Re: The Slave King - An Illyrian AAR
Chapter Eight: The Price of Money
Narrator: Doros Aithaidos Attikos
Pella was heavily reinforced by the time my army returned from our fight against the Romans. Levees from the north with several contingents of Greek mercenaries and a garrison of elite phalangites attacked us as we marched on the Makedonian capital. Without any heavy cavalry, I knew immediately that my hoplitai would have a hard time breaking the enemy, but I had to press the attack while my political power was at its height. To turn back now might cause another upstart to take the initiative and control the wealth of Pella.
Epimenes tried to persuade me to retreat one last time, arguing that our assault would be a guaranteed success if our forces were augmented with Gallic mercenaries. I would hear none of it and reprimanded him for such a dishonorable idea. My victories must be won with Greek arms, not that of barbarian mercenaries.
We lured the enemy to the edge of the forest and engaged them where the terrain was favorable to our more mobile hoplites. The levies and mercenaries fell quickly enough to our spears, but the elite phalangite reinforcements proved much more troublesome. Our attempts to pin them in place led to massive casualties as enemy pikeheads shredded my militiamen.
My light hoplitai were able to circle around and attack the flanks of the enemy, but with such a strong commander, the enemy would not surrender even when surrounded. I immediately sent my reserves made up of two contingents of slingers and a freshly recruited band of militia hoplitai to cut off the head of the serpent while the rest of us held the phalangites in place.
The plan was a success and with the general dead, the enemy broke and we gave chase just as rain began to pour down on the battlefield.
The casualties were very large on both sides and large pools of blood dotted the plains, but the way to Pella was open.
“Was it worth it?” Epimenes sat with his back against a tree while a doctor tended to his wounds. A pike penetrated his left leg, but luckily missed the bone while a javelin took him full in the right shoulder. He has a good chance of survival, but with his sword arm crippled and his mobility impaired, it was doubtful that he would ever fight again.
“Yes, it was” I stared at the huge mining complex that stretched out below us, illuminated by the flames that rose up from the city. “The sinews of war are infinite money. With this wealth, I will raise an army that will crush all who oppose me. I will sweep the Makedonians off their own lands. The Epeirotes will accept slavery rather than face me in battle. Even the Romans will beg for mercy!” I turned back to the young Kretian and took his good hand in my own. “We will become heroes for all ages, my friend, like Achilles and Patroclus. The life lost today was the price paid for these mines. With these mines, we will restore Greece to its rightful place”
Epimenes just nodded and smiled weakly.
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