The Ascent of the Julii - write-ups thread

[GeneralHankerchief]

Tara

Amilius Julius had finished talking about Manius Julius and the defeat of Germania, and had graciously allowed his scribes some time to dip their poor hands in cold water. Ten minutes later, though, he called them back.

"Aww, already? Can't Iberia wait until tomorrow?"

Amilius looked at them and smilied. "Ok, fine. You don't want to write my glorious history and become famous writers? That's alright. I'll get other people."

The scribes groaned and got ready to write.

"So, after Lucius Julius, my father and heir, had won a heroic victory against the Iberians halfway between Osca and Carthago Nova, he was eager for more. So I sent him to besiege Carthago Nova (which the Carthaginians had never held, oddly enough). The city was about to be assaulted when they were relieved by another Iberian force nearby.



"Really, what were they thinking? I guess it's this whole crazy barbarian belief that dying bravely is more important than winning. They certainly made this argument to Lucius, who deployed on a high hill. Lucius said he couldn't believe it when they decided to come.



"By the time the Iberians had come within striking distance, they were exhausted. Good old Lucius though, shows no mercy. He ordered that the pila all be thrown. The poor Iberians were decimated, but still kept coming. So instead of waiting for them, Lucius decided to charge down the hill.

"From there it was a matter of momentum.



"Because of Iberian foolishness, Carthago Nova was undefended. Lucius simply strolled in.



"I was content to just have him stay in Carthago Nova taking care of things for the rest of his life, but Lucius wasn't done yet. He wanted Corduba. I pointed out that the route there was treacherous, but he said he could handle it. Really, I didn't need much convincing..."

At this, one of the scribes suddenly had a curious expression on his face and started scribbling (even harder than usual). Amilius snatched the paper.

"What? You think I'm a PUPPET ruler for my father? Let me tell you something, this was *my* decision to let him go through with Corduba. Everything that we have done since I became head of the Julii was because I said it would be done!"

The scribe mumbled something, probably an excuse.

"Ok, you know what? Get out. You don't get to write my history. I hear that Marcellus Aemilius is running for re-election as Consul, why don't you write about that instead? Just get out of my sight, you piece of garbage.

"Anyway, I beefed up my father's force and sent him on his way. The guy wanted to plow straight through the valley, killing every army in sight instead of taking the roads. I admired him, and wished him luck.



"Lucius fought his first battle a little west of Carthago Nova against Captain Megaravicos. He had the slight advantage in numbers, but was definitely ahead in quality.



"The two forces went straight for the heights, but Megavicros ceded.



"This was pretty stupid, as Lucius charged down once again. However, he was a bit overenthuiastic and for a minute it looked as if I would be without a father.



"But then we flanked 'em on two sides, which caused a rout. Then, due to momentum, another unit routed... then another... then another. Pretty soon Iberian forces that hadn't been in any engagement fled as if they had just faced Mars himself.



"Lucius chased them until they hid in the hills. One army down.



"It didn't take my father long to head straight for that second Iberian army.



"This commander, Captain Arganthonios, was lucky as there were no heights that Lucius could charge down. He tried to mask the size of his force by deploying half of it in the forest.

"Even though there were no heights, the Julii bulldozer wouldn't be denied. The chain reaction began when the unit farthest from the forest was flanked.



"The Iberians quickly tried to redeploy in preparation of the flank attack but then the rest of the line caught them. You know what happened next: They're all running for their lives.



"And all of a sudden the way to Corduba was open.



"It didn't take long for Lucius to reach the city and assault it. At this point he had built up so much momentum, I think it only took one blow from the rams to knock the walls down. The poor Spanish king Leukon didn't know what hit him.



"Leukon had bravely sent some Scutarii to plug a gap, which managed to put a halt to Lucius' momentum - for about five seconds.



"Next he sent slingers. Now it was just getting ridiculous.



"Lucius plowed his way straight to the center square, where Leukon was waiting to - get this - die bravely. Stupid barbarians.



"The Iberians were now down to two cities. Lucius was happy, because he could die in peace knowing that he had headed an incredibly successful offensive which decimated the Iberians. It was time to do some governing.



"Ok," Amilius continued, "now it's time for Scythia-"

He paused, sensing despair coming from the scribes.

"Ok, fine. We'll do Scythia tomorrow. I guess that if I don't give you guys a break then nobody will want to write my glorious history. But I don't want to hear any complaints tomorrow!"

The scribes nodded and muttered their thanks, departing.

"Now," Amilius said to himself, "time to read this latest report. I didn't want them to get my reaction in case things didn't go right..."

He read the report, and gasped. This wasn't good.