Catugnatus Revenge

Roman tablet letter found by the Channel 4 "Time Team" Let's dig around in France programme, Valance 1992.  

Translation Dr Marmaduke Twaddle, University of North Durham.

"Dear Uncle Quintus, 

the 7th Legion has been rededicated after Young Caesar arrived to take up his Consular tasks, and I've been drafted to a Vexillatio to assist the third at Gallia Transalpina.  Flaccidus, my Optio, has accompanied me, with the remaining veterans of my Century.

Word is that the Allobroges are revolting under their naked chieftain Catugnatus.  They have called in Gaestati fanatics under the Warlord Pornographix.  My men were immediately filled with stories of Barbarian horror and Celtic nudism.  The Legatus Manlius Lentinus will be commanding us in a march on Valentia, although the III Legion belongs to the fat Governor Gauis Pomptinus, who refuses to leave his "Palace" at Narbo. 

May we meet in Rome again soon,

Centurion Titus Arsinius III Legion"

Cassius Dio 

47  The Allobroges were devastating Gallia Narbonensis, and Gaius Pomptinus, the governor, sent his lieutenants against the enemy, while he himself took up his quarters at a convenient spot for keeping watch of what occurred, so that he might be able to give them opportune advice and assistance, as their advantage might from time to time dictate.  Manlius Lentinus made a campaign against the city of Valentia and so terrified the inhabitants that the majority ran away and the rest sent ambassadors regarding peace. Just then the country population coming to their aid suddenly fell upon him; and he was repulsed from the wall, but ravaged the land with impunity until Catugnatus, the leader of their whole tribe, with some of those dwelling along the Isara came to their aid. For the time being he did not dare to hinder them from crossing, by reason of the number of their boats, for fear they might gather in a body on seeing the Romans arrayed against them. As the country was wooded, however, right down to the river bank, he planted ambuscades there, and captured and destroyed the men as fast as they crossed. While following up some fugitives he fell in with Catugnatus himself, and would have perished with all his force, had not a violent storm suddenly come up and prevented the barbarians from pursuing. 

48  Later, when Catugnatus had retired to some distant point, Lentinus overran the country again and destroyed the town before which he had met with his reverse. Lucius Marius and Servius Galba crossed the Rhone and after ravaging the possessions of the Allobroges finally reached the city of Solonium and occupied a strong position commanding it. They conquered their opponents in battle and also set fire to portions of the town, which was partly constructed of wood; they did not capture it, however, being prevented by the arrival of Catugnatus. Pomptinus, on learning of this, proceeded against the place with his entire army, besieged it, and got possession of the defenders, with the exception of Catugnatus. After that he more easily subjugated the remaining districts.

An Allobroges Silver Quinarius of , 121 - 75 BC

The glories of success in Spain are well behind our heroes, Titus and Felix.  Both roll again on the start up table for reputation in the new Legion.

Centurio Titus Arsinius (Notable)
Optio Felix Flaccidus (Pugnacious)

‘Into Action!’ Table 
Titus rolls a 1.  The first game will be in Martius III

Gaul
Terrain	1-3	4-6
Hills	2	3
Mountain	0	1
Marsh	1	2
Woods	3	4
Habitation	2	3
River Crossing	Ford	Bridge

Because the Massif Central and the Alps line the campaign area I have added a possible mountain into the terrain mix, but note that this will replace two of the generated hills.

Scenario Generator 
Roll of 3.  The Romans have a patrol scenario. Titus takes half of his century out to scout out the terrain of the Allobroges. 

Scenario Three:  

On Patrol: This  scenario  sees  an  attacker’s  patrol  attempting  to  scout  an  area  of  enemy  territory.  The attacker  must  visit  four  distinct  terrain  features  in  four  separate  areas  of  the  table  AND  remove one enemy Ambush or Deployment Point. 

Deployment Zones 

The  attacker  will  enter  the  table  on  a  short  edge.    The  defender  will  have  Deployment  Zones  on two  table  edges.    These  may  be  on  the  short  table  edge  opposite  the  attacking  player,  or  the either  of  the  long  edges.    They  should  choose  the  edges  and  dice  as  normal  for  the  Deployment Zone  location.    The defender’s Deployment Zone may not be in the same area or an area adjacent horizontally or vertically to the attacker. 

Victory Conditions 

The  attacker  may  not  count  any  Ambush  or  Deployment  Points  shut  down  in  the  pre-game Scouting  phase  towards  their  objective.    Each  of  the  four  terrain  features  visited  must  see  a minimum  of  one  Group  moved  into  it  completely.  The  game  ends  when  the  fourth  terrain feature has been visited.  

The Campaign Game:

Triumphant

Invincible, Adored

Heroic, Glorious, Exalted

Invulnerable, Punitive, Famous, Conspicuous

Victorious , Valiant, Vigorous, Prodigious, Wise

Bellicose, Pugnacious, Notable Diligent, Moderate, Virtuous

Errant, Invidious, Dolorous, Feeble, Puerile

Barbarous, Perfidious, Sinister, Despised

Bestial, Degenerate, Cowardly

Cursed, Ludicrous

Infamous!

Titus starts these games as Notable.  Like his fellow Centurions he is a an old time ranker.  

Optio Felix Flaccidus begins as Pugnatious.  Wouldn`'t expect anything else.

Scenario 1 Village Raid 2 Escort Duty 3 On Patrol  4 Foraging Party 5 Ubique 6 Outpost Attack 7 General Engagement 8 Attack on a Fortification   Roll Objective Requirement 1, 2 Burn crops A Task roll of 8 is required  3, 4 Steal cattle A Task roll of 10 is required  5 Seize hostage A Task roll of 12 is required 6 Destroy village A Task roll of 16 is required	Campaign Calendar Martius Week III Week IV	Into    Action! 1    1st Week 2    2nd Week 3,4  3rd Week 5,6  4th Week
	Aprilus Week I Week II Week III Week IV	Quintilus Week I Week II Week III Week IV
	Maius Week I Week II Week III Week IV	Sextilus Week I Week II Week III Week IV
	Junius Week I Week II Week III Week IV	September Week I Week II

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