The Will of the Senate - First Consul reports

[Death the destroyer of worlds]

1. Summer 260 BC

The first order of business was to rally my demoralized troops and sally forth from Segestica resulting in a heroic victory at the the Second Battle of Segestica.


Then the difficult job of first consul could begin in earnest.
I changed all troops deployments in an effort to reinforce our troops and our garrisons and to reduce and control unrest.
I tore down all foreign military and damaged religious buildings, which together with the vast treasury (over 40.000 gold pieces) left behind by the previous consul Tiberius Coruncanius allowed me to start a massive campaign of public works, mostly auxilia buildings, but also roads, ports, temples and markets, as well as allowing me to start the recruitement of a large body of troops, buy a few units of mercenaries in Greece, and start the construction of severals new warships. I was also happy to see that a Provincial Barracks in Arretium and Paestum were already under construction, as well as a Naval Architecture I in Athens.
I moved part of our Eastern Fleet at Athens towards the Western Fleet at Tarentum so we will have two fleets capable of transporting a legion. I ordered the Eastern Fleet under the command of Admiral Decimus to attack a small Macedonian and a small Greek fleet with great succes.






Then I ordered my displeasure made know to the Thracian king by having Placus the Killer assasinating one of their diplomats hanging around Greece.


After gathering the troops near Rome, I asked Marcellus Aemilius to leave his studies and take command of this force. It is sent northwards to reinforce the decimated Legio III Sicilia Aemilia and is asked to destroy a small group of bandits along the way. He completed this first mission succesfully and send me the following report :

Father, the rebels have been destroyed. Our casualties numbered ten, half due to the exchange of pila, half due to the enemy receiving my cavalry. The rebels routed instantly once we engaged them in hand-to-hand combat. I personally chased down and killed their "leader," Captain Cornelius.


Now that the farmers living around Rome can sleep soundly once more, it was time to move the remaining troops. The Legio V Alaudae under the command of legate Titus Vatinius started the march to the mainland of Italy, probable destination Greece. The Legio II Sabina Quintia under the command of legate Augustus Verginius, accompanied by tribune Quintus Naevius, began the march to Gergovia. Their next stop will be Salona, the last Illyrian settlement. The Legio I Italia Victrix, under my personal command, after building a watch tower, moved on to the northwest to intercept Thracian forces. I was forced to leave tribune Gnaeus Hordeonius behind to supress unrest in Segestica. Servius Aemilius moved to Rome to start his studies. Tribune Gaius Rutilius joined him there to control the unrest in our capital.
The Legio IV Gallica, under the command of legate Publius Pansa, accompanied by tribune Numerius Aureolus has been dispatched to wipe out the remaining Macedonian troops and capture the city of Chalkida, thus ending the Macedonian presence in Southern Greece.
Legate Publius Pansa had little difficulty in defeating the small army outside Chalkida.

Afterwards he attacked the city and also met little resistance. Half the population was enslaved and transported to our major cities for sale. Now Southern Greece was finally free from Macedonian troops.


2. Autumn 260 BC
Roma finished construction of a shrine to Ceres. Patavium finished construction of an Auxilia III building. Massilia finished construction of a shrine to Mars to help rebuild the morale of the Legio III Sicilia Aemilia. Thermon finished construction of roads and repaired their farmland. Atherns finished construction of a Naval Architecture I building and repaired their famland and their war harbour. Scodra repaired their war harbour, market and warlord's hold. Elis repaired their agora. Thessalonica repaired their stone wall.

Roma recruited Principes. Capua recruited hastati. Ancona recruited Italian spearmen. Arretium recruited Italian skirmishers. Armenium recruited Italian spearmen. Corfinium recruited Italian swordsmen. Paestum recruited Italian swordsmen. Lilybaeum recruited Libyan spearmen. Patavium recruited a Gallic warband.

The Thracians attacked the Legio I Italia Victrix which was blocking their passage to Aquileia. This led to the hardfought Third battle of Segestica. The Thracians were in their element in the woods, but the Italian swordsmen auxilia saved the day.


Legate Augustus verginius attacked Salona and struck the deathblow to the Illyrian nation. Half the population was enslaved and transported to our major cities for sale. His full account can be read in the Subjugation of Illyria.



I brought the legion guarding Cispine Gaul up to full strength. The Gauls are massing an army near the northern pass, but I think it unlikely they would dare to attack.
The Legio III Sicilia Aemilia has recieved the first batch of reinforcements and so tribune Manius Aemilius started the journey back to Rome to give evidence for the trial of legate Publius Laevinius, and has reached Jenuensis. Publius Laevinius will follow him when Marcellus Aemilius arrives with the remaining reinforcements.
The Legio VI, under the command of co-consul Amulius Coruncanius and bearing the standard of the Consular army I, is reinforced up to full strength and marched toward the north to the Macedonian town of Bylazora. They reach the outskirts of the town.
The Legio V Alaudae, under the command of legate Titus Vatinius, reaches Tarentum. They will be transported by the Western Fleet to Appolonia, where command of the legion will be transferred to tribune Numerius Aureolus, who has travelled there from Chalkida. The Eastern Fleet scouts the coast of Crete for enemy fleets, but finds none. The light is green for the destruction of the Greek City States.
Placus the Killer assasinated the last enemy diplomat hanging around Greece, a Macedonian.


The Thracians still had two small armies near Segestica. One laid siege to Segestica which was held by tribune Gnaeus Hordeonius. The other waited for me to march to the relief of Segestica and then to sneak past behind me to attack Aquileia. I foiled their plan by leaving Segestica in the capable hands of Gnaeus Hordeonius, building another watchtower and then attacking the other Thracian army. After the first volley of pila they fled and ran back to the woods, but before they escaped I managed to kill their chieftain.


Then I quickly marched back to Segestica and I am now so close as to be able to assist Gnaeus Hordeonius should the Thracians launch a suicidal attack.

3. Winter 260 BC

The Legio VI, under the command of co-consul Amulius Coruncanius and bearing the standard of the Consular army I, is attacked outside the Macedonian town of Bylazora by two Macedonian armies and the city garrison. He is severely outnumbered and I have given him the option to retreat.


Faced with these impossible odds, Amulius Coruncanius decided to order a fighting retreat, which went well untill his cowardly auxiliary forces routed and fled, causing the loss of many men. Still, a much larger number of Macedonians was left dead on the field and few Romans lives were lost in the First Battle of Bylazora


During his retreat he managed to trap a unit of Macedonian slingers and all 61 of them were slain for the loss of only one of our troops. He returned to Pella and is gathering a proper Consular army.

Legate Publius Laevinius and the Legio III Sicilia Aemilia were attacked by a large army of Gauls, and the legion retreated back to Massilia to await reinforcements. Meanwhile he recruited all available mercenary forces in the region. I have send one of our newly constructed Corvus Quinqueremes to take him to Rome as the land route is now blocked. It will take him a year to reach Rome as it looks now. Tribune Manius Aemilius will arrive in Rome in the spring.

A Gaul agent was found in Massila, but he escaped. Pomponia was born to Quintus Naevius and Domitia.

Capua, Arretium, Armenium, Corfinium and Paestum all recruit a cohort of Italian swordsmen. Tarentum and Syracuse both complete the construction of a Corvus Quinquermes. Patavium recruits a band of Gallic swordsmen.

Roma finished construction of a shrine to Saturnus. Tarentum finished construction of a minor temple to Ceres. Agrigento finished construction of a minor temple to Jupiter. Lilybaeum finished construction of a minor temple to Saturnus. Massilla finished construction of a shrine to Ceres. Aleria finished construction of a shrine to Jupiter. Scodra finished construction of roads. Athens finished construction of a shrine to Mars.

Legate Publius Pansa and the Legio IV Gallica have boarded the Eastern Fleet and are in sight of the coast of Crete. The opposition appears light and no enemy fleets have been spotted.

The Legio V Alaudae, led by legate Titus Vatinius, has been shipped to Appolonia. Here command was transferred to tribune Numerius Aureolus, who will lead the legion to the border with Thrace near Delmatia. Legate Titus Vatinius has temporarily taken up the governorship of Appolonia.

Marcellus Aemilius, having heard from scouts that a large Gallic Army now stands between him and Massilla, has taken the newly formed legion from the fort in Cispine Gaul along with his reinforcements and is one now one season's march away from Massilla. An Iberian army moved to block the return route for the Gaul army which is now effectively trapped. It could either attack Massilla, attack the Iberian army, attack Marcellus Aemilius, or hold its present location.

I myself, legate Lucius Aemilius and the Legio I Italia Victrix, attacked the forces besieging Gnaeus Hordeonius in Segestica. They fled immediately, but I pursued them and destroyed them without mercy.


To my south, the remnants of the Illyrian army have turned to banditry, and I attacked the closest of them. They hid in the woods and were hard to find. Unexpectedly, they charged out of the trees and charged my funditores, of which half perished before I could come to their rescue. I blame myself for underestimating such a small force.


I ordered the assassination of a Greek diplomat who wandered into our lands. Placus the Killer had no problems with his assignment.


Legate Augustus Verginius and the Legio II Sabina Quintia attack Delmatia and the city was taken with ease. The Macedonian heir to the throne made a valient fight of it, but fell eventually. 500 Romans fought 83 Macedonians with the result of 11 Roman dead and no Macedonian survivors. He left a small garrison of two heavily depleted units of skirmishers and then constructed a watchtower at the shore of the Danube before moving west toward Segestica.

The absymal hygienic conditions, which I am trying to remedy, have created an unhealthy atmosphere in Syracuse, and so Galerius Vatinius will move to Rome to finish his education there. On the way he picks up the remains of the Sicily garrison reinforcements on their way back to Rome. Together they will hunt down some robbers which have been sighted in the south of Italy.

4. Spring 259 BC

The Thracians are beginning to feel the pain we have inflicted on them and have asked for a ceasefire with the Ptolemaic empire. This is bad news for us.

More bad news, there is a flash flood in Dalmatia.


On a postive note, Tranquilina, the daughter of co-consul Amulius Coruncanius, marries Herennius Genucius, a new tribune in the Consular Army I.


Scodra finished construction of a shrine to Saturnus. Athens finished construction of a shrine to Ceres. Delmatia finished construction of a shrine to Ceres.

Ancona recruits a cohort of Triarii. Arretium recruits a cohort of italian swordsmen. Patavium recruits a band of Gallic swordsmen. Roma recruits an assassin. Pella recruits a spy. Segestica recruits a spy.

I, Lucius Aemilius, and the Legio I Italia Victrix hunt down the last of the Illyrian bandits. Wary of these cunning bandits, this time we take a more careful approach. After wearing the cavalry down with missile fire, I and my praetorians charge the only survivor, the enemy commander.



Legate Publius Pansa and the Legio IV Gallica disembark from the Eastern Fleet near the city of Kydonia in Crete and take the town in a suprise attack. The Eastern Fleet blockades the harbour of the other Greek city on the island, Hyrapytna. The demoralised defenders are easily defeated by our forces. In just one season of campaigning we have conquered the entire island !



The Legio V Alaudae, now led by tribune Numerius Aureolus, is almost in sight of Delmatia.
Legate Augustus Verginius and the Legio II Sabina Quintia have arrived in Cispine Gaul just as a small force of bandits invades our territory by way of the valley through the Alps. They are probably thinking they couldn't have picked a worse time to go raiding.
The Iberians have retreated from the bridge, allowing the nervous Gauls to retreat back to their cities. This allows Marcellus Aemilius and his reinforcements to relief legate Publius Laevinius who sets of for Rome by land. He will arrive in Summer. Due to a snafu in logistics it is discovered he has accidentily brought the standard of the Legio III Sicilia Aemilia with him. As the legion will not fight without the standard Servius Aemilius is tasked with delivering the standard to his brother. It will hoperfully return to the legion in summer.

Our new spies detected three Macedonian assassins wandering around. Placus the Killer starts to even the odds by striking first.


The forces of the Kingdom of Macedon were increasing at a much higher rate than we could reinforce our own troops. They felt confident enough to send an army to reinforce the town of Philipii, to the east of Pella, which would threathen our eastern flank and make it extremely dangerous to march north on Bylazora once more.
This would create a very dangerous situation in the short term. We would have to win this war quickly or lose it in the long term. I decided to risk all on a do or die mission and marched the hastily formed Consular Army I, under the command of my co-consul Amulius Coruncanius, on Bylazora behind their backs immediately, thereby forcing the Macedonians to commit to battle or have their remaining lands divided in two.


5. Summer 259 BC

The Macedonians see the threat and commit themselves to a decisive battle with Amulius Coruncanius and the Consular Army I. We are outnumbered more than two to one.


The Gods must still despise us for losing a legionary eagle. Both legate Amulius Coruncanius and tribune Herennius Genucius are killed and the Consular Army I was heavily defeated in the second battle of Bylazora.


In the aftermath of the battle, a cohort of Italian spearmen on its way to Massilia was caught by a Gaulish army. 73 Italians faced 237 Gauls. The spearmen lost 34 men, killing only 9, before they managed to retreat to Massilia

Flavius Pacuvius and Placidia have a son, Luca Pacuvius
Luca Mamius and Severa have a son, Decius Mamius

Agrigento finished construction of a minor temple to Ceres. Lilybaeum finished construction of a minor temple to Jupiter. Jenuensis finished construction of a Trader. Massilia finished construction of a minor temple to Ceres. Athens finished construction of a shrine to Saturn. Aquileia finished construction of roads. Kydonia finished construction of shrine to Jupiter.

Roma recruits a cohort of principes. Capua recruits a cohort of italian cavalry. Ancona recruits a cohort of funditores. Arretium recruits a cohort of italian spearmen. Tarentum and Syracuse both complete the construction of a Corvus Quinquermes. Patavium recruits a Gallic warband.

Legate Augustus Verginius chases the bandits back into the Alps before continuing on his way to the Cispine Fort, where he will reinforce his battered Legio II Sabina Quintia.
Marcellus Aemilius, finally ready for the office of tribune, sees the Massilia valley crawling with Gaul and Iberian troops. He reasons the best way to secure Massilia is to guard the bridge and does so, recruiting some local Gaul mercenaries along the way.
Legate Publius Pansa quickly embarks on the Eastern Fleet with the Legio IV Gallica and sets sail for the Macedonian town of Philippi.
The Legio V Alaudae, commanded by tribune Numerius Aureolus, builds another watch tower on the Danube shore. Seeing no Thracian forces in the neighbourhood of Dalmatia, I decide the strategic value of the pincer movement is worth the risk of Thracian invasion and I order the Legio V Alaudae to march eastward towards the Macedonian town of Ratiaria. This means opening a wide gap on our border with Thrace, which will not be closed anytime soon.

The weakened Legio I Italia Victrix, command by myself, legate Lucius Aemilius, doublemarches to the Danube spring where another large Thracian invasion force, this time led by one of their best war chieftains, is marching on Aquileia once again. Our camps are in sight of each other. If I hadn't stopped briefly to purchase some Gallic Noble cavalry we would already have been in battle.

With so many high notables in Rome I send tribune Gaius Rutilius, one of our best governors, to Syracuse to quell the disorder there. He will relief Luca Mamilius, who will take over governorship of another city.

Galerius Vatinius, on his way to Rome, has joined with some local troops and destroyed a group of bandits who were making Southern Italy unsafe.


Placus the Killer, a legend in dark circles, finally meets his match when he tries to assassinate a Macedonian assassin.


Legate Tiberius Coruncanius, overwhelmed by grief and anger, sallies from Pella with all the men who will follow him and destroys the nearest Macedonian army in the second battle of Pella, then moves north towards Bylazora.


6. Autumn 259 BC

The Legio III Sicilia Aemilia have been refusing to engage the Gauls untill their standard returns to them (next season) or legate Augustus Verginius arrives on the scene. In the summer, the Alpine pass was wide open and Gaul raiders have, with incredible daring, attacked and captured Jenuensis, right under the nose of our new Cispine Gaul Legion and legate Augustus Verginius and his Legio II Sabina Quintia.




A Macedonian spy is discovered in Salona, but he escapes.

Lucilla, the wife of tribune Numerius Aureolus, gives birth to a son called Nero Aureolus.

Capua finished construction of wooden walls. Arretium finished construction of a provincial barracks. Arminium finished construction of a port. Syracuse finished construction of very badly needed sewers. Patavium finished construction of wooden walls. Segestica finished construction of roads. Salona finished construction of roads. Delmatia finished construction of a minor temple to Ceres. Kydonia finished construction of a shrine to Saturnus.

Roma recruits a cohort of Velites. Ancona recruits a cohort of hastati.

Servius Aemilius takes ship with the standard of the Legio III Sicilia Aemilia and lands in Massilia. He will transfer the standard next season.

Tribune Gaius Rutilius arrives in Syracuse to celebrate the construction of sewers for this metropolis. The citizens still clamour for more hygiene and work is started on public baths. Legate Luca Mamilius is on his way to Patavium where a governor is badly needed.

Due to bad weather the Eastern Fleet did not manage to land legate Publius Pansa and the Legio IV Gallica this season. The Fleet did blockade a Greek battle Fleet in the bay of Thessalonica


Tribune Numerius Aureolus and the Legio V Alaudae had to hire some mercenaries and lose too much time to attack Ratiara this season.

Our new assassin, Cornelius Clodius, finally completes his first succesfull mission by assassinating a Macedonian diplomat.


I, legate Lucius Aemilius, and the Legio I Italia Victrix were almost defeated in a pitched hilltop battle against the Thracians, but Fortuna favoured us in the end.


Legate Augustus Verginius and his Legio II Sabina Quintia liberate the town of Jenuensis and restore Roman honour. Then he moves on through the Alps valley towards Massilia.


Newly promoted, general Tiberius Coruncanius, still mad with anger and beyond reach of my orders, continues his offensive against the Macedonians and captures Bylazora in the third battle of Bylazora. One of the two Macedonian generals responsible for the death of his son is killed in the battle. His name was Eumenes of Enna. Exhausted, his men strike camp as winter sets in.


7. Winter 259 BC

Julia, the wife of tribune Gauis Rutilius, has a daughter called Lepida.

Capua, Solana and Aleria finished construction of a shrine to Saturnus. Arretium finished construction of a shrine to Ceres. Arminium, Delmatia and Lilybaeum finished construction of a shrine to Jupiter. Tarentum and Massilia finished construction of a minor temple to Mars. Kydoria finished construction of shrine to Mars.
Rhegium, Messana, Caralis and Melite finished construction of a market.
Bononia, Pella, Corinth, Sparta, Elis, Larissa, Thessalonica, Chalkida and Mediolaneum finished construction of a Roman Auxilia I building.

Roma recruits a cohort of funditores. Capua recruits a cohort of Triarii. Arretium recruits a cohort of velites. Arminium and Corfinium recruits a cohort of italian spearmen. Paestum recruits a cohort of italian swordsmen. Patavium recruits a cohort of gallic swordsmen. Thessalonica recruits an assassin.

The Macedonians are so terrified by the wrath of general Tiberius Coruncanius that they try to assassinate him. Our spy in the city, Augustus Sempronius, detects the plot in time, and kills a Macedonian spy, but the Macedonian assassin escapes. Our new assassin from Thessalonica, Marcus Triarius, tries to track down the Macedonian assassin but fails.


The Eastern Fleet lands legate Publius Pansa and the Legio IV Gallica and then attacks the Greek battle Fleet in the bay of Thessalonica. As legate Publius Pansa first reinforces the Legio IV Gallica with troops from Thessalonica they lose so much time they will not reach Philippi ths winter.



The Greek fleet is completely destroyed and the Eastern Fleet continues its offensive in the Aegean Sea by attacking the last remains of the Macedonian Fleet. The Eastern Fleet is led by a different commander, admiral Julianus, as admiral Decimus got lost in a storm and was only found after the battle. He inflicts another defeat on the Macedonians.



Servius Aemilius returns the legion standard to this brother tribune Marcellus Aemilius, current commander of the Legio III Sicilia Aemilia, and boards a ship for Roma to return to his studies.
Soon after, legate Augustus Verginius and his Legio II Sabina Quintia arrive at Massilia and there is great rejoicing among the men of the Legio III Sicilia Aemilia. Joining forces, they cross the bridges into Gaul.

A new praetorian legion, the Delmatian legion, which is destined to guard the bridge over the Danube at Delmatia, our weakest point at the moment, arrives in Salona by ship.

Tribune Numerius Aureolus and the Legio V Alaudae capture the Macedonian town of Ratiaria after a hardfought battle. The citizens are led into slavery.

[Death the destroyer of worlds]

8. Spring 258 BC

Manius Coruncanius, the son of my recently deceased co-consul Amulius Coruncanius comes of age.


The kingdom of Numidia, after a decades long war with the Republic of Carthage, is destroyed. This will finally give our old enemies time to look overseas for war. The praetorian legion in Sicily will accordingly be reconstituted.

The kingdom of Thrace and the Kingdom of Macedon sign a ceasefire.

Croton and Antigonea finished construction of a governor's palace. Paestum finished construction of a provincial barracks.

Roma recruits a cohort of principes. Ancona recruits a cohort of triarii. Arretium recruits a cohort of hastati. Arminium recruits a cohort of italian swordsmen. Corfinium recruits a cohort of italian spearmen. Patavium recruits a gallic warband.

Legate Titus Vatinius arrives in Salona to take command of the new Delmatian legion. If my augurs are not mistaken, soon they will recieve the standard of the Legio VI, previously destroyed at Pella. They begin their long march to the Danube.

The Eastern Fleet is still hunting enemies on the Aegean Sea and detects a Greek battle Fleet carrying troops in the Bosporus.


The enemy fleet is intercepted and defeated.



The Thracians are marching in two columns towards our lands. One is looking to raid Cispine Gaul by way of the eastern Alps valley, and the other one is looking to attack Acquileia once again. I, legate Lucius Aemilius, cannot stop both columns with my single Legio I Italia Victrix and so I decide it is wisest to attack one column and then march on the Thracian town of Luvavum. The Thracians will then hopefully retreat back to the town to defend it. Resupplied with mercenary reinforcements I march on their eastern column, which retreats to a forest where more reinforcements lie in wait. I defeat them with ease. The way to Luvavum lies open.


Our troops in Gaul split into three parts. Legate Augustus Verginius and his Legio II Sabina Quintia lay siege to Gergovia, where the stolen legionary eagle is hidden. The eagle taker Drustan of Decetia is holding the town against him. Tribune Marcellus Aemilius and the Legio III Sicilia Aemilia lay siege to the Gaul capital of Comata, where the Gaul king Segovax the Cunning resides. The remainder of our troops takes up position on the bridge.


I am leery of attacking Gergovia, as the Gaul Allies, the Iberians, will surely come to their aid, and this will undoubtably mean war with them. While I make up my mind to attack or wait, the focus shifts back to the East.

It is now known that the Macedonians and the Greeks both are down to two cities each. The Greeks control the Bosporus with a city on each side, Byzantion and Nicomedia.
It is my intention to have Tribune Numerius Aureolus and the Legio V Alaudae invade their territory by amphibious landing by the Eastern Fleet, as I do not want to violate the territory of the Ptolemaic empire, and so they start their march to the coast and reach Bylazora this season. Untill they are needed the Eastern Fleet will blockade the harbour of Byzantion. I chose tribune Numerius Aureolus because this is a risky mission, as he will be completely cut off from supplies except by sea, and he is the most expendable field commander we have on our Eastern front.

Perhaps not our most trusted, but certainly most distinquished living commander, general Tiberius Coruncanius and his Field Army I, will guard our border with Thrace near Ratiaria. We own lands on both sides of the river Danube here and so we need an agressive commander here. He marches to Ratiaria accordingly.

The Macedonians still have two cities left, Debeltos and Philipi.
Legate Publius Pansa and the Legio IV Gallica suprise the garrison of Philipii with a night attack and the garrison is thus unable to call in reinforcements. The 605 men of the Legio IV Gallica faced off against 588 Macedonians. The entire garrison was put to the sword for the loss of 68 of our own. The inhabitants were enslaved.


The following morning legate Publius Pansa and the Legio IV Gallica sallied forth from the town and attacked the other Macedonian army outside, with an additional mercenary band of cretan archers. 637 of our troops faced 367 Macedonians. 277 Macedonians were killed for the loss of only 16 of our own. Its mission accomplished, the Legio IV Gallica returns to Philipi. His Philippi campaign is described in this battle report.


Tribune Marcellus Aemilius and the Legio III Sicilia Aemilia attacked the Gaul capital of Comata, leaving no survivors and killing the Gallic King Segovax the Cunning. This victory greatly boosts morale in the Legio III Sicilia Aemilia and regains their honour. Now all they need is their eagle back.


The time has finally come !

Legate Augustus Verginius and his Legio II Sabina Quintia are attacking Gergovia, where the stolen legionary eagle is hidden !



In a bold night attack, so as not to involve their Iberians allies camping nearby, the Second Sack of Gergovia took place. Legate Augustus Verginius killed the Gaul defiler of our honour, Drustan of Decetia, and returned the legionary eagle of the Legio III Sicilia Aemilia to us. The inhabitants were massacred to please the Gods as per senate decree.



The Gods will surely forgive us and bless our actions from now on. The eagle wil be resanctified and returned to the Legio III Sicilia Aemilia.
The standard of the Legio II Sabina Quintia is transferred to tribune Quintus Naevius.

Our spy Quintus Classicianus follows the fleeing Macedonian king Argeos of Pharsalus , last survivor of the generals that defeated the Consular Army I and killed Amulius Coruncanius, into the territory of the Ptolemaic empire.


Our assassin Marcus Triarius manages to locate and despatch another Macedonian assassin.


Servius Aemilus arrives in Roma to continue his studies.

9. Summer 258 BC

The Iberians, still having troops on what in now our land in Gaul, panick now that they realize that they are camped near the victorious legate Augustus Verginius and offer us a small gift to beg for our friendship. Naturally, I accept.


Tribune Quintus Libo marries Licinia, the daughter of Decius Laevinius


The Ptolemaic empire allies itself with the kingdom of Thrace. So much for a possible alliance with them.
The Iberians ally themself with the Ptolemaic empire. All our neighbours are now united in one great alliance and we are at war with one of them, the kingdom of Thrace. Not a hopeful diplomatic situation.

Messalina is born, the daughter of legate Publius Pansa and his wife Domitilla.

The priests of Mars have decided to grant the Delmatian Legion under legate Titus Vatinius the standard of the defeated Legio VI.

Corfinium finished construction of a port. Antigonea finished construction of a shrine to Jupiter. Thermon finished construction of a governor's palace. Elis finished construction of a shrine to Saturnus.

Roma recruits a cohort of principes. Capua recruits a cohort of italian cavalry. Arretium recruits a cohort of velites. Arminium recruits a cohort of italian spearmen. Corfinium recruits a cohort of italian swordsmen. Paestum recruits a cohort of hastati. Tarentum and Salona build a light ataphract. The Western Fleet in the Adriatic sea is now referred to as the 1e Transport Fleet and its warships will move to Roma to form the new Western Fleet.

The new Legio VI, under the command of legate Titus Vatinius moves to the northeast of Delmatia and constructs a watch tower.
Tribune Luca Mamilius has arrived in Patavium.
The Field Army I, under the command of general Tiberius Coruncanius, builds a watch tower and takes up station on the Danube river crossing north of Ratiaria. Tribune Flavius Pacuvius leaves the Legio V Alaudae to join him.
The Legio V Alaudae, under the command of Numerius Aureolus, continues its march to the coast. The Eastern Fleet moves to Philippi to await their arrival.

Our spy Quintus Classicianus, following the fleeing Macedonian king Argeos of Pharsalus, suspects him to have feld into Debeltos and tries to infiltrate the town. Unfortunately, he fails.


Our diplomat Sextus Antio manages to confirm that Argeos of Pharsalus is indeed staying in Debeltos.

Tribune Marcellus Aemilus builds a watch tower and returns to Comata.
Tribune Quintus Naevius builds two watch towers and returns to Gergovia.
Reinforcements reach the Massilia crossing.

Our assassin Marcus Triarius hones his skills on a Macedonian diplomat.


Tribune Quintus Libo takes up the governorship of Pella.

My ploy to thwart the Thracian offensive was succeeding. The invasion trough the eastern Alps valley has stopped at our border, where the bandits who legate Augustus Verginius has driven out of Northen Italy were hiding and had, ironically, died to protect our frontier for us. I, Lucius Aemilus and the Legio I Italia Victrix continued my march on Luvavum and encountered the first opposition, which I lured into an ambush and annihalated completely.

The Thracians are surrounded


Next I captured Luvavum and cut of the supply routes of the Thracian invasion force in the eastern Alps valley.

The Thracians are pushed from the main square


10. Autumn 258 BC

Gaul panicks and attacks Iberia, which now surrounds them completely, in a suicidal offensive. They are defeated with ease by the Iberians and Gaul has effectively signed their own death warrant.

Hierapytna finished construction of a Roman Auxilia I building. Thermon finished construction of a shrine to Saturnus. Sparta finished construction of a minor temple to Ceres.

Ancona recruits a cohort of Triarii. Thessalonica and Philippi recruit a spy.

The new Sicily Legion has finished its training and begins its march toward Sicily.

Tribune Marcellus Aemilus and tribune Quintus Naevinius both construct a watch tower and return to their respective towns, Comata and Gergovia. The Iberians have reinforced their army on our territory, next to Gergovia, but it is not much of a threat, consisting mostly of Gaul warriors, instead of the much more capable Iberian ones. We send almost all our reinforcements from the Massilia crossing to Gergovia and Comata.

Our assassin Marcus Triarius hones his skills on yet another Macedonian diplomat.


Our other assassin, Cornelius Clodius is less fortunate when he tries to kill a Greek diplomat for the third time.


I send one of our new spies, Publius Scaurus, to Syria. It will take him quite some time to get there.

Acquitted, I send Manius Aemilius to take over command of the Cispine Gaul Legion.

Tribune Flavius Pacuvius constructs a watch tower on the other side of the Danube river and return to the Field Army I.
The new Legio VI, under the command of legate Titus Vatinius moves to the west of the Field Army I, constructs a watch tower, and marches back to the Danube river crossing north east of Delmatia.

This ends the first section of the reign of Lucius Aemilius and Amulius Coruncanius. It will continue as the reign of Lucius Aemilius and Publius Pansa.

Our current situation :

The Legio I Italia Victrix is stationed in Luvavum to the north of the Alps to draw the Thracians away from our provinces.
The Legio II Sabina Quintia is stationed in Gergovia in Gaul.
The Legio III Sicilia Aemilia is stationed in Comata in Gaul.
The Legio IV Gallica is stationed in Philippi.
The Legio V Alaudae is aboard the Eastern Fleet, about to sail trough the Bosporus.
The (revived) Legio VI is stationed at a Danube crossing notheast of Delmatia.
The Field Army I is stationed at a Danube crossing north of Ratiaria.
The Cispine Legion is stationed in a fort north of Jenuensis.
The Sicily Legion is in South Italy marching towards their fort in Sicily.



The Republic of Rome is at war with the Greek cities, the Republic of Cathage, Gaul, the kingdom of Thrace and the Kingdom of Macedon.
The Kingdom of Macedon is allied with the Germans and the Greek cities and is at war with the Republic of Rome and the Ptolemaic empire.
The Seleucid empire is at war with the Ptolemaic empire, the kingdom of Parthia and the Greek cities. They have the kingdom of Armenia as a protectorate.
The Republic of Cathage is at war with the Republic of Rome and Iberia.
The kingdom of Parthia is allied with the Sarmatians and the Greek cities and is at war with the Seleucid empire and the kingdom of Armenia.
The Germans are allied with the kingdom of Macedon and is at war with Iberia and the kingdom of Thrace.
The kingdom of Armenia is a vassal of the Seleucid empire and is at war with the Sarmatians and the kingdom of Parthia.
The kingdom of Thrace is allied with the Sarmatians, Gaul and the Ptolemaic empire and is at war with the Germans and the Republic of Rome.
The Greek cities are allied with the kingdom of Macedon, the kingdom of Parthia, Gaul and the kingdom of Bactria and are at war with the Republic of Rome and the Seleucid empire.
The Sarmatians are allied with the kingdom of Parthia and the kigndom of Thrace and at war with the kingdom of Armenia.
The Iberians are allied with the Ptolemaic empire and at war with the Germans, Gaul and the Republic of Carthage.
The kingdom of Bactria is allied with the Greek cities.

Our strategy is one of consolidation. We will strive not to get involved in any more wars. Yet we want to continue the expedition to Debeltos to destroy the kingdom of Macedon. Once the city is conquered and thoroughly pillaged we will abandon it and offer it to the Seleucid empire, and if they do not want it, the Ptolemaic empire as a gift, as it is strategically indefensible. The Greek cities will be ignored as we do not want to get involved in the war between the Ptolemaic empire and the Seleucid empire and we do not have a blood feud with them, as we do with the Macedonians for the destruction of the Consular Army I and the Legio VI, and the death of co-consul Amulius Coruncanius and his son-in-law tribune Hernennius Genucius. Roman honour will be satisfied !
On all other fronts no new conquests will be undertaken, unless of course we are attacked.
We will strive to raise several new legions and bring the current ones up to strength.
We have already begun to improve the road network in Greece and Italy. Our goal is to extend the Via Appia and create paved roads for better supply to our distant borders.
Attempts to improve the living conditions in our major cities are well underway. The first Aquaduct is now under construction in Roma. These projects, and the cultural integration of our new provinces, will continue.
In many provinces we have begun the cultivation of farmland. This is a very time consuming process, requiring 4.5 years (18 turns), but the returns will be bountiful.
If we look at the diplomatic relations in detail, it is clear that the only useful allies we can gain are the Germans and the Sarmatians. I intend to send envoys to both of them.

Savegame : http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/258-aut-end.zip

[Mount Suribachi]

Winter 258 BC

A quiet winter to start the official co-consulship of Publius Pansa. In accordance with the wishes of the Senate, Publius Laeviunius is stripped of his ancillaries and I give him one of the Chirugeons from the students in Rome to transport in accordane with the will of the Senate. Publius also carries the newly created Roman II Field Army banner. He sets off north with some reinforcements for senior Consul [B]Lucius Aemilius[/] whilst Manius the Mad is recalled from Cisalpine Gaul - he too will act as a ferryman for chirugeons and reinforcements.

I start upgrading the road network as requested by the Senate - rather than try to upgrade the roads everywhere, I decide to focus on building paved roads where they will be of the most use for transporting our armies across the Republic - starting with the long coastal province of Dalmatia.

I also begin recruiting more troops in Italia. Rather than piecemeal recruitment, I decide to concentrate on trying to recruit 4 or 5 legions worth of men - one in each city in central Italia - so that when our 4 young bucks studying at the scriptorium in Rome graduate and begin their military career, they have a ready made Legion to command or transport. Elsewhere I continue the process of getting reinforcements to the front started by my co-consul.

Oh, did I say there were FOUR young studs in Rome, not three? Yes, you did not miss-hear me Conscript Fathers, for Oppius Aemilius, youngest son of our esteemed Lucius Aemilius has come of age and begun his studies.

Meanwhile Ptolomy and Bactria announce an alliance, no doubt so they can torture their chief Rival Seleucia from one end to the other.

Finally my congratulations to Manius Coruncanius on his marriage to Urgunalla

[Mount Suribachi]

Spring 257 BC

The new year starts badly, the Thracians sneak through a gap in our lines between to besiege and take Aquileia





Lucius Aemilius journeys south to join with the reinforcements being transported to him by Publius Laevinius. I expect he will retake the settlement with few difficulties in the summer.

In other news Armenia and Germania ally, and scholars declare that Carthage are the most advanced people in the world! Who would have thought it Conscript Fathers? Its a good job my adopted father is on the far away Thracian frontier, he might not take this so well.


In family news Solonina is born to Quintus Naevius and Flavius is born to Secundus Salvidiennus

Finally Numerius Aureolus is at anchor off the coast of Debeltos with Legio V. As we await news of his expidition, I urge you all to give offerings to the Gods for the success of his mission.

http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/257spring1.zip

[Mount Suribachi]

I have received word from Numerius Aureolus that the conquest of Debeltos has been completed and the kingdom of Macedon is no more - although he disobeyed my orders to wipe out the civilian population as a final punishment for this war that Macedon started. Such insolence will not be forgotten. 873 enemy soldiers were killed in 3 separate battles, for the loss of 80 Romans. He confirms King Argeos as amongst the dead.

In accordance with the wishes of the Senate, I sent a diplomat to Seleucid territory to try and use Debeltos as a bargaining chip in exchange for an alliance. I needn't have bothered. They weren't even prepared to accept the city, unsacked no-less, in exchange for nothing, gratis. They accused Rome of all kind of deceit and chicanery. Clearly they judge us by their own low standards. So be it. I shall now try to offer it to the Ptolomites - assuming they don't declare war on us first.

I forgot to mention in my earlier report that the Carthaginians have landed a praetorian sized force on Melite. They have not besieged the capital as yet. I have loaded the reinforcements bound for Sicily by road onto the western fleet which was fortunately close by. This fleet is now off the eastern Sicilian coast where they will pick up some more troops before landing on Melite next season.

I have ordered Titus Vatinus northwest to take Orduba from the Thracians and thus complete our advance to the Danube. I await his report.

http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/257spring3.zip

[Mount Suribachi]

South of the Thracian town of Oduba, Titus Vatinius and his 607 men corner a force of 250 Thracians. For the loss of 51 Romans they kill 162 enemy, the survivors fleeing back to Oduba. But there is to be no escape for these Barbarians as the town is taken. Scyles, heir to the Thracian throne is amongst the hundred-odd dead. 56 Roman soldiers are lost.




Summer 257 BC

The season begins with some shocking news! Our "esteemed" diplomat Sextus Antio decides that he would rather work for the Thracians!! No doubt his decision was helped by the fat purse of gold he received from them. He has disgraced his family and all of Rome by his treachery, and I see little need for a trial for this traitor. I recommend that if Sextus enjoys life, he should sleep with one eye open from now on.



There is happier gossip amongst the Patrician families with the addition of little Caius to the Coruncanii family and the marriage of Cornelois Saturninus

Unrest is spreading throughout the Greek cities - due to the strain that our many wars are putting on our armies and economy, we are unable to pay for improvements or bigger garrisons to keep these cities stable. None have rebelled as yet, but we must keep a close eye on them.

Gaius Rutlius arrives on Melite with 607 men, to relieve the hard-pressed garrison of 161 auxilia. They are faced by 697 Carthaginians, led by Amikas Samnites. We lose many men, 480, but 547 of the invaders are killed, the rest try to go to escape, but Melite is small and there is no-where for them to hide. Melite is safe, for now.

There is more good news from our scribes as I end this spell of my co-consulship and hand over to my esteemed first Consul.

[Death the destroyer of worlds]

13. Summer 257 BC

I, praetor Lucius Aemilius and the Field Army II arrive at Acquileia and liberate the town from the Thracian invaders.


Impressed with their resistance, I offered the survivors that had gathered in the village square a chance to surrender, but they boldy refused and were slain. They were buried with honour.



Next I pursued the remaining Thracian forces in Illyria and cuaght up with them in the deep dark woods of Illyria.


It turned out that they outnumbered us and outclassed us and it became a difficult battle where we lost many men, but eventually triumphed.


Our navy tried to prevent Carthagian fleet from landing more troops on Melite, but we were defeated by the more experienced Carthagians.



Servius Aemilius takes command a a new legion and takes ship for Melite, but I worry that he may not arrive in time to save tribune Gaius Rutilius, who is defending the island.
Quintus Naevius is assigned the Legio II Sabina Quintia banner and he and Augustus Verginius set up a fort outside Gergovia. Marcellus Aemilius sets up a fort outside Comata.

14. Autumn 257 BC

A Gaul spy is found in Massilia and in Jenuensis, but they both manage to escape our clutches.

Marliana is born, the daughter of Flavius Placuvius and his wife Placida.

The kingdom of Bactria declares war on the kingdom of Parthia
The Greek cities and the kingdom of Pontus (OCC: which was destroyed ages ago, but this is an example of horrible diplomacy AI. Often, when a faction refuse peace it is because you are still at war with an ally of theirs you have destroyed ages ago) cancel their alliance with the kingdom of Parthia.

Corinth and Elis finished construction of sewers, greatly to their citizens relief. Philipii finished construction of roads. Larissa, Ratiaria and Acquileia finished construction of a shrine to Mars. Thessalonica and Oduba finished construction of a shrine to Jupiter. Byzalora finished construction of a shrine to Saturnus. Comata finished construction of an occupation.

Roma and Corfinium recruit a cohort of italian swordsmen. Arretium recruits a cohort of principii. Arminium recruits a cohort of italian spearmen. Paestum recruits a cohort of funditori. Debeltos recruits a diplomat. Patavium recruits a gallic warband. Syracuse and Tarentum finish construction of a Corvus Quinquereme. Athens finishes construction of a superior light aphract.

As we rush together enough forces near Oduba to face the Thracian offensive, not all units manage to escape interception by the Thracian crown prince Arapeithes the Bloody-Handed in time and some of our troops are intercepted and destroyed.



In a friendly gesture, the Iberians make a financial deal with us, which is profitable in two ways. For one, we make a profit, and secondly, the Iberians will probably not attack us the next four seasons as then they would lose our tributes.


Near Oduba, the Thracians threw everything they had at us. They had amassed a consular army sized force, led by the crown prince of Thrace, Arapeithes the Bloody-Handed, as skilled a general as myself, praetor Lucius Aemilius.
One of our legion-sized forces, without a commander, was besieged in a fort by Arapeithes the Bloody-Handed south of Oduba. I arrived with all the troops I could scrounge together, also a legion-sized force, to relieve the siege. I was accompanied by legate Titus Vatinius and tribune Gnaeus Hordeonius.


After a desperate battle we manage to come of victorious, but we lose almost a legion worth of troops.


Praetor Tiberius Coruncanius and his Field Army I attack a Thracian army that had invaded our land by way of the territory of their allies, the Ptolemaic empire. He reported that the deployed numbers were 545 friendly, 581 enemy. Kills were 471, casualties 65. Ironically, the most casualties were suffered by our Thracian mercenaries. The Thracian army deployed in two waves, with the second wave covering the retreat of the first. As a result, 110 Thracians escaped back to Thrace.

Faced by another Carthagian invasion, tribune Gaius Rutilius attacks the invaders on the beaches and manages to come of victorious.



After the battle, I spend a fortune on mercenaries to reinforce him as help will not arrive for two seasons at least.

Tribune Numerius Aureolus and his Legio V Alaudae abandon Debeltos and march toward the Greek city of Byzantium.

15. Winter 257 BC

After the last soldiers have departed, riots break out in Debeltos.


Vibius Dornna marries Gratitdia, the daughter of Valerius Paulus.


Luvavum finished construction of an occupation. Sparta finished construction of sewers. Thessalonica finished construction of a shrine to Ceres. Kydonia finished construction of a minor temple to Jupiter. Philipii finished construction of a shrine to Jupiter.

Capua and Ancona recruit a cohort of Triarii. Arminium and Corfinium recruit a cohort of Italian swordsmen. Paestum recruits a cohort of hastati. Lilybaeum recruits a cohort of Libyan spearmen. Gergovia recruits a spy. Athens finishes construction of a superior light aphract.

After long and tense negotiations we manage to convince the Germans to ally themselves with us, and even to declare war on Thrace in exchange for military access.



After defeating the Carthegians three times in a row, tribune Gaius Rutilius is faced with unsurmountable odds and in a defiant attack he and his army perish. The town of Melite is burned to the ground to deny the Cartheginians the spoils of war.