Chapter 13.1: The Early Triumph and the Awakening of the Beast
Gallaeci had a taste of victory. The triumph at Cynetes had an enormously positive effect on the people of the new republic. Stories of how Luxinius was able to slaughter tens and thousands of men while losing little less than a thousand spread like wildfire and undoubtedly, stroked fear into the minds of the Egyptians. Siege was laid on Cynetes as the Gallaecian plan of quickly overwhelming and establish stronghold in Iberia moved into place. Luxinius left a small rearguard to continue the siege and pursued the fleeing Egyptians, scoring an important victory at Turduli and forcing their enemy to flee into barbarian territory. For their plan to succeed, they must exterminate Egypt's Army Group Iberia.
This setback had enormous implications back home in Alexandria. The Egyptians erupted into a full out civil war as the populists demanded an answer for such a disaster in Iberia. Luggones, on the other hand, quietly annexed some Carthaginian lands in Iberia amid the chaos and consolidated itself as a rising power in Iberia.
Gallaecians rejoiced at the news and they smelled victory. This, coupled with more victories against the Egyptians and news of them getting ambushed by barbarians in their flight, sent the people in the streets. They are winning against a near-invincible world power. This small, small republic in the corner of the world. Egyptians has three enemies to deal with: Carthage, Gallaeci, and now themselves. Perhaps luck had smiled upon them after-all.
The celebration was short, however. Egypt, now desperate to regain the balance of power, called upon the help of their ally: Pontus, to join the war against their enemy. It was a domino effect and soon, declarations of war came from all over as the Seleucids, Macedonians, and Bosporan Kingdom jumped upon this new crusade against the little upstart. Gallaeci is in trouble...they have woken a host of sleeping lions.
In June of 587 AUC, the first of Seleucid's scouting ship was spotted off the coast of Atlantic. It was a small fleet of only four ships and the Gallaeci quickly mobilized their navy in hopes of destroying them before reinforcements arrive. They captured Cynetes that same month and the army now quickly to capture the coveted Olissipo.
The navy was able to score a quick victory with an element of surprise but the appearance of a large Egyptian fleet forced them to retreat for the time being. Seleucids continue to send scouting fleets which prompted hit and run tactics by the navy.
Hoping for a repeat of collaborations that had proved successful against the Carthaginians, Gallaeci called upon the help of Cantabri again, but was soundly refused against the face of an impossible enemy.
Things are starting to look dire for the Gallaeci and they began a massive build-up in the face of possible invasion. Meanwhile, they were finally able to corner and eradicate Egypt's Army Group Iberia that September and secure the peninsula. Olissipo was captured November of that year and Gallaeci had dominion over the peninsula.
The navy, however, was beginning to see setbacks despite the initial success. The hit and run tactic was successful at first but more scouting ships have shown up since and in a crucial mistake made by the admiral, they were caught and unable to retreat in time. The number is starting to overwhelm the small Gallaeci army and by the end of that year, they were forced to retreat into the safety of their harbour.
Gallaeci had a very successful start to their Olissipo campaign and by the start of 588 AUC, merely 2 years into the war, they were able to secure their objectives and successfully completing their goal of securing Iberia and eradicating Egyptian presence. But looking forward, this may only be the calm before the storm as great powers have been drawn into this conflict, alarmed by the tiny republic's success. Had Gallaeci stopped now, they may stand a chance. But the military-centric senate is too proud to even comtemplate suing for peace and may be to the detriment of Gallaeci. Only time can tell whether this tiny republic will be able to weather the storm when the big leagues show up and play in the remote corner of the world.