[FREE AAR] Ave Caesar, Imperator ( 58 BC AAR by Octavius vatco Azura)

[Salvor Hardin]

Finally! An excellent introductory text. Now...I am eagerly awaiting for some in-game pictures.

[Empedocles]

yes!! we want pictures!!

[Octavius Vatco]

I should revised my pattern a bit so production could be faster..

[Octavius Vatco]

CHAPTER X

FRIENDSHIP IS A SHAM

"I am bound to suspect, Caesar, that your friendship is a sham and that your army here in Gaul is for no other purpose than to destroy me. So if you do not leave these territories and take your army with you, I shall treat you not as a friend but as an enemy; and if I kill you, I shall give great satisfaction to a large number of noble and prominent Roman citizens."
The parley, unsurprisingly, did not go smoothly. It turned into a skirmish halfway through the negotiations. Ariovistus’ cavalry guard engaged the Legio X, hurling stones and javelins. Caesar got to his men safely and ordered them not to return a missile and to an orderly retreat. When the whole army came to know of the matter, the soldier’s spirits grew higher and became even more eager to fight the Germans. After two days, Ariovistus sends emissaries back to Caesar asking for another parley but for Caesar, another such parley is not anymore necessary. The time for talking was over. Later in the day, Ariovistus moved his camp six miles from the roman camp, then moved past it and made camped about two miles beyond. His plan was to cut off the Romans from supply conveyed by the Sequani and the Aedui.


CHAPTER XI

For the next five days, Caesar arrayed his army for battle only to be denied of it by Ariovistus, only engaging in cavalry skirmishes. Caesar observed the manner the Germans fought their skirmishes. There was an equal number of infantry following the horsemen. Each one of the infantry is attached to a horseman with the purpose of protection. They also use these infantry as cover from which to retreat from the fight. Whenever a horseman was wounded and fell off his mount, the footman would rush to the aid of the horseman. If it was necessary to advance further or to fall back immediately, superb were the swiftness of these footmen on account of their training that they could keep up with the speed of the horsemen by holding on the horse’s manes. Ariovistus’ refusal to engage in battle and would not come out from his camp, Caesar decided to build another camp 600 paces beyond the enemy’s. He left two legions and part of the allied auxiliaries to garrison the new camp and led back the other four to the larger old camp. The next day, Caesar led out all his forces from both camps and drew up for battle then he led them back at noon. But at last, Ariovistus sent a fraction of his army to attack the minor camp. The battle lasted until sunset. Caesar inquired from the prisoners captured from the battle as to why Ariovistus refuse to come to battle. He then learned that when the Germans matrons were pronouncing lots and divinations as to weather they should fight and destroy the Romans immediately or to wait for a more favorable time as was their custom. It was said that heaven would not grant them victory if they were to fight the Romans before the new moon.

CHAPTER XII

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The following day, leaving a sufficient number to guard the camps, drew all his forces to and arrayed them for battle. He stationed all the auxiliaries to the front of the minor camp. He then arrayed all six legions in the triplex acies and advanced to the enemy camp. By necessity at last, Ariovistus drew all his forces and arrayed them canton by canton at equal distances. The Germans surrounded themselves with all their wagons and carts to take away the hope and temptations of routing. Their women with disheveled hairs and in tears, beg their men not to let the Romans take and enslave them as they march into battle. Caesar assigned the Legati to each legion, that every one might have them as witness of his valor.

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Caesar himself led the battle on the right wing. The signal sounded and the battle starts.

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The rushing German charge “Furore Teutonicus” made the legionary pila useless. So the Romans fought straight with their gladii hand to hand. But the Germans rapidly formed into a close formation, trying to sustain the roman attack. Many of the Romans leaped on and tore away the shields of their enemies, inflicting damage from above.

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Gradually, the German left broke and routed but still pressed hard from their right by the greater number of their troops there.

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Young Publius Crassus observing from his horse and was not yet engaged with fighting while most of the legates have, sent the third line into fray. The Roman left was rejuvenated with the aid of the third line. The entire German force collapsed and then routed. Those who survived fled back across the Rhenus and the Suevi who were planning to cross it, begun to withdraw back to their homes when the battle was reported to them. Caesar concluded two important wars in one campaign. He now settles his army to winter quarters in the territories of the Sequani so to discourage anymore German incursions.

[Salvor Hardin]

Excellent! More, more

[bucellarii]

Seconded

[Empedocles]

thirded!! (??????)

anyway, great work!

[Octavius Vatco]

Thanks mates....There's a lot more to come....

Here's a teaser for the next one..

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[Salvor Hardin]

I hate ambushes! But, on the other hand, it is so lovely to see history repeating! Let us hope that the 10th arrives in time to save the day.

[jimkatalanos]

Moved to RTW AARs.

[SonOfAlexander]

Love the battle detail and historical detail... please have a look at mine, as one battle has just started and the rest will be posted later.

[Octavius Vatco]

Battle of the Sambre River
Prelude
In the second year of the Gallic war, the Belgae, fearing Caesar would invade, were mobilizing their forces. The Bellovaci, Suessiones, Nervii, Atrebates, Ambriani, Morini, Menapii, Caleti, Veliocasses, Viromandui, Aduatuci, Condrusi, Eburones, Caeroesi, and Paemani tribes had united to deal with the Roman threat. Galba, King of the Suessiones was chosen to lead Belgae coalition. The Remi, the only Belgic tribe sympathetic to the Romans, warned Caesar of the commotion. Caesar gathered his army and proceeded to the north.
The fighting begun when the Belgae coalition attacked Bibrax the oppidum of the Remi which immediately sent for help to Caesar. Fortunately, the Romans were nearby. The Belgae broke the siege when the auxiliary forces Caesar dispatched arrived and quickly marched to meet the Romans. Caesar ordered his men to dig ditches 400 paces long to protect each flank. Outposts with artillery were built at the ends of these ditches. Two legions remained to guard the camp while the other six formed up for battle. There was a marsh in between the Belgae and the Romans. Neither side wanted to cross against this disadvantageous land. So, the Belgae decided that each tribe would return to protect their own territory individually. Their departure was very un-organized. The Romans killed many as the Belgae retreated.
The Romans then marched on to Noviodunum and laid siege to it. Its inhabitants quickly surrendered. The Bellovaci also surrendered as soon as Caesar arrived in their territory as well as the Ambriani tribe. The Belgae coalition disintegrated but some of the tribes would just not give in without a fight.

BATTLE

The river was about 3 feet deep. The land on the side of the Nervii was clear and open for about 200 paces, but it sloped up into a wooded area. The Roman side also had a hill which sloped evenly down to the river. Caesar learned where the Nervii were when he was about nine miles away. The Belgic forces were waiting in the woods as the Romans began to march in. Caesar had sent cavalry along with light infantry, archers and slingers across the river to engage the Belgic cavalry. The Belgic cavalry would flee into the woods, rush out to attack and return to the safety of the woods again. The Romans did not dare to pursue them into the closed quarters of the forest. When the Bervii forces saw the Roman baggage coming in they rushed out of the forest in full force. The Roman cavalry was scattered as the Nervii bolted across the river to meet the main force of Romans.
The Romans in camp were taken completely by surprise. Few had enough time to even put on their helmets or uncover their shields. The IX and X legions were on the Roman left flank. They met the Atrebates on higher ground and managed to push them back across the river. The legions crossed the river and defeated the enemy there. Legio XI and VIII fought the Viromandui in the center and also managed to force them back toward the river.

[Octavius Vatco]

The Nervii emerging from the forest

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The VIIth and the XIIth Legions

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The Nervii rushes up the hill and clashes with the Legions

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While the Legions on the Roman center and left wing were easily driving their enemies, the XIIth and VIIth were overwhelmed by the Nervii in the right. The ranks have become to packed for the soldiers to operate.Many have fallen including Several officers, particularly all of Legio XII's IVth cohort's centurions. the situation on the right wing was critical.

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Then Caesar arrives. rallying and encouraging the soldiers, snatching a scutum and went into the mids of the battle. He quickly reforms the legions ordered them to fight the enemy on two fronts to prevent complete encirclement. The was renewed and vigorously fought on.

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On the opposite bank, the rest of the legions have captured the enemy camp. When they saw what was happening on the Roman camp, the Xth legion was immediately sent to their aid.
Legio X arrives and batters the Nervii flanks. More reinforcements followed and joined the fighting and the battle turned to the Romans' side.

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While some of the Nervii were routing, most of them chose to fight to the death, stepping on the bodies of the fallen. they were slaughtered.

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Caesar hunted thee rest of the tribe and pardoned them when they surrendered. He then continued conquering all of northern Gallia for the rest of the year.

[bucellarii]

Another great instalment

Your AAR really is top-drawer

[Salvor Hardin]

I like the reference to Caesar's text in some paragraphs and, of course, some of the astonishing pictures. Great work!

[Octavius Vatco]

Make a ranking on the pix that you like most in the update Sal?

[Octavius Vatco]

BRITANNIA EXPEDITIONS
First Landing
Sextilis 55 BC

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Romans engages the Britons

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The Britons were driven off but the Romans were not able to follow because of the delay of the cavalry

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[Octavius Vatco]

BRITANNIA EXPEDITION 54 BC

Romans crosses the Thames with strong opposition but eventually drove the Britons off

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The Assault and Capture of the Catuvellauni Oppidum

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The Victory Caesar achieved here in Bitannia without doubt is Heroic but recent news from Labienus of some disturbances back in Gaul must be given attention. Caesar must abandon Britannia at the moment for a much more important matter at hand.

[bucellarii]

Nice one buddy

[Salvor Hardin]

The river battle is great!