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Remus remains the very bravest. And I've little doubt that he can take care of the problem with five hundred men. But fighting back the Franks with barely 2,000? Holding them off is surely what you need, which is why you probably won't be able to. 
Ouch the poor little Romano-Gauls look like they are going to fall soon. I hope Remus can crush the Visigoths it don't look to good though with only 500 men.
Ugh! 2,000 men for Gallia? 500 for Remus? Things are looking bleak indeed... Here's hoping Remus can pull another 'magic' turnaround out of his hat, hopefully at an accelerated pace compared to his earlier rise in Italy.
I'd go for the old 'guerilla campaign' approach favored by Spartacus: use sneak attacks and let the Franks march in, overextending their supply lines, which will become targets to visit Roman vengenace upon them!
Good as usual, BTW!
Good as usual, BTW!
Avernite said:500 to start his campaign, he could conquer Gaul, Hispania and Brittania with that, he started his other campaign alone
Now that's true! 500 men? This fight's already over, Alaric might as well just go home.
Of course, it'd go better if Remus recruited Peperna the Cow...
:rofl:
It certainly DOES look bleak and hopeless...Which means Remus has a plan and will somehow pull that rabbit out the his helmet....How? I don't know for certain. I'm with Aussieboy that trading territory for time and overextending the Frankish supply lines is a good idea and something I would likely do. But will Remus do that? I don't know, he's surprised me before. I DO know that he won't give it all up as a bad job and go home. It's just not in him to do that. He'll succeed or die trying. Hopefully not the dying, though.
Tim O: Yes, I don't think Romulus would hope to see Gaul under the thumb of his rival, the one he sent into exile. It would only add to his cares.
Lord E: Remus has bounced back nicely since his wounds and adventures in Burgundia. Of course, there are yet more challenges for him to turn around.
Avernite: Very true. I remember he was fighting small battles in Campania with around five hundred in the early days, so he's used to long odds. Of course, I don't want a long protacted development like he had to do in Italia. He has the reputation now, and the scale is larger, so hopefully the five hundred won't be that way forever.
Chief Ragusa: Some excellent thoughts, thanks. Well, at least Gibbon backs up my portrayal of Romulus as an imperial non-entity. Of course that doesn't bode well for the West's survival. The thought of Selenus on the sea is intriguing. I haven't really gotten into naval power yet, mainly because it's non-existent for the Romans right now. Remus in Soissons is very possible, depending on how much trouble Syagrius gets himself into.
Darks63: It'll take a while, I'm sure. This isn't Caesar's lightning campaign at all, more like testing the waters, trying to hold a remnant and someday worry about expanding.
coz1: Yes, Soissons will be tough to hold. Clovis lost a lot of men at Laudunum, more than Syagrius did surely, but the Gallo-Romans also lost almost all of their crack Roman infantry, so it'll hurt. And since Soissons is blocking a river passage, Clovis will be stuck with another possible siege.
Anarcho Liberal: Well, crushing the Visigoths entirely might be tough. But giving them enough pain to decide Gallia isn't worth the trouble, that's still very difficult but more possible.
Stuyvesant: I agree about the accelerated pace. Trying to mix it up from some of his adventures in Italia is another thought as well. High politics will always its part, and I'm thinking I should give religion some focus up here in Gallia as well.
aussieboy: Good suggestion. Remus will enlist you as one of his protectorii. Taking the fight to the Goths is definitely his style.
CatKnight: I doubt Peperna's greatness has spread so far west, so Alaric is blissfully unaware...
Amric: Of course! It's the nature of the book that Remus can almost never lose if the story is to continue. That may change someday but as western Rome painfully resurges, there has to be this amazing miraculous string of Roman success to make it possible.
Lord E: Remus has bounced back nicely since his wounds and adventures in Burgundia. Of course, there are yet more challenges for him to turn around.
Avernite: Very true. I remember he was fighting small battles in Campania with around five hundred in the early days, so he's used to long odds. Of course, I don't want a long protacted development like he had to do in Italia. He has the reputation now, and the scale is larger, so hopefully the five hundred won't be that way forever.
Chief Ragusa: Some excellent thoughts, thanks. Well, at least Gibbon backs up my portrayal of Romulus as an imperial non-entity. Of course that doesn't bode well for the West's survival. The thought of Selenus on the sea is intriguing. I haven't really gotten into naval power yet, mainly because it's non-existent for the Romans right now. Remus in Soissons is very possible, depending on how much trouble Syagrius gets himself into.
Darks63: It'll take a while, I'm sure. This isn't Caesar's lightning campaign at all, more like testing the waters, trying to hold a remnant and someday worry about expanding.
coz1: Yes, Soissons will be tough to hold. Clovis lost a lot of men at Laudunum, more than Syagrius did surely, but the Gallo-Romans also lost almost all of their crack Roman infantry, so it'll hurt. And since Soissons is blocking a river passage, Clovis will be stuck with another possible siege.
Anarcho Liberal: Well, crushing the Visigoths entirely might be tough. But giving them enough pain to decide Gallia isn't worth the trouble, that's still very difficult but more possible.
Stuyvesant: I agree about the accelerated pace. Trying to mix it up from some of his adventures in Italia is another thought as well. High politics will always its part, and I'm thinking I should give religion some focus up here in Gallia as well.
aussieboy: Good suggestion. Remus will enlist you as one of his protectorii.
Taking the fight to the Goths is definitely his style.CatKnight: I doubt Peperna's greatness has spread so far west, so Alaric is blissfully unaware...
Amric: Of course! It's the nature of the book that Remus can almost never lose if the story is to continue. That may change someday but as western Rome painfully resurges, there has to be this amazing miraculous string of Roman success to make it possible.
In 451, Attila's march had led the Hunnic horde westward to Orleans, where he began laying siege to the city. Upon the approach of the army of Flavius Aetius and King Theodoric of the Visigoths soon after, Attila broke off his siege and moved away towards his destiny at the fields of Catalaunia lying between Chalons and Troyes. Orleans, therefore, would mark the westward extent of Attila's ambition. This contributed to the slow transformation of the landscape as Remus' small force of five hundred Gallic infantry and cavalry skirted the villages north of Orleans and began moving into the heart of the Liger valley.
Here the trees, once sparse and far too brown, began to reemerge, gathering together in lush congress, forming ever vaster forests. There were small Roman homes that still actively dotted the landscape, and there were ample signs that the rolling plains were well worked for agriculture. The presence of mill wheels, maintained roads, and a ruined aqueduct that once brought water to Vindinium and beyond gave proof of region’s heritage. A small basilica reminded the passerby of the land’s faith. It lay tucked in front of a cave from which the early Christians had doubtless emerged from persecution into prominence. The citizens, having never known the scourge of the barbarian march, looked curiously and without fear as the comite galloped past, trailing columns of Gallic levies and a baggage train for some leagues. They were a people equally unaware of the perils on their borders.
The sound of rustling leaves, however soothed with their subtle movement, and he was beginning to imagine himself in safety's embrace until he saw the smoke. It was coming from up the road, right where their destination lay. Without thought, Remus kicked his horse and, pursued by his anxious escort, raced the final leagues down the narrow roadway. Drawing short upon sight of Turonensis, he was reassured to see that the small river port lay intact and still in Gallic hands.
The fire was coming from across the Liger, a danger he could deal with in time. Exhaling in relief, he trotted the distance between several plots of wheat. Immediately he examined the small town wall. It was useless in a siege, he immediately judged, the stonework allowed to languish. The infantry at the porta principalis were equally unimpressive. "Where is the exarchus?" he barked at one of the guards. They eyed him nervously, recognizing his status but not his identity. "And where is your challenge? Your salute? Would you let a pack of feral Goths into the town? What's your name and rank?" The lax defenses of the town and its garrison immediately became apparent, and the frustrations raged out of him in a torrent, his commander's concern coming to the fore. After being given satisfaction, he made a mental note to make an example of Civilis, as he was called. The entire Liger Valley would need to be whipped into shape, and fast. And Remus meant it literally.
The guards were tall, with hair with a color and length that marked them strong with Gallic blood. The mix of the Gallo-Roman citizenry pronounced itself differently in many, which contributed to the absurd posture the guards affected in the bits of Roman and other armor they wore. In some cases, men wore leather shirts with an occasional mail glove or helmets of exotic variety. Again, he made a mental note. The fabricae would have to be expanded. An army that wore in unison marched in unison. And they survived battle with better equipment.
Riding into the town groma where the two main roads met, he spotted what surely was theprincipia, a former temple which had been stripped of most of its marble and crudely rebuilt in stone. The remainder was filled in by straw, grass, and wood, or not at all. Much of the town mirrored this state, a place of ancient dignity holding but a hint of its imperial past. He stepped down with a hop - a difficult maneuver - tucking his arm closely to his body. It healed steadily, but made even the basic tasks arduous.
"Are you the Exarchus?" he asked, noncommittally. He knew precisely who the officer was, standing at the center of the party waiting to receive him. When the man nodded, Remus raised an eyebrow and turned to regard the distant river. "Very well. You're relieved. Legatus?"
One of the former commander's aides saluted. "General!"
"Turonensis is yours. The Exarchus is returning to Orleans tonight." The officer opened his mouth to speak but Remus glared him down. "From now on, there will be no such thing as a rear officer."
He studied them, looking for opposition and finding none. Having lapsed into complacency, they were startled into obedience by his firm assurance, precisely as he had intended. There was good material, he sensed, raw and unformed. If the Visigoths gave him enough time…
Spinning his heels, he marched into the principia, his new subordinates following in step. "Where is the army deployed?" he asked, taking off his gloves, his back to the Legatus. There was pause, possibly because Remus was the first to refer to the soldiers guarding the Liger valley as an “army”.
"We have ninety-six effectives in town, general,” the Legatus began. ”Another fifteen guarding the Liger fords, and just over sixty horse spread out along the river bank. Patrols mostly, sir. Another one hundred men spread out along the frontier villages"
Remus was quiet for a moment and none of the staff dared to speak or sit. None was sure of where he stood in the new hierarchy.
"And Vindinium?"
"Seventy levies, a quarter of that mounted."
”The Goths?” he continued, firing his questions like missiles.
”They’ve sent raiding parties north from Juliomagus, none approaching eastward so far. We’ve had reports that a large army is preparing to cross the Liger at that point, perhaps an advance force. King Alaric remains in Iberia, it appears.”
”That may change,” Remus said quietly. The absence of a table map disappointed map and he conjured the one from Soissons in his mind.
Finally turning to regard the officers, Remus' face was a mask of hard precision, with the heavy pride that comes with a decade of incessant warfare. To many in the room, he was the impossible. He slapped his gloves on the center table, causing the men to stir.
"Very good. I want all the horse recalled immediately.”
”General----“
”Immediately. Cavalry sits useless without an active enemy. The same goes for any garrisons outside Vindinium. And Riedonum. I want half the force at Riedonum to march here at once, with all cavalry. The Britons?”
”Restless. Most of their leaders went across the water after Riothamus. There’s still fighting up there and Ambro----“
”That island is irrelevant. Our entire focus is that river out there, and the barbarian scum on the far bank. I take it the fire…?”
The Legatus nodded. ”Yes. Raiders. General, if I may ask----“
Remus sighed. This wasn’t yet a military stuff to drag along with him. These Gallic officers needed to be coaxed. In time that would change, he would see to it. For the present----
”Sit down. All of you.” He waited until they had pulled stools towards the long table. Every face was a blank slate. ”It’s simple. The Goths are greedy. Alaric will cross at Juliomagus, and dare the Gubernator to face him or Clovis, perishing either way. I simply intend to change the plan.” He smiled thinly. ”I plan to take the comite across the river myself, and make Alaric come to me.”
The intake of breath was audible, but to their credit, not one man objected. ”Good then. See to my instructions. And someone get the Exarchus his horse,” he said in passing.
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The situation could be a lot worse. A substantial chink of the Visgothic army and their population had migrated to the Spains, which was richer and less war ravaged than their lands in Gaul. There are perhaps 5,000 troops and 45,000 dependants still in Aquitaine. 2,000 of those troops would be around Arles, seat of the Western Prefect of The Gauls, Spains, Britains and the Tangier province in North Africa (currently Vandal occupied). Alaric actually has some right to claim the position for himself from Odoacer, Julius Nepos and Emperor Zeno himself.
A Trevororum, now inside Frankish territory, was the seat for the Vicar of the Diocese of the Gauls - Emperor Diocletian created 12, later 14, Dioceses each ruled by a Vicar to help administer the Empire. It also has a mint, the one Constantine III took from Britain when he crossed to reassert Roman authority in Gaul in 407. Unfortunately, his troops had proclaimed him Emperor.
The Romano-Gauls were Catholics; the Goths Arian. Both were Christian, but neither liked the other. Such Catholic religious authority that the Gauls possess lies in Gallia. Remus may be able to use that to his advantage. Aquitaine is impoverished: Goth set against Romano-Gaul; town against country. There are many bandits most desended from displaced free peasants who lost out to the Goths. The Goths did try to keep Roman Civil administration going - and tried to continue paying them.
The 3,000 that I assume are lead by Alaric are tough troops. 1,000 cavalry, 100 foot archers, 400 javelin armed skirmishers and 1500 spear, sword and shield (The Household Gothic Legion - not historical, but I thought it sounded impressive).
In contrast, the 1,000 troops I think you have allocated to Remus are 800 assorted infantry and 200 cavalry. The only advantage Remus has is that a quarter of them are armed with bows. Leaving the infantry behind, his cavalry cross the Liger and hit Alaric's camp. They're trying to run off his horsestowards his infantry on the other side of the river. and burn his troops' tents and sow confusion rather than kill a lot of Goths. Then, they want Alaric to chase them. Remus and his men will loot and plunder and burn out the Goths in Aquitaine, make contact with the civil and religious gallo-roman authorities. Every so often they'll turn and kill gothic pursuers. Remus' experiences as a bandit living off the land will bear fruit in providing for his men and he will have the support of local non-goths. Alaric will suffer from attrition.
Remus may have chased 200 horses across the river - sent to Syagurius. He took an extra 50 horses for his own cavalry's use.. He gained sufficient armour o equip all 200 of his men as well as finding decent clothing. Alaric has lost all his archers and skirmishers and the 2,250 men he leads back into Arles have had their morale shot to breaking point. Some 5,000 Gothic civilians lie dead. Alaric has to settle with Remus. Remus gains 250 ducats in settlement to add to his 100 ducats in loot and plunder. 350 ducats is an absolute fortune! I imagine Remus achieving something like this. Gothic Aquitaine is a powder keg ready to revolt. Now if Gallia is still standing ...
I shall read your next installment of this gripping tale with baited breath.to see how close or far I am to the plot.
A Trevororum, now inside Frankish territory, was the seat for the Vicar of the Diocese of the Gauls - Emperor Diocletian created 12, later 14, Dioceses each ruled by a Vicar to help administer the Empire. It also has a mint, the one Constantine III took from Britain when he crossed to reassert Roman authority in Gaul in 407. Unfortunately, his troops had proclaimed him Emperor.
The Romano-Gauls were Catholics; the Goths Arian. Both were Christian, but neither liked the other. Such Catholic religious authority that the Gauls possess lies in Gallia. Remus may be able to use that to his advantage. Aquitaine is impoverished: Goth set against Romano-Gaul; town against country. There are many bandits most desended from displaced free peasants who lost out to the Goths. The Goths did try to keep Roman Civil administration going - and tried to continue paying them.
The 3,000 that I assume are lead by Alaric are tough troops. 1,000 cavalry, 100 foot archers, 400 javelin armed skirmishers and 1500 spear, sword and shield (The Household Gothic Legion - not historical, but I thought it sounded impressive).
In contrast, the 1,000 troops I think you have allocated to Remus are 800 assorted infantry and 200 cavalry. The only advantage Remus has is that a quarter of them are armed with bows. Leaving the infantry behind, his cavalry cross the Liger and hit Alaric's camp. They're trying to run off his horsestowards his infantry on the other side of the river. and burn his troops' tents and sow confusion rather than kill a lot of Goths. Then, they want Alaric to chase them. Remus and his men will loot and plunder and burn out the Goths in Aquitaine, make contact with the civil and religious gallo-roman authorities. Every so often they'll turn and kill gothic pursuers. Remus' experiences as a bandit living off the land will bear fruit in providing for his men and he will have the support of local non-goths. Alaric will suffer from attrition.
Remus may have chased 200 horses across the river - sent to Syagurius. He took an extra 50 horses for his own cavalry's use.. He gained sufficient armour o equip all 200 of his men as well as finding decent clothing. Alaric has lost all his archers and skirmishers and the 2,250 men he leads back into Arles have had their morale shot to breaking point. Some 5,000 Gothic civilians lie dead. Alaric has to settle with Remus. Remus gains 250 ducats in settlement to add to his 100 ducats in loot and plunder. 350 ducats is an absolute fortune! I imagine Remus achieving something like this. Gothic Aquitaine is a powder keg ready to revolt. Now if Gallia is still standing ...
I shall read your next installment of this gripping tale with baited breath.to see how close or far I am to the plot.
A very good update Mett, I could really imagine Remus as he meets the officers and their reactions to his orders. The orders might seem a little bold and strange to them, but I think Remus's authority turned them all over at once, he is a man that is used to command and because of this they give him respect immediately it seems. The plan might be bold, but then again that might be just what the barbarians aren’t expecting and therefore it might turn out to work very well. Looking forward to it Mett
Great update, as usual. I'm definitely looking forward to where you're taking the story
definately the way we have known and loved Remus, a bold commander who will not stand back for even the worst odds.
Onwards to victory!
Onwards to victory!
If anyone could whip them into shape, it's Remus. That's for sure. You described the town and its perhaps lost history extremely well. It mixes well, in some ways, with Remus and the empire he has sworn to protect - fading but still worth saving.
Every time I see the word Gubenator I think of Arnold Swartzenegger for some odd reason... I can just picture it...."I'll be back!" in a thick Austrian accent, or something like "Hasta la veista, baby!".....Just can't seem to help myself...
I can just picture it...."I'll be back!" in a thick Austrian accent, or something like "Hasta la veista, baby!".....Just can't seem to help myself...
So that's Remus' plan? Stripping the frontier garrisons and taking them along as he meets the Visigoths head-on? It's a big gamble that could cost Gallia its last reserve of troops, but considering that the alternative is the piecemeal destruction of the same troops once the Visigoths are on Gallic soil, it has to be worth it. Does Remus have more opportunities to strengthen his force this way, or is this pretty much it?
Good descriptions all round and a nice job of reminding us that these Romans are not interchangable with the Romans in Italy, or anywhere else.
From the descriptions, I liked the following line in particular:
Looking forward to the Great Things that must surely be just around the corner for Gallia (it's either that, or the scrapheap of history)!
Good descriptions all round and a nice job of reminding us that these Romans are not interchangable with the Romans in Italy, or anywhere else.
From the descriptions, I liked the following line in particular:
Looking forward to the Great Things that must surely be just around the corner for Gallia (it's either that, or the scrapheap of history)!
Remus might be in trouble, the Visigoth Kingdom is the second most powerful country in Europe after all (the ERE is the only one that is stronger unless something unusual that Mettermrck havn't already told has happened), but I think he may succeed anyway.