The Rise of the Alemanni - PBM write-ups thread

[econ21]

Death was called Jovianus Carus.

The old crone had been right - scarcely had Hortar broke camp, than a large Roman army under the command of one Jovianus Carus had appeared. It had come to relieve Quartinus Varius in Augusta Vindelicorum. Hortar had left not a moment too soon, for his modest army would have been no match for the combined Roman forces.

Now Carus had left Varius in Augusta Vindelicorum and was marching east. The large Roman force was evidently seeking to rest back Carnuntum, which Suomar had recently occupied.

“We must march to father’s aid” Cimberius pleaded.

Hortar deliberated. A smaller Roman army had been sighted to the east of Vicus Allemanni, rading the hinterland. Hortar had three choices - drive off the marauders, besiege Augusta Vindelicorum or assist his father by purusing Carus.

Cimberius spoke at length to persuade his brother: “Father’s men are unlikely to be able to withstand a Roman siege for even a season. The Roman infantry is in its element fighting at close quarters on city walls. Until we have trained our chosen axemen, few Allemanni can match them in such fighting.”

Hortar nodded. No doubt the Lombard berserkers would have fought bravely, but they had neither the numbers nor the discipline to be relied upon.

“Yes, I will march to our father’s aid.” Hortar said finally.

“We will march” Cimberius corrected. Hortar looked sharply at the younger man. Hortar planned to take every warrior he could muster, living only a few peasants to garrison their stone-walled garrison. But he had thought of living Cimberius as the governor.

Cimberius seemed to read his mind: “Don’t even think of it!”

Hortar smiled reluctantly. His brother’s escort was a powerful addition to his small army. Having learnt of the size of the Carus’s Roman force, he would need every blade.



The decisive battle of the decade: Jovianus Carus rounds on his pursuers, Hortar and Cimberius.

Hortar’s men were on the defensive. The Roman force was comprised primarily of cavalry - four companies of foederati, one of mercenary equites, one of horse archers and the Carus’ own troop of German bodyguards. In addition, it was supported by two cohorts of mercenary veteranii and one of unit of bucellari. Two of the foederati broke off from the main force and worked their way around the Allemanni right. Hortar directed his archers to target this flanking force, but still it came on.



Cimberius’s escort drive off the Roman flanking force, as the main enemy line approaches.

The rest of the battle was a confused and bloody affair. The Roman veteranii charged the Allemanni line, supported by Carus’s own bodyguard. The Allemanni spearmen suffered greatly, but held, allowing flanking forces of berserkers and night raiders to come to their aid. Hortar’s own bodyguard broke several companies of Roman horse but was left isolated ahead of the main melee. Turning back, Hortar saw Cimberius’s escort crash into the battle and give battle to the fierce German horsemen escorting Carus.



The climax of the battle, but at the moment of victory, Cimberius comes perilously close to the Roman general’s elite escort of German horse.

Hortar reigned his horse back and turned to return to the fray, but already the Romans were broken, streaming past him. He arrived at the centre of the battlefield, looking in vain for his brother.

“Cimberius! Cimberius!” he shouted and then noticed a small party gathered kneeling in a circle. Hortar quickly dismounted from his horse and ran with a rising sense of dread towards the gathering. He pushed through them to see the body of his brother, lying motionless and broken on the ground.



Cimberius’s body is taken back to Vicus Alemanni for mourning