Rise of the Arche Epeirou

[Molinaargh]

You could at least have played a custom battle with Epeiros to take a screenshot to inspire people to read.

Sorry if it sounds negative but it's all I have to say

[Scipio Germanicus]

Chapter 2: Akeldama

From the memoirs of Helenos Aikaides



Translated by R. Edgar Reece P.h.D.

As I look back, that dreadful day stands out most in my mind. So many lay dead by nightfall, and there were too few left to bury them all. I had never before dreamed that war could be so—no, there are no words to describe it.

When my father had left Megale Hellas, the Romaioi moved quickly to take the towns that had allied to him. Soon, only Taras was left with any sizable garrison. If it fell, all the lands my father had fought so hard over would belong to the Romaioi. Not wanting to lose such a precious ally, my father decided to send whatever forces that could be spared to Kalbria. And, for some unknown reason, he chose me to lead that force.


Epeirote Army

Why did he send me? To this day I do not have an acceptable answer. Perhaps he thought Alexandros would better serve in Hellas. Perhaps I was merely the most expendable. But I will not slander my father’s name with idle speculation. Whatever his reason, I, Helenos, youngest son of Basileus Pyrros of Epeiros, was chosen, and I would serve my father as best I could.

The voyage across the Pontos Adriatike was pleasant, if short. Admiral Nikarchos was very kind to me and my men. But soon enough we landed at Brundisium. Its inhabitants, distantly related to the Illyrioi and Epeirotes, gave us a warm welcome. After a quick lunch, we began the march to Taras.

Not long after we left, my scouts informed me that a Romaioi army was outside of Taras, camped near the village of Caelia to the north.


Roman Army

However, their general, a young man named Lucius Cornelius Scipio, was in Uria with his bodyguard. I thought it odd that the leading general in southern Italia was out by himself, but I saw an opportunity for glory. Killing him would be a major setback for the Romaioi and could possibly save Taras.

When L. Scipio learned of our approach, he quickly fled Uria and made for his army. However, one of my messengers had reached Taras and they quickly gave chase as well.

Tarantine garrison

We cornered him just west of Uria. He took refuge on a hill that had formed on the side of a large rock, but the Tarantinoi cavalry forced him to attack. I led my Illyrioi to attack his pinned bodyguard. It was just after we charged Scipio and his bodyguard that I realized my mistake. The Roman hadn’t been running away. We were being led toward his army. I quickly ordered my Hoplitai Hoploi to line up on the right side of the large rock. The Illyrian spear levies began maneuvering around it and my Akontistai climbed to the top to rain javelins on the attacking Romaioi. In all the confusion, Scipio managed to escape. With more pressing matters to deal with, I ordered the Hippeis Tarantinoi to skirmish the Roman Principes. My cavalry formed up with the Illyrioi in front and my Companions behind them while the Tarantinoi lured the Principes from the main force.



As the elite Romaioi neared my Hoplitai, the Akontistai threw their javelins. A few fell, but the Pedites Extraordinarii were well armored with large shields. They engaged the Hoploi and began cutting them down. When the Tarantinoi ran out of ammunition, the Illyrioi cavalry engaged them. The Tarantinoi charged into their flank, and I circled my companions around to their rear and charged. Surrounded, they broke rank and we cut them down. With no time to rest, I ordered the Illyrioi levies on the enemy rear with my cavalry behind them. When all was ready, I ordered the charge.

The rear of the Romaioi force was guarded by the veteran Triarii. In this unit was the man Scipio had placed in command of his army, a grizzled veteran named Marcus. Experienced and skilled, the Illyrioi easily held off my Illyrioi and cavalry when it charged. The Hoplitai fared little better. Many men broke rank and routed, but all quickly returned to the fight. Perhaps they feared being viewed as cowards by their families, or maybe they had a sense of duty that compelled them to return to the fight. Whatever the case, they managed to hold the Pedites at a great cost of life. With the Hoplitai lines growing thin, the Akontistai charged into the fight.

All seemed lost when the Triarii suddenly broke. I didn’t know what had happened, but gladly took advantage. We killed every single one of them. It was during this slaughter that I realized what had happened. Lying atop a dead Illyrian was the body of the Roman captain. The Pedites saw this too. Throwing down their weapons, they tried to flee. But my cavalry, exhilarated by the stunning turn in the battle and filled with a desire for revenge of their fallen comrades, gave chase. Soon thousands of Romans lay in the field. However, there were also many Epeirotes, Illyrioi, and Tarantinoi lying there as well. Over half of my army was dead. But the Roman army was annihilated.

As I walked the field afterwards, there were several times that I had to drive away the carrion fowl. Too few soldiers were left to bury all the dead, so the vultures arrived to a great feast. I can still see the half devoured bodies lying in that field. If I had known how many more bodies we would bury, I might have just taken what survivors I could and left Kalabria. But I was young and the pride I felt from having destroyed a Romaioi army clouded my judgment.
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After the Epeirote victory at Uria, the Romans were more than willing to stop the fighting, if only to regroup. Helenos used the short time of peace to levy reinforcements and train Toxotoi. But his most important accomplishment was perhaps the completion of a stone wall around the town.

Without this wall, it is unlikely that Helenos would have fared as well as he did in the battles to come.

[the man with no name]

Very good AAR. Like Molinaargh said though, 1 or 2 screenshots would be good.

[Scipio Germanicus]

Thanks. The next chapter should be the last without battle screenshots.

[Mediolanicus]

And if you lack screenshots, use the enter button more generously.
It's more inviting to read short fragments than whole blocks of text.

Even if the total amount of text in 1 update stays the same.

[the man with no name]

And if you lack screenshots, use the enter button more generously.
It's more inviting to read short fragments than whole blocks of text.

Even if the total amount of text in 1 update stays the same.

Plus it makes the updates look bigger.

[Scipio Germanicus]

Chapter 3: Consolidation

Demetrias- 271 BC

Horns rang throughout the city. The time had finally come. Demetrias’ gates swung open and out marched the Macedonians. From atop his horse, Pyrros could see the faces of the first few soldiers. There was no courage, no hope. He saw only desperation. They were outnumbered, starving, and demoralized. They had been under siege for over a year and had simply exhausted their supplies.



Pyrros’ allies in the south had managed to keep Antigonus’ main army in Achaea, so there was no chance of relief from the outside. Demetrius, known by many as Kalos, “the handsome,” was trapped and left with only two options—he must either sally from the town and attempt to drive back the Epeirotes or surrender the town to them.



Pyrros, expecting the proud young Macedonian to fight, had kept his troops battle-ready for the past several weeks. Now the time had come to take the town and reap the rewards of their patience.
His army quickly lined up similarly to their last battle: Phalangitai in the center and Illyrians on the flanks. This time the Galatians moved to the left flank behind the Illyrians while the elephants were on the right. Pyrros led his Companions and Illyrian cavalry on the far right of his line. Ptolemaios and many Companions had remained in Pella to keep order. They would be missed, but it could not be helped.



About half of the Macedonian garrison was skirmishers and slingers.



This would be a suicide charge. A twinge of guilt struck Pyrros. These men die because of one man’s arrogance, he thought. He called for a runner and had him send orders to the lieutenants that any Macedonian who surrendered were to be spared. The young man sped off and Pyrros returned his attention to the battle.

A cloud of dust rose from the west side of the town. Though he could not see, Pyrros guessed that Demetrius was attempting to circle the town and surprise him.
“An over-proud and foolish amateur,” he said to his retainer, “He would see his men die rather than surrender.”

As Demetrius and his bodyguards came into view, the Phalangitai attacked the Epeirote center while the Thessalian cavalry attacked the Illyrians on the left. The Galatians circled around and charged the Thessalians, who were quickly cut down.

Meanwhile, Demetrius had almost reached the Illyrians on the right when Pyrros ordered his cavalry to charge. The Macedonians clashed with the Illyrians just before Pyrros and his cavalry charged into their flank. Most of the bodyguards fell on contact, and Demetrius himself fell within seconds. The Illyrian cavalry quickly turned and charged the Akontistai, Agrianians, and Sphendonitai, who promptly threw down their weapons. With the battle lost, the remaining Macedonians surrendered as well.
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Pyrros marched into the city at the head of his army. Despite having been under siege and clearly in poor health, the people welcomed him as a hero. He later found out that the people had urged Demetrius to surrender many months ago, but he’d refused. With Pyrros would come food and medicine, and that was all the people wanted. He would give it to them, and the people would love him all the more.

Several days later, Pyrros sent out a diplomatic envoy to Antigonus’ camp just outside of Korinthos. Along the way, the group stopped at Athenai where they met with Chremonides, the mastermind behind the Koinon Hellenon. After learning more about the situation in Achaea, they set off to meet with Antigonus himself.
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The guards looked on the Epeirotes with contempt. Everyone in the group grew nervous. Harmodios Arbaios, the head of the group, glanced at the soldier next to him.



Antigonus had assured him that the soldiers would not attack, but it was little comfort here, surrounded by all these hostile faces.

As they approached the main tent, a large rock sailed past Harmodios, barely missing his head. One of the Macedonians, presumably the same who threw the rock, cried out, “Go home you barbarian dogs!”

Several guards quickly subdued the man, but Harmodios could see that they agreed with the man. They were only following orders and would gladly join with the soldiers if given the chance. Harmodios
slightly quickened his pace.

When they reached the tent, only Harmodios and one aide were allowed to enter. They found Antigonus at a desk, pouring over a map of southern Hellas. They were ushered to a couple of chairs across from the Macedonian ruler.



“What does Pyrros send to me on the lips of his lapdogs?” he asked. Harmodios suppressed his anger at the insult and summoned as much grace and courtesy as he could.

“Basileus Pyrros Aiakides, king of the Epeirotes, lord of Makedonia,” Harmodios stressed this part, “and protector of the Royal Tombs at Pella sends a most generous offer.” So far, so good, he thought. He felt especial delight at seeing Antigonus tense when he called Pyrros “lord of Makedonia.”

“My king suggests an end to the fighting between our kingdoms. Having fought hard for the lands of Makedonia and Thessaly, my lord will retain possession of said lands. Achaea and Lesbos shall remain in your possession for as long as you can hold them. These are my lord’s terms. There will be no negotiation. Do you accept?”

The Macedonian king stood quietly for a moment. Harmodios could see the anger raging inside him and wondered if this would be his last mission. Finally, Antigonus quietly began.

“How does this barbarian warmonger demand anything of me, the Basileus of Makedonia, the heart of Megas Alexandros’ great empire? Your king has taken more from me than just land. My eldest son and my brother lie dead, cut down by Epeirote blades. How can there be peace while their blood cries out from the streets of Pella and from the fields of Demetrias?! Let Pyrros sit on my throne while he can! My armies outnumber his four to one! Let him sit and await his destruction!” As he spoke, Antigonus’ voice continued to rise, reaching a shout as he uttered the last statement.

Harmodios sat quietly throughout the rant. He eyes never left Antigonus, and his face showed no emotion. When the raging king had finished, Harmodios played his trump card. Slowly rising to his feet, he looked Antigonus in the eye and said, “You are surrounded by the armies of Athenai and Sparte. No reinforcements will come to you. They will tighten their grip while my king strengthens our army in the north. While you bleed, we will grow stronger. When the Hellenes have bled your army dry, we will descend on your army and destroy any who are left. So I ask you again, do you accept a ceasefire between our people?”
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Harmodios rode hard from the Macedonian camp. He wanted to put as much distance between himself and Antigonus as possible. After receiving the Macedonian’s answer, he and his group had immediately left the tent and wasted no time in leaving the camp. Within days, the Hellenes would begin their attack on Korinthos. Harmodios couldn’t help but smile. While their rivals fought, Pyrros and the Epeirotes would rest and regain their strength. There would be peace between Antigonus and Pyrros—at least for now.