The Will of the Senate - Battle reports

[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.
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