Choosing to go into battle naked is incredibly foolish. You're practically a walking target. 
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Choosing to go into battle naked is incredibly foolish. You're practically a walking target.
Well, let's see how you face a naked armed man wanting you dead.
Chapter 67
Even with the casualties they were suffering, the naked warriors continued their advances. The skirmishers for the Roman side had definitely thinned their rank making the Roman barbarian allies have a significant edge during the charge. The initial engagement was quite one-sided as the barbarian allies were winning very decisively against the naked warriors. The battle was far from over though.
Seeing how decisive the engagement was, the skirmishers for the Roman side simply waited idly as the enemy axe warriors marched steadily to engage the Celtic tribesmen. The Roman hastati were also reaching the engagement so they could lend their allies a hand once the bulk of the forces on both sides were engaged. From initial estimations, the enemy axe warriors certainly had a numerical advantage.
Chapter 68
Before the Boii naked warriors were utterly wiped out, their axe warriors participated the battle and delivered a significant charge onto the Celtic tribesmen. The sound of battle made those axe warriors eager for battle and thirsting for blood so they were in a frenzy the moment they joined the battle. The Roman hastati followed soon after to join the fight against the main Boii line.
The hastati soon learned that these axe warriors were far more deadlier than any enemy they faced in the past. In their previous wars, their enemies had a harder time penetrating their armor which ensured some survivability. Yet, the axe warriors they faced were unfazed against their armor. Their axes seemed to hack through their shields and armor like they were nothing. For once, armor itself couldn't protect the Romans.
Before the Boii naked warriors were utterly wiped out, their axe warriors participated the battle and delivered a significant charge onto the Celtic tribesmen. The sound of battle made those axe warriors eager for battle and thirsting for blood so they were in a frenzy the moment they joined the battle. The Roman hastati followed soon after to join the fight against the main Boii line.
The hastati soon learned that these axe warriors were far more deadlier than any enemy they faced in the past. In their previous wars, their enemies had a harder time penetrating their armor which ensured some survivability. Yet, the axe warriors they faced were unfazed against their armor. Their axes seemed to hack through their shields and armor like they were nothing. For once, armor itself couldn't protect the Romans.
Axes. Well someone was bound to bring something that could pierce Roman armour eventually. No matter, they will fall like all those before them have.
This might motivate the Romans to make better armor.
Chapter 69
While the armor weren't offering as much protection to the Roman hastati as intended, the weapons the hastati possessed were still capable of killing the Boii axe warriors. It was becoming a battlefield where the victor was determined by who can hack faster and accurately. Limbs and blood were everywhere and the corpses were slowly piling up on the battlefield with the end nowhere in sight.
Meanwhile, the Roman leves and their Celtic skirmisher allies were dueling it out with the enemy Celtic skirmishers. Hails of spears were raining down upon both sides and, given how poorly armored the skirmishers were, both sides were suffering horrendous casualties. With them preoccupied with each other, the main line infantry could proceed to hacking away at each other as the battle continued onward with more blood spilled by the second.
Detached limbs and piles of corpses are such a lovely touch to any battlefield.
Not much of a battlefield without those decorations.
Chapter 70
For the first time since Galba took power, the Romans were suffering considerable casualties. The Boii axe warriors weren't making their lives easier by basically trading blow for blow. The Romans and their barbarian allies were holding out but their numbers were dropping quite steadily. Even the skirmishing behind the main lines were slowing down as fewer projectiles were flying through the air.
General Vestranio could see the battle entering the second stage where the reserve soldiers for his side would engage the enemy. The Roman Samnite warriors and their allies, Celtic warriors, were expected to have a serious impact on the battle. They might be fewer in numbers but their training, armor and other aspects made them the most elite soldiers his side had.
The second wave of troops entering the battle will provide a lot of freh figjting power, that might tip the scale in the Romans favour.
Having extra reserves was always a favored tactic for the Romans for good reasons.
Chapter 71
The elite soldiers for the Roman side were also fresh so they made an immediate impact once they joined the fray. While the Boii axe warriors had a relatively easy time getting through the hastati armor, they were having a tougher time against the armor of the Samnite warriors. This extra bit of survivability allowed them to play a more critical role in the fight against the Boii.
The Celtic warriors fighting alongside the Samnite warriors were only slightly better than the Celtic tribesmen but their presence and numbers were significant in turning the tide. They might not be as capable as the Samnite warriors but they were nearly three times the number of their Roman counterpart. Being fresh also meant they were more effective against the more fatigued enemy axe warriors.
Chapter 72
Despite the entry of the more elite soldiers for the Roman side, the end was still not within sight. The number of soldiers participating in this battle was simply incredible with the casualties rising very high. Normally, one side would have routed by then but not this particular battle. Neither side was withdrawing an inch as the soldiers continued fighting for what they believed in.
At this stage of the battle, the skirmishers for both sides were pretty depleted. Handful of skirmishers remained every few meters and they instead focused on the enemy main lines. Against the projectiles thrown at them, the fatigued soldiers were very vulnerable and many met their end. Due to the few numbers of the skirmishers, their impact on the battle could almost be negligible as the melee infantry would determine the victor of this battle.
Despite the entry of the more elite soldiers for the Roman side, the end was still not within sight. The number of soldiers participating in this battle was simply incredible with the casualties rising very high. Normally, one side would have routed by then but not this particular battle. Neither side was withdrawing an inch as the soldiers continued fighting for what they believed in.
At this stage of the battle, the skirmishers for both sides were pretty depleted. Handful of skirmishers remained every few meters and they instead focused on the enemy main lines. Against the projectiles thrown at them, the fatigued soldiers were very vulnerable and many met their end. Due to the few numbers of the skirmishers, their impact on the battle could almost be negligible as the melee infantry would determine the victor of this battle.
I still say the side with armour will win.
I never said the axe warriors were naked, lol.
Chapter 73
The battle raged on when, suddenly, war cries were heard as soldiers were approaching the battlefield. General Vestranio turned and a smile formed on his face. He was expected a grueling fight to last for quite awhile while he was uncertain whether they could be victorious. A quick scan of the battlefield gave the idea that this battle might eventually become a handful of men fighting to their last breath.
Such high casualties were best avoided for the Romans so Vestranio decided to call upon his barbarian allies. He promised to speak with the Roman emperor regarding more autonomy for the Cisalpine Lingones people if they could gather more men for this battle. Any additional reinforcements would help but they must arrive within a few hours after the battle started.
Correct term is Boii. We have some barbarians assisting the Romans at the moment.
Chapter 74
With fresh reinforcements joining the Roman side, the tide of the battle turned very quickly. The Boii soldiers were finally routing as their numerical advantage was finally lost as the battle dragged on for so long. For what the Boii general believed to be a straight forward battle with the side having the numerical advantage guaranteed to win, the actual battle developed into a grueling engagement with both sides suffering horrendous casualties.
Keeping reserves had been a critical strategy for the Romans as they were able to constantly commit fresh troops against the enemy's exhausted soldiers. Being fresh, these soldiers were more effective allowing them to take down more enemies before they were killed themselves. The Roman hastati and Cisalpine Lingones Celtic tribesmen were holding their ground as expected of the main line for the Roman side. The combined arms of the Romans and barbarians was a good indication of what good teamwork could accomplish.
Its Celts vs Celts now, one side supporting the Romand and the other fighting them. Roman discipline should win the day methinks.
The battle is certainly won. There will be more actions later on though where the Romans won't have the only disciplined armies.
Chapter 75
Following the Pyrrhic victory against the Boii, Emperor Galba ordered the annexation of the barbarian nation. To maintain order in the newly conquered provinces, the emperor recruited more soldiers and had them garrisoned in key strategic locations. There were no doubts some might oppose Roman rule so some presence of Roman military must be present to dissuade any rebellions.
Given the soldiers lost in their wars, the barbarians weren't as threatening since their most able-bodied men were fewer in numbers. Their numbers would no doubt rebound but this gave the Romans a chance to solidify their control over the regions and bolster their security if necessary. The war with Etruscan would be inevitable but, for the time being, the Romans were content with a few years of peace to rebuild their strength.
We do have some serious oppositions at the moment though.
Chapter 76
After a series of wars, Rome enjoyed some peace as she recovered. Yet, there could never be lasting peace when her neighbors threatened her existence. While Emperor Galba put his ambitions of expanding further on hold, his neighbors lacked such restraints and began expanding into regions they had no business in. Emperor Galba was growing aware of the threat in the form of Illyria.
The Etruscan was certainly a rival he hoped to eliminate one day but Illyria was growing far too powerful and even expanded into the Italian region. If such an enemy gained a proper foothold in the region, this could be disastrous for Rome. At the moment, Illyria was also at war with another growing power, Carthage. If there was a time to strike, this would be the best moment.
Chapter 77
The nation of Illyria had been growing steadily but her ruler wasn't content with just the territory in her immediate region. The ruler of Illyria sought land in other parts of Europe because he had ambitions to possibly conquer much of the known world. This wasn't an unique idea and Illyria happened to be in a great position to accomplish this task. This thirst for more land brought Illyria to Northern Italy.
With a fairly capable navy, the Illyrians began to assist their allies in campaigns located in Northern Italy. What began as an assistance soon developed into the Illyrian ruler wanting the land for himself. Illyria was one of the strongest nations at the time in Europe so there were few nations that could really stand against her in wars. This resulted in the massive expansion in Northern Italy and the eventualconflict with two of the other growing powers in the Mediterranean.
The nation of Illyria had been growing steadily but her ruler wasn't content with just the territory in her immediate region. The ruler of Illyria sought land in other parts of Europe because he had ambitions to possibly conquer much of the known world. This wasn't an unique idea and Illyria happened to be in a great position to accomplish this task. This thirst for more land brought Illyria to Northern Italy.
With a fairly capable navy, the Illyrians began to assist their allies in campaigns located in Northern Italy. What began as an assistance soon developed into the Illyrian ruler wanting the land for himself. Illyria was one of the strongest nations at the time in Europe so there were few nations that could really stand against her in wars. This resulted in the massive expansion in Northern Italy and the eventualconflict with two of the other growing powers in the Mediterranean.
Chapter 78
Illyria and Carthage were soon at war over land disputes. In actuality, the two nations were wary of one another since there could only be one naval power in the Mediterranean. Neither nation was willing to back down and war was the only solution to the problem. The victor would rise to the top while the loser would begin its decline. Such was how things were decided at the time.
While war was raging on between Illyria and Carthage, Roman Emperor Galba turned his attention to Illyria. If Illyria was at peace, Galba was skeptical about his nation's ability to take on Illyria. After all, there were news that Illyria was winning this war, even by a small margin. In addition, there was a large Illyria army located in Northern Italy where they had repeatedly thwarted the landing of Carthaginian troops.
Illyria and Carthage were soon at war over land disputes. In actuality, the two nations were wary of one another since there could only be one naval power in the Mediterranean. Neither nation was willing to back down and war was the only solution to the problem. The victor would rise to the top while the loser would begin its decline. Such was how things were decided at the time.
While war was raging on between Illyria and Carthage, Roman Emperor Galba turned his attention to Illyria. If Illyria was at peace, Galba was skeptical about his nation's ability to take on Illyria. After all, there were news that Illyria was winning this war, even by a small margin. In addition, there was a large Illyria army located in Northern Italy where they had repeatedly thwarted the landing of Carthaginian troops.