The Will of the Senate - Battle reports

[GeneralHankerchief]

Afrikan Coast, 253 BC

How does it feel being in the heart of enemy territory? Especially when you don't agree with your Consul's strategy? How does it feel when you don't even trust the Consul yet your life is in his hands? And worse, how does it feel when that Consul you don't trust is your nephew?

Marcellus Aemilius had these thoughts in his head the night before. He couldn't sleep a wink. After all, his force was under siege from a massive Carthaginian army.

This is Servius' doing. Somehow, some way, he gets this huge army to head straight for this fort when I land. And it just so happens to be the largest army in the area.

Marcellus had no idea what the Consul's motive was behind this, but he knew it was something. Was it retaliation for basically trying to get him impeached and disowning him in the Senate? That stupid clerk, so self-assured, had bated him into doing it. Marcellus regretted saying the things that he had said, but not enough to take them back.

And now the orders had come in from that same Consul. He was to sally out and defeat the army besieging his fort. This would not be an easy thing to do.



1,832 men. This would be the largest single army (excluding reinforcements) that any Roman had ever faced in combat. And they were all either men that could form phalanxes or skirmishers. In other words, a pain to kill.

Might as well do this before it gets too hot out, he thought, walking out of his tent. It was 5:30 in the morning.



The only other person awake and outside was his tribune and little brother, Oppius Aemilius. He went straight for Marcellus when he saw that his older brother was awake.

"Marcellus, I'm scared."

The kid was sixteen. It was his first battle, and he should have been in the Scriptorium in Roma. Instead, he was here.

"So am I, Oppius. So am I."

"Were you scared in Comata? When you were facing Segovax?"

Marcellus laughed at this. Comata. His last battle. Seemed like such a long time ago.

"Well, in short, no. I was annoyed at my legion because they had no fighting spirit. Plus, in Comata we outnumbered and outclassed the enemy. Here it's a little different."

Marcellus sent Oppius out to wake the army up. That kid had better stay alive. Otherwise Mom and Lucius will kill me.

His strategy was simple: Sally from two gates. The main force would meet the Carthaginians head-on and hold them in place. The second force, sallying from a side gate, would then flank the living snot out of the enemy and send them running.

He set the army up in this way. He would lead the main force while Oppius would be the hammer. It was Marcellus' plan to leave his brother's escort out of the battle.



However, the Carthaginians were ready for this. As soon as Marcellus' force opened the gate, they hightailed it for a spot equally between the two gates. Curses, looks like we'll just have to outfight 'em.

The Carthaginian captain, aware of his superior numbers, decided to just charge against each force, and hoped they would break against the initial crush. If that didn't work, then there were always reserves. Oppius' force was targeted first. He would show this Roman the folly of trying to flank.



Soon after, several phalanxes charged the main body of troops. The skirmishers and funditores fired away, but still the Carthaginians came. This would be an endurance fight. How many of them do we have to kill before they finally break? Instantly Appollonia came to mind, and Marcellus shuddered.

He settled in for the long haul. Primarily, his job was to chase after the skirmishers, ensuring that their javelins wouldn't take the lives of his already-pressed infantry.

Time passed. The sun got higher in the sky. The Romans were pressed. They had killed hundreds of Carthaginians but there were simply too many. This Carthaginian captain had done a good job at sending in reserves. The situation looked grim.



Worse still, the Italian cavalry had just been targeted by a unit that snuck away from the main fighting. Marcellus desperately ordered them back to the fort, but not before they were severly wounded by the enemy's spears. Aside from the funditores, the only unit that wasn't engaged was Oppius' escort. He saw that the unit that had damaged the Italian cavalry was the captain's unit, and that they were under-strength to begin with. The Italian skirmishers were currently battling them with mixed results.

If I order Oppius to do something he might die.

If you don't then it might not matter.

Finally, he took the iniative.

OPPIUS! KILL THE CAPTAIN!

Oppius Aemilius, no longer scared, headed full throttle for the small phalanx. The enemy captain, sticking out front, had no chance.



Instantly the effect showed. The Carthaginian units immediately near the captain broke. Marcellus, Oppius, and the infantry pursued.



They had been taken care of, but a body of Carthaginians were still holding strong. They were absolutely damaging the Roman infantry. Marcellus didn't care what the Senate thought about the losses at the moment.



He looked at Oppius, and the two smiled. No order needed to be given. They headed together for the Carthaginian rear. The result was inevitable.



That night, back in the fort, Marcellus rubbed the kid's hair and grinned.

"You saved us all, kid. Good job."

Oppius beamed. The losses were horrendous, but would have been a lot worse had it not been for him, and he knew it. The two Aemilii would have an interesting career ahead of them.

[Lucjan]

It is difficult to say whether I made the right choice in bringing him here. I could have left them in Rome. Until this point in time I did what was right, what was necessary. I did what I must in the name of Rome. I did what must be done to preserve the Republic for posterity. But I wonder now, if bringing Marcellus and Oppius to Afrika was the right thing to do. Perhaps, when this day is done, I should send word to them at the fort.

For now, there is battle to be done. Two Carthaginian armies of consular size have set themselves on Cartago, one immediately besieging us from the south, the other taking up camp at the site of our historic victory against Captain Ashtartyatan.

I can see those wretched worms besieging the city in their camps from the walls, but I will not play their waiting game. The citizens of Cartago will watch with their own eyes the might of Roman power as the Carthy army is driven in disarray from our city.



As I gazed out upon the land from the battlements I knew it was time. It was noon, the sun blazing in the sky, the heat sweltering and the Carthy army all wandering about outside their tents. As they noticed the gates to the city open, their was a mass scramble amongst them to form up, and as the last of our men has exited the city, they had formed a battle line.



We too were quick to form, and set ourselves up for a skirmisher heavy battle.



As the formation fell into place, I moved to the front of the army, my back defiantly towards the Carthy army, and adressed them with pride. "Look about you! Before my eyes I behold the valiant bloodlines of men from around the world. Unmatched in their prowess and courage on the field, and unmatched in their understanding of what it is to do your duty for Rome. The men I see before me have died a hundred deaths with me in this god forsaken place. You have wept tears of blood, and you have bled sand from your veins, and you have done so without a whimper or a cry. And for that I salute you! But it seems that the trials before us have only just begun. Before us lie a band of Carthaginian soldiers intent on recapturing their capital of Cartago, and another lies beyond them, at the site of our famous victory. These armies must be laid to rest, and forever set to shame. Do this in the name of Rome, and all that the gods could offer you in the afterlife will be yours!" The resounding cheers of the men were a clear indication that the speach was well received and struck a valiant chord amongst them.


Our slingers began by opening up on their javelinmen, who, in turn, had no way to defend themselves but to mount a charge. As they neared our Numidian skirmishers our spearmen were ordered through the Numidians thin formation in a charge.


Their skirmishers were put swiftly to death and their advance lines suffered heavy casualties.


Moving forward then with their spear infantry the Carthies attempted a direct charge on the front line, some overzealous gauls charged early and were surrounded, but the line as an entirety held firm while our cavalry cut out swiftly to the flanks, followed by our heavy Roman infantry.


As the Roman infantry engaged the Carthy spearmen at their flanks and rear, our cavalry went around the fray and charged straight into the ranks of their remaining skirmisher units, scattering them to the wind like ash. They could not escape, and the vast majority of them were ridden down.


As our cavalry turned and charged the rear of the Carthaginian spears, there was nothing that could be done to turn the tide away from Roman favor, and the resulting Carthaginian route turned into a coward hunt. The bleached sands outside Cartago were stained red with blood, and the Carthaginian defeat here became an example to all those within Cartago who may harbor rebellious thoughts.





The battle was a strong victory for Rome, and it left a lasting impression on the citizens of Cartago.


But there was no time to rest. There was still yet more to be done. Before our return to the city we first had to head back to the bridge we had become so familiar with, it was almost beginning to seem to us like a home on the battlefield..



(ooc - part 1 end, part 2 coming up soon)

[Lucjan]

It was a swift march down the paved road, two, maybe three hours time passed since our first battle, and the men, though a bit tired, were given significant time to rest before we finally approached the bridge. A number of mercenaries were also hired along the way from a traveling group of Gallic warriors. It wasn't long before we arrived at the river crossing, and just upon its sight their spirits were instantly lifted, any aches they had became unimportant compared to the symbolism of fighting once again at the site of their historic victory.

Making our way down the hill, the Carthaginian army must have had heard word from scouts that we were coming, and were already deployed on the opposite side of the river. This time, their army was much more flexible. This time even bringing with them members of Carthage's elite, sacred band infantry.


But it did not matter, this day, this bridge, this entire campaign, it was all meant for Rome. The men were eager and ready, their morale impetuous. Servius advanced to the bridge with only a handful of bodyguards to survey the opposing army.


Eager to make history for a second time, the Roman army rushes across the bridge on Servius's command. Almost fighting amongst themselves to get to the front first.


This time, the Carthaginian captain was wise to the mistakes of Ashtartyaton, and maintains that his force holds as Rome develops her lines, not wishing to have his troops startled on the unexpected volley of pila and javelins.


Roman funditores and Balearic slingers open fire on the enemy lines, harassing and antagonizing the enemy until finally a unit of spearmen can no longer contain its frustration and rushes forward.


The rest of the line charges after them and the Romans have a distinct advantage from the immediate start. Rushing around the line the Roman cavalry head straight for the skirmishers, Roman heavy infantry wheeling, yet again, around the left and coming down hard on the Carthaginian rear.


The Carthy skirmishers are cut down where they stand by the rush of the cavalry into their lines, and as the Romans descend on the Carthaginian rear, a rift opens in their lines. On the Roman left flank, the Carthy spears have been gravitated apart from each other, the rear contending with the Principes and Gauls while the front holds firm against the mercenary spears.
Seeing this split in their formation, Servius orders a full charge into the breach.


The result is a cavalry wedge being driven directly between the open crack in the Carthaginian line, somewhere in the confusion their captain is slain, and all morale the Carthies may have had left escapes them.

They are run down again, though not to the extent they were last time. These people may be foul and backwards, but I am no butcher and they can be taught the value of Roman ways. Sicily has proven us this. Once again a great victory is granted to us at this bridge, and the men are ready to return to Cartago with their spirits high and their pride even higher.


OOC - part 2 end.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Outside Hadrumentum, 253 BC

Marcellus Aemilius, glad to leave the fort where a huge battle and an odd meeting had taken place, was walking by his army, supervising the construction of the siegeworks. Soon, very soon, they would be used to take Hadrumentum.

Siege assault. Ah, this is more like it.

His teachers back in the Scriptorium had particularly emphasized this method of battle, for whatever reason. The teachings had stuck with him, and now he was regarded as something of an engineer.

"Good, good work Secundus. Pretty soon we'll be feasting on Afrika's finest delicacies."

They were about ready to assault. But then, he spotted a lone horseman riding hard, straight for him. The direction was from the north. This would not be good news.

Carthage's army besieging our western fort has lifted the siege in order to make an attempt at breaking your siege of Hadrumentum.

Damn.



Ok, Marcellus thought, there were still positives. The Carthaginian forces were smaller, he had more experience fighting them, and Oppius was no longer afraid. The only problem would be killing the relieving force quick enough to prevent them from combining with the garrison.

Marcellus planned to march up and send hell in the form of pila. If that still didn't break 'em, then the infantry and cavalry would do the job.



The pila worked wonderfully, killing about a hundred Carthaginians before there was any hand-to-hand combat. But it did nothing in terms of morale, and the Liby-Phoenician spearmen charged straight for his infantry.

Not again, Marcellus groaned. This time, he knew what to do though. He and Oppius went straight for the enemy captain.



It had worked, and some of the forces that were hit hardest with the pila began to rout. It had seemed like another chain rout would take place, but then a foreign horn blew. The garrison of Hadrumentum had arrived, with its excellent commander Ribaddi Clupea leading it. Marcellus was not quick enough in driving away the relief force, and now this problem would only cause more headaches.

He ordered any free units to head straight for Ribaddi, knowing that the death of yet another Carthaginian general would simply be too much for the Afrikans. Ribaddi was in serious trouble.



The Principes had made quick work of his entire escort, aside from the most important member. Ribaddi had somehow got out alive. Cursing, Marcellus wheeled his horses around. He had lost far too many men already and if Ribaddi escaped, then the battle would have served no purpose.

As he pursued, Ribaddi screamed something in Phoenician, which Marcellus had a pretty good grasp of. What he said only made Marcellus ride harder:

"Looks like I picked the right Aemilius to get in a fight against! You scoundrel, you can't even kill the most important person on the battlefield! No wonder you were only a side operation! That's all you'll ever be!"

Marcellus burned with hatred. Oh, no. The rage was taking over. He had had it under control for so long...

In a fury, he rode after Ribaddi all the way back to Hadrumentum, never quite catching him. The Carthaginian general slammed the gates shut and continued to torment him from behind high walls. Marcellus reluctantly made his way back to camp where he found that Oppius had finished things quite nicely.



~~~~~~~

"Double time, men! The sooner we finish these engines, the sooner that we sleep in actual beds!"

It was a couple of weeks later. Hadrumentum was still annoyingly in Carthaginian control. But finally, it was ready to be assaulted. It was a siege assault, Ribaddi was inside, and there was no other Carthaginian army in the area. He hadn't received the orders from Servius but this was now personal.



There were only a handful of Carthaginians who survived the last battle and made it back to Hadrumentum, but one of them had mattered more than the others. Ribaddi Clupea would be dead by the end of the day.



Marcellus only took a few troops inside. His escort, obviously, and Oppius' too. The Principes that had decimated the enemy's escort but failed to finish Ribaddi off, and then a unit of Hastati and Velites for good measure.

In the center square, Ribaddi had resumed his taunting.

"Is this all that remains of the mighty Consular Army? Are you really that incompetant that your army is that under-strength in only two battles? Oh, happy days, this should be easy!

Cursing, Marcellus abandoned all thoughts of Roman discipline and charged straight for his tormentor. When the tide of the battle took him away from his target, Marcellus reared back and flung his gladius.



It implanted itself in Ribaddi's skull, and the battle was over.



Now if I could only do that to UPS Maximus, Marcellus thought with a chuckle as he fed Ribaddi's body to the pigs.

[Braden]

The Consul ordered me to engage the enemy at night, I was unsure of this personally. Whilst I have no false sense of honour that precludes me striking at a hated enemy in the dark I was, however, concerned how this would affect the usefulness of my own ranged troops.

How would my Funditores find their targets if they could not see the enemy clearly?

How would my Skrimishers fare with a limited vision of the area in front of them?

Would this engagement cost me more dearly than if I’d sought my enemy in the light of day?



Perhaps I was being tested by the Consul?

Well, these questions would soon be answered as we lined up for battle at Ascania.



I formed the men up to present as larger front as possible whilst retaining the strength in our lines. Principes in the centre, then Hastati and finally my Italian Swordsmen. These were closely supported by the Triarii behind and on the flanks whilst he centre was given more missile power by the addition of one Velite unit. I organised my Funditores with another Velite unit into a separate flanking group. The cavalry I retained full control of so we could roam and pick off any targets of opportunity.

We could clearly see the enemy, two Phalanx units a skirmish unit and……..archers! Damnit! I had no real answer for archers, all I could hope is that we could entice them from behind their protective phalanx wall.



I sent my infantry forward strait at the enemy, the skirmish group I sent wide right towards and to the edge of the woods there. I led the cavalry very wide left and we waited.



My Funditores let loose at the Phalanx’s and it was too much to take for the archers, they moved forward and started to fire back. Unfortunately their target was the Velite unit behind them and they took a good few casualties before they withdrew into the woods. The Funditores remained in the open and seemed to be able to dodge most of the incoming arrows, as very few arrows landed in their formation. The Funditores returned death upon the archers and decimated them.

Our main line was now in position and the enemy spotted my “exposed” cavalry, wide left and ahead of the infantry – a Phalanx charged them. I saw them coming and a plan was fast in my mind. I let the cavalry slowly lead the enemy Phalanx further left then the left flank Italian Swordsmen and Hastati ran to intercept. The Phalanx re-presented itself to them but it was now that I sprung the trap!

The Principes dashed forward and let loose their pila into the flank of the Phalanx, the swordsmen and Hastati did the same from the front and the Principes charged! The Hastati held the Phalanx whilst the swordsmen flanked from the other side and swiftly the Phalanx was enveloped.

Meanwhile the other Phalanx moved forwards, again trying to seek my weak flank – this time my right with Hastati and swordsmen.

At this moment the first Phalanx utterly broke. I ordered the infantry to pursue just until they were directly behind the 2nd Phalanx, then to disengage – I sent my Italian Cavalry after the routing unit.

Swordsmen, Hastati and Principes turned about and crashed into the Phalanx rear before it engaged at the front with my main line.

This left the skirmishers and the remaining archers utterly exposed so my Praetoria and myself charged the untouched skirmish unit whilst the Equites finished the archers before turning to aid me.

I was surprised at how effectively my Praetoria fought against the skirmishers, we lost one brave man to a javelin but we managed to completely split their formation and re-charge from the rear before the Equites arrived to aid us.

I let the Equites finish them whilst I led my Praetoria to mop up any routing units and let my infantry rest.



I had to count 30 dead from this encounter, most struck down by arrows. Also, the enemy was intent on seeking my weaker flanks and engaged my Hastati with the Phalanx's, I would have preferred my Principes had received this but no plan is infalable.



The Seleucids and Ptolemites seem unable to present a significant force in Asia-Minor now, to be honest this is starting to make the men worried. There is a well known saying “men fear what they do not see, far greater than that which they can” and it holds well.

However, I am confident that we can defeat whatever comes our way and all I am concerned with is that I am starting to yearn for a major engagement in which to make my name.

http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/...m-Manius-1.zip

[Dutch_guy]

Northern Afrika – 253 Autumn

Flavius Pacuvius was staring intently at the table in front of him filled with numerous maps, each and every one containing Northern-Afrika. And each and every one of them was different.

‘’Is it really that hard to make a decent map of this bloody excuse of a land ?!’’ He barked at the nervous looking Numidian Slaves in the front of his command tent. They of course weren’t stupid enough to answer, but then again Pacuvius didn’t want one.

For He of course knew perfectly well where he was, but as every self respecting general knew ;knowing where you are is one thing, knowing the land on which you’re going to fight is a completely different thing. It was also knowledge our general didn’t have. And he didn’t like that at all. He was going to have to improvise.

Luckily the consul had been generous, and he had a lot to improvise with. A full consular army was at our general’s disposal. And the force he was assigned to attack was only a mere ¼ of that size, if not less.

The Only thing that had to be taken care of, was to minimise the amount of losses in battle. As the enemy force apparently (if our intelligence is to be trusted that is) consists predominately of skirmishers accompanied by about 150 spearmen. That's about 800 javelins, if every skirmisher has two, and quite possibly a lot of injured or dead Romans

The armies engage, the Gods favour us – so it seems


Flavius Pacuvius sends a token force to bait the Cartheginians, these Numidian mounted skirmishers claim to know the lay of the land – for their sake, let’s hope they’re right!

The Larger army is set to follow when the Cartheginians take the bait, or simply come close enough to be engaged by the large, consular sized, force

Pacuvius rode amongst his men as they marched towards the now clearly visible modes Cartheginian force. Morale was high, they outnumered and outclassed the enemy greatly. And the men knew it.

‘’Remind me to reward captain Kaeso for his excellent manouvering on the field, and of course for bringing the Punic fools in reach of Roman steel’’ Flavius said to a nearby scribe, a young Samnite, who followed Pacuvius’ every move, and wrote down every word. Who but the Gods knew if they might come in handy later! Hey, they might even make for some great quotes later on!

‘’ And of course to send a letter to the senate, I daresay those nervous old men ‘ll love to know how I did’’ He added.

The Numidian horsemen were now mere feet away from the main body, and we’re ordered to proceed to the left flank. And wait further instructions.


Roman Army on the March


The army was now about 150 yards from the Cartheginian army, the mercenary stone slinging Funditores set to work immediately. The Skirmishers were ordered to form a line in front of the Gaullic mercenaries, who were in turn backed by the Roman soldiers. The Hastati, Principes and Triarii. Flavius and his entourage were located in a central position behind the Roman Soldiers, and the other detachment of Cavalry was moving towards the Right Flank. Ready flank and engage when the time came.

The Funditores and Mercenary Slingers were ripping the lightly armoured enemy skirmishers appart, the Cartheginian force, however, held it’s ground.

Not for long however.

Charidemos was getting more and more impatitient with each volley of stones hitting his vulnerable skirmishers, and decided to order them forward. To engage the enemy, not with their ranged weapons, but with their knives.

A desperate charge and fight ensue


The slingers and funditores were able to retreat behind the Gaullic Mercenaries, a couple of Velite soldiers decided to face the charge and help repell the desperate Punic Skirmishers.

However, the Gaullic troops proved to be better in a melee, and didn’t need a lot of time to rout the skirmishers. The Gauls, as is their nature, persued their prey eagerly.

The Skirmishers break.


Charidemos, the enemy general, saw his skirmishers charge and die againt the fastly superior force, what to do ?

Die on the field ? Or live another day ?

Being an honorless Carthaginian, he proceeded to do the latter. The entire enemy force was retreating, what was left of it at least.

The Cavalry are ordered to persue the still remaining enemy force.


Seeing that this was not a trap Pacuvius ordered his two cavalry detachments to chase the tired and beaten force. Needless to say, being the brave Roman that he is, he participated in the chase himself. Alongside of captain Kaeso, to whom he partly owned his very first victory as a general. And they were both very well aware of this fact

The Chase Ends.


The Battle ended right there, it was not a total victory – the cowardly enemy general had seen to that – but it was a victory non the less. And that was all the Roman people cared for really, and he knew, and the senate knew it.


The Results


Alas, 15 soldiers had to die this day, mostly due to the bold and unexpeted charge of the enemy skirmishers. But it could have been a whole lot worse, had the enemy given battle in a more honorable way, and if captain Kaeso hadn’t done such a splendid job in baiting the enemy force.

The reward you ask ?

Well Pacuvius knew the perfect one:

A fine new General awaits command in the Afrikan Theatre.

[Braden]

Pessinus…hmmm…..I didn’t like this really, for several reasons.

Firstly, the town had a hideous name! Pessinus….what backward peoples named that? Next, it was a town assault again. These will always cost more lives than comparable open battles but it is the way of war.

Next, it was a true test of me and my men. We were finally outnumbered! Some 824 men resided in the town itself as a garrison but a further 401 hurried their way to aid them from the South! We were outnumbered but if we were swift we could defeat each component army in detail.

But lastly, the Consul had insisted on complete victory! No fighting man of the Seleucids should live through until nightfall…….a tough and unrelenting task was set my young men.



I wish us to find out where the enemy re-enforcements would come from so we deployed a short distance from the township. Sure enough those re-enforcements soon appeared over the dunes ahead of us and to our right.



I sent our Funditores forward to start to harass them whilst we deployed in force against the smaller army. I engaged with my right flank whilst sending my cavalry and Funditores to our left to ensure the defenders in the town stayed……in the town. The cowards obliged us and remained near the town and stood and watched as Roman steel cut their “saviours” to pieces. It was just a matter of advancing on the town next.



As we got closer confusion and fear reigned! The defenders knew not what to do and ran back and forth in the city streets trying their best to hide from us……and THESE men were led by a Seleucid governor and general??



Perhaps in an effort to show his men what to do or to install some valour in them the Seleucid general a certain Abantes charged forward into the flank of one of my Principes cohorts. I resolved to leave the matter at that but he was starting to do sore damage to the cohort so I decided to enter the fray……soon enough Abantes was cleaved from his horse by one of my Praetoria and I withdrew us from the Principes aid.



However, is bravery did manage to urge his men into some form of action and it was that his own slingers did fire upon us then.

However, this put them as a number one target and whilst these men had some measure of red blood in their veins the Seleucid phalanx’s did NOT and left the slingers and skirmishers to their fate at the hands of my Principes, Hastati and Italian swordsmen!



Soon enough though it was the cowards turn! Whilst a cohort of Principes supported by Hastati held the final “elite” phalanx’s attention, my Italian swordsmen finished off the last of the Seleucid skirmishers and struck at their rear.



However, finally feeling there was some bravery in their hearts they would not break or surrender. Seeing my Principe cohort taking casualties I decided to help tip the battle again and I charged with my Praetoria into the melee……we drove a wedge into the rear of the Phalanx but still they would not break.



However, I withdrew and re-charged a second time and this was too much for them. Surrounded, divided and defeated they fought near to the last….

…..there he stood. The last Seleucid warrior, spinning his sarrisia about him and fending off my soldiers. I watched him for a good time and could see the desperation in his eyes, the wounds on his body and the strength leaving him. I signalled my bodyguard.

The Praetorian horse charged forward, spear levelled but at the last moment he turned it to present the blunt end, and bringing it down upon the Seleucid’s head the last enemy fell. I galloped forward and leapt from my horse to catch the warrior as he slumped to the ground. He did not loose all sense at that moment though. He stared into my eyes and spat in my face!

I looked to my men all about me with a smile.

“I like this man, THIS is a man who would spit in the face of death! Call the Chirgeon, I would have such a man, a man with such defiance and spirit on my staff.”

Thus it was that I allowed one warrior to live, against the Consuls wishes.



This was truly a Heroic victory for my men though……



……as only 74 fell never to rise again….for the cost of 1,219 Seleucid warriors heads!!

[Braden]

I was tired, it had been a long march from Pessinus and whilst we’d chosen a route which was quite easy it was none the less mainly desert.

There were no special instructions from the Consul regarding Ancyra, merely that it be taken. My own precepts of “with as little loss of Roman life as possible” was foremost in my mind as always though.

So, we advanced on the town and her defenders.



Ancyra is to be one of the final border towns that will defend us against future Seleucid aggression. It is, actually, a shame that in order to secure as small a border as possible, in the most defensible position as possible, we had to take towns from the Ptolemites but, as blood relatives of the Seleucids I doubt they would have ceded to any diplomatic requests from us.

Ah, yes, our border. Well Ancyra will be the centre of this new border. Other than that I will leave to the Consul when he advises the Senate on his dealings but, suffice to say, that I cannot agree more with the thinking behind the overall plan.

Anyway, we prepared to advance on the town and after some scouting the previous night, I chose the most direct route to the centre of the town and thus victory.

The plan was the standard one. My Funditores would soften up the enemy and draw them out as the infantry advanced into a favourable position supported by Velites and skirmishers….well, if I still had skirmishers that is. They languish in Sardis still I believe on garrison duty with my Italian spearmen….pah! no matter.

We knew what we faced, a Hoplite cohort, some skirmishers and the enemy Governor himself.



So, the Funditores advanced into the city to try and entice the enemy out to fight. This they did well, however it was only the defending Governor and General who took the bait.

…..and ran strait into my Principes!



Surrounded and out fought, it was soon that the enemy Governor fell



I allowed the same Principes to advance on the Hoplite cohort and engage them from the front. They had little difficulty, actually making good use of their large shields to push past the Hoplite spears.



As normal I managed to get my Italian swordsmen in position at the unprotected rear of the enemy.



After a volley of missiles from them and their charge, it was very soon over.



Victory again for my brave men



…and again for little cost in lives. Only 23 lost their lives.



Luckily, we do not have long to wait here and soon we are moving South East…..thank the Gods for this! We thought Pessinus was bad……Ancyra makes that place seem luxurious!

[Braden]

The message was quite explicit "......this is an emergency. The army west of Adana must be obliterated, immediately following the army's destruction you are to take Adana, enslave the town, it is necessary for stability in the east."

To the west of Adana stood 470 Seleucid warriors, we had simply to march up to them.....kill them all and then march upon the defenders of Adana.

We had always known we'd arrive at Adana, and in truth, the men were welcoming it. Ancyra was an appauling place - sandstorms and smelly camel traders - the men wished for nothing more than to move on. What we hadn't planned upon was to leave yet more comrades behind.

Two cohorts of Italian swordsmen had to be left behind for garrison duties.....yet we loose more men as garrisons than we do to the enemy blades!

Little more than a Legion now marched towards a spot called Pisida to meet our first challenge. Perhaps though this would be my mens final "boon".....in our most recent actions we'd had explicit instructions not to harass or enslave but now, we have orders otherwise. The men were keen, a handful of slaves to the most senior in the ranks, when sent back to their families, means a great deal to them. Those without rank enough to be granted slaves have the booty they could carry and sent back.

Either way, those citizens of the Republic with family in the ranks of this army have been able to acquire quite substantial coin over the last year....perhaps 18 months is it?

Not even TWO years! It seemed to take longer to sail here than it has been to subjugate virtually all of Asia-Minor from the "mighty" Seleucids and Ptolemites. Why did we fear these people so?

Perhaps after Adana, I will have my men back to me from Garrison duty.

So, it was that we chased down the first Seleucid force



We lined up and prepared, I had to move my Triarii out to my flanks seeing as I don't have any Italians to fill the gap and I followed my cavalry out wide right.



A swift skirmish where one Phalanx is consumed by a joint action by my left flank Principes, Hastati and Triarii the rest start to run from the field!



We manage to engage and take down 271 enemy for only the loss of EIGHT men.





Fortunately, the survivors ran to Adana....so it was that we met a force of identical manpower than ours but the advantage of not only Phalax formations in the narrow city streets but vital local knowledge.



I divided my army equally to the west and south of the city intending to advance in these two formations and hopefully catch the defenders off guard.
Unfortunately, the defenders struck at us first and threw virtually all of their army at only the men I had to the South!!

I sent frantic orders and I will bless the Gods for a month that we prevailed.



This did mean though that the force I had in the West was virtually unopposed until they entered the city outskirts. They then hit formidable opposition..



However, now freed from their own engagement to the South and now having vanquished the vast bulk of the defenders my Southern formation came to the Westerns aid.

I saw that little remained of the defenders, skirmishers and the Governor General himself. Thus I took it upon myself to finish this episode and rest my infantry. Myself and my Praetoria chased down and killed the skirmishers before entering the city square and felling the Governor himself!



Victory again!

48 of my men died for this final township in the desert but the Seleucids paid very dearly indeed and 694 of their men will not breath again!

[Dutch_guy]

The battle of Utica

The War in Northern Afrika was going as planned, not one battle was lost and thousands of Carthaginian soldiers and citizens had already died. Almost all of the most important cities were already taken by Roman force, only Utica and Hippo Regius still remained a threat to Roman liberation of the land. Of course, the Carthaginians still had numerous inland settlements, but these poor and desolate cities were not going to help Carthage vanquish Rome anytime soon. Our conquest at the moment at least, was confined to Carthage Proper and all of it’s coastal cities. Fine with me.

We are now but a few hours marching distance from the city of Utica, our scouts report that the resistance, let by a mere captain named Gisgo, is about 860 soldiers strong. At least half of those is comprised of Skirmishers and the other half of Spearmen fighting in a greek phalanx.
All in all, this shoudn’t give to much problems for my, by now, fairly experienced consular sized force. Even the impetuous Gauls have yet to let me down, a fact which ‘ll no doubt surprise Augustus Verginius quite a lot.

The plan of assault was to split the army up in two different groups, one comprised solely of trustworthy Roman troops, and the other of brave gaullic mercenaries. Both Swordsmen and Spearmen.
Knowing how my right flank would appear weaker than my centre, I was hoping the Carthaginians would underestimate my Gaullic force, and concentrate their energy on breaking them.

The troops deployed


As soon as the battle horns were blown, the battle started, the enemy skirmishers and a platoon of spearmen headed for my right flank. And the skirmishers proceeded to charge my spearmen.

The Carthaginians play right into my hands, they charge the Gaullic Spearmen.


A combination of said spearmen and a contignent of Italian Cavalry break the Skirmishers in no time.

A great display of team work, a move straight out of the textbooks.


The Carthaginian spearmen try, in vain, to succeed in what the skirmishers could not. But the Gauls appear to be the better fighters, no surprise there.

The Spearmen decide to flee.


The victorious right flank moves forward, halting just before the street leading towards the city plaza. Again they meet a band of Spearmen.

Forming ranks.


Engaging spearmen once again


This time the spearmen hold out for quite some time, they fight with unexpected fierceness.


Flavius now ordered his main force to move, seeing his right flank was doing fine on its own. He decided to move to the city plaza, and move in from two sides, to not get bogged down in the city streets – where the enemy phalangites were at their best.

The orders are issued.


At that exact time, however, the Carthaginian captain decided to attempt a brake through on the right flank by charging his own unit into the marching Gauls. The slingers leading the right flank get caught trying to retreat and suffer some casualties.
On the other side of the plaza, the Roman main force engages the remaining spearmen and Skirmishers. Flavius himself moves to a more central position on the plaza, trying to get a quick overview of the battle at hand.

The Fight for the plaza ensues.


The Tide turns once the enemy leader dies.

The enemy captain get’s surrounded and dies in a desperate fight.


The desperate Spearmen fight to the last man.


The battle was a succes, 174 friendly soldiers died. Mostly Gauls, as expected before the battle. A fair trade off againt 867 dead Carthaginians.

The Results.


Now that Utica was secured Rome held most of the Original Carthaginian settlements, and had destroyed most – if not all- of it’s might.

Next Stop, Hippo Regius.

- Flavius Pacuvius.

[Dutch_guy]

Battle of Hippo Regius.

Northern Afrika, winter of 253.

‘’If I spend one more year in the dessert I swear I’ll turn into sand myself ‘’Flavius thought to himself while reading the orders his Consul had just issued him. Besiege the City of Hippo Regius and eventually attack and enslave the city. Killing the enemy general, one of Carthage its finest, wasn’t specifically asked for, but was of course a nice bonus.

Hippo Regius was about a season’s march from the newly conquered city of Utica, and it could therefore, be taken two season’s after the marching order. If al went according to plan that was.

And thus in the winter of 253 Flavius Pacuvius faced the Carthaginian general Bisaltes the Mad, a worthy adversary – this battle could very well be harder than expected.

Our Consular army attacks the City.


The enemy’s 673 men are comprised mostely of Skirmishers, the general’s personal bodyguards and two units of Pikemen. Nothing our general hadn’t faced before, as a matter of Flavius had had more than enough training facing such an army. As an added bonus, he had been heavily tutored in the fighting of sieges, an art of war he had come to like quite a lot.

‘’We’ll split up our army once again, Gauls to my left and the Romans in the centre’’ Flavius told his chief centurions and legates.

‘’If we’ve learnt anything these past battles, it’s that the Carthaginians always underestimate our veteran gaulic mercenaries’’

‘’They’ll split up, and come to us piecemeal’’ Flavius spoke to his centurions, before ordering them to deploy the troops the way he told them to.

The Roman centre re-deploys.


Not surprisingly the Carthagnians split up their forces again, and decide the Gauls are easy pikkings. We all know how that worked out for them in Utica. I guess they’ll never learn...

The Spearmen march to engage, whilst taking casualties from the mercenary slingers.


The lone detachment of spearmen engage the friendly spearmen, and whilst under fire, get surrounded by even more spearmen.

Enemy speamen surrounded


Meanwhile, Flavius orders his Roman soldiers to move on towards the main city streets. The ones leading towards the Town plaza. And the enemy general.
On the other side of the battlefield, as lone unit of skirmishers decided to join the melee, they were easily repelled. The Warbands were, however, having a hard time finishing the hardy Carthaginian spearmen off.

The Phoenician spearmen fight to the death.


Bisaltes the Mad, seeing his right flank was crumbling and taking heavy casualties, marched out by himself to charge the Roman centre. He was living up to his name so it seemed.

Flavius himself meets the enemy General in battle


The sacred band get’s surrounded, but keeps on fighting. What’s Bisaltes trying to prove ?

The enemy generals bodyguard units slowly die off.


Finally, Bisaltes sees the stupidity of his actions and retreats tail between his legs, back towards the city plaza. To join and rally his beaten troops.
Flavius orders his men forward, skirmishers ahead of the main force, to take the plaza.

There the enemy general tries once again to force a breakthrough, again, un succesfully.

Bisaltes the Mad finally dies.


Only a unit of skirmishers and phoenician spearmen where left on the city plaza, both were engaged and overclassed by the Roman principes, hastati and triarii. They do, however, hold out a long time, and a charge in the back by the general’s bodyguard itself is needed to brake them..

Pacuvius himself charges the skirmishers.


On the other side of the plaza, the phoenicians fight on, to the last man, but die in vain. They were outnumbered and outfought.

The last of the Phoenicians die.


Another battle is won, and the soldiers know it.

The Romans celebrate yet another victory.


These were the results Flavius sent to his consul:

A clear victory.


Again, the Gallic soldiers suffer the most.


Another successful battle added to the growing list of Flavius Pacuvius, now, however, another interesting question came to mind. What next, what would the consul have me do now ?

We shall know soon enough...

[Tamur]

(ooc: pictures will come later, I wanted to at least get this up)

Battle of Arsinoe, 252 BC

Appius hesitantly opened the tent flap and sniffed the air. Livestock. He shook his head and went back into his tent.

"Marcus," he asked the young man sitting with a writing board, "is there some reason the quartermaster is stationing the cattle not even a stone's throw from the camp? Upwind?"

Marcus looked up at Appius. "I imagine it's to irritate you, young one."

Young one! thought Appius. Look who's talking. "Well, he's succeeded. I'm about ready to go slaughter them myself right now. Except that wouldn't help the stench..."

"Probably make it worse," interjected Marcus.

"...so I'll go review the troops," Appius finished. "Get your stylus ready. It's going to be quite the day." He grinned that grin which often made others feel as if Appius was about to go mad. He knew this, and used it to great effect at times. Or he thought so, at any rate.

Appius threw open the tent flap a little less hesitantly this time. He walked about the camp, noting the ordered areas with praise, chastising those whose tents showed signs of unrepaired tattering. He chatted casually with some of the men, the ones who did not look at him as if he were a five year old boy. Some of the men were twice his age and looked at him as if they knew it very well. Appius, however, had grown used to this and walked on past them as if he saw nothing.

His walk led him to the eastern wall of the camp. From here he could see down into the valley below, barren except for a few scraggly trees. Down there beyond a small creek lay the city of Arsinoe, his target.

The First Consul had written to him, to him! His first reaction had been to shoo everyone out of his tent and read fervently. Numerius had stepped aside to give him command of the battle, and now he was on the edge of his first command. Fear and glory coursed through him as he looked down at the city. Which would control him even he could not tell.

The next morning dawned clear and bright, but the sun found the camp dismantled and the men lined up outside the wall-less town. Appius did not believe in sleeping late.

The people of Arsinoe had managed to field perhaps four groups of phalangites, some slingers, a scattering of horse. Appius tried to quell the feeling that this was a slightly pitiful force for his men to face. He would take no chances.

As he lined the men up, two of the phalangites from the town decided they would rather fight on open ground and came out of the city. Appius sent funditores and skirmishers at them, telling his heavy troops to back away as the phalangites approached. The phalangites were all a muddle; charging the funditores only to find they had melted away and were sixty paces off, now charging the skirmishers to the same effect. All the while they lost man after man to a constant hail of javelins and stones.

Finally, down to three-quarters their original numbers, they decided they had had enough and turned to go back to the city. Appius gave the signal, and four units of horse mowed them down as they ran, slaughtering them to the last man without a single horse dropping.

Appius coughed. "Did you get that, Marcus?"

"Oh, yes, I think so, yes sir, yes," replied Marcus, scribbling like mad on his vellum.

"I think you and I can stay up here on the hillside and watch. Better view, and it's shady." Appius bit into an apple, squinted for a moment, then ordered the cavalry to position themselves at all the city exits.

Now was the time for the spearmen and principes to do their work. After positioning themselves at three of the main streets through the city, they began the march into the forum where the miserable remains of Arsinoe's army huddled.

Appius' stomach tightened as the men neared the centre. He knew the Arsinoeans would fight to the last man, and he feared a mishap. However, he had laid his plans out to his captains the night before, and there was no use turning them now.

Finally, the sound of shield smashed against shield in a mighty roar came to his ears as Appius' spearmen and triarii locked horns with the phalangites in the city centre. The forgotten apple dropped to the ground as Appius noticed the Arsinoean horsemen lining up for a charge into the back of his triarii. He closed his eyes as they began the charge, and opened them a moment later to find that his hastati had intercepted the charge and were slaughtering the horsemen as if they were wheat under the sickle.

The horsemen fell quickly to the hastati's massed attack. Now only the phalangites remained, and they proved more stubborn than a wild ass. Attacked from three sides, with cavalry blocking all the exits, and their horsemen destroyed, the phalangites fought on like dragons and took many men with them to Hades. Finally they broke and attempted to flee the city, but they were all cut down before reaching even the edge of Arsinoe's forum.

As the cheer of victory went up, Appius breathed a sigh of relief and rode down from the mountain, into the city he had now taken for the glory of Rome.

[GeneralHankerchief]

North of Thapsus, 252 BC

This is the story of Lucius Dolabella:



Born in Messana in 285 BC. One of his earlier memories was when a Roman army, under the Consul Quintus, marched in and proclaimed the city liberated. It was a glorious day, for Carthaginian rule had been brutal and harsh. Lucius at that moment knew he wanted to be a soldier.

He couldn't be a principe, his personal preference, of course. He was far removed from the heartland of the Roman Republic. But when the large Auxilia building in Messana was constructed, he immediately signed up to be a swordsman. He would be part of the alae, those loyal Italians who would fight alongside their Roman friends in order to bring glory and freedom to all of those lands.

He served with honor and glory in the Alps, and later Afrika. Well enough to be considered one of the finest soldiers in his unit. He had killed his fair share of enemies, and gave his people much honor.

But then things happened. The other two units that had came from Sicily at the same time, skirmishers and spearmen, considered him their leader of sorts. They looked to him and followed his lead when it came to all sorts of matters.

The corruption of power combined with current sentiment made a nasty sum. The generals in the Carthaginian theatre were far from conforting. The new Consul, Servius Aemilius, was very young, and rumor had it that although a fine commander, the desert was claiming his soul. Servius' uncle, Marcellus, openly distrusted the Consul. Oppius was only a teenager, and Flavius Pacuvius, although he served admirably, was seeing his first action. Ever.

Despite all the fine victories won, Lucius had believed that there was no reason that the Romans should be in Afrika. He began to doubt everything, and wondered if Quintus was right to even invade Messana in the first place.

Finally, in one autumn day in 252 BC, a Carthaginian diplomat made his way to the fort where the alae were stationed. He offered Lucius and the three units there a sum of denarii to fight for them. After some discussion, Lucius accepted. He had thrown away his Roman values, once again serving the Republic of Carthage.

~~~~~~~

This is the story of Marcellus Aemilius:



Born 279 BC into a proud Roman family, the Aemilii. He grew up with Numerius Aureolus and others in Rome, but eventually Numerius departed for Greece. Marcellus, at the age of 16, stayed in the Scriptorium to further his education.

Finally, at 20, his military career began with the dispatch of some brigands threatening Rome. From there he went to the Alps, serving with the late Augustus Verginius, and killing the last Gallic King in Comata.

After that things dampened. He got into a falling-out with his nephew and the Consul, Servius. He didn't agree with anyone's plans for Rome, believing that the Republic was abandoning its principles. He was annoyed that Servius had delayed his voyage to Afrika. But he never once entertained the thought of deserting Rome.

Things perked up. Marcellus arrived in Afrika, survived a desperate sally battle, and repaired relations with him and Servius. He conquered some cities, and was gaining respect in the Senate. The Carthage Expedition was going well.

But then some alae decided to defect. While a problem since reinforcements were tough to come by, he knew an example would have to be set.



The battle itself was relatively short. After some initial skirmishing, the Gallic Swordsmen charged, followed up by his Praetoria. The symbolism - Romans ordering Gauls to kill Italians - was not lost on the defectors.

As the charge neared him, Lucius Dolabella suddenly realized how wrong he was. Realized that Carthage was failing, and that Rome was right. All he needed to see was Roman might in action again. But the problem was, the Roman might was directed at him.

Marcellus Aemilius, eyes blazing, cut his way through the crowd until he and his horse were facing Lucius. The leader of the defectors just stared, making no attempt to defend himself.

"You have learned your lesson, traitor," Marcellus growled. He then plunged his gladius into Lucius' neck, and slashed upwards. And Lucius Dolabella's complicated life had ended.



After that display, the remaining Italians laid down their weapons and surrendered. Marcellus ordered the Gallic Swordsmen to stop, who did so reluctantly.

Once back in Thapsus, the army made their way to the town square. Marcellus put the 21 surviving Italians on display and ordered the Gauls to slay them all. They did so.

Word of the deed quickly spread through the city and Afrika. The message was clear: Treason will be dealt with harshly.

Lucius Dolabella and the other Italian defectors could attest to that.

[Dutch_guy]

Summer of 252 BC

Flavius Pacuvius was studying the newly arrived pieces of parchment intently, they contained the new marching orders. And were of course sent by the consul Servius Aemilius. The orders were easy enough; kill all the defenders and enslave the populace, Rome needs the slaves.

And thus it was that Flavius Pacuvius marched to, yet again, take a Carthaginian city, and he didn’t mind at all. There is only so much sand in ones bed a noble Roman General can take.

On to Kirtha.

During the march from Hippo Regius to Kirtha, which took about one season, the consular sized force was stripped of its Gallic soldiers – only the slingers still remained. It was to be the first time the Roman troops were to be tested. If tested was of course the right word, again the opposing forces were of such a level that none would have mistaken them to be anything other than Carthaginian. One can only kill so many Carthaginian Skirmishers....

This settlement did however differ in one fairly major aspect, this settlement had walls. Wooden walls, yes, but walls nonetheless. This wasn’t something our dear general had much experience with – as a matter of fact, it was the first settlement in which he would have to deploy actual siege equipment....

The Siege is started.

This was to be a simple assault, two battering rams would march on to the eastern section of the walls, and keep on ramming it untill the gate, and walls would come down. After that, the slingers and skirmishers would fire their load at any enemy soldier foolish enough to come too close to the fallen walls.

The General oversees the assault.


The wooden rams didn’t need a lot of time to deal with the simple wooden walls on which the Carthaginians relied. The Gate was the first section to go down, followed shortly thereafter by the other targeted section of the walls.


The Gate is breached !


The soldiers manning the rams were ordered to form a square on the Roman side of the destroyed walls, they were not to march into the city yet... First the slingers and skirmishers would have their way with the enemy, who indeed reinforced the downed sections of the wall.

The enemy captain himself comes to defend the walls, does he have a death wish ?


The gallic slingers throw volley after volley of stones into the marching Carthaginians on the far side of the walls, instead of defending the city plaza en masse – which every self respecting captain, or general, would have done – the Carthaginian captain decides to use his troops as stone catchers...The slingers inflict heavy casualties on the enemy soldiers, especially the skirmishers suffer badly.

The battle was almost won without even having to unsheath Roman steel. And it minded Flavius Pacuvius not for one bit.

The Bodies cover the dusty floor.


Now it was the time to enter the city, the troops met no resistance whatsoever when the marched through the destroyed sections of the enemy walls.

The walls were captured.


The soldiers were ordered to advance to the city plaza, where the enemy captain held what was left of his forces. The hastati led the march, followed by the principes and triarii, Flavius himself oversay it all from the back of the line.

The Romans march towards the plaza.

Whilst turning the last corner to the plaza, the hastati are attacked by what is left of the captains contignen and by a sad bunch of already worn skirmishers.
The Captain tries to motivate his soldiers one last time, but once the triari charge into the skirmishers, it’s all over.
A massive retreat to the plaza begins...

The Triarii engage the skirmishers.


The retreat was closely followed by the eager hastati and triarii, the rest of the forces also joined in, and not long after the initial rout, the soldiers slaughter what is left of the enemy on the city plaza.
The enemy captain died fighting, slain by a heavily armoured trairii soldier.

The enemy captain lies dead on the ground.



Victory was totall, the entire Carthaginian force was destroyed with only eleven losses mostly due to own fire.

A clear victory...



Another victory was added to Flavius Pacuvius’ rapidly growing list, he could now even call himself a surperior commander. Things were going well, one thing , however, bothered the General...What would the Consul have him do next ?

- Flavius Pacuvius.

[Braden]

We had faced the foe, the mighty Seleucid Empire. We had faced them and found them wanting. Now, one of their Generals had the insanity to pit his meagre force of nearly 500 against not only our fortifications but also my seasoned army.



The river of Galatia flowed freely through the place where we cornered Antaeus of Gadara. Initially, I believed he would face us at the river and try to take us as we crossed, but no such sanity prevailed here. He awaited us a fair way away from us, atop a hill on the other side. So it was that we made the river crossing unhindered.



He remained, stolid in that if he kept the high ground his army would not be defeated. Such a fool is only more reason why the Seleucids fail in war. Height is good, but it is not everything, movement and sense outweigh such factors.

Thus we moved up the hill on its most gentle of slopes to engage him on his right flank.



The results were quite predictable, I advanced my skirmish troops ahead as normal and took his phalanx’s apart piece-meal. They held for longer than I expected and losses were higher than I’d wanted on this day but we held the field and destroyed Antaeus and his army.



28 Roman lives for 449 Seleucids….perhaps a “fair” trade, but our numbers dwindle again and more friends perish.



__________________________________________________

[Braden]

So, this was what Antaeus was hoping for. Re-enforcements! Ha! Even if he’d had these 241 extra men, did he really believe the day would have been different those few months ago?

Perhaps I’ll ask him, well…..I would ask him had his head not have been cleaved from his body when I met him in the Winter!

So, my seasoned troops against a lowly Captain…..I even felt I shouldn’t even have bothered leaving my tent. Oh well, I suppose if I didn’t turn up my men would just do something silly….



The two phalanx’s the comprised the whole of the Captains force clung to a slope of a low hill. We formed up and marched upon them.

I divided my skirmishers up as normal but managed to advance them well up the hill and not only above the enemy but also to their left flank.

Whilst the Funditores engaged and enticed the Phalanx’s to advance upon my main body my Javelin armed Skirmishers prepared on the enemies left.



Blinded by the Funditores and the greater mass of my troops the enemy advanced, only to be hit by a massive barrage of Javelins into their exposed flanks!

The devastation was wondrous for even my troops! Principes and Hastati lent their own missiles as the enemy got close and after the rain of death had ended there was but 30 men left standing!



The result was the cleanest I had ever had. ALL 241 enemy were slain and NOT ONE SINGLE ROMAN OR ALLY lay dead OR even scratched!!

Truly, Seleucia holds no fear for the Republic anymore.



___________________________________________________

[Braden]

A reasonable force of Seleucids were reported to be moving to our borders this summer from Tarsus. Charged as we are to hold this border advanced to engage them before they had any contemplation of entering our territory.



The field of battle was a massive expanse of rolling hills, never before have I set eyes upon such wondrous countryside. I ordered us to setup upon a nearby hill and await the arrival of the enemy, they advanced only so far and waited…….they clung to the higher ground as far away from us as they could, thus we had to advance a great distance to fight them.

I did arrange my formation differently than normal and whilst I kept my largest cohort of Principes in the centre, the rest of my front line consisted of my Italian Allies.



As normal though, I separated most of my skirmishers and sent them forward at a dash to engage the enemy re-enforcements before they met up with the enemy on the hill.

Slingers and Javelins rained down at close range upon this hapless Phalanx.



The result was utter devastation! It was unfortunate though that I had not cavalry or infantry that could chase them down…..so advanced had my skirmishers become.



Carefully we advanced, I sent my infantry and skirmishers wide left along the low ridge whilst I lead my cavalry wide right along a similar ridge that brought us to the left flank of the enemy.

Once the body of infantry was in position in front of the enemy at the base of the hill I moved the cavalry into a threatening position, forcing one Phalanx to break formation. They chased the cavalry down the hill and to the right of my infantry where they were greeted by not only a hail of incoming stones from my slingers but also a cohort of Italian swordsmen, there javelin’s and a cohort of Italian spears. These engaged and then all my cavalry committed to the fight swiftly destroying this unit.

Meanwhile, a second Phalanx unit moved down the hill to engage my centre where my Principes held whilst my left flank Italians enveloped them……again I followed with cavalry charging downhill. The final Phalanx was similarly destroyed.



….and victory was ours



Gladly we only lost 19 men for destroying 456 Seleucid lives



It appears I am known as Manius the Victor in this region and that I am “Hailed” as a Conqueror…….perhaps misplaced praise but I will do nothing to staunch such tails as they strike fear into the enemies hearts.



On a more sombre note, I have determined that I shall not permit my cohort of, now 20 Principes, to fight again. They have fought hard and well over these years and 20 men is insufficient to be an effective battlefield unit. I have sent letters to the Senate requesting the survivors have Letters of Passage back to Rome where they may retire in safety. I hope that my request is received well, for my only remaining choice is to continue to bring these men on my continuing campaign or ferry them home by my own means…….I shall not suffer another death in that cohort.
__________________________________________________________

[Mount Suribachi]

From the town of Icosium, I lead my praetorian force SW to intercept a small Carthaginian army. I am suffering from terrible headaches in the town and I hope that the more robust lifestyle we lead on campaign in this wilderness will clear them.

The enemy have 4 cohorts totalling 305 men, to my 787. I shall not bore you with with elaborate reports of how I did this and that, puffing myself up as if to show I am the greatest general ever. The enemy were dispatched swiftly, apart from their Numidian Cavalry. My only horses were those of my bodyguard, unable to catch the swift Numidians. I became more and more exasperated as my horses and men became more and more tired. Eventually we cornerned them and they were slaughtered. The Carthaginian General was already dead. His name escapes me. Its not important.

We buried 289 enemy bodies. My initial report was of 41 Romans killed, but 8 of the men who my surgeons reliably informed me were mortally wounded have recovered and will be fit for duty next season.

Tingi awaits me to the West....

[Glaucus]

Quintus Libo's Journal, December 14, 251

It is cold day. It seems that the winter never ends here on the Frontier, and I'd give my own horse's life to be in Afrika or Palma... somewhere where I hear the heat is relentless. The consul has ordered that I lead my legions against an Iberian army in the dead of night, the first of many strokes against this awesome power that has shadowed Rome from the west and north for decades. Now I must change that.



I order my slingers to engage the Iberian front, a long line of untested warbands, no match for my legions. They take the rain of pebbles without moving, refusing to come off of the hill the cling to like they no doubt cling to their mothers.



My Roman, Italian, and Gaullic infantry hold the charging Iberians, though some of thier infantry tries to flank my line. I order my son in law to charge them directly, and they break immediatly after. This leaves the entire rear of the Iberian force open to my cavalry, since they have no cavalry of their own. I take care of their slingers w/my bodyguard while the rest of the Gaullic Cavalry smashes the rear of the infantry, causing them to turn and run en mass.



The battle is soon over. Not even one hundred of my men are dead, though over a 12 hundred of the Iberians are. Now Iberian-Occupied Germania lies open to my army, Viberi is just down the road, and accross the Rhine... the unprotected lands of Iberian-Gaul.