The Will of the Senate - Battle reports

[TinCow]

Legate Verginius,

You have been tasked with preventing the Macedonian armies invading from the north from entering Epirus. The lead invading army has entered the place known as Valley of Greeks with the intention of moving south into Epirus. You have intercepted it.

The Macedonian army is about 1000 men strong and is led by a captain. You command Legion II, slightly understrength. I am sure you will be able to annihilate this army, but, and I can't stress this enough, there are two more similar armies trailing this one, with similar intentions, and our reinforcements out of Italy are at least two or three seasons away. Do not take any unnecessary risks; your primary objective is preserving your force. Any delay or annihilation you can impart upon the Macedonians is a bonus. Good luck.

Tiberius Coruncanius.

So read the letter and so it was. The first of three invading Macedonian armies was before me, and it was to be stopped by a single Legion with few losses. Easier said than done.



Upon sighting us, the Macedonian captain spurred him men after us. Though we had made the first aggressive move, their superiority in numbers gave them confidence enough to sieze the initiative. In response, I urged my men to the top of one of the high hills surrounding the valley. They men quickly tired, but they would get a chance to rest before the fight, while our enemies would not.



As the Macedonian wave closed on us, we darkened the skies with pilia and lead and many an enemy fell. But for each man that died, nine more marched on.



Their approach was slow and tedious. Their energy sapped from the strong climb. Well before they reached our lines, I ordered the charge. The Triarii, Italian Spearmen and Principes rushed directly into the middle of the enemy, to anchor them in place and hold, while the Hastati, Velites and Italian Swordsmen caught the flanking troops. I personally led the cavalry charges with Secundus Salvidienus by my side. First we ran headlong into a group of Hypaspistai who were attempting to countercharge our left flank. Though not routing them, we killed two-thirds of them in a single charge, before moving off to engage the main body.



From there we charged, again and again, into the foe. Breaking their spirit and churning their exhausted bodies to pulp beneath the hooves of our horses. The Italian horsemen suffered greatly and all but two fell in the melee, but the Praetoria stood strong and inflicted great hurt upon the Macedonians.




At the same time, the Velites found their way around the enemy's left flank and put their light infantry to the rout.



With both flanks broken, the enemy turned to flee and we cut them down with ease. Yet, one in five of our men had been injured and one in ten would not rise again. We are weakened and two more armies yet remain.