[AAR- WRE] Aquilae

[Sertorio]

Aquilae

1.Renovationis

In 463 barbarians roamed the borders of the empire. The Emperor Libius Severus sent the Magister Militum Ricimer to Sardinia and Corsica with a sizeable body of men with the mission of taking them from the Vandal and making them again tributary to the Empire





Ricimer who was an able bodied and energetic man, united the Foederati and the Romans, and taking with them his household troops he crossed to Corsica and Sardinia and in a campaign that lasted for three years he defeated a Vandal army in the field and successfully siege and took all the cities from the Vandals and he, himself killed Hunneric the Vandal warlord.


A smaller body of men under Priscius Verginus crossed to Sicily and successfully beaten the Vandals taking the cities of Syracuse and Lilybaeum.



While Ricimer was campaigning Odacer who was a very warlike and energetic man, plotted against Ricimer in a way I will now describe. He spread rumors that Ricimer would keep Corsica and Sardinia for himself and would also cross to Sicily. From there he would strike Libya but not in the Emperor’s name but for himself.
Consequently Ricimer was called to Ravena, and with the support of the Comes of the Army, Odacer was appointed Magister Militum. But the Emperor did not move against Ricimer, yet appointed him in to take care of Rome.


So passed five years of this war that Sertorio wrote. (463 to 469)

With Ricimer under close look, Severus, who started to prove more than a simple puppet Emperor, launched a series of public jobs with the aim of restoring the empire economy and augment the depleted population, thus rebuilding the tributary base. Academies were built, Guilds of Curiales were created and crops were improved wherever he found the population was dwindling .He appointed Syagrius Fulvius, Magister Equitum and sent him to Sicily with money and a small body of men with orders to raise a sufficient army to invade Libya and retrieve it to the Empire. To Arelate he sent Flavius Orestes ordering him to raise the garrison, rebuild the walls and protect the border from the barbarian incursions. Likewise he did so in Ravenna. To the Magister Militum he ordered to rebuild the Field Army of Italy and guard Northern Italy against incursions. But the Burgundi abandoning all treaties and friend ship ravaged Liguria with raiding parties. Answering the pleas of the city of Mediolanum, Odacer quickly advanced in Liguria and marched into Helvetia putting the Burgundi city of Octodurus under siege. Odacer who a very able men was concerned with the Osthrogothic tribes near Ravenna so he sent diplomats to the Eastern Roman Empire trying to reestablish the crippled relations with the Eastern Emperor who did not recognize Severus as leader of the West. A fragile alliance was rekindled. In Sicily Syagrius Fulvius raised his army and landed in Lybia.


So passed three years of this war that Sertorio wrote. (469 to 472)

The Burgundii were at loss with the swiftness of the Roman response to the raiding and blamed their king Odovacar for not leaving an enough body of man guarding the passes. So indeed the terrain is rough and difficult and had the Burgundii manned the passes with enough man, Odovacer might have been compelled not to advance further. Failing to do so and have not prevented the Romans of laying siege to the city, Odovacar sent an army under the command of Etelgis and other under Requildo, who were very competent warriors.
But they arrived to the sight of the Roman Army by separate roads. Odoacer who was a competent General addressed his troops in the following manner.

-The Burgundii come before us in a enough body of man to gives us proper battle. And had they the just cause on their side and I might be concerned with the outcome of the events that we are about to take part. But they were allies, friends and neighbors and chose to betray us, raid our lands and enslave our countryman. So they don’t have God on their side, for their cause is unjust. We however who accounted them as allies, were wronged by their actions, we can surely count with God’s help because we fight a just cause. They come before us separate, trying to take us by surprise, but we are prepared. Let them come to us, show your valor and the battle is already won.-


After addressing the troops, the General deployed the Army in the following manner. He placed the infantry in two phalanxs in the center. And in the first line he placed the Herculiani and the Jovianni for they were the best men to take the enemy charge. But he also placed the Octavani, the Pannonicianni and the Lanciari Sabarienses. And on the second line he placed his own household guard with the Abrincateni and the Romanenses with another Numerus of Lanciarii. Between those two lines he placed a body of archers. The cavalry he deployed in the following manner. On the left flank he placed a troop of horse archers and a bowshot behind the Catrafactari. On this right he placed the Bucellarii with a sufficient force. He remained behind the infantry line with his Guardsmen and the Clibinarii. He ordered the infantry to form the shieldwall and face the charge but not pursue.
Now Etelgis and Requildo had devised that the first would charge the Roman army while the second would attack the flank. But they fail to properly time their movements and the support of the garrison of the city. So Etelgis bravely charged the Roman line but was faced by the missiles and many were immediately hit while the rest arrived to the Roman line in a very disorderly manner and the Romans slew a great many. In despair, the warriors of Etelgis broke and fled the field pursued by the Roman cavalry.



The Roman infantry now faced the host of Eraric with the same outcome. They fought bravely but the returning cavalry charged them in the flank and many fall. The remaining Burgundi fled the field looking for safety in the city. But Odovacer stormed and sacked taking many for slaves and recovering the loot taken for Roman lands. He then returned to Ravenna with the army.
Thus this events took place.

[Magister Militum Flavius Aetius]

A great start! Looking forward to more!

[Diocle]

Mag is absolutely right! (OK, this is strange but true! ) great start! I'm here!

[Riothamus]

Well done Sertorio! And well told thus far!

[Sertorio]

2.Lybia

While events of my previous narrative took, place the Roman led by Syagrius had landed the army in Lybia. Seeing that the Vandal had made no preparations against the Romans and had only a very small garrison on Carthage, the Magister Equitum immediately took the necessary measures for a siege on the city. But the Vandals sent a large host under the command of Gunderic to meet the Romans and relieve the city.





Accordingly, Syagrius moved to favourable ground and stationed his troops on a hillside, deploying them in the Roman way. And with a loud din, the Vandal host charged the lines of the infantry. But they were received with a large number of missiles, and locked shields and were not able to break the line.





Then the Vandal cavalry came in support charging the flank. But they were met by the Lanciarii, who stood their charge presenting their spears. And a body of the Catrafactarii fell upon the Vandals and many fell.


On the center the Comitatenses displayed a great valour and courage. And when a group of the most warring men of the personal followers of Gunderic was able to open a gap on the line, they were checked by the second line who was held in reserve. And so the eminent danger was thus averted.

Syagrius had also concealed a number of Foederaty and Alans nearby. And now that body of cavalry was charging the enemy infantry in the rear and performing amazing deeds on the battlefield.
Finally, exhausted by the hardship, in despair for the determination of the Romans, and harassed by all sides by the Roman cavalry, the Vandals broke and fled the battlefield. Gelarius, commander of the Vandal garrison of Carthage was also killed.


And Syagrius took possession of Carthage, and immediately ordered the walls to be rebuilt and repaired where ever needed. And supplies collected and the army to maintain the training and repair his equipment. But they were also ordered to respect the population of the city, for they were delivering it free from the Vandals, not conquering it.
For he knew that the Vandals would be deeply vexed on the loss of such an important city and would not be idle for long.
And Stilicho who was now a leader among the Vandals came with a large army and put Carthage under siege. And there was deep preoccupation among the Romans for as soon as they have vanquished a powerful army other seem to have risen.
Other captains were eager to sally out and give proper battle.
But Syagrius call them to reason with the following words.

- Were I not the General of the single Roman army in Lybia, and holding the only City in control of the Emperor and I would be eager to give battle. For even if I were met with failure I would have the comfort of knowing I would be avenged and the Emperor hopes would not be at a loss. Or if we were in short supply of food or whatever else is needed to endure a siege in proper terms. But this is not the time to fight such a decisive battle for us Romans. For we are now in possession of a strong city, with walls that can be defended with a good port and a fleet that can supply us with whatever we need. The Vandals at our gates will have to live of the land and endure also the hardship of the lack of conditions that can affect both the besieged and the besiegers.
So let’s man our walls and be confident that with God’s help we will prevail in this struggle.-

And Stillicho was perplexed and deeply disturbed for as Syagrius expected he had no means to overcome the Romans in the city. Nor was he able to blockade the harbour ant cut the incoming of supplies or the access to water. And after several months of siege his own army was suffering from a shortage of everything and disease was spreading.
He then lifted the siege and retreated to Hippo-Regius with his army, sending a strong body of man to Hadrumetum to act as garrison. The Romans then prepared to resume the campaign and after supplying themselves and receiving reinforcements of Sicily, Syagrius ordered the Army to leave Carthage and march into Numidia Militiana, leaving a small garrison in the city. But Ingiomerus the Vandal arrived with a strong host and again put Carthage under siege. Accordingly and expecting to deal another heavy blow to the Vandals, the Magister Equitum arrived with the possible speed in the vicinities of Carthage and engaged the Vandal host.



And showing great valour the Roman infantry charged the Vandal line and it would appear that no one would remove an inch from where he was standing. And a great number of missiles were flying through the air wounding and killing many in the field.


But the Romans where showing a fierce resolve and likewise the cavalry on the flanks where performing great deeds.



Finally the Vandal host broke leaving the field in defeat. The Roman had for the second time strike a heavy blow on the Vandals.



The province of Zeugitana was now lost to the Vandal, Hadrumentum in reach and Carthage free from eminent danger. These were then the main events in Lybia for the Romans.
.

[Leon Katakalon]

Very nice! Congratulation on the progress... Just a question where did you find those comitenses legionaries with the golden Xhi Rho on the blue shields? It seems to me that they do not exist in IBVGR II.

[Sertorio]

They are part of a little something to be released as submod for VGR. Stay tunned...

[Diocle]

Nice story and beautiful battle & units! It's really a good work Sertorio! +rep!

[Riothamus]

Very nice! Congratulation on the progress... Just a question where did you find those comitenses legionaries with the golden Xhi Rho on the blue shields? It seems to me that they do not exist in IBVGR II.

Well Done!