Romans on the Offensive

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Forces of the Republic under the command of Consul Cincinnatus move north to pursue the fleeing Allobrogian forces. Their objective is to capture three territories under the control of the Allobroges due north of Massilia.





Roman Forces:

I Italica* - 5,025 men
II Italica* - 5,250 men
III Italica* - 5,025 men
600 Cavalry

Gallic Forces:

1,000 Cavalry
10,000 Infantry: Regular
7,000 Infantry: Levy

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Roman army has arrived in South-Central Gaul. Although the surrounding woods were eerily silent, Consul Severus Vipsanius Cincinnatus knew the enemy was watching their every move. It was too late in the day to offer battle, so the Romans began pitching their camp. Five hundred men of the I Victrix were ordered to remain in full battle gear in case any ambushes were being planned by the remaining Allobrogian forces.

Cincinnatus busied himself with preparations and the logistics of the construction of the camp.

"Decimus, allow the Decurions to lead their horses to the stream under guard. The ground provides good enough fodder here, save the barley."

Although significantly reduced in the last battle, the Allied cavalry had proven vital in defending the flanks.

"And Decimus, send Aquila to me"

[Magicman2051]

At a small Allobrogian camp, several miles north of the Roman position.

There were several men gathered around the long extinguished embers of a simple fire, no one talked but the silence spoke volumes. Their defeat was shattering to morale, particularly among the younger clansmen. Those gathered in this camp represented what was left of Baleastrick's inner circle and the few Chief's who had seen the folly in his plan. The bulk of their remaining forces, as well as the few that had escaped the massacre at Massilia, were still barely organised and most of them had not seen battle in years. Baleastrick had been a fool, who sought glory and forsook honour to gain riches, now was not the time for glory. Not was the time for subtly and deception, if that could be achieved at all.

A boy, no more than nine winters old, entered the camp and briefly whispered to one of the guards. The boy was allowed through and was greeted by one of the men around the fire, Harric the Boar. They talked in silence and then Harric dismissed the boy, he had a grim look on his face.

"Their numbers match ours," he began," in armament and skill they far surpass us. This is not an enemy we can face, at least not now."

His words sank in, all those present at the camp were not cowards despite what horse manure Baleastrick spewed in the months before his death, but they were men who knew their strength well and knew when it would be tested or even overcome.

"They've begun setting up camp, if we hit them now we'd inflict heavy casualties," Harric continued.
"And then we'd be dead," spoke Brennus suddenly," what would our people face without any protection?"
"As I was saying before you cut me off boy," retorted Harric with a note of anger," if we hit them now then we'd inflict heavy casualties but we'd lose most of our force. We must wait them out, hit them with ambushes when they try to advance... winter will drive them back to their lowland homes and give us time to regroup."
"But we must hold them until then..."
"Exactly."

Silence returned as the men considered their next move.

[Celsius]

ooc; battle time?

[Pontifex Maximus]

ooc: Tomorrow, I think. Not enough time tonight as I am going to attempt a Gordon Ramsay recipe. Go ahead and post all the necessary things but I probably won't have my plans in till tomorrow.

[Celsius]

ooc; thank God.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Ok, let's post terrain and disposition.

[Celsius]

Gallic SideRoman Side


Roman Forces
I Italica* - 5,025 men
II Italica* - 5,250 men
III Italica* - 5,025 men
600 Cavalry

Gallic Forces
1,000 Cavalry
10,000 Infantry: Regular
7,000 Infantry: Levy

[Celsius]

Battle of Aux-en-Provence

The two Armies met. Each on their side of the stream. A Majority of the Gallic Army moved forward, but did not cross. At the same time, the Roman Legions did the same. The Gallic soldiers did not cross, which gave the Romans a heavy advantage. They threw their pila's, inflicting a lot of front line casualties as a result of the range. The Gallic Army still their ground, and did not cross. The Romans did the exact opposite. They piled into heavy formation, spearheading the stream and hurrying across the stream. The Gallic forces engaged immediately, and their cavalry came from the flanks.

The Legions stood fast, and managed to unhorse many of the cavalrymen with their triangle formation as it was nearly impossible to completely penetrate. The Gallic forces continued to fight, but began to break. When the front line fell, Gallic Reserves of more than 5,000 men charged in. The Romans continued to fight, and their cavalry had safely crossed the river and began to harass the Gallic flanks.

In the end, the Romans managed to pull of a victory, strictly from their penetrating formations, and their more effective weapons. But it was not without cost.

Outcome: Roman Victory
Roman Casualties: 1,225 to each Legion; 125 to Cavalry
Gallic Casualties: 5,400 to Levies; 8,575 to Regulars; 700 to Cavalry; 8,000 captured as Slaves; Remaining Forces disperse; Gallic General Catugantrix captured.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Post-battle events:

1. The Romans sack the province. (need a roll for the sack)

2. Consul Cincinnatus names the conquered regions as well as all holdings in Transalpine Gaul "Provincia"

[Celsius]

3,000 Denarii from Sacking