Jugurthine War (46 BCE-?)

[Pontifex Maximus]

Jugurtha has mobilized a force of 40,000 troops to invade Roman North Africa under his lieutenant, Tabat. The Numidians have sent two armies, one to destroy Adherbal and bring his head to Jugurtha, and the other to ravage Roman lands. The army has pushed into Roman lands and started to loot the province, carrying off as much wealth as possible. Although the roving band has thus far stayed away from major cities, outlying towns have been burned, pillaged and left smoldering ruins. The army was last spotted moving south across the border. Thousands of refugees have begun flooding into Thapsis and Carthage.

Numidian raid counter:

Africae Proconsularis I - 100%
Africae Proconsularis II - 30%

Tabat

5,000 Elite Mauretanian Cavalry
10,000 archers/slingers
5,000 Horse Archers
10,000 Levy infantry
10,000 Regular infantry

Publius Lucullus

Legio V Sicilia - Full Strength
Legio XI Artilli - Full Strength
Legio III Italica* - Full Strength
Legio XVI Aquilae - Full Strength
Legio XV Scipii - Full Strength

[Pontifex Maximus]

Numidian Political Developments

News arrives in the province that Adherbal has managed to raise an army loyal to his cause against Jugurtha. The Numidian standing army was faced with a decision, but in the end the different units chose which leader they would follow...

Adherbal:


1,000 Elite Cavalry
1,000 Missile Cavalry
50 Elite Infantry

Jugurtha:

1,000 Elite Cavalry
1,000 Regular Cavalry
2,000 Missile Cavalry
4,000 Regular Infantry
5,500 Elite Infantry
10,000 Archers/Slingers
15 Elephants

How this worked

Each group of men got a random roll 1-100. Evens went to Adherbal, odds went to Jugurtha. 2,000 Elite Numidian Cavalry-40 2,000 Elite Numidian Cavalry-28 2,000 Elite Numidian Cavalry-72 2,000 Elite Numidian Cavalry-89 1,000 Regular Cavalry-50 1,000 Regular Cavalry-75 1,000 Regular Cavalry-16 1,000 Regular Cavalry-5 1,000 Missile Cavalry-89 1,000 Missile Cavalry-77 1,000 Missile Cavalry-42 1,000 Missile Cavalry-68 5,000 Archers/slingers-55 5,000 Archers/slingers-23 5,000 Archers/slingers-96 5,000 Regular infantry-14 5,000 Regular infantry-30 5,000 Regular infantry-16 5,000 Regular infantry-95 2,000 Elite infantry-57 2,000 Elite infantry-28 2,000 Elite infantry-89 2,000 Elite infantry-39 5 elephants-9 5 elephants-13 5 elephants-73 5 elephants-86

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Treaty of Utica, 45 BCE

Jugurtha and Adherbal led their armies into the flat, desert terrain of northwestern Africa. This battle would decide the fate of the Numidian crown once and for all. As both armies assembled on the field buzzards circled overhead, all too aware that soon their appetites would be satiated.

The terrain is flat, open, with small mounds of sand in random locations.

ooc: Those who volunteered to be Adherbal and Jugurtha, send me the orders

[Pontifex Maximus]

The XI Artilli, III Italica and XVI Aquilae arrive in North Africa.

[The Stig]

Spoiler for Roman Front: 

700 cavalry equpped for desert warfare arrive at the main Roman camp. The leader of the group requests to see whoever is in charge.

Spoiler for Numidian Front: 

Jugurtha, rightful King of Numidia looks over the battlefield. The forces are neatly matched, any battle will result in high casualties for both sides. The beginnings of an idea form in his head. "Send a messenger to Adherbal. Tell him I want to negotiate."

[Okmin]

Spoiler for Roman Front: 

Adherbal smirks when he hears the Roman legions have arrived. This war would be short. "Send a messenger to them." He writes a letter to be read only to the Roman leader.

Noble friend,

I thank you and your Senate for choosing the right side. We will not forget what you will do on this day.

Adherbal, King of Numidia

Spoiler for Numidian Front: 

Adherbal gazed confidently out over the desert. His fool brother may have a numerical advantage in elite infantry and elephants, but he was still outnumbered almost two to one. Besides, the gods favored rightful king, who was, of course, not Jugurtha.

"Form up the lines. Elephants in front, infantry and skirmishers in the rear, half the cavalry on the flanks, half with me as reserves. Tell the men not to attack until I give the order. I know my brother, Jugurtha will come to us."

[Pontifex Maximus]

ooc: still gonna need those orders PMed to me

[Okmin]

OOC: Oh...

[Okmin]

600 elite cavalrymen ride out to meet Jugurtha's messenger. Their leader rides ahead. "You will come with us. Your king will deign to hear you speak."

They escort the messenger behind the lines and bow before Adherbal. He looks at the messenger. "What is it you want?"

[The Stig]

The messenger kneels nervously before Adherbal. "G-Greetings, mighty king. Your brother Jugurtha sends his regards. He does not wish for Numidia to be further divided. He would like to speak with you under a flag of truce."

[Okmin]

Adherbal scoffs. "Very well. I will play along... Come with me. Commander, bring your men."

The six hundred ride out onto the plain separating the armies.

[The Stig]

Jugurtha rides out to meet him with a large contingent of bodyguards under a flag of truce.

[Okmin]

"Greetings, brother. Do you wish to surrender?"

[The Stig]

Jugurtha smiled. "More or less, brother. More or less. You see, the Romans are smart. They have cut Numidia in two. They wish to destroy us while we are weak and divided. They want to bring both of us to our knees. They are the true enemy. We waste time and effort quarrelling. They seek to bring the entire world under their dominion. They will not stop, if you defeat me you will be little more than a glorified tax collector. We must go now, and strike them before it is too late! They are weak, my scouts report many legions, but it would seem they lack a commander and are simply sitting there. The Curia will finish its tiresome debates soon and then the chance will be lost and all of Africa will be theirs forever! My armies are burning their farmland as we speak. We must hasten and capture Carthage, land which is rightfully ours! With that done, the Romans will have to accept peace, on our terms. We will then create a league of anti-Roman nations to halt that bastard city forever. Join me, Adherbal, and we will rule the world as brother and brother!"

[Okmin]

"And let you put a knife in my back while Carthage falls? No. There can only be one ruler of Numidia. But the Romans are ripe for picking; why do you think I "invited" them here? The so called Senate and People are a ridiculous bereaucracy that has only managed to accomplish so much because those Gallic tribes are even more inept. Let me make you an offer, brother. I have the larger army here. I will be king. You may rule Italy, Greece, Gaul, and the other northern and western lands. Do with Rome as you wish -- burn, loot, anything. I will rule from Hispania to Numidia to Asia and the Indian lands. We will also agree to not interfere with one another's land."

[The Stig]

Jugurtha scoffed. "And you take from me the land of our fathers? We split Numidia."

[Okmin]

"I had a feeling you would say that. Very well. You may keep northern Numidia and rule everything west of Numidia and Italia. I get everything to the east.

[The Stig]

"Very well, brother."

[Okmin]

"To Carthage, then. Have your army meet mine here."
Adherbal's cavalry turn to leave. He stops and grins.

"Oh, and you may have your messenger back as well."

(Back at the front line)
Adherbal has assembled his generals.
"There has a been a change of plans. We will be marching with my brother's force to destroy the Romans and capture Carthage, but I do not trust him. Watch for any signs that we may being played for fools. We leave in ten minutes. Remember to feed the elephants."

The army soon begins to march forward.

[Sonke]

A messenger arrives to Adherbal

Adherbal,
Do you honestly think that Jugurtha will give you control. When you were hiding we helped you. Jugurtha wanted to kill you. Do you think that he has changed his mind. We your allies helped you, but now you want to betray us. After you have conquered Carthage, Jugurtha will kill you and throw your body into the desert.Change sides, we will help you.
Publilus Sempremonius Lucullus, Pro-Consul of Sicilia et Africa