Heart of the Republic - A Rome: Total War AAR
Part Thirteen
PrinceScampey followed up on his decimation of the Gallic forces in northern Italy by charging through the Alps towards the city of Massilia. This was no ordinary settlement though - many considered it the Rome of Southern Gaul, such was its impressive size and culture. As such, Consular Kan II had sent a message to the general ordering him not to destroy the city, as he had Mediolanium. He had also sent him a spy, who was to infiltrate the city and provide intelligence.
What he found was simply breathtaking. Not only was the city in the charge of petty barbarians, but defences consisted of just one spearman unit and a skeleton force to man the towers. When PrinceScampeys army arrived at the city in early summer 254 BC, the spy had infiltrated the gate house and opened the eastern gate. All the General had to do was march straight through and obliterate the defenders. Naturally, he sent his mercenary barbarians first and enjoyed the slaughter.
With the city fallen, PrinceScampeys first campaign had come to an end. For the moment he was to be the garrison commander of Massilia while the Senate debated on what to do next.
The options had suddenly become fairly expanded since the expedition north. Intelligence had discovered that north-east Spain was weakly defended by barbarian tribes - an easy target - while continuing a war against Gaul seemed to make sense. In the south the Greeks were in a two-front war with Carthage and Macedonia, to take advantage now could mean the end of Greek control over eastern Sicily, though it would bring them into contact with the nation of Carthage.
The situation in Sicily
The decision on what to do was suddenly postponed at the end of 254 BC, when a Gallic army crossed into northern Italy and besieged Mediolanium! Troops were immediately taken from the cities of central Italy and marched north, where they met General Captainus. This was the first time a foreign army had attacked a Republic city in two decades, and Captainus intended to show why it was a foolish endeavour.
Shocked by the speed at which the Republic had mustered an army, the warlord in command lifted the seige and took his army to hide in the mountains. However Captainus was in pursuit, and no mountain range - no matter how chilly it was to his Italian sun blessed skin - would stop him. Soon the enemy were discovered making a dash west, back to Gallic lands, and Captainus struck
The chase ends
His battle plan was a standard Republic offensive - march up to enemy, throw spears, attack those who remain. All that was required from the Gauls was to stand there and shout obscenities at Roman forces, which they cheerfully obliged. Then, moments before the Roman forces charged, decided to alter their formation. After a few moments of confusion as to why the enemy was doing this, Captainus gave the order to charge into the muddled ranks.
The Gallic warlord himself decided to buck the standard trend of commanders and, seeing a corridor in the centre lines, charged his unit through directly towards Captainus. This time the Roman leader did not hesitate. He had little other option than to charge his own unit at the oncoming Warlord.
General vs. Warlord, Captainus can be seen on the far right
If the enemy commander intended on duelling with Captainus, he was sorely disappointed. Literally so, as his horse passed too close to a Roman infantry division, allowing the troops on the left to take swipes at it. The Warlord was thrown from his beast, and was quickly dispatched.
From here, the battle became a rout, and the retreating Gallic forces were cut down as they ran. Normally Captainus would allow them to escape or become prisoners, but he had orders to make the point that the Republic would not stand for foreign invaders on their own soil. The army was wiped out, and Captainus could return to his more peaceful life at Jenuinses.
His army though, had no such luxury, as they were sent across the Alps to Massilia. PrinceScampey, having completed his tactical works
Bloody Foreigners was to return to active service
