The Generals of Rome: A Romani AAR

[julius_caesar_the_first]

although they can on you when you take too long to post a chapter!! They have an insatiable demand for updates it would seem

I will try to remember that.

[CaesarAugustus]

(Great entry, btw :)

[julius_caesar_the_first]

Well after several days struggling with writer's block I managed to make the third part of the AAR. I'm sorry if I used too much text at the beginning but once I finally started writing I couldn't stop.

So here it is. Enjoy!

[julius_caesar_the_first]

(496 AUC = 258 BC)

Part III – The War of the Three Islands


Winter 496 AUC, Segesta

It’s been a relatively peaceful year compared to the others. I’ve spent it governing Segesta and the lands around it. Bringing it into the Republic is no easy task since I have to work with resentful and primitive people. I’ve tried to show them the benefits of roman rule by giving them things like sanitation and slowly the unrest is fading. When it came down to collecting taxes it went more smoothly than I had expected. Still the only thing keeping them from revolting is the very large garrison. It will be some time until the permanent garrison from Arretium is ready.

A few days ago the future governor of the town arrived. His name is Tiberius Aemilius Lepidus. He already has some skill in administering settlements so I think he will do just fine. I have begun to show him the inner working of this place so the transition is smoother.

Spring 497 AUC, Segesta

A messenger arrived this morning. The message he brought was from one of the Consuls and ordered me to go to Roma as soon as possible and to bring the army for retraining as well. It looks like a new assignment from the Senate. I will leave tomorrow ahead of the army to find out what this is about.

Autumn 497 AUC, Roma

Compared to the urgency of the first message the one I received once I arrived was very different. It was an invitation to dine with Senator Lucius Cornelis Rufus. I had a suspicion this had something to do with the first message, though it was one of the Consuls that had sent the messenger.
I arrived at his house in the late afternoon for Cena as the invitation said. I was surprised to find that I was not the only one invited. There were two more senators, the Consul Caelus Atilius Regulus (who had sent the first message), and Publius, a man I later found out was a grain merchant. We were served a starter of some of the best mushrooms I have ever tasted followed by a main course of pork delicacies that had just been brought from his country estate and at the end various fruits, mostly freshly harvested grapes as well as some very good wines.
The conversations were even more interesting than the meal and seemed to follow the courses. At first there was talk of the minor politics and gossip in Roma after which I was asked to speak about my recent campaign (at the time I was relieved that nobody asked about Taras) and the state of the northern border just as the main course was being served. Later the subject turned to foreign politics, the state of our alliances, the wars between the Gauls and the recent increase in the price of grain imported from Carthage among other things. It was a pleasant meal, with pleasant conversation but I kept feeling that there was more being said between the lines.
After the fruits were brought in the slaves left the room and only the guests remained. There was a short silence before senator Cornelius Rufus spoke directly to me, “As you have probably guessed by now this is more than just a feast I have thrown in honor of a very successful general. Each man here and each topic we discussed today has some link to your next assignment.” This was followed by another moment of silence as I waited, not knowing exactly what to say. “As you now know” he continued “our farms have been having problems producing the necessary amount of grain that is needed to support our growing population. Our *allies*, the Carthaginians have been quick to seize on this opportunity to raise the price on their grain and so our people and our treasury suffer.” After considering what he had just said I cautiously asked, “What exactly are you considering? Some kind of military action against Carthage. Maybe an attack on their Sicilian holdings to convince them to lower the prices?” He gave me a sly smile then said, “You are very close. My first intention was to take Messana but the Carthaginians made an alliance with the town in order to protect their interests on the island. They also made an alliance with Hiero II of Syracuse and so they now control the price of all Sicilian grain. A war with any of these two cities means war with Carthage. Since it can’t be avoided I think the best solution would be to take all of Sicilia. This would punish the Carthaginians and give us a source of cheap grain at the same time.” I took some time to consider all of this. Up until now, aside from the war with Pyrrhus Rome had never fought a war with any of the major powers of the Mediterranean. This would not be an easy victory. After a few minutes of silence I asked, “But why do you want me to lead such an important campaign? There are more experienced generals than me.” He smiled again and said firmly, “Indeed there are more experienced generals in Roma but they lack something that you have: creativity. I have heard about the strange but effective tactics that you use. This element of surprise could be crucial in winning. And do not underestimate yourself. I have watched your career since the beginning and know that you have great talent.” His last statement caught me by surprise. “You have been watching my career?” I heard myself asking. Again he gave me another one of his smiles before speaking. “Of course. Ever since the battle of Taras. You see your father is a friend of mine and after that fiasco asked me for help in saving your career. I managed to see beyond that youthful mistake and saw your true potential. So I convinced the Senate to give you a second chance and since then you have not disappointed me. Now I have to ask a favor of you just as your father did many years ago. You see I am interested in more than just winning the war. I am also interested in what happens after the war.” I said nothing, suspicions and anger mounting in me. “After the war” he continued “you will probably be named governor of the new province. Once you are governor you will need to ensure that the grain can start flowing as soon as possible. Publius here could be very helpful in doing that. Also the grain shortage has affected many of the senators who rely on farming for their income. Obtaining some land in Sicilia could help them recover lost revenue.” He ended smiling in a way I now thought was disgusting. My first thought was to leave then and there but I restrained myself. If indeed he was responsible for saving my career then I owed him a great debt. In the end all I said was “I will have to ask my father if you are indeed my secret benefactor. If it is true then I will repay my debt. Now if you would excuse me I would like to retire. I am tired.”
“Of course, I would advise you to prepare for the campaign. By spring all will be ready in the Senate.”
I left his house with a bitter taste in my mouth. If what he said was true then I had just become his puppet.

Winter 497 AUC, Roma

I sent a letter to my father the next day and received his reply a week later. It was not what I wanted to hear. It turns out that Lucius Cornelius Rufus and his friends were indeed responsible for saving me after Taras. He said to my father that he would expect a favor in return, but my father was surprised to find out that he had asked it of me and not him.
After that I informed Lucius that I would help him, but that I did not like it. He didn’t seem to care.
Now I spend my time preparing for the upcoming war, but also with my wife and my four children (my daughter Lepida was born just after my wife arrived in Roma). Keeping myself busy helps me not to think about what is happening.

Summer 498 AUC, North of Rhegion

We have been marching south at a steady pace. This army is the largest I have ever commanded and just moving it is proving difficult, not to mention feeding it. As we approach Sicilia I try to think that this is for the good of Rome. And it is. The new land and the new crops will help fuel our expansion. Still I can’t help remembering that all this started not out of patriotism but because of the greed of an old man and his friends.

Winter 498 AUC, Camp outside of Messana

Well the camp is ready; all we have to do now is wait. I have to admit this war has started very well.
Apparently after hearing that we are getting ready for war the Carthaginians sent a small army led by a young general named Hamalcar onto Italian soil in order to intimidate us. But when I arrived and he saw the size of my forces he quickly retreated back to Sicilia. I gave chase and finally caught up with him near Messana.



This is the point where the Sicilian Alliance fell apart. Hamalcar was no doubt counting on the support of the Mamertines, but when their scouts saw the size of the army they left for the town and did not come to aid Hamalcar.



As soon as we neared the Carthaginian line he tried a desperate charge with his own bodyguard.



When this failed the Elephants came. Now I knew that the Carthaginians used elephants and expected to face them at one point so I went and talked to veterans of the Pyrrhic War. That was the last time a roman army had faced Elephants and I wanted to learn about their weaknesses. So I learned that these beasts have a powerful charge, can trample men to death and can scare horses but I also found out about their only weakness: javelins.

And so when the Carthaginian Elephants came they tore right through the main line as if it didn’t even exist…


… but were slaughtered when the Leves just behind the main line used their javelins.


After that Hamalcar the coward ran and left a unit of spearmen to hold us off as he escaped.



After the battle was over I gathered my forces and marched on Messana. The Mamertines sent envoys to try and convince me not to attack them. I had one of the messengers killed and sent the second back with his head. Too long have these pirates used this town as a raiding base. Now they would pay the price for their crimes.

Just as I was writing this a messenger came with a report from a spy in Lilibeo. It would appear that the Carthaginians were not actually expecting us to go to war. The garrison there is small. This along with the apparent demise of their alliances means the war will go more smoothly than I expected.

Late summer 499 AUC, Camp outside of Messana

The first half of this year has been pretty interesting. Here in Sicilia we managed to ambush Hamalcar as he was heading to Syracusai to try to revive the Alliance. The battle ended with the death of him and his bodyguard but at a high cost to my Equites.

I also received word that two battles had taken place in the area of Arretium and Ariminum with some rebels. Lucius Cornelis Scipio was the one to put down those rebellions.



Here at the siege nothing interesting seems to be happening. This is more boring than Segesta. At least there the Ligurians would come out every now and then to taunt us. Here we just wait.

Spring 500 AUC, Camp outside of Messana

The siege drags on. It is now 500 years since the founding of Roma. Normaly it would be a time to celebrate. Some people in Roma probably are but I just don't feel like doing anythin. Still mabe a feast will help boost morale and annoy the starving enemy. Fortunatly logistics isn't a problem.

Spring 501 AUC, Messana

Well the town is ours. After a very long siege they decided to simply give up. When their leader and his bodyguard came out to surrender they all looked more like skeletons than men, moving slowly on foot (the horses had probably been eaten long ago) towards our camp. After the surrender I had all of the mercenaries executed for their crimes. Their leader was crucified in the middle of the town as a sign the mamertine occupation was over. Some of the mercenaries tried to disappear into the population but were soon turned in. The few remaining people welcomed us with open arms. After years of being slaves to the pirates they were now free.
My eldest son, Cnaeus has come of age. For now I have sent him (with the Senate’s permission) to Rhegion to get a feel for governing. I intend to leave Messana in his hands once I move on to Syrakousai.

Autumn 501 AUC, Messana

I received a letter from senator Lucius Cornelis. Instead of congratulating me for my bloodless victory at Messana he criticized me for taking too long. Apparently he is as impatient as he is greedy. He wants to hear that Syrakousai has fallen by the end of the next campaigning season. This does not fit in well with my plans but I have no choice. I will send for my son with the new garrison sooner than expected and send the army under captain Quintus ahead to besiege the city.

Late autumn 502 AUC, Former palace of Hiero II, Syrakousai

It’s been two weeks since we took the city and the population has finally calmed down so I have some time to write. A large city like this is not easy to control, even with a thousand legionaries. The battle for the city was one of the hardest I have ever fought and when it finally ended I had no choice but to exterminate the population.

When I arrived Hiero himself came out offering an alliance in exchange for sparing his city. I would have wanted to accept but Lucius’s letter explicitly stated that the city must be “in roman hands and under direct roman governance” so I had no choice but to refuse. A week later the towers I had ordered captain Quintus to build were ready. In the morning of the next day we attacked.


I have to admit that I was a bit nervous at the beginning of the battle since I had never assaulted a settlement since Taras. To add to my worries I would be attacking a city with powerful stone walls garrisoned with one of the most powerful Greek armies in the western Mediterranean.

The battle started badly with the loss of one of the siege towers.


Slowly the other towers reached the walls and the soldiers moved up. The first into the battle were the Triarii on the right side of the gate. They landed in a see of enemy skirmishers, surrounded on all sides.


On the left side the Triarii tried to push to help their comrades but were stopped by archers that resisted bravely against a superior foe.



At first it looked like the Triarii on the right side would be wiped out but the arrival of Hastati through the tower helped them hold out until the Principes of the third tower and Triarii of the second tower finally arrived.



With the walls and the gate taken the rest of the infantry entered.


The enemy cavalry tried to charge the line but were surrounded and killed.



Next came a long and bloody battle in the narrow streets with enemy cavalry and the elite Syracusan Hoplites.



After finally breaking them we moved to the central square outside of Hiero’s palace. There Hiero himself charged the line in a desperate attempt to stop us. At fist it looked like he would win but slowly his cavalry died.


Seeing it was impossible he fled to the square where he rallied his last two units of hoplites and charged.


Slowly their numbers dwindled as the Equites made charge after charge into the rear of the enemy formation. At one point some of the Hastati managed to pull Hiero off his horse and kill him.


The battle lasted for most of the day with heavy casualties on our side. It makes me sick to know these good men were sent to their deaths because of Lucius the Greedy.


I sent half of the army to Capua for retraining before I attack Lilibeo.

Winter 502 AUC, Syrakousai

I had to hire some Samnite mercenaries. My spies reported that the Carthaginians are moving along the border. I think it is just an attempt at intimidation but with half of the army gone I don’t want to take any risks.

Autumn 504 AUC, Camp outside of Lilibeo

Well here I am at what should be the end of the war. Once I win here things should calm down. Still victory is not certain. I confronted the largest army on the border but they fled and we were too tired from marching to chase them. I decided to besiege Lilibeo rather than confront Hamalcar the Elder on the field. I hope I made the right choice.

Winter 504 AUC, Lilibeo

Victory! Three weeks ago Hamalcar the Elder brought his army and attempted to relieve Lilibeo.


At the start of the battle I positioned one line of heavy infantry in front and one of reserves in the back with the cavalry and missile troops sandwiched in the middle. I wanted to defeat Hamalcar before the Lilibeo garrison arrived but wanted to have fresh troops when they did arrive.


First came a cavalry charge in the weakest point in the line, the Rorarii, but they soon retreated when we tried to surround them.


Next came an infantry charge on the left flank. From that point on the enemy concentrated almost exclusively on that flank.


I had to send in some of the reserves and even go in myself as the battle degenerated into a disorganized melee.


For a while the battle was balanced on a swords edge. We were lucky that the Lilibeo garrison was making an exaggerated flanking move and was still not engaged in the fighting.


For a moment it seemed that we would lose when Abdimilki finally brought his forces to attack our rear but then Fortuna smiled upon us and Hamalcar was slain.



At that point his army finally broke and we were able to concentrate on the Lilibeo garrison.
I sent the Equites to finish off Hamalcar army and used the infantry to form a new line.


The greatest danger was on the left flank of the new line where two units fighting in the Makedonian phalanx.


This part of the battle we won by overwhelming the enemy with numbers, slowly surrounding them.


The death blow came with the death of the enemy commander Abdimilki. Seeing their general fallen all Carthaginian soldiers broke and ran, including the two phalanxes.




We managed to cut down the running infantry and in the end there were too few of them left to hold the city. I hope that wining this battle means wining the war. I am tired of sacrificing good Romans in the name of Lucius the Greedy.


An interesting thing happened recently. Talking to the soldiers under my command I found out that some were calling me a conqueror or the “vanquisher of the Carthaginians”. More importantly some of those men were veterans that had fought at Taras. Knowing that they now respect me means a lot to me. From now on I think the ghost of Taras will haunt me no more.

Spring 505 AUC, Lilibeo

In a few days I will be leaving for Syrakousai. I intend to make it the provincial capital of Sicilia. My son Quintus will be taking over as governor of Lilibeo.

Autumn 506 AUC, Syrakousai, Provincial capital of Sicilia

Just as Lucius had said the Senate made me governor of Sicilia as soon as I managed to establish a permanent government. But the Gods had reserved a small surprise for me. Only a week after being named governor I received word that Senator Lucius Cornelis Rufus had died at the age of 73. All this before I gave him a single iugerum of land in Sicilia.
Still I have not escaped his friend in the Senate who still want that land. I intend to give them the land they want sine They are also responsible to some extent for saving my career, but I intend to make them wait for a while. My first priority is to give land to the soldiers that fought this war. I also wish I could find a way to get rid of Publius the Merchant. He started selling Sicilian grain as soon as Syrakousai fell.

Winter 506 AUC, Syrakousai

I am very angry today. The Senate gave me authority to negotiate a peace settlement with the Carthaginians. As we were discussing the final points of the treaty the Carthaginian diplomat received word that a roman army had landed on the island of Korsim and besieged the town of Alalia. The diplomat stormed out accusing me of being a dishonorable liar. I sent a message to the Senate asking what had happened. As it turns out a young and ambitious patrician named Aulus Cornelis Scipio had received permission from the Senate to take Alalia after I was given permission to make peace. And nobody bothered to tell me of the change in Senate policy

All this political intrigue is getting on my nerves. Now the Carthaginians refuse to negotiate until Aulus leaves Korsim, something the Senate refuses to order him to do.

Spring 507 AUC, Syrakousai

Well Aulus has taken Alalia. To make things worse he exterminated the population making peace with Carthage an even more distant prospect.



The only way to achieve peace now is to convince the Carthaginians that they cannot win. To do this I will take my legions for one final battle on the island of Sardin.

Summer 508 AUC, Karali

At last the war is over. I received the message only an hour ago and I am very happy. After ten years a war started out of selfish interests is over. It would seem that the loss of this important mining town coupled with a blockade of Kart-Hadast itself was finally enough to break the Carthaginians.

[Chirurgeon]

Great Job!! I like the touch how the town surrendered and the Cavalry had eaten their horses. Makes sense. Keep it up. I like the screenshots as well. Rome and her politics are messy indeed. Your man is caught in the middle it would seem