“Marta was watching the football game with me when she said, "You know, most of these sports are based on the idea of one group protecting its territory from invasion by another group." "Yeah," I said, trying not to laugh. Girls are funny.”
-Jack Handy

Invasion

A history of Rome, by Prof Alfred Kennard, 2002 New York

After his victory in the winter 204 BC Spurius Cornelius Sulla returned to Rome as a Curulian Aedile, using his position to get more attention for the situation in Spain. At the same time an elderly ex-consul by the name of Appius Aurelius Cotta, child of the victor at Carthage in 246 BC, was speaking against Sulla arguing that only an attack on Carthage would end the war for the Romans.
The following year Sulla returned to Spain with more troops, but not as much as he actually hoped to. His aim was to capture the most important Carpentani city of Baikor under the new king Novantutas Carmocoi. Sulla pushed for the city in 202 and 201 BC, but he was constantly harassed by the enemy, who knew the terrain better then him. Although he did not loose any battle, supply and troop where growing thin during both campagins so he decided to return to Mastia and stay on the defence.


Sullas campaigns in 202 and 201 BC. Despite hard effort the unknown enemy territory seems to be impregnable.

In 200 BC C. Publius Sergius Orata, a close friend of Cotta, became consul who prepared troops, ships and supply for an attack on Africa. That implied that Cotta would run for consul again next year to take command over the invasion.


Appius Aurelius Cotta

On the side of Carthage a man called Carthalo Carales was charged with defending the city. Carthalo was an experienced military leader who fought against the Ptolemy dynasty in Egypt. He was a deep admirer of the Greek culture, their literature and philosophy, all in all a smart and seasoned opponent for the Romans.
Appius Aurelius Cotta landed in early 199 BC in Africa, after being elected as consul. Upon landing he was informed that Carthage was well prepared for a siege and troops in the south where waiting to fall in the back of Cotta. So he decided to attack the army to the south. At this time Cotta did not know though, that Carthalo was moving his troops as fast as he could from a campaign in Egypt.


The red line symbolizes Cottas advance against the small enemy camp to the south of Carthage. The longer white line symbolizes Carthalos troops marching towards the homecity Carthage.

The troops south of Carthage were commanded by Hiempsal Sabrata and were much smaller then Cotta originally estimated. Only a few thousand troops were situated in the camp.


It is said that Sabrata fought bravley against the large quantity of Roman troops.


In the end he and the survivours fleed from the Romans. Fabius quotes him saying: "You're victory here means nothing".

The battle turned out to be a small skirmish and eventually the Carthaginians benefited from winning more time for Carthalo. Carthage realized its chance to delay Cotta even more and decided to move out the troops in the city under the militia commander Milkherem to meet the Romans. The Carthaginian suffets knew, that even if Milkherem would loose, it would be impossible for Cotta to take the before Carthalo would reach the Romans. The first battle of Sabo was about to happen.


After the small skirmish Cotta was eager to sieze Carthage. Moving northwards the Carthaginian militia leaves the city to face him on the field. Meanwhile Carthalo draws closer and closer to the Romans, marching with incredible speed with a large army.





Roman Hastati, the usual front line infantry, wating for the enemy attack.


Allthough mostly consisting of militia, Milkherems army consisted some well equiped Phalanx troops.




The Carthaginians plan was to shock the enemy and break right through the main line where the Romans were actually the strongest.


Cottas beast weapon were the heavy lancers. Having them placed well, he used them during the battle to fall in the back of the militia troops.










The effect is devastating. Milkherem gets killed and the troops break away.


Even the elite troops flee after the sucessfull Roman push.

In the end the first battle of Sabo was indeed a victory for the Romans. They had only lost 3000 men from 26.500, so they still had about 23.500 men left. Nevertheless Cotta was not making any progress against the enemy. Shortly after the battle he finally realized that Carthalo was marching against his position with 33.000 troops. The second battle of Sabo would decide the outcome of the invasion and possibly ending the second Punic war.


The Romans finaly realized that Carthalo was marching against their position. Cotta choosed to use the same position at Sabo to anticipate Carthalos attack.

Where do you run to now, Quintus?
by Sarah Buehler, 2007

Chapter Thirteen

This was the very moment when Quintus, now centurion in Appius legion, was most scared during the war. It wasn’t the first or the second battle at Hadrumentum, where he faced death on one of the most brutal and bloodiest battles of his lifetime. No, it was this moment and it started with a “Screwed. I am so screwed!”
Appius was sitting on his chair in the middle of his tent, having a total fit. Once again Quntius smelled a rotten stench, but this time it was obvious that his glorious leader had spilled wine over his tunica. He decided to try helping the screaming old man.
“Sir, you better dress up your combat gear. Our scouts indicate that Carthalos army is 10 miles from our position. It’s best…”
“Don’t you tell me what I have to do. I have to do nothing. Absolutely nothing.” With a sudden move the old body of Appius leaped forward, catching Quintus off guard and pulling him to the ground. The closing fist moving towards his nose was the first thing he noticed when he realized what was going on and it was the last thing before he blacked out.

Quintus came to senses again, slowly standing up. At first he didn’t hear anything but his own heartbeat. The next thing that came to his mind was that his nose was hurting terribly. Appius was sitting in his chair again, crying pathetically and repeating himself over and over again.
“Screwed. I tell you.”
His nose was broken.
“I am so screwed”
But he figured that he had to see this through.
“Sir!”
Even with this pain.
“Sir!” Quintus said again. “Think this through. You cannot give up now.”
His superior replied: “Carthalo is ten times the commander then I am. He has more troops and supplies. This was supposed to be my victory. You said it so.”
“With all due respect, sir. You asked me about history and I told you that it does not work this way, remember?”
“Bah!” Appius grunted with as much disgust as he could.
“But the battle is not decided yet. If you give up yourself, that’s fine. But don’t you dare giving up on Rome.” For Quintus saying such a thing was quite the gamble. Appius could have easily beaten him to death this time.
But surprisingly and against all odds Appius actually said: “Well. I guess you are right. I don’t think it makes any difference. By Plutos hairy arse maybe we’ll even win this one.”

Quintus was delighted, yet surprised over the turn of the events. It was obvious to him that this mod swing was just temporary, but he did everything he could to get this strange old men going. He returned to his tent to get his armor and sword, for south of the camp the mighty Carthalo was coming.