The Third Battle of Elymia, 243BC
Almost following the footsteps of the imperator Scipio, Marcus Aurelius Cotta marched his forces to Lilibeo and camped not far from the fortressed city's walls. Hamalcar offered battle immediately, and although outnumbered Cotta saw a chance to bring the war towards a close with a decisive victory.
He drew up his forces in the traditional manner, on the same spot Scipio had fought Hamalcar several years before.
Like Abdosir had been before, captain Thero was eager for glory, leading his veteran pikemen to the Romans.
Cotta sent Pulcher to deal with Thero and wheeled to address Hamalcar's arriving forces.
The numerous Sardinians were content to sit at range and snipe at the Roman lines with their bows. Keen to deny them that advantage, Cotta ordered the advance.
Losses were mounting on both sides, when Hamalcar recklessly charged the Roman line.
Chaos reigned for a time, with battle lines becoming confused and men losing track of their comrades. Hamalcar fell, run through by a legionary's spear. With his death the tribesmen who had been sworn to him crumbled. Balaeric and Sardinian alike fled.
Cotta had his victory, but it was a costly one. He would need to strengthen his army before attempting a siege of Lilibeo.
242BC:
I took Massalia, and once the road is built I'll install a client king and leave. I'm keeping Segesta until I get my Polybian reform, then I'll give it to the Arverni probably. Not much left in the war in Sicily, haven't seen any reinforcements arrive, most of those have gone to Korsim where they've tried unsuccessful to oust Nero and his gang of mercenary cronies. He destroyed a full stack of akontistai over the course of three seasons while being besieged.
I used some Force Diplomacy to restore some Seleukid holdings, both Pergamon and those taken too far by Pahlava and Pontos. Baktria are next, they've come too far west for my liking. Greece is still a mess but a stalemated mess. The Getai took Singidunum, they're getting worryingly powerful.
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