QUOTE:
ACTA DIURNA

- Amendments to Leges Genuciae.

- Debate on proposed Lex Iulia De Civitate Latinis Danda.

- Conclusions of committee on Zuz administrator process.

Marcus Aurelius was carefully reviewing the minutes of that long Senate session. He had to, for the first time in many years a trial and the outcome of its vote affected directly the Censor Office. Zuz, in charge of the administration of provincial revenues in Neapolis, was denounced by Cancar, governor of the province, who had discovered his shady dealings with portoria of ships that arrive at greek city harbour. Senatus had appointed a commission to investigate the matter, which had raised a wide controversy in roman society.



After reviewing facts and evidences in the case, degradation of Zuz was unanimously decided, whose properties would go to compensate both victims of his abuses and State Treasury for his dealings; Cancar was instead praised for his expertise and zeal in fulfilling his duties as praetor, being awarded presiding Quinquatria festival in honour of Minerva that year. Being Censor of the Republic, Marcus Aurelius was responsible under Lex Ovinia to develop and implement the sentence, depriving Zuz of Roman Citizenship on charges of Indignity.



Although not happy with Zuz's misfortune, deserved on the other hand, Marcus felt a certain satisfaction being able to deal again less momentous matters, domestic issues, far from battlefields, wars and blood. Rome seemed to be turning back to normal.

It was only a few days before that Etruscan armies had marched north, back home after being feted in the Urbs, and after being granted to Lars Porsenna, by special Senate decree, toga praetexta and sella curulis, along with the right to attend its deliberations if he was at Rome. A comitee of three senators had been sent to Egypt with a similar present for Lucius Verinus; while word had been sent to the Far North that Senatus had granted Sigfried and his generals the title of "Amici Populi Romani", being enrolled among honorary members of Cornelia roman tribe and having therefore right to vote in roman assemblies.

Marcus smiled. Even old Cineas, who he had met many years before during war with Shazir's corsairs, greeted him warmly in his return from the East, giving him a new treaty on warfare he had recently received from Greece: Strategyka by Demetrius Phalereus. Marcus had accepted gladly, and invited the old man to visit his library whenever he wanted.

Calm finally seemed to turn back to Italic lands...

- Come on!
- Go ahead, you, little bastard!
- Raise your shield and hold on!
- Yeah, that way. Now, knock him down!
- Wonderful! You got him. Press your blade into his neck!

Instructor carefully watched the two rookies movements over the drenched in sweat soil of the training camp. They had been all morning rehearsing offences and counterattacks, learning to handle shields to protect their flanks and block enemy attempts, and changing their short gladius into an effective instrument of death. Exhaustion was obvious in their faces, contorted with the effort. He took a look back. Marcus Aemilius was near watching them. One sign was enough to finish the training session and send young warriors to termae, while instructor approached his master to have some words.

- Will become great soldiers, they have skills and spirit.
- Yesterday, Gaius almost knock me down. I'm afraid my age starts to be felt.
- Yeah, may be. We're growing older Marcus, I'm afraid that sooner or later we'll have to make way to new generations.
- Rome will be in good hands, sir. But, you still have many years to serve our Republic.
- You'll always be the same, my friend. Thank you very much...

The two men parted with a handshake, and Marcus Aemilius took his way to the Censor Office. Marcus Aurelius was waiting him to take care of some issues on upcoming Games.

Entire city of Rome was a party. Last celebrations of the previous Games had just finished, proclaimed to commemorate return of the allied forces after the biggest campaign ever undertaken by troops of the Republic. Never a Roman army had advanced so far from its borders, crossing forests of Illyria and Dacia, moors in Sarmatia, sailing the Pontus Euxinus, and fighting across hostile lands in Cappadocia and Phrygia. Ordinary romans considered this odissey comparable to those mythical journeys of Hercules, Ulysses or the god Bacchus.



However, this Third War against eastern foes had been the toughest campaign in Roman History. Letters from Marcus Aurelius, and reports of Consules Dacamaca and Spartacus, and those of Denis Cicic, Princeps Senatus of the Republic, had related during last months difficulties of the conflict waged against Sarmatians and Samoyeds, after their raids against roman and etruscan provinces of the Adriatic. In fact, enemies alliance with their southern neighbour, Phrygian people, had complicated situation much more, forcing to extend campaign to Asia Minor. Allied lines of communication had to be reoriented and reorganized to supply troops avoiding Dacian lands, as treaties recently signed with that people specified, and also protecting sea trade lanes from pirates trying to take advantage of chaos. A new network of agents and informers also had to be organized to keep updated reports on the enemy, appointing Livia Drusilla Daniela as Praetor Frumentarii, in charge of roman secret service.

Turning point came with blockade of Egyptian armies in Phrygia, which led to increase efforts on this front and divert resources. Fortunately, the end of war in the North, allowed allies to concentrate their operations on releasing Pharaoh Lucius I and his men, turning finally back home; although both sides knew that truce would only be a step towards next confrontation.

Flamen Dialis walked slowly through roman streets, meeting occasionally some Teutonic and Etruscan warriors. If last conflict had proved something, it was the strength of ties that Rome had established with her allies over years of campaigning. Senatus was aware of significant help given by both peoples to the Republic, and also of Egyptian sovereign support, so that after the return it was decided to hold great celebrations to thank Gods for our success in the Campaign, and to honor Teutons, Etruscans and Egyptians for their help. Games lasted over a month and, how could it be otherwise, there was a champion from each one of the Allied Nations. Gods were certainly in favor of the alliance.



Marcus Aemilius finally reached Campus Martius and the Villa Publica. Roman Censor greeted him from the gardens in front of his office building. His friend seemed pretty happy that day...

... maybe Aemilus' sister last letter had something to do with it.

Lars Porsenna's Palace in Verona was one of the most beautiful buildings Marcus had seen during his years of traveling throughout the Oikumene.



Roman troops had reached the capital of Etruria a few weeks earlier to join the Games for Young Warriors held by their allies. Etruscan Lucumo and his wife, Lady Fineae, who had won the Duel-Tournament some days before in Roman Games, had proved to be superb hosts, looking for accommodation both for roman troops and commanders, supplying them and attending to all their needs without exception. Same reception had received Sigfried and his generals, who had set out for the North with Marcus' delegation, making a stop at Verona to watch Games.

Tournament had been successful, being an excellent training for inexperienced roman and etruscan troops, which during last years of campaigning abroad have remained dormant in border defense. Until last moment, warriors on both sides had fought hard, showing their courage and military skills, thought eventually praetor Aelius Plautius had was victorious, being awarded with a splendid laurel wreath and great acclaim from the people.

Although roman detachments had already started turning back to Rome, Marcus decided to accept invitation from Etruscan King and stay in Verona for a few more days. He wanted to discover its great buildings, its mighty walls, its great temples... In addition, he had several issues still to deal with Lars Porsenna and Sigfried, who also remained in Etruscan Court.

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Dinner had been quite animated. Veteran soldiers had alternated their war stories with the show of some dancers from Gadir, and also with a brief performance of a fragment from Plautus' Miles Gloriousus, released in Rome a year before, that had delighted everybody.



Now, most of the guests had left and only a few remained in the room. Lady Fineae had asked roman Censor about newest incorporation to Roman Republic of the greek city of Massalia and its provençal territories, inquiring about the status of civitas foederata that its citizens had acquired. Marcus had explained differences that this meant regarding the relationship of its citizens with Rome, maintaining their own institutions and contributing to defense of the Republic, receiving at the same time protection and investments, and being able to progressively join roman political structures if they wanted.

- Now I have a question for you, Sigfried. I know you tried to explain it to me during our last campaign against Sarmatians, and also Wolfgar, but I still want to know which was the matter that led some of your warriors to leave and join the new tribe?

Sigfried glanced at Wolfgar before giving an answer:

- Well, actually I cannot give you many explanations. We are not even sure of what happened for his departure. Butch the Slaughterer had been appointed Chancellor shortly before. Because of our constant campaigns it was necessary to have a new leader to take charge of part of the tribal affairs, and he was the support of some of our warriors, including Eadgils, Nesseia and also some younger warriors. Although Butch was not one of our more experienced men in government tasks, he seemed quite interested in performing their work with honor and integrity.

But a month later they all took the path of the East without any explanation. As Wolfgar had explained other times, is frequent among our tribes for young warriors to go off and seek "Fortune and Glory". Though I can not explain why this has led them to fight against us.



Just then, a palace guard made his entrance with a roman centurion. It was Lucius Claudius, Marcus recognized him. Centurion made his way and gave him some sealed wax tablets stamped with the symbol of Senatus. Marcus broke the seal and read.

- Well my friends, it seems that our enemies aren't willing to let us hold Games that are still pending in Rome only for younger warriors. Yesterday Phrygian Pride army attacked our province of Epirus. Though defeated, they will probably be reinforced soon, as main phrygian army is not yet on the field. We still don't know the extent of this invasion, but Roman Senate tell me is preferable for all to be prepared for conflict.

- Etruscan troops are ready to fight -Lars Porsenna had stood up, staring at Marcus-.
- Yes, as my King said! Let us fight eastern enemies of Italy together! -It was Sabina speaking, one of the most important commanders of the Etruscan Army. Marcus knew her as liaison with Roman General Staff. There was a twinkle in her eyes-.

Censor looked into the eyes of Sigfried and his men... They were all ready to fight.

A new campaign had begun...

Marcus Aurelius was upset. Current situation was not propitious.

Despite the resounding war declaration of Phrygians and the quick reaction of Roman allies, internal disputes of the Republic had thrown campaign into inaction. In fact, Phrygians debacle against legions in Epirus had made a significant fraction of Senatus to be inclined to mantain a defensive strategy. Many senators from western provinces were more interested in focusing the activities of Rome there, and forget Eastern Mediterranean. Their leader, Marcus Porcius Cato, an old stern moral senator, made a fateful speech against interfering in the affairs of Greece:

QUOTE:

In due course, I shall explain you all what I found out in Athens about those Greeks, and demonstrate what advantage there may be in looking into their friendship and alliance. They are a worthless and unruly tribe. Take this as a prophecy: when those folk give us their hand, they will corrupt everything. They call us barbarians, of course, and Opici, a dirtier name than the rest; but I assure you it's a small price to pay. Let them be consumed in their struggles. Our defenses are strong and fearsome. Forget them, or soon we will have to say that:

Graecia capta ferum victorem cepit

Denis had met with Consules Dacamaca and Spartacus, and also with Marcus Aurelius, trying to solve the situation. However, they had only reached an agreement with Cato to send an army to liberate Thessalien region, where there were strong roman commercial interests.

Marcus was reflecting in his tablinum: messages did not cease coming from Egypt announcing advancing armies from Pontus, but he could not start Republic mechanisms to assist them; Sigfried notified that maneuvers in the North made impossible for his troops to travel until several weeks later; and Lars' armies had also turned back home because of roman inactivity.

No doubt, enemy had chosen the best time to get going...

Nothing seemed to be able to penetrate darkness of that night, even light of the stars was unable to go through the cloudy skies. Crouched behind a cargo of grain amphorae, Lucius Claudius waited in silence. Occasionally, with a prearranged signal, he contacted his men to know their position. They had been in that place, near the Emporium and Horrea Sulpicia, for several hours in a surveillance mission.

- Arffff... Informants were wrong, for sure! That scum says anything to catch some silver.

A barely audible hiss, however, told centurion that someone was approaching. One of his men, stationed near the corner of that alley, had seen a group approaching. Reaching the small door in front of Lucius' place, one of them came and knocked in a very particular way. Seconds later a small peephole at the top opened. The one that had knocked said:

- Ex Oriente lux...

That was the password. Lucius stood up and ran to the door.

- For the Senate and People of Rome! Arrest them!

A brief skirmish started. Newcomers, taken by surprise, were trying to get rid of their cloaks to unsheathe the steel, while Lucius' men, all them veteran legionaries, were preparing to follow their orders and capture them unharmed.



Confrontation was short. Hidden men were not too skilled in fighting. Within minutes, they were all unconscious on the ground or heavily tied into legionaries hands. Soon after, man behind the door, a trader from Syria, also surrendered.

- Forward march!

Lucius was to deliver his report and prisoners. Consules Dacamaca and Spartacus had entrusted him that mission a few days before and his orders were to go to Campus Martius, to the Villa Publica, as soon as he had accomplished it.

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Marcus Aurelius was admiring cyclopean ruins that stood before him, labyrinthine building that was, according to locals, the ancient palace of Minos, in whose basement was shut the horrible minotaur. Senator walked through corridors filled with nooks, corners, rooms in ruins...

- How many plots would be warped here at other times!



It was barely a month after the night that, thanks to rumors in the Urbs, ringleaders of senatorial faction opposed to participation of the Republic in Eastern Conflict were arrested. Subsequent investigation showed they had been pressured, if not bribed or bought, by one or more representatives of Cilician and Lycian pirate lords, who did not want roman fleets interfere in their lucrative activities of harassment against trade between Greece and Egypt. Conspired to achieve their goal, corrupted senators also won support of Marcus Porcius Cato's extraordinary speech, who nonetheless never knew of their hidden motives.

Rumors running through the City, about strange visits of young senators to harbour district, raised suspicions in Denis and Marcus, who asked Consuls for investigation. Once discovered, confidence of plotters collapsed, and one by one pointed to syrian trader, and other couriers like him, as instigators of conspiration.

In a solemn Senatus session, they all were deprived of their ranks, prerogatives and citizenship, and Cato, become his fiercest enemy, delivered a diatribe denying his past words and urging magistrates of Rome to punish those who had tried to subvert and subjugate the Republic.

Aged senator words caused a profound shock. In a few days, necessary subsidies for the campaign had been passed, and mobilization of the legions and fleet of the Ionian Sea ordered. Marcus, in anticipation of those events, had sent new messengers to Etruria and Germania, and in both cases, answer to request of the Republic was overwhelming. Lars gathered a large contingent that included distinguished commanders as Sabina, Germanicus, or Pontius the Samnite, and even volunteer regiments from etruscan cities under the command of Lady Fineae, Hermine and Slaide. Reports from the North said Sigfried had called all Teutonic clans with their leaders: Wolfgar, Titus Aurelius, Ragnar, Gundrun, Freya; and even from other peoples of Germania warriors had come to serve in its ranks, under the orders of Volür Ceres.

While main fleet was heading southwards from Magna Grecia harbours, armies displaced in Greece were ordered to support efforts of Serbo Makaridov, leader of the Hellenes, to liberate Euboia and defend Athens and Piraeus port from a possible Phrygian attack until arrival of the Consules. From Egypt also arrived hopeful news. After abdication of Pharaoh Lucius, throne had passed to Aelius Decimus Maximus, former commander of legions loyal to the Republic during conflict with Ildico, who had already managed to expel troops of Pontus and had started recovering lost provinces.



An optio took Censor out of his thoughts. He brought a message for him to meet Denis and Lars in the praetorium. Since they landed in Crete a few days before, explorers did not stop reporting on parties of unknown attackers in mountains of the island. They were not sure if were partisans of former Phrygian occupation or conscripted by Cilician pirates, but apparently they had finally decided to confront them...

Fighting was short. Assailants had neither experience nor skills necessary to embarrass Roman and Etruscan forces. Just a few minutes, and survivors were hunted down and captured by patrols. Battlefield was covered with enemy dead... In fact, attack appeared to have no rhyme or reason, just a desperate desire to break out and reach the coast at some point.

After meeting with Denis and Lars, Censor summoned representatives of the greek cities to take charge of fallen and honor them according to their traditions. However, none of them was able to recognize their fellow citizens among dead. They all seemed to be foreigners or newcomers. Marcus was baffled. He discussed with greek leaders funerals of those men, and they accepted to take care of them. After negotiating about lodging and supplying of the expedition, and costs to their communities that had to be satisfied, said goodbye and walked towards his tent, near Porta Praetoria.

Marcus couldn't understand it. Raiders could have hardly been enough to defend a fortress. Roman Republic and its allies had mobilized largest army that ever had campaigned since Xerxes' expedition during Greco-Persian Wars, centuries ago. What was that battle for? It was impossible they believed could win, even less in open field.

Roman Censor was thinking on that questions when a blade appeared in his way:

- Wake up, Marcus! You should be alert. We never know what could be waiting for us here, even inside our camp.

Lady Fineae, the Etruscan Queen. She was training with some of her men. In last weeks, she and Marcus had crossed their swords often, and was an exceptional opponent. Senator had to play hard in every battle to face her energy and tenacity.

- Come on, my friend! You wanna try?

Marcus smiled. A little exercise would be good. He was to take the sword when a centurion came. A prisoner had asked to talk to him... When he entered the place, found himself facing a tall man, with a sparse black beard and tanned by the sea.



- Do I know you?

- No.

- Then, why do you want to talk to me?

- Because currently, a dishonorable pirate can only rely on an honorable man Marcus Aurelius, and an old friend told me you are an honorable man. Maybe this will help you understand what I mean…

Man rolled up his sleeves and showed Marcus an armlet. Roman Censor immediately recognized the present long time ago he sent to Shazir, Heart of the Flame, King of Cilician Pirates.



- Who are you?

- My name is Aratos. I was Shazir's right hand years ago. He asked me before died to return this to its rightful owner. I'm afraid he didn't have time to find an noble opponent.

Marcus took the armlet and stared at that man...

- What I can do for you?

- Well, a more comfortable bed could be OK, but I really think I have something better to offer.

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Marcus finished writing last letter and messenger went quickly to the harbour. News provided by Aratos had been quite interesting and patrols reports had confirmed that after the battle, some fugitives had boarded a small boat along the coast, heading westwards. No doubt they were Phrygian warriors that, led by Eadgils, had reached the island just before landing of Romans and Etruscans. According Aratos, they had left Phrygia, but he did not know their destiny. They had recruited some men, who set sails in several ships a few days before. At an extraordinary meeting, allied leaders decided to send that news to Senatus and alert garrisons and watchtowers of Italian Coasts and the islands.



There were only a few days to begin campaign in Asia Minor. Joint squadron of Romans and Teutons had already been sighted in the North, and also fleet in the South was prepared to transport armies in Crete to the mainland. Winds of war crossed again the Aegean Sea...

Siege of Halikarnassos was long and complex. Marcus Aurelius watched the city from hill beyond the Gate of Tripylon. Temples of the acropolis and Tomb of Mausolus made difficult to see the harbor and island of Zephyria, where Phrygian troops headquaters were located. Although several times Roman armies had appeared before its walls, greek city was never an easy prey. Her imposing walls had always been a challenge to roman engineers and, while other times population had opened the gates, informants said that this time Phrygian major troop presence inside made it unlikely.



However, after years of wars, Roman armies had become extraordinarily effective at siege warfare. Engineers of legions VI Ferrata and IV Scythica had been designing and building hundreds of siege engines for several days: catapults, ballistae, siege towers, battering rams... filled allied camp. Works of sap proceeded apace, and also underground passages to bring down the walls, protected by squads of the extraordinary Etruscan cavalry, which was dedicated to harass enemy parties trying to hinder our works. In fact, yesterday morning, a fringed out of Phrygians had led to a skirmish between troops from both sides at the Gate of Mylasa. Commander Sabina and Pontius the Samnite, officer of Royal Etruscan Guard, had a tough battle with Aelle and Cassandra, Ishabell's lieutenants, which had resulted in several injuries for them all.



At sea, Etruscan and Roman fleet established a tight grip around the harbour, blocking there much of Phrygian fleet. Despite their numerical disadvantage, enemies had tried to break out a couple of times. A quadreme, commanded by famous privateer Hannibal the Rhodian, managed to run the blockade at first thanks to seamanship of his phrygian lieutenants Andrikos and Jon Long Silver, heading north toward Troad and Ishabell's capital.

However, upon return, he was forced to run aground by our navy, and his ship was taken by legionaries under the command of Ogisha99 and DekiRedmanius. Marcus went down the hill and returned to his tent. On his desk, recent reports of explorers sent northwards by Consules Dacamaca and Spartacus said that Sigfried's troops and legions I Adiutrix and II Sabina had landed too close to Ephesos, driving enemies back to hinterland, while some detachments liberated the other cities of Ionia and south Aeolis led by Wolfgar, Ragnar, Maximus and The Mummy.

Censor leaned back in his chair thinking. Campaign had a good start, as planned, however, the absence of Pontus armies and the exodus of a large number of former steppe warriors to the West did nothing to calm him down.

- Well, time will give us answers...

There were two figures on the steps of Temple of Diana on Aventinus Mons. Aemilia Regilla walked slowly, protected from the burning sun by a sunshade. Shrine was one of the oldest in the City, but its picture on the steep hill was also one of the most beautiful, although climb seemed endless. She had her eyes fixed on pediment of the temple and its sculptures, while his hand held a papyrus scroll tightly on her breast. It was the last letter she had received from Halikarnassos. Marcus Aurelius sent it along with last official message to Senatus and another letter to his brother Marcus Aemilius.

Although Senate discussions were held behind closed doors and little came to public note from official reports, entire Rome knew about course of the campaign in the East thanks to rumors and talk from merchants and fleet officers, and also by senators' indiscreet gossips in their own home. She also knew all from her brother, Flamen Dialis of Rome...

After taking Halikarnassos and Ephesos, legions with Teutonic and Etruscan allies had marched inside territory looking for our enemies who, using a scorched earth policy, had shied away from confrontation trying to lead ours to an unfavorable terrain.

In fact, although there was finally a battle at headwaters of the Meander, near a city called Apameia, its result was ambiguous. Phrygians were largely defeated in a bloody battle, where their main leaders and warriors like Cordovan, Ares, Byzas or Conan fought fiercely; but also Etruscans contingent was in a bad way after the confrontation. A miscalculation pushed them between Roman and Teutonic ranks in heat of the battle, and were attacked by some of our men, although decisive action of their commanders Hermine, PaganLord, Maurissius and Bressan had finally saved the day.



After that disastrous confrontation, a truce was declared so that each side could properly gather and bury their dead. While Lars Porsenna, Denis Cicic and Sigfried negotiate length and conditions of the truce with Lorla and Myrquida, Germanicus and Lady Fineae took charge of dead Etruscan soldiers, saluted with honor by their comrades and allies. On our side, Corsantin, Hornet, Augustus Lucilius and Vejn, joined Freya and Ceres to honor Roman and Teutonic fallen warriors.

One week ceasefire was agreed, during which both armies were free to move any controlled territory. Allied camp was established by the Meander, which facilitated logistics, supply and communications. Marcus Aurelius spent that time to receive news from abroad through the spy ring of the Republic. Defense in western provinces was ready on time, and in Greece Hellenes had started to regain their former territories. Also in the South, Aelius Decimus' Egyptians had taken enemy strongholds in Cyprus. Censor was only concerned about news from the East. His agents in Pontus reported that only half of their forces were in the country, while rumors claimed that a fleet had left Cilicia towards the West.

Meanwhile, Phrygians had gone northwards two days after the battle. It seemed that there had been a sudden change in their Court, Ishabell's authority was answered back by some of her men, though that doesn't mean the end of the war...

Aemilia thought about that while watching carefully pediment of the Temple. It was inspired by Artemision of Ephesos, original shrine of Diana in the East, and the sculptures that decorated it, showing legendary founding of the city by Amazons. Marcus Aurelius described it in his last letter, he had even sent her a panel painting of that place. The sanctuary of Artemis, Mother Goddess of the Amazons, was of cyclopean proportions, magnificent with over 127 columns.



Aemilia looked down and approached the priest. A copy of painting sent by Marcus, that she had given to the Temple, could be seen after him. It was her offering to the goddess. She doesn't ask her to abandon their daughters to their fate, or to help our troops, just to take care of her loved ones and allow them to turn back home soon and safely.

- Let's hope goddess hear my prayer!!

Marcus Aurelius was happy with how events unfolded. Preparations made by Senatus had allowed all garrisons to be alert for enemy arrival. Reserves had also been mobilized and new legions had taken positions to defend provinces against the invasion. Campaign in the shores of Adriatic Sea was as hard as that at Asia Minor.



A few weeks had passed since they left Halikarnassos and Ephesos. His fleet, with legions I Adiutrix and VI Ferrata, had met Sigfried's squadron and Hellenes army in front of Piraeus harbour. Earlier, a joint attack of corsairs from Sicily, probably those led by Eadgils from Crete months ago, and a fleet of Pontus had taken roman province in Akarnania. First intention was to surround enemy armies and prevent their departure from the province, but Pontus and Sicilians had been able to avoid it carrying out a fake attack against roman Epirus. Though easily crushed by its garrison, tokens of courage from Marcus Flavius Aquila, Silvia, Cancer, Olivera or Scipio Africanus were unable to prevent enemies use their raid to set sails again in the Ionian Sea, escaping from pincer movement.

In view of the new situation, allied strategy was redesigned and, while legions II Sabina and III Italica, recently arrived from Phrygia, crossed Hellas to Epirus, meeting on their way the armies of Serbo Makaridov and his second-in-command Longbeard, Sigfried and Marcus sailed round Peloponnesus to meet enemy in strait in front of Promontorium lapygium.

Unable to storm Magna Graecia, heavily defended by coastal garrisons, greek cities of Reggium and Tarentum, and roman colony of Brundisium, enemy had landed on eastern Adriatic coast, in Docleatae territory occupied by Macedonians, their new allies. However, with the arrival of new Roman and Teutonic forces, they began marching northwest, taking small roman outposts inside Illyria.



Taking into account direction of their advance, allied commanders decided Lars Porsenna and Etruscans should turn back to their territory and prepare the defense, while legions and Teutonic troops, under command of Sigfried and Marcus Aurelius, used excellent road network built in recent years by Roman Republic to hunt down the armies of Eadgils and Orkan, new leader of Pontus.

At top speed, our men had catched the enemy up along middle course of Savus two days ago, however, both army of Pontus and corsarirs succeeded in crossing the stream. Caught between us and the river, only Lexx and Baphomet's warriors had to deal with our men and, although they were inexorably defeated, Igamesl, SnoopDogg, Veljko or Zimbru did their best during their fight against some of our most skilled soldiers and champions as Kuki, Titus Aurelius, Crag Hack Gibb, Corsantin, Nero, Civijash, Mirmidone...



While watching water movement downstream, Marcus Aurelius thought of his comrades. How would campaign against Pontus in Anatolia be evolving? At his departure, Legio IV Scythica advanced lead by Denis Cicic, supported by Consules Dacamaca and Spartacus, in search of enemy territory, where they would meet with new Pharaoh of Egypt Aelius Decimus' forces. Senator hoped everything was going according to plan...

Ulfberth and Nedeam, two Sigfried's guards, approached the Censor. Their commander was waiting in his tent to plan next movements. Marcus Aurelius closed his eyes, intoning a pray to the Gods for his fellow citizens. After a moment of silence, he turned round and walked toward the camp...

Screams, cries and sounds of battle filled the air. Roman front had fragmented versus enemy thrust some time ago. Their numerical superiority had forced Sigfried and Marcus to extend their ranks to prevent being outflanked, even at the cost of reducing its depth. Men however were standing pretty well and, even at great sacrifice, battlefront collapse had been avoided.



In fact, battle seemed to have stalled. Though Teutonic squadrons and Roman centuriae managed to keep their formations, hundreds of individual duels filled the field: Corsantin-Alconan Dreadeye, Civijash-Jarucha the Witch, Mirmidone-Milkherem, Nero-Farnakes, Mihaela-Senilias Marius, MarioTime-Butch the Slaughterer, Loader-Draco, Pompeye-Nesseia, Ragnar-Herman, Wolfgar-Miolta, Ceres-Xeron... Warriors had little room to move.

Pontus soldiers fought with courage, trying to draw the attention of their King Orkan who, accompanied by bodyguards and commanders Ukene, Marcin Klapacz, Allen Brzeszczyk, fought in the front line against VI Cohors legionaires. On right wing, Suebi launched a devastating attack on Sigfried and his men. Driven by a superhuman energy, they handled skillfully their weapons, although Teutons defended their position vigorously, finishing enemy initial push. Sicilian corsairs troops, lightly armoured and more mobile, raided different places of the front, often clashing with Etruscan militias, that came to reinforce allied forces.



Marcus Aurelius and his men were fighting bravely against the enemy. At his side, Ogisha99 held the aquila of Legio VI Ferrata, encouraging men not to give up, but to smash enemies at any cost while piercing a huge pontic warrior with his gladius. Both armies were at the limit of their strength. Marcus had just knock down a giant thureophoros of Pontus, when he felt indecision seized soldiers around him. Seconds later, a general withdrawal spread in enemy ranks, with their commanders, even Orkan, unable to stop it.

The battle was over...

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Roman Censor walked through the camp accompanied by primus pilus of Legio VI Ferrata and Sigfried. He had been talking to northern leaders about course of the battle. Teutonic commander stopped before a tent and said a name. A warrior came to his call. Marcus Aurelius took a step towards her:

QUOTE:
Freya of Pommoran, Lady of Khiel!

For your courage in the battlefield, for your unswerving loyalty to your comrades, and for services rendered during this campaign, especially during our last battle, by virtue of auctoritas with I've been invested by Senatus Populusque Romanus, I award you highest military decoration in the Republic, corona graminea.

Freya knelt in front of Censor, and Marcus crowned her. He knew Freya was not in command of her army, it was also first time that an honor like that was given to a non-Roman, but that great victory and Freya's resistance against the enemy was worthy of a gesture like that, even not fulfilling every legal detail.

Salve Freya!

May both Roman and Teutonic Gods be always with you!