Heart of the Republic - A Rome: Total War AAR
Part Thirty-One
The War of Iberia II
216-213 BC
Following the destruction of Iberian resistance at Carthago Nova and Osca, the armies of Rome were able to push into the peninsulas interior with little problems. To the north, Thrawnus moved to take the coastal cities, while further south Civvergus moved to take Segovia, located at the centre of Iberian lands. Taking enemy settlements was not the only major objective of the war as Tbus, now marching into Iberia over the Pyrenees, was pursuing a known elite general of the enemy military. Taking out Iberian command, and in particularly their leaders and heirs to the throne, was an important mission in the war. It was hoped that by doing so, the Iberians would split into their separate tribes and strongholds, ending what little unity they had together. At the beginning of 215 BC, Tbus was chasing down an Iberian commander with these instructions in mind.
Tbus Roman army prepares to march
His chase took him south towards Osca, before the enemy suddenly moved west, probably in an attempt to aid the besieged city of Numantia, where he suddenly realised he probably couldnt take on both Tbus and Thrawnus armies at once. They had no such inhibitions, and in a series of engagements wiped out the enemy generals own army, though he managed to escape into nearby Numantia by himself. Annoyed at letting the one man he was after slip away after many miles of forced marching, Tbus ordered the town to be taken.
Nobody could have expected the Iberian defenders to fight as well as they did, particularly given their numbers. The battle to take the gate lasted several hours, but this had been expected due to the bottleneck it provided. When the enemy infantry broke away, several thousand Roman soldiers poured into the city, preparing to take the central plaza. Again, the Iberian swordsmen held them back, fighting with ferocious vigour that shocked even the hardened veterans of Tbus army, who began to waver.
Fearing a mass retreat of the Roman army could force them back to the gate, and a repeat of the difficult breakthrough, Tbus charged past the walls and into the fray, emboldening his men to continue the fight. It came at a heavy loss, as Tbus was overwhelmed by the numbers, and was quickly lost among the dust and chaos of the frontlines. His bodyguard were unable to find him until, after the battle was over, he was found upon the stone plaza, cut down by an Iberian blade.
The Battle of Numantia
The reason for such a powerful resistance became apparent when it was discovered that the man they were chasing was no ordinary general, but heir to the Iberian leadership. He too was killed in the battle, and he was not to be the last of his family killed by a Roman blade. In 214 the army of Civvergus discovered that the town of Segovia contained no less than the Iberian faction leader. It was not long before a relief army came to rescue their commander, but despite a bold attempt at encircling Civvergus army, they were destroyed, the King slain, and the town taken. His son was not be allowed to be thankful for his new leadership position for long - he was discovered at Flaviobriga by the spies of Thrawnus, and the town was set upon and taken in 213 BC.
A leadership crisis was now engulfing Iberia, though they were not yet completely without command. However, on top of this, the Republic had conquered half of the Iberian lands in five short years! This fact certainly lessened the worries that the Gods disapproved of StevieJeys actions, although losing three Generals in the same time frame was still unheard of in previous wars. A new army had been prepared in Italy, and would arrive in Iberia in late 213 BC, and on top of that new Roman fleets, built in the best Sicilian shipyards, were easily repelling the enemy. Already a year ahead of schedule, it would not be surprising if Iberia capitulated within the next ten years.
Iberia, 213 BC
However, far to the south, an old enemy had returned. Reports from the top intelligence branch of Rome - namely Yureys elite troops - indicated that the Carthaginians had returned to pre-war status in all but their navy. Thousands of troops had been spotted, though thankfully they were moving east towards the war against Egypt. Worse though, was the news that all cities destroyed in Tillus IIs famous Raid on Carthage - over 25 years previously - had been rebuilt. As long as the Roman blockade held, then Carthage was not a threat. But for how long would that last