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Home , 208 BC, 209 BC, 210 BC, 211 BC, 214 BC, 216 BC

The Celtic War, 225-222 BC Cisalpine , to carry on this war. ship in 222 BC, at the age of 46. His But Marcellus was already a seasoned The two consuls joined forces to campaign against the and commander before the Second Punic besiege the Insubres Celtic strong- marked him as an War began. He had served as a hold of Acerrae with a combined extraordinary Roman commander. junior officer during the latter years force of four double legions. The of the First War with , Celtic King Britomartus responded by Following the Celtic invasion of fighting against Hamilcar Barca's leading an army of 10,000 Gaesatae mercenaries in . In one hotly in 225 BC (see the Telamon campaign and Insubres warriors to ravage the contested battle he saved the life of featured in C3i Nr.6), Rome launched territory around Clastidium, a Roman his brother, Otacilius, and was a series of punitive expeditions into stronghold. ^ awarded the 'civic '. He then the Celtic homelands along the progressed through the normal series River in during 224- Marcellus, displaying his aggressive of offices during the interwar years. 223 BC. The consuls for 222 BC, character, decided to lead a flying In what would normally have been Marcellus and Gnaeus Cornelius column after Britomartus. Marcellus the culmination of a successful career, Scipio (the uncle of Africanus) were took only two thirds of the cavalry of Marcellus was elected to the consul- again allotted the province of

the four legions, a little over 3,000 Marcellus was still organizing his and paralyzed with indecision, horsemen, and a picked force of 600 fleet at Ostia, Rome's main port at the Marcellus kept his head. Although velites. With this small detachment mouth of the Tibur River. While he realized that there was little Marcellus surprised Britomartus and most Romans were seized with panic danger that could actually immediately offered battle. Britomartus hurriedly threw his troops into line, with nearly 8,000 infantry in the center and more than 1,500 cavalry on the flanks. Marcellus, in decidedly un-Roman fashion, rode out ahead of his army to engage King Britomartus in single combat. The two war leaders charged at each other, and Marcellus slew the Celtic King with one thrust of his lance. Thus he became only the third Roman commander in history to kill an enemy king in hand to hand combat, and despoil him of his armor. This feat was known as taking the 'spolia optima'. Marcellus then rejoined his detachment and lead them to an astonishing victory over the much larger Celtic army. For this victory, Marcellus was awarded a triumph upon his return to Rome.

The Begins, 218-216 BC When the Second Punic War began, the Romans had no premonition of the magnitude of the struggle about to ensue. Hence, regular constitu- tional procedures for electing generals (two consuls and four praetors) were in effect. Normally, a Roman noble could expect to serve only one consulship in a lifetime. Truly extraordinary generals (with plenty of political pull) might be awarded a second consulship, but usually only after at least a decade had passed. So, even though Marcellus was recognized as one of Rome's top commanders, he was not called upon to serve in the first two years of the war. The defeats at Ticinus, Trebbia and Trasimene caused the to begin to rethink its policies, however. In 216 BC Marcellus, now 52 years of age, was elected as one of the four Praetors, and assigned to command of the fleet, to operate in Sicilian waters.

When Hannibal enveloped and destroyed the army of the Consuls Varro and Paullus at Cannae, capture Rome, Marcellus nevertheless Marcellus correctly foresaw that the Marcellus also sent word to the immediately dispatched 1,500 arrival of any fresh troops would Senate that he was ready and willing marines to the capitol. Even though bolster the confidence of the populace to take the field against Hannibal, their numbers were insignificant, and help restore calm to the city. wherever he might be needed. The Senate ordered the Praetor to proceed to Canusium and relieve Varro of the command of the 14,000 fugitives of Cannae that had gath- ered there. Marcellus combined these demoralized troops with his remaining marines and hastily organized a new army. Meanwhile, two legions of new recruits and two legions of volunteer slaves and convicts were raised at Rome. These three weak armies were in no condition to confront Hannibal directly, but sought to maneuver to bring aid to wavering allied cities.

Campaigning on , 216-215 BC , the second city of Italy and chief city of the province of Campania, led a wave of defections to the side of Carthage. Marcellus was therefore directed to Campania to protect the remaining allies. Marcellus first secured Neapolis (), the chief seaport, with a strong garrison. But the city of Nola presented a more complicated problem. In this city, as in many others, the popular party favored alliance with Carthage while the aristocrats stood by Rome. Hannibal was in communication with the popular leaders of Nola to betray the city to him.

Marcellus placed a strong garrison in Nola, and diplomatically won over some key popular leaders. Hannibal advanced to storm the city, expecting a fifth column to support him from within the city. Instead the Carthaginians were met by a power- ful sortie led by Marcellus. Although this affair was little more than a skirmish, it was played up back in Rome as the "Battle of Nola." The were desparate for some good news. Marcellus was able to ride the popularity of the action at Nola into a second election as Consul in 215 BC.

However, both Marcellus and his colleague as consul, Sempronius Gracchus, were plebe- ians. Tradition dictated that at least one consul must be a patrician. showed. Marcellus, hard pressed, walls, Hannibal faced not only his Marcellus' political enemies in the reluctantly ordered a withdrawal army but two to three additional Senate took advantage of this to back into the city. The Third Battle of Roman armies in Southern Italy. drum up religious omens to force his Nola ended in a draw. Nero didn't Hannibal fought all through resignation of the consulship. The arrive till evening, and was re- , Apulia, Lucania and patrician Fabius was elected in his proached by Marcellus for spoiling Bruttium as well as in Campania. stead. It mattered little though, as the opportunity for a decisive victory. Marcellus' role, and the celebrated Marcellus was again given command But, as Nero was later to demonstrate Nola battles probably seemed quite of an army as a proconsul. during the Meaturus campaign, he insignificant to the great was a brilliant strategist and a hard Carthaginian. But in Rome the view Since the two legions of disgraced marcher. It seems likely that Nero's was different. The people were Cannae survivors had been banished flanking march was either poorly starved for any good news, and to serve the remainder of the war planned by Marcellus (too long a Marcellus provided what little they outside Italy, Marcellus was given the route) or foiled by Hannibal's flank got. At least he wasn't afraid to fight. XVI and XVII legions for his army. security detachments (which he These legions had been raised surely posted). The Sicilian Interlude, 214-211 following Cannae, and served the BC remainder of the year 216 BC as the Marcellus had campaigned for three Meanwhile, in Sicily, the faithful urban legions, the garrison of Rome. years in Campania, and was hailed as Roman ally King Hiero of Syracuse Marcellus was again assigned to a great general in Rome. But his had died in 215 BC. Hannibal sent a Campania, and once more saw action Campanian campaigns, and the Nola pair of mixed blood Syracusan- at Nola. This time, when Hannibal battles, must be viewed in perspec- Carthaginian officers, Epicydes and approached, Marcellus led out his tive. While Marcellus conducted a Hippocrates, to foment a revolt in the entire army. He took up a position defensive campaign from behind city city. Engineering a series of plots, close to the city, with his flanks assassinations and counterplots, it secured, and offered battle. Hannibal accepted the challenge, and a battle was fought that resulted in a draw. This, the Second Battle of Nola, enhanced Marcellus' reputation as the only general who could fight Hannibal and not get his command annihilated.

Marcellus Strikes Back at Nola, 214 BC With steadily growing popularity, Marcellus was elected to his third consulship in 214 BC. This time, the Senate did not interfere. Marcellus retained his army, the XVI and XVII legions and was again posted to Campania. In his favorite locale, at Nola, Marcellus offered battle to the wily, one-eyed Carthaginian for a third time. This time, however, Marcellus would play to win. He developed a plan to out-Punic the master. The evening before the intended action, Marcellus dis- patched one of his tribunes, (later victor at Metaurus) with a picked force of cavalry, velites and infantry out the back gate of Nola. Nero was ordered to make a wide, flanking night march so as to be able to fall on Hannibal's rear the next morning.

On the morrow, Marcellus led out his army and engaged in a fierce battle with Hannibal. But Nero never appeared in 214 BC that Epicydes methodical Roman siege-craft was While Marcellus was gone, the was about to succeed. Syracuse was stymied by the genius of the math- Syracusans decided to send half their not only the greatest city of Sicily, but ematician and his state- army out to join Himilco, while the also the third city of the Western of-the-art counter-siege engines. remainder would suffice to garrison Mediterranean (after Carthage and After a number of assaults, both by the city. Hippocrates, with an army Rome). Syracuse was also strategi- land and by sea, had been crushed by of 10,000 foot and 500 horse, slipped cally located to provide a link Archimedes' engines, Marcellus through the Roman blockade at night, between Hannibal's new domain in decided to reduce the city by block- and took the road to Agrigentum - Southern Italy and his home city. ade (ultimately a three year effort). the same road on which Marcellus The Senate decided to send an army Marcellus received word that a was returning. Hippocrates was with an aggressive commander to Carthaginian fleet and army had mainly concerned about pursuit from Syracuse to either forestall its loss or landed in Sicily near Agrigentum. the Roman forces at Syracuse. The recapture the city. The Consul Marcellus left two thirds of his army few sentries he bothered to post were Marcellus was selected as the best to maintain the blockade, and facing to his rear. Just as the Greek man for the job. conducted a reconnaissance in force army finished their march and began to Agrigentum with the remaining to encamp near Acrillae, Marcellus' Marcellus arrived in Sicily late in 214 one third, about 7,000 men. He found legion slammed into them. Marcellus BC, with his now veteran XVI and that Himilco had already seized had disposed his force to be ready for XVII legions. As Syracuse had Agrigentum, and was firmly en- action in any direction, for fear of openly declared for Carthage, he trenched with 25,000 infantry and Himilco's Numidian light horse. So began siege operations. But the 3,000 cavalry. they were prepared to go directly from the march into an attack. The Syracusan army was caught by surprise, but rallied and managed to offer some resistance. The Greek infantry then collapsed, and only their cavalry escaped destruction or capture.

Victory at Syracuse, Jealousy in Rome, 213-211 BC Marcellus continued the siege of Syracuse as a proconsul for three more years. Although the fortunes of war shifted repeatedly, Marcellus ultimately prevailed in 211 BC. Aided by a plague that killed Himilco and wiped out most of his army, and a handful of greedy traitors, Marcellus eventually broke into the city, and reduced it section by section. Marcellus succeeded where Athens (415-413 BC) and Carthage (398-397 and 311-310 BC) had failed. Marcellus had proven himself a master of siege warfare, as well as individual combat and battle tactics.

Marcellus was finally recalled to Rome at the close of 211 BC. But his political enemies were able to make two petty swipes at the returning conquering hero. First, Marcellus was denied a triumph for his victory at Syracuse, on the specious grounds that Carthaginian forces remained in southern Sicily and the victory was not complete. Marcellus received only the lesser honor of an ovation. Second, Marcellus was not allowed to bring his army home. The veteran on a zigzag course through Apulia. XVI and XVII legions were left Like two champion boxers, Hannibal maneuver campaign that followed behind in Sicily under another and Marcellus sparred throughout were Marcellus' best performance commander. However, Marcellus' the summer. Hannibal set numerous against the great captain Hannibal. enemies in the Senate could do ambushes and laid clever traps for nothing to prevent his election to a the pursuing Romans, but Marcellus Marcellus' Last Battle, 209 BC fourth consulship in 210 BC. warily picked his way around these The consuls elected for 209 BC were Marcellus was now by far the most pitfalls with careful reconnaissance Fabius (his fifth) and Quintus Fulvius popular general in Rome. and Fabian-style harassment. This Flaccus (his fourth). Marcellus was was Marcellus' most brilliant cam- continued in his command as a Campaigning in Apulia, 210 BC paign against the great Carthaginian. proconsul. These three veteran The military situation in Italy had Hannibal, finally giving up on either commanders devised a grand changed dramatically while shaking Marcellus' pursuit or strategic plan to achieve decisive Marcellus campaigned in Sicily. ambushing his army, finally went results. The linchpin of their strategy Hannibal, though never defeated, into winter quarters near Tarentum. was that Fabius would recapture had been steadily attritted and lost The Battle of Numistro and the Tarentum, the last remaining great many of his allied cities. Capua had city held by Hannibal. To divert the fallen to six legions after a three year siege in 211 BC. The primary area of combat shifted southward, from Campania and Samnium to Apulia and Lucania. Marcellus received the XXV and XXVI legions for his new consular army. These legions had been raised in 213 BC and served their first year as the urban legions. In 212 and 211 BC they were com- manded by the Praetor Marcus Junius Silanus (later ' deputy in ) in .

Marcellus was assigned the province of Apulia as his area of operations. Meanwhile, Hannibal had opened the campaign of 210 BC by enveloping and annihilating a of two legions under the Praetor Cnaeus Fulvius Centumalus at Herdonia. When Marcellus received word of this disaster, he was determined to avenge the defeat. He immediately broke camp and advanced against Hannibal, confronting him near Numistro in Lucania. Marcellus selected a narrow battle field and deployed his legions one behind the other, with his flanks covered by rough terrain. Hannibal accepted the challenge and a fierce day-long battle ensued. The Battle of Numistro ended in a draw, but Hannibal realized he could not afford to trade casualties with Marcellus, as he still had other Roman armies to deal with.

Hannibal broke contact and marched off, with Marcellus in hot pursuit. A series of fierce skirmishes between the two armies were fought near Venusia. Then Hannibal continued

Carthaginians' attention, Fulvius recorded 3,000 killed for the Romans, occupied a site about five miles off would launch a supporting attack but an astounding 8,000 for the and equidistant from the two Roman against Carthaginian-allied cities in Carthaginians. But this is generally camps. The Romans were surprised Lucania. Marcellus' role was to pin regarded as mere propaganda. that Hannibal did not occupy a hill Hannibal down in Apulia, and if Marcellus suffered a serious defeat in near Bantia, which seemed to be ideal possible defeat him in open battle. the two-day battle. The proof of this terrain to dominate the area. is in the actions that followed. Hannibal had indeed judged this The Roman's felt that the quality of Hannibal force marched his army to ground as well suited for his camp, Hannibal's army was steadily Lucania to confront Fulvius, and then but felt it would serve even better as declining. Crack African and Iberian dashed his men to Tarentum to face an ambush site. During the night he mercenaries were being replaced by Fabius. Marcellus, meanwhile, posted a few hundred of his crack Bruttian and Lucanian conscripts. withdrew slowly to Venusia and Numidian cavalry and Iberian light Marcellus, buoyed up by his near spent the remainder of the year infantry in hiding, to watch and wait. success at Numistro, felt the time for nursing his wounded. With 5,700 a decisive showdown had finally killed, nearly all his surviving The Romans took the bait. Marcellus come. So, as soon as the spring legionnaires may well have been decided to conduct a personal campaign season opened, Marcellus wounded. Marcellus' army was reconnaissance of the hill, along with made straight for Hannibal, who had clearly hors de combat as a result of his fellow consul. As an escort they taken up a position near Canusium. his defeat at Canusium. brought along two tribunes (one was Hannibal, seeing that Marcellus was Marcellus' son), two , six hot for action, was able to choose the Marcellus had failed tactically, but troops of Etruscan cavalry (180 men), battlefield. He offered battle in a what of his strategic mission? It forty cavalry from the allied city of small plain between Canusium and appears he failed here as well. In his Fregella (Marcellus' usual body- Asculum (the Battle of Canusium is zeal to engage Hannibal, he failed to guard), and twelve lictors (ceremo- also known as the Second Battle of pin him down for any length of time. nial guards who carried the fasces, Asculum). Only Fabius' good fortune in quickly axes bundled with sticks - later discovering a turncoat mercenary symbol of Mussolini's Fascist party) Marcellus drew up his experienced captain allowed him to capture for each consul. The party totalled XXV and XXVI legions one behind Tarentum just as Hannibal arrived to 250 men all told. They marched the other, while Hannibal also break the siege. straight for the summit of the hill. deployed two lines of infantry. When the fighting began, the forces fought Ambush at Bantia, 208 BC Hannibal's Numidians had no senior evenly for some time. Gradually, As his army languished at Venusia commander to lead them, but these Hannibal's first echelon began to throughout the year, Marcellus' veterans knew exactly what to do. worst the Roman legion in the van. political enemies back in Rome Recognizing the two consuls in the When Marcellus attempted to bring jumped at this rare opportunity to recon party, they allowed the entire his reserve legion up in support, the blast him with charges of lethargy group to move completely into the maneuver was bungled and both and incompetence. But Marcellus trap. They then launched a shower of legions were routed in confusion. returned to Rome in the winter and javelins at the surprised Romans and Marcellus lost two tribunes, four defended himself against these charged. The Etruscan cavalry centurions, and 2,700 legionnaires accusations so successfully that he immediately broke and scattered, killed. was elected to a fifth consulship. while the Fregellans and lictors Only Fabius and Marcellus achieved rallied around the consuls. The On the following day, Marcellus this distinction in the Second Punic Numidians concentrated their attacks again offered battle. records War, and no other Roman general on the two generals, hoping to Hannibal's reaction to his persistant would match this until Gaius Marius capture them. Quinctius was struck foe's activity. "Hercules! what do we received seven consulships a century by two javelins and fell to the do with a man who refuses to accept later. Marcellus' colleague as consul ground. Marcellus, fighting off a either good fortune or bad? This is for 208 BC was an untried patrician, group of attackers, was slain by a the only general who gives his Titus Quinctius Crispinus. lance thrust. enemy no rest when he is victorious, nor takes any himself when he is The campaign began with Marcellus Marcellus' son, also wounded, rallied defeated. We shall never have done still at Venusia, while Quinctius the defenders, rescued Quinctius, and with fighting him, it seems, because moved into Bruttium to besiege Locri. cut his way back to safety. Roman he attacks out of confidence when he Hannibal chased Quinctius away losses totalled 40 killed, 23 taken is winning, and out of shame when from Locri, and this general decided prisoner and many wounded. he is beaten." records that to retreat into Apulia and join forces Quinctius Crispinus died of his Marcellus inflicted a major defeat on with Marcellus. Quinctius built his wounds within a few days. This was Hannibal, when his elephants camp a couple miles from that of the only occasion in the history of the rampaged out of control. Livy Marcellus, and then Hannibal when both consuls

were slain in the same action. Sources became the practice during the late Hannibal provided Marcellus, his Unfortunately, very little of ' republic, civil wars and the empire. respected opponent, a funeral and surviving history covers the career of However, it is possible to follow the with full military honors. Marcellus. However, Livy and history of legions during the Second Plutarch provide extensive, if less Punic War, and the historian De Epilogue reliable, accounts. Any good second- Sanctis developed a handy table of Marcellus had died most likely as he ary history of the Second Punic War, legion deployments. The legions in would have wished - as a 60 year old or biography of Hannibal, will his list are numbered in the order they consul in hand-to-hand combat with analyze Marcellus' campaigns in were raised, from 1-46. De Santis' the enemy. Why he decided to lead a detail. legion numbers are used in this reconnaissance party that any account to make the narrative more tribune, or even centurion, could A Note on Legion Numbering readable. have led, we will never know. But It appears that during the early and Marcellus was likely fortunate to die middle republic (500-100 BC) legions Counters when he did. He would probably were not assigned permanent num- You can find all the counters you need have never bested Hannibal, and bers. Legions were instead renum- in SPQR. However, new leader after a lifetime of military activity a bered each year, changing as legions counters for the following command- quiet retirement probably held little were destroyed or disbanded. ers will be included as a C3i insert: appeal. At least he was spared the Assigning permanent numbers fate of Fabius, reduced in the latter years of the war to becoming a whining spectator, jealous of Scipio and pettily attacking his great accomplishments. Marcus Claudius Marcellus died at the height of his glory - five times consul, holder of the Spolia Optima, sacker of Syracuse, bane of Hannibal, truly the Sword of Rome.

Great Battles of History Three Days of Gettysburg II June. System is very close to BNA, Projects As soon as we get the completed maps with some important changes. The Several modules are finishing design - especially Map #4 - from CRT has different results (mostly work. The two closest to the finish line Rick Barber, this project goes to press. because of the scale differences), and are both for Great Battles of Julius We are, at this time, planning on a we now have two ways to play the Caesar: The and special package that would also game: either using the random chit- Jugurtha. The former includes the include a set of rules for "gentler, pull of the AMs, or the Continuity three major land battles: Bibracte, The kinder" play: SimpDoG (much the mechanic, which you can check out in Sambre and the nameless one against same as the Simple GBoH rules Simple GBoH. No projected publica- Ariovistus and the Germans. Lots of included in this issue of C3i). tion date yet... bit goes out for beta barbarians . . . Jugurtha is most testing soon. unusual, as the Numidians are, June Six essentially, a "hit-and-run" guerrilla- Playtest work has begun on the next like army, so we have some extended Gameplayers game, the follow-up to rules for that. Moreover, as the Battle for North Africa: June Six. This Jugurthan War is the supposed covers the Normandy invasions (all turning point in the development of beaches) with two maps (which break the Marian Army, we have one battle down nicely into several, one-map fought with the manipular legion scenarios) and regiment/brigade (SPQR), and one with the cohort- level. Daily turns, running to end of based legion (Caesar).