Regarding the State of Empire

[Darkside]

Okay, we enter the scenario in 361 AD. The economy is in shambles and the provinces have risen the flags of insurreciton. The military, while extremely powerful, is not only stretched over a large area, but is mainly garrisoned inside cities close to the borders; and it seems indeed without that strong military presence those provinces would be rebellious as well.

Even attempting to follow historical guidelines this scenario seems to me incredibly challenging, and I've been playing RTW for a long time. This new factor of religion (I've played RTR mostly) doesn't seem to help things of course.

If one were to look at the Empire as whole, and disregard historical motivations, does anyone have any idea how exactly to turn around this blitzkreig of barbarian inroads? I understand that initially (at least it seems to me) there will have to be some considerable losses. And the rebellious provinces will have to be quickly put in line by construction that promotes civil contentment. And also at the sime time, efforts have to be made that promote the economy as well.

I suppose this thread is really a strategy "brainstorm" thread. I'm sure that some of you, and also the creators of the mod, have followed their own strategies and eventually seen positive results. I'm asking you for your advice when dealing with the state of this Empire.

In one of my earlier posts in this forum here I mentioned my excitement at the prospect of digging the Empire out of the ashes and returning her to her former glory. But all these factors seem a little overwhelming to me, and so far, while I have not played an extended campaign, they leave me confounded on how to consolidate a central and grand strategy in dealing with the enemies at the Empire's borders. :hmmm:

Should Iulianus begin by trying to bring paganism back to his realm? Should he temporarily ingnore that and totally focus on military action? Should he play a defensive role and build up as much economy and happiness as he can? (my strategy so far...)

Please citizens, lend this forum and I your experienced voices!

EDIT: TO ADMINS/MODS: PLEASE MOVE THIS THREAD TO THE SOMNIUM APOSTATAE IULIANI SUB-FORUM. I APOLIGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE.

[Gen.jamesWolfe]

to turn the barbarii around is simple: trade space for time. that's right, give up territory. the idea is that you retreat towards your supply lines, while the barbarians wander away from their's. when you got the barbarians isolated, they're screwed over by your field armies.

and remember, use your limitanei! they're good soldiers and can hold the enemy up while you get to the hotspot.

as for religion, paganism is not the way forward. I suggest christianity to continue spreading peacefully, as sudden policy changes (religion wise) leads to turmoil.


economically, redistribute your tax system according to public order. also, demolish unnecessary/harmful buildings (church in pagan town, or temple in christian town), and disband unneeded troops, once you've stabilised the regions at least. this means your first turn is going to take a long time (playing ERE on IBFD RR that way took and hour on turn one, a few minutes afterwards)

well, I hope this helps.

[Darkside]

Okay, that sounds pretty good. My strategy so far has been to hold up into the border cities and do as much damage to the barbarians as possible. However, though I do considerable damage to them, with the economy as it is, it seems extremely hard to launch a counteroffensive.

By your strategy it does seem possible to repulse them. But what about the border troops in the forts? Should they stay there and draw the barbarian armies to them while the field armies meet them there? Or should they pull back and consolidate into their own armies, then simply cover the field armies or go on their own offensives?

So far I have been very impressed with the limitanei's abilities. I fought a battle with some 1000 of them versus 2200 franks, and though I lost, they survived with only 800 men while I did manage to pull back with some 150. But the loss of this amount of troops severely weakened my forces along the rhine, and adding in the Alemanni along the Alps, I'm still dealing with some 6 or so full stacks of armies.

What I'm thinking about doing is fully abandoning the rhine frontier and consolidating all the garrisons of those cities down in southern france. But I know that doing so will nullify any first string resistance, and when I go on the counteroffensive, I will be facing basically the same amount of troops. Though I'm pretty good at beating an army larger than my own most of the time, If I do manage to destroy them, I will be left with a severely weakened frontier. And with the economy as it is in total shambles, I don't think it very likely that I will be able to rebuild those forces in time for another attack by the german peoples.

I have to admit the biggest thing I find difficult is not necessarily the military side. It's putting together this economy and contentment. From what I can tell, any action taken by me will be overruled by the provinces' tendencies to revolt. Though I am currently playing a campaign this way, is there any way to attempt to hold on to the west without much fracture?

Ugh this is challenging, and I like it. I do find it interesting however to see if there's a better way to do this than what I'm doing. I guess it comes down to what is the largest acceptable loss than I can take while still being able to turn this around?

[Gen.jamesWolfe]

Okay, that sounds pretty good. My strategy so far has been to hold up into the border cities and do as much damage to the barbarians as possible. However, though I do considerable damage to them, with the economy as it is, it seems extremely hard to launch a counteroffensive.

By your strategy it does seem possible to repulse them. But what about the border troops in the forts? Should they stay there and draw the barbarian armies to them while the field armies meet them there? Or should they pull back and consolidate into their own armies, then simply cover the field armies or go on their own offensives?

So far I have been very impressed with the limitanei's abilities. I fought a battle with some 1000 of them versus 2200 franks, and though I lost, they survived with only 800 men while I did manage to pull back with some 150. But the loss of this amount of troops severely weakened my forces along the rhine, and adding in the Alemanni along the Alps, I'm still dealing with some 6 or so full stacks of armies.

What I'm thinking about doing is fully abandoning the rhine frontier and consolidating all the garrisons of those cities down in southern france. But I know that doing so will nullify any first string resistance, and when I go on the counteroffensive, I will be facing basically the same amount of troops. Though I'm pretty good at beating an army larger than my own most of the time, If I do manage to destroy them, I will be left with a severely weakened frontier. And with the economy as it is in total shambles, I don't think it very likely that I will be able to rebuild those forces in time for another attack by the german peoples.

I have to admit the biggest thing I find difficult is not necessarily the military side. It's putting together this economy and contentment. From what I can tell, any action taken by me will be overruled by the provinces' tendencies to revolt. Though I am currently playing a campaign this way, is there any way to attempt to hold on to the west without much fracture?

Ugh this is challenging, and I like it. I do find it interesting however to see if there's a better way to do this than what I'm doing. I guess it comes down to what is the largest acceptable loss than I can take while still being able to turn this around?

lety me answer in segments:
a-that's up to you. you can use the forts as magnets, or you can draw back totally. that depends on your tastes and preferences.

b-fracture is inevitable. the trick is to harness it to your advantage.

[julianus heraclius]

Are you playing the 361AD or the 355AD campaign?

Your strategy is really one of grinding the enemy down. Use your limitane troops to slow the barbarians and inflict damage on them, as limitanei are fairly expendable. You need to protect your field armies and use them wisely as the economy will go backwards for quite a while, so you will not be able to recruit any new troops till the economy picks up.

Of course, one of the more traditional things is to disband many units, but I think this is very counter productive nor historical.

The idea of the economy going backwards is to limit your chances on just recruiting willy nilly. So the first move is extremely important in what you build, recruit and upgrade. Use the money wisely.

Glad you're enjoying the challenge. It is meant to be intense and difficult. It's not for the faint hearted.

Cheers

[Revan The Great]

I find that in regards to civil unrest the best strategy is to identify the 'hotspots', and lower taxes and build a church first thing. After that its just a waiting game while your dominant religion takes over (in the meantime build infrastructure - sewers, land clearance, roads).

Of course your armies can also be toned down and reorganized...for example disband expensive foederati units (cavalry in particular), and replace them with levy soldiers that are cheaper to maintain. Always save a little money for building an extra cohort or two in a city that's falling in the red and you should do fine.

I personally find the 'trading space for time' and 'give up half your empire'-mantras to be loads of crap.