The Battle of Antigonea Pass
Summary of Battles Fought Under First Consul Tiberius Coruncanius, 265-260 BC
*non-real ratios such as those resulting from a division by zero are not included.
The Battle of Antigonea Pass
Spring, 264 BC
"Hold the high ground!"
The Triarii came at a run, responding to their commander's frantic gestures. Lagging slightly behind and on either side of them, Consular I Army rushed forward as well. The men had barely arrived at the summit, the lines still ragged, when the first of the phalanxes crashed into them. Steel scraped on wood and mail and bit into flesh and bone.
Pilia, javelins and lead flew in all directions, dropping men and horse alike. The Greeks were closing quickly and in force, across the entire front. The Roman lines bent back on themselves to protect their flanks and prevent a complete envelopment. The armored hoplites outnumbered the Roman and Italian men two to one and had skills to match.
Tribune Amulius Coruncanius rode up next to his commander and long-time friend, Legate Augustus Verginius.
"I thought we were supposed to be attacking," he said dryly.
Verginius frowned and looked at the field. "It seems we need to remind the Greeks of that fact."
Having left many of the auxilia behind to garrison Antigonea, Consular I Army had moved forward to confront the last sizable Greek force in the area. Led by Philotas of Pharsalus, it was a large and formidable group of soldiers from many different nations. The bulk was, of course, Greek hoplites, but intermixed were Illyrian skirmishers, Thracian infantry, and Gallic swordsmen.
As the armies had approached each other, a high hill become the focul point of their desires.
Almost immediately, a rush began to attain the heights. The Romans had arrived first, but the Greeks had reached a great momentum and did not cease their advance. The Roman and Italian spears deployed in a long, thin line to hold the center, backed by Velites to bleed the Greeks in the rear. They had held firm since the melee had begun.
Verginius turned to Coruncanius, "Shall we remind them of the proper order of things?" He turned his horse and raised his sword. "Left wing, forward!"
At a rush, the Hastati and Italian Swordsmen, faster than any other infantry on the field, moved past the Greek right flank, scattering Illyrian skirmishers before them. After a short distance, they turned to take the phalanxes and supporting units from the rear.
"Amulius, take the cavalry and guard the right flank. The center of the Greek line is pinned on our spears. Order the Principes into their flanks and then protect them from a similar fate."
The Tribune nodded and rode off with his men.
Verginius moved to the top of the hill, where he could see over the main line to the Roman light infantry fighting in the distance. A group of Thracian infantry had stopped both cohorts of Hastati and were inflicting serious losses on them. The Italians, having finished off a small group of hoplites that had been devestated by pilia, rushed forward to aid their comrades.
Yet, even as the battle seemed to be turning in their favor, the Greeks responded. First two, then three... four... five Greek phalanxes turned from the main battle and charged into the lightly armored Romans. In an instant the flanking movement had been surrounded and they began to drop.
"Gods curse them!" shouted Verginius. He galloped forward to the lead Centurian of the Triarii. "Break them! Break them! We must aid the Hastati!"
The man grimaced, his face spattered with blood. "Sir, they won't budge. We've killed dozens of them, but they never seem to waver!"
Verginius spat on the ground. If something wasn't done soon, a third of the army would be gone and the rest would surely be surrounded. He quickly recalled Tribune Coruncanius and, with the full force of the Roman cavalry, rode to the rear Greek hoplites opposing the Roman center. They charged home with leveled spears. A shudder went through the enemy force as the impact ripped and tore at the rearmost ranks, but they held. The Romans with drew and charged a second time. A third time. On the fourth, the Greeks finally broke and scattered.
"Forward! To the Hastati!"
The strength of the Roman infantry moved at a rush, with the hardened Triarii leading the way.
Both armies convered in force on this point. The Hastati and Italians were holding, but barely. One group of the Roman light infantry was at half strength while of the other, only seven men could be seen, fighting back to back amidst a sea of Greeks. In desperation, Verginius ordered the Velites forward to extend the lines but there were still too many of them and there was no one left to commit.
No one... except the Fundatores. With their ammunition exhausted, they stood on the peak of the hill watching the carnage before them. They would not last long against armored infantry, but there was no one else...
A runner was sent to them to tell them of the dire situation and Verginius' orders. Without question they obeyed. As one, the Fundatores charged into battle... engulfing Philotas and his men, as they sat unawares observing the main melee.
The struggle was desperate, but the unarmored Fundatores were fast and their daggers sharp. They hamstrung the enemy horses and swarmed over their fallen riders, ripping off helmets and slitting throats. Philotas suvived the longest, but he too was brought down by the overwhelming mass of men.
Word spread quickly amongst the Greeks of their General's death. Many broke and ran, leaving the hardened few trapped in the center.
It was bloody work, but eventually the last of them were cut down and the field was quiet.
Verginius rode through the men, taking in the carnage. Nearly half of Consular I Army was dead or injured... but for every dead Roman, there were six fallen Greeks.
As Verginius dismounted and began to walk amongst his men, a Centurian began to shout. Soon all who could spare breath had joined in.
"Roma Victrix!"
"Roma Victrix!"
"Roma Victrix!"
As Verginius gazed out over the battlefield and his men, his mouth opened and he breathed a single line. "This is nearly as good as killing Gauls." Verginius smiled.
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