The Restoration of Epirus [DEI Campaign AAR]

[TheGovna]

The Restoration of Epirus

a DEI Campaign AAR

As this is my first AAR, I will attempt to show you the progression of a geopolitcally aggressive Epirus campaign in an attempt to shut down the Roman Republic before the behemoth is unleashed. This will be played on H/N difficulty as per recommended by the FAQ. The initial foreign policy will be one of non-aggression in the north to avoid two front wars as the Epirus starting position isn't exactly ideal. I will then rebuild the Epirote military and reclaim Magna Graecia, which is rightfully mine. Perhaps then I can subdue the insidious Syracusans and halt any Carthaginian hopes of an invasion on the Italian peninsula, which is ripe for my picking.

Feel free to comment with any sort of comments or criticism as I am new to AAR's and am open to suggestions.

Chapter 1: Minor Setbacks

As stated above, my priority in this campaign is to launch an invasion of Magna Graecia once more to reclaim the land once owned. The Pyrrhic War had recently ended in 275 BC and Epirus had been expelled from the peninsula during the attempt to provide aid to the city of Tarentum, a Greek colony. However, the war was hardly over, merely tamed by an unsettling peace treaty between the Republic and Epirus. In this campaign, there will be a second invasion in an attempt to free the Greek peoples of Magna Graecia from the subjugation of the ever-expanding Republic. This land was once Greek, and it will be made Greek once more.

At the start of the campaign I established non-aggression pacts and trade treaties with the Macedonians and Illyrians to the north at a small price which will show profits in 5-6 turns. I then began to build up the military. By turn 2 Athens declared war, and Sparta followed suit. This was not off to an as-planned start but so be it, as fate would have the Hellenic peoples struggle for supremacy over the Hellas before any invasion of Italy would be probable. Athens sieged Larrissa on turn 3 but were brutally repelled as their attacking force was not nearly the size needed to take an Epirote city at this early age. Thus, I set forth from the capital Apollonia, leaving my small navy to guard the shoreline. Pyrrhus, having been ashamed by the defeat in the war against the Republic, would not be humiliated a second time.

Unexpectedly, Sparta intercepted my advance on Athens

However, they were no match for the pikes and elephants. The age of Spartan military prowess was over, and the morale soared through the ranks of the Epirote Army. It was documented that one Spartan hoplite soiled himself instantaneously as he peered up at the elephant who's tusk had impaled the man next to him.


With the second victory achieved, Pyrrhus' army rejoiced. Albeit defeated by the Republic 3 years prior, they were still a formidable force to be reckoned with as the Spartan and Athenian armies were in full retreat. Pyrrhus pursued the remains of the decrepit Spartan forces and enslaved the survivors, shackled to the new power-house of Greece. As the Epirote forces advanced into Athenian territory, they were harassed by guerilla warfare, but such was no match for the determination to eliminate the Athenian threat and Pyrrhus pushed on.

In a desperate attempt to rid the Epirote invasion, the Athenian citizens took up arms and sallied forth to meet their impending doom.

Seen here are the hordes of fragile Athenian artists, charging courageously but to no avail against the bronzed and battle-hardened pike corps of the Epirote Army


Another glorious victory, now with a total of around 2,000 Athenians and Spartans slain in the war.

With the Athenian threat dismissed, the remaining citizens of Athens came to their senses and the gates were swung open to the rightful leaders of the Greek peoples. Athens was now incorporated into the might of Epirus.

Please stay tuned for the next chapter in this AAR, and feel free to comment.

[TheGovna]

Chapter 2: Democracy Dismantled

The repelled attacks of the combined Athenian-Spartan armies and the subsequent annexation of Athens brought renown and war fervor to the Kingdom of Epirus. The epicenter of democracy was now under authoritarian rule by the hand of Pyrrhus. Having been graced by the Athenian citizens decision to open the gates to the Epirote army, Pyrrhus spared them. Art, song, and literature continued to flourish in the great city of Athens. However, Athenian democracy was dismantled, as the new ruler would have absolute zero tolerance for opposition to his rule in the Hellas. The grand victory over the Athenians came at a price, the Epirote army was now halved in numbers. It would take years to train new recruits to fill the ranks of the victorious army, and as luck would have it, the Spartans arrived at the walls of Athens 3 months later and laid siege, the besiegers were now besieged.

Desperate, Pyrrhus sent a messenger to Eusebius, the governor of Larissa, as a call for aid. Pyrrhus knew that not only were the Spartans utterly humiliated by the defeat 2 years ago, but they were out for revenge, not to mention they dreamed of being the sole rulers of Athens since the Peleponessian era. And what a perfect opportunity, with their Athenian allies subjugated by Epirus they finally had a chance to claim the city that they had conquered centuries ago. This is realpolitik, DEI edition.

Eusebius, well knowing the fate of the Kingdom of Epirus was in his hands had to act fast. He had merely a garrison under his command which were no match for the Spartan hoplites, but with the annexation of Athens, wealth poured into the coffers of the kingdom's treasury. All funds were transitioned to military spending and economic investments were halted. Eusebius ordered the training of 400 new recruits to be ready within 6 months and scoured the countryside for potential mercenary companies. Among these he found Greek javelinemen, professional pikemen, and a company of the notorious companion cavalry, Alexander's finest horsemen. Luckily, Sparta had not launched their assault on the city of Athens within these 6 months.

When the new recruits were trained and the mercenary companies bought, Eusebius set out at lightning speed to relieve the siege of Athens. The Spartans were now surrounded. Eusebius attacked.

The Spartans, dumbfounded by the arrival of Eusebius' army, pressed forwards to crush Pyrrhus' weakened army before turning on Eusebius' army.

The Spartans rushed Pyrrhus' hill position before he could form a proper battle line. Chaos ensued and it was unclear who had the upper hand. Neither army had formed properly.

Eusebius phalanx and mercenaries were slowed by the hails of Spartan missile fire and Pyrrhus was forced to hold his ground for half an hour. Eusebius' companion cavalry swept across the field and ran down the Spartan archers. His army was free to advance and surround the Spartan hoplites. With this realization, panic broke out amongst the Spartan ranks seeing how their archer screen had been shattered by the Macedonian mercenaries. They fled en masse.

The companions charged down the hoplites, surrounding the battlefield and cutting them down one by one.

The Spartan army was in complete disarray. The phalanx was broken, the men were in full retreat, and the Epirote cavalry and supporting infantry directly on their heels.

The Spartans were massacred and their general slain.

With the Spartan siege force annihilated, the Epirotes were at ease for the first time in the war. There was time for rejoicing, as the Epirotes had the upper hand now. All that lies in the path of total victory is the city of Sparta, weak with no army but a simple garrison. Pyrrhus greeted Eusebius at the gates of Athens and a week long holiday was announced in the city. Lavish parties were thrown in all sectors of the city and Pyrrhus, Eusebius, and the soldiers of both armies drank to their hearts content. News of the victory over the Athenians and Spartans rattled across the Mediterranean, and Rome sat with a watchful eye, knowing it could stay neutral no longer.

[theSilentKiller]

Hi TheGovna!

Great first two chapters! Your pictured combined witht he writing give a good impression on what is happening and it seems that the Spartans are no mach for the Epirotan army... but Phyrrus is an ifamous name which is burdened with a rather negative reputation.

Keept it up!

[TheGovna]

Hi TheGovna!

Great first two chapters! Your pictured combined witht he writing give a good impression on what is happening and it seems that the Spartans are no mach for the Epirotan army... but Phyrrus is an ifamous name which is burdened with a rather negative reputation.

Keept it up!

Thank you! There is more to come as you will see in the next chapter the geopolitical situation gets rather dramatic quite quickly.

[TheGovna]

Chapter 3: Grievances and Glories

With the defeat at the Siege of Athens, Sparta was in dire straits. It hurried the recruitment of new hoplites to in a desperate attempt to defend the city from the imminent attack by Pyrrhus' army. However, with Eusebius and Pyrrhus now at Athens, this left the capital, Apollonia, open to attack from any potential aggressors. Rome seized the initiative and declared war. This was about the worst thing that could happen seeing as the war against Sparta is not yet completely won, and my capital could be attacked in 1 turn. Sure enough, Rome sent it's 2nd legion in a naval assault on the capital but they were repelled as my navy had managed to keep the enemy transports from landing, the entire legion drowned at sea.

A close call. The war with Sparta would have to be postponed. Eusebius stayed stationed at Athens and Pyrrhus sallied forth to reinforce the capital. As fate would have it, Pyrrhus was 1 turn from reaching Apollonia when the third legion invaded. The Romans engaged the remains of the Epirote navy but lost 1 transport of hastati. They regrouped and prepared for a landing.

The Roman infantry were peppered with ignited arrows, but their shields held strong and little damage was done to them.



The Epirote town guard formed up on the birm to create an impasse to the Roman naval landing. There were great casualties on both sides, the sand turned red.

The fighting was fierce and the Roman naval commander was surrounded and executed. Victory was in sight. However, 2 units of elite Roman infantry landed around the bay and marched on the town square. The Epirote town guard rushed to defend the square and put up a lengthy fight against the Roman infantry, but were cut down after a half hour of back and forth melee.

The city was lost in an extremely close defeat. Not much more than 100 Romans survived the day, but nevertheless the capital was lost. The home of Pyrrhus was in flames.

Enraged by the news Pyrrhus set forth to exterminate the remaining Romans. The Epirote army would arrive in 1 turn. The capital would once again be returned to it's rightful owner. But in a dramatic turn of events, the Illyrians declared war on Rome and set upon the remaining Romans and eliminated them. They were now in control of the Epirote capital.

The news that the capital had changed hands now to the Illyrians pulsed anger through Pyrrhus' veins. The Illyrians, who had signed the non-aggression pact and trade treaty now effectively scavenged the Epirote capital and had no intention of ceding it back to Epirus. There will come a time where Apollonia will be liberated, but that time was not now. Epirus cannot afford to fight a war on three fronts (Illyrians to the north, Rome to the west, and Sparta to the south.) The administrative capital moved to Athens and Pyrrhus, in a rage, turned south to eliminate the Spartan threat once and for all. Within 2 turns, the Spartans were annihilated, unable to train enough recruits to defend the city. Sparta was defeated and a new Epirote kingdom was established, controlling the cities of Athens, Sparta, and Larissa.

[Alwyn]

Welcome, The Govna! this is a very impressive start for your AAR! I like the way that you explain the aims and diplomatic actions of Epirus at the start, so we can see what Epirus is trying to achieve. The lines about Athenian citizens marching to their doom, and 'fragile Athenian artists' trying to fight battle-hardened soldiers, are well done. Your screenshots are excellent. The expansion of Epirus is remarkable, especially considering that your rivals include Athens, Sparta, Roma and now (perhaps) an opportunistic Illyrian kingdom.

The Writers' Study Yearly Awards 2016 are now open for nominations. Everyone is invited to submit nominations here.

[TheGovna]

Welcome, The Govna! this is a very impressive start for your AAR! I like the way that you explain the aims and diplomatic actions of Epirus at the start, so we can see what Epirus is trying to achieve. The lines about Athenian citizens marching to their doom, and 'fragile Athenian artists' trying to fight battle-hardened soldiers, are well done. Your screenshots are excellent. The expansion of Epirus is remarkable, especially considering that your rivals include Athens, Sparta, Roma and now (perhaps) an opportunistic Illyrian kingdom.

The Writers' Study Yearly Awards 2016 are now open for nominations. Everyone is invited to submit nominations here.

Thank you Alwyn, the war against the Athenians and Spartans went entirely according to plan fortunately. The invasion of Magna Graecia lies ahead.

[TheGovna]

Chapter 4: The Invasion of Magna Graecia

With the closure of the Athenian-Spartan war, there was now time to focus all attention on Rome. The previous Epirote capital, Apollonia, had become a hotbed of death and destruction. War torn and in ruins, the city was fought over for 2 years by the Romans and Illyrians, and as a result, the population plummeted. The Epirote citizens of Apollonia fled east, to Larissa, Athens, and Sparta to start a new life. Living under Illyrian rule was proving to be too hostile an environment, as it was clear the Romans would not rest until the city was theirs. Pyrrhus, ready to jump on any opportunity that the city may fall back under Roman hands, patrolled the outskirts of the province. And, as it so happened, the Romans did retake Apollonia, only to be retaken by the Illyrians the following turn. It was clear that this tug of war match over the treasured city was not going to end anytime soon, and another strategy would need to be constructed. Athens, in all it's splendor and glory was the excellent choice for the new capital of the kingdom. Providing an excellent trade hub throughout the Mediterranean, new deals were negotiated. Carthage, the power-house of the Mediterranean recognized the potential of a trade network and both sides agreed to a mutual trade treaty with no payments to settle it on either side.

The next year was spent investing in the economy and navy as it was crucial to provide a safe transport for the invasion to come. Launching a naval invasion on the provincial capital of Magna Graecia, Brundisium, would have proved far too difficult a siege as the first move in this invasion and be expected by the Romans. Thus, it was concluded that the attack would be launched on Cosentia, the town west of Brundisium on the toe of the Italian peninsula. A defensive alliance was negotiated with the Illyrians in the prospect of mutual reassurance if another foreign power was to enter the war, although the recapture of Apollonia will not be forgotten. The time to launch the invasion was now, and so Pyrrhus set sail to attack Cosentia. Coincidentally, the Illyrians crossed the Adriatic to plunder the coastline with ambitions of their own.

Unbeknownst to Pyrrhus, a conspiracy was under way for a planned assassination while at sea. Pyrrhus was gravely wounded and could not make the voyage to Cosentia. The assassin was executed on board by hanging from the mast as a warning to all other soldiers on board. Pyrrhus was then shipped home to Athens on a transport and Euhemenis, a statesmen on board to document the invasion, was appointed leader of the expedition. Rumor has it that Euhemenis plotted the assassination attempt himself, but there is no concrete evidence supporting the theory. Pyrrhus demanded the expedition go on, and he would sail to reconvene on the campaign as soon as he was well enough. And so the Greeks landed on Roman soil for the first time since the Pyrrhic war which ended nearly 7 years ago. The invasion was underway.

Euhemenis ordered to disembark outside the city and the navy would remain onshore to supply the Greeks as they marched inland to assault Cosentia. Euhemenis ordered the encirclement of the city and pressed in, strangling the city into submission. The Roman town guard attempted to hold the streets but were simply overpowered by the number of Greek soldiers as they flooded through the streets, trampling the Roman soldiers underfoot. The first phase of the invasion was complete, Euhemenis was victorious and Cosentia was liberated. The Greek citizens of the city cheered as they were finally released from the shackles of Roman oppression.

The news of Cosentia's fall to the Epirotes sent shockwaves through the Italian peninsula and a state of emergency was declared by the Republic. Pyrrhus was back? The citizens of Rome were in awe, as they had believed the might of Epirus had long since been destroyed with the disaster of the first invasion years back. Epirus was rising once again.

Forced conscription had begun. Any man of fighting age and ability was drafted into the Roman war machine. The teenagers filled the ranks of the skirmish troops, young adults into the ranks of the Hastati, any man with military experience was trained to fill the Principes, and the war-experienced and battle-tested veterans were assigned to the Triarii. Noblemen were assigned to the Equites. This was now total war, and Euhemenis had to act fast, Brundisium was left undefended and Pyrrhus was on his way back to rejoin the campaign. With no time to lose, Euhemenis set out to siege Brundisium, the capital of Magna Graecia.

Pyrrhus arrived on Italian soil the next turn and took command of the expedition. Euhemenis relinquished command with tongue in cheek. The siege had begun. Meanwhile, the Epirote navy had to sail back to Athens to resupply and it would take 3 turns to return. Thus, the Greeks dug in and a war of attrition began. With the state of emergency announced throughout the Republic, Rome raised 2 new legions and marched out of the gates of Rome, set on destroying the Pyrrhic invasion once and for all. The Greek navy was just within sight on the horizon when Rome's first legion arrived. Pyrrhus turned to confront the reinforcements.

Outnumbered nearly 2:1, Pyrrhus prepared for battle. The plan was to quickly eliminate the reinforcing Legio I Italica, and then wipe out the city's garrison which was due to arrive on the battlefield that same day. The Greeks formed on the high ground and launched an assault on the 1st legion's infantry. Brundisium's garrison can be seen on the horizon, running to provide relief to the attack. Pyrrhus and his royal guard pikemen charged down the hill in front of the battleline. The bloodshed had begun.

The Greeks charged down the hill with the terrain to their advantage, but the 1st legion held their ground.

The Romans, despite the terrain disadvantage, fought ferociously in an attempt to pin Pyrrhus and the rest of the Greeks so that the reinforcements could surround them. There was no turning back. All of the Greeks were engaged in hand to hand combat and a retreat was out of the question. At this moment, Pyrrhus realized he had made a grave error in his underestimation of the numerically inferior 1st legion. They were going to hold.

The battle raged on and the garrison forces met the Greeks on their right flank and were confronted with sheets of missile fire that pierced the backs of many Greeks caught in the frontline melee. Pyrrhus ordered his slingers to reposition and fire back at the Roman missile troops. Both sides numbers began to dwindle. In a historic turn of events, the Roman extreme left began to break and the Greek pikes pushed inwards.

However, even with the Roman flanks breaking, the center was still held and pushed back the Greeks main line. The numerical strength of the Romans pushed uphill and Greek morale began to waver.

The Greek center broke and the battle turned to the flanks. The battle continued to rage on but Pyrrhus withdrew from the field as the center was shattered. The flanks followed suit. The Greek losses were heavy at around 1k. The Romans lost even more, at about 1.5k. The Greeks withdrew to the tip of the heel of Italy. They were cornered. In a battle that followed shortly thereafter, the 1st legion and accompanying garrison surrounded Pyrrhus. His men- exhausted, starving, and morale shattered knew what was to come. The Romans tightened the noose and engaged once more. Pyrrhus was captured and executed on the spot. The leader of the Greek peoples, the conqueror of Athens and Sparta, the liberator of Magna Graecia, lie slain upon the battlefield and waited, patiently, to cross into Hades.

[TheGovna]

Chapter 5: Reformation and the Rise of Euhemenis

With the event of Pyrrhus' death at the hands of the Romans, the invasion was in complete and total disarray. Every soldier in Pyrrhus' army was executed and it became clear the invasion was in turmoil. The Greek navy had been 1 turn too late to enforce a blockade on Brundisium which would have completely cut the city off of supplies and allowed an assault on the city to commence. The 1st Legion's arrival could not have arrived at a more perfect time to relieve the besieged Brundisium garrison and the Greek navy was forced to withdraw back to Athens. As second in command, Euhemenis gained control of the invasion. He was charged with orders to raise an auxiliary army in Cosentia which would reinforce Pyrrhus' after Brundisium was taken. Now with Pyrrhus' death, any possibility of continuing the invasion was futile.

Rome's 3rd Legion arrived in Magna Graecia, ordered to rid the Greeks of Cosentia and reclaim the province. Euhemenis stayed to defend the city. After a lengthy, brutal brawl in the 3 main streets leading to Cosentia's town center, Euhemenis came out the victor. Fighting on horseback, Euhemenis and his Bruttian infantry cut down the notorious triarii in the last phase of the fight outside the city's center. The Roman 3rd Legion was destroyed and casualties on both sides were extreme. Although Euhemenis' auxiliary army emerged victorious in it's defense, it was clear there could be no further progress made in the invasion. The 1st Legion, high in morale after defeating Pyrrhus, marched on Cosentia. Euhemenis had no choice and had to abandon the city with 100 Bruttian auxiliaries to accompany him. He fled to Syracusan Sicily. The following turn, the Roman 1st Legion occupied Cosentia.

The invasion was officially over and Rome had won, and although Euhemenis managed to escape, the Syracusans sallied out of their gates to confront Euhemenis and his company of 100. Euhemenis quickly took to the sea, managing to construct transports just before the Syracusans engaged. The journey home was extremely taxing on the men and they returned to Greece with less than half the men they set sail with, but Euhemenis returned alive.

Upon Euhemenis return to Greece, the governmental council discussed what was to be done. It was decided that Euhemenis be adopted into the royal family as an heir to the throne but the current transfer of power would go to Telesphoros, the naval commander and a relative of Pyrrhus. Euhemenis was decorated a war hero despite the failure of the invasion. His initial capture of Cosentia and heroic last stand of the city was noticed throughout Greece. His decision to abandon the city was forgiven as it was clear the city was lost with the arrival of the 1st Legion. Euhemenis was acknowledged as a promising military commander at the young age of 25 and given the position of Greece's head general. Eusebius back in Athens ordered the recruitment of a new army as it was clear that Epirus was severely weakened due to the loss in Magna Graecia. Euhemenis would take command.

A new age had begun. The Greek army would be a reformed one. New advances in weapon technology made the Greeks stronger. New units were recruited. New drill tactics implemented. The men trained at length, determined to avenge the fallen soldiers of Pyrrhus. Euhemenis orchestrated a new geopolitical strategy. It was clear that Epirus lacked the resources needed to compete with Rome's military. Apollonia (the former capital) must be retaken, be it held by Illyria or Rome.

[TheGovna]

Chapter 6: Apollonia and Brundisium

Following the failure of the prior invasion, Euhemenis was determined to reclaim the Epirote capital, snatched by the opportunistic Illyrians once Rome had barely seized it from the Epirotes. He took command of the army Eusebius had raised in Athens, filled with brand new units, armor, and technology, and set out at once. The defensive alliance and non-aggression pact was dissolved with Illyria. Their pitifiul attempt at supporting the Epirote invasion ended in complete disaster and they became a shell of what they used to be. It was time to take back what was rightfully ours.

Euhemenis was 1 turn away from declaring war when a new Roman legion landed and routed the Illyrian garrison. Apollonia had once again changed hands to the Romans, and now the predator had become the prey. Euhemenis ordered the navy to blockade Apollonia while the army encircled the city. The legion was trapped.

Cut off from all supplies, the Roman army began to suffer. Euhemenis launched the assault the following turn

The Romans were encircled by the Greek marines and annihilated. Apollonia was once again in Greek hands, and for the first time in 8 years Southern Greece was finally united under one flag.

After the victory there was no time to lose. Brundisium, the provincial capital of Magna Graecia was ripe for the taking. Euhemenis and the Greek navy set out at once. Euhemenis landed and began constructing siege works. The navy blockaded and cut off Brundisium from all supplies. The garrison that had killed Pyrrhus was now in utter turmoil. It was a 9 month siege before Euhemenis launched the first assault and the city was taken. The city was sacked and all Roman captives were slaughtered. The third invasion of Magna Graecia had begun.

The Romans, again shocked by the return of the Greeks initiated a new state of emergency. Legions were under recruitment and they would soon be upon Euhemenis. The first reinforcing legion arrived a year later. Euhemenis sallied forth to engage the Romans, and the investment in new technology and units paid off. The Greeks fought poetically.

The new and improved Peltasts made quick work of the Roman Triarii


Euhemenis joined the fray and cut down Rome's finest soldiers

The day was won, Rome had been crushed. And although it was a glorious victory, the Greeks were in need of reinforcements and Brunidisum's countryside was ravished from the fighting. Eusebius was shipped overseas to take command of the Brundisium garrison while Euhemenis traveled back to Greece to refill the ranks of fallen soldiers. As expected, the Romans pounced on the weakened state of Brundisium. 2 full legions laid siege. Euhemenis recruited as many as he could before sailing back to Brundisium's port just in time to transfer his army to the command of Eusebius. The Romans, in awe of the reinforced city, broke off the siege and resorted to further pillaging the countryside. The citizens of the province rose up in protest. Eusebius and Euhemenis now had the grueling task of ousting 2 Roman legions and a rebel army of Brundisian citizens in the countryside. The outcome of the war hung in the balance.

[TheGovna]

​Chapter 6: Divide et Impera

Public order began to waver and more and more citizens left to join the ranks of the rebellious Brundisian army while two of Rome's legions continued to ravage the countryside. Under pressure from three foreign armies, Euhemenis waited for the opportunity to strike. 3 months passed. Finally, one of the legions separated from the raiding party and left the province. Euhemenis attacked the isolated 10th legion at once.

Eusebius was stationed at the front lines of the phalanx as morale support for the upcoming fight. Euhemenis positioned himself with his companions on the left flank with his flanking contingent. The Greeks advanced on the Roman forested position.

Following a very brief skirmish, the Romans charged from the forest head on. Euhemenis ordered the reserve spears to fend off the flanking Roman equites.

The skirmishing contingent was ordered to hold fire and align on the left flank where the brunt of the Roman attack had come. The Roman general joined the fight, encouraging the infantry to push the Greek Peltasts back. It was clear the intention was to break the Epirotes extreme left and continue to wrap around the main battle line. Euhemenis recognized this and devised a plan.

With the Roman general engaged in the midst of the melee, Euhemenis ordered his flanking contingent to push left of the battle line in a flanking maneuver. They were ordered to push up and not engage the Roman rear. The plan was to lure the Roman general out of the main battle line. The Greek javelins were ordered to fire at any sight of the Roman general disengaging the main battle line, only then could they hit the Roman general without hitting the backs of the front line Greek soldiers.

The Roman general took the bait. The javelins were thrown.

The Roman general's bodyguard were annihilated.

The rest of the bodyguard panicked and fled, including the Roman general. Euhemenis and his companions pursued and cut them down. The general was killed in the chase.

With the general dead, Euhemenis ordered the flanking contingent to wrap around the Roman's rear. Victory was at hand.

The flanking contingent engaged and the Roman infantry was cut down. 2600 Romans lay dead at the end of the day.

With the 10th Legion defeated, Euhemenis marched on the rebel Brundisium army which fled at the sight of the Greeks. Euhemenis trapped them at the heel of Italy with no where to run and cut them down. The Romans were pushed back, and the rebellion was quelled. Brundisium was, for the first time ever, safe in Greek hands.

Well knowing that the safety of the situation would not last, Euhemenis pushed on. Rome had to be defeated and now was the chance. If left to regroup they would surely recruit a massive siege force to retake Brundisium. Thus, Euhemenis marched onward to Rome and was met by 2 and a half legions, 1 turn's time outside of the city of Rome. Euhemenis took defensive positions upon the high ground. The Romans engaged, and to no avail. They were beaten back by Greek sword and shield, unable to dislodge the Greeks high ground position.

Euhemenis lured the Romans to attack his impregnable position and the Romans crashed against a wall of steel. The Romans lost 3000 men, the Greeks 600.

Euhemenis pushed on, now confronted with a makeshift fort built to act as a last line of defense before the walls of Rome. Euhemenis engaged.

Rome's garrison came to support the battle at the fort. The fighting was fierce and it was unclear who would come out on top, but the Greeks with spirits higher than Zeus himself were proved unstoppable due to the previous victories against the Romans, and so the Romans fled. The city was, at last, conquered. Rome was defeated.

This concludes the AAR. The war was won in 258BC and Euhemenis reigned victorious, king of both Greece and Italy.

Hope you all enjoyed.

[Caillagh de Bodemloze]

That's nicely done, TheGovna.

I like the way you describe what happens during the battles, and what different people did. I'm only sorry there won't be more of this!

(I'll add it to the list of finished AARs.)

[TheGovna]

Glad you enjoyed, Caillagh. Thanks for reading.

[Alwyn]

Great AAR! I'm sorry to see your story end. The changing ownership of Apollonia generates some good twists for your story. For me, one of the exciting things about Total War games is the ability to change history - it seems that you were more successful than the historical Pyrrhus of Epirus.

The Writers' Study Yearly Awards 2016 are now open for nominations. Everyone is invited to submit nominations here.

[TheGovna]

Thank you for taking the time to read, Alwyn, and I appreciate your comments. I'm currently working on my nominations, still have a lot to read.

[theSilentKiller]

This was a great AAR, too bad it is already over.

You managed to change to meaning of Phyrric! Now you need to defeat rome as Carthage and Punic might get a positive meaning (interesting how events of over a thousand years ago define words in today's dictionary.)
Enjoyed every chapter of your AAR!

[Lugotorix]

Congratulations on entering the MAARC. This is my type of AAR with one of my favorite factions because of their historical start in Rome II. It's really great to see Epirus on higher settings in DeI.

[TheGovna]

Thank you Lugotorix, glad you enjoyed.

[Junius]

You've got some great screenshots in there and I'm really enjoying your style; I really like how it's commenting about the game itself, about turns and public order numbers, but yet in the battles it is Euhemenis who is giving the orders. Kind of reflects how I play the game myself. Hope you've got more to come.

[JulianApostate]

I loved the Campaign! Great screenshots...shame Phyrrus died without taking Rome.