The Pyhrric war grew out of hand rapidly. The City-state of Tarentum, desperately attempting to avoid conquest by the fledging Roman Republic escalated what began as a minor treaty violation into a full scale war, calling upon the King of Epirus, Pyrrhus to aid them against the Romans, and other near by tribes in the southern Italian peninsula.
Though a briliant leader, capable of winning many victories against Rome, the inability to reinforce his army effectively and defend captured cities while fighting forcefully lead to the Roman Republic eventually finding victory in the face of defeat, turning it into a war of attrition. Pyrrhus' victories were for naught, and he and the remnants of his army fled back to Epirus. It is at this point that the Consul of Rome overstepped, and seeking revenge, gathered together a Consular Army somewhat large for the time. It consisted of some 320 lightly armored swordsmen with large shields, 320 moderately well armored spearmen with large shields, 320 Etruscan style Hoplites, which made the backbone of the army, the rear battle line. In addition to these 960 men, about 400 peasants trained in the use of the Sling padded out the army. As a final measure after making landfall on the Greek peninsula, the consul hired a mercenary band of some 300 archers from the Greek island of Crete. Lastly, if the Roman hoplites formed the backbone of the Roman army, the head was of course the Consul himself, along with the 100 or so spear wielding horsemen in his personal bodyguard.
Epirus' main homeland army had not been effected by the war on the Italian peninsula, and combined with Pyrrhus' expeditionary army, the total force of the Epirote army, though hard to determine the composition exactly, held nearly 3000 men total, most of which levied peasants with only sparse hoplite combat training, with a few hardened hoplite regiments. Most disconcerting for the Romans, however, were the War elephants. As soon as the Romans made landfall, the Epirote army marched upon them at the news. The Romans had the terrain on their side, however. The Epirotes found and marched on merely half of the Roman army, the rest lay in wait hidden in tall grassland and woods near the field of battle, the peasant slingers and archers especially. Once the Epirote army had passed the woods and nearly engaged the Romans, the hidden archers and slingers unleashed thousands of missles upon the army. The first, unexpected volley killed hundreds of men on it's own, and it became ever more terrifying as their target switched to the elephants.
Out of the hundreds of arrows and stones shot at the elephants, only three hit where necessary. One took an arrow to the eye, another a stone. The third took an arrow in a major artery. These three elephants broke into a panicked frenzy which quickly spread to the other elephants, turning the Epirote's greatest asset into a major liability. Finally forced into engagement with the Roman army, and then subsequently partially surrounded by the hidden portion of the main line forces, the Epirotes quickly broke, and Pyrrhus was forced again to retreat, in the face of this devastating defeat. They lost half of their men at least in the battle, and could only hope for a solid city defence to counter the Roman expedition.
Thus, the siege of the Epirote capital began. This lasted for some months before a proper attack on the city began. The Slingers and archers, none of whom died in the last battle as they were never engaged in direct combat, were brought before the walls and fired over them, forcing the defending forces to retreat deeper into the city, sustaining casualties as they went. Meanwhile, a battering ram was brought to the city gates. After the gates were beaten down, the Roman army wasted no time, and quickly marched through. The defenders just within the gates were just able to make a modest defense. However, Pyrrhus himself proved himself braver than most generals. He left the city walls by a side gate, and charged the roman army shoving through the gates from behind. Unfortunately for him, Consul Dolabella was just as brave, and the rear line of the attacking force consisted of the heavy Hoplites, uniquely suited to deal with he calvary charge. The Consul's bodyguard hit Pyrrhus' own bodyguard calvary from behind, the hammer to the Hoplite's anvil. Quickly surrounded, Pyrrhus fought, to the death.
With Pyrrhus, their king and General lying dead, the Epirote army broke into a full retreat deeper into the city to regroup. The Roman army, high off of this partial victory, gave chase. Consul Dolabella himself charged through, exploiting the route to kill as many men as possible.
Then; Disaster. The Captain who took over command of the Epirote army was no fool himself, and Pyrrhus himself thought far ahead of the Romans. The chase of the Epirote army ended swiftly, as the elite hoplites of the Epirote army stood like a wall in the narrow city streets. Peltasts behind them flung javelins by the hundred into the mass of Roman men, and a previously unseen group of men made their presence known. Hidden in side streets, Phalanx formations, men carrying twelve foot long spears in a tight grouping marched foward, and around, behind the Roman army. In the narrow streets, the Phalanx is neigh invulnerable. Though they are not equipped for close combat, the Phalanx men never have to engage in it when their flanks and rears are covered. In this case, by the walls of nearby buildings. The Romans are then in a tight situation. The whole mass of their army, including Consul Dolabella, is lodged between the Epirote's hammer (The Phalanx) and anvil (The hoplites this time. As long as the hoplites merely hold the line, the Romans would be doomed.
Meanwhile, outside the walls, the captain of the mercenary band of Cretan Archers sees an unexpected opportunity to win glory, and greater pay. The archers of Crete, accomplished swordsmen as well as archers, make no hesitation. They charge through the gates, and hit the Phalanx formation from behind. Fresh, and eager, their attack is more effective than anyone could have hoped for. The several hundred phalanx men break formation, panic, and surrounded themselves now, are quickly butchered.
From the brink of defeat, the Roman army turned the battle around. The shield wall that held them back broke down, and the Epirote army was surrounded in the midst of the city. The army, which began far larger than the Roman army found itself found itself faced with inevitable defeat. Some quick manuvering brought the heavy hoplites behind the Epirotes, and the Consul's calvary made it's last charge to slay the last few dozen men, Dolabella himself certain, that this victory would earn him a place in history, forever. One final great charge, as the last of Pyrrhus' legendary army di---
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Topic: Based on a True Story (Read 625 times)