For The Glory Of Rome

**Lord Nicco** · 12-29-2007, 16:39

For The Glory of Rome

This is my AAR based on Rome:Total Realism, I am not going to constrain myself to any particular rules as such but I can comment on what will be included.

The AAR will take the format of a narrator, talking through history as if reading it from a book. I think this will allow me to give you the most compelling story. I will include perhaps events that I think are prudent to improve the story, and I will give justification for entering wars and where other countries wage wars against Rome.

Each battle will include screenshots of the major points in the battle and I will also tell of the strategy that I am using in battle. I will also give screenshots of what is going on the campaign map making it easier for you to know whats going on. Anyway heres to a successful campaign!

**Lord Nicco** · 12-29-2007, 16:43

PROLOGUE

In the year 280BC, the Roman Empire was very much in its infancy, under the control of the Senate. Consul Quintus was the man who wielded the most power within the Rome and he used this power to very much dominate all Rome’s foreign affairs, something that would continue into the future.

Quintus,Consul of Rome

Map of Rome, circa 280BC

Rome at this time had under its control Capua, Ancona and of course the grand city and seat of government Rome herself.
Rome have many threats near here in this period, to the south lie the Greeks, who haved declared their intention to colonize the rest of the archipaelgo. To the north lie the Gauls who some hundred years earlier sacked Rome, and therefore gave the Romans good cause for concern. Rome also can consider Carthage at this point a particular threat to her position with holdings in the southern island of Sicily in what is now modern day Italy, at some point these two powers may have to cross paths. To add to this there is also a few free cities that lie to the north and to the south and if Rome was to succeed she would need to take these cities to improve her trade connections in the area.
It is in her armies that Rome must place her faith, they are well disciplined and versitile which should give them the advantage over the Greek hoplities which are very rigid in this period and Gallic warband who are indisciplined and likely to rout of the battle does not fair well.
Now that the prologue is out of the way we can finally get to the business of actually starting this campaign

**Lord Nicco** · 12-29-2007, 16:46

280 BC – Siege of Corfinium and Paestum

In 280BC sometime during the summer, after consultation from the senate, Consul Quintus and his son Pubilius Laevinius to besiege the two immediate major cities to the south of the Roman controlled area. These two battles would be important to the long continued prosperity of Rome. The importance was that with these cities under true Roman rule then they would act as an extra buffer between Rome and its enemies to the south, whether they be Greek or Carthiginian. The two cities in questions were Corfinium, called Corfio in modern day Abruzzo province in Italy and Paestum which had been founded by Greek colonizers in the 7th century BC, they now pled allegiance to no one.

Corfinium an Paestum, besieged in Summer 280BC

Quintus would besiege Corfinium and Pubilius would besiege Paestum, the goal here to defeat the governors of the cities and take the settlements by force in the winter of 280BC before the cold began to eat away at the troops.

Pubilius Laevinius, heir to Consul of Rome

Pubilius was the faction heir and therefore if there were losses at both cities and both generals captured or killed it would send severe problems through Rome, these were battles that Rome could afford to lose.

**Lord Nicco** · 12-29-2007, 16:49

280 BC – Battle of Corfinium

Finally the day came in October, when Quintus lost patience with the governor of Corfinium to give himself up and he decided that assaulting the walls of Corfinium, was the best option.

BATTLE OF CORFINIUM

IMPERIO ROMANA

Led by Quintus

1021 men

LUCANIAN REBELS OF CORFINIUM

Led by Aethon

1022 men

Both sides were very evenly matched, and no doubt this would be a battle that would take a lot of strategy to win. Quintus had not led an army for several years and it would be seen whether he could prove himself a great commander on the field of battle. The task for Aethon is simple, it is to survive behind the small walls of Corfinium and hope that somehow he can lull the Romans into an error that will cost them dear.

The Battle

We are told that the Romans bring to this battle, two units of hastati, one unit of principes, one unit of Italian swordsmen, a unit of Italian spearman and a unit veilities, along with Quintus’ own personal body guard. He deploys his two rams two the left and right hand side of the main gate, the idea behind this was to force Aethon to split his defences into two different groups, but keep his units focussed on one side of the wall and keeping the principes back in reserve he could now see which side would need the most reinforcement.

As the Romans approached, Aethon took the risk of sending about half his forces forward, to wait for the Romans, this included two units of skirmishers which had the soul purposes of disrupting Quintus forces from knocking down the wooden palisades.

Seeing this Quintus, tells his Veilities to advance forward to and the first exchange of the Battle of Corfinium ensues, the Roman Veilities seem to get the best of the two skirmisher units and force them back allowing them a few shots at Aethon’s swordsmen.

The casualties for both sides are relatively minimal but the ascendancy is with the Romans as the Lucianians can see some of their men already strewn across the streets of Corfinium.

Within minutes the rams reach the gates on the left and right side of the wooden palisade wall. Quintus divides his hastatii so that they follow the units dedicated with the ram and waits for the walls to fall to his Roman men.

The left hand side breaks first and the Roman spearman dive forward after taking a shot pilum from Corfinium swordsmen, now a bloody battle will ensue.

A minute or two later the right hand side breaks and this side is not as well defended. Knowing this Quintus pushes his men through the breach and pushes the Principes to the left hand side where the battle is likely to be a lot harder fought.

On the left hand side Aethon, has used his skirmishers to bombard the Roman soldiers coming through the left gap, whilst the Principes behind through their spears forward at the skirmishes. At this point the battle is poised.

At the left hand side, having taking some heavy losses the Roman spearman are pulled out so that the hastate and principles can take the battle to them. Aethon sees this as a side of weakness and fighting on the ground he orders his men into the left hand side. Quintus is merely resting his spearman for what will be needed later in the battle. Now the hardened more experienced Principes will look to win the battle.

Under tremendous pressure and because they are badly manned the right hand side of Aethon breaks and they are mercilessly cut down.

Aethon sensing that the battle is turning in Rome’s favour sends his skirmishers to stop the right hand side’s advance, he does not expect them to win but he does expect to hold the right Romans up so that Aethon’s left hand troops can win the battle on the right and wheel to face the left. Meanwhile he cannot get word back to his forces in the town centre that waits in reserve.

Within minutes the skirmisher cover is looking weak and they take heavy losses as they struggle to hold back the Roman soldiers.

It would not of mattered anyway, after a severe pounding from the Roman principles Aethon’s units cannot do much but run from their position back to the centre to regroup.

Meanwhile the skirmishers can hold the right hand side no longer and the right hand side holds their position in the centre waiting for the left hand side Corfinium troops to break. They know that the only way back is through the main via.

As you can see below even Aethon runs from the battlefield but it is to be short lived as he and his troops and hunted down both from behind and from in front from the waiting right hand Roman troops that wait on the sweep of routing units.

Aethon is slain by a spear thrown from a Principe behind him; it pierces his neck and kills him instantly. His body is shown no respect because he is not a Roman equal, Roman swordsmen walk over his body as the battle looks bleak for the Corfinians.

Meanwhile Quintus pushes his Italian Spearman back into the city safe in the knowledge that Aethon is dead. The spearmen are revitalised if not a little traumatised from taking a heavy beating earlier. This time the spearmen enter through the gate showing that the Romans already control the perimeter.

The dead on the streets of Corfinium can be seen below; truly it was a bloody siege.

Quintus moves his forces up the main via. With no command, and very little organisation, the Corfinians find it hard to make a counter offensive, they seem stagnant and therefore allow the Romans to advance up the via unchallenged.

Quinitus who has spent the whole battle outside the city looking in at the battle decides to enter via the gates. He can see around him the death that his men have caused and he is pleased, as he walks up the via he sees the body of Aethon strewn on the road, he does not bat an eyelid as his general bodyguard walk over him and his fallen men to take position behind his men.

In the picture below we can see the position that the last resistance of Corfinium have taken up. The cavalry and spearman are the last line of defence between Quintus and a Roman victory of great honour.

Quintus sends forward his spearmen forward in formation, he is trying to provoke a reaction from the cavalry captain, he knows a cavalry attack against his spearmen will be swept and destroyed.

Then as the spearmen wheel forward the attack comes from cavalry as they pound against the shields of the spearmen, this was the moment that Quintus was waiting for as the spearmen begin tearing into the horse.

To compound their woe, Corfinian Spearman pile in behind the their cavalry trapping them and the Roman spearman kill every last one to the man. With their job done, Quintus pulls the spearmen out and piles through the swordsmen and hastati to take that battle to the Corfinian spearmen.

Rome wins the battle convincingly, and Quintus is the conqueror of Corfinium.

**Lord Nicco** · 12-29-2007, 16:54

280 BC – Battle of Paestum

It was early December when Publius Laevinus, decided it was time to attack the walls of Paestum. He had heard of his father’s victory a week before and now he was looking to strike another blow for Rome.

BATTLE OF PAESTUM

IMPERIO ROMANA

Led by Publius Laevinus

1013 men

CAMPANIAN REBELS OF PAESTUM

Led By Alcides

876 men

The Roman’s went into this battle with an extra hundred and fifty men, it would be whether they could use them to their advantage that would decide the day. However Publius was not known for his command on the field. He had never led an army against a foe and this would a test for him. All they could wish for is that Rome’s power would through.

The Battle

Publius brought with him to the battle two units of hastati, two units of Italian spearmen, one unit of Principes and a unit of veilities. It is said that before the battle he is rather nervous, but has the courage to get on with the job at hand. He like his father has two rams and mans them with his spearmen. He pushes one onto the gates and another to the right of the gates. The idea like at Corfinium to split the attack for the defenders but be able to focus his attack on one wall.

Meanwhile as Publius army approached Alcides sword in hand was ready for him he moved his troops to the wait for the impending collision, but as they approach he begins to change his mind he leaves only a unit of Italian spearmen and a unit of skirmishers and sends the rest back, almost as if he planned some sort of trap.

Much like at Corfinium, the first exchange of the battle took place via the spears of the skirmishers and veilities. Publius commands that instead of trying to target the infantry units, that the Roman veilities target the skirmishers themselves, when the first volley hits, it causes panic within the ranks of the skirmishers and they become sluggish at firing volleys off, eventually they get one or two off, but Alcides is forced to withdraw them back to safe distance, along with some his units to lay in wait.

The gates of Paetsum are broken open and Rome’s hastati are able to enter the gates unchallenged.

The skirmishers are the first to contact with the hastati, almost by mistake as they wieve around the city. The second small skirmish of Paetsum is undoubtedly Rome’s as the hastati set about the poorly armoured troops, but Alcides sends in a unit of his Italian spearmen to cut off the hastati and make a fight of it.

Seeing that the hastati have managed to turn the Italian Spearman towards the gates of Paetsum, Publius sends forward his Italian Spearmen to charge into the vulnerable rear of the Italian spearmen. The effects are disastrous of Alcides weary troops.

Meanwhile a group of Italian spearmen led by Alcides himself turn the corner to make the battle even again.

Publius orders through his most hardened troops, his Principes. The first throw their spears into the crowded enemy and they hit their targets as many of them fall to the ground dead.

As the battle continues the Campanians slowly become almost fully encircled by the Roman troops with only a small corridor of escape to their rear as they fight battles on three sides.

Alcides finally decides it is time to flee but it is too late they are fully encircled!

The final brave Campanians fight on as they cannot escape, Alcides is already dead and his men that they will soon join him in the underworld. The battle is going well for Publius.

Once they have all been killed to the last man, Publius knowing that the Campanian may have cavalry orders up the second unit of Italian spearmen which had been kept in reserve all battle into the fray as they enter via the broken palisade walls.

The whole of the Roman army makes their way down the main via toward the city square where the last resistors are holed up.

Some skirmishers throw themselves at the endless amounts of men that march down the via, once a swift half dozen of them of them hit the floor dead they run away screaming that the battle is lost. The Campanian’s are truly broken.

A look back at the devastation near the city gates, many brave Campanian’s died in this battle and they won the respect of Publius. Alcides lies somewhere in those bodies.

The spearmen take the lead as the troops approach the top of the via, and the remaining skirmishers try and fight them but are beaten back badly.

The spearmen beat the remaining skirmishers, and still the cavalry have not been tempted to attack, but it would not be long.

The cavalry commander cannot resist the spearmen as they encroach onto the city plaza. His spearmen join in as well.

The battle is intense as the cavalry are cut down easily by the spearmen who sythe into the horse flesh like a hot knife through butter.

Publius decides to remove his tired spearmen after the last of the cavalry had been killed and send in his sword troops.

The Principes and hastati makes short work of the exasperated and dormented spearmen, they are outnumbered, outgunned and completely demoralised.

Publius wins his first victory as a Roman general and Rome gains a new province. It is said that Publius demanded that his men pray for the brave Campanian who died on the battlefield. For he was so moved by the way they fought.

It was around this time that Quintus found out that Pyrrhus was on the Italian archipelago, in the city of Tarentum, he was sure that at some point he would have to face him on the battlefield. Pyrrhus even by the non conservative estimates of the day was said to be Alexander reborn by many different sources. Quintus would no doubt have to fight well and hard to defeat him.

Below is the map of Rome after the 280BC conquests.

**Lord Nicco** · 12-29-2007, 19:53

The Politics of Rome

End of 280 BC

To fully understand Rome within this period we must fully understand, the complex web of people that made Rome what it was.

Rome at this time was ruled by the Senate, but within the Senate there was a mini-Caesar/Emperor. He was the Consul, and although he had to consult the Senate on all matters, and could in theory not make decisions by himself he would carry so much power with him that few people would dare challenge him on most matters, much less matters of war and battle.

The Consul had the job for life when he was appointed but normally by the time a person became Consul they would be well into their fifties and generally not many Consul’s lasted twenty years in office. The position below this, were open to change after just four years in office, generally the same person could not hold the same position for more than eight years, but exceptions were made to the rule for those wielding high power within the empire.

The line of Consulship does not run via bloodlines, although it is not unheard of for a son to follow his father as Consul of all Rome.

Only true “royalty”, could become Consul of Rome whether this be by marriage or birth into this noble few. Quintus, the Consul of Rome had no sons, but had four daughters, and to cement his hold over his hold over the Senate, a law was passed making sure that only Quintus’ family were the only true Roman blue bloods, having said this, with Quintus no producing a son, the line of Consulship was sure to pass to knew person from another family.

At this period three of Quintus’ daughters had already been married. Publius Laevinus had married his eldest daughter, this after Quintus had adopted him as a son, for his service to Rome as Qaesator. Publius in turn was in line to become Consul when Quintus died. Two other men were in line should Publius die or Quintus change his heir, they were Tiberius Corcuncanius, and Lucius Aemilius. These two men were also married to daughters of Quintus and wielded much power within Rome. These men were the self proclaimed rulers, govenors and protectors of Rome. They would lead her armies to glory and make her markets and ports boutiful and rich.

Marcella at this period remained unmarried and it was a battle to see which batchelor would be admitted into this exclusive club.

When a Consul died , the new Consul would normally choose their heir then and their, this could be changed but normally the expectation of the heir to one day become Consul would make him very powerful and would allow him to make ties with the powerful people of Rome, all meaning that the politics of the day were very much based on who was in favour and who was not.

PS: I know this is not the way Rome worked, but I think it will add a good story element to my story.