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Post by sforza on Sept 4, 2021 14:07:34 GMT -5
Although the Thracian cavalry surprise the enemy somewhat the barbarians quickly regroup and fight back. The Thracian cavalry fortunately suffer no casualties while the Bastarnae suffers 200 casualties. 1900 Bastarnae remain
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With most of Roman soldiers gone the city defenders sally out to fight the remaining Romans. The outnumbered Romans face nearly 5000 armed barbarians
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 4, 2021 14:30:55 GMT -5
Having dug substantial earthworks around the city, the 2000 legionaries (+1 veterancy) are instructed to simply hold their defences against the limited numbers that the enemy could throw at them from the gates. A missive in sent to Sertorius informing him of the enemy attack, although he will likely not see it until his own engagement is finished.
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Post by sforza on Sept 4, 2021 15:23:44 GMT -5
The Romans and their Thracians allies achieve an one-sided victory. They easily mop up the Bastarnae force and find some 5000 denarii loot. After the carnage the fleeing enemy seems to leave their weapons behind meaning that they disband.
- 5000 denarii loot
- 625 Bastarnae dead
- 71 Roman casualties
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 4, 2021 15:27:39 GMT -5
Riders are sent to every Poleis and tribe bearing the weapons and armour of the fallen Bastarnae warriors. They demand fealty to the Roman Republic, a cash tribute, and acceptance of a treaty of peace that declares them a sworn friend of Roma. Should they refuse, then Pro-Consul Quintus Sertorius would bring them war, fire, and death.
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With the battle concluded, Sertorius marches back south to continue the siege of Dionysiopolis, only just aware that an engagement has taken place between his legionaries and the city garrison.
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Post by sforza on Sept 4, 2021 17:15:24 GMT -5
The besieging party is forced to withdraw after taking heavy casualties from the Bastarnae. The Romans retreat back to the soldiers of Sertorius. Nearly a quarter of Roman force is killed while the Bastarnae only suffer 112 casualties.
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All of the poleis accept the demands of Sertorius, they happily swear fealty to Roma and will provide 15.000 denarii to the Roman state.
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 4, 2021 17:23:02 GMT -5
Having effectively been paid to leave the country, Sertorius rendezvous with his separated troops and marches back into Thracia. The allied cavalry are dispersed, and for their services the Thracian chiefs are presented a gift of 5000 denarii. The rest enters the Pro-Consuls war chest, as he establishes a camp on the Hellespont in preparation for his new purpose in Asia.
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 5, 2021 16:51:31 GMT -5
With instructions from the Roman Senate to deal with the organization of Cappadocia, Sertorius crosses the Hellespont and marches to Pergamon. Once there, he calls for representatives from both Bithynia and Pontus to make their cases before him on behalf of the Senate and People of Rome.
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Post by sforza on Sept 6, 2021 10:44:02 GMT -5
While the representatives from Cappadocia seemed quite reluctant to represent their case they point out that to maintain balance in Asia Minor is to support Ariarathes VII, a figure that might be perhaps more sympathetic to Rome.
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The representatives of Pontus are arrogant and frankly speaking hostile. They claim that Rome has no business in Cappadocia and that Ariathes IX is the rightful ruler.
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 6, 2021 12:14:43 GMT -5
Sertorius was somewhat perplexed that the two nations that had petitioned for the Roman state to mediate now seemed rather reluctant to go through with the process. Nonetheless, he moves his legions into Cappadocia itself, sending a legate ahead to inform the current occupiers that all forces under arms must disband by order of the Pro-Consul, and that Rome's legions will occupy Cappadocia until a treaty is successfully negotiated.
Meanwhile, Sertorius orders Rome's Galatian and Bithynian allies to begin mustering their forces with all due haste, and instructs Pergamon to prepare a garrison.
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Post by sforza on Sept 7, 2021 11:27:15 GMT -5
A letter arrives to Sertorius, or rather one of his slaves.
To Sertorius
Rome is in Chaos. Metellus sudden presence at games that i and Tribune have organized turned into a large-scale riot. The senate had sent Metellus to arrest me at the games whereupon fighting broke out. Fortunately my bodyguards were able to capture Metellus alive, he is currently captive at my villa. With the city in chaos, i and Tribune Vitulus have decided to take control in our hands as the senate has declared war on the Roman people. Currently the fifth legion is supposed to return to Rome from Sicily, they must be persuaded to join our cause or all hope is lost.
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Post by sforza on Sept 7, 2021 16:24:45 GMT -5
Most of the Cappadocian forces disband although a small force has vowed to resist the roman through guerilla warfare.
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Rome's allies, bythnia and Galatia, provide very little forces. It is very clear that they do not wish to stick out their neck for Roman wars.
- 100 Bythnian spearmen
- 150 Galatian horsemen
Pergamon organizes only a very small garrison of about some 500 soldiers.
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 7, 2021 17:37:45 GMT -5
Sertorius sends his officers to secure the Cappadocian treasury whilst he takes up office in the royal palace. The two legions install garrisons throughout the country, a cohort in every major settlement along with two fortified encampments on the borders with both Pontus and Bithynia. Once this is in place, an invitation is extended personally to both the Kings of these respective nations to treat with each other, and Rome, to finally settle the dispute between the Cappadocian succession.
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Post by sforza on Sept 8, 2021 16:39:19 GMT -5
Despite the Roman legions installing themselves, they find themself harassed by guerilla fights in the mountains. As long as this guerilla force isn't directly dealt with, the Romans will continue to suffer some casualties.
80 Roman casualties
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Both kings do not show up for they made clear they have no interest in facing each other.
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 8, 2021 16:48:20 GMT -5
An emissary is sent to Nicomedes, warning him that if he does not come to terms Rome shall withdraw from Cappadocia and abandon them to Mithridates. In opposition, another diplomat is sent to Pontus, warning Mithridates that Rome shall bequeath the entire kingdom to Bithynia if there is no effort to make an agreement.
Sertorius sends half a legion to chase down the insurgents. Information on their whereabouts will be rewarded with gold, surrender with amnesty, capture with crucifixion.
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Post by sforza on Sept 11, 2021 3:36:22 GMT -5
Nicomedes still shows little interest in negotiating, though he offers to send an envoy to negotiate.
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Mithridates now shows himself much more supportive. He accepts the invitation and informs that he will show up personally to negotiate a deal.
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The romans receive no useful information other than that the insurgents are "somewhere" in the mountains.
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