Makedonia dreamin' AAR

[Stilgar CG]

@ Scutarii: Yeah, romans are tough bastards: large shileds, pila, high morale, triarii. My casualties are higher than in Anatolia or Greece. I kinda expected that, but counted on fast retraining in freshly-conquered cities. But, alas, I can retrain in Tarentum only. In Croton I can train Italian infantry (hastati & triarii), but I have no time to build an army of Italians, so I will have to bring some reinforcements from the mother land anyway. You will laugh, but in Cannae, Capua, and Rome (oops, that was a secret) I can train ... crappy spearmen, siege equipment, and ships . That is quite a drawback. And after I took Rome I feel like Napoleon in Moscow .

@ Atraps: That was the idea - preemtive attack. But, it will take longer than I expected to see Rome on thier knees.
Well, I guess that is realistic .

[Scutarii]

Sounds good....I like it. Retreat, but be sure to raze everything, you don't want Rome just getting back up again. If your lucky, the Germans will expand south and the Iberians east, keeping Rome hemmed in.

[Balikedes]

Wow, your march through Italy is a bit Sherman-ish, looting and burning the whole way.
Your AAR is a total blast to read!

[Stilgar CG]

Guys, thanks for your reactions and feedback. I do enjoy this compaign a lot, but for me discussions is the most interesting part of this AAR .
Of course, conversation with a glas of beer in one hand and pizza in another hand would be more intertaining. Well, on a second thought, we can do that, in a way. Cheers!

P.S. I'll try to post an update tomorrow.

[Unknown Soldier]

mmm...pizza mmm...beer mmm...RTW

Its all good. With Rome taken pull out and raze everything - sound like a plan

[Stilgar CG]

Update. Perhaps last before I go on holidays within a few days time. Enjoy, everybody! ME

Chapter 9. Siege of Rome.


First Assault of Rome.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Macedon could perhaps be pleased with their successes in Italy so far, but the outcome of the war with Rome was far from being decided. Three Roman armies were marching towards Rome. Agathokles and his siege-specialized army besieged Rome, whereas Antipatros and his army moved north of Rome to intercept the Roman armies.



Many preparations were still in early stage (just one siege tower was ready) when Agathokles ordered assault of the city. There was no time to loose.



This is it. Perhaps, today the fate of Rome will be sealed.



Enemy skirmishers were defending walls to the left of the main gate. Therefore, Agathokles decided to breech the wall to the right of the main gate.



And the demolition work has begun.



The Macedon could not resist the temptation to send a few stones at a nice "fat" crowd of triarii.



The Thorakitai that tried to reach the walls using a siege tower were less successful.



After slingers and archers fired at triarii that were defending the breech and drove them back …



The Macedon hoplites stormed the breech and engaged the triarii



Thorakitai and peltats followed hoplites. They were supposed to support hoplites with missile fire, but instead they were stuck in melee with another unit of triarii, which came moments ago from the main gate.



To break the triarii, Agathokles ordered slingers to break through a small gap between lines and fire at triarii from behind. It costs slingers many lives, but reword has come: after a few volleys triarii finally broke and ran.



It was time to press on. Phalangists and significantly depleted hoplites, supported by Thracian light cavalry marched towards the main square.



Thorakitai, peltasta, and slingers were left at the breech to hold the advance of Romans defending the main gate and left-side walls.



Thracians reached the main square first and foolishly enough charged triarii …



Back to the main gate and breech ... the Macedon thorakitai and slingers shook easily off Roman skirmishers who left their position on the wall and attacked.



On the main square Thracians came to their senses and begin circling around triarii and fire at them.



Situation at the breech became more difficult after principes arrived at the site of the battle and attacked thorakitai, which by then were seriously weakened.



Thorakitai broke and Agathokles and the Macedonian cavalry attacks the enemy infantry to save the situation. The charge was weak: cavalry had little space for a proper attack. They nevertheless routed the enemy.



In the mean time, phalangists reached the main square.



They had barely time to form the phalanx when they were engaged by the enemy triariai. Hoplites moved to the left flank, whereas Thracians charged enemy in the rear.



Hoplites flanked the enemy. The enemies engaged in a fierce melee.



After routing the principes, Agathokles took the remainder of his cavalry and headed towards main square: the tide of the battle was to be decided there. Principes, seeing this, returned to the battle site. But slingers were firm in standing their ground: a few volleys were enough to cool the spirits of principies.



Slingers claimed the battle field, were so many Macedonians and Romans met their death.



On the main square, Macedonians were prevailing over Romans. Triariai were about to break.



When victory felt so close, a fresh unit of triarii entered the main square.



Macedonians turned the phalanx to face the enemy.



The battle ignited anew; the battle for life and death, not victory.


Agathokles was making his way to the main square through Roman skirmishers.



He reached the square to witness Roman reinforcements to arrive and tide of the battle turning the Romans way. Agathokles orders to call for archers, who were still standing outside the city, but Agathokles new that could be to late for that.



Slingers, who already proved their worth arrives and start shooting at Romans, but Macedonian are running out time, out of men, and out of luck. But, perhaps, there is still a chance. Were are those archers ??? One single strike of the knife could be enough to turn the tide of the battle.



Agathokles tries to encourage his men …time is running so fast for Macedonians … were are those archers ?



Today is the day of defeat; Today Fortuna smiled at Sons of Mars …

Second Assault of Rome

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The taste of defeat was too disgusting to Macedonians. They were as firm in their intention to take initiative back, as Romans to stand their ground to the very end. Captain Asketes, a young cavalry officer, had the chance to strip Romans of the corona triumphalis and crash the triumph party …



Romans had no time to repair walls. So, Macedonians just had to destroy a few towers to ease their own task.



Hoplites marched into breech and …



… engaged the enemy – a unit of hastati.



Casualties among hastati were mounting faster, but they were standing their ground firmly. Unit of triarii appeared from nowhere. They entered the battle and it seemed that hoplites will stand no chance. But, after barely engaging hoplites (but still inflicting some casualties), triarii retreated and left hastati to their fate.



Few remaining hoplites aided by onagers crew entered the main square and engaged a large group of triarii. All hopes were on the shoulders of Macedonian cavalry.



And they came and they charged with all their strength …


… and they charged again … but Macedonians were running out of men, out of strength, and out of flare ...


They finally broke and deserted the battlefield


Fortuna was now flirting with Sons of Mars …

---

I surely need a vacation

[Scutarii]

Vacation indeed. Two losses against the Roman garrison.... Although the second I kinda expected a loss. See ya when you get back ME.

[Stilgar CG]

Vacation indeed. Two losses against the Roman garrison.... Although the second I kinda expected a loss. See ya when you get back ME.

First, that was a Pyhrric victory for Romans and, second, as you'll see later they did not use it wisely, just like Hannibal. Thirdly, Romans walk in the footsteps of their defeated foes. he-he-he. Ironic, isn't it?

[Noodlegasm]

this is so good

+rep

[atraps]

Good Update

hope you have a nice vacation

[Stilgar CG]

Fatman, Atraps, thanks, guys. Here is a new update. Enjoy! ME

___

Chapter 9. Siege of Rome. (continued)

Third Assault of Rome.

255BC. Summer. After Macedonians have failed to capture Rome, the fate of the Macedonian expedition force became uncertain. Although, Macedonians found equipment and provisions in newly-conquered Roman cities, they were short on men: only Tarentum and Croton could supply new quality troops. At the same time, Romans looked like they will never run out of men and resources: Roman reinforcements were arriving in mass and marching south. Could Romans profit of their success and take initiative from Macedonians? Could Macedonians turn the tide of the war in their favor again? All we have to do is to … click the Show button and find the answer .

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Roman army under command of Herennius Helvius marches south of Rome and besieges Capua.



A smaller Roman force besieges Cannae. However, shortly after that Macedonian reinforcements finally reach the Italian shore and disembark near Cannae. They should be able to relive the city. Furthermore, some Italian infantry trained in Croton were on their way to Cannae to merge with Macedonians.



Rome garrison received reinforcements. A significant force was defending city again. Agathokles and Antipatros, two generals who forged the Macedonian success at early stages of the Italian campaign, had to merge remainder of their armies. The resulting army consisted of a significant number of missile troops, archers in particular, but was rather weak in infantry. Therefore, instead of attacking the main Roman force near Capua, Agathokles and Antipatros decided to assault Rome again, counting on their siege equipment and also on lack of time for Romans to repair city wall. The key to their success was a wise use of the infantry and efficient employment of the missile troops.





Breach made by Agathokles men during the first assault was still there. But Agathokles did not forget the lack of space Macedonians experienced in that first assault. He orders the onager crews to fire at the wall to the right of the first breach to create a new entrance point, as well as to destroy the nearby towers.



This seems a reasonable decision: Romans expected an attack through the existing breach, attack of the main gate, and of the walls to the left of the gate.



After reading intentions of Macedonians, Roman general regroup his men. A unit of triarii hurries to guard the site of expected new breach, which …



… appears shortly afterwords.



The sight of triarii, crashed and burned, was so dear to Macedonian eyes. “Good triarii is a dead triarii” said as-a-matter-of-factly an old Macedonian, commander of an onager crew.



But there was no time to loose and pahalangists are ordered to march into the breach and attack the Romans.



The phalangists succeeded in pushing triarii back, but the battle seems to last for a while. Therefore, Agathokles sends Thracians into the breach to break stubborn triarii.



With significant losses they finally succeed.



Macedonian spearmen, supported by Thracians, pours in, take the left-side street, and march in the direction of the main square. Here they face a group of barabarian cavalry, which retreats after receiving a few volleys of spears in their faces.



Thorakitai march on. Roman general and his bodyguards make their appearance from the left-side street. They charge Thorakitai.



Remainder of mercenary cavalry join the battle. Thorakitai join the battle as well. Fierce melee commences. The Roman losses mount and they finally break and run.


Thorakitai continue their march to the main square.


In time that Thiorakitai were making their way to the main square, pahalngists have been ordered to block the street to the right of the second breach and stop and destroy any Roman troops coming from the gate and from the walls to the right of the gate. They were supported by intensive fire of archers and slingers.



Romans attacked fiercely, but phalangists were standing their ground firmly. The flare of the Roman attacks was fading, also due to a constant fire of archers and slingers.



Thorakitai were marching on towards the main square. On their way they kill the enemy general and remainder of his bodyguard unit, who charged desperately and foolishly in a futile attempt to stop their advancement.




The main square is guarded by triarii, who proved their worth to Macedonians. But Macedonians will make no mistakes this time.



Throkitai and Thracians enter the main square and attack the triarii. It does not seem a win situation yet: Thorakitai and Thracians lost quite a few men and were not that fresh as their opponents.



In the meantime, phalangists defeat Romans at the second breach. Many fell, but none broke. They will continue fighting with remainder of Roman forces wondering around the city till the very end of the battle.



It’s time for Macedonian cavalry to prove their worth. Macedonian cavalry arrives and charges triarii in the rear.



Macedonians charge again …



And again …


It took a forth charge to end the resistance of triarii.



The victory is in sight …



A thunderstorm begins and announces the victory of Macedonians. Cool shower comes like bliss upon Macedonians, washing away blood and sweat of the day. The dark sky, thunder, and lightening are all signs of gods wrath in the eyes of terrified people of Rome. Dark times came upon them indeed.



Fortuna was smiling at Macedonians again. Guilt was in her eyes now. But Macedonians did not seem to care much about the mood and favors of capricious goddess. Their fate was in their own hands again.

[TM Is Back]

Finnaly Rome is conquered You should reward your soldiers with an extra bottle of rum

[Dictatorfish]

Finnaly Rome is conquered You should reward your soldiers with an extra bottle of rum

Note sure about that, they had plenty of rest before the battle. Must have taken ME a while to round them back up after he left them to their own devices.

Nice update and nice screenies. Funnily enough, I always imagine battles for Rome to be the mother of all battles (ala. the "Final Boss" of RTW) but when it comes to it, it seems to end up being like any other city siege. Shame, really. Still, really good battle and well deserved victory.

[Stilgar CG]

Note sure about that, they had plenty of rest before the battle. Must have taken ME a while to round them back up after he left them to their own devices.

Nice update and nice screenies. Funnily enough, I always imagine battles for Rome to be the mother of all battles (ala. the "Final Boss" of RTW) but when it comes to it, it seems to end up being like any other city siege. Shame, really. Still, really good battle and well deserved victory.

Dictatorfish, it's still early in the game, so Rome did not have time to grow to a city it should be, I guess. Also, Rome was megapolis in vanilla, in XGM it losses in size and splendour to a certain extend.
Anyway, I did my best and took Rome on a third attempt. So, I paid my tribute of respect to eternal city , didn't I?

Yeah, my troops had enough rest and too much wine while I was away. I am spreading rumors among the troops that Alps is sort of promissed land, with rivers of wine flowing here and there, and beautiful half-naked maiden running around in search for true love. All are eager now to march on North.

[TM Is Back]

I always try to leave the Roman Empire, untill the Marian Reforms have happened. I like to fight nice legions

Ow that's why hannibal defeated all the Roman legions in Italie. His soldiers were so angry at the Romans for they murdered those maiden

[Stilgar CG]

I always try to leave the Roman Empire, untill the Marian Reforms have happened. I like to fight nice legions ...

I see, TM. Do you also use elite units to fight those nice legions or you enjoy beating them with just levy-level troops?

[TM Is Back]

That depends on my money

I mostly have a few elites, some medium level troops, and to fill the ranks some levy's. It is so much fun to destroy strong armies with far weaker ones

[Dictatorfish]

I would expect anyone would get a kick out of defeating a superior army with one full of inexperienced levy troops. Admittedly, though, I find that all phalangite units are stupidly effective regardless of stats except when up against another phalangite unit. Rather like horse archers, I guess.

Example: at the start of the Rome campaign, as the Romans you will undoubtably take fairly hefty casualties in your battle against Pyrrhus (in my first attempt, I took 46% casualties killing 92% of the enemy) while I believe if you played the same battle on the side of the Greeks you would suffer significantly fewer losses.

[Dog Fart]

I haven't stopped by the aar threads until just this week, so I'm trying to play catch-up with everyone's work. I got wrapped up in destroying TE Gold. But this is a very good aar. I especially like the screens. ME has a talent for catching good shots. If i understand correctly he went on vacation, and i hope he's still on vaction and will return soon. I'm very interested with this campaign.

[Stilgar CG]

Thanks, Dirty_M. I am back for quite a while, just could not find time to write down/post an update. The time has finally come. I'll post later today a 45 pics update. From now on, I'll try to post more regulalrly, but shorter updates (20-25 pics).