GM NOTE: This scenario reflects the game style, ranks, and practices of the "Old Roman Legion" and may not accurately represent the history of the current game's storyline. Consult with a GM before referencing any component of this scenario.

The onset of spring that March of 78bc saw the renewed efforts by Turpillius
Castus to again whip his army into shape...literally. By now his means were
legendary and Postumus Varro had been ordered to inspect the troops at the front
before Antoninus could send two more legions of reinforcement as Postumus had
desired.



As Postumus arrived in the camp, he was shocked. Never before in his life had he
seen an army in such a state. Eyes steely and raw and ready to fight. Bulging
biceps and strong backs without an exception. The smaller rations and increased
hardships had toughened the army. They could now easily make 30 miles in a day.
Postumus was overwhelmed with surprise and admiration. Not since the days of
Augustus Aelius had an army so proudly carried the banner.



Turpillius laughed that his men were not so afraid of the Gauls as they were of
himself. His troops did not love him, but they new the organization and training
were through Turpillius harsh regiment. The army seethed and was burning for
battle. Postumus later remarked "I thought I might encourage Turpillius to move
quickly that spring...but it was obvious he had no need for my motivation".



Turpillius split his army into three prongs of attack. The north, central, and
south. As they again approached Tantas and the lowland of southern Gaul, the
juggernaught became increasingly vicious.



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SELADMRA: 2nd-3rd April, 78bc.

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The thin forest of the hill country was now giving way to the lowlands. On the
last of the hillsides, the Gauls had built mighty fortifications and were ready
for the Roman onslaught. The Northern corps smashed into the Gallic defensive
lines around 8am on Saturday, 2nd April, 78bc. Instantly they were repelled and
the same bloody to and fro began. Army south, some eight miles to the south, met
less trained and ready troops and began to make headway. Army central engaged
several skirmishes but did not allow itself to become engaged full force.



Postumus had by now sent word that indeed two legions would be built and given
to Turpillius. Turpillius took even less care of whatever casualties might
occur. Gaul had to be crushed, and due to the situation in the east, it had to
be soon. Before terribly long, by 4pm, the southern army had moved the defenders
back six miles. The Gauls knew if they did not retreat, Castus would encircle
them and slaughter them wholesale. If the did, the center would pour in and
inflict terribly losses while Gaul retreated. Finally, by 7pm, the Gallic
command decided to withdraw during the night and make their way 70 miles to the
rivers and hill country in Aquitania and abandon Narbonesis.



The Gauls were not quick enough now for the Roman pace. By the middle of the
next day the Gauls had become caught. They had no immediate reinforcement and
now the Romans had the superior position...and the surprise. Castus ordered the
most brutal assault yet seen and the Gallic soldiers fell in masses. By the end
of the day, the entirety of the Gallic force in the south had either
surrendered, ran away, or died. It was perhaps the most glorious Roman victory
since the fall of the Macedonian invaders some fifteen years before.



ROME: 2,800 casualties

GAUL: 6,000 casualties, 10,000 captured (summarily enslaved and sent back to
Italia).



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meanwhile

----------



Legion XVIII was patrolling southern Dalmatia. General A. Marius Julianus,
waiting for the situation in Gaul to end, and the rebellion in Hispania quelled.
Marius had wanted to make a huge push into Macedonia. he wanted it over, and
though most of his troops did. Marius was also waiting for Tomidius Servo, his
"brilliant commander" in his words, to meet with him.



Marius had many strategies, but could only suggest to His commander. Marius
wanted to see two legions sail to occupy Achea, and then sail straight to
Macedonia. The Emperor would hear nothing of bringing a war in the east to
fruition while a war in the west raged on violently.



Tomidius did, finally, relent and allowed Marius to construct a series of
fortifications in southern Dalmatia. Macedonia was calling for Dalmatian
independence so that it might be a "buffer" state between the two allied to them
both. Rome was completely against this notion but nonetheless Verius Pollio
negotiated it with them. Antoninus wanted no kind of peace at that cost, but he
knew a deterrence of an invasion was necessary. By the time the Macedonians
realized to what extent Rome was fortifying the south they decided war with Rome
was no longer a viable option. It seemed, for a time, Turpillius would have free
hand in the west and Marius and Tomidius would build up massive defenses in the
east...even if the only labor available was the hands of their own men.



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Marius Julianus, Postumus Varro