Between the Mountains and the Sea
“The war with Senonia was a sordid affair,” said Massimo, while leading me through the narrow streets of Vatulonia.
Instead of listening, I looked around as we passed the small city. “What happened?”, I inquired.
“Eh?” Massimo asked, lost in his own train of thought.
“The city,” I asked. “It was the crown jewel of the Etruscans after all. Now, look at it...” I pointed the small houses, narrow streets, overall smallness of the city. “Less then thousand people live here, right? It is more of a village then a city...”
Massimo’s face took a pained look. “Barbarians. Several times. Then Christianity. Then more barbarians. Between 7th and 8th Century, records say that this place was abandoned at all. Then more Christians, with sledgehammers. Then, people moved back in and there just happened to be construction material readily available.”
He sighed. “I understand you’d like to know about the fall of Etruscans, but let us drop it for now. I’d much prefer talk of the rise of Etruscans.”
With that, we actually arrived at the hotel. Imaginatively named “Hotel Vatluna”, it was a small, but cozy. Wink from Massimo, followed by slight nod from the receptionist, got me a surprisingly good price as well.
“Go, freshen yourself up,” said Massimo. “I’ll await you at the restaurant.”
That I did. The shower was just what I needed, though I had to don the same dusty and sweaty clothes. After all, my bags were still in my car, not so conveniently parked few kilometers downhill, at the gas station. Still, better then nothing.
The view from the restaurant was breathtaking. Situated at the edge of the city, incidentally also meaning at the edge of the hill, and the view down to the valley was uncanny. Massimo was already waiting for me, and his glass of wine was already half-full. He beckoned me to sit as well and poured some of the sweet red nectar to me as well. Then, he pointed at the view and said: “You know, Elbio had the same view.”
View from Hotel Vatluna
I raised my eyebrows as he continued: “This hotel is located in what we believe was the location of Elbio’s palace.”
I gazed at the serene rural scene and added: “I imagine it was a bit busier back then”
Massimo nodded. “Much more city in the valley below. At the time of Senonian war, Vatluna was already becoming quite a city. Population was estimated to be over 30 000, first libraries and academies built. The biggest, richest, most powerful Etruscan city.”
It was his turn to gaze down to the valley. He sighed. “Must have been truly amazing sight”.
“So, Senonian war,” I said. “How did that go?”
Massimo chuckled: “According to Elbio and his deceptive stones, it was a simple affair, where brave Etruscans defeated the enemy, who were four times the number of Etruscans with ease, looted their homes, enslaved their families and forced the survivors to bend the knee to the mighty Elbio.”
“And what does that Cicero fellow say about it?”
“The war started in September 462. It started with two Etruscan armies, 17 000 men under Elbio and 15 000 under joint command of three warchiefs, marching to Armina, where the main force of the Senoni was stationed. It was indeed 3:1 affair, but the Etruscans had the advantage. The enemy losses were not that high though, and they pulled back in an orderly manner...”
“So, it was Etruscans versus Senonians?” I asked.
“No, Etruscan League and Frinitatia against Senonina, Boi and Anconans,” replied Massimo, “Though the Frinitiatia part is conveniently forgotten by most of the stones.”
Let the fun begin!
“Anconan forces met the Ertuscans in Sena a month later, and despite Elbio having force nearly twice the size, they only managed to graze the enemies. Even though the stones try to play it as victory, it really wasn’t. Not in both cases- the enemy armies were largely undamaged and both fell back to the protection of the Boii lands. Meaning that all the enemies were now nicely gathered up. At the same time, Etruscans put the Ancona under siege, while Frinitiatia besieged Sena.
First battle of the war
The, the Boi came. Came with intent. They sneaked past Etruscan forces, though Elbio managed to get their rear guard.
The enemy penetrated Tuscia and were caught only in Persna. Half-busy with looting the hapless populace, Elbio descended upon them like a hawk. And managed to force them back, leaving a fifth of their troops in the field.
Oh boi, the bois are coming
It was during that time Elbio changed the setup of their troops. Following the Roman way, with heavily armed veteran troops called the principes making the core of the army. Heavy infantry was quickly on their way of becoming the backbone of the Etrurian army.
Principes. The Etruscan kinds.
The Boi were but a distraction though. They were meant to lure Elbio inland, while Senonians and Boi marched to relieve Sena. With no Etruscan relief forces around, the Frinitati were hit by Senonian force. Elbio marched to the rescue, while Licine stayed put, besieging Ancona. The result- Frinitati fled, abandoning the siege. Senoni managed to send in supplies, relieving the dwindling food of the fortress. Then, Elbio hit, forcing the enemy to retreat. But he was a bit too late. The siege had been disrupted.
Just a bit too late...
Fortunately for Tuscans, the siege of Ancona ended a few weeks later. With some citizens captures and slaves and sent to Vatluna, Licine marched north to start the siege of Sena, while Elbio took on the allies in Ravna, winning yet another minor victory. Then, he marched all the way to Tuscia, where yet another small Boi army had sneaked past and entered Etruria proper.
Yet another minor victory
The siege of Sena ended in December 464, after nearly 450 days. And to think, it was almost ready to fall when the enemy attacked Frinitati... Followed by Elbio taking Ravna in February 465.
By then, the northern neighbours of Boi smelled blood. Lingonia, just north of Senonia and Boi, also attacked the poor Senoni. Not that there was much Senonia left to attack, so they took on Boi. The Etruscans had disrupted a precious status quo on the north, leaving one tribe weakened. Like sharks, the others were not above taking the advantage and gaining some power for themselves.
With neighbors like these...
The war was almost over. Emphasis on almost. The army of Licine had marched north, to Faventia. The last province of the Senoni. And as usual, they got careless. Already confident in their victory, they spent what armies do at times like this- looting and pillaging the countryside. Marked by burning villages and screaming Senoni, not proper patrols and such. So, when the final attempt of the enemy to attack came, they were caught with their pants down. Some of the soldiers, literally. The war had taken her toll and almost nearly 10 000 soldiers of Licine were caught by enemy nearly twice their size. Elbio, as soon as he heard the news, march to help, but it was Licine who saved the day. Gathering his heavy infantry around him, they held waves of enemies back while the enemy came, relentlessly, though unorganized. Superior morale of the Etruscans held them back, until Elbio arrived and forced the enemy to retreat. Licine the Victor, the Etruscans chanted, while Elbio watched from side, full of envy.
Long live Licine!
The Battle of Faventia was in the middle of April 465, and the province fell a few weeks later, resulting in more slaves to Vatluna. With this, the territories of Ancona and Senonia were under Etruscan occupation, the enemy armies hit hard and the Boi busy with new threat up north. The was was basically over. In 18th April 465, Elbio signed peace that resulted in Etruscans gaining the lands south of the Northern Apennines.
The victory
Now, Etruscans hold both eastern and western passes through the mountain range, making difficult for enemies from the north to enter the lush, rich lands in Central Italia. Both passes are of course guarded and fortified, thus guaranteeing the relative security from northern Celts or other barbarians.”
Lands of Etruria, almost secure.
Massimo, who had told this with almost one breath, took a sip of wine and lit a cigar, waiting for my reaction to this lecture.
“So, not really successful war?” I asked.
“Why do you say that?” he inquired.
“Lot of battles, but none of them decisive. Both sides lose a little, then one side pulls back, recovers and comes again. Apparently, neither the Etruscans nor the enemy managed to get the upper hand in none of the conflicts.”
Massimo just nodded, while I continued. “And three years or warfare, countless of lives lost in the narrow gap of land between the mountains and the sea...”
Massimo chuckled. “Getting poetic there, mr Doom? Between the mountains and the sea...”
I continued, ignoring him “And all that for six provinces... Provinces full of fur-clad celts, worshipping different gods. This will not be an easy integration.”
“There is something else the Etruscans gained though,” added Massimo. “Leonidids”
“Ehh, what?” I asked, confused.
“The Leonidid family. One of the prominent families of Ancona. Their head, Pyrrhias, managed to sweet-talk Elbio into sparing them and instead, Etruscans took the entire family in. And they played an important part in the future of the Etruscans.”
At least, the Etrucans killed his rivals. And friends. And wife...
“Just like that?” I wondered.
“It was highly unusual,” Massimo replied. “Etruscans usually preferred murder to integration, especially during the Early League. We don’t know much about Pyrrhias, but he must have been an extremely persuasive man.”
“Imminent death does make people really creative,” I mumbled.
“In this case, really creative,” Massimo agreed. “And soon, Elbio instituted two Leonidids into office as well, Kleanthes as Magistrate, Machatas as apothecary. “
Hello, our newfound friends.
“Ok,” I nodded. Then, as an afterthought, I asked: “Oh, and how was Rome doing?”
“Rome’s adventure overseas failed. Libernia, across the Adriatic, was a clear victor in this war and forced Rome to re-release Sipontum and allow Marsia to become independent again. Minor setback, for the Rome was still a major threat.”
Rome, not doing so well for a change
“And with that, enough about history today,” said Massimo. “How about we have some fun?”
That we did. Me and my newly found friend sit, drank and chatted until it became dark. Then, we drank some more. But what we chatted about is of no interest to you.
Very glad to see you back in the saddle. Imperator's AARs have been few and far between and I think the game deserves more.
