Greeting Fellow Roma Surrectum Fans. I, Phillieas Caesar, here-by present unto you, for your entertainment, an After Action Report on the little know land of Syracuse. So please sit back and enjoy the entertainment.
So with my pseudo-roman announcer speech over with here is my first AAR.
Some background of what happened to Syracuse in real life. Wikipedia
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Syracuse and its surrounding area have been inhabited since ancient times, as shown by the findings in the villages of Stentinello, Ognina, Plemmirio, Matrensa, Cozzo Pantano and Thapsos, which already had a relationship with Mycenaean Greece.
Syracuse was founded in 734 or 733 BC by Greek settlers from Corinth and Tenea, led by the oecistArchias, who called it Sirako, referring to a nearby salt marsh. The nucleus of the ancient city was the small island of Ortygia. The settlers found the land fertile and the native tribes to be reasonably well-disposed to their presence. The city grew and prospered, and for some time stood as the most powerful Greek city anywhere in the Mediterranean. Colonies were founded at Akrai (664 BC), Kasmenai (643 BC), Akrillai (VII century BC), Helorus (VII century BC) and Kamarina (598 BC). The descendants of the first colonist, called Gamoroi, held the power until they were expelled by the Killichiroi, the lower class of the city. The former, however, returned to power in 485 BC, thanks to the help of Gelo, ruler of Gela. Gelo himself became the despot of the city, and moved many inhabitants of Gela, Kamarina and Megera to Syracuse, building the new quarters of Tyche and Neapolis outside the walls. His program of new constructions included a new theater, designed by Damocopos, which gave the city a flourishing cultural life: this in turn attracted personalities as Aeschylus, Ario of Metimma, Eumelos of Corinth and Sappho, who had been exiled here from Mytilene. The enlarged power of Syracuse made unavoidable the clash against the Carthaginians, who ruled western Sicily. In the Battle of Himera, Gelo, who had allied with Theron of Agrigento, decisively defeated the African force led by Hamilcar. A temple, entitled to Athena (on the site of the today's Cathedral), was erected in the city to commemorate the event (colonizer)
A Syracusan tetradrachm (c. 415–405 BC), sporting Arethusaquadriga. and a
Gelon was succedeed by his brother Hiero, who fought against the Etruscans at Cumae in 474 BC. His rule was eulogized by poets like Simonides of Ceos, Bacchylides and Pindar, who visited his court. A democratic regime was introduced by Thrasybulos (467 BC). The city continued to expand in Sicily, fighting against the rebellious Siculi, and on the Tyrrhenian Sea, making expeditions up to Corsica and Elba. In the late 5th century BC, Syracuse found itself at war with Athens, which sought more resources to fight the Peloponnesian War. The Syracusans enlisted the aid of a general from Sparta, Athens' foe in the war, to defeat the Athenians, destroy their ships, and leave them to starve on the island (see Sicilian Expedition). In 401 BC, Syracuse contributed a force of 3,000 hoplites and a general to Cyrus the Younger's Army of the Ten Thousand.
Then in the early 4th century BC, the tyrant Dionysius the Elder was again at war against Carthage and, although losing Gela and Camarina, kept that power from capturing the whole of Sicily. After the end of the conflict Dionysius built a massive fortress on the Ortygia island of the city and 22 km-long walls around all of Syracuse. Another period of expansion saw the destruction of Naxos, Catania and Lentini, then Syracuse entered again in war against Carthage (397 BC). After various changes of fortune, the Carthaginians managed to besiege Syracuse itself, but were eventually pushed back by a pestilence. A treaty in 392 BC allowed Syracuse to enlarge further its possessions, founding the cities of Adrano, Ancona, Adria, Tindari and Tauromenos, and conquering Reggio Calabria on the continent. Apart from his battle deeds, Dionysius was famous as a patron of art, and Plato himself visited Syracuse several times.
His successor was Dionysius the Younger, who was however expelled by Dion in 356 BC. But the latter's despotic rule led in turn to his expulsion, and Dionysius reclaimed his throne in 347 BC. A democratic government was installed by Timoleon in 345 BC. The long series of internal struggles had weakened Syracuse's power on the island, and Timoleon tried to remedy this, defeating the Carthaginians in 339 BC near the Krimisos river. But the struggle among the city's parties restarted after his death and ended with the rise of another tyrant, Agathocles, who seized power with a coup in 317 BC. He resumed the war against Carthage, with alternate fortunes. He however scored a moral success, bringing the war to the Carthaginians' native African soil, inflicting heavy losses to the enemy. The war ended with another treaty of peace which did not prevent the Carthaginians interfering in the politics of Syracuse after the death of Agathocles (289 BC). The citizens called Pyrrhus of Epirus for help. After a brief period under the rule of Epirus, Hiero II seized power in 275 BC.
Hiero inaugurated a period of 50 years of peace and prosperity, in which Syracause became one of the most renowned capitals of Antiquity. He issued the so-called Lex Hieronica, which was later adopted by the Romans for their administration of Sicily; he also had the theater enlarged and a new immense altar, the "Hiero's Ara", built. Under his rule lived the most famous Syracusan, the natural philosopherArchimedes. Among his many inventions were various military engines including the claw of Archimedes, later used to resist the Roman siege of 214 BC–212 BC. Literary figures included Theocritus and others.
The siege of Syracuse in a 17th century engraving.
Hiero's successor, the young Hieronymus (ruled from 215 BC), broke the alliance with the Romans after their defeat at the Battle of Cannae and accepted Carthage's support. The Romans, led by consul Marcus Claudius Marcellus, besieged the city in 214 BC. The city held out for three years, but fell in 212 BC. It is believed to have fallen due to a peace party opening a small door in the wall to negotiate a peace, but the Romans charged through the door and took the city, killing Archimedes in the process.
Here is the starting page where you pick the faction to play as. As you can see I will play on Hard/Hard with No Battle Time Limit turned on. It will be with Huge unit sizes. The unlimited_men_on_battlefield has been set to true also.
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So with the blessings of Zeus we are off.
Introduction
The city of Syracuse is a proud city. My people have lived here for generations. We have seen our beloved city through both good times and bad. However we can no longer sit around as our leaders do nothing. We have consulted the seer and the portents are bad. Very bad. So with this in mind we are taking over the city. We will let the king stay in power for now, but know he is but just a puppet. Dancing on a string to our tune. We must build an army of brave Syracusian men.Then we must bring the island under the sway of Syracuse.
Chapter One: The Start of an Empire Andreas Cornillieas walked into the council chambers. He steped to the side and took a seat. The debate had be going on for 3 hours.
"I say it is too expenseive to move on the free peoples of our island. They never hurt any of us so why should we bother spending the time and money, and the blood of our soldiers to take these settlements? Why?" Asked Artemus the Councilor.
Cecilius rose from the councilors chairs. " Why should we shed the blood of our sons? So ours grandsons may live free. The portents are dark and a plague of whiteness threatens are lands. WE MUST ACT TODAY TO SECURE TOMORROWS FUTURE!" I call for a vote on this matter.
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The vote passed like my family planned on. IT was "close" 62-38 but still passed. Now the army will be increased by nine brigades within 6-9 months. With plans for a navel expansion as soon as the Army has been trained.
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coming soon
Also a spy unit was sent to Messana. Our nations next target.
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coming soon
Soon as the army is completed it will march north to expand the borders of our glorious Empire! And our man will be marching with it ready to take control if it falters. Syracuse will be a power in this world.
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Andreas Cornillieas Journal: The March to Messana. The army has been encamped on the plains for six months now. It has been a brutal time. Something has change within the army. It used to a more easygoing place. But now something has changed with the General and he is pressuring his officers, which means we have to pressure the men. Something changed has changed within the council. There is something big coming up however. We've been ordered to start preparing for a march. I think the fabled Unification Campaign might have started. Rumors are that we are marching north. Meaning we will be marching on the City of Messana. Hopefully its a success.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Battle of Messana [updated Feb 28th 2010]
Andreas marched with his men, boldly leading them from the front. The Syracusian army had lined up out side of the town and waited for the signil. There up on the wall a green smoke was billowing... the spies had managed to open the gates and now as the time to press the attack, while the defenders where disorganized.
The Army
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The Army lined up
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The General gives the command to charge:
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Andreas Sword Hoplites where the first to enter the gates hoping to catch the Messanaians off guard.
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Followed by the City Hoplites.
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However it was too late as the Captain of the Guard had reorganized his force to meet the attack leading to a massive battle for the gates.
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Until the superior numbers and skill of the syracusian finally force the enemy to fall back. The Captain of the Guard and his men fought a rear action to save the few men left.
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Yet the Captain fell in battle marking the end of coordinated resistance.
The day was ours but at what cost. Our peace-time army was not use to these battles.
Aftermath.
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***Just for laughs***
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We did find a relic of unknown power... but quickly traded it for some more wine.
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Last edited by Phillieas_Caesar; February 28, 2010 at 08:52 PM.
Re: [RS AAR]For Zeus and Country. An Syracuse AAR.
Looks like you're playing on Atlantis
I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think - Socrates Barbarus hic ego sum, quia non intellegor ulli - Ovidius The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool - William Shakespeare A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith does not prove anything- Friedrich Nietzsche
[RS AAR]For Zeus and Country. An Syracuse AAR.
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Originally Posted by Phillieas_Caesar
