Roman: Scipii

[rotorgun]

Craterus did start out commanding infantry, but went on to command the (in)famous Companion cavalry. Enough with the history lesson...

I'd be very happy to accept that title, thanks rotorgun.

Your welcome, as I am kind of an infantry guy, I offer my services as Polemarch of the Taxis to you.

Take care, I'm going to get back to the campaign for awile.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

Your welcome, as I am kind of an infantry guy, I offer my services as Polemarch of the Taxis to you.

Take care, I'm going to get back to the campaign for awile.

Infantry for me too. Give me a phalanx!

[GeneralHankerchief]

Infantry for me too. Give me a phalanx!

...navy?

[Rome:Total Slayer]

phalanx for defending and romans for attacking

[rotorgun]

This will be a short update of the current campaign for those who are interested. It is about 240 BC, my Scipii legions have conqured all of Sicilia, Byzacium, Tripolitania, Cyrenaica, Kydonia, and the Baliares. I did control Africa, but the Carthaginians revolted and I had to besiege the city again. They have about five turns left until starvation forces a surrender. I would take the city by storm except for the three Elephant units inside, so I am weakening them down. Most of their other units are a mixed bag of peasants and town malitia. The only province left to Carthage is Baetica and they are in a death struggle with the Spanish there.

On the diplomatic front, I have trade rights and alliances with Greece, Gual, Spain, Germania, Macedonia (after I took Cyrenaica from them), Thrace, and Dacia. I had a good treaty with Numidia, but they broke it when they attacked my fleet off Palma. They were a little upset that I captured Palma before they could, as they had an army there for that purpose. Se la guerre I always say. I captured Palma, drove his navy away, and obliterated his few soldiers with a small legion sent from Carthage. Er....that was probably why it revolted.


Haven't had any real great battles in this last round. It should be interesting to see what Numidia will do now. I face the possability of a two front war with a rebellious population to attend to as well. Hmm....shades of Iraq? It ought to prove an interesting phase in the campaign. Any good suggestions on fighting the Numidians?

[GeneralHankerchief]

Rotor: Sounds interesting so far, keep up the good work. If you're looking for decent battles with Numidia, look elsewhere. The best armies to take them out are mobile, easily flexible ones. Size is not a must, but you'll be doing a lot of marching through the desert. Also, since Egypt almost certainly has Siwa by now, they have only two coastal provinces; their capital and Tangier (forget the actual name but it's something like that). Blockade them. You could probably defeat Numidia by attrition and have them become your protectorate, now that I think about it.

As far as the Carthage City situation goes, it's smart just waiting for them to starve, although they may sally at the last possible instant. Be ready. When you finally do take the city, exterminate. Otherwise you'll be dealing with problems throughout the game. Don't forget to demolish that Temple of Baal and replace it with Saturn or something along those lines.

I'd let Corduba be, the Spainiards will finish it off eventually. Unless you plan to break your alliance with Spain, in which case I recommend taking it for yourself. Good luck.

[rotorgun]

Appreciate the advice GeneralHandkerchief, I'll probably take some of it in my campaign. As for Siwa, it is currently Numidian, but it is cut it off from relief by my control of Cyrenaica and Tripolitania. I have no idea yet what strength he has in Siwa, hence my fears of a two front war in this region. I surmise that he is not too strong, but will send a spy or a scout there soon.

Good advice about Carthage. I'll let them starve until they come out to fight, then crush them! There is no way for them to be relieved, unless Numidia attacks me from Cirta, but I don't think they'll risk it. I'll have to keep a watch for them, so I've a line of watchtowers along the border. As far as Corduba goes, I may not have to worry about it if the Spanish finish it off first. If they don't, I will send a force from the Baliares to do so, as it will give me an inroad to the Iberian penninsula. Much will depend on how things shape up in the east.

Greece is developing into quite a power in this game, and it looks like they have consolidated their hold over Hellena. Macedonia is left with only their homeland, and the Brutii are having some difficulty establishing a foothold. The Senate has already ordered me to blockade Sparta, which I did, but the Greeks immediately sued for peace on the next turn, which I accepted. It was sweet as the Senate rewarded me with a Bireme at Capua, and I was able to keep peace with Greece, which should give me some breathing space to improve my lot on Kydonia. I would like to develp the island into a trade colossus/staging area.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

The Numidians have a toughness that's suprising.

Desert Infantry is surprisingly high morale -- do not treat them like Eastern infantry -- they're more like weak triarii.

Do not go chasing off after the Numid Jav-cav, it's high stamina and faster than yours (but do enjoy sandwiching them with two cavalry from opp directions, their knife-work doesn't hold up).

Make sure you have long-ranged archery available as your missile troops. The numidians are flexible, but lack any long rangers.

[rotorgun]

The Numidians have a toughness that's suprising.
Make sure you have long-ranged archery available as your missile troops. The numidians are flexible, but lack any long rangers.

Thanks Seamus, but what do you mean by long ranged archers? At the early stages, the only archers available to the Romans are their unarmored "Roman" type. The better auxilary aren't to be found until the Marian reforms.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Thanks Seamus, but what do you mean by long ranged archers? At the early stages, the only archers available to the Romans are their unarmored "Roman" type. The better auxilary aren't to be found until the Marian reforms.

Step right in to my humble Kydonian office oh noble scion of house Scipii. Let me inform you of my brand new rent-a-cretin --oops! -- Cretan option. Guaranteed to make your gens capable of getting someone's attention from a very long way away.....and all available for the paltry some of 800 denarii -- a trifle to such a worthy as yourself. Of course, there is the inevitable upkeep....but let us seal the deal with a dash of retzina, no?

[rotorgun]

Step right in to my humble Kydonian office oh noble scion of house Scipii. Let me inform you of my brand new rent-a-cretin --oops! -- Cretan option. Guaranteed to make your gens capable of getting someone's attention from a very long way away.....and all available for the paltry some of 800 denarii -- a trifle to such a worthy as yourself. Of course, there is the inevitable upkeep....but let us seal the deal with a dash of retzina, no?

I quite for got about the Creshan Arrsherers available there! (He slaps his forehead ) I'll have to send a family member back there to hire some pronto. It may be a bit difficult as I am running out of family members battles and natural causes. It may also be a wasted effort considering that I have reduced Numida to the two landlocked provinces of Gaetulia and Sahara. Thanks just the same.

A quick update on the campaign seems to be in order. In a strange turn of events, I managed to recapture Carthage, taking GeneralHandkerchief's idea of starving them out. On the last turn they came out fighting, got routed, and I chased them through the burning oil at the gates. After a moderate amount of casualties , I managed to get a unit up on the wall to capture the gates. Needless to say, I exterminated the population.

After this, it was a mad dash to the city square to eliminate the Carthaginian general and his remnants. I had to look over my shoulder as a Numidian army went rampaging past Thaspus on its way to besiege Lepcis Magna. I sent a task force under my victorious commader from the Carthage operation, and with some added reinforcements from Thaspus took the Numidians from the rear. While I was able to send them packing, enough of this force escaped to cause me to pursue it back towards Dimiddi. This turned out to be a diversion as my watch towers soon picked up a sizable force moving on Carthage from Cirta. I redirected through the mountain passes and chased this force into Cirta where I besieged the settlement. All was going well on this front.

Not wanting to miss an opportunity to take a stab at Corduba, I sent a light legion from my island home of Palma, which was my original plan. I should have taken GH's advice and left this to the Spanish. As it happened I badly botched the timing of my siege, and attacked the city at the same time that the Spainiards too were besieging. I managed to take the city in a costly attack, thinking that if I got to the town square before them that I would gain the spoils. I forgot about my alliance with them and, to my surprise, had to hand it over to them. No amount of bartering would get it back either. (Cabrones!)

I cut my losses, embarked the troops, and headed for Tingi. This town had only one lonely family member as a garrison. I later found out why, but for the present I took Tingi on the next turn. I thought that I was doing pretty well when......back on the ranch at Cirta, my besieging force, which was a full card outfit, was, out of the blue, attacked by a full-sized Numidian army that could only have come from Tingi! To top it all off, they also had the garrison as reinforcements as well. The odds for the fight were 1-1, believe it or not, so I decided to risk all on the open field. It was a great battle, with the Numidians deploying in a strange formation. They placed their missle cavalry in the center at first, while the desert infantry were split on each wing and intermixed with some archers and javelinmen. I had to quicly regroup my available hastati to meet each threat, choosing a sort of modified L formation with my velites deployed in front to delay his skirmishers. My Numidian cavalry was deployed on each wing along with a unit of Numidiam skirmishers each. This way they could use a bit of combined arms tactics. My General and my cavalry was deployed in the center as a reserve.

The battle developed with the advance of his missle cavalry first. These briefly engaged my line of velites to push them in. Once that was done, the enemy cavalry seemed to swarm towards my right flank. I was ready for them there with the Numidians on that flank and a big skirmish ensued. Meanwhile, the main infantry lines began to close, first on my left flank, then my right center. The hastati began to throw their pilum to great effect, stopping the enemy infantry in their tracks. After one more volley, I charged the them on my left, while whipping my left flank Numidians around to envelop their archers and skirmishers. On my right, which was echeloned back slightly, I managed to beat off the enemy cavalry momentarily. As his left flank infantry trying to close with the Numidians, I saw a gap appear in his line. I now threw my three hastati on this flank into the gap and directed them to engage individual units within charge range. Soon the melee was general along the whole front. The enemy commited two of his generals to my right center as I had opened up my own gap when the hastati charged. That is when I commited my reserve equites and my own commander. It was a pell mell fight and in a few moments his generals were both killed. It was at this time that I lost Quintus Scipio, my ablest commander. Although it was a blow to my troops, they valiantly began to route the desert infantry that they had been fighting. The enemy began to give way all along the line.

It was at this point that I lost control over the battle. I got so tied up in chasing the enemy that my formations began to break up. I should have regrouped and waited for the enemy reinforcements, but my blood was up, and I almost lost the battle then. Thankfully, I gathered my wits and reorganised just enough to take them on and beat them. As Wellington said at Waterloo, "It was a close run affair" or something like that. As I could not catch them all, due to my army being in some disorder, the enemy remnants retreated to Cirta. I besieged that settlement in about three turns, and it is now a Scipii country villa. Just as I sat down to enjoy a little coffee break , the city of Thaspus, now denuded of all but four town watch, revolted, and is now occupied by a force of about seven Iberian infantry along with three Roundshield cavalry, and couple of Lybiansoearmen as well. But that is another story.

To think that this was supposed to be a quick update. I went on a bit too long again. I hope that it was entertaining.

Thanks to all for lending me your eyes.

PS: Stand by for the saga of Thaspus!

[GeneralHankerchief]

That is quite possibly the strangest campaign I've ever seen, with the Numidians leading you everywhere through the desert. I must admit I did not expect them to have such a sizeable force, perhaps this was because you took care of Carthage early. And I have no idea why they haven't been kicked out of Siwa yet.

Congrats on your victory at Cirta, but too bad about Quintus. I'm sure he'll be missed. If I read correctly you destroyed two full stacks at the battle so Numidia should be all but dead, especially since you took two of their richer provinces. As for Thapsus, Iberians are pathetic but Libyan spearmen are somewhat toughter. I'd attack immediately if the walls are wooden, starve 'em if the walls are stone. Make sure you have siege engines (preferrably ladders or towers) if it is stone so you don't have to lose anybody to the oil in the sally attempt.

Too bad about Corduba. I have a question about that: did you initiate the final assault? Because the person who takes the city is the one who gives the order to attack. It also works this way in a sally/relief force effort, the person who gets the city is the one whom the besieged/relief force targers. If the Spanish took you along for the ride then you should have just stayed back and prayed that the attempt failed.

I look forward to where you will go next since Spain is pretty much closed and Numidia is all but finished. Best of luck.

[rotorgun]

That is quite possibly the strangest campaign I've ever seen, with the Numidians leading you everywhere through the desert. I must admit I did not expect them to have such a sizeable force, perhaps this was because you took care of Carthage early. And I have no idea why they haven't been kicked out of Siwa yet.

I have actually already taken Siwa. I guess in all the excitement of my last post I forgot to mention it. It has already been the target of the Egyptians, but I beat them off in a small, but interesting engagement. They came at my force of 4 Hastati, 1 Equite, and 2 Numidian Skirmishers in a street fight. They had 2 Desert Axemen, 3 Pharoh's Bowman, 1 Pharoh's Spearmen, and 1 Heavy Chariot, all level 2 experienced and up-armored a little. Not wanting to get pummeled by the bowmen in a stand at the walls, I opted for an in-depth street defense. The 4 Hastati were arranged to intercept the enemy in the narrow streets leading to the town square. My Skirmishers and Equites were kept in a central reserve to be thrown wherever needed during the fight.

The enemy came on with their rams and broke through. It seemed that the AI had a few moments of indecision, but soon sorted out his forces. He sent one Axe unit to try and outflank me with the Charoits, while the Others made a dash around my other flank. They had no choice as the streets of Siwa were arranged this way in relation to their axis of attack. My right flank Hastati easily routed the Chariots, which don't care for melee with good infantry, and then routed the Axes as well. (I'll have to pin a medal on that unit commader's chest) I destroyed the entire Chariot force, which for some reason had routed towards the center of town, with my Equites. These helped to finish off the routing Axemen and then doubled back to the main square. Meanwhile the entire force of Bowmen with the remaining Axemen was enticed to chase one of my Hastati down a narrow passage. The Hastati turned to fight and threw their pilum. As they engaged the enemy Axes, one of my Skirmishers worked around to the rear of the unsuspecting bowmen. These were engaged, and I could see an immediate drop in enemy morale, as they were now trapped in the narrow alley between my units. As this fight commenced for real, the enemy Spears now tried to make an appearance. These were charged by a hidden unit of Hastati and flanked by the other Lybian unit. The Spearmen never stood a chance, and soon were routed.

With the fight in the narrow street becoming desperate, I sent all available reinforcements to aid my hard fighting soldiers. Soon another Hastati, the one that had run off the Spearmen, added its strength to hit the bowmen, while the now free Equites hit the Axemen engaged with the first Hastati unit. In a matter of minutes the enemy's unit flags began to turn white. I had the whole force on the run. As I had sent the unengaged Hastati unit running toward the gate, not a single enemy unit escaped. It was a total victory, and from what intelligence I can gather, the Egyptians will be some time in organizing another expedition.

Congrats on your victory at Cirta, but too bad about Quintus. I'm sure he'll be missed. If I read correctly you destroyed two full stacks at the battle so Numidia should be all but dead, especially since you took two of their richer provinces. As for Thapsus, Iberians are pathetic but Libyan spearmen are somewhat toughter. I'd attack immediately if the walls are wooden, starve 'em if the walls are stone. Make sure you have siege engines (preferrably ladders or towers) if it is stone so you don't have to lose anybody to the oil in the sally attempt

.
As for the victory at Cirta, it was actually about a stack and a half. The reinforcements from Cirta where a mixed bag of troop types. The main army was the force to beat, as I described in my post. If they had been able to maul me any worse than they did, I would have lost the battle. I was really quite lucky to have pulled it off.

I regards to Thaspus, I waited until they had about three turns of starvation, and then hit them in strentgh. I was really impressed the way that my own Town Malitia held up. As I only had 3 Hastati and 2 Principes, I had to use them as the main assault force. I used the Legionaries as a reserve to attack the main square. My Cavalry was saved for the end fight with the enemy Cavalry. It was really a straight forward siege. I broke through with 4 Rams, beat off the delaying force at the walls and gate, followed them when they routed, and engaged the enemy reserves in the main street leading up to the square. It was a bit touch and go here for a few minutes, but I soon had them on the run again. Their General made a terrific stand at the square, charging directly into my Principes, but the entire enemy force was soon surrounded and destroyed. I have already re-equipped this force, and it is now on its way to take Nepte. (After a skirmish or two with some rebels along the way)

Too bad about Corduba. I have a question about that: did you initiate the final assault? Because the person who takes the city is the one who gives the order to attack. It also works this way in a sally/relief force effort, the person who gets the city is the one whom the besieged/relief force targers. If the Spanish took you along for the ride then you should have just stayed back and prayed that the attempt failed.

As it happened, the Spanish were besieging the city when I arrived. I added my force to the siege, forgetting that we had an alliance. The Carthaginians sallied out to attack us and in the process were able to beat off one of the Spanish forces. I saw my chance, and made a dash for the town square, where I destroyed any Carthaginian units attempting to retake it. After the last of the enemy was destroyed, the computer handed over the city to the Spanish. I guess that this was because they were the first to besiege it. On reflection, I should have done exactly what you advised, but I just could not resist trying for the city. I was indeed taken for a ride. Oh well, live and learn, eh?

I look forward to where you will go next since Spain is pretty much closed and Numidia is all but finished. Best of luck.

Well, I have to take out Dimiddi, and Nepte. After this, I will attack the Nile Delta cities in reprisal for the attacks of the Egyptians on Siwa and my peace loving Navy. They won't like the Corvus Quinqerimes that I am now building in Syracuse!

PS edit: Thanks BTW for your compliments. I look forward to reading of some of your exploits as well.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

taking GeneralHandkerchief's idea of starving them out. On the last turn they came out fighting, got routed, and I chased them through the burning oil at the gates. After a moderate amount of casualties , I managed to get a unit up on the wall to capture the gates. Needless to say, I exterminated the population.

I have a suggestion. Now this will take longer and you may not be wanting to do this, but instead of starving them until they attack you do this:

Hold them under siege with a good amount of troops. When they finally (after loosing many troops) sally all you do is retreat. You don't have to worry about winning the city. After you retreat they will either: A) Let you retreat and stay in their settlement or B) Take a portion of their troops and attack the sieging army. Either way you're at advantage. With plan A) you can re-siege the settlement causing even more starve casualties. With B) you don't have to worry about the enemie's towers and gates helping out and you take out the enemy piece by piece.

I have to go now, but I hoped that helped.

[rotorgun]

Hi all,

I haven't been able to get back to the campaign until the yesterday, so it's been sometime since I posted. Hmm...where to begin? I guess I should start off with the current situation and work from there. It is 216 BC and the Marian reforms are in full swing. This means that my army is in a state of transition (I must sound like Donald Rumsfeld) and is a mixed bag of new and old style unit types. I have 18 provinces to my credit. These iclude Capua, all of Sicilia, Sardinia, the Baliares, every province in North Africa except Geatulia, Crete, and lastly, Thebais, Middle Eygypt, and the Nile Delta. Still, victory elludes me. Numidia, holding out in Dimmidi with a full stack army, is the key. Unfortunately, due to my war in the east with Egypt, I have had to shift rescources there which has slowed my buildup in the west-two front wars are a niusance. Capturing Alexandria, Memphis, and Thebes has been costly.

Around 225 BC or so, my navy began to suffer attacks from the Egytians. At first it was only a niusance, but by 220 BC they had began to blockade my port on Crete. On land, they had attempted to take Siwa and failed, as I accounted in my earlier post. Not able to build up much of an army in Lybia and Cyrenaica, the only provinces close enough to respond, I chose to send a full legion from Syracuse aboard my three newly constructed Corvus Quinqiremes. Having these vessels available proved its worth, as they were attacked off the coast of Lybia by the Egyptians. They were driven off with minimal loss. Having muscled my way past the Egyptian patrols, I disembarked my legion into Lybia near the Egyptian border, poised to strike for either Memphis or Alexandria. I sent a small detachment from Siwa in support to protect the southern flank of my operation.

In no time, I detected a sizable Egyptian army that had crossed the border south of Alexandria also being supported by a similar detachment, probably from Memphis, within striking distance. I decided to slip around the larger force and take out the detachment first. After a bit of tap dancing, I was able to trap it between my two armies. It was a slaughter, with only a few pitiful remnants able to crawl back to Memphis. On the next turn I engaged the larger force. This was a force of about 17 units, made up in typical Egyptian fashion: 3 Spearmen, 3 Pharoh's Bowman, 4 Desert Axmen, 3 Skirmishers, supported by 3 Heavy Chariots, incuding the General's Bodyguards, and possibly 1 Archer Chariot. All in all, it was a formidable force.

Having manuevered them into accepting an attack from two directions, I was able to dominate the action. I had a force of 7 Hastati, 3 Principes, 2 Velites, 2 Equites, and 2 Family Member Heavy Cavalry. Unfortunately I only had 1 Roman Archer (no match for the Pharoh's Bows), but I had taken the time to hire 2 Libyan Missle Cavalry and 2 Numidian Skirmishers to counter balance this. My plan was to advance at speed and quickly close the range before his Bowmen could take a toll. I grouped 6 of my Hastati in my main line, supported by the Velites and my Archers, With my commander behind to stiffen their morale in the charge. On each flank I positioned my Numidian Horse and Foot Skirmishers, grouping them together for mutual support. As the Numidian Javelin can almost keep up with the Cavalry in a run, their job was to range ahead and harrass the enemy Chariots with missle fire. Behind this screen, I positioned my remaining Hastati and General on the left, with the 3 Principes and both Equites on the right. My intention was to move the whole army at a run toward the Egyptian line, slipping my Hastati main line a little to the left, engage the enemy right, and thrust hard at the enemy's left flank with my Principe/Equite force in a combined arms attack. All the while being screened by the mercenaries on each flank. The General on the left flank would take his small force into the enemy back field to take out the Skirmishers. Once the Principes on the right had hit the enemy line, the Equites would go for the Bowmen.

The battle developed pretty much as planned. I had to do a bit of juggling to deal with his Chariots, but the speed of my attack took them by surprise. Expecting me to make a more methodical advance, 2 of the Chariots were caught up in the malestrom in the front line, one of them their General, who was soon killed by my brave commander. The Desert Axemen put up a good fight on the flanks, but the combined arms approach tied them up with my infantry, while the Cavalry flanked them. Soon they were destroyed or routed. The Archer Chariot got involved in a running fight with my Numidians on the left, and never was a factor in the battle. The remaining heavy Chariot seemed to hover in the rear until my Equites came thundering down on the Bowmen, who by now were also being engaged by my right flank Skirmishers. As the enemy's infantry line began to break up, some of my hard fighting Hastati attacked the Bowmen as well. This was when the Chariot held in reserve commited. It was a desperate fight at this point, but enough of my infantry began to swarm the Charioteers that they were routed. After that, the bowmen really stood no chance. Soon the whole enemy force was on the run, not all broken, but trying desperately to escape, that's when my reinforcements finally got on the scene. With only 3 Hastati and 1 Equite, they were not enough to sway things greatly, but they did put the pressure on the Egyptians. I was able, with some satisfaction, to destroy well over 2/3 of his force. This was a boon to my strategy to take Alexandria, Memphis, and Thebes afterwards.

I won't go into great detail about the capture of these three cities. I am sure that many have had greater sieges to tell of. The rest of the campaign against them consisted of the sieges, interrupted occasionaly by vain attempts by the Egyptians to relieve them from distant Jeruselam and, I think, Petra. I must have caught the Egyptian high command by surprise, because their response was peicemeal and uncoordinated. Alexandria fell first in about three turns. The enemy tried to send a relief force from Jeruselam, but as my navy had detected it coming down the coast, I was able to meet them at the bridge east of the city. It was a slaughter, as you know how bridge battles can go. I also had one tense moment in the battle for Memphis when they managed to send a decent force through the Sinai to attempt relief, but it was beaten off with heavy losses. The garrison, now even more weakened from sallying forth as reinforcements, was easily eliminated on the next turn during the storming of the city. After this it was the turn of Thebes. Having destroyed half of its garrison in the first battle of the campaign, I really had little trouble taking the city. It fell, as did Alexandria, in about three turns with little loss to my forces.

My next goal is too consolidate my gains in the east to keep Egypt at bay, while shifting my focus to the taking of Dimmidi. This should, if the Gods smile upon us, give victory. It's getting a little challenging economically, as the naval war and its effect on my trade, as well as the high cost of the Egytian campaign, has reduced my treasury immensly. Many cities are feeling the strain and have rioted due to my lack of funds for building. Things are looking up, however, and I should now have a little breathing space to rectify the situation.

I hope I haven't bored everybody. My posts do tend to go on a bit, but I enjoy sharing my tales with good listeners. We have a few good ones in the Org.

[GeneralHankerchief]

An economic suggestion if it wouldn't be too out of the way would be to take Rhodes. It's a natural trade spot and the 40% increase on trade income due to the wonder will solve some financial problems. I also don't know your policy on extermination, but just the killing off of the population would be good for some quick cash. An alternative would be to just wait. The Nile is a cash-rich area, so money should be flowing in soon.

Once your money problems are solved, I would begin to construct a mini-army in your North African provinces (infantry-heavy) in order to take Dimmidi. After all, you now have ultra-powerful units at your disposal. A 3/4 stack should easily finish the Numidians off.

If all else fails, concentrate your effort on the East, whose provinces on the Mediterranean are all rich. Eventually you should be able to overwhelm the Numidians. Best of luck.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Rhodes is always a bit of a plum -- and does not seem to draw too many counter-attacks unless Macedon is still active. Egypt is the only other faction I've seen try for it -- and I suspect you'll be keeping them busy elsewhere no?

As to keeping Egypt at bay, you might consider a series of coastal strikes using your fleet and army. Hammer and cripple Alex, Jeru, Sidon, Antioch, and Salamis (esp if you've got onagers aboard for instant attacks) in a series of strikes over about 8-9 turns and then take Rhodes afterwards for rest and refit. And by strikes, I mean take, enslave (extirm if you do that), raze buildings and up stakes. You don't care if you're creating multitudes of Eggy peasants and you get to support the People's Front of Judea into the bargain. This should slow them down a bit, but not strap you with the take, conquer and rebuild stuff.

[rotorgun]

Victrix! Nike!

Thanks to all for the great advice, and for taking the interest in this campaign. I have taken Dimmidi and won glory for the Republic. The settlement, for I would daresay call it a city, fell in a sally battle on the final turn of the siege. It was a rather anti climactic affair, to be honest. The Numidians came out of the gates and rather leisurely set up in a battle line. I was only too happy to oblige as time was on my side. It kind of surprised me, to say the least, because I expected them to try to use their superior mobility to try and work around my flanks while showering my army with missles. They just came out and set up in front of thier walls. Maybe the AI didn't know that I had seen the movie Troy, where the Trojans did the same thing in the first battle. I wasn't about to play Agamemnon to their Hector and move out into all that arrow fire from the walls.
So there we sat, niether side wanting to strike a blow. The clock was tick, tick, ticking.

Suddenly there was a flurry of movement, as the enemy began to shift units around in the line. I saw his General gallop pell mell for my right flank, and then.....they stopped! No movement. I sent my archers to seek out his, and as mine outranged his, they were wiped out to a man. Still no movement. Tick...tick...tick went the clock. Another flurry of sudden movement, but no attack. So I moved forward about a hundred (scale) feet, and waited. Still no attack. My army inched forward about fifty feet more. Finally, as the hourglass was about 3/4 full, they came on. I was expecting a full scale assault, but only the right flank of the enemy attacked. They were easily repulsed by the Auxilaries stationed there, supported by my Roman Cavalry and my Missle throwing light infantry. I did not follow the routers. Then the enemy tried my other flank, but they were met by a hail of missles from my Numidian mercenary Cavalry and Foot. I had to throw my Equites in to run off an attempt by their General to influence events. He was soon routing back inside the gates.

After a short period of reorganization, the Numidian army finally attempted a frontal assault across the whole line. It was easily beaten off by my mixed front line of Hastati, Principes and Auxilia. They were ably supported by the Velites, Light Auxilia, and Mercenary Skirmishers behind them. My Cavalry shifted from flank to flank as needed to aid a struggling infantry unit, or throw in with their Cavalry. Soon the entire force was running for the gates. Again I did not follow, and once more they came on after regaining their courage. It was in vain. In the final engagement, and the only one in which I was the aggressor, the enemy Cavalry was caught outside of the walls on another front. I actually attacked them with the Mercenary horse to draw out the General, and once he commited, I retreated this group. As they followed in pursuit, they were ambushed by my entire contingent of Cavalry. Thier gallant General went down in the struggle, and as he was the sole remaining Numidian family member, victory was mine. I accepted terms.

Well, that should rap up my reports, as I was only playing a short campaign. Had I played on, my goals were to move on the Egyptian coastline as Seamus, always a helpful advisor, recommended. I hadn't thought of making raids on their cities until he mentioned it. That would have certainly disrupted their "center of gravity" , as Von Clausewitz would say. Perhaps there is a bit of a Guerrilla fighter in you sir. I thought it was interesting that General Hankerchief and you advised the taking of Rhodes, as this is what the Senate had ordered me to do two turns before I won. Have either of you ever considered the military as a profession? The Pentegon could probably make use of your talents.

Thanks to all once again. I'll be attending my annual training on Saturday, so won't be able to begin a new campaign until June. What faction do you recommend? I've played all the Roman factions already, along with the Greeks. A BI faction perhaps?

[Craterus]

You could go for BI, or you could go for an eastern faction and use cav-heavy horse archer armies *drools*. Try Scythia or Armenia. It's a completely different campaign to the one's you've tried already.

Best of luck whoever you choose.

[GeneralHankerchief]

I'd go with Carthage, there's so many options for starting out. Do you blitz the Romans? Hunker down into your core territories? Pack up and move to Spain or Crete? The possibilities are endless.

(Oh, plus, you get elephants )

Interesting close to the campaign. The final battle proceeded almost exactly as a recent one I had when I was sieging a Gallic settlement with a full-stack inside. However, when they were engaging me fully I snuck a battering ram into the city and pounded away. All of a sudden there was this massive barbarian army that was regrouping. They were easily crushed.

Congrats and thank you for the Pentagon recommendation. However, I find military strategy much easier when it is 2,000 years out of date.

[Craterus]

Congrats and thank you for the Pentagon recommendation. However, I find military strategy much easier when it is 2,000 years out of date.

Modern warfare is a completely different kind of strategy (if you can call it that). Boring stuff though. I prefer Ancient warfare too.

[rotorgun]

Congrats and thank you for the Pentagon recommendation. However, I find military strategy much easier when it is 2,000 years out of date.
Agreed. LOL

Modern warfare is a completely different kind of strategy (if you can call it that). Boring stuff though. I prefer Ancient warfare too.

Very true. I sometimes feel as Patton felt....there is no glory, nothing is affirmed. No Brad, in the next war were all going to have to be pencil pushers and aministrators as well as soldiers. (Patton) How prophetic, just look at Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Well General Hankerchief, Carthage it will be. I think it a very apt suggestion. I'll start up the campaign over Memorial day weekend. An appropriate time to begin, no?

[Krauser]

Finished my second Julii campaign and decided to play the Scipii again. I restarted once not realizing how aggressive the Julii AI is towards Carthage now in v1.5. They took Caralis and Palma while I was busy with Carthage and Lilybaem. This was unacceptable so I restarted and sent groups of 3 hastati with a general, if available, to both Palma and Caralis. Caralis was a close one but I was able to make the first attack with the Julii as reinforcements. Of course, I let the Julii take the brunt of the attacks. After most of the Julii had been routed, I mopped up the remaining enemy cavalry and militia scattered about. That setback actually made the game better though because I had to really use my turns wisely. I have to say the Julii are the most boring Roman faction, it's just too easy. The Scipii so far seem to be the most fun because there are so many different options available.

[Pontifex Rex]

Greeting, fellow Romans,

I am about to emabark on my first Scipii campaign nearly 2 years and thought I would post every five years or so to give you ladies and gentlemen a chance to comment,...or laugh your togas off.

I play with a few self-imposed handi-caps to give the AI more of a chance to provide a good game and make my own life more difficult. They include:

i) no peasant garrisons, minimum acceptable are Town Watch. We can't have the lowly 'mob' being policemen,...very un Roman.
ii) no hide and seek tactics. If I get a small army caught in the open I don't run around the map until the clock runs out. Stand and fight,...they are barbarians!
iii) no massive assassination campaigns against the Senate or other Roman factions. I don't mind messing with them strategically but there must be honour amoung Romans.
iv) no taking adavantage of glitches and/or 'cheats'. My ego can take a few lost battles.


Five year plan for 270-266 BC

My stratagy this time will be somewhat different as I will swing eastward from the very beginning. I hope to secure Salona, Appolonia and Kydonia as quickly as possible and develop their trade and mines. I am a big fan of mercs and play the high tax/slow growth game (required for large merc legions). With luck the Greeks and Carthaginians will fight each other for a while in Sicily and I can get the three territories painlessly. I'll be building ports, traders, then missile and cavalry facilities. Diplomats will strike out to set up as many trade routs as possible. Priority will be on securing the "wonders" if the first 5 years goes well.

Back in few hours with the results of the first 5 years (hopefully).

[GeneralHankerchief]

Is your game patched to 1.5? If it is, your game won't cripple the Brutii as much because they'll just swing over to Sicily and take it for itself (Or do I have it in reverse and do the Scipii go for Greece? )

Interesting strategy you have going. I have my doubts about whether Appolonia can be taken but if you get it before our green friends than more power to ya. Best of luck.

[Dominii]

If you're able to take Salona and Appolonia then good luck, otherwise I would suggest you wait until the Brutii have landed and are in the middle of wiping out the Greeks, then go after them in Southern Greece. I recommend you attack Syracuse to start the war, then create a force of hastati to take over to Sparta and Corinth, try to grab Athens if you can, but by then the Brutii should have taken Thermon, Larissa and Thessalonica. This not only gives you the richest cities in Greece, but some of the most advanced in the game at that point. The Brutii will then strike North into Dacia and Thrace, leaving you, their trusted Roman ally right in their exposed underbelly with their legions in the barbarian north. Ideal for when the civil war comes and you can use a few armies to capture the Brutii cities in Greece, leaving them with only the poorer, less developed cities in the wilderness

[Eagle Ranger]

If you're able to take Salona and Appolonia then good luck, otherwise I would suggest you wait until the Brutii have landed and are in the middle of wiping out the Greeks, then go after them in Southern Greece. I recommend you attack Syracuse to start the war, then create a force of hastati to take over to Sparta and Corinth, try to grab Athens if you can, but by then the Brutii should have taken Thermon, Larissa and Thessalonica. This not only gives you the richest cities in Greece, but some of the most advanced in the game at that point. The Brutii will then strike North into Dacia and Thrace, leaving you, their trusted Roman ally right in their exposed underbelly with their legions in the barbarian north. Ideal for when the civil war comes and you can use a few armies to capture the Brutii cities in Greece, leaving them with only the poorer, less developed cities in the wilderness

Yes, good strategy Rex and Dominii. It helps alot if you have a toe hold in Greece for the later game to cut the Romans in two. I too did that. I also went out a captured all of the greek islands like you plan to, they are extremely rich and provide naval conrol.

[Pontifex Rex]

*NB* addendum to self imposed handicaps -

v) No city walls. That is, if the locale has some sort of city walls when it is taken they can/will be repaired. However, any village town without walls will not have walls or pallisades constructed. Adds to the fun.

Report to the Senate, 465 BC

Greetings, fellow Romans,

I have both good news to report and a some potentially damaging bad news. The good news is that Salona, Appolonia and Kydonia have fallen and are being developed. A cavalry facility has been complete at Capua and our troops in Sicily are being reinforced with the first units. A 'Practice Range is about to be completed in Messana and will provide a few missile troops for the I Legion. The three Greek colonies are currently getting their economic houses in order and Appolonia is now able to produce a few Town Militia to garrison itself and Salona.

The bad news lays in the arrival two pirate fleets off the coast Sparta (50 ships and 75 ships) and south of Kydonia immediately after its capture. Depite attempts by our squadron of 20 biremes to evade, it was intercepted by both fleets and lost along with two cohorts of Hoplite Mercenaries, one cohort of Hastadi and one cohort of Cretan Archers. Further, General Quintus Scipio and the remnants of II Legion (one cohort of Hastadi and one of Roman Archers) are now marooned on Kydonia. The balance of our fleet (20 Biremes) is off the coast Campania shuttling Cavalry to Sicilia Romanus.

Five Year Plan for the years 465 - 461 BC

More ships are under construction at Capua and the plan is to gather some 80-100 ships and sweep the seas between Athens and Rome of any enemy ships while at the same time reinforcing the army in Greece. With some luck, Salona and Appolonia can continue on the economic track for the next five years while building up their population.

In the meantime, General Gaius Scipio is raising a third legion (III) of mainly mercenaries in Epirus with the intent of marching on Corinth. It is coinsidered wise at this point to join the Brutii there before they break into the city and take possession of the wonder. Syracuse has fallen to the Carthaginians but we feel we are currently strong enough to hold our own on Sicily. Messana will follow its construction of the 'Practice Range' with 'Stables', which should make the city self-sufficient for troop training in the near future. Capua, after finishing its paved roads will construct an 'Archery Range' and will become the factions main supplier of archers for now. Infantry forces will either come hiring mercenaries (Samnite or Hoplite) or the raising of a few Hastadi cohorts.

If events unroll as we hope, the next 5 years should be fairly calm with Corinth falling into our hands. Next report in early Spring 460BC.

Ave Roma!!

[Tellos Athenaios]

As the Scipii you don't have to worry much about the Julii in v 1.5:
they do take Caralis and Palma but these are relatively slow growing military unimportant cities.

Instead they leave the far more interesting regions of Narbo Martius and Massilia over to anyone who doesn't mind killing of a few Gauls for the sake of his empire. I actually found the Julii in the middle of a rather 'stupid' war: they landed near Osca, atacked the Spanish, got slaughtered, retried to capture the place and were busy doing that while a blitz campaign of mine enabled me to take: Narbo, Massilia, Lugdunum, Mediolanium, and Patavium.

Also: my Greek campaign meant that my Faction heir, now Leader leaded an army from Syracuse to Greece taking every settlement the Brutii had been busy weakening there. This resulted in me controlling virtually all of Greece, my Faction Leader becoming eventually a 10 star general when I sent him on a quick campaign in Illyria and the settlements the Gauls had conquered while the Julii didn't take care of the Gauls.

Instead of caring about those two regions on top of this post, I'd say focus on Greece and Southern France if you can - there are the strategically most important regions if you want to 'contain' your allies within your borders for as much as possible - and grab those very rewarding provinces!

[Quillan]

When I play the Scipiones, my usual strategy is to build a diplomat in Messana and consolidate my entire military force there. I capture/enslave Syracuse, destroy the greeks that are out in the field, and then make peace with the greek diplomat on the island. A little rebuilding while my diplomat moves over to Carthage, and then I take Lilybaeum, destroy any Carthaginians on the island, and make peace with them. After that I swing east. The Bruti have taken Appolonia by that point, but I'll swing in and take Kydonia and Halicarnassus (Byzantium was still rebel at this point the last time I played), and afterwards go back to war with the Greeks, taking Rhodes followed by Sparta. If the Greeks own Athens, I'll take that too, but that gives me a great economy with growth potential and I can go wherever circumstances dictate from that point.