The Second Iberian Wars

[Pontifex Maximus]

Sack the two unoccupied northern Celt-Iberian provinces, and sell all the prisoners into slavery.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Gallacia II: 4 + 3 = 7*500 = 3,500 denarii
Gallacia III: 6 + 1 = 7*500 = 3,500 denarii

Slave sales: 12,961*1 = 12,961 denarii

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucius feared the Celt-Iberians. While the Cantabrians failed to utilize their strengths, their mountain fortresses, the Celt-Iberians already had different reputation. These warriors preferred personal combat. While mountain fortresses provided a good defensible position to hole up in the winter, Lucius knew that these fearsome warriors would be more than willing to offer battle when it became possible. And they were good at it. Lucius had been reading the Histories. Men of this region marched with Hannibal to Italy over one hundred years ago and made their strength known in the devastation and havoc of that decade Hannibal remained in Italy. When in later years Roman generals attempted to bring this tribe to justice for the part they had taken, the results were disastrous. First Pro-Praetors were cut down, their armies dispersed and slaughtered, then Consuls, until finally, the frontier was set and the inner tribes were left to their own devices. But not today. Today the defeats of old would be avenged.

The legions were arrayed in battle order already, in an unorthodox formation. Lucius sat atop his war horse, surveying the troops. He had no misgivings about wearing his full battle regalia including the insignia of the commanders. Some commanders would frown upon this, arguing that it made the commander too easy a target, but Lucius refused to wear anything beneath his nobility. He was an ex-consul, a senator, and the governor of this backwater province. He was going to make it great, and it would not do to look like a common soldier while he went about this. Lucius turned to his legate and spoke.

"Legatus, ensure that the cavalry know their duties. We are going to seize the initiative today. No hanging back and waiting."

"Yes, Imperator."

As the man galloped off Lucius reflected on his battle plan. The Spanish admired and respected strength and daring. It would give a poor impression if he simply waited for them to come to him. If these people were to be subjugated they would need to understand that Lucius was not a man to trifle with. They would need to understand that he is an aggressive and skilled commander. One to be feared, one to be respected. If only the Senate was so easily persuaded.

"Bugler, sound the march. It is time to press the attack."

The call of the Imperator's bugle was answered by dozens more, those belonging to the cohort centurions and decurions of the cavalry. The entire force began to move forward as the battle commenced. Lucius and the command staff hung back, including several boys in their early teens that would act as messengers on the battlefield.

"These Spanish do love their archers, don't they?" Lucius remarked as he saw the first volley of arrows darken the sky above. "We will see how long they can keep up that pace before the cavalry get to them."

The Roman archers answered back in turn and Lucius was comforted knowing that death was now raining down upon the Spanish. Dust raised from the field as the Roman maneuvering began. Lucius rode to a small hill, flanked by his standard-bearer and the rest of his staff in order to get a better view of the field. The infantry were closing in to the Celt-Iberian lines. Lucius gripped his reins hard, his knuckled turning white.

"The Pila! Throw them now you damned fools! Yes, that's it! Look at them now, the whole front line nearly transfixed. Bleed, you bastards, bleed."

Lucius nearly spurred his horse to join the fray when the charge was sounded. The Spanish lines were already wavering but when the crash of metal on metal reached Lucius' ears apprehension bit into him once again. He watched in dismay as the plumed helmets of the elite Iberian spearmen joined the fray. Their heavy infantry were fearsome and brutal. They would spill their fair share of blood on the field today. Soon, though, the wings should unfold and envelop the flanks. the flanks would fold much easier without cavalry. Where is the cavalry? The flanks began to unfold and envelop, stopping a counter-flanking movement when a cry from the flank revealed the position of the enemy cavalry.

"ORDERS! Boy, three cohorts of the 2nd, non-Spanish, to the rear. Stop that damned cavalry charge. BUGLER!"

As the boy galloped off on a swift horse the bugler played the correct blasts to alert the 2nd legion that orders were incoming. The individual cohort tune sounded in response and three cohorts wheeled right, to face the threat. The messenger would soon reach them with specific instructions. This could still be saved. Lucius surveyed the main line again.

"Are those fools still shooting? Yes, they are. Caros, you damned fool, you're killing your own!"

Lucius laughed openly. He knew they wouldn't be shooting for long, as the left flank collapses under sustained cavalry charge and infantry efforts and the arrows stopped falling. The archers were all dead now. The left flank, in the meantime, collapsed and fled. Some few thousands escaped at least.

"That's it, encircle them now. Look! The cavalry are late to the fight!"

The cohorts of the 2nd legion met the charge and slaughtered a good deal of the cavalrymen before they too broke and fled. Meanwhile on the field, the entire center of the force had been encircled. They were surrendering. This battle could not have gone any better.

[ArkocentoArisen]

The battle had been an Arduous one, but the Celts had been all but destroyed in this great roman victory. there was a bitter taste in Corelis's mouth as he searched for Lucius.

His troops had been sent to generic position, and he had watched as they took the brunt of the Casualties, he had led a charge to the enemy lines but there was no Strategy, no vanguard, nothing but Focus on destroying the enemy. it had been chaos on the front as the Celtic line shifted, and bent, but they did not break; at least until the Cavalry charge occurred. battles at the front seemed to be suspended as both sides observed the Celtic Cavalry getting brutally slaughtered
then the attack began once more, and Corelis felt joy as the enemy force began to melt away surrendering in mass, or Dying by the sword

Finally he approached Lucius's tent. now ablzae with activity following the battle
Imperator, what is the meaning of what just happened?

[Okmin]

Caros, chieftain of the Celtiberi, looked out at the largest army he had ever commanded arrayed for battle. He saw there tens of thousands of the finest warriors of his tribe, all ready to fight to the death for their land. Then he saw the Roman legions. Here was an army that just days before had destroyed an entire nation, and yet was fresh enough to march to battle and large enough to outnumber his own by ten thousand men...

Caros swallowed his anxiety and snapped last-minute orders to his men. This plan of his, he assured himself, would neutralize the Romans' numerical advantage... He had the advantage of terrain. He had taken the element of surprise away from the invaders. He had set a trap, and the gods would not allow these pompous foreigners to take his people's land. The Cantabri had been weak; yes, that was why they died. The Celtiberi were strong. Today the Romans would die.

He watched with slight satisfaction as his skirmishers picked at the advancing legions, then winced when Roman pila returned the favor. He rode along the rear of his lines shouting at his tribesmen to be prepared for the Roman charge, and his archers to fire at the advance. He gritted his teeth until the lines showed they were holding and let out a warcry. Now it was only a matter of time.

Black arrows rained down on the melee. Caros' eyes widened. He'd forgotten to order them to cease fire. "No! You fools!" He shouted to the archers while holding tight the reins of his mount. "Stop! You're killing our men too!" He turned to a bugler. "Signal the flanks." Not all hope was lost, he had gotten to the archer in time.

The warlord turned to see the encircling maneuvers a moment before his left was demolished by a counter-charge. His heart sank and panic began to set in.

"Chieftain, the right is holding, but we cannot for much longer. We must--"

Caros waved the general away without turning to see him flee. His ears were too full of the screams of his dying soldiers. The center was breaking quickly, as he had planned, but the rest of the plan had fallen apart in the worst way imaginable. "Where's the damn cavalry?" He signaled the final charge and watched just long enough to extinguish the last little speck of hope he had been holding on to.

Caros ordered the retreat, but he knew it was at this point more of a formality when his army had been shattered minutes before. He turned and rode after his men, hoping his messengers had reached the Lusitani or least found reinforcements.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucius dismounted outside his tent, rubbing the sweat out of his eyes.

A decisive victory, Corelis. We've broken the back of the Celt-Iberian force, regardless if their chieftain managed to escape. They won't be able to muster another force as large as the one we destroyed here today. Caros has been humiliated and lost face among his vassals. It is just a matter of time now. We have come into possession of all of the north of Iberia now. It is just a matter of pushing south.

[ArkocentoArisen]

Corelis held back anger, just barely.

I watched as my cohort was slaughtered on the front lines, why was the strategy abandoned? my men could have done much more than beat against a wall! even if we have won this victory it could have been greater, why did you not allow my men to attack with the plan that I had shown you?

Corelis Stamped his foot to calm himself down

Congratulation on seeing the victory from the center, but what I saw from the front has shown me something far different, we move as an mud flow, instead of a wave. Had we fought a stronger enemy we would have been enveloped...

[Pontifex Maximus]

Last I checked, I was in command, Corelis, and I have just won the most decisive victory against any Spanish tribes in over a century. You will do well to remember your place.

[ArkocentoArisen]

I did not say otherwise did I? you have defeated your enemy, and I have proven my self no more than a tool to the state. Good day to you Lord Imperator, May Mars grant you an even greater victory to the south, he has granted me little more than the blood of my fellow Legionaries...

[General Brewster]

All remaning forces march for camp in galacia I

OOC I have no clue where snape his forces where when he left, nor do i know which legions remain and if all loaned soldiers are still under my command.

[General Brewster]

Legio II Alaudae**
Legio IV Aduitrix**
Legio I Italica*
Legio IX Rapax**
Legio III Hispania*
Legio XVI Gallica*
1,000 skirmishers
300 archers
600 cavalry
2,050 Cavalry
600 cavalry
1,000 Cavalry
Legio XXII Fenix Maximam

Are to move to Galacia II to capture it. If without resistance Move to Capture Galacia III.

[General Brewster]

Brave legionairs of Legio IV Aduitrix**
Legio I Italica*
Legio IX Rapax**
Legio XVI Gallica*
300 archers
600 cavalry
2,050 Cavalry
600 cavalry

Are to move to Galacia VI to capture it.


1,000 Cavalry
Legio XXII Fenix Maximam
Legio III Hispania*
Legio II Alaudae**
1,000 skirmishers
Are to move too Galacia V to capture the last region of the Celtiberi.

This will be our final victory!

[Rhapture]

Chief Punicus of the Lusitanii sends an envoy to the Proconsul inviting him to negotiate.

[General Brewster]

Consul Ceasoninius accepts the invitation from the envoy and his cavalry accompanies him.

[Rhapture]

Punicus greets the Roman Commander.

"Welcome, Commander. I am Punicus, chief of the Lusitanni. We have seen that Rome has conquered all of Iberia except for me free peoples. We wish to know what your intentions are?"

[General Brewster]

Thank you chief Punicus, my forces and me are authorized to concur the entire peninsular. However I can bring you more autonomy then the conquered enemies of Rome.
Your people can stay free and have all benefits of being integrated with the empire. You can even filed your own army to support our Roman legions.

Let us negotiate about this if you wish.

[Rhapture]

Punicus considers the words carefully.

"We have no wish to be under Roman control of any kind. We will fight for our homeland, but I was looking for a more peaceful solution."

[General Brewster]

You can be a nation within our Empire. think of it, 38.000 Roman legionnaires are here. backed by almost 6000 Auxiliary forces. the best force in the world in the largest empire out here.

I have an other proposition, give Galacia VII Lustania I II and IV to Rome we shall give you and alliance with the republic. and our protection if needed.

[Rhapture]

That is far too much land to give to someone who has not won anything from us. We will give you our two most northern provinces to you for an alliance. Plus we offer 5000 of our best troops to you personally Commander. They will act as hostages.

[General Brewster]

Interesting we might have a deal. Waiting on confirmation.