Velvet Coats of Kings

[Orb]

The first imperial steps of the Lusitani soon followed the removal of Qart-Hadast from Iberia: Bocchoris and then Tyde were attacked by Lusitanian forces. The storming of Bocchoris was accomplished with a fleet assembled at Mastia, and 4,000 Caetrati led by Ambon, son of Latronos.

Unfortunately, the spies of the Lusitani coalition had underestimated the strength of Bocchoris - they had suggested that there would be less than five thousand, probably all militia, anyway, but:

"Upon arriving we found ourselves to be vastly outnumbered, and facing stronger enemies than we had anticipated. There were two armies, one of which was outside the city, and had managed to thus elude our lone spy. The other was also stronger than anticipated; we had meant to face only citizen militia, but they had dangerous Balearic slingers and light infantry as well."

The best estimation we have of the three forces are:
Lusitani - 4,000 Caetrannan, not particularly experienced, and Ambon's 500 bodyguards.
Carthaginians outside city - 1,600 Militia and 2,400 Balearic slingers.
Carthaginians inside city - 1,600 militia, 1,200 Balearic slingers and 2,000 Balearic light infantry.

Jubal, who was understandably not present at the battle, gathered the following account:
"The Lusitanians spread out into a loose formation, to lessen the effect of the opposing slings, and marched towards those men in the countryside. They were able to, quite easily, overcome the slingers and the citizens before the other men arrived. Now they were faced with fresh men, but men inferior to their own in quality. Though the battle was long and difficult, again they overcame."

In the same year, he mentions that a small force of elite Libyan veterans, supported by the shophet, came to attempt to reclaim Mastia. The sixteen hundred men were cut down by the returning Ambon, whose heroic victory put him as one of the chief generals of the Lusitani.

John Bell comments on Puno-Iberian relationships after this time.

"Although a peace treaty was again concluded, the Carthaginians were unwilling to accept an alliance again, even though the Lusitani offered the return of Bocchoris for a token sum. In 262, Ambon successfully fought off over 10,000 independent Punic merchants and citizens with the aid of locally recruited Iberians, and a ceasefire was accepted again.

As a result of this rejection, the Lusitani sought a powerful ally elsewhere. The Romans also refused any offer of friendship, though they were willing to pay well for Lusitanian maps, while the Epeirotes (now possessing only Rhegion in Italia, but still powerful in Greece because of their alliance with the dominant Koinon of the Greeks) would gladly form a nominal alliance, but refused any monetary requests."

Jubal gives more information about the actions of the Lusitani at home:
"A certain Elatunako Brigantiucoi, who had recently been betrothed to Turenta, daughter of Ditalkos, led an attack on the so-called Crossing King Seko, a brigand just within Lusitanian borders with support from the Gallaeci of Tyde. The Crossing King was defeated, and after the Gallaeci refused a tribute to make up for the damage caused by their sponsorship, Elatunako attacked and soundly beat them, too. As he returned south, having taken the town, he engaged and clearly defeated another army of rebels under one of the Carpetani's former retainers, named Sekonos."

He also notes that taxes were lowered, ostensibly out of kindness, but realistically to reduce the number of rebels.

At about this time, preparations were begun for an attack on the Helleno-Iberians of Arsé, with a force of 9,000 men, mostly natives, Ambon led a march north in Autumn 261. Ambon launched the attack soon after and took the city of Arsé from Epaphos of the Edetani. The Greek militia were no match for the falcatas, but the Iberians in the town centre resisted ferociously, and the Lusitani-led Iberians suffered many losses. Regardless, a victory was achieved. Later in that same year (we believe it is 261 BC), general Elatunako defeated another brigand host, and was nearly done clearing the land of rebellions and brigands.

"Upon hearing of the arrival of a Koinon host to oust the Epeirotes from Southern Italy, the Lusitani quickly discovered that the Greeks were far more generous than the Epeirotes, and shifted their alliance accordingly. They received 1,500 Mnai through two deals in early 260 BC, and thus knew that the Greeks valued their alliance. This established the position of the Lusitani as a single diplomatic entity - they had diplomats at the courts of Carthage and at the Roman senate, as well as in the halls of tribal kings and the Gallic nations. Their network of spies extended into Italy and Africa, allowing them to judge current events and act accordingly." - John Bell

In the second half of 260 BC, Elatunako finished off the last of the brigands and rebels of Lusotana in a pitched battle. Their status as a rising nation was confirmed by the defeat of all who disputed the word of King Latronos. The efficiency and ability of Elatunako in accomplishing this task led him to be given governorship of Mastia and Baikor.

Lusotannan tablets from the period mention the betrothal of Ambron to a certain Ama, daughter of the African king in Tingis, and also the status as a second son accorded to an adoptee (of Latronos) from the Vettones, named Kasilos Orengicoi. In this period, the temple complex at Oxtraca which stands even to this day, was begun.

Edit: sorry about the slight drop in quality there, it was mostly written while I was playing and wasn't taking many notes, so it's slightly confused in terms of chronology and detail.