Divide et Impera (Divide and Rule)-Romani AAR

[Caligula]

PART 2

Cnaeus Blasio not wanting to waste any time marched straight onto Taras, Cnaeus Scipio Asina was reluctant as he wanted to wait for the reinforcements that would have brought the Consular Legion some added strength. Blasio set up an enfilade around Taras, as both Blasio and Scipio Asina quarreled over battle plans in the command tent. "I'm telling you Cnaeus Scipio that we need to assault and take this city as quickly as possible. The longer we wait, the greater the chances that Epeiros might bring troops by sea to relieve the city!" he pounded his fist on the table with emphasis. "Blasio your being foolish, we forced marched on the city and the troops are tired. You forced them to build an enfilade with no rest. Morale is low right now, we should just hold the siege around Taras and starve them out. When the reinforcements arrive from Latium and Campania then we should assault the walls." Scipio Asina stepped over to the command tents flap and opened it to look out upon the Legions Camp, "Besides the auspices this morning were unfavorable." Blasio sat, and rested his head into his hand. "Scipio, it is my day to command, and we will take the walls by force. TRIBUNE! See to it that the centurions gather the men and prepare for assault! Scipio you will see that I am right!" Cnaeus Scipio turned and looked at Blasio as the tribune rushed off with the order. "Blasio you better be right, you go against the will of the gods."

SIEGE of TARAS
Blasio had his skirmishers deployed to either side of the battle ram as the Hastati took it up. He brought his legion up into a column, with the Equites on either side, he hoped to smash any defenders that stood in the way of the gates by sheer weight in numbers. Blasio positioned himself along side the Triarii, as Scipio Asina marched up front beside the ram. As the sun rose, Blasio gave the command for the legion to march in step. Arrows from archers positioned inside Taras' walls rained down on the Hastati pushing the ram.
It was a hard fought battle but the Roman troops were tired and by nightfall had to pull back. The Tarentines held off the concentrated assault. Many dead littered the ground around the city. Blasio was furious, "This was supposed to be my moment of triumph! The Tarentines gloat and mock me from thier walls, and there you stand Scipio smiling! I fail to find the humor in this!" Scipio took off his helmet and set it upon the table and sat across Blasio. "Cnaeus Blasio, I am not smiling at our defeat, we lost many a good roman today. What mirths me is that in Rome you claimed not to seek glory, or repute and here you are fuming about your reputation. I told you the auspices were unfavorable today, and the gods willed your defeat and gave victory to the Tarentines." Blasio looked at Scipio Asina with fire in his eyes. "So if the gods will it, so be it!" he said through clenched teeth.
Back in Rome, news had come of the defeat at Taras. It was only a matter of time until the news reached Lucius Cornelius Scipio's ears.

The Consuls both held the siege of Taras throughout the year reinforced by the new troops from Rome. News during the winter had arrived that Manius had fallen ill in Rome. Blasio learned of this from a centurion as he walked the siegeworks. "Manius has fallen ill !? This is grave news, find Scipio Asina and have him meet me in the command tent at once!" Both Blasio and Scipio then met in the command tent. "So the great Manius Dentatus is ill in Rome. Why summon me here Blasio?", "Because Scipio, if Manius passes I shall leave for Rome and take his place as Primus Inter Pares. Then there shall have to be a Consul Suffectis to replace me. Your younger brother Lucius will want that for himself." Cnaeus suddenly looked at Blasio, "So? What if he does?", "Scipio, you know as well as I that if he wins command he will have at his disposal an entire Consular Legion. He is hotheaded and may make a rash decision, he hates the senate. Think of the consequences." Scipio gave Blasio a thoughtful look, then said "You don't think he would march on Rome do you?". Blasio sighed and slumped down into his chair, "I don't think he would. Not right away anyways. With his ambition and greed though, he would create conflicts with neighbors and use any excuse to march off to deal with the problem. He is full of passion but only for himself."
Scipio Asina nodded slowly before replying, "You are right Blasio, I know that his ambition is indeed great but I think you judge him much to harshly.". At this Blasio looked up with a raised eyebrow, "Judge him to harshly? He has attacked my reputation, tried to sabotage my elections, has ridiculed me in the forum, and has even gone so far as to have thugs vandalize my home and yet I judge him to harshly !? Scipio, I would rather have one consul, than have a consul and a greedy, warmongering, glory hound!"

(Well I was going to upload a few pictures of the battle but my time is very limited right now, maybe over the weekend I'll add them. I hope anyone reading this likes what I have written so far, and thanks.)