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Post by Magnate Lucius on Aug 24, 2021 10:30:40 GMT -5
Due to the negligence of the preceding governor, a slave revolt had erupted on the island of Sicilia. Their numbers were growing with every passing day as they positioned themselves in the northern parts of the island. The Senate sent Gaius Fabius Maximus Atellus to take over the governorship and command the troops there, against the rebels, as pro-praetor. With no more than five thousand men at his command, Gaius had to ensure this rebellion was nipped in the dub before it exploded any further. Roman ForcesLegion VIII (4,400) - heading for Entella 465 Allied Cavalry - heading for Entella 500 Auxilia Infantry - heading for Entella Legio V Cremona (5,000) - located in Messina, on route to Catania. Rebel ForcesUnknown
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Aug 24, 2021 10:35:23 GMT -5
Poor weather had forced Gaius to stop at Messina after his departure from the port of Ostia along the Italian coastline. Nonetheless, he arrived at the provincial capital of Syracuse where he took command of Legio VIII, stationed outside of the city. Afterward, the propraetor went to deal with his predecessor, a Roman by the name of Servilius. The man was arrested, with the help of some of the soldiers, and sent away, under guard, back to Rome by boat, where he would be held responsible for his lackluster approach to the rebels. With that out of the way, Gaius sent forth scouts. One group moved towards Mount Etna and another towards Caltanissetta to figure out where the rebels were hiding and their numbers. He suspected the mountains between Messina and Palermo might prove to be their lair.
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Post by Gandalf on Aug 24, 2021 10:50:33 GMT -5
From what the soldiers could tell him, Atellus learned that the rebels had control of most of the northern mountains. Atellus’ predecessor, Servilius, had recently been defeated in the field by a disorganised but well-motivated force of slaves when trying to besiege their western stronghold of Triacala. This force numbered at least eight thousand men.
Atellus finds that the situation had grown severely out of hand during Servilius’ tenure. The Sicilian aristocrats, robbed of their slaves, are resentful towards Rome for having them freed in the first place. They are however keen to see order restored to the island and so promise their limited assistance. Further mishaps, however, may result in further consequences.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Aug 26, 2021 10:54:23 GMT -5
From what the soldiers could tell him, Atellus learned that the rebels had control of most of the northern mountains. Atellus’ predecessor, Servilius, had recently been defeated in the field by a disorganised but well-motivated force of slaves when trying to besiege their western stronghold of Triacala. This force numbered at least eight thousand men. Atellus finds that the situation had grown severely out of hand during Servilius’ tenure. The Sicilian aristocrats, robbed of their slaves, are resentful towards Rome for having them freed in the first place. They are however keen to see order restored to the island and so promise their limited assistance. Further mishaps, however, may result in further consequences. Given the attitude of the Sicilian aristocrats, a message is sent forth to the major cities of Messana, Syracuse, Lilybaeum, and Catania. Its words requested the aid of the Sicilians and Punics that called Sicilia their home, asking for their aid in ending this slave revolt and seeing order restored to the island. Their aid would bring with it promise of money and an agreement to work with the aristocracy in rebuilding Sicilia after the revolt had ended. Certain families of note were even offered place in the Propraetor's government, offices that would be an incentive.
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Post by Gandalf on Aug 26, 2021 10:59:54 GMT -5
The four cities all pay lip service. Syracuse provides a small contingent of cavalry (300 men) to assist, but is otherwise unwilling to commit before Atellus has proven himself in any capacity. Lilybaeum refuses to send any aid until the rebels near their city are dealt with, while Catania sends word that a small group of rebels have taken up residence near Mount Etna, using the volcano as a base from which to attack their supply caravans.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Aug 26, 2021 13:29:04 GMT -5
Given Catania's location is closest to his position at Syracuse, Atellus orders his forces to prepare to march north, along the coastline. Once they arrived at Catania, a plan would be put into motion to draw out the rebels and put the favor of the field into the hands of the Romans.
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Post by Gandalf on Aug 26, 2021 13:39:24 GMT -5
The rebels immediately make themselves known, harassing Atellus' supply trains and scouting parties from somewhere in the mountains. They do not let the Praetor rest easy for any of his journey into Catania.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Aug 27, 2021 13:42:03 GMT -5
It seemed the rebels were lodged in the mountains entirely and keeping to the rocks and trees. After the stressful journey to Catania, Atellus devises a plan of attack; a scouting party is sent out to find the nearest of the rebel forts. Once one was located, the Roman intended to march his legion there and force a confrontation in order to claim it. If he can punch through one position, it is likely that Catania and perhaps Messina may supply more troops and put pressure on the rebels.
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Post by Gandalf on Aug 27, 2021 14:10:17 GMT -5
Atellus' scouts were harried throughout their mission, but nonetheless discovered a prominent rebel presence in the foothills near Etna. It appeared to be an armed camp, from their estimation, but they were unable to get close enough to provide a decent estimate of numbers.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Aug 28, 2021 11:48:13 GMT -5
Nonetheless, Atellus would confront this armed camp. He needed a victory to secure further contributions to his cause from the local aristocracy and apply pressure to the rebels, something his predecessor had refused to do. Upon an auspicious morning, his legion marched forth, screened by cavalry in two layers, on both sides, in order to ward off would be scouts and harassers. The pro-praetor would do his utmost to secure a much needed victory. He would rely on the number of cavalry at his command and the discipline of the Legio to ensure that was done. Atellus also planned to fight on his own terms, sending scouts to find ideal ground, near the rebel camp, in order array for battle and use their own tactics against them to draw them out. Two could play at the game of cat and mouse.
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Post by Gandalf on Aug 28, 2021 12:39:04 GMT -5
It seemed that Atellus' men were picking up the rebel's trail as they marched into the highlands, the show of force making them wary to show their faces. Unlike his march to Catania, he was not at all troubled on the road.
Their path into the hills forked into several different directions, with Atellus' scouts insisting that one was certain to lead to the armed camp. Their route carried on without incident for several hours. They would find themselves in a valley, of sorts, located between several tree covered hills.
It would be too late when Atellus realized that these hills were swarming with rebels. With a fortified camp built on each hillock, the Romans had marched right into the center of an ambush. Rocks, javelins and arrows rained down on the legionaries heads as slaves swarmed from the high ground in all directions. Fabius would quickly see that their exit was being cut off by a large detachment of surprisingly well-armed slave soldiers, numbering perhaps two thousand strong. Their only option was to press forwards out of the valley or push up one of the hills in hope that they could wrest a secure position to encamp for the night. Soon, the sun would be going down.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Aug 28, 2021 17:24:46 GMT -5
Just his luck, the gods were certainly spitting upon him. Atellus had the worst of luck with this ambush, despite his cavalry screening. When the ambush began, he ordered shields be raised and the soldiers keep formation. Looking between the two hills and what was ahead of them, the Roman chose one of the hills, least they be overrun on all sides. In an effort to try and make this situation better, he orders a soldier to relay orders to the cavalry; one was to do a feint upon the right hill in order to occupy their enemy there and another was to have a detachment of a hundred swing further back and drum up dust to make it seem like reinforcements were on the way. Perhaps they could scare the rebels.
Then, with a bellow, Gaius orders his men up the left hill, shouting 'Roma Victrix! Roma Victrix!" He did his best to urge the men forward and to ensure they fought hard. His commanders were urged to keep formation and give these slaves a good taste of Roman steel and bravery!
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Post by Gandalf on Aug 28, 2021 17:47:34 GMT -5
It cost Atellus around 490 of his men, but they managed to break through the lines of the rebels and take the hill, all while under heavy fire and harassment from the enemy. The Romans storm the fortified camp and take several hundred slaves as prisoner. Unfortunately, however, Atellus' feints do not work, and his cavalry are forced to pull back or else be cut off from the main body of soldiers. They return to the new Roman encampment on the high ground.
With the Romans now occupying one of the hills, the Slaves pull back for the evening with the sun beginning to set. Atellus had turned what was potentially a disaster into a salvegable situation, as well as having killed at least several thousand slaves in combat.
(The legion gains a veterancy star)
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Aug 28, 2021 18:32:02 GMT -5
The following day, Atellus arrays his legion in formation. He sends the cavalry out to search for the enemy's encampment and await for battle to begin. His hope is that the cavalry could fast move and strike at the enemy's fort while emptied of men. As such, the legion blares its trumpets and clamors to the rebels, desiring battle. Once the camp was ransacked, the cavalry would engage from the rear and, hopefully, roll up the enemy's formation. Once more, he keeps tight formations and hopes the rebels will take the bait of an eager Roman army seeking battle.
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Post by Gandalf on Aug 28, 2021 18:54:47 GMT -5
Unfortunately, Atellus' cavalry gets lost in the woods, and rides straight into a group of slaves marching towards the Pro-Praetor's legion. They are driven off with a few casualties (30 men killed). They retreat back towards the Roman encampment on the hill, with the enemy in pursuit. Atellus has little choice but to rush back and try to defend his encampment.
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