|
|
Post by FieldMarshal Bismarck on Oct 11, 2021 16:15:52 GMT -5
The Greek retreat.
|
|
|
|
Post by Gandalf on Oct 11, 2021 19:43:54 GMT -5
With the Greeks having withdrawn into Achaea, the Romans could now take stock of the situation.
Rome had won back most of Attica, but Athens still remained under Pontic control. Without naval support or the capture of the Piraeus, the Athenian port, this situation would not change. If he were to pursue the Greeks, Mugillanus would have to operate with a hostile city to his rear, threatening his supply lines and possibly trapping him on the peninsula. However, the immediate threat of losing the province is now under control, appearing to be contained within the south for the time being. Corinth was also saved, giving the Romans a valuable base to resupply in the region.
|
|
|
|
Post by Royal Joker on Oct 12, 2021 12:08:14 GMT -5
Faced with a difficult decision, Mugillanus chose to secure his rear before moving forward. Marching back to Athens, he split his army in two, with the Legio XVI taking up position in the previously built fort outside Athens itself, while the Legio XVII continued south to Pireaus. There, they would begin construction of siege engines, battering rams and ladders to scale the walls. During the night, small units would be sent to probe the walls for any weaknesses.
If Athens wanted to hold out, Pireaus would have to go first. Mugillanus further sent a missive to Cilicia, to be delivered to Proconsul Sulla.
|
|
|
|
Post by FieldMarshal Bismarck on Oct 12, 2021 15:51:19 GMT -5
The Greeks attempt an opportunity to surprise the roman legion besieging athens.
|
|
|
|
Post by Gandalf on Oct 12, 2021 17:44:52 GMT -5
The Greeks are able to steal a march past Corinth under darkness, and are in a position to surprise the Romans besieging Piraeus.
|
|
|
|
Post by FieldMarshal Bismarck on Oct 12, 2021 17:45:12 GMT -5
The trap is set.
|
|
|
|
Post by Gandalf on Oct 13, 2021 3:40:03 GMT -5
Faced with a difficult decision, Mugillanus chose to secure his rear before moving forward. Marching back to Athens, he split his army in two, with the Legio XVI taking up position in the previously built fort outside Athens itself, while the Legio XVII continued south to Pireaus. There, they would begin construction of siege engines, battering rams and ladders to scale the walls. During the night, small units would be sent to probe the walls for any weaknesses. If Athens wanted to hold out, Pireaus would have to go first. Mugillanus further sent a missive to Cilicia, to be delivered to Proconsul Sulla. The Romans find no obvious weaknesses in the Long Walls, or at least, none for the present. However, many of the Athenian Hoplites are deployed outside the walls in their army, and so the city is not as well defended as the Romans expected. In response to the missive from Cilicia, a number of ships arrive under the authority of Pro-Consul Sulla. Among them is the fleet from the Roman ally of Rhodes. Expecting warning from Corinth, the disorganised Romans have little time to form up as word quickly spreads that a Greek army has emerged to their rear. Fortunately they were caught in time by the Roman sentries before they could arrive completely undetected. The Romans quickly form up for battle, with a runner being sent to Mugillanus to inform him that the Greeks are on the attack.
|
|
|
|
Post by FieldMarshal Bismarck on Oct 13, 2021 4:53:35 GMT -5
The Greeks go in a full assault.
|
|
|
|
Post by Royal Joker on Oct 13, 2021 14:36:19 GMT -5
The fleet is ordered to begin the blockade of Pireaus while the army begins to prepare the siege of both cities. --- Mugillanus, unprepared for the Greek attack on his rear, tries to bring about an orderly battle formation and strategy based on what little information he has. {Strategy}The Roman infantry stays on the defensive at first, ordered to try and keep straight battle lines in defensive testudo formation.
Allied cavalry takes the left to guard the flank, the Roman cavalry does the same on the right. Mugillanus stays in the center away from battle, keeping in contact with runners from the cohorts. Where possible, they are ordered to push into gaps and disrupt the Greek battle lines.
When there are signs of a general retreat among the Greeks, the army is to pursue and kill or capture as many enemies as possible. |
|
|
|
Post by Gandalf on Oct 13, 2021 16:35:02 GMT -5
After a full day of battle, both sides appear spent. Mugillanus' timely forming up of his legions prevented disaster, but it was not enough to win the day. Both withdraw to their camps after a full day of fighting with no clear victor, both having taken harsh casualties.
1087 Greeks killed
400 light infantry
287 Hoplites
200 Galatians
300 Thessalians
1275 Romans killed
200 allied cavalry
75 Roman cavalry
1000 legionaries (500 each legion)
|
|
|
|
Post by Gandalf on Oct 14, 2021 14:41:09 GMT -5
Greek Remaining force:
3900 Light Infantry
2633 Hoplites (heavy infantry)
1913 Galatians (heavy infantry)
1100 Thessalian Cavalry
Roman remaining force:
3007 in Legio Papiria
3007 in Legio Macedonica
1230 Cavalry
Roman legions each gain a veteran point.
---
The siege of Athens begins in earnest, though Mugillanus has a Greek force to his rear and a Greek fleet in Piraeus eager to break out and engage the Romans. The Pro-Consul must now choose whether to go all in and maintain his siege or pull back north and attempt to gather more men. Alternatively, he could attempt to come to terms with the Athenians.
|
|
|
|
Post by Royal Joker on Oct 15, 2021 10:43:12 GMT -5
While preparations for the siege of Athens is underway, along with setting up defenses against the rebel army at his back, Mugillanus mulls over his options. His army, while going from victory to victory in this campaign, had taken quite the beating on the way. He was outnumbered and far behind enemy lines, and while his legions had proven themselves able to beat the odds time and again, he doubted Fortuna would stand with them all the way. A single bout of misfortune could spell the end of the entire campaign, and Macedonia would lie open to Mithridates.
Mugillanus sends a messenger to the rebel army, inviting the senior commanders to his quarters for negotiations under a flag of truce.
---
Later, the pro-consul sends a messenger to the elders of Athens, inviting them to his quarters for negotiations under a flag of truce.
|
|
|
|
Post by Gandalf on Oct 15, 2021 11:12:23 GMT -5
The Athenians indulge Mugillanus, but only seem interested in talking about the ancient glories of their city rather than addressing the realities of their situation.
|
|
|
|
Post by Royal Joker on Oct 15, 2021 11:56:56 GMT -5
Mugillanus, despite tiring of the Greek posturing and delusions, indulges them for the time being. Offering some wine and refreshments from his meager supplies, he asks about the reasons for why the Athenians, whose legacy is indeed quite grand and impressive, would choose to follow Mithridates, whose lineage ties back to the Persians, as far as the proconsul is aware at least. Was it promises of riches or increased autonomy, or perhaps even independence? The city-states of southern Hellas have been granted a lot of autonomy compared to Macedonia, with protection promised by Rome against foreign aggressors. What more do they seek to choose rebellion before any sort of negotiations? Further, what proof do they have that this Eastern King will uphold his end of the bargain? He is busy fighting Roman forces in Asia, but Mugillanus sits right here before them. Has he not shown respect for the Greeks during his governance in the north? He is open to listen to the demands of the Athenian elders.
---
With the senior commanders of the rebel army, he commends their fighting spirit and resolve against his legions. He asks though, how their soldiers are faring during this prolonged campaign. Do they have food and clothing, have they received their wages on time? With Mithridates busy in Asia and nowhere to be seen, the possibility for reinforcements and a swift end to their conflict seems to be far away. How many farmers, merchants and artisans fight under their command, how are their farms and shops faring when they are away on campaign for so long? The longer this conflict continues, the more dire their situation will become. How do they not know that their rivals in their home cities have not already gained an advantage on the market, waiting to buy out their businesses for a few drachma? Are their families back home being taken care of, do they have enough to put food on the table each day? The proconsul has great respect for the Greeks and would be more than happy to see the commanders and their soldiers return home, with the promise to not take up arms against Rome again. They would not be prosecuted by Roman law if they lay down their arms, and would possibly even be compensated by the proconsul for any unpaid wages that have accumulated.
|
|
|
|
Post by Gandalf on Oct 15, 2021 12:25:52 GMT -5
Mithridates Dionysus Eupator has made himself a friend to Greeks, they say, and shall relieve them from the crushing hand of Rome with its ruthless tax collectors and speculators that have so decimated Asia and the Greek cities. They will consent to a general ceasefire, if Mugillanus removes his forces from Attica, and will then be open to negotiate concessions with the Romans in exchange for restoring general peace to the Greek cities.
--
They ask the same questions of Mugillanus, who has at his side the general scum and villainy of Rome's urban poor, most without prospects save to fight or die in battle. They fear the Romans more than their fellow Greeks, many of whom have been sold into slavery over unpayable debts. They would rather die for their freedom under Mithridates than continue to withstand the oppression of Rome.
|
|
