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Brian Swartz · 06-20-2014, 01:26 AM

The time for celebrating the victory would be short indeed. The primary Aiakid army, now under the command of a lesser general, Kristobolous, did not wait for better weather in the spring but chose to attack Laevinus Coffeium without delay. Also different this time was that he was outnumbered, 18000 to about 14-15k for his army.

Battle of Lucania ** Lucania is the name given to the province of which Grumentum is capital. The battle takes place a fair distance south and a bit east of the city itself **
Winter, 280 B.C.

At the outset of the battle, velite skirmishers hid in the grass, enduring the bitter cold of driving rain as they awaited the approach of the enemy.

After an early feint by the Tarentine cavalry briefly drew the Roman horsemen out of position, the main body approached with their elephants causing the usual carnage.

Kristobolous himself was driven off, and Coffeium's men were able cause some damage to their missile troops. Unfortunately, these small victories were but footnotes to the fact that the rampaging beasts and superior phalanxes of the Aiakid main line once again decimated his legion's ranks. Nearly all of his best troops made this forest their graveyard, and once again the day ended with the remains of Roman might fleeing in disarray.

Back to Grumentum the survivors fled. The butcher's bill was not much different that at Herakleia less than a year earlier. 4,800 of the enemy were vanquished, at a cost of 12,300 of our brave men.

06-20-2014, 01:26 AM	#30
Brian Swartz Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2006	The time for celebrating the victory would be short indeed. The primary Aiakid army, now under the command of a lesser general, Kristobolous, did not wait for better weather in the spring but chose to attack Laevinus Coffeium without delay. Also different this time was that he was outnumbered, 18000 to about 14-15k for his army. Battle of Lucania Lucania is the name given to the province of which Grumentum is capital. The battle takes place a fair distance south and a bit east of the city itself Winter, 280 B.C. At the outset of the battle, velite skirmishers hid in the grass, enduring the bitter cold of driving rain as they awaited the approach of the enemy. After an early feint by the Tarentine cavalry briefly drew the Roman horsemen out of position, the main body approached with their elephants causing the usual carnage. Kristobolous himself was driven off, and Coffeium's men were able cause some damage to their missile troops. Unfortunately, these small victories were but footnotes to the fact that the rampaging beasts and superior phalanxes of the Aiakid main line once again decimated his legion's ranks. Nearly all of his best troops made this forest their graveyard, and once again the day ended with the remains of Roman might fleeing in disarray. Back to Grumentum the survivors fled. The butcher's bill was not much different that at Herakleia less than a year earlier. 4,800 of the enemy were vanquished, at a cost of 12,300 of our brave men.