I'll be interested to give this a read as time goes on! I'm intrigued by the idea of a grand megacampaign like this, especially given the lack of a converter between games. Eager to see what you'll do with this!
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There will likely be some modding in my future... but that's fine.
Nice to have you following!
Doom of Delphi
The idea of the Doom of Delphi is a pervading and fatalistic one. It has interested many generations and is one of the most remembered events in the history of Etrusca. A lot of that appeal is probably the question of whether or not it was ever spoken.
The story goes that on March 25, 453 AUC, Elbio Vulturreno received a letter from the Oracle at Delphi. It allegedly said that, if Etrusca’s management did not change, a terrible fate would befall them.
Fearing for his rule, Elbio quickly offered sacrifices to the gods. However, the legend says that either the gods didn’t hear his prayer, or they rejected it outright. This worried Elbio immensely, and he attempted to hide all evidence of the letter. However, the Etruscan Senate would soon read the letter, and they would become afraid.
The exact text of the Doom of Delphi varies, depending on the source. The Memoirs of Cnaive Vulturreno, one of Elbio’s relatives, say that the letter’s exact text is, “Elbio Vulturreno’s ambition shall be his downfall”. The version kept by religious authorities is more vague. It is, “Repent of your sins, Etrusca, or be utterly destroyed”. The version written in the Elbiad, considered by many to be Etrusca’s national epic, is “A great tragedy shall befall the state”. Roman writers record the message as being, “Etrusca must fall before it can rise”.
The problem is that all records of the Doom of Delphi come from after it had already been fulfilled. This makes whether or not it existed unclear. Modern scholarly consensus is divided on the topic.
Image of Delphi. where the Doom of Delphi was allegedly sent from.
Regardless of such matters, it is known that Elbio began to centralize Etrusca after he allegedly received the letter. This angered many Senators, and, in the next election, he was voted out of office.
Elbio’s replacement was Cnaive Vulturreno, his relative and the leader of the Mercantile Faction. He assumed office in October 455 AUC. However, Cnaive owed Elbio a favor, as Elbio had previously supported many Mercantile candidates in the Senate. Elbio used that favor to get the Consul to fund war spending.
However, the Senate as a whole continued to veto war. Cnaive refused to act against the Senate, so Elbio took matters into his own hands. Elbio convinced many of the older soldiers to support him. He also gained support from some Senators and governors. These men declared the election of 455 AUC null and void. Cnaive refused them, and battle lines were drawn.
For almost all of 456 AUC, Etrusca was at war with itself. While it was initially an internal Etruscan matter, Elbio quickly realized he was losing. He thus sent a letter to Umbria.
Excerpt from Elbio’s letter to Umbria:
Umbria only sent Elbio monetary support, but the Etruscan Senate was mad anyway. They would vow revenge, and the Umbrian War would begin. In addition, the threat against Rome would lead to Umbria’s ultimate downfall.
By September 456 AUC, Elbio’s revolt would be defeated. However, Etrusca had been bloodied, and the Republic had almost fallen or collapsed entirely. Thus was the Doom of Delphi fulfilled...
The story goes that on March 25, 453 AUC, Elbio Vulturreno received a letter from the Oracle at Delphi. It allegedly said that, if Etrusca’s management did not change, a terrible fate would befall them.
Fearing for his rule, Elbio quickly offered sacrifices to the gods. However, the legend says that either the gods didn’t hear his prayer, or they rejected it outright. This worried Elbio immensely, and he attempted to hide all evidence of the letter. However, the Etruscan Senate would soon read the letter, and they would become afraid.
The exact text of the Doom of Delphi varies, depending on the source. The Memoirs of Cnaive Vulturreno, one of Elbio’s relatives, say that the letter’s exact text is, “Elbio Vulturreno’s ambition shall be his downfall”. The version kept by religious authorities is more vague. It is, “Repent of your sins, Etrusca, or be utterly destroyed”. The version written in the Elbiad, considered by many to be Etrusca’s national epic, is “A great tragedy shall befall the state”. Roman writers record the message as being, “Etrusca must fall before it can rise”.
The problem is that all records of the Doom of Delphi come from after it had already been fulfilled. This makes whether or not it existed unclear. Modern scholarly consensus is divided on the topic.
Image of Delphi. where the Doom of Delphi was allegedly sent from.
Regardless of such matters, it is known that Elbio began to centralize Etrusca after he allegedly received the letter. This angered many Senators, and, in the next election, he was voted out of office.
Elbio’s replacement was Cnaive Vulturreno, his relative and the leader of the Mercantile Faction. He assumed office in October 455 AUC. However, Cnaive owed Elbio a favor, as Elbio had previously supported many Mercantile candidates in the Senate. Elbio used that favor to get the Consul to fund war spending.
However, the Senate as a whole continued to veto war. Cnaive refused to act against the Senate, so Elbio took matters into his own hands. Elbio convinced many of the older soldiers to support him. He also gained support from some Senators and governors. These men declared the election of 455 AUC null and void. Cnaive refused them, and battle lines were drawn.
For almost all of 456 AUC, Etrusca was at war with itself. While it was initially an internal Etruscan matter, Elbio quickly realized he was losing. He thus sent a letter to Umbria.
Excerpt from Elbio’s letter to Umbria:
As long as you aid me in taking control of Etrusca, our republics will be at peace and allies. We will aid each other in war and ensure that no one annexes us. Together, we will attack and partition Rome, until it is no longer a threat to our Italic Alliance…
Umbria only sent Elbio monetary support, but the Etruscan Senate was mad anyway. They would vow revenge, and the Umbrian War would begin. In addition, the threat against Rome would lead to Umbria’s ultimate downfall.
By September 456 AUC, Elbio’s revolt would be defeated. However, Etrusca had been bloodied, and the Republic had almost fallen or collapsed entirely. Thus was the Doom of Delphi fulfilled...
Wow. An AAR like an encyclopedia!
Cool
I loved these initial chapters and am looking forward to how the world goes on!
Great start
Cool
I loved these initial chapters and am looking forward to how the world goes on!
Great start
Yes, indeed they do.
Nice to have you aboard.
Next update will be out sometime today.
The Umbrian War
“This was a war where men perished. And for what? Glory? Territory? Such things are fleeting. This was a needless waste of life.” - Memoirs of Cnaive Vulturreno
The Umbrian War is largely accepted as the war that set the foundation for the later emergence of Etrusca as a major power in Europe. It marked Etrusca’s first large expansion since its founding.
Despite the importance that modern historians often place on it, however, few people cared about it when it was fought. According to many portrayals of the time period contemporary to it, almost everybody cares about, or is at least aware of, the war. This is blatantly untrue. The reason why many historians find this war important is because we know of the Etruscan rise to power that followed it.
In addition, despite the attention the war receives, no one is sure why it was fought. Some accounts speak of the Etruscans wanting revenge for Umbria’s support of Elbio during his revolt. Others speak of the Etruscans as warmongers, attacking Umbria for no reason. Still other sources speak of Etruscan cities demanding Etrusca liberate them from Umbrian oppression.
What is known is that, in September 457 AUC, Etrusca sent a letter demanding that Umbria hand over some border cities. Umbria refused, and war began.
Initially, the war went well for Etrusca. They captured the land that they wanted while losing no land of their own. Cnaeve Vulturreno, the current leader of Etrusca, sent a demand for peace to the Umbrians. While some Senators were against this, most were satisfied with their gains. Cnaeve, himself, was a member of Etrusca’s Mercantile Faction. As such, he despised war, as it was bad for business.
Almost everybody believed that the war was over then, but it was not. The Umbrians refused Cnaeve’s peace offer. The war would go on.
The Umbrians were in an alliance with both the Senones and the Sabines at the time. These three tribes combined all of their fighting men into an army 10,000 men strong. This matched the army that the Etruscans had managed to raise.
As the war raged on, many Senators were worried about the fate of their cities. Many of the cities were weakly defended, and they could easily be sacked. As such, the Senate began a great defensive building project in April 458 AUC. Many cities would gain walls. Ultimately, this didn’t affect the outcome of the Umbrian War, but it would prove to be immensely useful to Etrusca in the future.
Few men were left to defend the cities the war was being fought over, as the army was moved into indisputably Etruscan lands. It was theorized that the Umbrians would seek to force a quick end to the war in a decisive battle.
In May 458 AUC, they would find that decisive battle. The two armies met at Curtun. Ultimately, the Etruscans would be the first to retreat. However, the Umbrians had not won. They had underestimated Etruscan willingness to fight.
Image of the Battle of Curtun
Cnaeve hired mercenaries to keep the war going. Many of these would prove to be incompetent, but some were actually good soldiers. The incompetent mercenaries were quickly either fired or killed.
These mercenaries would join the main Etruscan force. This force would meet the Umbrian army at Saina on June 2, 459 AUC. Ultimately, they would inflict more casualties on their opponents than they suffered, but they were forced to give up the field. The First Battle of Saina is the origin of the term “Etruscan Victory”, or a victory won at too great a cost.
However, the army would quickly realize that they didn’t need to hold the field. All they needed to do was inflict casualties. Their strategy changed. Instead of fighting pitched battles, they would move to attack Saina, which the Umbrians were besieging and would not abandon.
They would inflict casualties at Saina. Then, they would retreat, before returning to Saina to inflict more casualties. They planned to bleed the allied army dry.
The strategy at the battles of Saina. Red lines indicate retreat routes.
This strategy would work for many months. The enemy troops managed to capture most of eastern Etrusca. In addition, they liberated their own territory. The strategy was working, yes, but it would only continue to work if Etrusca remained at war.
In 460 AUC, Lucius Bellius Porcius was elected the new Consul of the Etruscan Republic. He served the Civic Faction, but the majority of the Senate still supported the war.
Ultimately, however, the allied troops would retreat from Etrusca entirely. The Etruscan army gradually freed Etrusca. Then, they advanced into Plestia, the main city in the disputed territory. It was undefended. On July 27, 463 AUC, the disputed territory was taken.
Soon, the reason why the alliance had retreated became clear. They were fighting the Romans. Seeing an opportunity, the troops captured more territory in Umbria.
In the end, most of Western Umbria was ceded to Etrusca. On March 18, 465 AUC, the Etruscans had won the war. Despite this, the war had shown Etrusca how weak they were. They began preparing for war, raising new troops, in order to ensure a disaster like the beginning of the Umbrian War never occurred again.
Map of Etrusca and its troops after the Umbrian War
The Umbrian War is largely accepted as the war that set the foundation for the later emergence of Etrusca as a major power in Europe. It marked Etrusca’s first large expansion since its founding.
Despite the importance that modern historians often place on it, however, few people cared about it when it was fought. According to many portrayals of the time period contemporary to it, almost everybody cares about, or is at least aware of, the war. This is blatantly untrue. The reason why many historians find this war important is because we know of the Etruscan rise to power that followed it.
In addition, despite the attention the war receives, no one is sure why it was fought. Some accounts speak of the Etruscans wanting revenge for Umbria’s support of Elbio during his revolt. Others speak of the Etruscans as warmongers, attacking Umbria for no reason. Still other sources speak of Etruscan cities demanding Etrusca liberate them from Umbrian oppression.
What is known is that, in September 457 AUC, Etrusca sent a letter demanding that Umbria hand over some border cities. Umbria refused, and war began.
Initially, the war went well for Etrusca. They captured the land that they wanted while losing no land of their own. Cnaeve Vulturreno, the current leader of Etrusca, sent a demand for peace to the Umbrians. While some Senators were against this, most were satisfied with their gains. Cnaeve, himself, was a member of Etrusca’s Mercantile Faction. As such, he despised war, as it was bad for business.
Almost everybody believed that the war was over then, but it was not. The Umbrians refused Cnaeve’s peace offer. The war would go on.
The Umbrians were in an alliance with both the Senones and the Sabines at the time. These three tribes combined all of their fighting men into an army 10,000 men strong. This matched the army that the Etruscans had managed to raise.
As the war raged on, many Senators were worried about the fate of their cities. Many of the cities were weakly defended, and they could easily be sacked. As such, the Senate began a great defensive building project in April 458 AUC. Many cities would gain walls. Ultimately, this didn’t affect the outcome of the Umbrian War, but it would prove to be immensely useful to Etrusca in the future.
Few men were left to defend the cities the war was being fought over, as the army was moved into indisputably Etruscan lands. It was theorized that the Umbrians would seek to force a quick end to the war in a decisive battle.
In May 458 AUC, they would find that decisive battle. The two armies met at Curtun. Ultimately, the Etruscans would be the first to retreat. However, the Umbrians had not won. They had underestimated Etruscan willingness to fight.
Image of the Battle of Curtun
Cnaeve hired mercenaries to keep the war going. Many of these would prove to be incompetent, but some were actually good soldiers. The incompetent mercenaries were quickly either fired or killed.
These mercenaries would join the main Etruscan force. This force would meet the Umbrian army at Saina on June 2, 459 AUC. Ultimately, they would inflict more casualties on their opponents than they suffered, but they were forced to give up the field. The First Battle of Saina is the origin of the term “Etruscan Victory”, or a victory won at too great a cost.
However, the army would quickly realize that they didn’t need to hold the field. All they needed to do was inflict casualties. Their strategy changed. Instead of fighting pitched battles, they would move to attack Saina, which the Umbrians were besieging and would not abandon.
They would inflict casualties at Saina. Then, they would retreat, before returning to Saina to inflict more casualties. They planned to bleed the allied army dry.
The strategy at the battles of Saina. Red lines indicate retreat routes.
This strategy would work for many months. The enemy troops managed to capture most of eastern Etrusca. In addition, they liberated their own territory. The strategy was working, yes, but it would only continue to work if Etrusca remained at war.
In 460 AUC, Lucius Bellius Porcius was elected the new Consul of the Etruscan Republic. He served the Civic Faction, but the majority of the Senate still supported the war.
Ultimately, however, the allied troops would retreat from Etrusca entirely. The Etruscan army gradually freed Etrusca. Then, they advanced into Plestia, the main city in the disputed territory. It was undefended. On July 27, 463 AUC, the disputed territory was taken.
Soon, the reason why the alliance had retreated became clear. They were fighting the Romans. Seeing an opportunity, the troops captured more territory in Umbria.
In the end, most of Western Umbria was ceded to Etrusca. On March 18, 465 AUC, the Etruscans had won the war. Despite this, the war had shown Etrusca how weak they were. They began preparing for war, raising new troops, in order to ensure a disaster like the beginning of the Umbrian War never occurred again.
Map of Etrusca and its troops after the Umbrian War
Hopefully. Etrusca shall rise! And, in time, this rebellious Romans will kneel at our feet!
Be careful what you ask for, those that kneel often bites the hand that feeds.
True enough. Rome will fall, though, and Etrusca will hopefully be the one to bring it down... Perhaps, we shall partition Rome, which will ensure they're never a threat to us again?
Sorry for the delay. I'll try to update this more frequently. Also, go vote in the H1 ACAs! Without further ado, here's the update.
“Any empire that rules by fear of military retribution alone will inevitably perish in flames” - Memoirs of Cnaive Vulturreno
Rome was originally a small state. At first, it consisted of little more than the city itself. Legend tells us of how it was founded by Romulus, who was himself a descendant of Aeneas of Troy. Legend tells of Rome’s seven kings, who expanded the city’s reach. The last king was Tarquinius Superbus (Tarquin the Proud). He was an Etruscan, and he was overthrown by the Roman people.
The Romans established a republic. However, this republic was ruled by Rome’s patrician class. The plebeians (aka everyone who wasn’t a patrician) didn’t like this. They ended up blackmailing the patricians into granting them representation. The patricians and plebeians would have many conflicts, and they were collectively known as the Conflict of the Orders.
Anyways, by the 5th century AUC, Rome had expanded across much of Italy. The Romans had created multiple alliances, as well.
Rome would soon attack Apulia. Etrusca was in alliance with Rome, and they helped in this war. The alliance won two victories at Sipious to kick off the war. On March 11, 453 AUC, they would win a victory at Natiolum. A battle was also fought from September 5 to September 7, 453 AUC. The Etruscans helped the Romans in this battle substantially. Ultimately, Apulia would be annexed by Rome in 454 AUC. The Etruscans, who got nothing from their military contribution, decided that they would merely provide moral support to Rome in future wars.
In March 454 AUC, Rome attacked Samnium. Rome had already fought two wars against the Samnites. The second one of these wars featured the disaster at the Caudine Forks, which was one of the greatest Roman military disasters. Regardless, Rome won both of these wars and established their dominion of large portions of Southern Italy. The Third Samnite War pitted an alliance led by Rome against both the remnants of the Samnites and the Lucanians.
Rome would defeat the Samnites in battles at Venusia, Irna, Beneventum, and Corneliana. However, they would be defeated at Potentia. These battles were the opening shots of the war.
However, after this, the Samnites began to win victories. In July 454 AUC, they would defeat Rome at Corneliani, and, in October 454 AUC, Rome was defeated at Abellinum.
Unfortunately for the Samnites, after this, their luck would temporarily run out. Rome defeated them in battles at Consilinum (twice), Paestum, and Abellinum.
The Samnites, however, recovered from this. They would defeat Rome in two battles at Paestum and at Irna. However, Rome bounced back from these defeats, winning victories at Abellinum (twice), Paestum, Compsa, and Aeclanum. By this point, the Samnite willingness to fight was basically destroyed. By September 457 AUC, the Romans had annexed Samnium. The Lucanians managed to get a good peace deal, however.
After this, the Romans would attack the Italic Alliance. This war is still ongoing as of 465 AUC, but Etrusca did take advantage of the distraction to take most of western Umbria.
(map of Rome as of 465 AUC)
“Any empire that rules by fear of military retribution alone will inevitably perish in flames” - Memoirs of Cnaive Vulturreno
Rome was originally a small state. At first, it consisted of little more than the city itself. Legend tells us of how it was founded by Romulus, who was himself a descendant of Aeneas of Troy. Legend tells of Rome’s seven kings, who expanded the city’s reach. The last king was Tarquinius Superbus (Tarquin the Proud). He was an Etruscan, and he was overthrown by the Roman people.
The Romans established a republic. However, this republic was ruled by Rome’s patrician class. The plebeians (aka everyone who wasn’t a patrician) didn’t like this. They ended up blackmailing the patricians into granting them representation. The patricians and plebeians would have many conflicts, and they were collectively known as the Conflict of the Orders.
Anyways, by the 5th century AUC, Rome had expanded across much of Italy. The Romans had created multiple alliances, as well.
Rome would soon attack Apulia. Etrusca was in alliance with Rome, and they helped in this war. The alliance won two victories at Sipious to kick off the war. On March 11, 453 AUC, they would win a victory at Natiolum. A battle was also fought from September 5 to September 7, 453 AUC. The Etruscans helped the Romans in this battle substantially. Ultimately, Apulia would be annexed by Rome in 454 AUC. The Etruscans, who got nothing from their military contribution, decided that they would merely provide moral support to Rome in future wars.
In March 454 AUC, Rome attacked Samnium. Rome had already fought two wars against the Samnites. The second one of these wars featured the disaster at the Caudine Forks, which was one of the greatest Roman military disasters. Regardless, Rome won both of these wars and established their dominion of large portions of Southern Italy. The Third Samnite War pitted an alliance led by Rome against both the remnants of the Samnites and the Lucanians.
Rome would defeat the Samnites in battles at Venusia, Irna, Beneventum, and Corneliana. However, they would be defeated at Potentia. These battles were the opening shots of the war.
However, after this, the Samnites began to win victories. In July 454 AUC, they would defeat Rome at Corneliani, and, in October 454 AUC, Rome was defeated at Abellinum.
Unfortunately for the Samnites, after this, their luck would temporarily run out. Rome defeated them in battles at Consilinum (twice), Paestum, and Abellinum.
The Samnites, however, recovered from this. They would defeat Rome in two battles at Paestum and at Irna. However, Rome bounced back from these defeats, winning victories at Abellinum (twice), Paestum, Compsa, and Aeclanum. By this point, the Samnite willingness to fight was basically destroyed. By September 457 AUC, the Romans had annexed Samnium. The Lucanians managed to get a good peace deal, however.
After this, the Romans would attack the Italic Alliance. This war is still ongoing as of 465 AUC, but Etrusca did take advantage of the distraction to take most of western Umbria.
(map of Rome as of 465 AUC)
So Rome now dominates the south and centre of Italy. Whither now? The North, or the toe?
Hopefully the toe (Rome's AI-controlled for now). Etrusca wants to rule the North.
The Italic War
Author's Note: Sorry about the short update. I wanted to include a picture but Imperator isn't loading any of my saves right now. I'll have a longer update soon. Also, don't forget to vote in the H1 ACAs! Now, onto the update...
The Italic Alliance consisted of the Sabines, the Senones, and the Umbrians. As mentioned earlier, Etrusca had attacked Umbria. That war is covered under “The Umbrian War”. This section is on the Italic War - Rome’s attack on the Italic Alliance.
Rome was a very expansionist state. They had taken control of almost all of Italia by this point, and all of Italia feared their legions. Rome also had other reasons for attacking the Italic Alliance than just their expansionist tendencies (which also could’ve been turned against Etrusca or the numerous city-states in Magna Graecia).
For one thing, the Italic Alliance was an alliance of most of northern Italia. If they managed to catch the Romans off guard, they could potentially seize control of numerous Italian states or even capture Rome itself. That last part wasn’t paranoia, either. The Senones were a member of the Italic Alliance, and they had sacked Rome itself before. Many Romans wanted for that sack.
Ancona was in alliance with Rome. Ancona was a city under heavy threat from the Senones. The reason for their alliance with Rome is stated in the Official History of Ancona.
Excerpt from the Official History of Ancona:
“The Senones threaten our city. For many years, we paid them tribute so that they didn’t sack it. An alliance with Rome would offer us protection against the Senones. In addition, they could allow us to get revenge against them for all the threats they have made us.
Perhaps, we can even take the gold we paid them in tribute. Indeed, in due time, the Senones might even pay tribute to us. Even if they do not, the Romans will likely be grateful for our aid. We are likely to gain control of some land. They may also grant us gold.
And, besides, what do we have left to lose? The Senones could take our city, but we live in fear of them doing that anyway. Indeed, it is likely that the worst case scenario is a stalemate, not a loss.”
Most Anconans were convinced by that reasoning, and Ancona aided Rome in their war. The specific battles of this war are lost to history. However, what is known is that Ancona occupied most Senone land, and Rome seized control of most Sabine land. Etrusca had control of most of western Umbria, and Rome and Ancona divided eastern Umbria between themselves.
Rome and Ancona ultimately negotiated peace with the Italic Alliance. This peace resulted in the complete destruction of all of the Alliance’s members. Rome took control of Sabinia, most of eastern Umbria, and most of the lands that used to be ruled by the Senones. Ancona took control of the coastal areas of Umbria and where the Senones used to rule.
The Senone chiefs are said to have begged for mercy for the Romans. It is said that they promised extreme tribute to both Rome and Ancona. The alleged response of the Roman diplomat was merely “vae victis” - “woe to the vanquished”. “Vae victis” was first said to the Romans from a Senone tribal chief in the aftermath of the Battle of Allia almost a century before. Oh, how the mighty have fallen!
The Italic Alliance consisted of the Sabines, the Senones, and the Umbrians. As mentioned earlier, Etrusca had attacked Umbria. That war is covered under “The Umbrian War”. This section is on the Italic War - Rome’s attack on the Italic Alliance.
Rome was a very expansionist state. They had taken control of almost all of Italia by this point, and all of Italia feared their legions. Rome also had other reasons for attacking the Italic Alliance than just their expansionist tendencies (which also could’ve been turned against Etrusca or the numerous city-states in Magna Graecia).
For one thing, the Italic Alliance was an alliance of most of northern Italia. If they managed to catch the Romans off guard, they could potentially seize control of numerous Italian states or even capture Rome itself. That last part wasn’t paranoia, either. The Senones were a member of the Italic Alliance, and they had sacked Rome itself before. Many Romans wanted for that sack.
Ancona was in alliance with Rome. Ancona was a city under heavy threat from the Senones. The reason for their alliance with Rome is stated in the Official History of Ancona.
Excerpt from the Official History of Ancona:
“The Senones threaten our city. For many years, we paid them tribute so that they didn’t sack it. An alliance with Rome would offer us protection against the Senones. In addition, they could allow us to get revenge against them for all the threats they have made us.
Perhaps, we can even take the gold we paid them in tribute. Indeed, in due time, the Senones might even pay tribute to us. Even if they do not, the Romans will likely be grateful for our aid. We are likely to gain control of some land. They may also grant us gold.
And, besides, what do we have left to lose? The Senones could take our city, but we live in fear of them doing that anyway. Indeed, it is likely that the worst case scenario is a stalemate, not a loss.”
Most Anconans were convinced by that reasoning, and Ancona aided Rome in their war. The specific battles of this war are lost to history. However, what is known is that Ancona occupied most Senone land, and Rome seized control of most Sabine land. Etrusca had control of most of western Umbria, and Rome and Ancona divided eastern Umbria between themselves.
Rome and Ancona ultimately negotiated peace with the Italic Alliance. This peace resulted in the complete destruction of all of the Alliance’s members. Rome took control of Sabinia, most of eastern Umbria, and most of the lands that used to be ruled by the Senones. Ancona took control of the coastal areas of Umbria and where the Senones used to rule.
The Senone chiefs are said to have begged for mercy for the Romans. It is said that they promised extreme tribute to both Rome and Ancona. The alleged response of the Roman diplomat was merely “vae victis” - “woe to the vanquished”. “Vae victis” was first said to the Romans from a Senone tribal chief in the aftermath of the Battle of Allia almost a century before. Oh, how the mighty have fallen!
- 1
The Gortinian Conquest
Gortyna’s rulers, the Xenonids, wished to rule a united Crete. They claimed that they were simply reuniting a realm that their ancestors had lost. Regardless of whether or not you believed that, the Xenonids believed that they had a divine mission to unite all of Crete.
Their first action was to annex their vassals in Tarrha. They also joined a defensive pact with Ierapetra (who ruled most of northern Crete), Rhodes, and Halicarnasses. By 465 AUC (35 HE), Crete was ruled by Gortyna, Ierapetra, and Kydonia. Gortyna and Ierapetra were at war with Kydonia and their allies in Sparta.
The Gortinian army had occupied most of eastern Sparta by that point. Notably, Argos, and its temple to Hera, was sacked. Hyakinthos Timarchid commanded the army in Sparta.
On October 1, 465 AUC (35 HE), Alkimachos Xenonid was elected as the new Archon. He decided to continue the war.
Also in October 465 AUC (35 HE), Hyakinthos crushed a Spartan army at Leuktron. In November, he occupied Mothone. In January 466 AUC (36 HE), Olympia, the site of the Olympic Games, was taken.
In March, Hyakinthos captured Elis. Meanwhile, on the island of Crete itself, Kydonia was besieged from December 466 AUC (36 HE). It finally surrendered in October 467 AUC (37 HE).
Back on the northern front, the Spartan armies attempted to retake Sparta itself. However, Hyakinthos and his armies arrived and defeated them in February 467 AUC (37 HE). Hyakinthos then marched to Mothone, where he defeated a Spartan army in April.
Meanwhile, the army on Crete itself advanced to Polyrrinia. The siege of that city began in October 467 AUC (37 HE). It would ultimately fall in July 468 AUC (38 HE). The Cretan armies were led by Andromenes Xenonid.
In July 468 AUC (38 HE), a peace was negotiated. Kydonia was completely annexed, and Sparta had to hand over all of their territory in Laconia, including Sparta itself. In general, after this peace, the state of “Sparta” is generally referred to as Olympia.
The Xenonids appreciated the vast history of Sparta, however, and the city itself was left untouched. That left only the decision of how to treat the former ruling families of Kydonia. The Achaids were allowed to join Gortinian politics, but the other great families of Kydonia were crucified.
Their first action was to annex their vassals in Tarrha. They also joined a defensive pact with Ierapetra (who ruled most of northern Crete), Rhodes, and Halicarnasses. By 465 AUC (35 HE), Crete was ruled by Gortyna, Ierapetra, and Kydonia. Gortyna and Ierapetra were at war with Kydonia and their allies in Sparta.
The Gortinian army had occupied most of eastern Sparta by that point. Notably, Argos, and its temple to Hera, was sacked. Hyakinthos Timarchid commanded the army in Sparta.
On October 1, 465 AUC (35 HE), Alkimachos Xenonid was elected as the new Archon. He decided to continue the war.
Also in October 465 AUC (35 HE), Hyakinthos crushed a Spartan army at Leuktron. In November, he occupied Mothone. In January 466 AUC (36 HE), Olympia, the site of the Olympic Games, was taken.
In March, Hyakinthos captured Elis. Meanwhile, on the island of Crete itself, Kydonia was besieged from December 466 AUC (36 HE). It finally surrendered in October 467 AUC (37 HE).
Back on the northern front, the Spartan armies attempted to retake Sparta itself. However, Hyakinthos and his armies arrived and defeated them in February 467 AUC (37 HE). Hyakinthos then marched to Mothone, where he defeated a Spartan army in April.
Meanwhile, the army on Crete itself advanced to Polyrrinia. The siege of that city began in October 467 AUC (37 HE). It would ultimately fall in July 468 AUC (38 HE). The Cretan armies were led by Andromenes Xenonid.
In July 468 AUC (38 HE), a peace was negotiated. Kydonia was completely annexed, and Sparta had to hand over all of their territory in Laconia, including Sparta itself. In general, after this peace, the state of “Sparta” is generally referred to as Olympia.
The Xenonids appreciated the vast history of Sparta, however, and the city itself was left untouched. That left only the decision of how to treat the former ruling families of Kydonia. The Achaids were allowed to join Gortinian politics, but the other great families of Kydonia were crucified.
Really sorry about the unannounced hiatus. That should be broken sometime this week. I couldn't run my save because I created another save as the game for an AAR idea I had - I did write a beginning to that AAR, as an FYI, so it's not off the table - just really, really delayed.
The Gortinian Conquest, Part 2: Reasons and Consequences
While this book has already covered the war largely known as the Gortinian Conquest, the topic cannot be fully understood without understanding why. Gortyna was a small state, only controlling a portion of Crete in 0 HE, so why did its rulers expand so quickly?
Well, historians have proposed multiple reasons for Gortyna’s quick expansion. Some say that the Xenonids had a vision that revealed their divine ancestry and right to rule all of Crete. This is almost certainly false.
The real reason why the Xenonids wished to rule a united Crete may have something to do with politics. Many reasons that the military faction gained power in Gortyna as their wars began. This makes sense - it essentially says that Gortyna was a country that responded to popular pressure. While this might be somewhat true, it’s doubtful that it was the only reason. It’s far more likely that the Xenonids realized that times were changing and wanted to expand to increase their personal power. They likely secured popular support for their expansion with the Myth of the Dethroned Kings - they were legitimate rulers of Crete anyways.
The Xenonid Chronicle seems to support this view. It says:
Across Greece and Asia, wars rage for possession of the empire of Alexander. If Gortyna is to keep her sovereignty, then she must expand. Alliances would do her well - for a while. However, she should not enter into any inconvenient alliances - convenience is the only benefit for alliances, after all. She must rule at least Crete, if nothing else.
In pursuit of this, the Hellenic Pact was formed with Ierapetra, Rhodos, and Halicarnasses. However, the Xenonid Chronicle implies that the Pact was only ever a temporary measure for Gortyna, which probably wasn’t how the other members viewed it.
The annexation of Tarrha was also in pursuit of the Xenonid idea that the alternative to expansion was slavery or death. It was with this in mind that Gortyna attacked Kydonia. That began the Gortinian Conquest.
Hyakinthos Timarchid wrote that:
If the Spartans desire war, then they shall get war. We shall punish them for daring to intervene in Cretan affairs. Their cities shall be sacked, and their lands captured. They will become an example to all Hellenic states of what happens when you mess with Gortyna!
That sentiment was pretty strong across Gortyna. The resulting militarism might’ve brought the military faction greater power, which further encouraged Gortyna to expand.
As mentioned above, the Spartans were defeated. The Sack of Argos did set an example, although even Alkimachos Xenonid privately thought it was a little much. Kydonia was also annexed.
Which brings us to our final point: why were the Achaids spared when the other families were crucified? In truth, the reason is most likely that the Achaids were most supportive of the Xenonids - they could join because the Xenonids benefit from them joining. Gortyna in those days was more or less a monarchy, and the Xenonids were “kings without a crown”.
Still, the Cretan state was still technically a republic. Despite the fact that the Xenonid family had regular meetings and the fact that there was an acknowledged head of the family, the Xenonids weren’t kings then - there was a party not led by them. However, this was the Populist party, and they rarely won elections.
Sparta was only spared because the Gortinians saw it as a great city that they could use. What would they use it for? Well, they wished to unite Crete, at any cost. And the Hellenic Pact had ceased to be convenient - war was approaching against Ieraptra.
(map of Gortyna and surrounding areas, with Gortinian forces shown, in the aftermath of the Gortinian Conquest)
Well, historians have proposed multiple reasons for Gortyna’s quick expansion. Some say that the Xenonids had a vision that revealed their divine ancestry and right to rule all of Crete. This is almost certainly false.
The real reason why the Xenonids wished to rule a united Crete may have something to do with politics. Many reasons that the military faction gained power in Gortyna as their wars began. This makes sense - it essentially says that Gortyna was a country that responded to popular pressure. While this might be somewhat true, it’s doubtful that it was the only reason. It’s far more likely that the Xenonids realized that times were changing and wanted to expand to increase their personal power. They likely secured popular support for their expansion with the Myth of the Dethroned Kings - they were legitimate rulers of Crete anyways.
The Xenonid Chronicle seems to support this view. It says:
Across Greece and Asia, wars rage for possession of the empire of Alexander. If Gortyna is to keep her sovereignty, then she must expand. Alliances would do her well - for a while. However, she should not enter into any inconvenient alliances - convenience is the only benefit for alliances, after all. She must rule at least Crete, if nothing else.
In pursuit of this, the Hellenic Pact was formed with Ierapetra, Rhodos, and Halicarnasses. However, the Xenonid Chronicle implies that the Pact was only ever a temporary measure for Gortyna, which probably wasn’t how the other members viewed it.
The annexation of Tarrha was also in pursuit of the Xenonid idea that the alternative to expansion was slavery or death. It was with this in mind that Gortyna attacked Kydonia. That began the Gortinian Conquest.
Hyakinthos Timarchid wrote that:
If the Spartans desire war, then they shall get war. We shall punish them for daring to intervene in Cretan affairs. Their cities shall be sacked, and their lands captured. They will become an example to all Hellenic states of what happens when you mess with Gortyna!
That sentiment was pretty strong across Gortyna. The resulting militarism might’ve brought the military faction greater power, which further encouraged Gortyna to expand.
As mentioned above, the Spartans were defeated. The Sack of Argos did set an example, although even Alkimachos Xenonid privately thought it was a little much. Kydonia was also annexed.
Which brings us to our final point: why were the Achaids spared when the other families were crucified? In truth, the reason is most likely that the Achaids were most supportive of the Xenonids - they could join because the Xenonids benefit from them joining. Gortyna in those days was more or less a monarchy, and the Xenonids were “kings without a crown”.
Still, the Cretan state was still technically a republic. Despite the fact that the Xenonid family had regular meetings and the fact that there was an acknowledged head of the family, the Xenonids weren’t kings then - there was a party not led by them. However, this was the Populist party, and they rarely won elections.
Sparta was only spared because the Gortinians saw it as a great city that they could use. What would they use it for? Well, they wished to unite Crete, at any cost. And the Hellenic Pact had ceased to be convenient - war was approaching against Ieraptra.
(map of Gortyna and surrounding areas, with Gortinian forces shown, in the aftermath of the Gortinian Conquest)