Stories Thread

[SwissBarbar]

Battle of Epeiros

Winter 257 BC

Avlvs Aemilivs, Qvintvs Aemilivs and Caivs Avrelivs traveled together to Illyria and then separated. While C. Avrelivs went to Epidamnos, the Aemilii headed southwards towards Legio II. They arrived just when winter 257 BC ended. Avlvs Aemilivs took over the commanding position of Legio II, with whose men he had fought for more than 8 years now.

After marching on enemy turf for several days, dispatch riders from his scouts reported a hostile army to be deploying only a few miles away. Avlvs Aemilivs ordered his commanders to strike camp at the next possible spot. He wanted his men to rest before battle.

In the evening A. Aemilivs summoned his commanders, among them his cousins Caivs and Qvintvs Aemilivs, in his tent to discuss the strategy. The enemy was deploying on the main street, that led from the city of Ambrakia to its great harbour, and passed horizontal to the marching direction of Legio II. The street led through a forest, and therefore was tree-lined on both sides. Avlvs Aemilivs intended to lead his men around the enemy army. There was a wood glade in the east, which led to the street. There he could turn west, and approach the enemy up the street.

The way to march was a bit further than the direct one, but the ground was much more easy to march on, since the men would not have to go through the thicket. Furthermore they could keep formation, when approaching the enemy and last but not least, the enemy most likely would not expect this strategy.

Legio II was composed of 9170 soldiers, including the personal cavalry of its commanders. Avlvs entrusted Qvintvs Aemilivs with the command over the reserve troops, which consisted of 1'640 Triarii and 600 Accensi. He had the order to march slightly behind the main force, led by Avlvs himself, and guard the flanks. Should the enemy push back the first battle line, he should drive them back with the Accensi. If the situation was desperate, he shoud bring in the Triarii to cover the retreat and reorganisation of the army.

The command over the cavalry was given to Caivs Aemilivs. The 500 Eqvites Romani and 270 Eqvites Singvlares were meant to hide in the forest on the northern side of the street and surprise the enemy.

In the morning of the next day, the army started to march. As he had suspected, the enemy did not expect the Legion to march around his flanks and approach up the street. But also the enemies had their spies and scouts, so though they had no time to cut the way, they still could regroup and face the Romans. The hostile army was composed of 1150 Hoplitai Haploi and 270 Iphikratous Hoplitai, who hid in the wood. The core of the enemy army was a strong force of 1220 Chaeonion Agema, which was the elite of what Epeiros could field. Their flanks were protected by 820 Thureophoroi 340 Celtic Enoci Curoas and 500 Hippeis. 1200 Akontistai acted as skirmishers. Furthermore the city guard of Ambrakia had joined the hostile force, led by the heir to the kingdom of Epeiros himself. He had brought with him 620 heavy cavalrymen, his Somatophylakes, which means "bodyguards" in Greek. Each and every Somatophylax was a battle-tested and fearsome warrior, mounted on the best breed that was available to the entire kingdom. 800 Illyrioi Paraktioi and 600 Toxotai reinforced the troops. All in all the enemy could field 7'530 men, 1840 of it elite infantry or cavalry. Therefore the army, despite of being smaller in number, could rival the Roman Legion.

Avlvs let array his core in traditional manner. Leves in front to skirmish, Hastati in the first battle line, Principes in the second and the Roarii at the flank. When the men got near the enemy, the hostile general ordered his archers to take down the Leves. Avlvs had reckoned with something like that and had stationed his Leves not so far from the first line as usual, and in lose formation. Nonetheless the enemy archers were quite skilled fellows and managed to kill one or two hundred of them before they could retreat.

But then the enemy made his first mistake. Since Avlvs had stationed his cavalry in the wood and his Trairii marched in compact formation slightly behind the Principes, his Legion looked much smaller than it actually was. The enemy general decided to break the small force in front of him with a single brutal attack of his superior cavalry. When over 1100 horses thundered towards his army, Avlvs quick-thinking let his lighter infantry retreat, while his commanders had the presence of mind to react correctly. Qvintvs sent his Triarii forward. Though they usually only joined battle in desperate situations, he knew that no one could stop cavalry better than these guys. Caivs Aemilivs rode with his cavalry along the edge of the forest, covered by the trees.

The Somatophylakes crashed into the spears of the Triarii, just after many of their horses had been pierced by the Pila of the Hastati behind the Triarii. Caivs Aemilivs attacked with his cavalry the Hippeis who rode behind the Somatophylakes and wore them down.

Caivs Aemilivs fighting the Hippeis

The enemy general fought bravely, but could not avoid to be killed. He fell to the spear of a Triarius. The few survivors fled into the woods. Killing the hostile general was a better start of this battle, than Avlvs ever had imagined. Still the fearsome Somatophylakes had caused many casualties.

Avlvs used the time, in which the enemy army did not move due to the shock, which the death of their leader had caused, to regroup his force and let subserve the wounded. Then the army marched towards the enemy and arrayed on the northern side of the street. The Triarii, which the enemy infantry not yet had seen, and the cavalry hid in the forest. The enemy arrayed on the southern side of the street and also had hidden units in the forest.

The enemy let his heavy Phalanx march, a quite fearsome sight. But this spectacle was only a trick to take the Roman's mind off the Hoplitai Haploi and the Iphikratous Hoplitai, who tried to outflank the Roman Legion. But Qvintvs Avrelivs took notice of them in the nick of time and ordered his reserve and Caivs' cavalry to attack. Driving them back, he personally killed many enemies and thereby saved the Roman army from being attacked from the flank.

Qvintvs Aemilivs killing one of the heavy Iphikratous Hoplitai

Again Avlvs let his troops array in the same formation as before.

Now the enemy came out of the woods and advanced towards Avlvs' formation. Facing the forest of spears of the enemy elite Phalanx, some of the Roman infantrymen in the first battle line shouted "Oh my god, we cannot break through, retreat." Many started to shout "Retreat!", and moved back. Some even started to run into the forest. Avlvs laughed. Apparently his soldiers not only were great fighters but also terrific actors. Of course they were no cowards but were ordered to fake a retreat. The Phalanx advanced to the edge of the forest, but could not go further without giving up its formation. No Phalanx could move among trees. But the eager and undisciplined Celts and Illyrians chased the seemingly routing Romans. They entered the wood, but except for their death cries, nothing of them left the forest ever again. Its flanks unprotected, the enemy elite-phalax was not as fearsome as before anymore. Outmaneuvered by the more flexible Roman troops, they got driven into the woods and surprised by the Caivs Aemilivs and his cavalry. None of the Chaeonion Agema survived, the pride of the enemy's army was broken

When the Phalanx fell, the rest of the enemies routed. Many of them were hunted down. 730 enemies survived the battle, 6'800 would never see home again. Legio II lost exactly 1'000 men, a quite small amount of casualties, if one considers that they had to fight 1220 elite Phalangitai and 620 elite horsemen. Another 700 wounded could be saved from death and garble.

It should be pointed out, that out of the 1000 dead and crippled soldiers, 290 were Leves who fell to the arrows of the Toxotai. No other unit did suffer from so many casualties. One unit of Hastati had suffered from many injured soldiers, but 330 could be saved by the excellent army doctors of Legio II.

After this victory, Avlvs let his army rest. The tired infantry could not move further. But the cavalry was able to ride to Ambrakia. The undefended city had no choice but to open its doors and surrender to the victorious Romans.

Avlvs Aemilivs wrote a letter to Rome, to let it be known that the will of the senate has been carried out.

[Iskander 3.1]

An Affair

Sextvs Cornelivs Svlla's residence, a few days after the council session, before Sextvs Cornelivs Scapvla returns to Legio I

"It's really nothing special. I'll just be keeping the men in shape for a few seasons while the Senate decides who our new commander will be. I won't be leading them in glory to battle. And your husband will be right by my side the whole time."
"You are quite modest for someone who isn't wearing anything!" replied Dionysia.
"My lady, I could use some more wine. Perhaps I should fetch some?"
"Nonsense. I'll have my servant bring some."
"But we will be seen together!"
"And Florivs is illiterate and has had his tongue removed. Such is the irony of one who will know all my secrets. FLORIVS!!!"

Florivs brings some wine, and then leaves. Scapvla and Dionysia drink.

"Well I am quite proud of you, even if your own beloved does not seem to care. And please be sure to look after my Sextvs Cornelilvs Svlla for me."
"Do you ever get confused, with us both sharing names?" joked Scapvla.
"I'm just not going to answer that!" she said, hitting him playfully. "But I'm sure you two will be great leading together. Everyone talks about how you are such good friends and comrades. What could you possibly have to quarrel about?"
"You mean, besides the obvious?"

[navarro951]

Part III: The Story of Dentatvs

290 BC

Midday, the battlefield in Campania.

"Alright men this is it, lets finish this and go home!" a centurion shouted. The Latium Conscription span out in a beautiful show of Roman tactics. A fine rank of Hastati to the front, Principes had formed from two sides in to create the second rank; and the mighty veteran triarii formed the backbone of the rear. Some rorarii had been brought up as reserve. The battle field was wet, muddy, making most of the legionaries' feet sink into the soft Earth.

"Look how many men came to die today!" a lone legionary encouraged. The ranks who could hear him laughed out and cheered. Behind his units, Consul Dentatvs stood watch over his men, grinning and admiring at how prepared they were to fight and die for the Res Publica. He turned to the left and in the distance, young Cornelius Blasio nodded to him, he then turned to the right and caught Legate Marcus' eye as well. He motioned, and both equites units rode off to take their flanking position. He then faced forward and eyed his enemy who outnumbered him in one massive, ten man thick, line. Dentatvs placed his general's helmet on, raised his hand, and motioned for a full assault.

The sounds of horns rang out. First from the left flank, then the middle, and finishing in a perfect chorus. One by one, each centurion roared out, "Forward!...Forward!...Fooorward!". A perfectly on step march let loose.

Ahead of the legion, there was a small hill the samnites and sabines had positioned themselves atop. The enemy hollered out in a show of defiance. When the legion was less than one-hundred yards from the samnites, who took the front line, they were fired upon by arrows from the rear. Good training had prepared them; the first line dropped to a knee, the second followed by covering his fellow legionary with his shield. Only one arrow made it through finding a place in a centurions neck; he died almost immediately. Seventy or so yards from the enemies front line Dentatvs' legion let out with a terrifyingly accurate javelin through.

"Charge!" the senior century ordered.

Each unit clashed one by one into the samnite line scoring kill after kill. A whistle was blown, and the second line took of the hastati took over; more show of Roman tactician genius. MORE TO COME, THIS PART IS BIG.

[Iskander 3.1]

An Argument


“Steady...steady...keep marching...and...THROW!!!” commanded Sextvs Cornelivs Svlla.

The pila were tossed across the field towards an enemy that resembled a group of straw bales, landing with a series of “thuds.” Sextvs Cornelivs Scapvla, the temporary legion commander, observed the drill with satisfaction. The two Legati were ordered to keep the men in shape while awaiting the arrival of a new commander, and Scapvla wished to make a good impression.

Svlla shouted, “Draw gladii! Ready...CHARGE!!!”

The men ran through the snow. They then began thrusting their swords into the straw.

Scapvla ran up to Svlla. “No no no! What in the name of Orcvs are you doing?”

“Training. Just like you asked. Do you mind?”

“I mind that you're using a gladivs like a hasta.”

“And how are the men supposed to use it?”

“A Gladivs Hispaniensis is meant to be swung. That's how the Iberians use it, and that's how I've trained my men.”

Svlla was becoming frustrated. “You realize that my men had a higher kill ratio than yours when we took Tolosa?”

Scapvla thought for a moment. “Your men were facing peasants. Mine were up against true warriors.”

“Peasants? Armed with spear and shield?”

“The equipment does not make the soldier. It's in how he uses it...which brings us full circle.”

“Sextvs Cornelivs, you've forced me to spend all afternoon training these men in the snow,” said Svlla. “It's cold, they're tired, and right now they don't give a care about how they use their gladii. I'm following your orders entirely under protest. Cicero never had us train this much in winter. You're flaunting your generalship, however brief it may be.”

The only thing that kept Scapvla from losing the argument was the approach of a messenger.

“Legati Sextvs Cornelivs Scapvla and Sextvs Cornelivs Svlla! The honorable Dux Pvblivs Atilivs Regvlvs has been chosen to lead Legio I Apvla! He is on his way now and expects you two to be ready for him.”

“Well, Sextvs Cornelivs, you heard the man,” said Scapvla, taking the opportunity to get in the final word.

[/Bean\]

As the jingle of the harness' and equipment echoed loudly down the deserted streets of Ambrakia, Caivs Avrelivs could only look on in hope and frustration from the balcony of the Propraetor's residence, overlooking the tight, twisting streets between the ever rising shops, houses and market squares. The flicker of flame as the torches moved down the street cast huge shadows of the Roman and Italian men of the garrison, as they swept the Greek quarter for signs of the hunted agent.

Caivs Avrelivs (or rather one of his officials, who then relayed the information to him) received word from one of the many informants in the city that somewhere in the Greek Quarter someone was sheltering a spy, of whom had entered the city disguised in a cart of hay several days ago. According to the informant, who Caivs Avrelivs only half trusted for relevant or practical information, the spy was to search for weaknesses in the Roman defense of the city. They had all heard the reports of the Epirite forces massing in Makedonia, preparing to counter attack in the absense of the Legio II, whose security Caivs Avrelivs was already beginning to miss. And now spies? At least it was a break from all that paperwork awaiting his seal every morning, thought Caivs Avrelivs.

Now, as he watched the noisy and quite useless search going on below him, he sighed and shook his head in frustration. A man who no longer had the use of his ears could still have heard his men advancing through the maze of streets, let alone an agent of the Greeks. He signalled for one of the slaves in the room behind him, who obediantly stepped forward.

"Take this message to Centurian Valerivs, Stephanos: Cease this pathetic imitation of the Festival of Promethius, of which this escapade with the torches seems to represent, immediately. If no sign of the target had been noted, you may begin to tackle the population. Do it swiftly and effictively, but keep all exit routes secure. The man is not to escape." He turned his head to look at the young boy behind him. "Got all that?" The boy nodded, and scurried off out of the room.

Caivs Avrelivs turned back to looking out over the dark rooftops below him. Amidst the shadows and the flickers of light from the torches, he thought he saw a flash of movement out of the corner of his eye. Frowning, he turned to sweep his gaze along the houses lining the city walls, those most cast in the shadow of the night. Squinting, he could see nothing new amidst the shadows, except for the slow march of a single guard atop the section of wall.

That must have been what he'd seen. He'd stay for a while longer, before retiring for the night. He was exhausted, having rested barely six hours in the last three days. It had been a busy period. He knew he took on more work than he needed to, what with the bustle of scribes, officials and other overly helpful minions around him, constantly reminding him he needed rest and that they could handle everything here. But Caivs Avrelivs had always been a man who needed a firsthand experience of everything. It was not exactly that he did not trust these men, but rather that he did not trust himself to be satisfied with their provided information. He needed to do everything himself, for little other reason than he thought everything needed to be done properly. And what better way to prove everything was OK for you than for you to do it? But maybe he needed to ease off a bit. His wife was growing used to having him around for more than a few days, but was still neglected by him. His son, Titvs, was growing tall and strong-it was time, as his father, that Caivs Avrelivs begin to take him away from the care of his mother, and in to the company of men. His two daughters as well needed the presence of their father, if they were to become useful Romans.

Now, as he watched, the guard had reached the tower on the far end of the wall, and had disappeared inside, no doubt to grab a cup of heated wine before returning outside to the cold. Giving the houses below him one last glance, Caivs Avrelivs began to turn, meaning to go to bed. However, something made him glance once more to the houses below the wall. He could swear there was something, or someone, moving down there, yet without a torch, and seemingly on their own. It was only the briefest of glimpses; the shadow moved quickly and silently, but Caivs Avrelivs was certain of it's existence moments later, when a figure leapt onto the tiled roofing of one of the buildings, and began scrabbling for a handhold on the edge of the wall.

Sweeping his gaze back over the city, Caivs Avrelivs saw that one patrol was moving in the direction of the wall, though it was obvious they knew not of the attempted escapee. However, the latter knew of the former's approach, and sacrificed his hold on the ledge of the wall, dropping down flat onto the roof amidst the shadows. Caivs Avrelivs watched helplessly from afar as the patrol passed the house without noticing the man lying across it's roof. Caivs Avrelivs clenched his fist in frustration, only to pause as a voice called out to the patrol in Latin. The guard from the wall had exited the tower and was calling to the men below him. Too far to decipher the words, Caivs Avrelivs could merely mutter under his breath:

"Look down, you fool! Just look down!"

But the guard and the patrol had finished, and the latter began to move away once more. The guard seemed to laugh at their backs, and was about to turn to go himself, when somethign made him pause, and bend down to squint at the rooftop below him. Suddenly, he jerked up, and Caivs Avrelivs heard his alarm call cut short as some sort of weapon was jabbed into his throat from below. Falling from the wall, his body crashed noisily onto the clay tiles of the rooftop below, and Caivs Avrelivs saw several torches begin to move quickly towards the commotion. He also saw the figure grab hold of the wall, and launch himself up onto the ledge. Unwrapping some rope from his belt, he bent to quickly tie a knot around a protruding part of the wall, just as the first patrol rushed round the corner and into the street. Rope in hand, the agent leapt over the wall, as the cries for alarm echoed throught the city.

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

I hate winter……

Sextvs stood barking orders with a deep scowl on his face, the men grabbed their pilla and through, charged “slashed” and resets the whole thing over again. A man stood next to him in the garb of an officer watching the mens drilling.
“if this isn’t Scapula being vindictive then I don’t know what the meaning of the word is. Double drills until your troops get it right he says we already have it right. My unit has consistently performed as good, if not better than Scapula’s and I will be damned if all of those battles we were fighting peasants!” Sextvs grumbled, his anger seething through.
The officer spoke up “you know if someone had told me that the two tribune of our legion would turn on each other I would have said hell no! Sextvs and Sextvs are far too friendly to fight like that. I guess I was wrong. I would assume you would meet the challenge he is putting before you, because like it or not Scapula is the temporary commander until Pvblivs Atilivs gets here.”
Sextvs looked at the officer “things change, being in close contact with someone (and someone’s family Sextvs whispered) does that. Caracalla can you finish up, I need a drink.” He turned around and began trudging up towards the city.
Caracalla snapped his fingers and looked up “Sextvs if you are going in the city grab some real food for me, I can’t take what they are serving us anymore. And grab one of the dolls at the market, I promised I would bring my daughter back something.”
Sextvs looked back “sure whatever.”
He walked down the winding streets of Tolosa until he reached a large building where he entered and was brought to Lvcivs.
“I can’t believe you rented a villa in this city. The army camp is right outside the walls, yet you spend a huge amount of money to temporarily own this place.”
Lvcivs shrugged “I am an old man; I need a bit of comfort in my old age, what’s so wrong with that.” He leaned back and grinned “but that’s not why you are here, you wouldn’t come here unless you needed to talk about something, about either politics or something only I know about you. Ergo you are here about your wife.”
Sextvs glowers “your mental acuity astounds me.” He sighs, “But yes that’s why I am here, I assume you heard about Scapula being temporary commander.”
“Yes I did hear that, and It was quite humorous, I can only imagine your reaction.”
Sextvs sighs “well he running my men to the ground with drills. I assumed I could deal with the fact he is cheating with my wife. But I can’t, I am not sure if it’s from love or pride. In the end I don’t think it will matter, they are both so similar. I can’t stand Scapula anymore; eventually I am going to do something stupid.”
“ Sextvs its not about if you will do something stupid, its when. This is a political tool, use it that way. He is sleeping with your wife, you know that and can’t change it. What you can change is his political career. This could hurt him, or not, it all depends about when you pull it out.” Lvcivs leaned forward and pointed towards the door “your men need you, go out there with them.”
Sextvs nodded and started walking out of the city. He was half way to camp when he realized he had forgotten Caracalla request. He grumbled and turned around. He had a lot to think about. Snowflakes began falling, dampening Sextvs’ cloak, he batted angrily at them and sighed, “I hate winter.”
(the actual proper way to use a Gladius is irrelevent to the story.)

[Iskander 3.1]

(OOC: I'm aware how the Romans used the gladius, I just needed a "McGuffin" of sorts to get an argument going)

[SwissBarbar]

Surprise for Caivs Avrelivs
(OOC: hope you don't mind ^^)

It was a warm night in late spring 255 BC, when a young slave awoke Caivs Avrelivs from his sleep.

"What is it?", Caivs Avrelivs asked quite grumpy.
"A messenger is here, with an urgent message from Rome, my Lord", the slave humbly answered.

Caivs Avrelivs mumbled something and got up. After putting his clothes on, he went to the hall of the Propraetor's residence, where the messenger waited. Caivs could swear, that he knew him, but the hood he wore tarnished his face, an effect even stronger in the flickering light of candles and torches.

"Who are you, and what do you want at a late hour like this?", Caivs asked. He tried to sound angry, but his voice turned into a curious inflection.
"I must show you something important, follow me", the messenger answered, turned around and went out the door.
"What? Hey...!". It was outrageous, this fellow showed no respect! But still Caivs Avrelivs was wondering, what this guy wanted to show him, and decided to follow him. He had no time to assemble all of his bodyguards, but one half of the ones, that protected the residence followed.

About half an hour they rode along the main street that led from Ambrakia to its harbour, and then turned left into the woods. Though the bodyguards begged Caivs Avrelivs to turn around, for it was quite dangerous, he followed the messenger, who was riding at a gallop 100 meters in front of them.

The sun already rose, but they still were riding. Then - immediately - the messenger turned left and was gone, like fallen off the face of the earth.

"Where is he!", one of the bodyguards yelled.
"It might be a trap, careful men!", another one said.

Then they heard a noise in the distance. It must have come from just beyond the hill in front of them. Caivs and his bodyguards rode uphill, and the noise got louder. Men yelled, metal jangled and horses neighed.

"My Lord, let's turn and go, this sounds as if it was the Epeirote army one of our spies had discovered.", one of the bodyguards said.
"No, it can't be. They would've marched too far in this short time. Let's see what it is...", Caivs answered.
They reached the top of the hill and stared down at the valley. With an open mouth Caivs stared at the army in front of him. A marching column of 2 miles and another 2 miles of impedimenta walked in procession.

Caivs could not believe his eyes.
"But this is... this is...", he said in disbelief.
"Yes it is.", a voice said, coming from the woods behind him.
Caivs turned around and stared into the broadly grinning face of Avlvs Aemilivs. He was the messenger!
"Your brothers have come back, my friend.", he said, and of course meant all of the men of Legio II, who had come with him to Epeiros.

For a few seconds Caivs said nothing, stared to the army, to Avlvs and to the army again. Then he started to laugh.
"Bastard!", he said, and shook his friends hand, still laughing.
Avlvs laughed too. They rode towards the army, and when the nearest soldiers recognised their old commander, they started to cheer. Soon the information had reached even the men marching more than 1 mile further in the west. To Caivs it must've been a quite touching moment, when 7'000 men cheered and greeted him, but the hardboiled soldier did carry it off well.

Legio II had returned to where it belonged. Its men had died conquering these green lands, small hills and beautiful rivers. Years they had fought in Illyria and Epeiros, and to some, these lands were more home than the small villages in Italy, whence they had come from, ever were. Now they were back again, and many a man presumably thought

"Ubi bene, ibi patria! - Where I feel well, there is my home!"

(OOC: Pictures not made ingame)