Freedom Under the Kings of Syracuse (Chap 32)

[Alavaria]

Chapter 24: Where Do Romans Come From?

Hieronymos: Our home is secure, the Roman invaders have been safely contained.
Hieronymos: Without their supply lines from Italy, it is all they can do to not starve.
Hieronymos: However, thanks to our Carthageinian-Syracuse fleet, our food reaches us fresh and delicious.

Hieronymos: Wait a moment, what's this?

Hieronymos: But... we destroyed it.
Hieronymos: How did Arretium get bribed?
_______Aa: It was the small picket force you left behind.

Hieronymos: You know, there are quite a lot of Roman legions around.
_______Aa: You don't have to defeat them in the field, you know.
Hieronymos: There's quite a lot of them though...
_______Aa: That would be because this is their homeland.

Hieronymos: But we've taken over the southern part of Italy!
_______Aa: Yes. That doesn't change as much as you think.
_______Aa: Around here, fully-armed and experienced Romans just appear from wherever.

Hieronymos: Are you referring to their industrial bases remaining in the north?
_______Aa: What? No, I wasn't referring to anvils or even their magical sources of resources.
_______Aa: I literally meant Romans just spawn.
Hieronymos: Who the hell are these people?

monitor_event FactionTurnStart FactionType romans_brutii
	and not FactionIsLocal
	if I_CompareCounter roman_emergency = 1
	and I_CompareCounter marian_reforms = 0
        	console_command kill_character "AppiusD Claudius_Pulcher"
	        spawn_army
        	    faction romans_brutii
	            character AppiusD Claudius_Pulcher, general, age 38, x 159, y 134
	            unit roman early general, exp 3 armour 1 weapon_lvl 1
	            unit roman equites, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit campanian cavalry, exp 3 armour 1 weapon_lvl 1
	            unit latin medium cavalry, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit polybian republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit polybian republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit polybian republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit polybian republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit polybian republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit allied republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit allied republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit allied republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit allied republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit allied republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit roman velite, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit allied velite, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit roman triarii, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit roman triarii, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit allied triarii, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit allied triarii, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	        end
		;console_command give_trait "AppiusD Claudius_Pulcher" Spawned_Roman_General 1
		;console_command give_trait "AppiusD Claudius_Pulcher" Self_Destruct 1
		;console_command give_trait "AppiusD Claudius_Pulcher" GoodCommander1 1
		;console_command give_trait "AppiusD Claudius_Pulcher" Roman 1
		;console_command give_trait "AppiusD Claudius_Pulcher" TurnsAlive 2
		;console_command give_trait "AppiusD Claudius_Pulcher" CharacterAges 2
		set_counter roman_emergency 0
	end_if

	if I_CompareCounter roman_emergency = 2
	and I_CompareCounter marian_reforms = 0
        	console_command kill_character "GnaeusD Fulvius_Centumalus"
	        spawn_army
        	    faction romans_brutii
	            character GnaeusD Fulvius_Centumalus, general, age 40, x 159, y 134
	            unit roman early general, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit roman equites, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit campanian cavalry, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit latin medium cavalry, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit polybian republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit polybian republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit polybian republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit polybian republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit polybian republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit allied republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit allied republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit allied republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit allied republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit allied republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit roman velite, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit allied velite, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 1
	            unit roman triarii, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit roman triarii, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit allied triarii, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit allied triarii, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	        end
		;console_command give_trait "GnaeusD Fulvius_Centumalus" Spawned_Roman_General 2
		;console_command give_trait "GnaeusD Fulvius_Centumalus" Self_Destruct 1
		;console_command give_trait "GnaeusD Fulvius_Centumalus" GoodCommander1 1
		;console_command give_trait "GnaeusD Fulvius_Centumalus" Roman 1
		;console_command give_trait "GnaeusD Fulvius_Centumalus" TurnsAlive 2
		;console_command give_trait "GnaeusD Fulvius_Centumalus" CharacterAges 2
		set_counter roman_emergency 0
	end_if

	if I_CompareCounter roman_emergency = 3
	and I_CompareCounter marian_reforms = 0
	        console_command kill_character "MarcusC Valerius_Laevinus"
	        spawn_army
	            faction romans_brutii
	            character MarcusC Valerius_Laevinus, general, age 31, x 159, y 134
	            unit roman early general, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit roman equites, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit allied equites, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit latin medium cavalry, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit polybian republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit polybian republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit polybian republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit polybian republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit polybian republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit allied republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit allied republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit allied republic legion, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit samnite pedites extraordinarii, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit lucani pedites extraordinarii, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit roman velite, exp 3 armour 1 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit roman velite, exp 3 armour 1 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit roman triarii, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit roman triarii, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit allied triarii, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	            unit allied triarii, exp 3 armour 2 weapon_lvl 2
	        end
		;console_command give_trait "MarcusC Valerius_Laevinus" Spawned_Roman_General 3
		;console_command give_trait "MarcusC Valerius_Laevinus" Self_Destruct 1
		;console_command give_trait "MarcusC Valerius_Laevinus" GoodCommander1 1
		;console_command give_trait "MarcusC Valerius_Laevinus" Roman 1
		;console_command give_trait "MarcusC Valerius_Laevinus" TurnsAlive 1
		;console_command give_trait "MarcusC Valerius_Laevinus" CharacterAges 1
		set_counter roman_emergency 0
	end_if

end_monitor

Hieronymos: No that made no sense.
_______Aa: Not surprising, it's the divine language of this realm.
_______Aa: The short of it is that you can expect at least three armies, larger than yours, to appear at some point.
Hieronymos: Again; who the hell are these people?
Hieronymos: Actually no wait, how can we stop them like this?

_______Aa: There are a number of critical settlements, from which the Roman gods are deriving their power.
_______Aa: Are you familiar with the theory of countervalue targeting?
_______Aa: Take the settlements. Murder all the Romans.
_______Aa: This will end the Roman threat forever.
Hieronymos: Won't they be defending these capture points though?

_______Aa: Yes, but you can outmaneuver them with my help.
_______Aa: First, start re-equipping the reinforcements and reorganize them into your Banner Army.
Hieronymos: And then?
_______Aa: We must take care of the Cannae legion which threatens our southern holdings.
_______Aa: Don't worry about the magical Roman reinforcements, leave that to me.

[Alavaria]

Spoiler for Chapter 25: 

Chapter 25: Cannae Defending Champions

___Hironymos: Cowering Roman dogs! Submit or prepare for your deaths!
General Vibius: Damnit, General Scipio is not here, we shall have to hold out for his arrival...

Hironymos: Men, be ready for the assault.
Hironymos: Who knows what reinforcements the Romans may have marching towards us.

Hironymos: Stay confident in our victory.
Hironymos: Our arms, our training, our fortitude will see us though.

While the Roman forces massed to repel any attackers, fire began to rain from the sky. The Sicilians, similarly massed outside the walls, watched the burning projectiles disappear into the city.

The first assault was successful, despite taking some losses. The Romans were unable to push back.

Outside, multiple units were prepared for...

______Royal Hoplite: Boost friendly morale
__Syracuse Cavalry: Reduce enemy morale
General's Bodyguard: Boost friendly morale

Both forces converged on the center of Cannae for a final melee. The hand-to-hand was brutal, but of course the Sicilians prevailed.

Despite the Roman desperation, they were no match for the Sicilian Line Peltasts.

And thus the Cannae legion was liquidated. Just another sacrifice on the path to victory.

Hieronymos: Now, for our grand surprise.
Hieronymos: They won't expect this strategic maneuver..

[Philadelphos]

These battle scenes are great, but I always have the impression that the light is too dark, at least in Mediteranean and African battlefields. There is also a bit too much yellow in it.
In my own mod I changed the values to make it brighter.

[Alavaria]

Spoiler for Chapter 26: 

Chapter 26: Back Door

Allied Republican Cohort: Stop! Wait a moment, you aren't the Cannae legion...
Allied Republican Cohort: It's the Sicilians, we're under attack!!

Hieronymos: Shut up.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Hieronymos: Really. Make them shut up.

Roman Legion (At war): We're trapped by Sicilian forces. Send help!

No help was coming because the reinforcements they were hoping for were...

Hieronymos: It seems that the Romans were using this as a supply base.
Hieronymos: All these bases must belong to us in order to end the Roman threat.

Bodyguard Lancers: Yes! End the Roman threat forever!!
_____Hieronymos: Don't do that with the xystons, it's dangerous.

(The cheer animation looks silly with some long weapons. Also pretty bad for spearmen...)

Hieronymos: We know our duty and we will do it!
Hieronymos: Maintain a close formation while advancing on the breaches. Slingers!

With support from the slingers, the Sicilians forced the breach, paving the paved road with dead Romans. It seemed that the Romans were not actually prepared for the attack.

Hieronymos: Pull back! Those javelins the velites throw are extremely deadly because we lack shields!

(Yes, they can shoot in melee sometimes and it is super lethal because of Very Hard battle difficulty.)

Hieronymos: You there, with the spears. Form a phalanx and advance down that road, hurry!

Remind me to post something about how the army is organized. These are veterans wearing armor and using sturdy spears.

Thureophoroi: Hurray! Another Roman general down!

(Ever since the change from hoplites to thureophoroi, the levied ranks were unable to deal effectively with cavalry. These veterans of the Sicilian War of Liberation are drilled in close formations and dealing with heavy opposition.)

Hieronymos: Hey you there, Roman. Catch!
___Peltast: Thank you for the help!

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Sicilians owned all the strategic objectives in Italy proper. The Romans surely would not be able to maintain their arrogance much longer.

[High Fist]

Damn, you really smashed that back door in.

[Alavaria]

Chapter 27: Mandate of Heaven

We continued our purge of the unnatural Roman republicists. In every soldier's heart burned a flame as hot as those that devoured the Romans at Roma.

To deny outright the divinely handed down kingship of our general Hieronymous, King of Syracuse and head of the Sicilo-Italian forces, was blasphemy most foul and had to be dealt with in the only appropriate manner - the spear (and sling).

No man could doubt the authority of the King, after all his orders in these cases came directly from Our Lady. We had heard these things with our own ears. And for those who only came lately, a Sword of Witness loaned by Herself was there to reassure them of the properness of our cause.

It was not of any make that we had seen anywhere in the world. The significance was clear; our King's charge was to lead us forth into glorious battle, ours to heed his words.

Truth be told, Our Lady was frequently to be seen when major battles took place. To see and hear her commands is to know true freedom. There is no need to fear the many clever Roman tricks.

No man would abandon their position after having been ordered to it by Our Lady, though the darts or swords of the Romans assail him.

By the same token, our sling shots and spears claim many a republicist's life. A battle's never easy, but it's not meant to be easy! It is a test, for men, for noble men! And the lowest of us is ready for this test!!!

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Our inevitable victory lies through the enemy ranks and over their broken corpses. Show no mercy as you walk this path!

We were forced to remove many of the offensive Roman institutions. More than the buildings, this level also represents efficient purging of Roman officials that were necessary for a Roman government to function.

As this proces became relatively stable, more and more colonists arrive to enlarge the Greek town and take advantage of economic opportunities.

Hieronymos: Wait what, I hardly use cavalry.
Hieronymos: I should be a pikemen-slinger general!!

[Alavaria]

Chapter 28: No Recognition
No Negociation
No Survivors

Off the north-eastern coast of Fortress Sicily, we cornered the main Roman fleet. We suspected that their mission was to evacuate pockets of Romans behind our lines in South Italy.

Although they had many ships, it turned out that only a few were military. Our Syracusean-equipped fleet ripped them apart, almost literally. The advanced siege engines and greater numbers of our fleet meant that the Roman marine-based naval tactics were completely at a loss.

The Roman fleet was completely sunk, with the total loss of all Roman hands. Our fleet split up to begin patrolling the area in case of further Roman attempts.

The Sicilians hardly took notice of the battle, as we were busy building Villages and the like to inhabit our beautiful fortress island. No Romans would trouble us, for sure!

The Romans were trying to leave Italy. The more organized legions were hoping to evacuate to still-Roman holdings on the western islands, however this hope was futile.

Not only were their ships sunk, but in fact, the islands themselves...

Hieronymos: This island, and the settlement of Aleria belong to the free peoples of Sicily and Italy.
Hieronymos: We demand your Roman regime cease your illegal occupation, and disband your armed mob.
Hieronymos: Without an unconditional surrender, we will be forced to remove you with the sword!

The Romans did not surrender, so it came to an assault. They had not been able to really fortify the settlement, and it was not long before our engines had breached the walls in multiple points.

The Roman general, Lucius Postumius Albinus, who had been chosen as "Dictator for the Survival of Rome" was determined that we should be broken on Aleria.

The elite Triarii Guard were prepared to fight to the death.

We were prepared to give it to them.

Our massive attack strategy attempted to break up the Roman defense effort along multiple contested breaches, then sending heavy support on selected points to create a break through.

To their credit, they fought hard, with grit and determination. To our credit, we did as well.

Yet, for all that, we are the stronger within ourselves. We are the greater warriors!

No Roman will be allowed to survive their defeat this day!

[_Tartaros_]

nice update
so rome seems to be kicked out of there homelands

[Alavaria]

Chapter 29: No Survivors

The Romans fought hard in melee, but it's a fact that their overly melee-centric way of thinking is throughly outdated on the modern battlefield.

Our updated legionary (levy) units carry javelins which should not be underestimated. Obviously positioning is vital.

Roman tendencies to just attack straight ahead means they think in a similarly narrow manner, and are surprised when attacked from range, from behind.

The "Greek Short Sword" found two interpretations:

Among the Sicilians, Libyans and some Greek-Italians, the Sicilian Sword was favored. The narrow triangular blade (more like a spike) could threaten Romans through their mail armor. The value of which is considerable in close melees.

The Italian allies and some Greek-Italians liked the Italian Sword which had a competent cutting ability. Unarmored targets, like horses, were more easily attacked with these. Additionally, parts of the rider not covered with Roman mail could still be attacked!

On completely the opposite scale, Strategic Artillery remains an important part of the Coalition's arsenal. All options are kept on the commanders' tables, and "StratA" is a highly valued one.

The Romans agree, after all the suffering we have inflicted on them by sword or firepot.

It is worth noting that Romans are executed by blade, not artillery. Blades may have to be sharpened, but firepots have to be brought up all the way from Syracuse.

[Alavaria]

Chapter 30: Friendship

An army group was sent to the east to build alliances, in order to take the fight to the eastern Roman empire. We expected a difficult campaign, due to the known (by now) habit Romans had of just appearing out of the air.

However, events took a different path.

It seemed that the Greeks were not any more excited by the idea of unity than they had been in the past. Though the Romans had of course fought hard, unifying the Greeks to do so might be even harder.

Thus, we were forced to employ force, such was the way of it.

The Romans would be thoroughly rooted out from Italy. It was necessary to ensure there was zero chance of them regrouping.

Broken as they currently were, it only meant the time to press the advantage was now.

We were amply rewarded.

(The AI, is pretty helpless on 1-turn huh... This is what killing most enemies is like, they have some stacks when you attack, then their emergency levy script forces, and then they can't do much while you cap the rest of their land.)

[_Tartaros_]

ohh , the testudo is totally damaged - never trust any turtles

[Alavaria]

I tried to get a screenshot of the testudo being directly hit by a firepot, but sadly I was unable to.

[Alavaria]

Chapter 31: Friendship. What is it good for?

Operation Find Allies Against Roman Aggression and Occupation of Italy and Sicily was doomed to failure from the very beginning. The hoped-for strength of the Spartans never materialized.

Our Lady had mentioned that, as earlier Roman allies, it was likely that they would be unsalvageable "this time around" (whatever that means) however, it was still very much unexpected to High Command.

The destruction of Roman mainland Italian holds and following purges of Roman citizenry had led many Romans to flee to strong Greek allies, like Sparta. Standing by old laws of "understanding," the Spartans generously offered safe havens to these refugees, protecting them from revenge raids by Macedonian forces.

When General Panites was informed the Spartan king, Agesipolis II, of this sad decision, he immediately sent word by ship to High Command. However, by the time this message arrived, the battle for Sparta had already ended...

Panites: Apparently the Spartans didn't take well to the ultimatum**.
____Aa: Oh? The response?
Panites: They said 'come take them.'
____Aa: I don't want to take the Romans anywhere. Except to their graves.

____Aa: *sigh* Very well. According to the demand, let the men know to purge the city.
Panites: Wait, the entire city?

____Aa: Oh no. The helots were slaves, they had no choice in the matter.
____Aa: But purge all the Spartans and free people remaining in the city.
Panites: I see. But what shall we do with the helots?

____Aa: Ah, them.
____Aa: Easy. They can serve me willingly, or serve the Spartans in the same graves.
Panites: That sounds like an easy decision.
Panites: They have lived a life of servitude to... worse masters.

____Aa: You see? Ah well anyway actually make sure to keep any of the record-keepers.
____Aa: I rather not move around all the helots, so make sure they are assigned the land they are currently working as their possession.
Panites: And the rest?
____Aa: That will be for Sicilian settlers, of course.


**The ultimatum was "surrender the Romans or die with them". This follows the earlier ban on "Romans, Roman collaborators and Roman sympathizers".

[Alavaria]

Chapter 32: A New Alliance

Spoiler for Argos Joined Us: 

Spoiler for Korinthos Joined Us: 

The Athenians were in a panic when they saw the helots bearing Spartan colors who were accompanying Panites' armies. Rather ironic, given that the Spartan state had finally collapsed not long before.

Unfortunately the guarantees of Panites were not enough to calm them. There was no real chance for a peaceful outcome.

They summoned to arms all their civic troops and prepared to mount a brave defense. They feared for their city and their gods.

Panites: Really, does it have to come to this?
Officer: We are about to breach the wall!
Panites: Fine, call the assault troops together.

The Athenians did not have a very well put together defense force, that's for sure. Their first response forces were not able to delay the Coalition assault forces who pushed back the light hippotoxotoi.

The garrison commander responded by sending even more of the mounted archers into the fray. It was an extremely confused defense plan. We pushed through them without fear.

It helped that the Athenian missiles were not effective against the well protected assault troops.

(They're stuck on those walls and can't get down to fight).

While the Athenian hoplites did finally form up to fight, they were easily... dismantled. Coalition troops marched down the main roads mostly unchallenged. The citizens wisely hid themselves rather than get involved in a losing fight.

There only remained a token resistance before Athens joined our glorious Coalition!

Spoiler for Results: 

Our mission of friend-making was a great success!

[Grimbold]

So, i just looked at this last page of updates and question: those weird army setup ups you have, is mostly fighting sieges the reason they work? Cause i didn't one battle in the open field

[Alavaria]

Yes and no. They are all low-tier cheap units...

I use a force similar to this to fight a serious enemy. These infantry are sturdier than you might think. However, ideally for fighting Romans etc, I would likely remove one of the horse units, add 5 units of the Greek Levy Pikemen. Then you can use this levy army (or legion) to fight stacks of Romans.


Though really, you're almost always at most efficient when fighting in settlement assaults. For one, you -have- to take settlements to win...

[Grimbold]

Yes and no. They are all low-tier cheap units...

I use a force similar to this to fight a serious enemy. These infantry are sturdier than you might think. However, ideally for fighting Romans etc, I would likely remove one of the horse units, add 5 units of the Greek Levy Pikemen. Then you can use this levy army (or legion) to fight stacks of Romans.


Though really, you're almost always at most efficient when fighting in settlement assaults. For one, you -have- to take settlements to win...

Oh i did try it myself, doing a syracuse 1 turn campaign a little bit, but while your main body of infantry is the peltast unit, i used syracusan hoplites (the regular ones). They manage to hold long enough for the slingers to do their nasty work.

I didn't like how Syracuse is rich right at the start though. 20 to 30k income a turn doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

[Alavaria]

Oh i did try it myself, doing a syracuse 1 turn campaign a little bit, but while your main body of infantry is the peltast unit, i used syracusan hoplites (the regular ones). They manage to hold long enough for the slingers to do their nasty work.

The mean reason to use the Syracuse Levy Theurophoroi instead of the Syracuse Hoplite is:
1. They can be trained straight from a Tier 1** barracks. (If anything I upgrade to the standard Theurophoroi at Tier 2)
2. They have bigger shields
3. Javelins. Handy in some cases
4. Romans use swords, so not using a spear is handy against them.

I generally prefer spears for my flank guards though, as I worry most about horse. So it would be the Theurophoroi or even better some form of upgrade (Taxeis Hoplites are rather nice)


**This means I was able to mass a lot of them, though settlement fighting is very very efficient. I brought way more fodder and firepower to Italy than was required, honestly.

[Grimbold]

You can always Alt+ right click for sword attack

[Alavaria]

But then they will break their formation. A tidy formation is important as it helps when shooting the Romans off.

Attack orders also mean they move about etc and tire out noticeably faster. They also will try to get into melee, meaning they're likely to die faster as well.

Besides the real issue is in getting the hoplite units. 3 turns and any settlement can start mass producing the levy theurophoroi, which is much more important as I intended to steamroll the AI with them. I didn't need to, it seems, as you can very very efficiently handle the campaign so that all you ever do is assault settlements. Almost any AI threat can be solved with the right application of settlement assaulting.

Almost any "infantry" unit can stand for quite some time against infantry like Romans or spearmen. Really before you get to things like massive hordes of Romans or some of the crazy falx troops etc, you really want to have pikes for the center.