I came, I saw, I got stabbed

[Marathon]

I am going to play through the entire campaign on the normal difficulty. I have not played any of the battles before so I am going in blind.

From the manual...

"The campaign has three major parts. First, Caesar must pacify Gaul and gain prestige in the Senate. The player can fight the historical battles in Gaul in any order. Second, when Caesar’s fame reaches a high enough level, all of Gaul will revolt and Caesar will be forced to fight the Battle of Alesia. Finally, after Alesia, the Civil War will begin and Caesar must bring Pompey’s and the Roman lands under his dictatorship. As in the Gallic campaign, Caesar may fi ght the civil war battles in any order."

In 59 B.C.E., Caesar has been appointed Proconsul of Gaul and Illyria. It is a region full of unrest and barbarian tribes, ripe for conquest and plunder. For the glory of Rome!

The first obstacle is the migrating Helvetti tribe. They migrate into Gaul and Caesar forces a battle.

[Marathon]

I select German Auxiliaries, for their heavy cavalry, to go along with Legio VIII, Legio IX and Legio VII.

There are two objectives, one that requires defending a position from the Helvetti and then attacking their position.

[Marathon]

Our baggage train is situated on the high ground so the defensive position is perfect. The cavalry protects both flanks, Romans on the left and the Germans on the right. The veteran infantry in the center while the new legion, Legio IX, forms a reserve.

The cavalry moves forward to secure my flanks. The infantry is ordered to the crest of the ridge, we are currently situated upon, and will be halted. The reserve moves to extend the line. Publius Crassus defends the objective flag.

[Marathon]

The defense is set and the Helvetti appear from the valley.

[Marathon]

The Helvetti move to overload my left flank. My infantry is ordered to defend and wait for the opportune moment to use their pilums. The enemy archers let loose several ineffective volleys. Not only are the enemy spearmen at a disadvantage marching uphill to attack my troops, their archers will have a hard time negating my terrain advantage. Cavalry commander Gaius Arpineius drives back the first Helvetti assault. My infantry holds firm against the other attacks, inflicting 1500 casualties while only losing 300.

[Marathon]

My cavalry is in the perfect position to press the enemy flanks and charge into the Helvetti rear. The pressure mounts on my left but pilums and several failed Helevtti attacks cut down 2300 more barbarians.

[Marathon]

My Roman shield wall holds but Quintus Sabinus still loses my first stand. Both Roman and German cavalry press the Helvetti flanks.

[Marathon]

My initial cautiousness pays off as the weakened enemy is ripe for counter-attack. Lugotorix, Acco, Convictolitavis and Conconnetodus are eliminated. The horses reach the Helvetti archers who up to this point, had not touched one Roman.

[Marathon]

Time to press the assault on the crumbling enemy line.

[Marathon]

Gaius Arpineius' cavalry strength is down to one half but otherwise, the Helvetti are falling like leaves. Brennus and Agron are destroyed completely as 2500 more Helvetti are killed. In pursuit of a fleeing unit, my German cavalry spots a unit of the Tulingi tribe.

[Marathon]

Being curious, I play my scout card near the Tulingi. Multiple barbarian spearmen are spotted along with some of the Boii tribe near the second objective flag. They will pay for their assistance of the Helvetti. I order some of the units on my right to form another defensive line opposite the Tulingi. The rest of my army continues to mop up the Helvetti and kill 3500 more of them.

[James Ward]

Thanks for the screen shots. This game has got my interest. Is that the entire map? Does the map size vary per battle?

[DIEMAN]

The screen shots here show maybe around 60% of the Helvetii battle map. The maps do vary in size throughout the campaign; many are substantially bigger and one or two (like the Assault of Avaricum) are smaller battles. Also, the size of Ceasar's forces changes dramatically from one battle scenario to the next... so for certain battles you might command 5 or 6 legions plus auxiliaries, while others limit you to 3 or 4.

[James Ward]

Cool, I don't like small maps especially for a tactical battle.

[Marathon]

Once again, I can use terrain to my advantage. My army's right wing can form a defensive line, against the Tulingi, so they have to attack uphill or I can attack downhill. The rest of my army continues to cut down the remaining Helvetti. I play a rally card on the veteran legionnaires of Quintus Pedius as they will make part of that defensive line. Volusenus' and Lucterius' commands are eliminated.

[Marathon]

The line forms and awaits the Tulingi. It includes most of my legions and the German heavy cavalry. The Roman cavalry and German spearmen pursue the Helvetti remnants. Another enemy unit, Correus, is destroyed.

[Marathon]

Several tough melees occur but all the Tulingi attacks are pushed back with heavy losses. Since all the their units are bunched up, I can curl around their left flank.

[Marathon]

I order some of my legions to charge the shaken barbarians and 2600 more of them are slaughtered. Cotus and Adiatuanus are eliminated. My pursuing cavalry spots the second objective defenders, a mix of weak Helvetti and Toii tribesmen.

[Marathon]

I must hold of any attack on the second objective until my legions finish off the Tulingi. That does not mean I cannot peel off a few units in preparation. Benedict's German cavalry are reduced to half strength and he is killed in the ensuing charge. The Helvetti and Boii do not wait for me and they start to move downhill towards my men.

[Marathon]

My maneuvering has brought me within range of more enemy archers. This time, they have the height advantage and I lose 600 men. Four more enemy units are destroyed and the barbarian leader Segorax is killed. Objective one is completed.