The Eternal City - A Rome AAR

[Stuckenschmidt]

3rd June 453 - Rome


"I am not sure, who exactly came up with this brilliant idea, but obviously said someone wants to bring down the Republic by making everyone poor!"

"Or maybe said someone has the mental capability to realize that you can`t eat gold and it is more wise to invest it."

"Thug!"

"Dolt!"

"Scoundrel!"

"Harlequin!"

Another interesting day in the Curia. The Senate had gathered to discuss an interesting proposal. Interesting insofar, as almost everyone was immediately going into conniptions about it for this or that reason. One of the few calm Senators was Lucius Postumus Megellus, leader of the so called Mercantile Faction.

He leaned back and smiled. The motion, that was the reason for all this hot temper, was to introduce a wealth tax. And since the Senators represented the wealthy upper class, many of them were overcome by their greed and advocated against anything that would cost them a single coin. He shook his head about such a short-sighted opinion. But maybe this was symptomatic. Just like the fact, that his faction was the smallest in the Senate. Yet he felt the need to say something.

"Fellow Senators. Just three years ago, we publically made a claim toward the superiority over all of central and southern Italy. But these words have to be followed by deeds. Deeds, that will need many soldiers and even more funds to pay for them. Nevertheless we should not only look at the costs, but also the future benefits. Vast territories will come under our control. And with them resources, slaves and more gold from taxes and trade than we can even imagine. Hence I support the wealth tax. Not because I want to get poorer. To the contrary because I want everyone of us become richer."

For a moment it was silent. Before a Senator from the Religious faction was able to say something, the Presiding Consul raised his hand and addressed the Senate.

"I have just received a message from Marcus Fulvius. The city of Sipious has surrendered. One thousand of its citizens have died, another thousand will be sent to Ostia as slaves. The remaining thirteen thousand will serve Rome with soldiers and taxes."

Suddenly everyone cheered about this success. People hailed Marcus and his achievements for the Republic and how this is just the beginning of a bright future. The Consul proposed to vote on the wealth tax and all out of a sudden 4 out of 5 Senators voted for it.

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

25th May 454 - North of Nepete

Marcus Fulvius sat on his horse and looked toward the northern horizon. The sun had just risen, but he was already awake for quite some time, for today was maybe the most important day in his career as Legate of the First Legion so far.

But maybe it was time to think about the things that had happened during the recent months. He had been welcomed as Hero after the swift surrender of Sipious. Eventually he was home again and able to spend some time with family and friends. But this was not to last.

Three months ago, emissaries from Lucania asked Rome to honor their alliance and join their war versus some Greek city states in the south. The Senate had agreed, although not intending to send a single soldier southward. For they had other plans already.

The Etruscans had been Rome`s rivals for a long time. Ten years ago, Rome had to fight them, since they had allied with the Samnites. But Quintus Fabius destroyed their force during the battle near Lake Vadimo. Rome does neither forget nor forgive. Hence it was decided to declare war on the Etruscans in order to determine, who will control the land north of Rome.

He looked to the left. Fifteen Cohorts were marching by in perfect order, heading northward. Further to the west, close to the coast, the Second Legion with another fifteen thousand soldiers was also entering Etruscan territory. He also expected reinforcements from Rome`s allies. All in all there would be forty or fifty thousand troops invading the enemy.

He was a humble man. But in this case he thought, that the question was not whether they would win, but when. For what could possibly go wrong?

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

1st October 455 - Visentium

Publius Cornelius Arvina was pleased with the war so far. The southern half of the Etruscan territory was already under Roman control. The First Legion had successfully ended the siege of Cosae, gaining one of the more important cities in the region. His own Second Legion had marched across the countryside and occupied many minor settlements.

One had not seen a lot of the enemy so far. The wars in the north seem to keep them occupied. Only once a small army of maybe five thousand Etrurians had appeared and advanced on Roman soil. Near Narnia he had fought a battle, with maybe two thousand enemies dead and the rest escaping northward again.

Occupied with these thoughts he saw a man on a horse entering the camp. He came closer and Publius saw, that he was all dirty. He must have been on his way for quite some time. The man descended fom the horse, saluted to Publius and gave him a letter. While reading it, a satisfied smile appeared in his face. The People of Rome had elected him as Second Consul together with Quintus Fabius Rullianus.

This was it. He had reached the top. Now it was important to deliver a deed worth remembering.

*****​

Northern Etruria

Elbio Vulturreno was less pleased with the war, but equally determined to turn the tide in this conflict. As Supreme Magistracy of the Etrurian Tribes, he had tried to expand their influence further north. While waging war versus the Boii and other tribes, Rome took advantage of this situation and invaded southern Etruria.

With half of their lands occupied, it was time to act. Some quickly negotiated peace deals with the northern tribes eventually offered the opportunity to gather the forces, march southward and face the Roman threat.

Winter was coming. Not an ideal season for warfare. But time was working against him. Should he not drive the Roman Legions out of Etruria soon, they would consolidate their positions and push northward next spring. He had gathered all available forces. At least twenty thousand men were marching toward the Romans and the decisive battle for the future of Etruria.

 

[stnylan]

Twenty thousand does not sound like it will be enough, but if it is all they have, then it all they have

At least it puts the majority of the likely opponents of future Roman rule in one place making it easy for them to be .. pacified.

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

31st January 456 - near Cleusi


It was an amazingly cold day. No snow, but there had been frost during the night. The Roman soldiers looked down a narrow valley and toward the Etruscan army, which had managed to maneuver itself between them and Roman territory. They held a slightly higher ground and had made makeshift barriers using timber from the nearby wooded hills.

Marcus Fulvius and Publius Cornelius had moved both Roman Legions to this place and reinforcements were supposed to arrive during the day. Yet it would have been a stain on the honor of Roman weapons to wait for them instead of taking the opportunity to attack due to numerical superiority. And so the first Cohorts began to move.

There was not a lot of space to maneuver and so the Cavalry of both sides was rather useless, descended and fought as foot soldiers instead. But the archers had prepared themselves and began their deadly work, thinning the enemy lines with a hail of arrows. This continued, until the two lines made contact. The Roman infantry was well armed and armored, but the same was true for the Etruscans.

Despite the pressure of the attacking forces, the Etruscan line held and a second wave of Roman infantry appeared to replace the first and continued to move against the enemy line, but with the same limited success. In the meantime the ground was already covered with injured or dead soldiers and the white frost got a red hue.

The battle continued. It was about noon, when the Marsian army arrived at the scene. After a short break, during which the Roman allies established a battle line, the third Roman wave retreated, so both Legions were able to get rest. Instead, the Marsian Cohorts began to attack. On the other side, the Etruscan commander was in a desperate situation. His archers had run out of arrows. He had no reserves anymore and his troops at the front had not the comfort to pull behind the lines to recover.

The Marsian units began their assault and it happened on the Etruscan right flank, that the line began to waver. The Commander moved to the right, with the last light infantry he had at his disposal to stabilize the situation. But it was clear, that the Romans had more men to sacrifice and he could not compete with that much longer. He ordered a retreat of the whole line and the two battle formations lost contact, with the Etruscans leaving the field.

In the afternoon it became clear, that the Romans had earnd a costly victory. At least one out of five of all Allied forces had been lost. Among the Roman Legions, who had fought longer, even more. And they had higher casualties than the Etruscans. Marcus Fulvius looked at the numbers. Maybe nine thousand Romans and Allies lost. A bit more than seven thousand on the other side. A few more victories like that, and they lose the war. Unless, of course, the Etruscans can not replace their losses.

*****​

22nd February 456 - Rome


Nearly all Senators were present at the Curia, for there had been news about the end of the war with the Etruscans. Everyone knew about the high loss of life during the recent battle and they wondered, whether a proper peace had been negotiated.

Quintus Fabius Rullianus, Presiding Consul during the session, took the floor.

"Senators. The Roman Legions have valiantly fought the Battle of Cleusi and won, although at a high cost. But our enemies suffered significant losses too. Contrary to us, they lack the reinforcements and the willpower to continue fighting. So the Magistrat Vulturreno offered peace terms. All of the region of Etruria will fall to the Roman Republic, while the Etruscan territory is reduced to Tuscany. With this, Rome will expand to roughly the Ombrone river in the north and gain another port at Cosae along the coast to incease our control of the sea."

There was a lot of whispering. Some thought, that it was enough and that one should bring the Legions home. Others meant, that one should exploit the results of the recent battle, no matter the cost. After a short debate, it was decided with 79 votes, that the peace agreement is to be accepted.

 

[stnylan]

Sometimes one has to know when to quit - or at least when to recoup.

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

4th June 457 - Cosae

Quintus Marcius Tremulus loved this place. Sure, it was away from Rome, where all the important things happened. But he finally got an office. The Senate had decided to raise a third Legion. And although it did not have the strength of a standard Legion yet, it was still "his" Legion now.

More recruits appeared every day and for the time being, it was his duty to make soldiers out of these men, so they are prepared, when the Republic calls for their duty in the next war versus whoever made the mistake to get in the way of Roman ambition.

*****​

Ostia


The tide and the wind were perfect and helped the vessel out of the port. Rome seemed to grow larger every day, but contrary to other important cities like Carthage, Alexandria or Syracuse it did not have an own port. Yet there were tons of goods to be transported from, but more to the city. Insofar Ostia was an extension of Rome, since it dealt with all the necessary merchant traffic.

Lucius Varrus looked back, as the port slowly became smaller. Eventually he ordered to set a course to the northwest, for this shipment of grain was to reach Cosae and from there the rest of northern Etruria. Until last year, the surplus grain from Latium and Campania was delivered further north to the Gauls or even to Greece. But the war had changed that. The countryside had been plundered by several armies. Small villages or farms had been burned down. A whole harvest eaten or destroyed by soldiers. A famine seemed inevitable. Until the Senate ordered to stop exports and transport food to Etruria. Additionally more farmland was opened in the south.

So far, there had been proper results. Numerous shipments had been made to the north. Cosae and its granaries were well supplied, so the population and the garrison had decent rations. According to rumors, the rural population had survived the winter without starving to death, although some had been hungry.

But now the harvest season was not far away. If the stories in the ports were to be believed, then it would be a good harvest and all problems would be solved soon with bread for everyone.

*****​

Rome


"What do you mean: You did not know?", Consul Quintus Fabius asked.

Praetor Quintus Ogulnius looked a bit embarassed. "See, there was this emissary from Metapontum. At first I thought he would like to talk about trade business.But then he said that he wanted to deliver the yearly Tribute."

"Since when is Metapontum our Ally?"

"I really have no idea. Maybe it was part of the peace deal the Lucanians signed with the southern cities. I have searched in our documents, but there is no hint on the city becoming one of our Tributaries."

The Consul slowly shook his head. "I mean, if that is so, then we should accept the status quo. Thank the emissary for their loyalty toward the Republic, give him a small gift and send him back with our best wishes."

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

11th August 458 - Rome


The Consuls Quintus Fabius and Publius Cornelius met in Rome and had also asked for the presence of Quintus Marcius.

"My friends.", Quintus Fabius said. "We have gathered here, so I can inform you about my plans for the south. Eight years have passed since we made peace with the Samnites and I think we are now strong enough to meet them again on the battlefield. But there is one problem. Look at this."

He put a papyrus with a drawing on it on the table.

"The most important faction right now is Lucania. They have Alliances with both us and the Samnites. In case of war, they would have to pick sides. If we attack, then I think they will join the Samnites. But...", Quintus said and made a short pause for effect. "...if we attack Apulia, then there is a good chance that they will join our side and fight against the Samnites for us."

"Interesting.", Quintus Marcius said. "How are we going to advance from here?"

"Publius and I will take command of the First and Second Legion around Sipious. From there we can advance into Apulia, but also threaten Samnium. I want you to stay in Capua and secure our southern border, in case that the Samnites are advancing into our territory."

"Looks like I have to guard the back door, while the music is playing at the front door.", Quintus Marcius replied.

"Careful what you wish for. The Gods may grant it.", Publius meant with a smile.

"Anyway. Let`s get back to our Legions and may the Gods be with us."

 

[stnylan]

A chain of alliances and obligations to exploit.

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

A chain of alliances and obligations to exploit.

I am going to break the wheel chain.

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

17th October 459 - Barium


Publius Cornelius Arvina sat in his tent with his Tribune beside him, as the emissaries entered. While they stood, he stayed seated and waited for them to speak.

"We have been sent by the people of Barium.", one of the elderly men said. "We shall offer you the surrender of our community and beg you to show mercy toward us. Our loyalty to our own people and our friends made us resist your first offer to surrender and you hopefully know that without loyalty to the own people there is nothing. Now we have nothing to hope for anymore besides the good will of the Senate and People of Rome."

Publius gave them a smile. Or rather a smirk. The mercy of Rome. Well, most of the population will remain free and alive. But some of them would be sent as slaves to Rome, Capua and Neapolis. The fate of the city would depend on the course of the war. Two battles had been fought during the recent year. The latter a considerably large one. Four thousand Legionaries were lost, the enemy had roughly twice the casualties.

"Well spoken.", he said to the emissaries. "Here are Rome`s demands in exchange for mercy..."

*****​

18th October 459 - near Saticula


While Publius Cornelius made demands toward the people of Barium, the Third Legion had to fight for its life in southern Campania. Quintus Marcius cursed his own foolishness, but now his actions would maybe lead to doom.

He had heard throughout the whole spring about successful battles between Rome and its Allies and the enemy. Eventually, in late summer, he decided to advance into Samnatian territory. What he had not realized was, that Rome`s Allies had fallen back to regroup and he was all alone with a considerably small force of nine Cohorts, when his scouts reported a Samnite army roughly twice the size.

He had immediately turned around, but lost time in the unfamiliar foreign territory. Messengers were sent northward to find the Allied forces and make them move toward his position. When he returned to Campania, the enemy cavalry was already on his flanks. So he took position along a narrow range of hills and waited for the Samnites.

His Cohorts were immediately hard pressed and slowly moved back ward toward the top of the range, leaving a trail of own and enemy corpses behind. His cavalry was outnumbered, but had managed to keep the Samnites from encircling them. Then, finally, a horn signal. The Frentanii had arrived. A stream of Cohorts approached from the north. The Samnites had to extend their battle line and now they were the ones under pressure.

The Third Legion was still under threat, since the Samnite left flank continued to try to make the Romans break. But eventually the Frentanian Cohorts had reached the Roman lines, rescuing the remnants of the Legion. An hour later the Samnites were retreating from the battlefield.

Mamertus Sertorius was General and Frentanian Clan Elder at the same time. When the battle was over, he approached Quintus Marcius and the two men talked about the further course of action. The Third Legion had lost half of its size and was not a fighting force for the time being. But Sertorius knew, that the Samnites had higher casualties and that one had to exploit their weakness. He and his men would return to Samnite lands.

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

27th November 460 - Corneliani


Quintus Marcius and the Third Legion were back in Samnium either after having received enough reinforcements to bring the unit back to full strength. Now they were besieging the last free Samnite city. They did so for many months already and Quintus felt the need to do something. Recently the new Consuls had been elected. What if they decided to take control of the Legions and finish the basically already won war and claim the merit for it?

This must not happen. He had to compensate for the Battle of Saticula and earn a clear victory. He looked toward the city wall and the breach in it. Eventually he gave the order. His Cohorts advanced forward and began to put pressure on the defenders. At first, the Samnites were able to stand their ground. But being outnumbered almost ten to one, it was just a matter of time.

Slowly they had to retreat and eventually their lines broke. Resistance collapsed to a few men here and there gathering at Temples or other important places. Quintus was still outside, hearing the screams of the population, as the soldiers began to plunder and pillage. He would have to put an end to it soon, for the city was still needed.

*****​

1st January 461 - Rome


The people of Rome, despite the cold weather, were on the streets and gathered near the Curia. After more than two years of war, rumor had it, that it was won and the troops would come back after having defeated their old enemies, the Samnites.

Inside the building the new Consuls, Publius Sulpicius Saverrio and Publius Cornelius Barbatus, reported about the state of the war. The Senators were mostly well informed already and in high spirits. After fifty years, their archenemy was eventually beaten. Rome had paid a high price, but not in vain.

"Senators.", Publius Sulpicius raised his voice. "The Samnites have surrendered. Their armies have vanished, their leading families are broken or fleeing to other places in Italy. Hence the whole Samnite territory will fall under the rule of the Roman Republic."

The Senators cheered, clapped their hands, pat the shoulders of their neighbors.

"But this is not all. The northern territories of the Apulian people will also be part of the Republic as of now."

Now the Senators heard a loud noise from outside, as the people learned about the total victory and favorable peace conditions. Their cheers echoed through the hall and increased the good mood of the Senators. Right now, nobody knew that the Republic was facing rough times.

 

[stnylan]

I have to say I would not expect much mercy from Rome.

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

I have to say I would not expect much mercy from Rome.

Me neither.

 

[Nikolai]

Rough times, eh? Sounds like a perfect time to get tough and win some glory.

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

7th July 462 - Rome



"...hence this legislation to counter rampant corruption is to the benefit of the Republic."

"It is interesting, how one of the richest people in the Republic suddenly turns against corruption."

"This is an insult to me and the office of Consul. I have never demanded or accepted a single coin."

"Maybe. But what about the rest of your family? Your father was well known as `the Greedy`"

"I demand that this legislation gets passed."

"Demand?! Or what? Will your troops enter the Pomerium? We know too well about the army you raised to `maintain order` in Latium. But what are your real intentions? As a reminder. The Senate appoints Dictators, but only for a limited time. Since that is so, you maybe strive to be King of the seven hills. Be careful to not become the next Tarquinius.

There was an awkward moment of silence in the Curia. Finally someone talked about the obvious. Something was going wrong in the Republic. Maybe it had expanded too fast recently. Maybe this had opened the door for more individual interests than the loyalty toward the greater good.

But there was also a spreading feeling of suppression, that the people of Rome and especially the Senators were not as free to do or say what they wanted to. Rightfully or not, this emotion was the breeding ground, on which notions thrived, that undermined the foundation of the Republic.

At first there were just rumors about an army of eight Cohorts under the direct command of the Second Consul, Publius Cornelius Barbatus. Maybe his intentions were good and he wanted to restore the best of Rome. But with so many soldiers close to the capital, the Senate ordered the First and Second Legion to Latium. Now Rome made the impression of almost being under siege and beneath the surface the tensions grew.

*****​

15th February 464 - Luceria


Luceria was far from being Rome. Although there were large cities in the Magna Graecia, Luceria was a rather small rural settlement amidst a large plain, known for agriculture and even more so livestock breeding. And just a bit outside the city, there was a large manor, where the Governor had his residence.

Publius Sulpicius Saverro, Consul of Rome, had never been in this part of the Republic so far. But he acknowledged the rural idyll around him and how a man with considerable power would chose this place as his retreat. As he walked through the manor he looked around him. Everything was very dignified, but never swanky.

In a corner he saw a small shrine dedicated to Isis. This cult appeared last year in Neapolis and was brought from Egypt to the Republic via merchants, who worshipped her as protective deity of all seafarers. But she also had other attributes, such as overcomer of death. A proper notion in the household of an already old man.

A bit later he sat together with Governor Marcus Fulvius Paetinus.

"Publius, I know about the quarrels in Rome. But, to be frank, I don`t know how I can be helpful in that regard."

"In these times, it is important, that those having significant offices in the Republic stay loyal to her."

"Who would disagree. But, again, how can I help you?"

"Let`s say, that there are rumors, that this manor is the center of the south, although Rome should be."

"Rumors about my ambitions are wildly exaggerated. I am just a simple man with simple needs.". He clapped with his hands and a woman appeared. She was one of the most beautiful women Publius had ever seen with her tanned skin, dark hair and eyes, lean figure and well-proportioned breasts.

"I saw her at the market a year ago. A beauty from Iberia.", Marcus explained. "Now tell me. What could anyone offer me that would be more interesting than her."

Publius smiled. Marcus was not married and had no children. So he had no interests to consider besides his own. And he wanted to have a good life. Hence he would be open for anyone, who offered him enough to maintain his lifestyle. Maybe bought loyalty was not worth a lot, but it was better than none at all.


(After the Etrurian War I realised, that I have serious Tyranny and Loyalty issues. Time to fix that, although it took time. A lot of it.)

 

[stnylan]

A man for sale though remains a man for sale - if his loyalty can be purchased, it can be purchased by someone else as well.

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

A man for sale though remains a man for sale - if his loyalty can be purchased, it can be purchased by someone else as well.

True that, so we have to take care of him in a different way in the future.

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

5th December 467 - Rome


Sextus Laelius was not an important man. Just a random carpenter living on the Aventin with his family. Although on this day there was no work to be done, for a decent part of the population had gathered in the city center, since the Republic had guests.

Or rather Allies appearing for a visit. Further to the east, in the Appenine Mountains, the Marsian and Pelignian people lived. For a long time they had been friends and allies of Rome. Faithfully they had fought in all of Rome`s wars. And so the people cheered, as the envoys of these people walked through the streets toward the Forum Romanum and further to the Comitium, where the Curia was located.

For today was the day, that they would give up their independence and proceed from an Ally to an integral part of Rome.

After the Senate had received the envoys and all rituals had been held, Sextus slowly went home again. It was nice to have such an event, for the times in Rome had been strange lately. The population talked a great deal about all the troops around the city and how the families in the Senate were dividd and hostile toward each other. Many expected a civil war.

But it did not come. Yet the general situation among the politicians remainded the same. Some had the hope, that the new Consuls would solve the problems. Unfortunately Publius Cornelius Arvina was way too unpopular to make his voice heard. For some odd reason Publius Cornelius Barbatus remained Second Consul and so the dilemma dragged on.

In the recent two years nothing had happened. That was good insofar as people appreciated the Republic to be at peace for some time. On the other hand one had the impression as if this was just the result of the Republic being incapable of acting. He wondered, how the Republic was supposed to survive in such a state.

 

[stnylan]

Not just conquest