Campaign Description

[Lord President of Gallifrey]

LATEST VERSION
*No more short versions or strategy descriptions*
Roman -Sept 30th
Carthage -Sept 30th
Macedon - Sept 30th
The Seleucid Empire -Sept 30th
The Ptolemaic Empire -Sept 30th
The Greek City States -Sept 30th
The Germanic Tribes - Sept 30th
The Gallic Tribes - Sept 17th

So here goes the Republic of Rome Campaign Description (long). I've also made a shorter version with changes suggested by Magneto)
feel free to point out its flaws

For some, Roma represents the beauty and the majesty of the Ancient World. For others, it is a name spoken in hushed whispers, cries of outrage, or mournful lamentations. Will you let Roma be destroyed by outside forces, or will you take her onto glory?

Historically the first people started settling in Italy before 2000 BC. The hills on Roma and the Latium region are thought to have been settled from about 1000 BC onward. At this time, Italy was experiencing a transition from the Bronze to the Iron Age. This changed the culture in the area. In 753 BC, Roma was still a small village but it would soon become greater.

Roma is thought to have started by conquering nearby tribes and cities like the Sabines. Roma’s first wars were nothing in complexity or death compared to its later ones but Roma was still victorious. In 650 BC, the Etruscans came and ruled over Roma, and turned it into a settlement occupying seven hills. It is also thought many kings were of Etruscan origin. The reign of several Kings meant reformed the calendar, introduced money, built walls, sewers, and expanded the land. Roma became a regional power in central Italy but Roman citizens had enough. The Dictator Tarquinus Superbus was expelled from Roma leading to the creation of the Roman Republic in 509 BC.

The Roman Republic is a semi democratic state due to the fact the two rulers are the elected Consuls. However, only free men have the vote and the rights of the others are limited in comparison. Furthermore, the real power lies in the wealthy Senate. This was influenced by the two main classes. There are the rich aristocracy -Optimates- and the poorer men of society -Populares-. The Republic did see many social, political and architectural reforms in the Republic granting rights, laws, political offices, and buildings.

The Republic also fought with the Etruscans and with other regional powers in central Italy. These include the Latin League, an alliance formed just to combat Roma. The Roman hoplites would beat the enemy, but their lack of tactical flexibility and combined arms would be a big weakness. In 390 BC, when a Gallic tribe decided to attack the Republic the Roman army was enveloped and destroyed due to this weaknesses. Roma was sacked by the Gauls and only a relief army from Camillus Furius stopped the Gauls.

This led to a reform in the army as the old Hoplite system was abandoned in favour of the maniple system. It was a system whereby there are three main ranks of heavy infantry to combat the enemy along with cavalry and medium range infantry. The name derives from the units in the formation, called maniples. Soldiers marched in a triplex acies formation with gaps between the lines to allow skirmishers and front line troops to retreat behind rested troops. When fighting, troops would form a single line. This formation was used over a phalanx because it was easier to maintain in elevated terrain, and would allow reserves and units to respond to flanking manoeuvres. There were several classes in the army. The Hastati, Principes and Triarii formed the heavy infantry. The Leves, Rorarii, Accensi formed the light infantry. The flanks were composed of Citizen Cavalry, allied cavalry, and allied infantry.

With this army reform, the Romans increased their strength exponentially. While there were losses, this army had more wins. They beat the Gauls several times and the remnants of the Etruscans. They also fought against Latium tribes such as the Samnites and the Latin league until the end of the third Samnite War in 290 BC. Roma had control and large influence over central and southern Italy. Northern Italy was not pacified, as there were several Gallic tribes south of the Alps. In fact, those tribes did invade Roman territory, often with help from Etruscan rebels. The first tribe, the Senones already defeated several thousand Roman troops but the Romans eventually defeated their army and laid waste to their lands. This completely removed their threat.

The next invasion came from the Boii, who feared a domino effect if Roma became too powerful. However, their two invasions were repelled so the Boii and the Romans had a peace treaty.

On the other side of Italy, the tribes of Bruttium were warring against the mainly Greek city of Tarentum, with mixed results. To end the threat, Tarentum asked the Romans for assistance, which did lead them into trouble. Roman ships near Tarentum breached a treaty that banned their ships from the Bay. While the Romans did end the tribal menace, the citizens of Tarentum destroyed the Roman ships. In anticipation of Roman retaliation, Tarentum called Pyrrhus of Epirus.

Since its founding, the eternal city of Roma has been destined for greatness. Now, 473 years later, the once small village of Roma has expanded into a mighty Republic. With the recent occupation of central Italy, it is up to you to unify Italy and make Roma’s mark on the known world. It will not be easy with numerous foes on guard to devastate and destroy your Roman lands. You have one advantage, and that is Jupiter’s might, which no mortal power can stand against!