peace - war brings pain
-Nas

An army of mules

The Roman Empire, by Wolfgang Schreier, Bonn 2003

In 102 BC the German tribe, the Teutons, returned to Italy, this time trying to conquered lands on the Italian Peninsula. By 101 BC the slow moving mass of people had conquered Mediolanum, present day Milan. A consular army under Iunus Pera attacked the Teutons at the battle of Vercella.

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Mediolanum fell to the Teutons in 101 BC.

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But Iunus was defeated and the Teutonic advance could not be stopped in 101 BC.

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The Teutonic advance in the winter 101 BC. While small forces where already attacking the Italian coast, most of the army would head to Patavium in the following spring.

The situation turned out to be desperate. Barbarians were advancing on Rome, the Senate could not agree on any procedure against the Teutons and foremost there was a great lack of manpower due to the recruitment system. By this system, every Roman citizen had to provide his own equipment. This also meant that the richer one was, the higher his status and class in the Roman army. With the slave based system of great estates (Latifundia) there was a lack of financial potent men to recruit, due to lack of small estate farmers (see Cottas reforms in 123 BC). The wars of the late 2nd century depleted Roman manpower to the limit.
In such desperate times the Roman people elected Denatus, the hero from Africa as Consul. And Denatus recruited the landless people without any capital (capite censi), gave them a minimum of equipment out of the state pocket.
There were no laws, no reforms, no voting, the commander just took volunteers by the right of his imperium, the state had to pay for them and that was it. This was simple and effective, but it had consequences.
The general, Denatus, was now the patron and his soldier were his clients. The soldiers were his followers and a tight band between the leader and followers was bound. After all these soldiers were landless people who put their service to the commander and hoped to be rewarded with farmyards. Denatus took his soldiers, abolished the three main military ranks (Hastati, Principes and Triari) and replaced the old legionary standard (each old republican legion had its own symbol) with a general standard, the eagle (the Aquila). The soldiers had to carry their own equipement and were called muli Denati (Denatus’ mules)

In early spring 100 BC Denatus gathered his large troops and marched to the north against the Teutons. At the battle of Apponus he faced a great part of the large Germanic tribe.

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The new Roman army getting tested for the very first time. Many of the soldiers are raw recruits.

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But the new Roman soldiers have little to loose and much to gain. They are ready to show their worth.

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Little detail survives on the battle itself, but the initial attack was hold off and ...

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... the Romans advance to the main line of the Teutons.

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The battle saw some fierce hand to hand fighting. The Teutons were said to be well equipped, their swords were superior to the Roman gladius.

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Roman lancers traversing the battle field. In the background the famous Alps can be seen.

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The muli Denati were well trained and the spirit was high. Eventually the Romans routed the Teutons.

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Roman lancers persuing fleeing Teutons. A great deal of the Teutons were slaughtered in the battle.

This victory was important because it halted the Teutonic advance. The Germanic tribe retreated behind the river Po hoping to reorganise. But Denatus did not give the Teutons time to rebuild and attacked immediately in the Summer 100 BC, seeing that the Teutons were weakened and vulnerable. At the Aureolian fields he forced the Germanic leader Alugodas to battle.

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The Aureolian fields were perfect for wide movments on both sides. Initially the Teutonic leader saw the potential for flanking movements.

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Denatus lets the Teutons flank the Roman lines. This was risky because if the Roman flank would break the whole army was in danger.

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It is said that Alugodas himself attacked the Roman lines with a loud warcry. Later Romans depict him as a brutish warrior charging the Roman lines, todays archeological evidence proves that Germanic nobles had among the finest war equipent in ancient Europe.

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The battle plan: The Teutons try to outflank with their light cavalry (for which they were famous for) seen in dark colours. This movement succeeds, while the main army presses at the right side and flank. This put Denatus (Circle with a dot) in a dangerous situation, he moves in his cavalry to fight of the germanic riders (marked by the X). The german line gaps and Denatus orders his troops to retailiate (dotted line). The Roman lancers encircle the Germanic riders at the crossed V (in the center).

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The gap in the Teutonic line proves as an excellent position to disrupte the enemy movement.

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Denatus uses heavy lancers to haras the Teutonic flanking force. Constant hammering among this line makes the enemy move on the right flank futile.

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The Teutonic lines grow thiner, their force is simply to widestreched to reorginise. Denatus is winning the upper hand after what seemed to be a certain loss.

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Alugodas gives the signal to regroup, but not to retreat. But his men are slain, suddenly he is surrounded and wants to retreat to his troops. Seconds after starting to run a Roman lancer takes his sword and swings it behind Alugodas head.

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The helmet splits in two and Alugodas is leathaly wounded. He drops to the ground and stops to move.

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Without the brave leader to inspire the troops the Teutons lose their heart and start to flee. Denatus had saved Rome from yet another Barbaric invasion.

With Alugodas dead the Teutons gave up trying to conquer northern Italy. Some fled north to the Alps where we lose their tracks forever, some were captured and enslaved.

The following process after the Teutons has always been regarded as some sort of tragic events for Rome and even the rather biased historian Fabius is not sure who to point the finger at.
Let’s see what happened exactly. In 99 BC Denatus became Consul again and used his position to settle a colony in Africa, providing lands for his soldiers for the coming year. Denatus could have declared some spot in Africa as an important site for the new colonies, but he was fascinated with the old Punic wars so that he chose the site of Carthage for his new colony: Carthago Nova. Carthage! The most hated city being rebuilt? After the “good old Roman” Metellus had destroyed the city and made sure it was never to be a threat for the Romans again?

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Denatus actions alienated his supporters, among them his most important one being Sergius Orata (victor in Sarpetas, Africa in 111BC and political ally in the military reforms). He ran for Consul in 98 BC again, but wasn’t elected. His new policy was to reward the Italian allies with the Roman citizenship, another reform plan that was seen by the Senators with great awe. Nevertheless Denatus still had allies in politics; one of them was the young Titus Papirius Paetus, a Plebeian Tribune. Denatus used him to influence the politics of the Populares and in March 98 the Tribune presented his lex Papirii, which should give all the loyal Italian allies the Roman citizenship. Denatus hoped to win new allies and win more lands for the ager publicus feeding his veterans. But in the eyes of the Senate Denatus went too far. The people had not voted for him and his plans, they made clear that such thing would not pass the Senate and now he tried to push it through directly through the peoples assembly. The Senators felt threatened and urged to take action against Denatus.
20 years ago the Senator Hostilius Manicus stormed out of the Senate to kill Cotta by his own initiative, now the Senate instituted an emergency provisional measure, the senatus consultum ultimum, which declared Denatus an enemy of the State. Denatus tried to flee the city, possibly to reach his army, but was caught and killed by a mob of Senators just out side the walls of Rome.

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Ancient historians argued already if Denatus went too far or if the Senate was stubborn. Either way, Denatus tried to reform the system and due to some of his extreme ideas he alienated himself from the moderate people in the Senate. This gave ground for the conservatives to push against Denatus and get rid off him like they did with Cotta. Nevertheless Denatus had not the necessary tactfulness to deal with the Optimates and his actions seem plump and crude, even to his supporters.
It was clear that the civil war was now one step closer to total conflict, with both sides drifting further away. A compromise seemed to be out of hand by now, even though peace and Concordia seemed to be secured by the Senate once more.

Transcript of the college class lecture „The Roman Republic“ in 2003, University of Minnesota, USA

[Prof. Saramotti speaking]:
Good day. A short announcements before we start with today’s lecture. I will hand out the take-home exams next week. There will be two questions you can choose from. One will be about the early Iberian wars including the war against Mutorke Carmocoi and the other one will be about the early conflict of the orders. Both questions will rely heavily on the sources so make sure you have all the textbooks.
Anyhow, let’s start with today’s topic. We will talk about the Achaean war, the Italian wars and the relationship between Calatinus and Silanus.

After Denatus had been dealt with the Senate once again closed their eyes regarding all the difficult problems in politics and proceeded in doing business as usual.
The next phase of the Roman civil war started with the rebellion of the Achaean league under the leadership of Corinth. After the last war against Macedonia the Achaean league was guaranteed independence from the Roman Republic, they were free to trade with who ever they wanted and have their own diplomatic relationships. But the league had to ally with Rome. So it is clear that the Achaean league had a unique diplomatic status with Rome. In 96 BC suddenly the league quits its alliance and raids Athens.

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Greece in 100 BC befor the war.

Now this seems to be an odd move. The league had nothing to gain from fighting against the Athens, which was part of the Roman province Macedonia. The Romans had about 4 to 5 legions stationed in Greece. Many questions arise as of why the league would act this way and unfortunately the only source we have is Fabius inaccurate account. We would wish for Silanus version of the story, but unfortunately the Greek historian was dead for 20 years back then already.
Now the Romans did not waste time and elected Aulus Atilius Calatinus as consul, an extroverted dynamic Plebeian. In his staff was a military legate called Publius Iunius Silanus, an extravagant Patrician.

Now the next odd thing happens. Calatinus decided to move his forces to Sparta in the south, landing on the western coast of the Peloponnesus, while ordering Silanus to lay siege against Corinth. Corinth was definitely the stronger opponent and naturally it would have been Calatinus prestigious right to face the main army. But there seemed to be a friendly relationship between the older Calatinus and the younger Silanus. Calatinus had already fought against Iberians as a military tribune and against the Teutons as a military legate under Denatus. It seems like Calatinus saw Silanus as his protégé for whom he tried to help his career by letting him win a big victory.

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Both leaders landing in Greece.

By late 95 Calatinus had conquered Sparta without much trouble and in October of the same year Silanus attacked Corinth.

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Roman infantry charging against the walls of Corinth. They had been opened by Roman enginers during the night.

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The battle of Corinth was the last one that the famous Spartiads fought. But this was not the Persian Empire, this were Roman legions, disciplined and well equiped.

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Most fighting took place in narrow streets.

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Roman infantry moving up in the city.

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Besides the Spartiads the Romans face little resistance...

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... and even the Spartiads are defeated eventually. The Romans took great pride in defeating such a famous enemy.

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Corinthian cavalry trying to attack the Romans. In these narrow streets the horsemen can do little damage.

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Eventually the Romans secured the center of the town.

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Greece after Corinth had fallen.

Within one year the Achaean league was defeated and abolished. The last classical independent Greek state was gone. Fabius gives us the story that Silanus actually cried when he destroyed Corinth, when a tribune approached him and asked why he cried, he answered: “It is sad to see this city burn as the same fate awaits Rome some day too”. Once again you see the strong ties to morality in Fabius account.

Now we have to turn our eyes back to Italy, since the war against the Achaean League triggered an important event there. Since Denatus tried to give citizenship to all the Italian allies and was murdered therefore the Italian allies were in a very uneasy relationship with Rome. It was clear to the Roman Senators that the allies wanted a piece of the pie too, but they turned them down whenever they could. With the murder of Denatus they sealed the fate of the Italians. The Samnites openly spoke about leaving the alliance with Rome and during the Achaean war this movement gained momentum. Now the Roman armies were occupied elsewhere and in 95 BC political and military resistance gained the upper hand. In the winter most important cities were rebelling against Rome and in early 94 BC the Samnites, the Greeks to the south, the Umbrians in the north and the Brutii in Calabria declared their independence from Rome. They installed a Senate and two meddix (Samnite consuls) in Benevetum, an old Samnite city. The Samnites remembered times when the Samnites under Keliis Puntis defeated the Romans and now the rebelling Italians were inspired to do the same.

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The rebells in 95 BC.

Initially the Romans did not attack the Socii but waited for Calatinus to return from Greece.
In 93 BC the Roman consul Servius Julius Caesar, the father of Marcus Caesar started attacking the allies from the north, while to the south Calatinus landed with his battle hardened troops.

Caesar attacked the allies in the battle of Taenum…

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This battle was one of the first where the Romans used siege artillery in large numbers.

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Samnite heavy soldiers moving up.

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The Italians had expirienced troops. Especially the Campanian horsemen were feared by the Romans.

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A Socii scout gathering intel on the enemy lines.

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The Roman legion is getting into position. This first battle is an important one for the Romans.

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Imidiatley the Socii cavalry was attacking the left Roman flank. Caesar lacked horsemen himself and could do little to attack the enemy.

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Servius Caesar decided to bring his elite troops to the left flank, since heavy losses were reported there.

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The enitre left flank was endangered and breaking away. This could mean defeat.

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The Romans were able to hold the center.

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But the the pressure on the left flank was too much. The Socii simply had too many cavalry units. The soldiers break and start to flee.

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Caesar watching the left flank breaking away. This mean the battle was not to win anymore. Facing total defeat he gave the sign to retreat.

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The Roman legion retreating from the Socii.

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One can only imagine the chaos under the Roman legion. The first battle was lost.

…where he got defeated by the meddix Titus Lundis.

So the Romans had a terrible start during the war. But Calatinus did not wait for long and attacked the Greek Socii in the south during the summer.

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Calatinus had studied ancient Greek military tactics and experimented with the oblique order.

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The greek Socii attacking.

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Brutian soldiers preparing to launch spears while being under heaving fire themselves.

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The battle started like Taenum with the left flank being attacked by cavalry. But Calatinus had a trump hidden in the forest.

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Heavy Macedonian cavalry charge from the woods and surprise the Socii.

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The battle is bloody and tough. But Calatinus has the initiative.

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Some Socii start to flee after the cavalry attack.

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Those Macedonian soldiers are perfect for devestating the enemy line from behind.

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The left flank held out as long as they could, but eventually the pressure was to great...

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...the socii decide to retreat.

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Calatinus won an important victory that knocked out the Greeks of the war and captured the cities Tarentum and Brindisium. Servius Julius Caesar redeemed himself after the loss at Taenum when he defeated the Umbrians at Trebia in the fall of the same year [93 BC].
But the good news where quickly meaningless when news came from Spain that the Lusitanians under their new king Soustunos Lacobricoi were rebelling against Roman rule. This rebellion spread quickly around Spain and now the Romans were in deep dodo. The Socii were far then dealt with and in Spain a great rebellion swept away Roman rule. Even more alarming was that the Romans did not have enough troops in Spain to engage the Celts.

But for now, let’s take a 15 minute break and we will continue with the lecture afterwards.

Transcript of the college class lecture „The Roman Republic“ in 2003, University of Minnesota, USA

[Prof. Saramotti speaking]:
So let’s continue with the lecture. I’ve been asked during the break what happened to Silanus during the Italian wars. He actually did not fight with Calatinus since he stayed in the province of Macedonia, assisting the proconsul there.

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Calatinus

Alright let’s go on with the Italian wars. As I mentioned before the break, during the conflict in Italy the Celt Iberians rebelled against Roman rule in 93 BC and for now Rome could only try to defend their position there. In Italy Calatinus started a campaign against the Bruttii in Calabria. He fought a battle at Sybaris in March 92 BC and drove the Socii there to the very south of Italy. In April Calatinus co-consul Marcus Iunius Bublucus brought through his law to give Roman citizenship to the Italian Socii still loyal to Rome, foremost the Etruscans. In May the same Bublucus attacked the Samnites and was defeated at the Battle at the Trinius River. This put the Samnites and the Campanians back in a strong position. Now it was Calatinus try to defeat the centre of the Italians. In July 92 BC he attacked the Campanians at the battle of Eburum. The Romans desperately needed a victory.

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The situation in 92 BC

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Battle of Eburum

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During the battle of Eburum the Socii tried to use their superior cavalry to crush the Roman lines. Calatinus used the woods for cover, where the cavarly could not manouver that well.

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Calatinus also had the high ground.

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And once again Calatinus used his heavy Macedon cavalry to crush the Socii

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Romans vs Campanians

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Despite being a war of different faction, the Italian war can be considered as part of the Roman civil war.

Calatinus victory was important, but in fact it gained little for the Romans. He had to return to Calabria in fall of the same year. The Bruttii staged yet another offensive and Calatinus met them at the battle of Heraclea. Calatinus won, but battle after battle his numbers in his armies were growing thin. So he promised the Apulians and the Greeks he had fought the year before the Roman citizenship if they would join his ranks. Calatinus was a charismatic and successful leader. The Apulians and the Greeks agreed and like nothing happened at all fought with their former enemy.

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Battle of Heraclea

Calatinus spent the winter in Tarentum and prepared a decisive attack against the Bruttii. In early 91 BC, Calatinus was elected for Consul, for the forth time by the way, and attacked Region, the most important city in the south. By now the Bruttii only had 3000 troops, while Calatinus, restocked and reorganized to a total of 35.000 troops. Needless to say, the siege didn’t last long and the Bruttii surrendered to the Romans. Calatinus remained in the south for the rest of the year, supervising the defeated enemy. Bublucus, elected consul for the second time defeated the Samnites in late 91 BC at Aecae, though both sides lost some 20.000 men in the battle. As you can see the whole Italian war was very bloody and ruthless.

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Calatinus attacking the Bruttii in the south, Bublucus campaigning against the Samnites.

In 90 BC Calatinus returned to face the Campanians and attacked the important city of Capua.

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Capua was well defended.

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The battle was mostly fought inside the city.

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Many of the first attempts to storm into the city failed misserably.

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After taking heavy casualties Calatinus decided to break off the attack after a week of fighting.

He tried to take the city by storming in. But this proved to be one of the biggest mistakes in the Italian wars. Calatinus lost 10.000 to 12.000 men during the fighting that took a week in front and inside the city. Nevertheless the commander of the city called Namus also lost some important 8.000 men. Calatinus recruited a great deal of young Romans to service and attacked the city Capua again 2 months later, in the summer of 90 BC. This time he had more luck and took the city in just one day.

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The second time Capua was weakend and wasn't difficult to take for Calatinus.

For a man like Calatinus this was a huge gamble. The terrible loss at the first battle nearly cost him his career, but with Capua in his hands Calatinus was back on track again. Now the Samnites were the only remaining enemy.
In early 89 BC the Bruttii started rebelling against the Romans again so the Senate decided to give citizenship to the Bruttii as swell. So step after step the Italian war was not decided by military conquest, but by giving away Roman citizenship. When we look at these events we could argue that the Romans fought for nothing and could have had it easier with the Socii, but remember this is a time of a very different sense of loyalty and morality.
In April 89 BC Calatinus, Consul again, attacked and defeated the Samnites at the battle of Arpi.

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Arpi was taken during the night, when Roman soldiers sneaked inside the city and opend the city gates. The Samnites were caught off guard and defeated within hours. Calatinus had become quite the brilliant military leader.

The Italian war was over in 88 BC when the last Samnites surrendered to the Romans. Every Socii was rewarded with the citizenship to settle the war, except for the Samnites who achieved the status only 6 years later.

Now let’s turn our eyes to Spain, where the Celtic revolt was still going on. Two pro-praetors there called Iunus Brutus and Publius Cornelius Sulla, descended of Spurius Sulla, who were quite successful in halting the Celtic expansion. But his military power was limited and they were only able to defend the position.

Now back in Rome things got complicated. Calatinus had 7 consulships in a row, which was quite unusual. He was the hero of the Italian wars and popular with the people. He was ambitious and that was what the Roman senators didn’t like at all. Why? Because whenever someone spoke of Calatinus the Senators heard Cotta and Denatus.
Now the new consuls were to go to Spain and clear the situation and the nobles didn’t want Calatinus have a 8th or even 9th consulship, even if he was the most able man for the job. So the Senators influenced the election of 87 and voted for Silanus and Lucius Perperna. Remember that in the Roman Republic the rich classes got to vote first and therefore they were able to influence the vote heavily. Silanus immediately prepared the Roman legions and sailed to the southern coast of Spain.

Calatinus was furious that the Senate chose his former protégé as consul over him, the saviour of Rome in the Italian wars.
Nevertheless Silanus sailed away and left the Senators to deal with Calatinus. Now Calatinus was not a man who accepted defeat like this. He called for the Plebeian assembly, and all ten tribunes nominated Calatinus for a special mandate to deal with the rebellion in Spain. This was a bit odd for the Roman standards but let’s not forget that Calatinus was a highly influential Plebeian who was willing to walk over the Senators dead bodies for his career. So two months after Silanus had left Rome Calatinus gathered his troops and sailed to the north eastern coast of Spain.
For Silanus this was quite the provocation, but he was willing to play along for the moment.

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Rough outlay of the campain in Spain. Silanus took the southern route. The northern route was the campaign of Calatinus.

In fall 87 BC Calatinus already started attacking the Cantabri and the Vascones under their leader Minuro Tacubicoi. Clearly, Calatinus was no man of idle moments. He defeated the Cantabri in two battles during the first year.

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Calatinus left his Macedon soldiers in Italy and recruited Celt Iberians as auxilia cavalry.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...e/2socii19.jpg
These riders were equiped light enough to skirmish and harras the enemy but also tough enough excellent hand to hand combat.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...e/2socii20.jpg
A Cantabrian warlord giving orders to his troops.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...e/2socii21.jpg
Calatinus legions had fought in Greece and Italy already...

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...e/2socii22.jpg
... and now they were driving off the Celt Iberians.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...e/2socii23.jpg
Eventually Calatinus drove off all his enemies.

Silanus attack didn’t start until late 87 BC. He attacked the Lusitanians and captured the important city of Lacuni Murgi where he also captured the Lusitanians rebel king Lacobricoi.



https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...e/2socii24.jpg
Silanus [don't mind the Augustus name] attacking Lacobricoi

So by the end of the year Silanus already had the most valuable price, he had the Lusitanian king in chains.
Calatinus answered this with the crucification of 5000 celtic prisoners. This may sound cruel for our eyes, but for the masses of Rome this was exciting news. Some of you may know this event from Picassos painting “The crucifcation”.

As I see that time is running out of todays lection I’m gonna speed the campaign up a bit. Esentially in 86 BC both Silanus and Calatinus fought on two fronts against the rebels, reconquering the lost territory.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...e/2socii25.jpg
Calatinus camapign against the Austures.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...e/2socii26.jpg
Silanus secures the domains of the Turduli and the Callaeci in the north.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...e/2socii27.jpg
Summary of both campaigns.

By early 85 BC all of Spain was reconquered, except for the Canatbri. The Cantabri were situated in the north so it was Calatinus area of interesst. But he feared that Silanus might return to Rome before him and reap all the fame for the war. So Calatinus paid tribute to the Cantabri and returned to Rome in 84 BC. This time Calatinus cought Silanus off guard who was left to stabilize the situation in Spain.

Calatinus returned to Rome, acclaimed by the masses and distrusted by the Senators. He enjoyed a triumph and made it public that he would not run for consulship for 83 BC to appease the tense situation in Rome. Silanus was also ready to make a step forward to his former mentor and proposed in 83 BC to meet in Massalia, modern day Marsailles, which was more or less neutral ground for both of them. Silanus was not ready to return to Rome as only the second junior victor and wanted a to make a deal with Calatinus that would secure his portion of fame.
But that year also saw an increase of pirates attack on the eastern and western shores of Italy. There were at least two major attacks and Calatinus stood up and said he would deal with the situation if he only would get another special command. The historian Fabius accuses Calatinus of being paranoid, since it seemed that he feared the meeting in Massalia in 82 BC.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...e/2socii28.jpg
Massalia was allied to the Romans, but officialy not part of any province.

https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...e/2socii29.jpg
Pirates destroying a Roman fleet.

Nevertheless Calatinus did get his special command with proconsular rights in 82 BC by the Senators, much to everyones surprise and off he went to Greece to attack the island of Creta, a large center for pirate attacks. He left the young Plebeian Tribune Titus Papirus Paetus to defend his interests.
What did Silanus do? Well we can guess that he was quite surprised that Calatinus did not want to shake hands with him afterall. So he sees an opportunity to get back to Rome as the true victor. In August 82 BC Silanus lands in Italy, with his legions and marches on Rome.

Now this was it. Rome was full with Calatinus supporters and everyone knew that Silanus would wage civil war if he walk towars Rome with troops. But Silanus thought it was simply too dangerous to march into the hornets nest without protection.


https://i583.photobucket.com/albums/...e/2socii30.jpg
Silanus marches on Rome with his legions!

In my opinion this is the moment the Republic fell. It is clear that the Republic continued to exist for a few decades, but it did not function anymore like it should. Silanus march on Rome was the high noon of the Roman republic. Like two cowboys duelling with each others, Silanus shot the republic and for a moment it still stood although the person was already dead.

Now I see that we already overdrew our time by ten minutes so I am gonna make a break for tonight. See you all next week.

How Lucius Marcundus accidentally brought down the Roman Republic
(part I)

“By Mars hairy ****” Lucius came home from his school class and saw his father standing in the room cursing angrily. He looked at his father as he did not understand what was going on. Manius, Lucius father, noticed his child and started to smile, patting Lucius head. “Don’t worry Lucius. Everything is fine. It’s just stupid politics, that’s all.” He paused “How about we do our sculpting lesson tomorrow and instead you take the afternoon off and go see the parade?”

Lucius Marcundus was a twelve year old boy born to an aspiring Plebeian family. His father, Manius Marcundus, was a successful marble sculptor specialised in animal figures. Business was going well and Manius could even afford being a member of the ordo equester, a class of wealthy roman citizens. Lucius was able to go to school during the forenoon and during afternoons he took sculptor lessons with his father.
But on that particular day Publius Iunus Silanus returned to Rome from Spain with his troops and there was a welcoming parade planned. And this very day would change Lucius life, yet it had only little to do with Silanus.

Lucius agreed to his father’s proposal and left home to see the parade. This man, he didn’t even know much about him, entered the city with a parade displaying a real captured barbarian king. So Lucius went to the Via Flaminia, the road that arrives the city from the north. When he got there he noticed a tight crowd blocking his view in the narrow streets inside of Rome. Lucius would never see the Barbarian king that way.
“Hey, psst! Straw-head.”
Lucius looked around. He knew he was addressed, because he had blond hair.
“Hey you. Come here.”
Lucius spotted a boy in his age in a niche of a building. He made a few steps in his direction.
“Are you a barbarian? Do you speak Latin?”
“Jupiter! I’m not a barbarian. I’m just blond.” Lucius said with an irritated voice.
“Oh sorry, I didn’t mean to make you angry. It’s just that there are not many blond people in Rome. Hey my name is Tiberius.”

Tiberius was a strong looking boy with brown short hair and a determined looking face. But there was also something friendly about Tiberius, maybe it was the way he smiled, maybe it was the deep charismatic voice of him.

“My name is Lucius.”
“That’s an odd name for a barbarian. Ha-ha, I’m just kidding. Hey you want to see the parade? I know a perfect place for that. Follow me.”
Before Lucius could say anything Tiberius already ran off to the building across him. With a confused look Lucius followed him.

Tiberius ran inside a story apartment building, at the staircase he nearly ran over older woman with a large water pot. When Lucius came up running to the woman she shouted “You spoiled brats. Cerberus will eat both of you!” while trying to grab him. Lucius was quite agile and tumbled out of her grasp and caught up with Tiberius by climbing up a ladder onto the roof. Tiberius closed the wooden trap-door.

“Tiberius, hold on. The woman, isn’t she going to follow us?”
“That fat slag? I doubt she can climb a ladder.”
There were no sounds coming from down below. It seemed like the woman didn’t really care.
Lucius took a look around and notice that this was a perfect spot to oversee the Via Flaminia.

Tiberius also peeked down the road: “I can see a column moving in our direction. That’s got to be Silanus.”
“I just want to see that barbarian king.”
“Hey Lucius, how old are you?”
“I’m 12 years and 5 months old. You?”
“I’m 13. What’s your pa doing for a living?”
Lucius took a deep look at Tiberius.
“See, I don’t have a dad. I was born to two Greek lesbian prostitutes.”
Tiberius was flabbergasted.
“You are kidding me?” he replied.
The blond boy giggled. Lucius wasn’t good looking, he had wide standing ears and a long distinctive face, but he had a handsome and humorous way of dealing with people.
“Heh! Of course I am. My dad is a sculptor.”
“Oh that’s nice.”
“Yeah he sells a lot of goods to wealthy patricians. My dad always tells me how poor he started out and how he built up his own business just like that.”
“Well, my dad is a carpenter. We make all sorts of stuff. From furniture to working tools. You know, mostly stuff.” Tiberius peeked down to the streets.
A column of men in togas passed below them, in front of them was a thin man waving his hands to the crowd. Behind this column was an ox pulling an iron bared frame on two wooden wheels. A dirty naked man with an unshaven head and a bruised body was sitting inside. Some people were throwing rotten food at him and calling him obscene names.
“What’s the name of the barbarian king anyway?” Lucius asked.
“Something something Lacobricoi I think. It’s obvious that they have beaten him up. I wonder if these Barbarians are really all like that or if Silanus just likes to puts up a show. Hey Lucius, you want to be friends?”
“Sure why not.”
“Great. You know what? I know an abandoned building not far from here. You can find all kinds of funny stuff there. We could go there and play some games. Maybe some of my other friends will show up and we could play Athenians versus Spartans.”
“Sounds great.” Before Lucius could finish that sentence Tiberius already ran off.

This day was special one for Rome for it changed so many things the moment Lucius entered Rome. But it was also a special day for Silanus, who met a new friend that day.

This is incredible. It's been quite a while since there was this good an AAR. Man, you made me feel the writing bones again.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hax

This is incredible. It's been quite a while since there was this good an AAR. Man, you made me feel the writing bones again.

---

*blush*

glad you like it. really.
I don't get many replies/feedback at the org, so I am all the more happy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hax

This is incredible. It's been quite a while since there was this good an AAR. Man, you made me feel the writing bones again.

---

I agree with Hax. I just never commented cause nothing I say could express how great I really think your AAR is, and your writing in general. Really, REALLY good job. I've been reading and I absolutely love this text. I love it.

One of the best AAR's in a long time.

Really amazing work!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vartan

I agree with Hax. I just never commented cause nothing I say could express how great I really think your AAR is, and your writing in general. Really, REALLY good job. I've been reading and I absolutely love this text. I love it.

---

Thank you very much. Those comments mean a lot to me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jurdagat

One of the best AAR's in a long time.

Really amazing work!

---

Thank you too. It's always nice when you put a lot of effort into something and people give you credit for your work.

That being said, some of my updates take up to 5 hours of work, and I still think they are incomplete. There is so much more that could be added, so much more ideas, but I guess it's never enough. So... Well.. Just thanks for being part of this AAR.

“You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war.”
-Albert Einstein

Spinning out of control

The Roman Empire, by Wolfgang Schreier, Bonn 2003

While Silanus entered Rome in late 82 BC Calatinus prepared his invasion of Crete from Greece. The following spring he landed on the island, faced little resistance and occupied the centre of pirate activities.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...A/SilCat01.jpg

Calatinus planed to continue his campaign in Anatolia in modern day Turkey, but the events in Rome forced him to act. He returned to the Greek mainland and started making business with two young but rich Romans, the Nero brothers. Both brothers were from the old Patrician Claudian gentes and looking for an opportunity to make new political allies. If Calatinus thought to find easy influenceable men with a lot of money he was wrong, because the Neros were strictly conservative and only made business with Calatinus because it suited their current situation.
In Rome Silanus was trying to denounce Calatinus in front of the Senate. But he did not count on Calatinus wife Aurelia. She was acting behind the curtain against Silanus, maintaining important support for her husband among the Senators. The ancient historian Fabius, who hardly has anything to say about women, speaks in the highest tone about Aurelia even though he is suspicious about Calatinus in his work. For the moment the Senate did not act against Calatinus.

But Calatinus returned in 80 BC and from there on things started to spin out of control. He landed with his troops in Brindisi, south Italy, but did not dare to go to Rome. If he marched against Rome with his troops he’d have seen as the tyrant Silanus was trying to make out of him and if he went without any troops he might have been completely defenceless against Silanus. So Calatinus decided to stay in Brindisi and act against his former protégé from there. Interestingly enough, when the Neros found out that Calatinus was acting against Silanus they broke up their connections with Calatinus. [This will be important later on].

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...8/SilCat02.jpg

Fabius - Ab Urbe Condita
(written at about 20 BC)

Book XX

(5) From Brindisi Calatinus welcomed his clients on a daily basis. But to show his political intentions he still lived in his military camp. Some Senators came to show their support to Calatinus, some came trying to dissolve the situation by diplomatic talks. In Rome several rumours about Silanus started to make their rounds. Some people said that he was drunk heavily and neglecting his work for the Roman people, some said that he was taking part in strange foreign religious cults and some said he had a homosexual affair with his Greek slaves he brought from Corinth. And all those rumours came up so sudden that it was clear they were staged from Brindisi.
(6) Silanus had enough of it. He convinced a prominent member of the Senate, Numerius Aemilius Papus to support him politically. Papus agreed and in Sextilis 675 AUC [August 79 BC] he and the Senate voted for Calatinus to become a hostes publici [enemy of the state]. Once again the political problems of Rome could only be solved by military means. Both sides prepared for war. […]

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...w/SilCat03.jpg

Battles of history with Patrick Goodwin

The battle of Aeclanum 79 BC

[The scene is an army camp in South Italy during a later summer day. It’s noon. The weather is perfect. Most soldiers are relaxing. Some are gambling, some are sleeping under trees, some are eating. The mood is well, only a few soldiers are patrolling in full battle gear. The men look experienced and battle hardened. Suddenly a Roman soldier with a chain mail and a typical Roman helmet rides on a horse into the camp. He descends from the horse and enters a large guarded tent in the middle of the camp
Inside the tent three men are sitting around a table and discussing things. The man in charge is about 55 years old with a sharp look.]

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...tinussmall.jpg

Calatinus: And then this Celtic boy asks me ‘Crusade me? But that’s not nice of you!’ and everyone bursts into laughter - only him standing there with a puzzled look. So I decided to spare his life. Heard he was killed back in his hill town for being a traitor. Bad luck, eh?

[All three men start to laugh. The soldier that just entered does not react and stands emotionless.]

Calatinus: Ah, soldier Verduncus.

[Verduncus quickly puts his right arm up, saluting his leader.]

Verduncus: Consular Calatinus. I bring news from Rome.

[He steps forward and gives him a leathern casket. Calatinus opens it, takes out a piece of paper and starts to read it.]

Calatinus: So what do we have here? More lies from Silanus? Well… Hmm… Interesting. [Pauses]
Gentlemen, Silanus has made me an enemy of the State. You have officially the right to kill me now.

[All three men laugh. Verduncus still stands emotionless.]

Calatinus: Dismissed soldier.

[Verduncus salutes Calatinus and leaves.]

Military legate: So what are you going to do? You can only go back to Greece or face Silanus in battle. And that would mean civil war.
Calatinus: I’m not going to take my legs and run away from that drunken son of whore, that’s for sure. Well…
[Sighs]
I guess Silanus really wants civil war. He shall have it.
[Pauses]
Alright, prepare the men. We leave the camp in three hours. Better not waste any time.

[Three hours later. All tents in the camp are gone. The soldiers, disciplined as they are, are standing in a perfect row. Calatinus and his legates are sitting on horses ready to address the soldiers.]

Calatinus: Soldiers! Men! Friends! Three hours ago I received a transcript from a senatorial resolution. This resolution says that we are trying to overthrow the Republic. Overthrow the Republic? Us? After all we have done serving the republic?
[Takes a deep breath]
A few of you were with me in Sparta, facing the mighty Spartiads. Some of you were with me in Spain testing our mettle against the Cantabrians. And most of you were with me on Crete, fighting off the pirates. And yet they dare to say we want to overthrow the Republic? Are those old men in the Senate mad? We safe their butts and they thank us by making us enemies?
[Looks around, starts to speak in a very loud voice.]
Let us teach this Silanus and the Senate a lesson.
Let them see that we will not step down from our righteous claim from the victories we have won.
Let us face Silanus to show what we are made off.
[The crowd cheers. Some draw their swords and swing them up in the air.]

[A day later. The scene is the Campus Martius, the large field with a few buildings. In the background Rome can be seen, with the Temple of Jupiter. Many soldiers run around gathering their equipment. Silanus, a thin man with a somewhat arrogant look stands in his breast plate among some Senators in their togas.]

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...lanussmall.jpg

Silanus: My good friends. It has come this far – we are marching to war – against Calatinus. I have promised to protect the Senate and the people of Rome. Yet this tyrant refuses to return to Rome without his legions. Clearly this Calatinus is a power hungry man who wants to rule Rome by him self. You all know what brutal men he is. He lusts for blood, killing innocent people in war. What stops him to do the same to us?
This is why we have to face Calatinus and win. Farewell Senators. I will return when Rome is safe from this tyrant. And if that means chasing him to India, I will.

Goodwin: The year is 79 BC and the Roman Republic is in a deep crisis. The Senate is divided into two factions. One the one side, the Optimates, represent the aristocratic elite who has been ruling Rome through the Senate for centuries. On the other side the Populares represent politicians who make politics through the people’s assembly of Rome. Both factions want power in their hands and neither can be compared to a modern democratic party.
In 79 BC two men are about to wage civil war. The first one is the smart Publius Iunius Silanus, an Optimates from an insignificant patrician family. The second one is the charismatic Aulus Atilius Calatinus, a plebeian who rose to the political top through military success. Both men know each other very well, since Calatinus was once the mentor of Silanus. Now they are enemies.

[Later on the same day: Silanus legion is marching to the beautiful Italian landscape. Olive trees can be seen on both sides of the impressive ancient Roman road. On the front a column marches carrying the legionary eagle. Silanus is on a horse riding just a few paces behind them.]

Silanus [speaking to his legates]: This Calatinus is an experienced military leader. He has seen many battles and mastered many battle tactics. But so do I.
The key to success is to break his elite cavalry. This is why I brought Liguarian mercenaries to aid us. They fight with long spears that are perfect to counter his riders.
Military legate: We could deliberately give away the initiative by taking the high ground, let Calatinus flank us and use the Ligurians to counter the attack.
Silanus: Brilliant idea. We could even post ourselves close to a landmark like a large formation of rocks or a wood that would cover one flank entirely forcing Calatinus to use all his cavalry on one side only.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1.../civplan02.jpg
The plan: Silanus main line is red, his mercanaries are grey. Calatinus main line is green, his elite cavarly blue.

Goodwin: A few days later, in early September of 79 BC both armies are in close reach in Campania, in the centre of Italy. Silanus, fearing Calatinus Spanish and Macedonian auxiliary cavalry takes the high ground on a hill near modern day Montemiletto. There he waits for Calatinus. On the 5th of September Calatinus reaches his position. The weather is terrible that day, it rains since the morning.

[The hill of Montemiletto can be seen in the background. It rains and fog clouds the mountains in the back. Calatinus stands in a field and musters the enemy.]

Calatinus: He is trying to lure me to attack, but why? This looks like a trap to me. But what is this boy planning exactly.
Military legate: He might be trying to ambush you from the trees.
Calatinus: Yes probably. If we attack him in this weather his line of sight will be weak. He probably wants me to force my cavalry over one flank. I guess we could disturb his plan by pushing through the forest with the foot soldiers.
Ha!
We will flank him at the one spot were he thinks we cannot. Brilliant. Order the military tribunes to prepare everyone for the attack.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1.../civplan03.jpg
Calatinus plan: Break through the forest with infantry.

Goodwin: Both sides prepare for battle. The soldiers control their equipment and make their prayers. Calatinus and Silanus both give last instructions to their legates and tribunes. They give the orders to the centurions who pass it to their soldiers. The battle is about to begin.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1.../civplan01.jpg
The initial battle formation.

Calatinus: My fellow soldiers. I won’t bore you with long speeches now. The time for talking is over, now is the time for deeds. It’s time to chop down the enemy of the hill. Remember, they are not Romans, they are traitors! I’ll see you behind the enemy line.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle01.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle03.jpg

[Calatinus rides ahead of his troops. He comes up to the enemy lines in attacking distance.]

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle04.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle05.jpg

Calatinus [shouting to the enemy infantry]: Romans! You are about to fight those men who went out to defend the Republic and the people of Rome. Don’t believe the lies of the Optimates. Disobey their orders. Despite what they tell you, we are not the enemy.

Silanus [to his bodyguard]: Calatinus may be a pig. But I’ll give him that he is one hell of a brave pig. Signal the attack. Order the Scorpions to fire at Calatinus.

[Low pitched trumpets signal Silanus troops to get ready. The artillery (Scorpions) begins to load its arrows]

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle06.jpg

[The artillery fires their arrows. They hit two bodyguards of Calatinus.
Calatinus gives the signal to attack: Their trumpets sound as well. Suddenly his troops start to run up the hill with their throwing spears in hand. They stop and throw it. The battle has begun.]

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle07.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle08.jpg

[Calatinus soldiers start to charge Silanus line]

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle09.jpg

Goodwin: Like planned Calatinus surprises Silanus by attacking the flank in the woods. It is in fact the flank that he thought well protected.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle10.jpg

[Fighting is happening all over the battle field. It is noisy and hectic. Some people scream caused by stabbing wounds, most people remain disciplined.]

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle11.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle12.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle13.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle14.jpg

[On the open flank the Liguarians fight the Spanish cavalry]

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle15.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle16.jpg

[Calatinus is close behind his troops, shouting orders.]

Calatinus: Reinforce the centre. And for the sake of Mars, someone order the Spanish fools back from the flank. I’ll be d…

[Calatinus is suddenly pierced through his torso with a large Scorpio arrow. The impact immediately throws him off the horse. Lying on the ground he is mumbling breathless. A few seconds later he stops to move. His legates jump of the horse trying to help him.]

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle17.jpg

Goodwin: The battle is about to turn. Calatinus is killed by the relatively new artillery weapon. Yet the body of the army continues to fight without its head. The battle is not decided yet. In the forest, where Calatinus ordered his attack, his soldiers make good progress.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle18.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle19.jpg

Goodwin: Silanus is unaware that Calatinus is dead. All of the sudden his Macedonian cavalry charges out of the nearby woods and kill all soldiers maintaining the Scorpio. Silanus himself attacks Calatinus elite riders.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle20.jpg

[There is fighting between Macedonian lancers and Roman cavalry. The lancers are not suited for hand to hand combat and retreat. The Scorpio is unmanned.]

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle21.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle22.jpg

Goodwin: But alas, the battle turns. News spreads that Calatinus is dead and from the centre, where Calatinus was slain, people start to panic and flee.

[A soldier stands on the battle field with blood all over his chain shirt. He screams: ‘We can’t fight without our leader. Save yourself! Run! Run!’ A centurion tries to stop him and wrestle him to the ground, but more and more people start to flee.]

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1.../civplan04.jpg
Silanus breaks through. The red X marks the positon of Calatinus death.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle23.jpg

Goodwin: The panic spreads quickly among Calatinus troops.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle24.jpg

Goodwin: A few groups hold out, but they are encircled by Silanus troops. Strangely enough, Silanus left flank, the flank he had his best troops, breaks away, even after most of Calatinus troops are on the run by now.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle25.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle26.jpg

Goodwin: Silanus jumps into action once again and charges into his left flank…

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle27.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle28.jpg

Goodwin: … and moments later the last pocket of resistance breaks away as well.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle29.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1.../civplan05.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle30.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_D-Vd5dCskSs/S1...ilbattle31.jpg

Silanus [shouting to his remaining soldiers]: We did it! We defeated Calatinus. We did it! The Republic is saved.
[catches breath]
By the gods, we have defeated Calatinus.

Goodwin: Silanus had won the battle. Both sides had about 30.000 troops. Calatinus lost 27.000 men, while Silanus lost 18.000 men. The battle of Aeclanum was a dreadful battle with high costs on both sides. But the Optimates had won an important victory nonetheless.

But that was not the end of the story. Silanus returned to Rome. Not as a victor but as an avenger. After this victory the head of the Populares was defeated and Silanus saw his opportunity to destroy the Populares once and for all. He sought to end the civil war. Did it all end with Silanus victory at Aeclanum? Certainly not!

A man of violence

A history of Rome, by Prof Alfred Kennard, 2002 New York

Silanus returned to Rome immediately after the battle of Aeclanum. Unlike his previous returns to the city after campaigning against the enemies of Rome, the return was most unwelcoming. The remaining followers of the Populares went out on the streets protesting and they clashed together with followers of the Optimates on the Forum. Soon the whole situation deteriorated to violence and at the end of the day hundreds of dead bodies covered the Forum. The following days Silanus retaliated for what he saw as an attack on the Optimates and more Populares were murdered on the streets.
After seeing that he was walking on dangerous terrain with this sort of disposal, he legitimated his action with the lex Iunus de proscritione that allowed the killing of everyone who was published on a list by the Senate. For the first weeks, Silanus took merciless revenge on his enemies and Rome sank into blood.

How Lucius Marcundus accidentally brought down the Roman Republic

By Eric Damon
(part II)

“There is no need to worry. We are absolutely safe.” The Marcundus family was sitting in the garden, eating dinner outside. The table was filled with olive oil, water and wine pitches. The family was eating pork enrolled in chards. Manius, the father, was talking, having baked pork ears in his hands. “I have had long lasting business with many patrician Optimates. I doubt that any one of them will put my name on the lists.”
Manius was referring to the new law that was being passed in the Senate. With the victory over Calatinus, Silanus had returned to Rome seeking to destroy the Populares forever. His enemies’ names were released on a list making them outlaws.
“I heard that there is fighting on the Forum again. When is this going to stop?” Lucius, now sixteen years old, seemed to be worried.
“I don’t know. This will probably delay the Populares. But it certainly won’t stop them. See, that is the reason why I don’t get into politics. Being a Senator, yes I could afford it. But then I would have to choose sides and the next morning I’ll get stabbed. Being a politician in Rome is more dangerous then being a gladiator these days. But let’s talk about something else while eating this delicious food.”
The expression in Manius face suddenly changed from serious to relaxed and the dining conversation did not mention politics again.

The following morning Lucius could sleep in because his rhetoric class was cancelled due to the violence on the streets. His younger sister Gaia entered the Room while he was still dozing. “Silly brother, you have guests. Tiberius is here.”
“Why am I the only person on earth who likes to sleep in?” Lucius was rather mumbling sleepily then talking clearly.
Tiberius suddenly stepped in and when Gaia noticed Lucius' friend she started to giggle and ran out of the room.
“Look at you. You are like a worthless old ox sleeping all day. Your father should sell you as cattle on the market.”
“Shut up and let me sleep.” Lucius pulled buried his head into his pillow.
“You are such a goober. Get up; I heard there's dead bodies and blood all over the Forum. They’ll dump the bodies into the Tiber. I want to see that.”
Naturally sensationalism was a part of the Romans life.
“Janus! Alright alright. You’re not going to let me sleep anyway. But get out of the room I have to get dressed first.”

An hour later the two friends were standing on the Capitoline hill looking down on the Forum. It was a nice September morning with a few clouds covering the sky. The two of them were observing people caring dead human bodies and piling them up on carts.
“It’s strange, isn’t it? The fascination of death. We all fear it but we all love to observe it, be a part of it from a safe distance”. Tiberius loved to talk like a Greek philosopher.
“I think its plain stupid: Both sides claim to fight for the people of Rome, yet all they do is to kill each other for power and money. I’m sick of this of this place.
“Since when are you being so critical? You always used to joke about politics. And now you are pissed off about everyone and everything? That’s not like you.”
“It’s just that killing each other is crossing the line.”
Lucius paused and for a while the both just observed how people were cleaning up the mess on the Forum.
“I have to tell you something. Next spring, when I’ll turn seventeen, I’ll be going to Greece studying sculpting.” He waited for Tiberius reaction.
“That sounds great.” Tiberius had a surprised yet happy expression in his face.
“You are not mad? After all I’m leaving my best friend here.”
“Nah boy. Of course it’ll be a bit boring without you, but hey – you’ve got to take the opportunity. I’ll still be here when you return, right?”
“Yeah sure.”
“Is your father paying for that?”
“Yeah.”
“Damn. Your family is really making a fortune with your animal sculptor business.”
“Well I have to do some business for my father in Greece too. That’ll pay the expenses.”
“Well that’s really great news. We should celebrate and go get drunk tonight.”
Lucius thought about it for a second.
“Sure why not. But let’s head over to Via Flaminia and watch some girls. We could pick up some salted dates at Maximus.”
Both left the miserable, yet not unusual scene with dead people lying dead on the Forum.

Lucius burst into laughter.
“He put the pork chops on his stomach, the lion comes up and starts to eat them. Hasalius giggles and says that lions are as hungry as he is. When Faustina comes into the house Hasalius wants to hide his lion in the basement. He immediately notices the cake in the kitchen. He looks at the lion, looks at the cake and looks at the lion again. He says something like: ‘How mad can my wife be just because I bought a lion instead of bread?’ and starts eating the cake.” Tiberius was on a rampage when telling funny stories. He was retelling the comedy play of a whacky fat Eastern Greek who comes to Rome marrying a rich but angry patrician woman. They play was quite popular in Rome these days for its subtle parody of Roman politics, but also for the blunt slapstick comedy.
Lucius could not stop to laugh. Both were quite drunk on that night.
“I haven’t heard about that one” Lucius replied while catching his breath again. “The last play I saw was with the Roman legionnaire. You know, the one were Hasalius gets mistaken for a Roman general and accidentally goes to Carthage, returns to the city riding in naked on an elephant.” Lucius took a napkin and tried his eyes.
“It’s funny that the real Hasalius actor gets invited to Silanus parties even though he makes fun of him all the time.” Tiberius was always well informed about politics.
“You know what they say about artists: Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer.” Lucius took a sip of his wine and suddenly burst into laughter again, spitting the wine all over the street where they were sitting. “You remember the one where Hasalius became an artist and paints all the busts with those serious Roman faces?”
“Ha-ha that’s one of the earliest plays. Hilarious!”

Lucius and Tiberius were sitting on a wooden table in a small narrow street somewhere in Rome. The tavern they were visiting was called Carthalo, after the famous Carthaginian general. It was a place for young Romans to get wine and pay young prostitutes for sex.

The both noticed that a group of young Romans was about to walk past them. One of them suddenly turned at the laughing duo.
“Why are you laughing, you stupid *****?”
Lucius and Tiberius looked around. It seemed like the bunch was looking for a fight. The leader of the gang, a thin guy with very short hair and strange looking eyes was provoking the two.
“**** off. We are not looking for a fight ********.” Tiberius was first to react, while Lucius tried to be more subtle: “Hey guys, you want to sit down and drink some wine with us?”
Lucius' try to navigate through the situation with diplomatic measures was unheard.
“Who are you to tell me to **** off?” The leader leaped forward on Tiberius trying to push his fist into his opponents face, but missing due to a fast dodging reaction of Tiberius. Nevertheless the leader pushed his whole body against Tiberius pulling him down from the chair on the ground. Lucius always tried to use reason over action, but he was not afraid to act quickly. He jumped from his chair, ramming one of the gang members, using his shoulder to push against the soft belly. While Lucius used the momentum to surprise the attackers thus compensating for his lack of strength, Tiberius was pinned down by the leader and nearly helpless. Tiberius was strong enough to block a few hits from the aggressor, but one punches hit his nose, resulting in a cracking sound. Blood immediately started to spill out of the nostrils.
The rest of the gang reacted and grappled Lucius who was unable to defend against four attackers. They started to kick Lucius with their sandals, while he covered his face with his hands.
The whole situation didn’t even last for a minute when two bulky men from the tavern came up after being alerted by bystanders. These bouncers were used to breaking up fights. The first man kicked the attacker of Tiberius in the left arm, making him fall over from his attacking position. The other bouncer grabbed one of the four gang members at the neck from behind and brought him to the ground with a powerful thrust. The rest of the gang members immediately retreated after realising the bouncers. The gang leader stood up and yelled “you *********” while running away.
After a few seconds Tiberius and Lucius got up. Tiberius was bleeding out of his nose, it was obviously broken.
“****,” he swore. “My ******* nose. They broke it.”
“You two guys okay?” one of the bouncers asked with a Campanian dialect. They were about in their 40ies, but packed with muscles and scars in their face, an obvious mark for a veteran soldier.
“Yeah we are fine, mostly. These ******* pigs. Always looking for a fight.” Lucius replied, then suddenly shouted at the retreating gang: “Sign up for military service if you want to fight”.
“Don’t worry kids. When I was at your age fighting was totally normal at a bar.” The bouncer replied. “You should get your nose fixed at a doctor.”
“Thanks for helping us anyway.” Lucius replied while taking a look at Tiberius nose. “Doesn’t look that bad. I mean, it’s going hurt fixing this, but you should be fine.”
“I think I’m going home now and see what I can do about the nose. Hope the bleeding stops soon.”
Both friends left the scene with bruises and scratches. Such is the way of the male Roman adolescent they figured.

A man of reforms

The Roman Empire, by Wolfgang Schreier, Bonn 2003

Besides getting rid of his enemies Silanus needed a legal basis for his reform plans and he remembered that there existed an ancient emergency magistrate which haven’t been used in a while. He let the Senate vote for him as a dictator legobus scribundis et rei publicae constituendae, a dictator who could pass laws and re-establish the Roman state. And Silanus passed laws and re-established the Roman state. Of course there was no end of term for Silanus in his new position.
After the terrifying proscription lists the weakened equites were strengthened again because 300 new Senators (to a total of 600) were drawn from this class. Strangely this process was elected publicly.

Silanus saw the Plebeian Tribune as a main reason for the disintegration of the Roman state. Therefore he tried to reduce its political power. The right of intercession (veto) remained, but Silanus ordered that it was impossible for the Tribunes to pass on laws by them self. Until Cotta in 123 BC it was the custom that the Tribunes would present the law before the Senate, now it was the law to do so. But what made the institution completely insignificant was the regulation that the Tribune was excluded from any further office in the cursus honorum. Silanus thought this would make the Tribune only interesting for Plebeian Do-Gooders.

The important ‘constant law court’ was filled with the new Senators coming from the Equestrians order. In this questiones perpetuae eight Praetors presided, and the Quaestors were raised to a number of twenty. Furthermore Silanus tried to put a lock on the military potential of the magistrates. Both Consulship and Praetorship were now civil position inside of Rome without imperium. Only after their term the Senators could go to the provinces as proconsul/propraetor having imperium. Finally the Censors were not allowed to use their right of lectio senatus, all magistrates, beginning with the Quaestor, were members of the Senate class.

All these reforms tried to conclude and reform the Roman state as a working machine with many different parts. It was not a constitutional revenge against the Populares, but rather a serious try to save the republic. Some historians argue that this was the vehicle to speed up the disintegration, some argue that these reforms were serious and prolonged the republic for a few more decades.
But there is the cynical observation that all this was build on murder and revenge. How was the reform to work if it was preceded by trail and fire which robbed the goods of many supporters of Calatinus. How was Silanus any better then Calatinus? He had become a dictator after claiming to have saved Rome from a tyrant. After two and half years of reform works people started to wonder if he would ever step down from his position as dictator.
Silanus stepped down to maintain his credibility, but remained a strong political figure in the Senate. His role model was Metellus the censor who was one of the highest regarded Senators of the Roman history. To the public Silanus tried to play the guardian of morality like Metellus did in his time. But rumours were spreading that Silanus spent most of his free time with festivals and parties in his estate outside Rome.

I'm not gonna pretend i read through every part, but this is really EPIC!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by anubis88

I'm not gonna pretend i read through every part, but this is really EPIC!

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Thank you.
I try to please all sorts of readers. From the deep thought reader who reads all from the beginning to the guy/gal who just likes to watch some screenshots. That's why some updates are picture and some text heavy.

How Lucius Marcundus accidentally brought down the Roman Republic

By Eric Damon
(part III)

“So un-roman like” he thought looking into the tiny glass mirror, inspecting himself. Lucius wore a white linen tunic and a Greek Chlamys in exquisite and colourful yellow and red. With such an outfit and a full beard covering his face he could be mistaken for a Greek, if it wasn’t for Lucius blond hair.
The young sculptor was now 20 years old, living in Athens, dressing like a true Greek. It was the fashion of the young and idealistic Roman to dress like a Greek philosopher or artist. This is how they protested against the conservative moral standards propagated by old Senators like Silanus.
And there he was, dressed like a young rebel, going to a high society party. “Oh the people will look at me and shake their heads. Wonderful!”

He left his home near the Agora, the Athenian Forum, looking at the Acropolis. The sun was going down and orange light covered the ancient monuments on the hill. “Athens is so beautiful” he pondered while gazing at the colourful spectacle. “Athens has it all, the monuments, the people, the culture, the art. Rome cannot compare itself to this magnificent city.” After a while Lucius moved on, he couldn’t afford to be late at the event. After all the host was Aulus Claudius Nero, a young but very important character. In his days his father was governor of the Macedonian province, which made quite a lot of money and now his two sons owed all of it. Being that rich the Neros often held parties to keep their friends and more importantly his enemies close. Lucius was invited because he made business through with him- a lot of decorations in his house were made by him.

When he entered Neros house, an old Greek villa in the centre of the city, he noticed guests of all ages and genders. After being greeted by the sly host and talking to a few familiar faces Lucius headed to the table with the vine vases. He noticed a large assortment of different drinks.

“I would recommend the Massalian red wine. It’s not as sweet as the Italian wines, but not bitter by any means.”
Lucius looked around.
He saw a young man, maybe a few years older then him, in a classic and fashionable toga. He had a friendly face, thin hair and his voice had the sound of a charming gentleman.
“Believe me; I know a lot about expensive wines.”
“So you are a wine steward? If I knew rich people had people drinking their wine for money I wouldn’t have become a sculptor.” Lucius replied with a grin. As always he leaned quite far out of the window with his cheeky maner
“A wine steward? Ha! Hardly, I just love to drink.”
“Then we have something in common. My name is Lucius.”
“Marcus, what a pleasure to meet a fellow drinking comrade at such a dull party.”
They shook hands. Marcus definitely had this charming yet smart sound of a voice. Both continued to talk to each other for a quite a while, drinking wine while doing so.
“… And then the old men said ‘Nay nay nay. The dog can come in - but not my wife’.” Lucius was always firing jokes when drunk and in company. Marcus was laughing all the way, his eyes started to tear.
“That’s another good one. How do you come up with all that silly stories?”
“I guess it has something to do with the stuff the gods put into wine.”
“Oh that is so passionate of you to say. But you what? We can’t have wine without female company.”
Marcus looked around the crowd. He waved his finger to a group of young ladies. Soon three young women approached the more then tipsy duo.
Marcus whispered to his new drinking companion: “Some ladies I know. Well - I know one of them a bit too good.”
“Why hello good looking ladies. How are we tonight? Having a good time?” Marcus was obviously successful with women.
They were between sixteen and twenty years old, two of them wore a bit too much make-up, but their dresses were made out of powerful colours.
“Ladies, may I introduce you to Lucius, the man with an irresistible look and humour that will throw you out of your shoes.”
Lucius wondered if he was trying to set him up.
“Lucius, these fine young gals are Aula, Gnea and Vibia - friends of mine who love to games. And I am talking of all sorts of games.”
“Too bad you are quite bad at playing games. And I am talking of all sorts of games.” Vibia seemed to be devious enough to be quick at repartee.
“Am I missing something out? Are you sport or is that some subtle sexual reference?” Lucius stood there, glimpsing in confusion.
Vibia winked and came closer to him touching him at the hips. “Marcus, I didn’t know that you had such witty friends, Marcus. And he is kind of cute too.”
It seemed to him that this conversion going turning to something more quite fast.

The group continued to talk for a while, but they all started to feel the heavy impact of the alcoholic beverages. Marcus’ articulation was still perfect, but he started to talk nonsense.
“Well Lucius, you know what this high society parties always lack? It lacks someone who spices things up a bit.”
Suddenly Marcus jumped on a table and shouted: “Fellow party guests. May I borrow your ear for a minute?”
People ceased to talk, the music stopped as well.
Lucius examined the situation.
This could go terribly wrong.
“I wanted to take the chance and thank Nero for this wonderful party with such wonderful guests. I also wanted to thank Nero to have the guts to invite us to this party even though some of us were followers of Calatinus and are practically wanted dead in Rome. IT shows that you people here have no backbone and completely indifferent about politics.”
This was indeed going terribly wrong.
People looked at Marcus with a blank face as they could not quite grasp what was going on.
“This party will be remembered as the first party in the history of Rome since the civil war where the Optimates and the Populares can drink, dance and talk to each other again. I stand up here and you are all probably wondering why I am talking to you. I stand up here because I have a mission. I want to heal the Roman people. I want to end the civil war. No more Optimates. No more Populares. No more Calatinus. No more Silanus.”
Lucius was gazing at Marcus with a smile. ‘He is terrible. But he is brilliant in it.’
“And there is only one way in closing the fronts. Bacchus came to my dreams and told me how to do it.”
Marcus picked up a vase of wine and waved it around.
“He said; Marcus you have to end the civil war. You are probably wondering how he wants me to do that. And I will tell you.”
He paused.
He was drunk beyond reason.

“We have to get naked!”
He started to laugh unintentionally.
“All of you get naked. Now!”
No one laughed but Lucius.
“Let’s heal the Roman society by drinking and getting naked! Thank you; you’ve been a wonderful audience!”
Marcus jumped off the table. He went back to Lucius with a look in his face as if nothing had happened.
“You are probably asking yourself why I would do such a thing. Well, I just love to piss off these rich high society people. Did you see the look at Neros face? I’m not sure if he will invite me to a party next time.”
“Way to go. But you didn’t convince me with your mission.”
“What?”
“You’re not naked.”
“Are you challenging me?”
“Yes that’s exactly what I am doing Marcus”
“**** you. I’m better then you” Marcus said with a big smile.
“Screw this, I’m doing it” he added.
Marcus started to undress himself and a moment later Lucius did the same. The three girls started to giggle holding their hands before their mouth. And in the next moment both Lucius and Marcus were completely naked, dashing into the party crowd and screaming “Heal the Roman society!” and “Get naked everyone.”
Needless to say most people were shocked, but at least a few party guests started to clap in excitement.
The two ended up running outside, standing at on the street catching their breath again. The girls followed them outside carrying their cloths.
They burst into unstoppable laughter.
“Remember me not to drink so much at high society parties” said the naked Marcus to the naked Lucius while dressing up again. “Screw this party. I don’t think they’ll let us in anymore. Let’s go to my place with these young ladies here. I’m sure they are up for some deep religious prayers to Bacchus and Venus.”
“Sure why not. If it includes you two getting naked again I won’t mind.” Vibia replied to Marcus.
Lucius grinned.
As they started to move he turned to Marcus.
“You haven’t even told me your full name yet.”
“Names don’t mean much, but if you have to know I am known as Marcus Julius Caesar.”
“Well I think Marcus Julius Caesar and Lucius Marcundus will have fine evening with these stunning ladies”
Lucius grinned widely.

A man of dubious action

The Roman Empire, by Wolfgang Schreier, Bonn 2003

After Silanus stepped down from his position as dictator in 75 BC he remained in the senate as a powerful member. In 74 BC he was elected as censor, following Metellus the Censor in his political legacy. Until his death in 70 BC the Roman Republic remained rather calm and stable. Three notable events took place during that time:
In 76 BC Getae war bands raided Roman territory in the Macedonian province which led the young Aulus Claudius Nero to retaliate successfully between 75 and 73 BC with his private army. This was much discussed in the Senate since it didn’t except a private man to deal with an official problem.
In 75 BC another problem arose in Gallia where the uneasy relationship between the Arverni and the Massalians resulted in open war once again. The Romans sent an elder proconsul under the name of Sextus Iunius Brutus who campaigned against the Arverni without any major success until his natural death in Massalia in 72 BC. The Arverni problem remained unsolved.
From 72 BC to 70 BC a plaegue spreaded in Greece which devastated certain towns. The outcome seemed to be rather mild, since the Greek towns recovered quickly.
Silanus started to withdraw from Roman politics around 73 BC and spent more and more time celebrating privately in his villa outside of Rome. There were rumours about homosexual orgies with Roman and Greek actors, but that was never proven.
When Silanus did not wake up after a celebration in his villa in 70 BC some wondered if he was poisoned of if he simply died of alcohol intoxication.
Silanus has been always looked upon with ambivalence. Was he a ruthless mass murder? A serious reformer? An exhausted politician? A hedonistic snob? Most historians agree he was a bit of everything.

Helenos – The life of Julius Caesar

(written about 100 AD)

When Calatinus marched against Silanus in 675 ab urbe Condita [79BC] Caesar was serving under the former as a military tribune. Caesar fought in the battle of Aeclanum, survived and fled to Greece like most the rest. Being only at the age of 20 his name was put on the Silanian proscription list like all of Calatinus men.
For the time being he lived in Athens and travelled through the Greek world where he got in touch with the Hellenistic world. When Silanus stepped down as dictator and things calmed down in Rome, Caesars friends and family asked him to return but he refused. He married the twelve year old daughter of Calatinus Matidia who was with Calatinus son Servius Atilius Calatinus. This was understood as a political marriage since Caesar was trying to claim the leadership under the Populares.
When Silanus died in 684 AUC [70 BC] Caesar prepared to return to Rome again. After being ten years away from the city he was delighted to be home again, but he was also puzzled because hardly anyone recognised him, nor did the Optimates care that he was married to the daughter of Calatinus.

I liked this chapter.
Should do some catching up though 'cause the last chapter I read was around the second punic war.

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Originally Posted by podoh

I liked this chapter.
Should do some catching up though 'cause the last chapter I read was around the second punic war.

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Thank you. I know it's quite a lot of reading. But I think it's easier to skip a fiew chapters in my AAR then in most others.

“I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.”
-Dwight David Eisenhower

War in Southern Gaul
(67 BC - 63 BC)

Helenos – The life of Claudius Nero
(written about 100 AD)


http://imgur.com/WQNSH.jpg

Aulus Claudius Nero returned to Rome from Greece at the age of 34 in the year 686 ab urbe Condita [68 BC]. By then he owned a large sum of money that his father made during the years as proconsul in Macedonia. He also owned his own private army and used it against Getae tribes nearly ten years ago when Claudius Nero was only a bit over twenty years old. He had at first supported Calatinus but switched to Silanus after he realized that Calatinus was willing to act openly against his former protégé [Silanus]. After having accomplished so much by his young age Nero was popular with the masses and respected by the Senate. When he entered Rome that year he was greeted by many Senators personally by the Porta Capena. Claudius Nero enjoyed the dignitas of a proconsul.
But soon he realized that all his authority and respect meant little in the cursus honorum. Like everyone else he had to begin his political career as a Quaestor. But due to his fame and prestige he wanted to skip all of the magistrates and in the winter of the same year he ran for Consul, without having even started the cursus honorum and being too young for this office.
The Optimates, who at that time were running the Senate, were in a difficult position. After all Nero supported them, yet they were unable to control the young man. They sought a different solution to appease a man of his authority.

Senator Aemilius Lepidus proposed to let Nero deal with the Arverni problem in Southern Gaul. They gave him an imperium maius, a special command over Gallia Narbonensis. He was allowed to wage war and administrate diplomacy at his own decision. In early 687 AUC [67 BC] Nero left Rome and for the moment the Senate was glad to have this ambitious and powerful young Roman out of the city.
From Gallia Narbonensis he inspected the legions and trained his men for the upcoming war against the Arverni. Their young king, Viridovix moc Erbin continued his aggressions against the Massalians and the Roman allies since he became king four years ago. By autumn of the same year Nero started his campaign against the Arverni. The goal was the Arverni capital Georgivina. On the 15th of September he faced Viridovix in the first battle of Brivas where the Arverni used the surrounding woods as cover. The Romans were not used of fighting at the woods so Nero took extra precautions not to run into a trap. According to Nero the Arverni king had about 30.000 men, though some sources claim that the number was about 25.000. Nero describes the fighting in his written account to the Senate.

http://imgur.com/qYoMV.jpg
Neros account to the Senate:
I ordered the soldiers to wait in front of the woods, letting scouts advance and gather information about the barbarians.*
*Nero had quite the disliking for Gauls. He hardly used the proper names of the tribes, but simply calling them barbarians.

http://imgur.com/GyN0j.jpg


http://imgur.com/KrKpq.jpg
I cautiosly led them through the thick wood by relying on the competence of my centurions. Hardly any of the soldiers has ever fought in the woods so everything dependend on the Roman centurios.

http://imgur.com/TZNWj.jpg
The key to victory was not to advance hasitly to the enemy line but to draw them to us. So I made sure the Barbarians could not use any tricks and traps on the men. By giving the soldier more Pila to carry the Barbarians were harrased to attack.

http://imgur.com/weYaK.jpg
As soon as possible I let the heavily equiped Arverni be drawn outside the woods again. There they would be no match for a brave Roman soldier.

http://imgur.com/IN0Ju.jpg
[...] As soon as the Kings encampent was discovered I led more troops to the glade.

http://imgur.com/S85uS.jpg
The king decided to attack the battle hardy Antesignani. Being equipped with spears they stood a good chance against the heavy horses.

http://imgur.com/MyfYO.jpg
More and more the fighting took place in the glade as the king called his soldiers to defend their master. This was the biggest mistake of the leader.

http://imgur.com/Zrvuf.jpg
The huge number of Roman troops split up the warbands and encircled them. By sheer Roman discipline we broke their spirits and killed a many thousand of the barbarians.

http://imgur.com/HHavG.jpg

The overwhelming number of 37.000 Roman troops eventually forced Viridovix to retreat and reorganise his troops. Less then 8.000 Gauls survived the battle.

Facing a sudden onset of winter in October Nero set up a camp at Brivas since he didn’t want to give up what he won in the battle one month ago. Viridovix saw his chance to fight against the Romans in the woods and in snow at the same time. Even for the Arverni that is a tough task, but since their lands have more snow than Italy the barbarians are much more accustomed to it. So it came to the second battle of Brivas. Viridovix now had rallied some 30.000 troops, which was about as much as Nero had by now.

http://imgur.com/75PoU.jpg
Again we looked at the same woods where the Barbarians tried to defeat us. But our spirit was stronger then ever. We defeated the Barbarians once so we knew we could again.

http://imgur.com/r8qjT.jpg

http://imgur.com/YV4I3.jpg
Again the enemy was unable to draw us deeply into the woods. Being in reach of the clearing we engaged the Barbarians. This time the men were told not to take any prisoners and kill everyone who surrendered at spot.


http://imgur.com/r03aD.jpg
The enemy fought bravly but undisciplined. Virdovix seemed to be too young, too inexperienced to learn from the way Romans fought. Having the woods as the biggest advantage he never used it to the full possibility. Being drawn out of the woods once again the barbarians stood no chance.

http://imgur.com/ac3TF.jpg
Trying to retreat to the woods again the soldiers killed many barbarians.

http://imgur.com/2vRjS.jpg
Even though many, including the king, escaped we had won a great victory. After killing thousand over thousand of Barbarians I wondered what could stop us defeating the Arverni.

Nero was a cunning and experienced military commander. He quickly adapted to the surroundings and made sure that his men learnt how to fight in wood and snow. By adapting to the Arvernis tactics he turned around the odds and defeated the proud young king. The blow he dealt to Virdovix was severe. Over 20.000 Gauls lay dead on the field and the Arverni king now faced a Roman General with superior number of troops. He called for help at the Bituriges tribe located north to him. Meanwhile Nero started laying siege against Gergovia in the following spring. Because the Bituriges did send help Nero was unable to wait outside the walls and let Virdovix starve to death. He realised that with additional troops waiting on the other side of the hill-town he had to take the city by force and drive the Arverni allies away from the prey.

http://imgur.com/q3NCl.jpg


In early Maius 688 AUC [May 66 BC] Nero used all his military wit to take the well fortified town.

http://imgur.com/Z6pH3.jpg
The barbarian capital was situated on a well defended hill. Taking the town by force was a risky task which could lead to the utter destruction of the Roman legions.

http://imgur.com/3LggU.jpg
The barbarians were trained in shooting bows. Vital to the siege was protection by using the shields for cover.

http://imgur.com/j4M0A.jpg
[...]But the Arverni did not have enough men to defend every spot of the same time. By attacking from multiple direction I effecivly weakend the barbarian town.

http://imgur.com/Ehvwf.jpg
The siege came with some costs since taking a town is never an easy thing to do. Ruined debris lay all around the walls since the barbarians were witty in disturbing our attacks. [...]

http://imgur.com/741jh.jpg


http://imgur.com/mm789.jpg
After the walls were taken I took extra precautions to reorganise the men.

http://imgur.com/um7O3.jpg
The bituriges advanced to the city trying to protect it since the Arverni king didn't have any men to defend it.

http://imgur.com/h9zZA.jpg
So the Roman troops had to fight additional men coming to the city from the nothern gate.

http://imgur.com/8XSYG.jpg
This proved to be difficult and the battle for the town went on for hours. Both sides suffered loss of men and blood...

http://imgur.com/AWkdm.jpg
...but in defending the town and his people Viridovix gave his life.

http://imgur.com/B9Laq.jpg
Yet the enemy bitterly tried to defend what he had left. So the fighting went on till the evening. Rain came and rain went away and both sides fought to exhaustion.

http://imgur.com/BCOyn.jpg


http://imgur.com/L0I4z.jpg
By the 20th hour the men cleared up the last pockets of resitance in the town. No barbarian carrying a weapon that day lived to see the next morning.

With Virdovix killed in battle and the Bituriges driven off Nero had utterly destroyed his foes and accomplished the war goals. But by subduing one of the strongest Gallic tribes the Romans also destabilized the Region and it would take some more years until Nero could return to Rome.

http://imgur.com/vyKCx.jpg

Is it just me or is the new forum template killing the screenshots?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fixiwee

Is it just me or is the new forum template killing the screenshots?

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This is true. Good choice of quote by Ike. Hope people can see past war and break down what has essentially become a normal, everyday, accepted institution in our lives.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vartan

This is true. Good choice of quote by Ike. Hope people can see past war and break down what has essentially become a normal, everyday, accepted institution in our lives.

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Indeed. The quote is the contrast to the brutal war that is going on in the text. After all this first campaign already cost over 10.000 fictional men their lives.

How Lucius Marcundus accidentally brought down the Roman Republic

By Eric Damon

(part IV)

When Lucius woke early that morning he saw the naked breasts of his wife Tullia. She lay next to him and the blanket only covered little of her body. “What a beautiful thing she is” Lucius thought.
When he returned back to Rome from Athens some years ago his father Manius Marcundus had organised the marriage with Tullia. She was a tall woman with brown hair and a friendly face. She came from a rich family in the order of the knights with some relatives being even being senators; she was also unusually well educated and stunningly good with numbers (which was an immense help to the Marcundus family business). The whole marriage was a gain of prestige to the family and a sign of their growing wealth. They came along well, both enjoyed their lives and often both made fun about each others in quite the absurd way. Their crowning achievement so far was Servillia, their two year old daughter.
Feeling thirsty Lucius stood up fetching a mug of water. While pouring the drink into a cup he noticed that a necklace on his bed table. The centre piece was made out of stone and had the profile of a young woman on it. He knew all to well who she was for he had actually carved the face into stone. Lucius silently took the necklace and went out to the garden where he could feel the sun rise onto this young day. Standing in the fresh spring grass he mumbled “Vibia”.
He and Vibia met at a party in Athens some ten years ago. It was the same place where he first met Caesar. After that fateful night he started having a sexual affair with Vibia which went on for a few months. Those were the most passionate nights with a woman he had ever had. She had a unique look with black long hair and he used to say that making love to her was like dancing naked with a goddess. Looking at her face carved in stone Lucius memory brought back her wonderful smell, something he recalled being between dark grapes and resins dripped in honey.

He sighted.

Lucius realised that he loved both women in his life, his wife Tullia and his long gone affair Vibia. But the latter he loved with a passion that he could not describe, nor could he tell anyone, except for his old childhood friend Tiberius who was far too pragmatic to really understand his feelings.

Lucius was 22 when he last saw her. Next week he would turn 30. And even after all this years he could not get her out of his head. How was she doing? Was she married? Did she have children? Was she still alive?
He could hear Tiberius speaking in his head: ‘Better get her out of your mind. You have everything you want: A lovely smart wife, a healthy child and a business that earns you a lot of money’.
But Lucius heart was filled with agony. He wanted something else. It was the call of the wild, the lust for adventure. To leave everything behind, he thought, maybe only for a year or two. Feel freedom for a while - Maybe in Northern Gaul for example. Seeing the large dangerous woods and the wild animals he heard so much lately with Claudius Nero fighting Gallic tribes there.

“Maybe Tiberius is right” he thought, “I’m better of this way.”
Lucius went back to bed and kissed his wife on the neck, trying his luck for some pleasant good morning sex.

Galia est pacata

War in Southern Gaul
(67 BC - 63 BC)

The Roman Empire, by Wolfgang Schreier, Bonn 2003

The decisive victory over the Arverni king changed the political situations among the Gallic tribes. In 66 BC Nero was visited by Aedui [Haedui] emissaries who wanted to discuss an alliance between Rome and their tribes. Being ignorant about the political stability of Gaul Nero sent them away. The reason of the Aedui push for external security was another Gallic tribe that threatened to attack them: the warlike Allobroges. The Aedui emissaries travelled to Rome asking the Senate for help. The Roman consul Dollabella saw his opportunity to limit Nero’s ever rising prestige. He brought the Senate to agree to an alliance with the Aedui despite Nero’s special task authority in Gaul. The young general could do nothing but to accept the meddling of the Senate in his affairs.


http://imgur.com/FxVPC.jpg
The Roman Republic are in red, the Allobroges in green, the Aedui in dark green and the Bituriges in yellow.


The Allobroges actually saw the alliance as a threat to their security and being a warlike tribe they attacked the Aedui in the winter of 65 BC. Now Nero saw his opportunity to go to war again, so he was lucky that the Senate dragged his legions to a legal position for war and in early spring he marched against his new foe. The Allobroges didn’t prove a match for the experienced Roman troops. Their king, Maglocunos Moc Casticos soon saw him self besieged in his town Viennos. Nevertheless he received back up from another Roman enemy, the Bituriges who already fought with the Arverni against Nero only a few years ago.

https://i.imgur.com/2YhPo.jpg
The town Viennos

http://imgur.com/fEOPy.jpg
Roman soldiers storming the wall. Viennos put up less resistance then the camaign against the Arverni.

http://imgur.com/FZVtI.jpg
Viennos put up less resistance then the camaign against the Arverni.

http://imgur.com/zhyEp.jpg
After only three weeks the walls were broken and storming the city only took one day.

http://imgur.com/HK82H.jpg
King Casticos soon saw himself overwhelmed by Roman forces.

Nero defeated the Allobroges in the battle of Viennos in the summer of 64 BC adding the conquered area to the Roman province of Gallia Narbonensis. The following year he turned against the Bituriges and faced them in the battle of Cenocorii.

http://imgur.com/Ssw3e.jpg
In the battle of Cenocorii the Romans adapted wood fighting against the Gauls.

http://imgur.com/Au1MG.jpg
That way Nero was able to hide his vast number of troops and lure the Bituriges into a trap.

http://imgur.com/6aeVM.jpg
Roman troops marching to battle once again. The many victories of Nero made him popular with soldiers and moral was very high. (Fighting against Gauls was still something the Romans had mixed feelings about. The history of Brenus sacking Rome was still popular.)

http://imgur.com/tDVdn.jpg
The Romans also relied on Gallic cavalry, since they had none of their own.

http://imgur.com/2vId2.jpg
Gallic slingers fleeing from Roman auxillian cavallry.

http://imgur.com/5X1or.jpg
The Bituriges were not in a proper formation to fight the large Roman army. Despite this, they were even more flexible and mobile then the Roman troops so they started to retreat and regroup to the woods.

http://imgur.com/vd8bT.jpg

http://imgur.com/uDbwp.jpg
Neros legions were rolling over the enemy.

http://imgur.com/CML5B.jpg
Due to their mobility the Celts regrouped near the woods. But the manouver costed time and men and eventually the Romans surrounded the Bituriges and eventually destroyed them.

After their loss the southern Bituriges tribe surrendered to Nero. He installed a new province called Aquitania and for now Roman rule was stable in southern Gallia. Nero did not rush back to Rome; instead he secured the new provinces and stayed a few more months in Massallia. In 62 BC he returned to Rome, disbanded his troops like was expected from him. Nero was rewarded with a triumph that he celebrated in winter 62 BC. All seemed to be going well for the Optimates in Rome, until the moment Nero started to press for a new land-law that would supply his veterans in early 61 BC […]

Before beginning, plan carefully.
-Marcus Tullius Cicero

The first triumvirate

A history of Rome, by Prof Alfred Kennard, 2002 New York

In 61 BC Nero presented his law regarding his veterans before the Senate. He didn’t expect any troubles considering the rather modest version of the law. But Nero was looked with scepticism from his own people – the Optimates. And now the disintegration process of the Roman Republic started in full effect. The most prominent members of the Senate, Iunius Brutus and Sergius Orata, blocked the law. Ancient historians already wondered why the elder Iunius Brutus acted totally irreproducible in handling Nero. The successful general then tried to push his law through the people’s assembly but fights on the Forum prevented the any further actions. Nero realised that he was rejected by his own people. Frustrated he had to look for new allies. In that sense the Optimates played Nero right into the hands of Marcus Julius Caesar.

http://imgur.com/S1bFD.jpg
The elderly Brutus. His irresponsible actions played Nero into the arms of Caesar.

Caesar had served as Propraetor in Illyria from 65 to 63 BC. In those years he campaigned against Illyrians and Pannonians in modern-day Slovenia. According to Helenos biography of Caesar he defeated armies over 15.000 men in both battles.

http://imgur.com/s5TgH.jpg

When he returned to Rome in 62 BC the Senate refused to award the leader of the Populares a Triumph. Angered by the Senates decision he set for a more aggressive rhetoric against the Optimates. In 61 BC he staged a spectacle to the surprise of both the Roman people and the senate. Caesar brought the exiled son of Aulus Atilius Calatinus – Servius Atilius Calatinus (or Calatinus the younger) to Rome. While Servius Calatinus did not have any political significance at the time being, this action was seen as a provocation against the Senate.

http://imgur.com/BgIwn.jpg
Calatinus the younger.

While Nero had been a supporter of Silanus back in the day he recognised Caesars daring move against the Senate and that was exactly what he was looking for. The following details and the exact timeline are unclear but eventually (probably in the winter of 61 BC) Caesar and Nero started a political alliance to support each other in the Senate. A third man soon joined the Alliance: the wealthy Lucius Papirius Crassus, a ruthless politician who failed becoming Consul over the past years. It was already rumoured back then that Crassus had connections with criminal groups in Rome (which will turn out to be significant later). Finally the triumvirate was born, not more then a private agreement, though it was kept secret from the Senate for the time being.

http://imgur.com/WQNSH.jpg
A young Nero. At the time of the triumvirate he was already 41.

http://imgur.com/cGgJL.jpg
A young Caesar. He was 39 at the beginning of the triumvirate.

http://imgur.com/O8T5x.jpg

In 60 BC it was agreed that Nero and Crassus would run for the consulship in 59 BC so that Nero could finally pass his veteran law. Caesar would run for consul the following year to protect Neros the laws. In return Nero would support Caesar to become Proconsul in one of the rich eastern provinces.
The Roman elections in spring 60 BC were accompanied with new turmoil and violence in the Senate and on the Forum but at last the motives became of the triumvirate became clear. Inius Brutus and Sergius Orata faced a new danger, yet they were ultimately helpless and could do nothing but watch Nero and Crassus become elected for consul.

You should change Clavdivs's name to Pompeivs....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hannibal Khan the Great

You should change Clavdivs's name to Pompeivs....

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Thank you for your comment.
If you mean that you Nero is heavily inspired by Pomeius you are right.
But the fact that I am playing a alternative history means that Nero is Nero in this story. He comes from one of the most presitgious and ancient families from Rome and early fame hindered his career more then helping him. I really want to stress out that there are some huge differences between my fictious Nero and the historic Pompeius. Maybe it will become more apperent when the Republic will come down. In the TWC forum someone sumed up really good what this AAR (especially the Roman civil war) is about:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Redolegna

Then it would be Marius instead of Calatinus, Sulla instead of Silanus, Cato instead of Metellus and so on and so forth. It's a partial reenactment of history with slight differences. I tend to see it as what would happen if a butterfly flew a bit differently... it would probably alter the actors of the great drama that is history but maybe not the events or at least the pattern of events that much.

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I know, just the fact that Caesar and (a realistically useless!) Crassus were there got me thinking "Arrgh, he was so close!"

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hannibal Khan the Great

I know, just the fact that Caesar and (a realistically useless!) Crassus were there got me thinking "Arrgh, he was so close!"

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You'll see that my Crassus is a totaly different character compared to the historic Crassus. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fixiwee

You'll see that my Crassus is a totaly different character compared to the historic Crassus. :)

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Gotta love them butterflies...