[RTR AAR] A Gallic mistake, corrected by Roman arms
It’s the year 240 BC. After gloriously defeating the Greeks, the 2nd Legion returns for a well deserved period of rest and retraining in Rome. These men have become hardy soldiers in all the years of their lives they have spent in Greece, fighting for the glory of the Empire. After a few years have past, they start to long for blood, eager to serve again on the expanding frontiers of the Empire. The emperor is glad to have such faithful servants. Immediately they are prepared and re-armed for a campaign. This time they will conquer the rich regions of Cisalpine-Gaul. The Gauls are easily killed, and their cities belong now to Rome. Civilisation and wealth will flow to these new regions of the Empire. Because the Gauls are still fighting at the borders, some cities are given large garrisons and a few forts are built to protect the western passes through the Alps. A new legion is recruited from the Italian cities; its task will be to defend the borders.A Gallic Mistake, corrected by Roman Arms
Gaius Valerius Messalla had never thought he would serve in a legion of the mighty Roman army. Until then he had just lived peacefully in Ancona, but now he would be part of the glorious 3rd Legion, that would defend the North-Italian borders. His Cohort was sent to a fort protecting the pass leading towards Massilla, which was just conquered by the Gauls. It wasn’t expected to come into danger, because armies of their foes hadn’t been seen for ages. For a year, they just trained, watched the region and had a good life. Gaius hoped it would stay so.
But it wasn’t so beautiful like that. Totally unexpected, a great army of Gauls stood before the gates of the fort, which could be closed just in time. One of their best cavaliers was sent out to get help from another fort, but it was far away. They hoped they would be able to survive until the reinforcements would arrive. After a few months, the war-horns of the Gauls threw their terrible cries into the air. Three rams stormed the fort’s walls, and quickly the troops deployed to their positions. Gaius, together with the most of the infantry, was placed before the gate. At their sides the enemy put down the walls, and flew over the ramparts like waves. But then horns cried! The reinforcements would arrive in a few minutes, through the other gate that was still in Roman hands. The enemy’s that were attacking the gates flew in terror, but then the troops were flanked at both sides. The Gauls that came through the walls were attacking them. One moment, Gaius thought they would loose this battle, but then a horn sounded. The Italic Cavalry came storming into the enemy. Oblivious to the rest of the world, they fled away, together with the others that had seen the reinforcements coming. The gateway was red of blood, and all hurried through it, killing the fleeing enemies. Scorpions shot the enemy general, fleeing away, after which most of the Gauls were killed. A Glorious victory was made real by Roman arms, which had beaten these Gallic fools.
After this glorious victory, the 4th (Italian) Legion marched through the Alps, led by praefect Gaius Valerius Messalla. He conquered great parts of Gaul, but forever held in mind this great day of his life.
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