[Multi-AAR] - History of men - EB part

[Fixiwee]

Siege of Tarsos 55 BC

The Roman Empire, by Wolfgang Schreier, Bonn 2003

After the battle of Agosa Koilesyriakos fled to Syria, hoping to reform his troops. Caesar secured the newly won terrain, negotiating a treaty with the Bithynians in the north west of Anatolia.


Caesar in Anatolia winter 57 BC

In early spring 56 BC Caesar reached the city Ankyra which opened the gates to him without any resistance. He marched on to the Taurus Mountains during the summer where he defeated a small contingent of the still resisting Cappadocians under their general Zariadis at Lasana. After the battle the Zariadis made a truce with Caesar. The Cappadocians had to stop hostility against the Romans but where granted independence in return. Caesar now only faced minor opposition in Anatolia and was free to cross the Cilician Gates in autumn 56 BC. Entering Cicilia in the same year Caesar was halted due to a sudden onset of winter.


The Tarsos Campaign was very costly to Caesar

In early spring 55 BC Caesar then started to besiege the city of Tarsos and its master Phanias Labraundon Karikos. The siege lasted for 4 months and used nearly all the resources Caesar had. Furthermore he lost some 9.000 men during the siege, but eventually the Cicilians surrendered to the Romans. The Roman general speared the city since he needed every bit of resource. He now faced severe difficulties with supplies and men. The sea route was unstable because Cicilian pirates still terrorised the southern coast of Asia Minor and in the very summer Galatians and Cappadocians started to raid the supply routes by land despite the agreement after the battle of Lasana. To add even more problems, the city of Ankyra was protesting against Roman rule, demanding independence.

The rest of the year Caesar tried to reorganise his troops with little resources he got.


Caesar campaign in the East so far. The yellow cross symbolises the Battle of Agosa and the orange cross the much smaller Battle of Lasana. The Cappadocians were situated around the city of Mazaka.


Commentarii de Bello Asiatico by Marcus Julius Caesar

XL.


At the beginning of the new year [54 BC] Caesar got news that his protégée Calatinus the younger had failed to attack the Pirates main base at Side. What was set to be an all easy attack with 2 legions on a mostly undefended city, turned out to be a fortress guarded by the mercenary captain Lagoras Babas Lydikes who Caesar defeated at the battle of Agosa three years ago. The inexperienced Calatinus failed the attack loosing 17.000 Romans and allies alike. Caesar then began a council with his centurions of all companies discussing to march back to defeat the Cappadocians or to advance onto Syria. He reprimanded that “particularly for supposing that it belonged to them to inquire or conjecture, either in what direction they were marching, or with what object. That Zariadis Eupator [Cappadocian King] had most anxiously sought after the friendship of the Roman people after the battle at Lasana. Betraying the Romans, by madness or rage, should be rewarded by making war on them. And, by fortune or gods will Koilesyriakos would still be in Syria after the legions would be done with Zariadis.”

XLI.

Upon the delivery of this speech, the minds of all were changed in a surprising, manner, and the highest ardour and eagerness for prosecuting the war were engendered; and the sixth legion was the first to return thanks to him, through their military tribunes, for his having expressed this most favourable opinion of them; and assured him that they were quite ready to prosecute the war.

[Fixiwee]

Heaven cannot brook two suns, nor earth two masters.
~Alexander the Great
A new Alexander?

The Roman Empire, by Wolfgang Schreier, Bonn 2003

The campaign against the Cappadocian king Zaradis Eupator began in early 54 BC. Caesars aim was to capture Mazaka and dispose the king for his dishonesty. In March he reached the Cappadocian lands and met Zaradis in the battle of Mazaka. While Caesar still suffered from supply problems, the Cappadocians were disorganized and could not face the larger disciplined legions.


Zaradis Eupator


Caesar in the Cappadocian lands.


The Cappadocians tried to use their fast light horse riders against the Roman infantry.




Caesar was prepared, for he brought medium Greek cavalry from Tarsos.


Zaradis Eupator in meele fighting against the Romans.



After Zaradis was killed in the battle, his successor Dareios Aparnikos took on the fight from the palace inside the city. But it was too late, the Cappadocians only had some 20.000 men left and the city had a weak fortification. Caesar took Dareios Aparnikos by surprise and stormed the city during the night. Confusion among the Cappadocians hindered any form of resistance. Dareios Aparnikos committed suicide and central Anatolia was now in Caesars hands.

The campaign went surprisingly well for Caesar and his popularity among the soldiers was ever growing. Some went even so far to see a reborn Alexander the Great in him, since both successfully campaigned in the east. When some centurions started calling their leader “Caesar Magnus” the Roman general was surely flattered, but he did not wanted to be compared with Alexander. He did not tolerate the use of “Caesar Magnus” even though people in the east, friends and foes, occasionally referred to him as such from 54 BC onwards. Cappadocia came under Roman influence, not a Roman province, but rather an allied state.


Asia Minor in 54 BC.

Commentarii de Bello Asiatico
by Marcus Julius Caesar

LII.

The deeds of a man can only be measured in what one has accomplished. When Caesar was compared to Alexander he would answer that by these four years that have passed, he had conquered Asia Minor, while Alexander the Great had captured most of Asia: Egypt, Babylon, Susa and Persepolis. Yet there was no doubt among the people in Asia, including Caesars own men, that the aim of his campaign was not to conquer Asia, but to restore political balance and grant peace among the friends of the Roman people.

The Roman Empire, by Wolfgang Schreier, Bonn 2003

Meanwhile in Rome Caesar was still backed by Nero and Crassus, while the Optimates were trying to denounce Caesars campaigns fearing his ever gaining influence. When news of the battle of Mazaka came to Rome, yet another of Caesars victories, the peoples assembly, among them a young tribune called Marcus Anthony, staged an event to give Caesar an extraordinary honorary title. The Senate was ever divided between the Optimates and the Populares, but with Nero and Crassus supporting the Populares the Senate passed the vote to give Caesar an honourable name: Asiaticus. From now on Caesar was called Marcus Julius Caesar Asiaticus. That infuriated the Optimates who still wanted Caesar to be charged for illegal warfare and turmoil broke out in the Senate. The political situation in Rome started to change yet again.

[Fixiwee]

Syria awaits

The Roman Empire, by Wolfgang Schreier, Bonn 2003

After the Cappadocians had been dealt with Caesar returned to Tarsos in early 53 BC to plan his next actions. Helenos Koilesyriakos had been disposed of his throne in Syria by his brother Artemon Koilesyriakos in the winter 54 BC, being supported by a powerful military general called Aratos Sardikos.


The old Seleucid king Caesar defeated in the battle of Agosa 57 BC.


The new Seleucid king and brother of Helenos with his powerful military advisor.

Artemon showed no sign of subduing to Caesar, so the end of the campaign was not yet in sight. But first Caesar had to help his protégé Calatinus the younger. Calatinus was still trying to conquer the town of Side, the main base of operation for the Pirates. For the last years Calatinus tried to fight the infamous mercenary captain Lagoras Babas Lydikes, whom we have met in this campaign already. In 53 BC Caesar was finally able to send the necessary support, and in the summer Calatinus the younger stormed the city and killed Lydikes.


Calatinus the younger finaly defeating Lydikes.

How Lucius Marcundus accidentally brought down the Roman Republic

By Eric Damon

(Part V)

Lucius arrived at Caesars military camp in early October. He hadn’t seen his master in one and a half years, since the sculptor didn’t work closely with the military and hence did not participate in the campaign against Eupator. Lucius worked in a large art workshop, designing and sculpting busts as well as statues depicting his master, who conquered most of Asia Minor in the meantime.

The artist enjoyed quite the reputation, he was somewhat Caesars secretary to all art and cultural questions. No coin could be issued and smelted without Lucius’ approval of the image carved onto it. No mosaic could be crafted without Lucius granting his blessing. Lucius himself had mixed feelings about this, but at least he became the richest artist in the Roman Republic. The money Caesar paid for his work was tremendous.

As for Vibia, Lucius was still searching for her. When he came to Athens five years ago, he heard that Vibia ran a successful trading company in Tarsos dealing with silk coming from mysterious lands in the east. When he arrived there a few years later he learnt from a crude merchant that Vibia worked with Jewish people in Syria, but unfortunately he could not enter the lands because Caesar was still at war with the Koilesyriakos dynasty. Yet he still felt this urgent need to meet Vibia again. After all she was the only love he had ever had in all his life, even though all that was so very long ago. And that was why he had to talk to his master and friend, whom they now called Caesar Asiaticus.

The Praetorian guarding Caesars tent recognised Lucius and let him enter the generals’ huge and colourful tent (Praetorians were for the most part smarter then the usual legionary). Inside the tent Lucius found himself in something he would call a palace within a tent: A large ebony desk, exquisite furniture and fine marble busts, some of which Lucius had made himself.
Caesar was standing in front of a large map depicting Asia Minor, Syria and Egypt gazing at it with deep thoughts.
He looked older now, Lucius thought, his hair was beginning to grey. After all, Caesar was nearly 50 now. But there he still had this remarkable look of an eagle waiting to attack his enemy from above the sky. All these battles hadn’t worn him out- to the contrary - he looked fresh as ever. He recognized that Caesar definitely enjoyed his wars.

“Master” he said.
“Lucius, friend, it’s been a while”. Caesar came up and heartily shook his hands. “Have you received the letter and my present?”
“Yes I did; the peaches where delicious. I heard it’s quite difficult to get them.”
“Well, being on good terms with the Parthians is vital. They send a lot of gifts and I thought I share them with my best friends. Now tell me, what brings you to my camp? You certainly don’t want to join the military I recon?”
“Actually - yes and no. In the letter you told me that you plan to march into Syria. I want to come too, see you in battle and be there when you defeat your opponents. What a glorious statue I could produce!”
Caesar glimpsed at him, slightly turning his head.
“Lucius, you don’t have to fool me. You are still after Vibia.”
The sculptor realized that he shouldn’t have told Caesar about his feelings. But after all he introduced her to Lucius in Athens over 20 years ago.

“Well…” he replied heavily, being caught on the wrong foot.
“You are chasing the tail of a dogma here, Lucius. She is probably married to some fat and rich slob. Plus she is old. You have all the money to enjoy younger women as much as you want. Just go to the next brothel and **** a whore. That’s what we call ‘soldiers treatment for the homesick’.”
“You don’t understand. It’s is not that I’ll ride to rescue her and ask her to marry me. Not after all these years. I already have a wife. But you know what? There are certain things, certain actions in your life you have to simply have to do, even if you can’t explain it to anyone else. I just don’t want to die without having talked to her one more time. It’s not like I can open up a window in my humble home in Rome and magically talk to her when ever I want. It’s been a ******* lifetime since I last saw her.
All I want is to look at her and say: ‘I cared for you’, so I can go home, let it rest and live the rest of my life with a piece of mind. I need to do this to let go.”
Caesar smiled after Lucius gave his emotional speech, much to his surprised.
“Fine, you’re coming to Syria with me” he said, “and I hope you find what you are looking for. I really do.”

[V.T. Marvin]

Another excellent update. I realy like and admire your colourful mosaic of diferent styles and points of view. This AAR will never grow old. Keep on doing this great job. A piece of art actually.

[gamegeek2]

A. Maze. Ing!

[Fixiwee]

Another excellent update. I realy like and admire your colourful mosaic of diferent styles and points of view. This AAR will never grow old. Keep on doing this great job. A piece of art actually.

This is one of the most heartwarming feedbacks I have recieved for my work. Thank you.

I think that the semi-canonical fiction updates add a lot of colour to the rather sober historical updates. Though I find it quite tough to write a cohesive fictional story because of the quick progress in time.

A. Maze. Ing!

Tha. Nk. U. ;)

[Fixiwee]

When the wolf comes for the sheep, the dog goes to defecate.
~Estern Proverb
Invasion of Syria

The Roman Empire, by Wolfgang Schreier, Bonn 2003

While Caesar was preparing his invasion of Syria in 53 BC, the situation in Rome worsened. Turmoil and violence were the order of the day, the citizens and senators were no longer safe and the few Senate meetings were hardly attended by their members. Slowly but steady Rome was declining into chaos and anarchy with it’s climax reaching in 52 and 51 BC, as we will discuss later.

Meanwhile Caesar was prepared for his attack on the Koilesyriakos dynasty, refreshing his legions to troop strength of 35.000 including auxiliary troops.

Commentarii de Bello Asiatico
by Marcus Julius Caesar

XXIII. (Book 4)

The Roman armies entered Syria from the north trying to threaten the most important city going by the name of Antiocheia [Antioch]. This ancient city was considered to be the gateway to Syria, without it Caesar would not be able to win the war. Artemon Koilesyriakos realised this as well and ordered his general Sardikos to protect the northern fields of Antiocheia. Sardikos positioned himself on a plateau on the fields of Pagrae. When Caesar was informed of that he became aware that his swift attack on the Syrian lands had been in vane and the element of surprise was lost. Furthermore Sardikos made good use of some 10 war elephants, well equipped Phalanx and heavy cavalry Cataphracts. There was some serious doubt if the invasion of Syria wasn’t doomed from the start. Yet Caesar did not accept premature defeat and told his men that 250 years ago Alexander the Great did not fear to loose at the battle of Issus.

XXIV.

No Roman soldier had ever entered the lands of the Far East and a feeling of uncertainty could be read from their faces. While some soldiers expressed their insecurity openly, most of the men were held together by rigorous discipline and, to some extend, harsh punishment. Caesar then entered the fields of Pagrae with his men on the 14th of March 52 BC. Knowing that this might be one of the most decisive battles in his campaign he approached each single cohort, giving a personalised speech to them. This gave the men a special feeling that made them understand that each cohort was part of a greater unit and if one cohort would break, so would the other.

XXV.

Meanwhile the enemy was approaching the Roman line. The Syrians brought a mix of light infantry, Phalanx, heavy infantry, light ballistae and about ten heavy war elephants.

Sardikos gave order to charge against the Roman line with full power. Caesar realised the possibility to seize momentum by nullifying the attack with a counter charge. He gave order and immediately the legion began to run against the charging infantry.

This bold move was a risky one and could have ended with a terrible blow against the Roman cause. But luck was on Caesars side and Sardikos troops were caught by surprise inflicting some damage to the enemy line. Immediately the battle turned into hand to hand fighting, and as it turned out later, one of the bloodiest in the entire campaign. The enemy was determined to defeat the Romans and their spirit was formidable. Sardikos made sure that his Elephants ravaged through the Roman infantry and already after 20 minutes of fighting it looked like they would break through the centre of the Roman army.

Now the favour was on Sardikos side, the Elephants smashed their way through the Romans while their flanks were engaged with the Syrian Cataphracts.

Fearing that the centre of the battle would break away Caesar spoke to his legate: “Gnaeus Manius, I give you the command of the entire legions. Meanwhile I have to join the centre of the battle to ensure that the men do not lose heart against the beasts they are fighting with.”And while Caesar did join the ranks of the fifth and second cohort that was fighting against the Elephants, he did not join the fight directly, knowing that his death would mean utter defeat for the Roman people. Nevertheless his appearance ensured that the moral would not break, giving direct commands to the unit engaged.

The Roman general now realised that the soldiers equipped with the Gladius was not enough to penetrate the thick hide of the beasts. It was during the first hour of the battle when Caesar ordered Anatolian auxiliary troops to join the centre of the battle

Usually Roman and Greek historian credit the combat spirit of the simple Roman soldier, which is true for the most, but on this day the Anatolian troops saved the Romans. These Anatolian-Greek spear throwers had long javelins perfectly equipped to hurt and hunt down war elephants.

Now the momentum was shifting to Caesar again and it looked like a total disaster was turning to a complete victory. The Elephants fell or fled, and with these colossal monsters falling, the spirit of the Syrians was veining. The Roman elite infantry was now able to gain ground against the heavy Syrian cavalry inflicting heavy casualties after two hours of fighting.

The Syrians were severely decimated when Caesar got news that Sardikos had fallen to a Roman sword. The rest of the men caught the news as well and the battle ran out with many Syrians surrendering and some fleeing the battlefield. [...]

The Roman Empire, by Wolfgang Schreier, Bonn 2003

The battle of Pagrae proved to be the last and decisive battle in the Asian campaign. Caesar’s legions killed 10.000 men and some 11.000 surrendered to him. The able military general Sardikos was dead; Artemon Koilesyriakos was on the run and captured soon after. The cities Antioch, Sidon and Damascus were now in Roman hands. In the end Caesars campaign effectively destroyed the Seleucid Empire.

Caesar ensured peace with the Parthians and the Ptolemaists before returning to West-Anatolia, where he started his campaign, in the winter 52 BC. Just in time as we will see later, since a new conflict was brewing in Rome.