Syracuse, Carthage, and Rome, being city-states have the same name for their capital as for their "state".
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
new world order
The Summer 213 map, after Rome's defeat by Bruttia. I've taken the liberty of adding placenames to spruce up the rather bland Rome 1, Rome 2, etc.
Syracuse, Carthage, and Rome, being city-states have the same name for their capital as for their "state".
Syracuse, Carthage, and Rome, being city-states have the same name for their capital as for their "state".
Friday, October 22, 2010
a sharp reverse
The Gallic army streamed over the rolling fields toward the hill. The mass of the army, swordsmen on foot, formed a solid block in the center, cheering and shouting as they trotted along in search of the foe whom scouts had assured their war leader, Thikasbrix, were drawn up nearby. The cavalry trotted along to their right, chatting about their forthcoming prowess in battle (and later with the recently widowed Spanish ladies). Thikasbrix pondered in his chariot behind the army, while his driver watched the capering of the young men who acted as skirmisers, who were tailing behind their fathers, elder brothers, and cousins.
The great mass of warriors raced towards the rocky hill, looking to reach its heights before the enemy could seize them. But when they approached the crest they saw it would be their uncontested--the Spanish had halted in the woods at the bottom of the hill, while their horsemen held the open ground to the east, their fine Spanish stallions prancing and curvetting in impatience.
Thikasbrix, who had urged his mounted troops to the west in hopes they could sweep the enemy's flank, gestured wildly, calling them back to the Gallic army's left flank where they could fight best in the open (though they would have to get over the hill first). His warriors on the hill, seeing his waving, took it for the command to attack and poured down the ridge, waving their blades and shields.
The Spanish commander mopped his brow. If only his men would follow his plan and keep to the woods, where the swordsmen and their supporting javelineers could use the rocky groves to disrupt the feared rush of the Celtic a warriors and fight them on a more even footing. But what was this? Cavalry were advancing behind him, Greek by the look of them. These must be the Syrcusan force that his spies had reported were en route. A party of light horse rode straight for his camp, followed by a denser body of horsemen with spears and armour. He gestured to his trumpeter, who signalled to his bodyguard that they should turn about and move to cut off the horsemen approaching their baggage train.
The first Gauls raced down the hill and without stopping to take breath, plunged into the shade of the oaks and pines where the Iberians were waiting for them. One party, screaming and hacking with equal gusto, put to flight a number of Spaniards, slaying most of them as they fled. But their brothers on either side ran into a more solid defense, and the penetration of the Spanish line was quickly isolated and contained. As the eager Gauls suddenly realised their dangerous position, more of the dusky southerners swarmed around their flanks, swamping portions of the Gallic line and driving other parts of it back. Surrounded and seemingly outnumbered, one band of swordsmen after another were cut down or, broken, fled the field. Thikasbrix, dismayed, sounded the recall and began to plan his explanation for the sudden and unexpected defeat. He had outnumbered his enemy, and the islandmen from the east had sent horsemen to lengthen the odds even further. But here his forces were streaming backwards in rout, and the Greeks (with, it looked like, quite disgusted looks on their faces) were calmly retiring from the battlefield, watched carefully by the Spanish horsemen. Something had gone badly, badly wrong...
The great mass of warriors raced towards the rocky hill, looking to reach its heights before the enemy could seize them. But when they approached the crest they saw it would be their uncontested--the Spanish had halted in the woods at the bottom of the hill, while their horsemen held the open ground to the east, their fine Spanish stallions prancing and curvetting in impatience.
Thikasbrix, who had urged his mounted troops to the west in hopes they could sweep the enemy's flank, gestured wildly, calling them back to the Gallic army's left flank where they could fight best in the open (though they would have to get over the hill first). His warriors on the hill, seeing his waving, took it for the command to attack and poured down the ridge, waving their blades and shields.
The Spanish commander mopped his brow. If only his men would follow his plan and keep to the woods, where the swordsmen and their supporting javelineers could use the rocky groves to disrupt the feared rush of the Celtic a warriors and fight them on a more even footing. But what was this? Cavalry were advancing behind him, Greek by the look of them. These must be the Syrcusan force that his spies had reported were en route. A party of light horse rode straight for his camp, followed by a denser body of horsemen with spears and armour. He gestured to his trumpeter, who signalled to his bodyguard that they should turn about and move to cut off the horsemen approaching their baggage train.
The first Gauls raced down the hill and without stopping to take breath, plunged into the shade of the oaks and pines where the Iberians were waiting for them. One party, screaming and hacking with equal gusto, put to flight a number of Spaniards, slaying most of them as they fled. But their brothers on either side ran into a more solid defense, and the penetration of the Spanish line was quickly isolated and contained. As the eager Gauls suddenly realised their dangerous position, more of the dusky southerners swarmed around their flanks, swamping portions of the Gallic line and driving other parts of it back. Surrounded and seemingly outnumbered, one band of swordsmen after another were cut down or, broken, fled the field. Thikasbrix, dismayed, sounded the recall and began to plan his explanation for the sudden and unexpected defeat. He had outnumbered his enemy, and the islandmen from the east had sent horsemen to lengthen the odds even further. But here his forces were streaming backwards in rout, and the Greeks (with, it looked like, quite disgusted looks on their faces) were calmly retiring from the battlefield, watched carefully by the Spanish horsemen. Something had gone badly, badly wrong...
Thursday, October 14, 2010
In the midst of war, an outburst of peace!
With all the threats of war and rapine, Spain throws out an olive branch to Carthage, which is deftly caught and returned by the battered sea peoples. The Med's first war ends as its newest moves into high gear. Gauls spill over the passes into Iberia! Who will win the battle(s) for Hispania?
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Hear ye! Hear ye!
In the temples of the gods of peace and war, the following announcements are made:
In the Temple of Eirene, in the city of Syracuse, a dozen doves are released as the Tyrant declares his state of war with the Romans at an end.
Across town in the Temple of Enyo, a black bull is slaughtered and the blood is used to paint the doors of the ambassador from Spain. Syracuse declares war against Iberia!
In Gaul they are a bit more homespun. The Spanish ambassador is greeted at his gate as he returns one evening from dinner with certain local businessman. A party are waiting for him dressed as Broad-Chested Cicoluis, God of Battle, and his minions. They clap the ambassador in the skin of a freshly killed deer and pummel him with rods before dumping him in a vat of mead.* A different take on the ceremony, but clear nonetheless: Gaul also is at war with the Spanish!
I will post a new map in a few minutes. Syracuse will have the first move in 213. His army starts in western Sicily. Other armies will be revealed as they move, are invaded, or send contingents.
* Rumours that the heralds then pulled the ambassador out and held an impromptu party with him and his staff, consuming all the mead, the deer (roasted), and a large quantity of other game cannot be confirmed, but knowing the Gauls are quite believeable.
In the Temple of Eirene, in the city of Syracuse, a dozen doves are released as the Tyrant declares his state of war with the Romans at an end.
Across town in the Temple of Enyo, a black bull is slaughtered and the blood is used to paint the doors of the ambassador from Spain. Syracuse declares war against Iberia!
In Gaul they are a bit more homespun. The Spanish ambassador is greeted at his gate as he returns one evening from dinner with certain local businessman. A party are waiting for him dressed as Broad-Chested Cicoluis, God of Battle, and his minions. They clap the ambassador in the skin of a freshly killed deer and pummel him with rods before dumping him in a vat of mead.* A different take on the ceremony, but clear nonetheless: Gaul also is at war with the Spanish!
I will post a new map in a few minutes. Syracuse will have the first move in 213. His army starts in western Sicily. Other armies will be revealed as they move, are invaded, or send contingents.
* Rumours that the heralds then pulled the ambassador out and held an impromptu party with him and his staff, consuming all the mead, the deer (roasted), and a large quantity of other game cannot be confirmed, but knowing the Gauls are quite believeable.
An Extended Hiatus
With the rapid and near-utter collapse of Rome in 214, the balance of power shifted around the Mediterranean is a drastic way. And the winter was spent in so much diplomacy that the price of post horses rose over 200% and most merchantmen willing to sail in the stormy months around the year's end began outfitting their staterooms with gilt charcoal heaters and gold-embroidered, red silk velvet sleeping hammocks (as well as seasickness bags of the finest linen...)
Syracuse sent messengers to Bruttia and Gaul. Gaul sent envoys to Syracuse, Spain, and Carthage. Syracuse sent more messengers to Bruttia. Bruttia sent diplomats back to Syracuse (possibly meeting more Syracusan heralds on their way). Gaul eventually heard from Spain and Carthage (there were delays over the Pyrenees, apparently). Judging from the way the Head Gaul screwed up the dispatch and threw it into the brazier, it would appear that he didn't like what the Spanish had to say. More feverish missive writing took place overnight, and messengers set out from Gaul the next day en route to Syracuse. They received a hearing and brought Syracusan heralds back with them when they came home.
Now it's gotten quiet.
Too quiet...
Syracuse sent messengers to Bruttia and Gaul. Gaul sent envoys to Syracuse, Spain, and Carthage. Syracuse sent more messengers to Bruttia. Bruttia sent diplomats back to Syracuse (possibly meeting more Syracusan heralds on their way). Gaul eventually heard from Spain and Carthage (there were delays over the Pyrenees, apparently). Judging from the way the Head Gaul screwed up the dispatch and threw it into the brazier, it would appear that he didn't like what the Spanish had to say. More feverish missive writing took place overnight, and messengers set out from Gaul the next day en route to Syracuse. They received a hearing and brought Syracusan heralds back with them when they came home.
Now it's gotten quiet.
Too quiet...
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