Asia Proconsularis

[Pontifex Maximus]

Pro-Consulate of Asia

Current Pro-Consul:
None

Capital:
Pergamum

Territory:
Coastal Asia Minor
Rhodos
Lesbos

Edicts in Effect:
N/a

Current Objectives:
1. Maintain the peace

External Threats: (calculated based upon relative level of violence true of history)
1. Chance of foreign attack is currently 15/20.
2. Historically, pirate activity, internal unrest brought about by Pontic Kings, and barbarians to the north would be threats to this province.

Military Forces Present:
​none

History/Goodwill
80 BCE:

[Pontifex Maximus]

Maps:

Asia Minor

[Pontifex Maximus]

Forces of Mithridates VI

Mithridates Rex: +3 battles
Machares: +3 Cavalry Rolls
Archathias:+1 Battle rolls
Tigranes Rex: +2 Battles

3,000 Cataphract Cavalry
2,000 Horse Archers
5,000 Light Cavalry
20,000 Thorakitai (Heavy Infantry)
20,000 Thyreophoroi (Skirmishers/Light Phalanx)
5,000 Heavy Phalanx

The Pontic King and his Armenian allies have seized most all Roman possessions in Asia Minor. The Province is now under occupation. The Rhodians have expelled or killed all their Roman inhabitants, but still protest loyalty to Rome.

Mithridates' Objectives:

1. Maintain control of Asia Minor through possession of strategic cities and regions:
A. Ephesus
B. Pergamum
C. Lesbos
D. Smyrna
E. Halicarnassus
F. Sardis
G. Nicomedia
H. Rhodos
2. Spread influence/Kingdom westward
3. Keep the coalition of his allies intact

[General Brewster]

Mithridates sends diplomatic envoys to Odrysian Kingdom, Rhodes and Sinope.
Furthermore his army converges on Nicomedia.

The Odrysian Kingdom envoy will seek to acquire a military alliance against Rome.
Rhodes and Sinope's envoys will try to acquire a fleet.

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Thracians reject overtures from Mithridates, fearing that eventually he would aim to seize their coastal towns in the event of a pact.

Rhodos also rejects overtures for direct military support.

Sinope agrees to allow Mithridates the use of its fleet.

[General Brewster]

Mithridates is going to do something I'm going to outline here later so it can be redconned, retconend or whatever you spell it.

Edit:

1. Good ol Mith is going to march on Byzantium. Using his light cav as screen, scouting for potential enemies. He'll cross the Bosphorus with help of his newly acquired fleet. Movement would've been one hour but that's redconned already.

He gives command of the siege to the to Archathias, together with the 20K light inf. Archathias sends an envoy into the city demanding it's surrender.

2. The remainder of Mith's army marches onto Perinthus, subjecting it to a siege as well. Mith sent an envoy demanding the surrender of the city.

[Pontifex Maximus]

(Overall Commander) Marcus Valerius Messalla: +1 survival, +3 battles
Quintus Furius Sulpicianus: Tribunus Militum (IX)
Scipio Nasica: Tribunus Militum (III)
Numerias: Tribunus Militum (X)

Legio XIII Italica

Unit Auxiliaries 200 Medium Cavalry Legionary Retinue none Unit History 1. Messallan Legion founded 80 BCE Veteran Status 2 battles won Tier I Class A: Win a battle Class B: Win a battle Class C: Win a battle Bonus: +1 to battle rolls Tier II Class A: Win a battle in which the enemy is equal in number, more or less Class B: Win a battle in which the enemy is equal in number, more or less Class C: Win a battle in which the enemy is equal in number, more or less Bonus: +2 to battle rolls Tier III Class A: Win a battle in which the enemy outnumbers the total force Class B: Win a battle in which the enemy outnumbers the total force Class C: Win a battle in which the enemy outnumbers the total force Bonus: +3 to battle rolls

Legio IX Macedonica

Unit Auxiliaries 200 Medium Cavalry Legionary Retinue none Unit History 1. Messallan Legion founded 80 BCE Veteran Status 2 battles won

Legio X Sabina

Unit Auxiliaries 200 Medium Cavalry Legionary Retinue none Unit History 1. Republican Legion founded 80 BCE Veteran Status 2 battles won

Legio XI Primigenia

Unit Auxiliaries 200 Medium Cavalry Legionary Retinue none Unit History 1. Messallan Legion founded 80 BCE Veteran Status 2 battles won

Legio V Italica*

Unit Auxiliaries 200 Medium Cavalry Legionary Retinue none Unit History 1. Sullan Legion founded 84 BCE Veteran Status 4 battles won

Legio I Fulminata**

Unit Auxiliaries 200 Medium Cavalry Legionary Retinue none Unit History 1. Sullan Legion founded 87 BCE Veteran Status 6 battles won

Asian War Purse

Recovered loot: 7,500 +17,000+9,000 Expenses: 3,000 +5,000 Remaining: 33,500

[Pontifex Maximus]

Sinope provides a force of 20 Liburna, 20 trireme, and 20 quinquereme.

In response to the invasion, The King of the Thracians, Amatokos I, seeks an alliance with Rome. He also begins to levy his Kingdom's forces, but it will be some tie before they can gather:

7,000 Peltasts
1,000 Heavy Horse
10,000 Heavy Infantry

Neither city surrenders immediately, but they are not well provisioned for a siege.

[General Brewster]

Mith and Archathias order assaults of the cities. Mith does not commit his heavy phalanx or cav ofc.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Mithridate's remaining forces:

3,000 Cataphract Cavalry
2,000 Horse Archers
5,000 Light Cavalry
17,000 Thorakitai (Heavy Infantry)
18,000 Thyreophoroi (Skirmishers/Light Phalanx)
5,000 Heavy Phalanx

Byzantion and Perinthus fall. The Thracians retreat towards Phillipi.

By this point the forces of the Consul reach Thessalonica around the same time news reaches them of the fall of the besieged cities. Once the news reaches him, Messalla orders the army to Phillipi to link up with the Thracian forces and them move eastward to Perinthus. Five hundred cavalry are deployed as a screen and forward scouts.

[General Brewster]

Mithy and allies sack both cities, and send the heads of the magistrates to the Roman senate. Then they are retreating towards Nicomedia opting for a fighting on their ground.

The sum acquired from the ransack is used to find mercenaries willing to fight Rome.

[Pontifex Maximus]

As the pursuit winds its was past many of the coastal cities, Perinthus is liberated. Outside the walls of Byzantion, the legions catch up with the rearguard of Mithridate's troops and offer battle.

[Pericles of Athens]

Numerias prepares his men to move out for Phillipi, the 10th legion had been placed under his command, green boys just like him. Sure, these men had the finest military training in the Mediterranean, and Numerias had received training for a command position since he was waist high.. but there was no replacement for experience in the field, something the legion and its commander sorely lacked. They were to be fighting alongside the Thracians, or so Messalla had told them, the young senator was not sure what to think of that.. perhaps the barbarians would prove their worth? These thoughts rattled about the boy's head as he mounted his horse, the columns moving forward toward victory or death.

[General Brewster]

As the pursuit winds its was past many of the coastal cities, Perinthus is liberated. Outside the walls of Byzantion, the legions catch up with the rearguard of Mithridate's troops and offer battle.

Terrain type?

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Battle of Byzantion

Roman Forces

(Overall Commander) Marcus Valerius Messalla: +1 survival, +3 battles
Quintus Furius Sulpicianus +1 Battles: Tribunus Militum (IX)
Scipio Nasica: Tribunus Militum (III)
Numerias +2 battles: Tribunus Militum (X)

Legio XIII Italica
Legio IX Macedonica
Legio X Sabina
Legio XI Primigenia
Legio V Italica*

7,000 Peltasts
1,000 Heavy Horse
10,000 Heavy Infantry

ooc: All commanders need to post their military traits

Consul Messalla orders the legions into a battle formation. The hastily concluded treaty with the Thracian king was typical of any Roman treaty - all allies were placed under the direct control of the Roman commander. The staggered legions will advance with the 8th and 9th Legions in the front and the 10th, 11th, and 5th staggered slightly behind them. The Thracian contingent is held in reserve with the rest of the Roman cavalry with the exception of the Peltasts, who advance before the legions to engage in skirmishing. Sulpicianus advanced with his men,having gained some experience in Spain he was not as frightened as he might have been. There was no doubting this was the largest battle he had taken part in, however, and against extremely foreign looking foes.

Messalla's banner was spotted among the cavalry, taking command of the reserve. It was widely known the man could not fight on foot, so this was not unusual.

[Pericles of Athens]

In one moment all of his books and maps didn't seem real, all he could see was a wall of pikes and a hoard of foreign horsemen. Numerias didn't realize how terrifying this would be, his chest grew tight and his throat dry, he wondered if this is how his father felt when he'd died at Carbo's word. For a fleeting moment he thought of his young brother at home, wondering how little Lucius would survive if his older brother fell this day. In a moment of clarity he swallowed these fears, he would not let the men of the 10th legion see his insecurities. A moment later the horn sounded and the men lurched forward, Numerias lurching forward with them. They need a leader, not a child. Numerias thought, and in his sparkling armor, sword in hand, cloak fluttering in the wind.. young Numerias had the look of a leader. To victory, or to death..

OOC: Numerias +2 Battles

[Pontifex Maximus]

As the maneuvering progresses, some Roman cavalry stray to the left of the Roman line.

Roman orders:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

(Overall Commander) Marcus Valerius Messalla: +1 survival, +3 battles
Quintus Furius Sulpicianus +1 Battles: Tribunus Militum (IX)
Scipio Nasica: Tribunus Militum (III)
Numerias +2 battles: Tribunus Militum (X)

Legio XIII Italica
Legio IX Macedonica
Legio X Sabina
Legio XI Primigenia
Legio V Italica*

7,000 Peltasts
1,000 Heavy Horse
10,000 Heavy Infantry

Left

SulpicianusXIII Italica
IX Macedonica
2,500 skirmishers
200 Legionary Cavalry

The skirmishers will harrass any who come within range. The cavalry will advance and create a dust storm by their marching. Several cohorts of the 9th legion will intersperse themselves with the cavalry in an attempt to lure Mithridate's cavalry to attack them. Once they do, the heavy infantry will spring their trap and bring the cavalry down.

Right
Numerias
Legio X
2,500 skirmishers

This flank is ordered simply to not cede ground, by whatever means necessary

Center
Scipio
Legio V
Legio XI
2,500 skirmishers

The center is ordered to hold.

Reserve:
Messalla
10,000 Heavy Infantry
1,000 Heavy Cavalry
800 Roman Cavalry

Extra orders: Any who face the enemy phalanx will thin out and flank the phalanx. Those trapped in the center will utilize pila and skirmishers to pound holes into the line to exploit. They will charge into any void made.

[General Brewster]

Orders

Total forces: 3,000 Cataphract Cavalry 2,000 Horse Archers 5,000 Light Cavalry 17,000 Thorakitai (Heavy Infantry) 18,000 Thyreophoroi (Skirmishers/Light Phalanx) 5,000 Heavy Phalanx Left Flank: Mithridates Rex: +3 battles: 7.000 Thorakitai 3.000 Thyreophoroi 3.000 Cataphract Cav 1000 Horse archers. Main thrust into the Roman right flank, whilst Roman inf advances Horse archers will fire, when they meet the battle line the heavy cav will outflank in charge into the line. Objective will be to roll up the entire Roman line from this flank. Thyreophoroi will be in phalanx near to the center line. The Thorakitai on their left to protect the phalanx. Center: Archathias:+1 Battle rolls 5.000 Heavy Phalanx 5.000 Thyreophoroi This flank is to hold, keep the roman center busy. Heavy phalanx in a phalanx in the center of their piece of line, the Thyreophoro split on their flanks. Right Flank: Tigranes Rex: +2 Battles 5.000 Thyreophoroi 5.000 Thorakitai 2.500 light cav 1.000 Horse Archer. Thyreophoroi in phalanx, the Thorakitai on their right so it protects the phalanx from outflanking. The Horse Archers will fire upon the advancing Romans, when the lines meet they will continue to do so. The 2.500 light cav will engage enemy cavalry if they charge near the allied line. If there is no enemy cav they'll try to envelop. Reserve: Machares: +3 Cavalry Rolls 2500 light cav 5000 Thyreophoroi 5000 Thorakitai The reserve is to plug any gaps that may form in the allied line. In the event of a successful push through the Roman right the Light cav is encouraged to join and help roll up the entire Roman line. If the Roman thrust is to be on my right flank the Thyreophoroi are to reinforce. In case of a Roman retreat all Roman cavalry will pursue and kill. In case of a Pontic retreat they are to make up the vanguard. Extra: In the event the Romans push the hardest in the center, a slow planned/ordered withdraw will be ordered. This way my flank may push into a full pincer. In that case the reserve cav may charge into the back of the enemy line. Yes, very Cannea Furthermore all the horse archer's will target centurio's and higher officers specifically. Hoping to disrupt the Roman chain of command.

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Battle of Byzantion


Left
Sulpicianus +1
XIII Italica
IX Macedonica
2,500 skirmishers
200 Legionary Cavalry

Versus
Tigranes Rex: +2 Battles
5.000 Thyreophoroi
5.000 Thorakitai
2.500 light cav
1.000 Horse Archer.

A lively round of skirmishing starts the battle on this flank between the Thracian skirmishers and the horse archers. A number of hits are won on each side before the horse archers withdrew and the enemy cavalry chased the skirmishers behind the heavy infantry. The Horse Archers got the better of the initial exchange. The trap was then sprung as the enemy cavalry charged. The Roman horse feinted and retreated and revealed behind them orderly lines of infantry awaiting their charge. They were first peppered with javelins and then beset on foot. Many were killed in this way before the Pontic infantry finally closed with the Romans, locking the flank. The infantry battle was a one sided affair. The Roman deftly and quickly drive the Pontic infantry from the field, exposing the flanks of the phalanx in the center.

Casualties:
700 Thracian Skirmishers
1,400 Legionaries (700 for each legion)

250 Horse Archers
1,000 Pontic Light Cavalry
2,500 Thyreophoroi
2,500 Thorakitai

Center
Archathias:+1 Battle rolls
5.000 Heavy Phalanx
5.000 Thyreophoroi

Versus

Scipio Nasica
Legio V
Legio XI
2,500 skirmishers

The slow moving phalanx was a sitting target for the missiles of the skirmishers and the legionaries, and a grievous price was paid for this in the opening stages of the battle. In spite of this, once the infantry clashed, a stalemate resulted. The men protecting the flanks of the phalanx were doing their jobs as best they could. Once the right flank collapsed they were harried, however, and Romans began spilling over the sides, using their javelins with deadly efficiency in opening up holes in the phalanx and outflanking it. Although many Romans were piling up dead in the front, soon the formation broke up. The timely intervention of the Pontic reserve kept the center from collapsing completely, and allowed for an ordered withdrawal.

1,600 Legionaries fall (800 each legions)
2,000 Heavy Phalanx fall
700 Thyreophoroi fall
100 Pontic light cavalry fall

Right
Mithridates Rex: +3 battles:

7.000 Thorakitai
3.000 Thyreophoroi
3.000 Cataphract Cav
1000 Horse archers.

Vs.

Numerias
Legio X
2,500 skirmishers

The Romans come under serious bombardment in the opening stages in which hundreds fall dead. Eventually the shock cavalry took to the field and made a devastating charge across the field. The undermanned 10^th legion took the full brunt of a devastating charge in which thousands were killed. The entire flank would have been completely lost if Messalla had not committed the entire reserve to the flank, shoring it up and preventing a disaster.
Losses:

300 Cataphract Cavalry
1,700 thorakitai
800 Thyreophoroi

3,000 Legionaries
700 Skirmishers
300 Roman Cavalry
1,000 Thracian Infantry

Result: Moderate Roman victory. Due to the collapse of the Pontic right flank, the center was forced to withdraw, but the force and power of the Cataphracts in the other flank ensured the Romans would be licking their wounds for days to come. All commanders survive, the Pontic forces are able to retreat in an orderly fashion to their ships with half the loot from the cities they sacked. Messalla recovers the rest: 7,500. The Pontic forces, once back in Asia Minor, will be able to hire men in the following way:

Cataphract: 5 denarii per man
Infantry: 2 denarii per man
Skirmisher: 1 denari per man

[General Brewster]

The fleet will ferry the men back and they will move toward Nicomedia, then the fleet will blockade the strait.

1.000 skirmishers are hired.
2.000 infantry.
500 Cataphracts.

-7500