A world at war, 149BC

In the year 149BC, the Roman Republic was at war on several fronts. A low-level conflict continued to burn in Spain. The war with Makedonia rolled on, and a treacherous action by the Greek city-states brought them into the conflict, seeking advantage now their main rival was occupied with Rome. Rome had also grown concerned about the ability of Qarthadast to wage war without the Senate's consent, and the manpower they were putting into their military effort. The spectre of Nepheris was raised and ordinary Romans knew the fear of those dark days.

Africa

The invasion of Africa began with the investment of Atiqa, a city that had once harboured Roman sympathies. The propraetor Caius Claudius Pulcher, along with his quaestor and legate Cnaeus Aemilius Scaurus brought an army across from Sicily. They were immediately attacked by a small relief column.



They had absolute numerical superiority, yet defending their homeland, the Qarthadastim made a fight of it. They brought several elite formations to the battle.



In the fighting, the commander of Atiqa's garrison was killed.



The rest were quickly mopped up.



Anatolia

Meanwhile in Asia Minor, several Asiatic Greek communities banded their armies together to attack Rome's ally, Pergamon. Her armies were away doing Rome's bidding, leaving the city weakened.

They surprised the retired Italian mercenary General Pulcher while he patrolled the city's environs.



His men fought hard, but they were outnumbered. The man himself managed to escape when he could see the situation was lost.



He had barely escaped one battle when, falling back on Pergamon Pulcher was attacked again. This time the garrison of the city spotted the approaching army and marched out to rescue him.



This time the battle was a very different affair, and the eastern Greeks were routed decisively.



Epirus

Acting in concert with the east Greeks, those on the mainland attacked Roman Epirus.



However after laying siege, they retreated on the arrival of one of the proconsuls and his army.



Anatolia

In revenge for the men lost in the surprise attack, Pulcher led some of the garrison of Pergamon out to attack the Asiatic army.



The memories of his brave soldiers were avenged and their shades placated in a crushing victory.



Marching to depose the Makedonian allies from Side, Sopatros happened upon a band of freed slaves.



They were quickly eliminated.



Africa

West of the Roman forces, their Numidian allies, led by an Italian mercenary attacked one of Qarthadast's allies in Mauretania. Curius had numbers on his side, but his troops were mainly skirmishers and other light infantry, not the sort to stand in the line of battle.



He built three rams, and had a simple plan - take the gate and the walls either side so his men could pour in and use their numerical advantage. First his skirmishers moved in to soften up the enemy, and crucially drive off their elephants.



Then they streamed into the city and the fighting for the streets began.



The garrison commander was killed in the streets by some Garamantine mercenaries.



The final fight took place in the town square, where an elite phalanx waited to sell their lives dearly.



The struggle was hard and long.





But they weren't immortals, just men, and eventually succumbed. Curius now had a base of operations to store his supplies.



Makedonia

Having resupplied his army, Sergius heard reports of another Makedonian army marching from Pella. He came out to meet them and offered battle.



He deployed in the usual manner, and allowed the enemy to approach.



His slingers whittled down their light cavalry and skirmishers.



Then he ordered the advance.



For a moment some artillery scared the men, Sergius ordered his velites to kill their crews.



Then they turned their attention to some naked Galatians.



As the cavalry duelled on the wings, the main line advanced to meet the enemy.



The velites took their places on the wings to support the cavalry.



Initially there was stalemate.



Then slowly Roman maniples began to slip around the enemy flanks.



On the left, the allied cavaly routed their opposite numbers.



The loss of cavalry cover shattered the confidence of some on the Makedonian flanks.



Marching back to the battle having routed their opponents, the pedites extraordinarii happened upon the enemy general and charged.



His bodyguard fought well, but were eventually driven off.



Sergius stayed put behind the fighting line, encouraging his men and scorning the enemy.



Rufinus had been chasing routers, now he charged the rear of the Makedonian line, sowing panic.



Hovering but undecided over whether to stay or go, the enemy general was caught by the allied cavalry.



He fought valiantly, but was badly outnumbered. Meanwhile, outflanked and surrounded, his battle line collapsed.





He himself was killed trying to flee.





And a decisive victory had been won.



Pella was invested once more, and this war might soon be brought to a close.