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Post by Gandalf on Oct 5, 2021 5:33:41 GMT -5
The Romans retreat behind the walls of the Cappadocian capital. Gordius now has time to take stock of his situation.
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Post by rhapture on Oct 5, 2021 8:49:09 GMT -5
Godius sends word of his victory to Mithrades, sends out scouts to learn of any new Roman movements, and heads towards the capital city.
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 5, 2021 11:55:38 GMT -5
Crassus has little time to rest, as he learns that his enemy is hot on his heels in pursuit towards Mazaka.
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Post by rhapture on Oct 5, 2021 12:23:09 GMT -5
Gordius offers the Romans a free retreat to their own province, if they surrender their arms.
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Post by oznerol on Oct 6, 2021 5:09:26 GMT -5
Rome doesn't deal with Barbarians and traitors, battle shall be fought.
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 6, 2021 5:15:53 GMT -5
Two separate mountain passes obstruct the route to Mazaka, one to the east and one slightly to the north. Either one would provide a serviceable route for the Pontic army to march on the city, so Crassus must pick his ground carefully.
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Post by oznerol on Oct 6, 2021 5:25:58 GMT -5
Crassus frantically prepared for a new battle. He tried to get more auxiliaries, even if one had to dry the capital of fighting men, and also used whatever political credit his puppet client king had left to get more resources. The pro-consul even loosened the end of his own purse to equip and recruit men, if that would be possible and hoped to gain some mercenaries that could be lured by war's appeal and thirst of riches. Regarding the king, Crassus was determined of getting rid of such a petty individual eventually, sending him Rome with a bag of denarii in exchange for the kingdom's ownership, to live his life as a dissolute exile. But he needed to win over the kingdom first. He gathered huntsmen and sheperds and paid them good coin for their services, using them as scouts and surveyors, watching over the ragged lands and precarious roads leading into Mazaka proper. He then placed camp on the chosen spot, right into the way of the incoming army and made sure to have eyes everywhere, so he could be warned at moment's notice and a ride by horse away from the Pontic general's whereabouts. Crassus spent the following night or nights restless, baking on his own sweat, but he kept the appareances in public, dressed in lavish armor and scarlet cloak, the thinning hair covered by the bronze helm.
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 6, 2021 5:30:30 GMT -5
Though the provincials hold little love for the Romans or their king, the presence of the sizeable roman garrison prevents them from protesting much. Crassus manages to press 1400 more men into service (1000 light infantry, 400 horsemen) and extracts 4000 denarii through the efforts of what remained of Ephiphanes' crumbling bureaucracy.
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Post by rhapture on Oct 6, 2021 14:54:48 GMT -5
Hearing of Crassus reply, Gordius decides to press forward, sending out for more recruits from the countryside as he went with promises of freedom from the Roman yoke of heavy taxes. Trusting to his men's comfortableness with the mountains , he chooses the higher pass to head towards Mazaka.
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 6, 2021 15:13:46 GMT -5
{Pontic Eyes Only}Two thousand Cappadocians join Gordius' army on the march to Mazaka. (1400 light infantry, 600 cavalry) He does not know which pass the Romans are currently occupying, his scouts meeting fierce resistance from Roman allies. Crassus is informed that Gordius is marching in the northernmost pass towards the city at a quick pace. Soon, the Pontic force will be upon them. |
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Post by rhapture on Oct 6, 2021 15:39:07 GMT -5
Upon meeting fierce resistance, Gordius slows his front ranks so that he is not so stretched out on the windy passage roads. His Cavalry is posted to the front of his lines, ready for a quick charge to give the rest of his army time to organize, the local light infantry is sent in small parties to warn of ambush.
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 6, 2021 17:39:24 GMT -5
Crassus’ army would emerge at the other end of the pass. While wide enough to fit an army and flat enough to do battle on, the mountains on either side would allow for limited manoeuvring. The narrow plain between the two armies is rough and uneven, to the extent that it does not confer advantage on either side.
The only way to the capital was through the Romans, unless Gordius wished to go back and pursue an alternate route.
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Post by rhapture on Oct 7, 2021 9:03:51 GMT -5
Trusting his numerical superiority, Gordius lines up for battle
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 7, 2021 13:09:16 GMT -5
Battle of Mazaka Clashing for the better part of the day in the northern pass leading to Mazaka, the Romans and Pontic-Cappadocian armies fought each other to a state of exhaustion. The Pontic Cataphracts lead a spear-tipped cavalry charge into the Roman lines, with the lighter Cappadocian hillmen rushing into the gaps to pick off the isolated Romans. Then did the third Pontic line advance; the warlike Galatians and elite Phalangitai finishing the job.The Romans admirably held against this continual assault for some time, the central part of the line never wavering and even driving the foe back. However, the two flanks buckled under continuous pressure, and Crassus eventually was forced to give the order to withdraw from the field, the Romans doing so in an orderly manner even as their commander sustained a grievous wound. They could either fall back to Mazaka or quit the kingdom in its entirety and try to find a safe haven to rest and regroup from their dogged pursuers. On the upside, the Pontic army had been bled just as harshly as they had, paying a serious price in blood to dislodge the Romans from the pass.
Minor Pontic victory.Roman casualties:
300 Cavalry700 light infantry1030 legionaries (spread evenly through each legion)
The Roman legions each gain 1 veterancy point.
Pontic casualties:
25 Cataphracts200 cavalry1000 Light Infantry500 Galatians273 PhalangistsCrassus sustains a permanent wound. -1 to resilience.
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Post by rhapture on Oct 7, 2021 14:26:28 GMT -5
Gathering his forces, regroups for a night before pressing forward, news of the victory is sent in all directions to whip up resentment against the Romans. He will press towards Mazaka, hoping the city will turn hostile towards Crassus.
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