Horns of the Bull - Carthage...our homeland

[Braden]

Out of Character note: This is short mainly as I made no notes whilst I played - was recovering from illness etc.

In Character:

As I lay here in my tent, weak and old, I look back on the last few years and see that I have done all that I could. Friends have become enemies, whilst we have deserted friends whilst keeping others by our side.

The physician tells me I will not last the night and I have little to show the world for my reign. No great buildings or conquests do I leave behind me as I pass to the beyond.

The Romans have been our unyeilding enemies for many years now. At first we approached them and sought to ally with them but they were swift to turn against us. I took what warriors I had a struck out against them and took Messana. Since that day, some 6 or so years hence, they have continued to plague me and my family.

It seems that only now, at the eve of my death, have there armies been turned from our homes. Only this summer I fought a battle....nay, no battle. How can my army against one unit of infantry be called a battle?

Trapped, leaderless and placed on our shores for what reason? What did the Julii think to achieve with such a wasteful gesture?

No matter, I have rebuilt our navies, retaken our lost cities bar Palma. I have laid waste to countless "noble" Romano citizens yet I feel I leave my Heir with little more hope than we had when the Romans first tried to destroy me....

[Braden]

ok an edit didn't bring this upto the top...D'oh!

[YAKOBU]

It is 257BC and Hasdrubal becomes leader of the Carthaginian faction on the death of his father Hanno who died peacefully in his sleep. Hasdrubal has 2 brothers, Theophanes and Bomilkar as well as another, Burrhus who died heroically in battle in 267BC. On the death of his father Hasdrubal names his deceased brothers son Theages as his heir. Theages has little love of commanding troops but has shown an aptitude for management and influence. Hasdrubal believes it is this aptitude that will lead his faction forward after his death.

257BC
Hasdrubal sees that Carthaginian finances are critical for survival and believes the only hope is the capture of Syracuse. In preparation for this he cancels the alliance with the Greeks. He strengthens the navies around Sicily for the expected backlash from the Greeks as well as the continuing attacks from the Romans. News reaches us of a plague in Cordoba which is severely weakening our garrison. We are unable to reinforce it at present as all troops are needed around Sicily and Carthage.

256BC
Theages easily takes Syracuse from its small Greek garrison and the survivors are enslaved. Our strengthened navy manages to defeat Greek, Julii, Brutii and Gaul navies. This enabled us to stop Greek, Julii and Brutii reinforcements which were being transported to Sicily. The Numidians look threatening as 3 small Numidian armies camp outside Thapsus and a Numidian agent is detected and executed.



255BC
Our navy manages to defeat Greek, Scipii and Brutii navies. This enabled us to stop Brutii reinforcements which were being transported to Sicily. Unfortunately our navy did not manage to apprehend a Julii army that landed and laid siege to Caralis. The Spanish took advantage of the plague-weakened garrison at Corduba and laid siege. The Numidians also unsurprisingly laid siege to Thapsus.

254BC
Our navy manages to defeat Greek and Spanish navies but was surprised and beaten by a pirate navy. Asdroubas sallies from Thapsus and manages to defeat the sieging Numidians. This proves to be a feint by the Numidians who immediately lay siege to our capital Carthage. Bisaltes shows himself to be a Confident Commander by relieving the siege of Caralis. The Spanish defeat our plague-weakened garrison at Corduba and Hasdrubals brother Theopanes is killed in the fighting.



253BC
Our navy manages to defeat Julii and Brutii navies. This enabled us to stop Brutii reinforcements which were being transported to Sicily. Bisaltes hunts down the remaining Julii army on Caralis and shows them no mercy. Hasdrubal sallies forth from Carthage and easily defeats the sieging Numidians.

252BC
Both the Egyptians and Seleucids accept trade rights but refuse an alliance. Both Carthage and Thapsus are blockaded by the Spanish but our navy breaks the blockades. Our navy manages to defeat a pirate navy.

251BC
News reaches us that the Macedon faction has been destroyed. Again the Egyptians and Seleucids refuse an alliance. Caralis is blockaded by the Julii. Muttanbaal marries Juba who has proven himself to be a Good Commander.

250BC
Our navy manages to defeat Julii and Spanish navies. This enabled us to stop a Spanish army which was being transported to Carthage. Pirates defeat our navy in an ambush. The navy was carrying Adroubas and an army destined for Parma. The army survives but the navy is severely weakened. Our faction leader Hasdrubal dies and Theages becomes the new faction leader.

[YAKOBU]

249BC
Theage becomes leader of the Carthaginian faction on the death of his father Hasdrubal who died peacefully in his sleep. He sees that his faction has many enemies and that to survive he must carve out ceasefires and alliances where possible.
Admiral Bodinelqart defeats a Brutii fleet that was carrying a large army. Admiral Philosir sinks a Greek fleet that blockaded Thapsus. The Gauls blockade Syracuse.
The Numidians reject a ceasefire.
News reaches us that the Seleucids are destroyed.
The Julii besiege Caralis with a small army.

248BC
Admiral Bodinelqart again defeats a Brutii fleet that was carrying a large army. Admiral Philosir catches up with the Brutii fleet and sinks it along with the army. Admiral Bodinelqart is then ambushed by pirates and his weakened fleet is defeated. The Julii blockade Caralis.
Bisaltes sallies from Caralis and defeats the small Julii army.
Juba is ambushed at the border by the Numidians but defeats them in a heroic victory.



On the way back to Thapsus he also defeats 2 small Numidian armies. The Numidians siege Thapsus.
The Greeks request a ceasefire and we accept along with trade rights. The Spanish accept a ceasefire along with trade rights. The SPQR reject a ceasefire.

247BC
Admiral Ahiram and Admiral Philosir join forces to sink a Julii fleet along with its large army. Admiral Bodinelqart defeats a Brutii fleet that was carrying a small army. Admiral Ahiram catches up with the Brutii fleet and sinks it along with the army. Admiral Philosir sinks a Julii fleet blockading Caralis.
Juba relieves the siege of Thapsus.
The Gauls agree to a ceasefire and accept an alliance and trade rights. Pontus accept trade rights.
Abascantus comes of age and is already renowned as a military genius.

246BC
The Numidians again reject a ceasefire.
News reaches us that the Thracians are destroyed.

245BC
The Julii blockade Syracuse.

244BC
Admiral Bodinelqart defeats the Julii fleet to break the blockade of Syracuse. The Julii then blockade Thapsus.
Abascantus sets of by sea with an army to try and retake Palma from the Julii.
The Greeks accept an alliance.

243BC
Admiral Bodinelqart sinks a Julii fleet blockading Syracuse.
The Brutii lay siege to Messana.

242BC
Admiral Ahiram with the help of the Gauls defeats a Julii fleet carrying a small army. The weakened Admiral Ahiram and the Gauls are then defeated by the Julii navy. Admiral Bodinelqart defeats a Brutii fleet that was carrying a small army.
Abascantus lands at Palma and immediately attacks. Palma is garrisoned by the legendary Quintus Julius but Abascantus defeats him and enslaves the population.



Theages relieves the siege of Messana.



241BC
Admiral Ahiram sinks the Julii fleet to break the blockade of Thapsus. Admiral Bodinelqart sinks a Brutii fleet that was carrying a small army. The Numidians again reject a ceasefire.

240BC
The Julii blockade Caralis.
The Numidians siege Thapsus.

239BC
Admiral Bodinelqart and the Gauls are defeated by a Brutii fleet.
Bisaltes sieges and takes the Numidian capital of Cirta enslaving the population.



Asdroubas relieves the siege of Thapsus.
A small Scipii army lands near Caralis.

[TinCow]

The wind whipped through his hair as the screams of dying horses filled his ears. With his eyes closed, Asdroubas Ilipa, brother of Chief Magistrate Theages, gripped his mount hard and shouted with joy. He never felt as alive as he did when he was leading men into battle. The rush filled him and he opened his eyes to see the spectacle unfolding around him.

The land was mainly barren pasture with a few small trees scattered across the horizon. They were too far from Lepcis Magna now to see any farmland or other indications of habitation. The only evidence of civilization at all was the shallow dirt road running off to the west and the small line of wagons behind him. It was the wagons that had made this place important, at least for a day. His scouts had reported the previous morning that a Numidian nobleman was making his way towards the city with a small guard of about a hundred men. Apparently they were unaware that Lepcis Magna had fallen only weeks before. Asdroubas had ridden out to meet them.

He had brought on the Long Shields with him this time, leaving the rest of the light horse and the mercenaries inside the city. The population was not large enough to threaten the army with a revolt, but the men deserved to rest and Asdroubas had known it would be more like a hunt than a battle.

Asdroubas had been in Thapsus when Theages had taken over the role of Chief Magistrate.



The old traditions separating civil governance and military command had come to an end with the beginning of what some Romans were apparently calling the Punic War. Members of the oligarchy served both functions now, as necessity required. In the summer of 238, Asdroubas had given the governorship of the city to Juba Utica and gone to confront the Numidians.

Carthage and Sicily had been relatively secure, but Thapsus had remained weak. The wooden walls had not provided much of an obstacle to an attacking army and the garrison of poorly trained town militia and “Iberian” infantry had been ineffective fighters at best. To the west and the south, sizeable Numidian forces roamed the countryside, causing devastation wherever they went. Thapsus had been besieged no less than three times in recent years. Asdroubas had known that if something was not done, Thapsus would soon be under siege again.

Something was exactly what he had decided to do. Leaving the slow infantry behind, he had ridden forth at dawn with his personal guard and 150 mounted men. Two-thirds of them had been the lightly armed Round Shields, with only 42 of the more heavily armed Long Shields. They had not been a powerful force, but they were not mean to destroy the enemy, only to harass them. Asdroubas had decided to make a lightning quick strike against the nearest Numidian force, inflicting as many casualties as possible before withdrawing to the city. The enemy had been more than double their number and had not expected this sort of attack. As it turned out, neither had Asdroubas.



He had divided his men into two groups. The more numerous Round Shields would ride into the Numidian right flank while Asdroubas’ guard and the Long Shields attacked the left.



Their advance had been so swift that the enemy had not been able to prepare a suitable defensive line. The cavalry had ridden into the enemy skirmishers on both sides and scattered them like chaff in the wind.



The strike had gone so well, that no one had even looked for the command to withdraw. Just as well, since Asdroubas had not given it. With the flanks in flight, both wings instinctually wheeled towards the enemy spearmen in the center. Those men had put up a much more vigorous fight, mauling the Round Shields in particular, but repeated charges to their rear had eventually broken them. In the end, the Numidian captain and his small group of mounted skirmishers had been all that remained of the 400 strong force.



An organized charge by the Carthaginians had brought them down too.



Baal had blessed them. Though only half the men had returned to Thapsus that evening, none of the enemy would ever see home. The celebrations and feasts had gone on for the next two days. The second night, Asdroubas had had a dream. In the dream, a tall, pale angel with blue eyes had spoken to him.

“The desert is an ocean in which no oar is dipped,” the angel had said, “and on this ocean, horsemen go where they please and strike where they please. This is the way the Parthians have always fought. They are famed throughout the world for fighting in this way and this is the way Carthage should fight now.” He had woken, but the words had remained. With a massive amount of territory to control, few cities from which to recruit, and only poorly trained infantry to man a battle line, Asdroubas had discovered a new way of winning wars for Carthage.

He had assembled all the mounted men that Carthage and Thapsus could provide over the next year. More than two hundred Long Shields and more than two hundred and fifty Round Shields had ridden out of Thapsus in the summer of 237, following the coast south towards Lepcis Magna.

When they had finally neared the city, a small band of Libyan mercenaries had been hired to build and man a single ram to open a passage through the walls. Before construction could be finished though, a Numidian army had attempted to break the siege.



As before, Asdroubas had split his men into two flanking forces, this time with each sporting a mix of the lighter Round Shields and the more heavily armed Long Shields.



As they had closed on each flank, the Long Shields had engaged and held the enemy from one direction while their companions circled and charged from the rear. Under the ferocious assault that broke upon them, the enemy had been quickly inundated.



Not even the main body of spearmen had been able to hold out that time, as horsemen had come at them from every direction.



The victory had been total, the losses few, and the city taken.




Asdroubas could see a group of Long Shields riding towards him now; the hunt was done. One of them pulled ahead of the others and approached him. It was Timasion, one of his captains, and he was breathing heavily.

“General, the nobleman escaped into the desert alone.” Timasion bowed his head. “We regret that his horse was too fast for us.”

Asdroubas waved his hand dismissively. “It is no matter. One man is of no threat to us, even if he is of Numidian nobility. Gather your men, we need to return to the city and prepare.”

The captain straightened a bit. “Prepare for what, sir?”

Asdroubas stared off to the west. “Dimmidi, via Nepte.”

Timasion blinked. “You are mad. To come to Dimmidi from the east, you should have to cross the Sahara Desert.”

Asdroubas turned to look at him. ”That's right.”

“The Sahara cannot be crossed.”

Asdroubas smiled, “I will cross it if you will.

Timasion’s jaw dropped. ”You! It takes more than a horse, General. The Sahara is the worst place Ba’al created.”

”I cannot answer for the place,” replied Asdroubas, ”only for myself. Five hundred men are all we will need.”

”Five hundred?” The captain couldn’t believe what he was hearing, “Against Numidia?”

”If five hundred men came out of the Sahara, there would be five hundred men other men might join.” Asdroubas looked off into the west. “There are mercenaries there I hear.”

”Mercenaries are brigands. They will sell themselves to anyone.”

The general nodded. ”Good fighters, though.”

”Good... yes.” The captain reluctantly admitted. “There are walls at Dimmidi.”

”They are wooden, Timasion, and cannot be strengthened in time. If we approach from the east, without warning, there will be no stone walls at Dimmidi.”

The captain threw up his arms, “With good reason! It cannot be approached from the east.”

”Certainly the Numidans don't dream of it.” Asdroubas lifted his arm and pointed to the setting sun. “Dimmidi is over there. It's only a matter of going.”

”You are mad.”

Asdroubas grinned.

[TinCow]

Through the gate, Abascantus Ilipa watched the Carthaginian army deploying in the field north of the city. It was an awesome sight. The Gauls, encamped on the hills to the north, would have an equally spectacular view, though perhaps they would not appreciate it quite as he did.



For the third time in a year, a Gallic force had approached the walls of Corduba, threatening to besiege the city. For the third time in a year, Abascantus had turned out the entire garrison to meet them. The city was restless due to the large Gallic influence that had seeped into the culture during the years it was lost to Carthage, but not even the most rebellious citizens would rise up during a single-day sally.

Twice before the army had deployed in front of Corduba and twice before the Gauls had seen the size of their enemy and left without a fight. Abascantus yearned for a real battle; he had not seen one for some time.

He had sailed from Palma at the same time as Bisaltes had left from Cirta. It was an organized, two-pronged campaign in the tradition of Ba’al. Abascantus would go by sea and retake Corduba from the Spanish while Bisaltes went by land and took Tingi from the Numidians. Once accomplished, the two armies could support each other, using Abascantus’ fleet to bridge the short stretch of water between them.

Abascantus and his men had been the first of the two forces to reach their destination. They had fallen upon Corduba in the summer of 235. The city had been lost to the Spanish barbarians two decades before, but upon landing the Carthaginian scouts reported that it was Gallic forces who occupied the city. There had never been any major conflicts between Carthage and Gaul and Hasdrubal had overseen the formation of a nominal alliance with them against Roman aggression. Regardless, Coduba was a Carthaginian city and it would remain a Carthaginian city no matter which people occupied it.

Out of respect for the alliance, Abascantus had sent a messenger to the city informing them that the Carthaginians had come to reclaim their territory. No answer had been received and the messenger had not returned. That had pleased him. He had employed his men in the construction of siege equipment in expectation of just such an event.




His forces had vastly outnumbered the unprepared Gauls. Using the rams and a half dozen elephants to breach the walls on two sides of the city, the Carthaginians had flooded into the streets. The defenders were quickly swept aside until only a group of elite swordsmen remained, guarding the city square. Abascantus had faced them down with a wall of spearmen, seventeen deep.



The Gauls valiantly tried to break through the front ranks, but they were too few and the spears too many. A charge by the Long Shields had finally finished them off.




Life had been boring for Abascantus since then. Merchants brought news of the destruction of the Germanic and Parthian peoples, hinting at the great wars that were being fought elsewhere.




In Corduba though, there was only governance. The people were restless after so much time away from civilized influence. The city itself looked more Gallic than Carthaginian. Despite the constant work keeping order and administering to the new construction projects, Abascantus was bored. He had been born to be a general, not a governor. The aborted Gallic sieges had given him hope of some excitement, but their reluctance to fight had frustrated him to no ends.

The army was almost done assembling in front of the north gate now. The few elephants left to him had remained in the city and the skirmishers guarded the walls over the gate, but the rest of his army was now spread out on the plain before him. He rode eagerly to the front of the ranks.

“MEN! It looks like we will have a little entertainment today!” The army cheered, they were bored of garrison duty as well. “Perhaps those barbarians over there will have more courage than their brothers! Perhaps we shall…”

A low murmur had begun in the army. A few men pointed. Abascantus turned to look at the hill. He watched for a moment then threw down his sword and spat on the ground.

“BLOODY COWARDS!”

Another Gallic army was walking away without a fight.

“COME BACK HERE YOU DEGENERATE BASTARDS!”

Abascantus was enraged. He would never get his battle, his tactical abilities would go to waste and he would spend the rest of his life as a glorified clerk. No. No, that was unacceptable. He would take his army out after them. If glory would not come to him, he would go and take it himself.

He would need to calm the unrest in the city first though; he would not have it revolting against Carthaginian rule while his men were afield.

“I’ll turn them all into proper civilized people if I have to bathe every single stinking last one of them myself,” he muttered to the quickly emptying hill. “I’ll pave the roads with gold if I have to, but when I’m done…” Abascantus watched as the green last flag dipped below the horizon in front of him.

Yes, when he was done, it would be time to play.

[TinCow]

*THUMP*

*THUMP*

Javelins were falling all around him. A scream came from the right side of the ram. Out of the corner of his eye, Thero could see another militiaman run forward from the waiting body to take the place of the man who had been struck.

*THUMP*

The gate was heavily splintered and buckling now, it would not be long before it finally burst open. The rams working on the walls on either side would take a bit longer, but soon enough there would be three gaping holes in Tingi’s fortifications. Then the real battle would begin.

The sooner the better, as far as Thero was concerned. Militia were not meant for this kind of fighting. He had signed up to help keep order in the city, to stop thieves and murderers, not to fight a war. Most of the other two-hundred and fifty odd men of the town militia felt the same way. They were natives of this city, not invaders. When the revolt had come though, they had had no choice but to flee with the army.

The riots had begun immediately after the Carthaginians had occupied the city. Bisaltes had been generous, for a conquering general. The sack that the city had so feared had never come. For the most part, only the few foolish men who had attempted to make a stand in the town square had been killed.





There had been no massacre, no enslavement and little rapine. The occupation itself had been relatively benign, in Thero’s mind. The Carthaginians were not an alien people; they worshiped the same Gods and followed the same traditions. It reality life had not changed much for the peasants. Numidian or Carthaginian, it had only really been a change in the ruling nobility. If anything, the immediate repair of public buildings and the construction of a new sewer system had actually made their lives better.

Many clearly did not think of it like this though. Rumors had it that the city’s merchant class had lost a great deal of business, with the incoming Carthaginian traders receiving preference in all deals, and had instigated the violence by bribing the rioters. Perhaps it was true, perhaps not. Regardless, on the eve of the first anniversary of the occupation, someone had murdered Bisaltes in his bed. The Carthaginian army had lost control and erupted into a murderous frenzy. Almost three thousand people had died in the resulting violence, nearly all of them Numidian.



The city had been quiet for a day or two after that, but soon fresh riots sprung up everywhere, this time with popular support. The garrison had been trapped inside their barracks for nearly a week before Captain Ribaddi had fought his way out of the city, miraculously without the loss of a single man. Even though they were natives, the town militia had been forced to flee as well. The rioters were enraged and anyone who tried to stop them, be it native or foreigner, was the enemy. Houses were looted, women raped, and innocent citizens were killed in an orgy of violence.



Remarkably, after the mayhem had subsided, the core members of mob managed to turn themselves into something of an army. Most were armed with nothing more than a few javelins and knives, but a large number had taken up reed shields and spears and over a hundred had somehow found horses and formed themselves into a rudimentary cavalry. They were not highly trained or well armed, but they were fanatical and they were numerous, with half again the numbers of the Carthaginians and the town militia.

Runners had immediately been sent to the coast to request help from General Abascantus in Corduba. In the meantime, the garrison had invested the city, planning to starve the rebellious population into submission or await the arrival of reinforcements to aid them in retaking the city. There had been some quiet discussion amongst the town militia about whether to desert, but it was apparent that the Carthaginians would be on the winning side eventually. Even if this army failed, another would soon follow. There were whispers that Nepte had fallen to a Carthaginian army that had appeared out of thin air, though some said that renegade desert mercenaries had taken the place and others that the desert had swallowed the city whole as penance for angering Ba’al. Regardless, everyone agreed that the city was lost. That left Dimmidi as the only other Numidian city west of Cyrene. Perhaps Tingi could hold out for a few more years, but even that was unlikely. In the end it would fall, and the wrath of the Carthaginians would be great. Word was spreading that the city would be made an example of, for the death of Bisaltes. When Captain Ribaddi had made it known that the families and property of all town militiamen would be safe from enslavement and confiscation, the issue had been decided.

There was still the small matter of surviving though. The siege had lasted nearly a year before word came from Corduba. A reinforcement army had landed several weeks before, on the coast east of the city. No sooner had they begun to march though than a massive Numidian column had been sighted only two days ride to the south. Heavily outnumbered and with no defensible terrain, the reinforcements had re-embarked and sailed home to Corduba. Not only was the garrison alone, but they were outside the walls and about to be assailed by a professional force even larger than the untrained one inside the city.

The decision had been made quickly. There was nowhere to run to, no chance of escape. The garrison could not hope to defeat the new arrivals in the field, much less the combined forces of both armies. There was only one chance: storm the city immediately and then hold the walls long enough for Corduba to send a larger relief force. So, here Thero found himself, manning a ram, pounding on the gates to his own city.



*THUMP*

A sharp bang partially stunned him as the locking bar finally split and the gates were slammed open. He quickly shook his head and began to heave on the ram, pulling back and away, to clear the opening for the Carthaginians waiting in massed ranks behind them. Once the ram was clear of the gate, the militia commander ordered them back from the walls. The heavy fighting would be done by the trained soldiers.



As soon as the path was clear, a loud cry came from the rear and a mass of cavalry came charging forward. With Captain Ribaddi at their head, they stormed through the gate and cut into the skirmishers on the other side. Thero craned his neck, but it was impossible to see what was going on on the other side. He knew one thing though, men were dying.



Moments later, the walls on either side came crashing down as both remaining rams finally broke through. The militiamen manning those engines similarly retreated from the walls and joined their bretheren farther back. Carthaginian spearmen and swordsmen poured into these new breaches. The roar of battle continued for some time, but eventually a runner came back from the gate area and ordered the militia forward.



The sounds of battle were still present, but they had diminished. As they crossed back into their home city, a scene of carnage unfolded around them. Dead men and horses lay scattered everywhere around the gate. A few small groups of Numidians still fought in the street, but most had either fallen or retreated into the city. The Carthaginians themselves looked mostly untouched. The Captain’s cavalry charge had taken the brunt of the fighting; pulling the majority of the Numidians towards them in a rush that had allowed them to be flanked by the infantry that came through the walls on either side. Half of the Round Shields were down, but there were few losses amongst the infantry.

Captain Ribaddi galloped up to the militia commander. “Take your men up that street there,” he said, gesturing to the western of the two streets that ran from the wall to the town square. “They have fallen back to the center and we will have to fight them there. The infantry will all go up the eastern street and we will then attack them from both sides.”

“We will have no soldiers with us, sir?” asked the suddenly ashen faced commander.

“No, the infantry will go in first and try to pull most of the enemy towards them. Your job will be to flank the enemy once they are committed. Fear not, my cavalry will ride with you. I’ll keep an eye on you and make sure your men come through this.” With that he turned and galloped off towards a unit of Carthaginian spearmen.

The militia commander took a deep breath, then turned and faced his men. “Well, you heard him, get moving!”

Ten minutes later, they were lined up in the street just outside the square. They could hear a massive fight going on to the east, and the men fidgeted nervously. Some kept their eyes on the ground, some examined their spear points, all prayed. The sound of hooves came from behind them and the ranks opened to allow the cavalry through.

“It is time men! Take back your city!” cried Captain Ribaddi, and charged forward into the square, sword raised high. There was a slight hesitation, but then, as one, the militia broke into a cheer and rushed forward. As Thero rounded the corner, the whole square came into view. To the right was a giant melee with blue and white standards intermingled so thoroughly that it was impossible to tell where one army ended and the other began. The one thing that was clear was that the Carthaginian infantry had not drawn off the entirety of the enemy. A large group of cavalry and spearmen remained uncommitted to the fight. It was towards these men that Captain Ribaddi was leading the charge.

Thero was several ranks back when the militia charge met the spearmen, but the impact was so jarring that his ears rang for an extended moment afterwards. It was impossible to see what was going on in front of him, but there was a constant movement forward. The men in the back were pushing the men in the front into the fight. As the minutes passed, the ranks in front of him began to slowly thin and Thero started to see flashes of blue in between the white cloaks of his companions.

All of a sudden there was shouting from his left and he glimpsed a small group of horsemen retreating from the battle at a gallop. A low murmur grew behind Thero and his ears caught a few words. “hurt… dead… Captain… running…”

He did not have time to concentrate on what was meant though, as at that moment the man in front of him suddenly cried out and fell to the ground. Thero found himself face to face with a man in a blue robe. The eyes held a curious mixture of terror and determination; it looked as if he wanted to run, but some powerful force was compelling him to stand. In the shock of the moment, Thero froze and gaped. The man did not. Thero’s mind registered the point coming towards him and he instinctually raised his shield.



The blow nearly caused him to lose his grip, but he recovered and shifted his weight to better resist the next impact. Moments later, it came. As soon as he felt the spear hit, he blindly stabbed out with his own weapon, low and to the right. He heard a scream and felt some resistance on the shaft. Thero gave it a second shove, then pulled it back and peered over his shield. The man had dropped his spear and reed shield and was clutching at a red spot on his side. His eyes met Thero’s for a brief moment, before another spear took him in the throat.

There was no one in front of Thero now, the man had apparently been one of the last left standing. Across the square, he could see several groups of blue robed men with their backs to him. Those around him saw it too. They roared in fear and rage… and charged.

[TinCow]

Theages was dead. The great defender of Sicily had passed into history, and now Adonibal Olisipo found himself as the defender of the island. For decades the experienced General and Governor had protected Carthage from the Romans. During his time as Chief Magistrate, the Empire had expanded and prospered. Now he was gone.



Adonibal sighed and stared blankly at the messenger. He had been the governor of Massilia for years now, personally appointed by Theages. His city was the primary target of every Roman army and was constantly under the threat of siege and blockade. Yet throughout all of this, Theages had remained in Syracuse and personally overseen the defense of the island.

“Numbers, young man. We win by numbers.” Theages had told him once during his youth. It was true; no army in the world could match the Roman at individual skill at arms. Some elites, like the Spartans could best them, but they were few and but a small component of the Greek forces. Those who defeated the Romans only did so by overwhelming them. Carthage was no different.

Any foe, no matter how strong, could be overcome if sufficient numbers were brought and proper tactics used. This had been demonstrated time and time again. Military advisors had lately taken to using a small battle outside of Caralis as an example. There town militia had overcome two units of the elite Roman Triarii with only the help of some lightly armed swordsmen. Of course, the Triarii had been outnumbered five to one and attacked from all directions…




“With numbers, we will never lose; but without quality, we will never win.” Theages had believed that and he had won the arguments. If the war was ever to be taken to Roman territory, Carthage would need to be able to beat them in a straight fight. Reinforcements could not be guaranteed for an army far afield in enemy territory. It must be able to be self-sufficient and durable enough to win victories without having to return to a friendly province afterwards. This could only be done with highly trained men armed with the finest equipment money could buy.

Theages had set this in motion. He had ordered the construction of a supreme temple in Carthage that would also serve as the training grounds for a new type of warrior; the Sacred Band. Inspired by the legendary Spartans, they would fight in a phalanx formation. They would be recruited from amongst only the most fanatical of Ba’al worshipers, ensuring that they would stand their ground when other men would flee in terror. Their training would last twice as long as other soldiers and they would receive the most expensive armor and weapons that Carthage could provide.

This was but one aspect of a triumvirate of arms that Theages had proposed though. The Sacred Band was the anvil on which the enemy would be held firm, but the hammer that would break them would be far different. For this purpose, he had laid out plans for elite mounted warriors, the likes of which the world had never seen. Elephants had long been used for battle, but the Chief Magistrate proposed to armor them, creating nearly invincible monsters of terror and destruction. Combined with Sacred Band warrior mounted on horseback, these units would shatter the enemy and lay waste to their formations.

It was a beautiful dream, but for now it was only a dream. The temple in Carthage had been completed several years ago, and several trained units of Sacred Band now stood ready for battle, but the facilities required to train the elite mounted warriors who would round out the grand armies had a long way to go. For now, numbers would have to do.

The navy helped as well. In 237, Admiral Bodinelqart had sunk a Roman fleet ferrying a massive force to the island. It was perhaps not the most glorious manner of fighting, but it worked and it saved lives.




The navy could not intercept all enemies though and Roman armies regularly appeared on the Sicilian shores. Messana itself had been besieged several times, most significantly in 231 when a monstrous Roman army led by a competent General and supplied with mobile siege equipment had appeared to the south.



Theages had emptied Syracuse of troops and fallen upon the Romans from behind.




With the majority of the Romans drawn off, Adonibal had overwhelmed the smaller detachment and then moved on to engage the main body from behind.





It had been called a joint victory, but all knew it was Theages who had won it. The Chief Magistrate had not been a tactical genius, but he was a wise man. His brother, Asdroubas was far more skilled in the arts of war. After his remarkable capture of Nepte and Dimmidi, the people had begun calling him Asdroubas the Conqueror. Yet no one had ever referred to Theages as “the Great” or “the Wise.” Perhaps his reputation would grow with the years, as the empire prospered. Perhaps he would be forgotten.

The celebrations had been raucous on the election of Asdroubas to the position of Chief Magistrate. All were sure that the mighty general would defeat all of Carthages enemies. Adonibal believed so too, but how would the empire fare when Asdroubas was not at the front, directing every action? The great Numidian army that had threatened Tingi had disappeared into the desert. Even now the garrisons of Tingi, Dimmidi, and Cirta watched the horizon with wary eyes. What would happen in Iberia, where the Gaul lay unconfronted, their armies massive and growing stronger every day? Most importantly to Adonibal, what would happen in Sicily? The great defender was gone and now only he remained.

Carthage had expanded and prospered. Yet to the north lay the endless hordes of Gallic warriors, to the east, beyond the vast deserts, lay Ptolemaic Egypt, with all its might, and just over the horizon, Rome waited, deadliest of all and hungry for power.

[Severous]

A new day.

I take a look at the powers of our world. My vision is not as good as Tin Cow...the fog of war restricts my campaign map view...but the graphs tell me much.



Our allies the Greeks are top. That is good. They can have that area of the world and can fight who they want. Hopefully they will engage Brutii.

Egypt are next. They could be a threat but Nubian Siwa lies between us. I will leave that unchanged.

Gaul. ah yes. A common foe. I have scores to settle here. They killed the faction heir the last time I pitted Carthage against them.

We are Carthage and we lie 4th. Soon to be third.

Pontus are 5th and of no concern.

Time for a battle before lunch.


Report will follow within 24 hours.

[Severous]

During the summer of 227BC there was one event of note.

The battle of Cordoba.

Taking heed of a wise mans advice the forces in and around Cordoba were carefully inspected. Few were found wanting. Only minor changes were made to the order of battle...primarily the bringing in of a full strength Baleric slinger unit to replace the depleted unit.

We would not wait like cowards behind our walls. Battle was taken to the enemy in the open fields.


----
The odds show that despite the near equal numbers that man for man the Gaul are the better men. This is despite the superb commander we have compared to what a Roman would call sniviling fool that leads the Gaul.
There are very good troops in the enemy ranks. Chosen swordsmen and lots of them.


----
Infantry and elephants on a slope. Missile troops hidden in the centre, Cavalry out in front looking to survey and harass the enemy. To wear them down before the infantry encounter.


----
The Gaul general is the only cavalry unit they have. And he is eager to meet his maker. Perhaps he was drawn to the exposed slinger. He will be met by Carthage horsemen. Slinger is ordered to stand its ground and turn off fire at will. Cant have friendly fire casualties can we.



On my right flank a pair of horsemen (group iv) face off no less than 6 Gaul units. There will be no combat here although the Gaul frequently attempted to run down horses. Fools. The Gaul get warmed up, winded and will eventually tire and have nothing to show for it. In the centre General v.s General occurs....I have cavalry helpers.


The Gaul General is killed.

----
The audacious general and his two cavalry units burst through the Gaul centre. Once through the idea is to hit the right hand side of the Gaul lines simultaneously with cavalry from the front. The troops at that end are mainly lower quality warbands. It was not painless ...chosen swordsmen are not easily brushed aside....some casualties occur.



Overconfidence causes the cavalry to turn back on the chosen swordsmen. More losses and all the while the Gaul are closing on the missile troops.



Taking control the battle gets back on plan with attacks on the weak right end of the Gaul line.


----
Cavalry tear up the Gaul right. As the Gaul centre of Chosen swordsmen rush to assist I order my missile troops to open fire. The rattle of stones on armour soon rings out.




----
One unit (26men) is ordered to kill routers. The remaining horsemen draw breath if they can. I give ground in the centre. My infantry and elephants back on the hill slightly adjust their lines. Stones continue to rain down on the Gaul who tire.

----
An impetous warband on the road races ahead of the rest of the gaul army and is cut down. Elsewhere my previouslty hidden slingers are now being charged by chosen swordsmen. Will have to give ground...but enough time for one more volley I think.

----
Skirmishers open fire for the first time. Fires on swordsmen advancing up the road. The Gaul advance will adjust to this new threat. Meanwhile slingers are racing away from the threat they face.

----
Another mistake. A standing horseman unit is charged by Gaul. Will have to get out of there.

----
Shouts of retreat are heard. The Gaul army is retreating. Had killed 63% when that was first noticed. Front rank of spearmen are ordered to run at the enemy backs. Although they are fresh they wont catch many Gaul.







Retreating units are not the same as routing units. They will fight back. Will loose a few more cavalry stopping chosen swordsmen leaving the battlefield.
----






Heroic and Famous battle.
----
As the summer closes in Spain I have my sights on two regions.
- Victorious troops from the battle of Cordoba have eliminated rebels and are poised to approach Scallibis.
-The govenor of the Ballerics has got off his backside and been ferried to Carthago Nova where he spends a mint on mercenaries.

We are broke but victorious. We now also have trade rights and a map of Dacian lands.

[Severous]

Winter 227BC

- Did some rebel bashing.

- Did some Naval work including sinking a ship with artillery and pigs on board (4 units).

- Beseiging Gaul held Carthago Nova

- Moved up on Scallibais and got a nasty surprise. The Gaul are the most advanced troops I have seen in RTW. I lack the movement points to withdraw. My reinforcing half stack are spearmen.


Over turn end:

- Gaul offerred a ceasefire. Its terms...we must give it Cordoba. Oh really. After wiping out a stack that threatened Cordoba I am hardly going to give up that city. I counter with offer of ceasefire, trade rights, and Gaul must give me Carthago Nova and its map. No deal. Good.

- Riots in two cities.

[Severous]

Summer 226BC

- Carthago Nova is ours. We rammed the wall and enslaved the population.






----
- Scalliabis is ours. Gaul withdrew from their seige without fighting us. So we attacked the city.





Used elephants to knock down an undefended section of wall. Had some nice cavalry street battles and elephants got one or two as well. The Spanish faction leader was the most powerful unit in the battle. I sprung a trap on it that had all my spearmen block the generals retreat back to the plaza. So he died...soon after this shot.




----
- Pirates are at large. Our fleets are more dispersed under my command and our lone Quinreme was caught south of Caralis. Going to have to be careful on the high seas.
----
Spies built and despatched over the last few turns are reporting that Italy is not well guarded.
----
Blockades being used on Roman cities: Rome and Capua.

Rather uneasy at those upgraded Gaul. Going to be a hard fight soon.

[Severous]

226BC continued

We are ashore in Italy.
- Protected by a fort our troops are in striking range next turn of Croton.
- Three spies will try to get us in

Short of cash I have raised taxes to the max and withdrawn the majority of troops from several cities that will riot. Some brave leaders will remain in those cities in order to complete buildings and hopefully earn good traits by completing buildings during very high tax turns.




End of 226BC Winter
- The Gaul did not attack...indeed no one did.
- 5,700 civilians and 62 troops died in 5 riots.
- 8 buildings damaged in riots. Repairs will eat into income from increased taxes.
- We are now the third faction leaving behind Gaul and catching fast Egypt and Greece.
- We are the Largest and Most Advanced faction
- Big Nubidian stack on the loose in Africa
- Elephants built in Carthage. They will have a long walk.

[Severous]

Winter 226BC

----
Rebel bashing.







Will gain skills ahead of the tougher fight against that approaching Nubidian stack. May need to hire some mercenaries next turn.

I engineered that Riot in Thapsus. Extra cash from tax = 822. Cost of sewer repairs = 144. Loss of unwanted population = 1227
----

Important naval battle v.s Pirates. It was won. Silver chevron Quinreme outclassed the pirates.



It was a good turn at sea. Many blockades in place and few enemies left in the western med. Sights turn to the Adratic next.
----

Battle for Croton
-
Spies to open the gate...maybe. Fort to protect my approach. Attack how ?

-

From the north, Bypass the Scipii stack. Its full of tough infantry.

-

Here we go. Spies have done their work.

-

Initial deployment...see bottom left. Only my general was on the map at first. So the Brutii deploy against him. Leaves the top right gate unprotected for my main army.

-

Skirmishers run through the fire from the gate towers.

-

My general is bait for the Scipii

-

He gets their attention with a gesture and a few taunts.

-

Meanwhile the Brutii defenders are responding

-

First time ive seen Roman missile cavalry. Thought they were Equites. Couldnt understand why they stood off from the spear points. Had to charge them down. One Roman general down. Two more to go.

-

Wall towers kill first Scipii. My general has to run hard. He would not win a stand up fight with the larger Scipii general unit.

-

Exhausted skirmishers hold their fire. Lets the towers do the killing . Skirmishers need to regain some breath as the next section of wall has bends that offer towers a field of fire that rakes the wall top...so skirmishers will die and in their weakened and exhausted state remainder will rout.

-

Brutii Principles trapped and routed. I take a few losses from my 'own' tower fire.

What I didnt notice straight away was the Scipii main force is now heading for the gate. Its got a safe passage as that section of wall is not in my control...not yet. It would give them the opportunity to enter the city with few casualties.

-

Scipii general that had been chasing mine is killed in the same spear trap that killed the first Roman general.

-

Scipii have got off lightly as they approach the gate. But its mine now so the missiles will fly from the towers and Scipii losses will start in earnest.

-

Baleric Slingers ran to that bend in the wall. It offerred a good field of fire onto the Scipii below. With the wall towers they killed many Scipii as they marched around inside the city. The weakened Scipii remains marched into the centre of the city down this road. I was ready for them.

-

The third Roman general is killed.

-

Two units of Roman Equites guard the plaza. Stones from the slingers catch the Romans attention. They charge. Slingers scurry back through supporting infantry. The Equites will die on phalanx spearpoints.

-

The last line of defense. Tirarii. They kill more than the rest put togther.

-

Celebrating and looking at that big building. I later find out this is a +3 experience temple. Wow. Not had one of them before. Wish I could train more than two units per turn. Or should I demolish it for a Baal temple.?

-

Well done lads.

-

Glad we have a healer in the retinue.

-

Enslaving 11,594 of the population and looting a mere 2,324. The slaves trigger three cities to expand beyond 12,000 (Caralis, Cirtis, Cordoba). Juba the general gains three for his retinue...Roman turncoat, Veteran warrior, Body slave.
----

Brutii is down to one region.

----

Elsewhere its about regaining control of the rioting towns. Have landed a small force near Osca.

----

Our special task Elephant unit is now in Numidia. No rebels left in North Africa so Elephants are travelling alone.

----

Over the end of turn
- Palma riots as expected.
- We find a Gaul spy in Cordoba. I think there are others as unrest is too high to be otherwise. Will station a second Carthage spy in Cordoba to counter the Gaul spy(s) l think are still in the city.
----

End of turn.

[Severous]

The Summer of 225BC

----

Our Elephants are in Mauretania and look for a ship to transport them next turn. Whether this happens or not is dependent on defeating those pop up pirates first. Our troops already in Spain cannot reach Osca this turn.

----

The approach to Tarentum is guarded by Brutii units. 2 Scorpions, archers, principles and hastati. We commit part of our army and at odds of 3:5 in their favour we gain a heroic victory. General and slingers were bait. Our cavalry sprung from ambush or launched a charge when the Roman artillery or archers were unprotected.


A peasant was committed to see if the gates of Tarentum would be opened by our spies. They wouldnt. Croton would riot this turn so its garrison would need to do something useful outside of rioting Croton. So they went a seiged Tarentum. Building 3 ladders and 2 seige towers for the Stone walls next turn.
----

In Africa the Nubidian stack nears Lepcis. Spy reports its light on cavalry but has three ranged units. We will have to be careful. Our leader is back in the city and two good cavalry units are on their way from Thapsus to help in what is sure to be a fight next turn. We have one unit of Nubidian Javlin cavalry mercenaries and our best shield cavalry should be back at full strength for the fight.

----

That would have been it...except that when I was checking all our spies had moved I found one in Croton that was awaiting orders. At a 75% sucess chance it could spy on Tarentum except it was under seige. I ordered a temporary break in the new seige and sent in the spy. He gained information which I already had from 2 spies. He gained a spying increase in the process. Vitally he increased the chance of gate openeing. The seige was put back in place..the spies now open the gates! So seige abandoned and assault went in.


There are only 4 defenders but they are good.


Big Gerenal faction leader unit, two triarii and these Velite Gladiators. All upgraded.




So ended the hopes of Brutii faction. Faction Eliminated. 11,000 more slaves sent to cities already groaning with population.
----

Our General gained a Galloper for his rentinue plus eliminating a faction and another Heroic must be building his skills. We can build Onagers.

----

We take a chance and advance into Gaul held Spain. In striking distance of Numantia next turn. Lots of cavalry move as far as they can. A mercenary barbarian infantry unit hired at the end of movement. Will provide bait for Gaul if they attack me. My infantry and slingers follow as best they can. Scallibis will riot next turn.

----

Over turn end:

There was indeed Gaul spies at work in Cordoba. Another one was found and executed. We have 2 spies on counter spy work. Getting rid of enemy spies will reduce unrest, increase public order, and allow higher taxes...I hope. Cash is still in short supply. If only we could exterminate.

----

Not seen one of these before. Our spy in enemy Osca gains a Dancer. Now has a monkey and a dancer. Increases his chance of opening the gates next turn. (tries to envisage how monkey and dancer help open gates)

----

Our faction is gaining in world standing. Lepcis is beseiged by the Nubidian faction leader. Not a surprise.


End of report for today. More fighting tomorrow if I have time.

[Severous]

225 BC Winter (Only time tonight for African theatre of operations)

Sally from Lepcis

The Nubidian faction leader and his army beseiging Lepcis outnumbers us and has battle odds in its favour calculated at 2:1. But Nubidian armies are weak. The enemy leader is 6* against our 4*.
----
It is standing orders to take the fight to the enemy when beseiged. The Carthage sally forth is underway.



Cavalry run out to attack the still forming Nubidian battle line. They aim for the two end units which are both skirmishers and ride them down.
----

After a little indecision they identify the enemy General is vulnerable. The Carthage horsemen gang up on the big Nubidian Royal bodyguard and the fight is soon decided. Just in time to run from the approaching desert spreamen.




----

The Carthage horsemen now sweep behind the enemy lines to their other flank. Three missile units to attack. Archers, Slingers and Skirmishers.


The missile troops didnt last long.

----

The Nubidians had a unit of that excellent missile cavalry. It had not been a force until now. Managed to kill a few Roundshields with missiles. But occupied against one of my units it was drawn into a trap. Carthage horsemen surround the fresher unit and will kill it.

----

I saw one Roundshield getting close to the flank of a wavering Desert Spearman unit. Tired and wavering I thought the spearmen would break on first contact....especially as it was a unit that started the battle understrength. So I allowed the fight to occur.

Infantry didnt break and Roundshields suffered. Ordered them out of there. Score: Cavalry 1 Spearmen 7
----

Another skirmisher unit broken and routing. Meanwhile my own Nubidian mercenary missile cavalry is in action. Its carefully hoarded missile capability is now required against Desert Spearmen. It leads a unit towards a wall tower.

----

If a cavalry missile unit runs away from a persuing infantry unit the infantry will soon give up the chase and turn away. Thats what my missile troops were playing for. A shot at the back of the infantry. A salvo with lots of hits would shake an already tired unit.


Nearly the last volley ...it was enough. The spearmen unit routs. Two other units chain rout.


Then the fresh mercenaries charge to finish the job.

----

Elsewhere infantry did a number on another Nubidian unit. No casualties suffered in this little encounter...not by Carthage .

----

Last Nubidian unit. Townwatch and Iberians will soon sort this.

----



----

The battle at Lepcis marks an important strategic point for our lands in North Africa. There is no longer a hostile force within our borders. We can reduce garrisons and look now to our frontiers...or better put..look at the enemy lands beyond them. Spy from Lepcis sent east to scout. We know from diplomat reports that the Egyptians have many big stacks in their homelands.
----

Our leader has been garrisoning Dimmidi. He likes the hot desert climate. From there he has directed our increasing spy activity and changes his title from 'The Conquerer' to 'The Cunning'. He is getting on in years and arrangements are made to pass on his retinue to a younger man.

----

Captain Abdimiki commands our special Elephants. He walks West. The ferry to Spain didnt turn up. It had been crushingly defeated by a pirate force.


----

Important encounters in Spain and Italy are yet to occur in this season. Update later in the week

[Severous]

225 Winter continued

Battle for Osca

Sacred band in action for the first time since I took over the campaign. Slingers can fire from the road, through the temple and at the enemy in the plaza. The enemy react to the missiles by running out...and into the waiting spears.






----

The campaign map of Spain. Strong Gaul are still around.


----

Battle for Numantia

Our cavalry army initiate the assault which is immediate as they have elephants so dont need spies nor seige equipment. Our infantry army had arrived moments before...with insufficient movement points to attack itself..but it can participate as reinforcements in the cavalry initiated assault.



Peasants in open formation absorb the missile fire.



After a few rounds of stones from the slings to weaken the defending Spanish Mercenaries I decide to send in the Elephants. Closely followed by cavalry.



The benefit of headbutting (or ramming) the wall rather than the gate. You can open the gate and get a second entrance for the price of one. Here cavalry use the gate and help trap the enemy.




----

So that was two SPanish towns captured in that turn. But the western city, Scallabis, will riot for the second turn, so will rebel over end of turn.

In Italy nothing much happened. Consolidating gains and trying to control public order.
----

Over end of turn
- we were attacked by pirates near Tarentum and sank them.
- we did indeed lose Scallabis to a rebellion
- three other cities riot as expected. Lost 2 spies in those riots.
- cash pile leapt as I am gaining more income than I am building new units.
- we are now the leading faction
- Gaul are marching on Cordoba. I had hoped they would fall back after losing two cities.

This is the position in Spain:



- One city has rebelled.
- Two others riot
We have a choice of initiating a bridge battle against better infantry.

Should I go for it ? What tactics would you employ?. In addition to the stack south of the city we have the faction heir general and a peasant in the city. We have one sacred band and our special elephants perhaps two turns march away. But I dont want to wait nor risk those elephants.

[Severous]

Summer 224BC

This is what our faction leader is up to.



Not a lot really. I found him in Dimmidi and have needed to use his high influence to keep the city under control. As more slaves have arrived from the various cities captured the population has grown, squallor increased and public order worsen. In view of his advancing age I have given as much of his retinue as I can to another general. He potters around making a short trips out into the desert to stop him getting bad traits from doing nothing. Because of my spy activity he has been dubbed as 'Cunning' and has earned a Spy Master trait.

Defense of Corduba



These are the forces available at Corduba. Individually our troops are no match for those upgraded Gaul. But we have cavalry and slingers in our favour and our general is a good one. Very Good.



I decide to leave many of the infantry on garrison duty and attack the Gaul on the bridge with cavalry, slingers and a few spearmen. With the battle odds thus against me a win will be better for trait gains plus I believe the Gaul will behave more aggressively and cross the bridge coming to me.

The initial deployment. My spears are far back. I was still expecting the Gaul to advance across the bridge. Plan was to shoot them as they advanced whilst falling back to my spears. Cavalry would kill any easy pickings.



I change my own plan straight away. Charge.


That looks really reckless. It was a bit. There was no charge order at all really. Its just the Gaul closed down the exit from the bridge quicker than the cavalry could get across. The objective was not to fight but to get across the bridge and out into clear space. To give Gaul who remained on their side of the bridge a run around. Perhaps causing much of their army to stay on this side and buy more time for my slingers to shoot up the Gaul who did cross.


Got clear but lost a few men.

Might have been close to routing given all the enemy around. But dont forget the 10 star general we have. He will help our morale big time. The gaul forces look like ants running around. In fact thats what they did, and where they did it for most of the battle. Brill. Tires them out.

Maybe this is their general.

I wasnt their general. Unit didnt last a second. Instant death to this tiny gaul unit from these spear armed cavalry.

Ah. There is their General . Captain led army really but is still referred to as a general during the battle. Cavalry make a good target for missiles. Given the mass of Gaul in this area the slingers can miss their target and still hit someone.



The larger Gaul units have dropped back a bit leaving three small units out in front. Now the cavalry charge. Lets hope they dont get counter charged by the big group of troops. Slingers to hold fire (fire at will is off). Our own infantry is moving forward as I think this maybe a battle we have to take to the Gaul.



Down goes the lone cavalry the gaul had left. Their general. As so often the case the last to fall. My slingers hadnt been able to pick him off.

Our horsemen went on to attack the two forresters and dozen skirmishers. But lost 6 men. Probobly it was the highly upgraded Forresters that did it. The skirmishers routed...across the bridge to my side. My horsemen broke off the fight and run out into the open again. Slingers again open fire.


Slingers holding fire until a gaul unit presents its back. Cavalry charge will test how low the Gaul morale is. Maybe it will cause Gaul to rearrange their units providing more good targets to slingers. Hey! Whats my general coming under fire from ?

6 routing skirmishers survived and recovered morale. Will go and sort them out.

The Gaul are attacking across the bridge!

Slingers were moved back to avoid hand to hand combat. Fresh General ready to charge if need be.

Gaul decide not to cross the bridge! Slingers fire into their backs decimating the unit. My own skirmishers are nearby and ordered to run up to attack them.


But my skirmishers persue their retreating target and run into some Chosen Swordsmen. Ouch.


Thats better.


Here our cavalry are luring an exhausted gaul unit away from the bridge. Skirmishers close in from behind and loose off a volley. Our troops now crossing the bridge and slingers out of ammo. They had been having a great time killing the Gaul.


Skirmishers and cavalry are doing some role reversal. Cavalry are the bait, skirmishers charging from behind.


Instant rout. Wont need spearmen in this fight.


Not all our troops are over the bridge. General doesnt want to be considered a coward. Needs to show he can fight and been in the wars. Charge.


Two horse units now rout two Gaul units. Not without losses.


Spearmen have a good defense ranking and a low attack skill. But with these odds the Gaul rout.


These chosen swordsmen surprisingly routed without any combat. Gaul army morale must be really low. In the background a near full strength upgraded barbarian mercenary unit in gaul pay is going to be charged by three cavalry units and skirmishers.


The final second of the battle has most of our troops engaged in fighting.





That became the site of a famous battle.

Settlement management at Corduba

Corduba is a pain to manage in most campaigns. It has a fast growth rate and is often distant from the capital of your empire.



Last turn our leader stood still in the city as he was completing a building. I put taxes up very high and removed most troops. This generates positive govenor traits and the unrest causes a riot (which in such instances generates more positive traits like harsh govenor). This turn I start to build an upgraded Carthage government building to replace a gaul one. This will improve public order greatly when complete.

I do need to get public order back to 70%+ this turn or the city will rebel. So the victorious army from the bridge battle are split. Those that are needed to garrison the city turn back, the others , mainly slingers, go forward to help recapture Scallabis next turn.

I will not repair the building damaged by riots. Dont need to. Cash is not plentyful yet to spend on unnecessary items. I have started hiring mercenaries where most needed.

Campaign strategy

The faction heir is the general in Corduba. You saw his 10 star rating in the bridge battle. It would make sense to use him on the battle front rather than govern. Just south of Corduba fresh off the boat from Africa are a cavalry unit, a sacred band phalanx, and our Special Elephants.

Provided Corduba can be safely left without this leaders calming influence then these forces would make the core of the army that can sweep around europe into Rome. Given the age of the faction leader (60) that looks like the next players pleasure to command the faction leader as a 10 star on a campaign of conquest.

Meanwhile in Spain





Only a clear victory. Lost more in that battle than at the bridge. Spain is nearly clear of Gaul.

[Severous]

Summer 224 - AI turns.

After checking all the cities it was end of turn. The AI turn about to occur was the longest I have had to endure since I started playing RTW.

1st Battle of Capua

I had sent a small stack under the command of a city govenor to beseige Scipii held Capua. Had my spies opened the gates I might have captured the city after a lot of wall running. I would be punished for that failure.



I dont like those odds. I choose to fall back from battle and hope to fall back to the other army I have coming upbehind.

But I fall back only a little way and am attacked by another, bigger, Scipii army.



Whats this. I cannot retreat again. I have to fight.



I hide all my troops in the forest in the corner except for Hoplites which cannot hide. And the general which cannot hide. Hoplites go in the far corner, general as far forward as possible. The Scipii split their army on the battlefield. Part goes after the general and part after the hoplites. AI cannot see the remaining hidden troops. My general kills the Equites and makes his was over to join the rest of his troops.

He gets the enemy general to chase him and leads him into a trap. You can see in the battle map how far away some of the Scipii forces are.



Spearmen in green kill the General.



Charge!! Scipii are tired troops. Carthage are fresh.



Come on Hoplites..run. We need you quick. Take them out of phalanx, run to the fight, put them back in phalanx.



Scipii throw their pila unaware there is incoming pila from Carthage skirmishers on their flank.



It does annoy me when AI Romans throw pila during hand to hand combat. Here they rout part way through the throw.



Iberians were chasing routing troops. But ran into range of two Principles units who let loose a volley of pile. Killed loads. Ouch.


There goes another Scipii unit.


Hey. Where are you going ? The two untouched Principles units are running away. Retreating from the battlefield. Notice the slider bar down bottom left...61%. Theory: Kill 60% of an attacking army and they retreat.



I not only survived, it was a Heroic Victory.




2nd Battle of Capua

Same turn and another Scipii stack attacks.



Same tactics used as before. Same battlefield.

This enemy has a unit of wardogs. After disposing of the Scipii Equites our general charges the dog handlers.



Kill the dog handlers before they release their dogs and the dogs will die. The Scipii general is coming.


When running and turning, try not to turn too sharply. That will slow you down and you could get charged.



Trap for the general. Most of those troops are hidden.



Got him.


Much the same after that as the first battle above.


3rd battle of Capua

May our gods be with us. The SPQR army attacks.



No cavalry. Thats good. Got some archers. They would be good to kill early on.



Carthage horseman looks nervously over his shoulder at the mass of enemy running his way. All the rest of the Carthage army is hidden..I learnt how to hide hoplites..take them out of phalanx formation.



With only the General visible all the SPQR army is after him. Tiring themselves out whilst Carthage troops stay hidden and fresh. I misjudge the distance and SPQR throw pila and kill some bodyguards.



SPQR Principles were exhauseted. So tried a charge at them. Killed some but the didnt rout. Break off and outrun the pila fire.



Decided not to attack the big army. Just had the skirmishers reveal themselves, open fire, then run. Skirmishers hid in another forest. Most the SPQR army then went after the general but one unit went slowly after the skirmishers. Skirmishers fresh, principles exhausted, downhill, surprise emerging from hiding. Will they be able to defeat these upgraded principes.?



No. They would not defeat the Principes. Later with our generals help they did.



This is the big battle. Can I rout some and get a chain rout going. Fresh troops vs exhausted troops.



Routing. Except its Carthage. Chaos. Missiles taking a terrible toll.


Run everyone. Three Carthage units routing and only one SPQR. Time to get out.


Managed to extract some troops.


Killed three more SPQR isolated units and ran the timer down. As defender that made Carthage the winner.





Thats three battles on the same spot on the same turn. I was well overdue to do some jobs around the house by then. But then another battle occured....

Battle in France

Did I mention that we had stepped foot in France? It met with an immediate reply.


Got the enemy general just as his unit were 'sparkling' with an experience upgrade.


Three Sacred bands emerge from hiding in the forest and the slingers take protection behind them.


Elite of two factions go toe to toe. Is it good to use sacred band out of phalanx formation? Can charge the enemy before they can charge you.


Was a walk in the park compared to the Roman battles.




Trait and retinue gains



The General who had fought three roman armies went up two levels of command traits in one turn.

The Governor of Osca received two ancillaries for his retinue. Despite the city in riot.

Stranage...no riot messages. Maybe having enemy battle over turn end stops riot messages occuring ?


So ended my longest ever end of turn.

[Severous]

Double post - deleted.

[Severous]

Winter 224 BC

It is now my turn. I can choose the battles again. I have never before faced 4 battles over the AI turn like I had just gone through.

I chose to initiate another battle in Italy.


4th battle for Capua

After trying the seige to see if Spy's open the gates (they didnt) I resorted to a field battle. Success for this battle is only if I capture Capua. By attacking the SPQR army next to Capua we will lure the Scipii defenders out of the town as reinforcements to the SPQR. If we kill the Scipii and win the battle we can then walk into an undefended Capua.



I like these odds better than the last battles. Best though are the units I command. Capain Jubal commands 3 cavalry units. I sorely missed horsemen in the previous battles. Carthage has good horsemen. Captain Chieron commands 80 Town Watch just off the boat from Caralis. A diversion force.
--

Deployed infantry in the far corner and cavalry near the Scipii entrance point. 1st battlefield objective, as so often, is kill the enemy mobile forces. This is vital here as at all costs I want the Scipii general himself dead. If he escapes he will reoccupy Capua preventing the walk in.

The Scipii general rears up to give some inspirational command and in doing so falls behind his bodyguard. My cavalry pounce and he is dead seconds later. He was virtually the first in his unit to die. Excellent.

--

Battlefield shot is interesting.



The SPQR army marches in good formation towards my infantry in the corner. I cannot hope to win that as seen in the previous battles. I need time for my cavalry to finish off the Scipii horsemen in the distance. So in goes the Town militia. That get a clear, yet long, run into the SPQR rear. Better still its against the archers who command the SPQR. Objective is stop the SPQR marching. Its a tale of epic heroism. (Suicide)
--

Militia got the archers. Prolonged fighting..and were losing. 1st of the Cavalry is ploughing in. A great target for horsemen. General also coming as fast as he can and is blowing his horn to try and help the militia nerve.



The rest of the SPQR army continues to advance on our infantry...that army has to be stopped. The Blue Scipii in the distance are Triarii...my cavalry dont mix with them. They can come to my infantry.
--

SPQR Archer general is dead..although he looks like he is trying to get up. Killed by a falling horse perhaps? After that the SPQR army loses cohesion as it charges in all directions after my marauding horsemen.

--
Joy. Infantry formations dont always work for me. Here though the Triarii of SPQR go exactly there I want them. On the points of phalanx spears.



Horsemen are tired and were resting but not for long. SPQR Principes unit is advancing on the left flank of my infantry so Cav now making best speed to charge the Principes in their rear.
--
Cavalry rout the Principes but it was a moment too late. A hail of pila are going to kill many of the green spearmen.

--




Victory. What is uncertain is if the 16 Scipii that survived are enough to re-garrison the city of Capua you see next to the battlefield. Will I get the walk in capture ?
--

City of Capua. Gladiator Uprising !

In the batle above we did indeed have a complete victory and destruction of the Scipii faction. Faction destroyed.

Our Great Gods however favour us with a test. A Gladiator Uprising. We are now to pit our skills against some of the most feared units in the known world. (This is a first ever one of these for me.)



In the Gladiator line up:
Barbarian Peasants
Peasants
Egyptian Chariot General
Town Watch
Peltast
Heavy Peltast
Amazon Chariots
Long Shield Cavalry

These rebels appear to behave like any others. But what a unique mix. These are my first Amazons in battle (I bribed them when I met them in Brutii campaign).

I lay seige to the city again. Perhaps the three spies would open the gates now that the city was under new management. They wouldnt. So seige towers ordered and we assault next turn. Going to be an interesting battle.
--

Naval Actions

Our Navy rules the Western Med. We are pushing into the Adriatic with little resistance. We blockade the Gaul Ports in both locations. There is no Julii naval trade in the adratic. So we dont need to blockade those ports. The lone Scipii fleet in the Adriatic became a rebel ship once Scipii faction was destroyed.

My experienced Triremes easily beat this ship.

Notice the banner. Scipii dog/blue showing on this Rebel controlled ship.

Decision is soon needed on the Atlantic. Move ships there or build them. We will find it useful to control the seas if we attack Britian.
--

Battle for Scallabis (recapture)

Slingers are in the reinforcements that have arrived from Corduba.


Pile of dead Spanish cavalry horses wont block this breach.


An easy recapture. We now have an Atlantic port.
--

One more region to capture in Spain. We are on the move towards it destroying opposition along the way.

--

5th Battle for Capua - Sally forth by Gladiator Uprising rebels

Again the AI brings the battle to me over the turn end. Wisely it choses to attack the depleted Town Watch unit commanded by a captain. So the battle takes part under the generalship of a no star captain rather than our now 7* General.



Slightly anxiously I wonder how the AI will play this. Two Chariots can make mincemeat of cavalry and weak infantry. I dont have any missiles.

But it was a bit of an anti climax albeit interesting and unique battle.

The rebels deployed inside the city facing my lone town watch. Nothing lined up against my seige tower weilding main army. When it started my town watch ran for their lives to join up with my main army...they wouldnt stand a chance when enemy chariots came out.

Peasants and peltasts came out first. But by then I had a unit on the walls via the seige tower. Running the walls capturing towers and gates seemed to trigger the AI to go on the defence and it pulled back its forces to the plaza. It lost many troops to tower/gateway fire.

I slowly took my troops into the city and set a trap once they were rested.


Had a good first look at Amazons in action.





Unique in the history of RTW?. Dead Egyptians, Amazons and Carthage troops alongside each other.



And so I finally capture Capua. My most fought after city ever.

13,158 slaves expand our empire. Lepcis goes up a level.

We are the most Advanced faction in the known world.
--

Whilst Ive concentrated on battle and campaign accounts ive not been idle on the economic front. Law and Order buildings have been necessary to control our huge public order crisis. Not one military building has been constructed under my reign. (I capture those)


The army you see there is the garrison of Lepcis..our eastern frontier town. Spys out in Numidian controlled Africa report no threats to our African lands.
--

[Severous]

Summer 223 BC

Advance on the last Iberian region getting well underway. Some opposition to dispose of.



You can see that the constant fighting, careful retraining and retained buildings is developing some useful experience in the cavalry units.
--

Twinkle twinkle little star. More experience gained.



Spanish captains dont wear the faulty blue uniform of the Spanish generals.
--

Iberian Infantry has low morale. All these men will be dead in seconds. Not that much could stand a charge into their rear by five cavalry units when the battle is already lost.


----


Think this is the last Gaul army in Iberia. Will be the site of a famous battle.


----


Over the end of turn the toughest battle of the turn occurred. One of the smallest. Spanish force catches my elite remnants on their way back to Numantia for retraining. Fortunately a General on his way to command the assault forces had camped with the cavalry. Still. Its more than 4 to 1 against in numbers.



Spain has some remnants in its army also. But its superiority in cavalry numbers that is the concern. A nice little tactical skirmish this.

--

I hide the cavalry in the forest in the centre. After a little movement of my General I get the Spanish to pass the forest rather than through it. I have to wear down the infantry with some cat and mouse running around.


--

Right this is the plan. Walk General around the edge to that rock feature in the distance. Hopefully that will split the Spanish into two formations and cause disorder. Charge into that or lead half the Spanish cavalry to the forest then spring the surprise and kill the Spanish cavalry in small parcels. By then the infantry will be exhausted and easy to rout and kill.


--
It didnt turn out like that at all. The Spanish announced they would all retreat off the map. They all ran straight through the forest where the cavalry were hiding. Effectively they attacked my cavalry whilst my general was over the other side of the map.

It was a desparate struggle to join up my three units whilst killing whatever I could. The Spanish general was the prime target and in his blue tunic was an easy one to spot. Devils own job to get him and I was close to losing.


--

Tiny force left at the end of battle.


Thought the 2 silver chevron Roundshields had done better than that. They seemed to hold up well in mellee against the Spanish longshields

--

Generals. Sorted by the number of troops they command. The worst general is shown on the right.


--

I have two spies on their way to Spanish Asturica. Neither has reached there but one is close enough to have learned some intellegence. Defenders should easily fall to the assault forces we have on the way. The faction leader is named 'the Cunning' and the faction heir is 'the Lewd'. I vow: Both will die within a year!

[Severous]

Winter 223 BC

An uneventful period.

- No battles of note.

- Some important buildings are completed. New government palace in Cordoba in particular. Its effects will allow the great commander who is stationed there to leave for a campaign of conquest.


Riots.

These have been frequent as I try to kill off populations and gain positive governor traits. These carry risk to buildings and governors. Unfortunatley the most harmful riot I can imagine occured in Dimmidi.



Asdroubas the Cunning our 62 year old faction leader is killed. Four buildings are damaged.

Special Carthage Elephants

These are now travelling with a Sacred band guard commanded by Captain Hiram. He is in Spain. You can see him on a bridge to the right of the riot screen above.

New Faction leader



He is 10* in attack. He has been a harsh governor causing riots and reducing Cordubas population to now managable levels. A big garrison of low quality troops can perhaps be used in conquest. Not that is needed. An invasion army is ready to be commanded.

Army for Invading Gaul



Located in the fort in the mountains north of Osca is a useful army. A spy in the first Gaul city in France reports a full Gaul stack nearby of basic troops. An ideal, if big, start to any invasion perhaps.

Spanish Capital

It is ours for the taking.



Have all the troops that we need nearby. Elephant will bash down the walls so we dont need the spies that are also available.

Italy

Loads of troops. Our commander in Capua is a vetran of defensive battles. There could be many more.



Apollonia

Our next theatre of operations? We have loads of troops including a War Elephant, Onager, 3 Sacred band infantry. Many, dozens, of cheap units also looking for action. Ships rule the seas. But Apollonia is a tough nut to crack. Might be better assaulted with lots of missile troops and artillery than fight those many cavalry in the open.

Game ready to pass on.