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)