Re: New Town (Carthage AAR) [updated March 4, 2018]
Thank you, Johnadiw26, Admiral Van Tromp (I like your connection between Mascarada and Faramir. Also, I don't blame you for praising pro-active Libya. The Libyan Kingdom is like a loyal, undervalued younger brother for proud Carthage!), Caillagh, Tigellinus, NorseThing (good idea, I'll see if I can write an article on making maps) and Welsh Dragon!
Chapter 10: The Reforms of Hiempsal
When an army from Syracuse approached the Libyan colony at Lilybaeum, no Carthaginians marched to help defend the city. After the defeat of Carthaginian army at Tingis in the west, many prominent families in Carthage mourned the loss of their husbands and sons. Some said that the defeat at Tingis was a sign that the gods were angry at the failure of Carthage, the Faithless City, to march to the aid of Libya.
The defeat at Tingis had other consequences. Money and men were poured into the Carthaginian armies at Tingis. Mascarada, son of Hiempsal, wanted to repay the Libyans for their loyalty. Libyan spearmen were expected to hold the line with only a shield and spear – they lacked armour. However, Hiempsal was stubborn and reluctant to adopt new ways – and he was the senior general.
Mascarada asked his father for guidance, observing that he lacked experience of battle. He asked Hiempsal about the importance of the Libyan spearmen who fought in the front rank. By seeking his father’s advice, Mascarada learned much about leading men – and persuaded his father to equip the Libyan spearmen with armour. To recognise their bravery, they were now known as Libyan hoplites.
This was just the beginning of the reforms for which Hiempsal received the credit. When the armies of Carthage went on the offensive in Iberia, they used new tactics. Instead of sending men to die attempting to storm the walls of Kartuba and Ebora, Carthage’s armies besieged the cities, bombarding the defenders with artillery. A Carthaginian fleet, sent to raid the port of Olisipo, landed its Sacred Band marines who defeated the garrison with the help of ballistae fired from the decks of the fleet’s penteres. The lost cities of Qart Hadasht, Ibossim, Karalis and Lilybaeum had not been regained, but Carthage acquired lands in Iberia.
While Hiempsal’s reforms transformed the armies of Carthage in the west, their armies in central Carthaginian lands had not yet adopted the new equipment and tactics. An army from Syracuse landed and took Lepcis from Libya. Rome, an ally of Syracuse, sent their First Legion to threaten Cyrene. A Carthaginian army, Dido’s Faithful, marching to liberate Lepcis, encountered the army from Syracuse marching towards them.
Dido’s Faithful formed a defensive line in the shelter of trees, knowing that the army of Syracuse had a strong skirmish line of slingers. The right flank of Carthage came under severe pressure, first from the javelins of Tarantine cavalry and then from the hoplites of Syracuse.
At first, the warriors on Carthage’s right flank fell back before this attack. Then the counter-attack came.
Libyan spearmen charged bravely to fill the gap in the Carthaginian line, protecting the Egyptian archers behind them. When the infantry of Syracuse charged the main line of Carthage, the Carthaginian cavalry saw an opportunity to charge the enemy skirmishers.
The army from Syracuse was broken, but Rome’s First Legion would soon be ready to land.
Last edited by Alwyn; March 11, 2018 at 10:11 AM.