The Mauretanian Invasion

[Okmin]

The Kingdom of Mauretania has invaded Roman Numidia, triggering yet another war on the edges of the Republic. The Proconsul of Silicia et Africa, Quintus Furius Agricola, has responded with 3 legions, 6,500 cavalry, and 3,000 archers. His force is marching west to intercept the Mauretani near the Numidian city of Cirta.

Two additional legions are to be dispatched to Africa to assist in the war, but they have not arrived yet.

Roman Forces

Commander: Quintus Furius Agricola, Pro-Consul of Silicia et Africa
Legio V Sicilia - 6,000
Legio XI Claudia Fidelus - 6,000
Legio XIV Iupita - 6,000
6,553 Cavalry
3,000 Archers

Kingdom of Mauretania

Commander: King Bocchus I of Mauretania
15,000 spearmen
3,000 elite infantry
3,000 archers
5,000 spear cavalry
4,000 horse archers

[Dance the older]

Quintus descends the hilltop from his army, with a small escort to a neutral position between the two armies. He awaits an audience to speak with the Mauritanian King, Bocchus I

OOC: This is your queue Okmin, if your playing Mauretania, and Stig or LM is mod.

[Okmin]

OOC: I just realized something. If he's Bocchus I, why are we calling him Bocchus I if Bocchus II isn't king yet? Anyway...

King Bocchus rode with his bodyguard to meet with the Roman. "Greetings. Do you wish to surrender already?"

[Dance the older]

Quintus smiles politely

You must be King Bocchus...

... What reason do you cross borders into a land you don't possess?

[Okmin]

"I am here to reclaim this land which is rightfully my son's. But since you Romans had him killed, I will take it for my own."

OOC: ^Sort of accurate. Jugurtha was Bocchus' son-in-law.

[Dance the older]

Perhaps we might negotiate.

The Greeks, the Hispanics, the Carthaginians... The Numidians, and countless other nations have been subdued for the same futile attempts your so adamently pursuing, King of Mauritania. I understand your frustration at my predecessors for any slights against you, however, the Roman Republic will not take this invasion of its soverignty lightly.

I have not only brought forth and evenly matched army, I have over a dozen legions on their way as we speak. 72,000 more legionnaires, and innumerable conscripts and auxiliaries. This war of yours cannot be won, King Bocchus.

Withdraw your forces from Numidia, and I will attempt to convince my Senate to overlook this insult by your nation. It is the best option. From the stories I have heard, you are a wise King, Bocchus... But this war is not wise. It will sign the end of your Kingdom and the Republic will usurp your lands. My comrades are unforgiving, King of Mauritania. They will stop at nothing to utterly destroy your nation, if you do not withdraw now.

This is your chance, wise King. Not only will this army be met with defeat, the entirety of your Kingdom will be met with defeat.. The future Kingdom of your sons. Do you not wish to have your grandsons grow up free within your Kingdom? Don't make this hasty decision to pursue this war. I plead with you to reconsider, King Bocchus.

[Okmin]

Bocchus scoffed at the proconsul's speech. "All these people have fallen to Rome. None were Mauretani. We have survived so far, and from the stories I hear, your army is smaller than before, and I have more men than Jugurtha. I will take back my family's land, so that when I die Numidia will pass to my grandson, whose birthright it is to rule."

[Dance the older]

Do you not realize this army here will be utterly decimated when the Republic is through with it? This will leave Mauritania wide open for the over 100,000 man army marching this way.

There will be lands left when the Senate is through with you. There is relative peace in the North now. Those armies, veterans of countless campaigns have their eyes now fixated on Africa. Do not make the same mistake the Carthaginians did. For the sake of your people. Your greed this day, will determine the fate and future of your people. Every. Last. One of them, King Bocchus. Your sons, your grandsons, your greatgrandsons will not rule. If you even survive this futile campaign, by chance, I am one man. One senator in an immense Senate. My life will be trivial for the Republic. Your a king. You have more to lose than I, King of Mauritania. Do you honestly think you can win this war? What pages from history have you skipped that will back up your visions of proclaimed victory in this war.

They were not Mauritanian, granted, however, do you think Rome has never heard those words before? There is hardly a King, Emperor, Warlord, Chieftain, or Despot in the known world who has not uttered the exact words to us, that you just have. As I said before, my life is insignificant to the greater Republic. Yours is the figurehead of your nation. Do not tempt death when you have a way out.

Take this army. Remove yourself from the battlefield, and all Roman lands. I will try to convince the Senate to overlook this. If you do not, your whole Kingdom will suffer in the shadow of your futile decisions. Every rock, every grain of sand in Mauritania will be Roman. 100,000 men. 100,000 men, with their women at home, will populate your country with their own seed. Your women, your children will be sold into slavery. Your men will work the mines.

Hear me this day, wise King Bocchus. Rome will ing destroy you, and all you hold dear to you. Is this what you want? Do not be a page on a book, forgotten to the annals of time. Be a king, be a wise king, and withdraw your forces. This is your last warning. I like you. You are bold, and that's a trait that's admirable, but often used in foolish ways. This is one of them, King of Mauritania.

[Okmin]

"I know you Romans -- if we do not kill you now, you will come back later. No, we have the advantage now, and we will fight for our land."

[Dance the older]

This isn't your land. As of now your no different than the conquerer's you believe us to be. We are the one true beacon of light in this world. You would prosper well under Roman protection. One, two battles, will only see the decimation of your army. A third, fourth, fifth battle will see the capture of your capital. And Rome is unforgiving. They will remember our conversation. See this man here? Quintus points to his scribe

He has recorded word for word our entire conversation. Rome will know your exact words. Rome will know my exact words. They will see you have been amply warned, and this parchment will be reviewed by not only our Senate, but the reinforcements on their way. Quintus looks around Bocchus I see your army, but I do not tremble, Bocchus. Regardless of what happens on this battlefield, if I go down. Your going down with me, I promise you that. I'm replaceable. There are two dozen Senators who will take my position. You? Your family is limited. Your people... Are limited. This scribe will finish this conversation with my personal memorandum written down. If you proceed here, with this invasion, I will personally plead with my Senate, to show Mauritania not so much as a morsel of mercy. I will request each, and every one of your people are chained, or put to the sword. I am a fair, and forgiving man, King Bocchus. I consider myself a man of the people. I want for my people what you want for yours. Peace and prosperity. By continuing this bold move, you will forever and always deny your people any form of peace. No wave crashing on your shore, no leaf fallen from a tree in your garden, not even a flower pedal in your vacation escape, will avoid Roman wrath. You do not have enough men to pierce the skin of our Republic. The Carthaginians won a few battles. How'd that end for them? Rome is thrice stronger now than when our predecessors subjugated the Barca's and all their followers. No where in this world will crows ever hunger again. They will feed off the bodies left in the Roman warpath's wake. Your family. Your family won't even get the mercy of a quick death, I promise you that. There are methods used, which will keep your family members alive for years, in utter agony and pain. I will personally see to their pain and horrow, if not me, my successor, if not him, his successor. The times are changing, Bocchus. You can either be a part of the change, or be an example of the change.

If I die.. My cousin will inherit my estate. He will remember it was Bocchus of Mauritania who forwent the war. He will come, he will ensure I am avenged, and all Roman's.

Look at your army, Bocchus. I count... 25,000- 30,000 men, by my advisor's census. Each of these men has parents. They have brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, grandparents, wives, and children... All of your subjects will feel the wrath of Rome at the hands of my army. Our numbers are infinitely replenishable. Yours.. Yours are limited. There are senators so bloodthirsty, so vile, so vicious, they will sever your cock, place it in your mouth, and pierce your head on the footsteps of the Curia, in Rome. Your face will be viewed with hatred and mockery, and desecration forever more. Your limbs will be dispatched to the four corners of Mauritania as a warning. Your wives, your daughters, your granddaughters will serve as slaves, if they are lucky. I am telling you the barren and brutish truth, King Bocchus. Your glory you seek so much will be shortlived if lived at all. Our armies will be the bane of your people. There will be no songs of glory, no monuments to remember you. Your people will curse you, they will forsaken you when the Roman war machine arrives at their doorsteps. You seek glory. You see infamy. You seek power and wealth. You will find none in Numidia, King Bocchus. You will find nothing but your downfall. The end of your rule, the end of your people's sovereignty. I can see boldness comes with stubbornness. Often than not, those two traits are the bane of a ruler. This will be proven in the coming weeks.

This is your last chance, King Bocchus. If you want to keep that title in your name, withdraw from Numidia, or face the wrath of a quarter million bloodthirsty men knocking at your doorsteps. We have allies, Bocchus. Spain is within viewing distance from Mauritania. You will feel our wrath in all sides of your Kingdom. Your people will never regret supporting you more, if you continue this endeavor. Withdraw. Withdraw and your Kingdom will live on.

For the sake of your people, and your family. Withdraw at once. I have never been more serious in my entire life. This will end badly for you.

Quintus turns to his scribe, who is rubbing his own wrists after such a lengthy recording, and then Quintus turns back to Bocchus

[Okmin]

The king glared at Quintus.

"Peace? You Romans bring nothing but war! You people will not rest until either the world is yours or you all lie dead. Do you honestly think I believe my kingdom and people will go untouched simply because you say so? Ha! A century from now, what does your word matter? I hear you saying these things... lies... They may serve you well in your senate, but here they do you no good. If we leave, all we do is delay the inevitable, but we will win, and we will see how mighty Roman legions look running from the battlefield. And then what will you do? Send more men? I doubt the Numidians are happy you took their country. We can raise a massive army before you can bring yours. And then you can all cook under the African sun while our birds feast on your armored bodies. That is my answer to you."

Bocchus and his men turn and leave.

[Dance the older]

Quintus watches Bocchus leave

You just signed the death warrant of your people, Bocchus. You do not even deserve the title of King. You and your barbarian rabble will disintegrate into the pages of history.

Quintus obersves his helmet, wipes off the shards of dust on it, and turns to his scribe Did you get all that?

I did, Consul. Quintus inspects his helmet again, and puts it on his head, and does up the chin strap Good. Prepare it for dispatch to Rome.

[The Stig]

Battle of Cirta

The Mauretani, led by King Bocchus, have invaded the Roman Proconsulate of Africa. Claiming the former lands of the Kingdom of Numidia via a complex series of marriages, Bocchus has raised his army and met the Romans near the city of Cirta. Hoping to avoid a siege, for which his cavalry is unsuited, he has moved inland, hoping to outflank the Romans. However, the Proconsul has anticiapated this and moved to intercept them. Unable to avoid direct battle, Bocchus must drive the Romans from the field or retreat in disgrace. For his part, the Proconsul must not allow the Mauretani to push further into his Proconsulate. The place of battle is varied, with open scrubland in the center and on the right, but with rough hills on the left. There has been little wind the night before the battle, and both armies are preparing for a hot day.

Roman Forces

Commander: Quintus Furius Agricola, Pro-Consul of Silicia et Africa

Roman Forces

Legio V Sicilia - 6,000

Legio XI Claudia Fidelus - 6,000

Legio XIV Iupita - 6,000
6,553 Cavalry

3,000 Archers

Kingdom of Mauretania

Commander: King Bocchus I of Mauretania
15,000 spearmen
3,000 elite infantry
3,000 archers
5,000 spear cavalry
4,000 horse archers

[The Stig]

Battle of Cirta

The sun beat down, harsh and unforgiving, like a great bonfire suspended in midair. As the armies below readied themselves for battle, the heat of the day began to manifest itself, an oppressive forecast of how the battle would take its toll on the men below. The Mauretani waited until noon to strike, knowing that although the warmth would make them uncomfortable and tired, the effects would be tripled on their armor clad foes. When they finally moved to strike the Roman lines, it was merely to thin them out before the true assault began. The Romans, having taken up a position of the hills to the left, found their frontline Legions unable to respond to the archer's missiles. Still, that is not to say that their volleys went unanswered. Rome's own archers did their best to respond with equal force, but the mobility of the horse archers allowed them to prove themselves superior in the opening engagements. This deadly back and forth game of lawn darts continued for a while, before the main force of the Mauretani came into view. At this sight, the horsemen wheeled about and rode back to their lines for a brief time, leaving a smattering of bodies littered across the field. The Romans, somewhat disorganized by the attack, took the opportunity to regroup and steel themselves for the confused and stuffy brawl that would follow. As the invaders drew ever closer, the Roman archers opened fire, aiming at the back of the formation, inflicting most of their damage on the African missile corps. At this the Mauretani's cavalry broke their formation. The horsemen carrying spears went away from the main body of either army, into the hills, their hopes of quickly surrounding their enemies dashed by the rocky terrain. As the Romans begin to load their second volley, they are hit by the first of the Mauretani. Soon afterwards, the melee infantry of either nation, slightly bloodied by their foes, meet in combat for the first time. The Roman left and center, held by the Cladius Fidelus and lupita, meets the brunt of the Mauretani assault, and finds that they are outnumbered by their attackers. Meanwhile, a detachment of 1,000 spearmen exploits what seems to be an opening in the Roman lines, and is swiftly decimated by 500 arrows falling from a cliff above them. The survivors are swiftly cut down by the Legio V Sicilia, which had lain in wait for just such an occurrence. As the battle raged onwards, basking in the overbearing pall of the sun's rays, the legionnaires of the lupita and Cladius Fidelus, exhausted, outnumbered, and all too aware of their condition, begin to lost hope. Unsupported by cavalry and the Sicilia, both of which had not been ordered to reinforce their comrades, the position of the two legions became more and more dire. Although the Romans won small victory was won when the Mauretani cavalry appeared to the rear of their army, walked straight into their cavalry, and was quickly eradicated, it was balanced by the chasing of their cliff top archers, those who had defeated the spearmen below, from their lofty heights.
In the end, the battle would be decided by neither of these things, but by the fierce melee in the center. The two legions, outmanned and suffering in the heat, could not hope to turn back the horde before them. Although they fought admirably, inflicting many casualties on their foes, they eventually routed in disorder. Buying plenty of time for rest of the army to conduct an orderly withdrawal, their retreat was confused and misguided. With most of their number disoriented, injured, and nearly suffering from heat stroke, it is indeed fortunate that the Mauretani decided not to pursue them, and to instead loot the field, collect their wounded, and refresh themselves in preparation for the next battle.


Result: A Mauretani victory, but a very close one. Neither set of orders was optimal, as both commanders made many assumptions about their opponent. The Roman commander committed more troops to his assumption, and so it was the Romans who lost. Still, the victory was far from decisive, and there will certainly be another battle in this war.

Roman Forces

Commander: Quintus Furius Agricola, Pro-Consul of Silicia et Africa
Legio V Sicilia - 5,950 -50
Legio XI Claudia Fidelus - 2,500 -3,500
Legio XIV Iupita - 2,500 -3,500
6,000 Cavalry -553
2,250 Archers -750

Kingdom of Mauretania

Commander: King Bocchus I of Mauretania
11,500 spearmen -4,500
2,000 elite infantry -1,000
2,000 archers -1,000
2,500 spear cavalry -2,500
3,500 horse archers -500

[Dance the older]

The Romans withdraw back to the hill, still separating the Mauritanian forces from the short passage to Carthage, or the African Proconsularis interior. The Romans collect themselves, as Quintus formulates replacements, which appear to have been in Cirta, and managed to reinforce his army in time. (he orders the 7,050 legionnaires from Carthage to replace his losses via Senate Proconsular treasury, which will be refunded again by the Senate).

OOC: So I assume in 12 hours, I will have my legionaries replaced?

Later that night, after a long afternoon of collecting and burying the dead that he could manage too, Quintus sits flustered by the events that unfolded. He must find out what happened during the fight that prevented better coordination

He issued an order for all Auxiliary archer commanders to come to his tent

As a dozen officers stand before him, he walks the line of them with a suspicious look at them

Why is it that your troops fired only two volleys during the enemy advance?

None of the men spoke, some looked at the others with slight eye contact and looked away

Nobody is leaving this tent, until I have my answer.

After about ten minutes of silence, as Quintus reflects and the commanders begin to perspire, the Roman Legatus of Legio V Sicilia, Marius Sempronius Trulla, enters the tent

Quintus stands and looks at his general. The general nods his head in anger

Quintus puts his head down and lifts his hand and snaps his fingers

From outside the tent, two dozen legionnaires pour in from the Proconsular legion, and surrounded the auxiliary commanders

I found this in one of their tents, Consul Marius throws a bag of coin to Quintus. Quintus opens it and pulls out one of the gold coins inside

On the face of the gold coin is Tanit, the Phoenecian lunar goddess, and Patron god of Carthage. Quintus flips the coin around in his fingers and there is a horse with a reverted head on the flipside.



He drops his head slightly and shakes it in silent anger

Seize them.

The legionnaires grab each of the aux commanders, one on each arm

Sold us out. Carthaginian coin. Before you die, you will give up those who bought you.

Alot of good Roman's died because of your greed. Either way.. We will win this war. Believe me....

...Take them away.

The Legionnaires take the men to the makeshift cells

I want to know who paid the coin, Trulla.

Legatus Trulla gives the Roman salute to Quintus, and bows before exiting the tent

[Dance the older]

A week later...

6 African auxiliary commanders are all bent over 6 low wooden tables with their pants off. Their legs are locked behind the knee to the ground, and their feet bound and attached to the ground. Their hands extended across the table and tied on the other end.

The men are beaten and bloodied, and near death. Some of them are missing fingers, eyes, tongues, and ears

Silence surrounds them as all the other army commanders are present

These men have been proven guilty of treason against the Proconsulate, and the Republic. They are condemned to death. Quintus nods to one of the executioner's. The executioner takes a long metal pole singed to searing red hot in a forgefire for an hour

Quintus walks to the first prisoner who is crying from his one eye, and trying to utter words of mumbled forgiveness

Quintus bends down to a crouch, puts his hands on the table facing the traitor, and spits into his eye socket. He then gets up and nods to the executioner who removes the 3 foot long iron pole from the forge

The executioner begins to insert the searing hot poker into the traitor's rear

The man pleads for mercy, he begs in mumbled mercy

pweez na ah na na na ahhhh hhahheruiggrghrueeyhgineug ahhhhh nahhhh mnahn naaa Within a minute and a half of being tortured, the man lays lifeless against the table

Quintus takes the Carthaginian gold coin from his pocket and tosses it at the dead traitor

Next.

... Too be continued..

[Pontifex Maximus]

Summer has come and gone, and the dry heat of autumn has not yet given way to the rains. As a result, animals and soldiers alike have been forced to ration fresh water supplies within the African interior. Surviving, and of course fighting, in such a hostile environment has become difficult.

[Dance the older]

Fresh grain supplies have been extracted from the provinces of African Consularis. The Roman army is now restocked with food supplies, as well as forces of arm, with the arrival of the two Spanish legions, and the replenishment of it's original three.

Water is being supplied from Cirta, as well as a deep ravine travelling below the foot of the plateau itself

Quintus calls a meeting with King Bocchus


OOC: Legio IX Rapax, and Legio I Frater Hispanica are to be added to my army now. Two full legions. As well the original post needs to be updated with casualties from the First Battle of Cirta. My 3 legions have replenished their losses.

[Okmin]

The Mauretani, meanwhile go around the old Numidian and Carthaginian lands inciting anti-Roman sentiment and attempting to raise rebellions.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Native attrition: The Mauretanians have seized the initiative and plow ahead with renewed vigor. Their successes against the Romans, however minor, have shifted the loyalty of a substantial portion of the local populations. With water growing increasingly scarce away from the more loyal sections of easternmost Africa. The southern reaches of the Pro-Consulate have risen in revolt. The forces of the Mauretanian invaders has increased significantly, though it remains to be seen if the rag-tag group can remain a cohesive fighting body.

Africa Pro-Consularis I, II, and II are the only provinces in which Romans will not suffer some attrition. Some territories will be more hostile than others.

Attrition rate of Numidia I: 6% daily

Roman Forces

Commander: Quintus Furius Agricola, Pro-Consul of Silicia et Africa
Legio V Sicilia - 5,580
Legio XI Claudia Fidelus - 5,580
Legio XIV Iupita - 5,580
Legio IX Rapax** - 5,155
5,580 Cavalry
2,092 Archers

Kingdom of Mauretania

Commander: King Bocchus I of Mauretania
11,500 spearmen +2,000
4,500 Light infantry
2,000 elite infantry +100
2,000 archers +3,000
2,500 light cavalry +2,000
3,500 horse archers + 450