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This time they were more prepared and a dual fronted attack split the cities defenders and allowed the Romans to burn down 2 entrance points.
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Spirius Piso had the chance to make amends 8 years following Rome's biggest loss since arriving in Africa. Surprisingly Spirius Piso would again lead the siege, after failing in 148BC losing over 1000 men.
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This move although not contested by Rome, was not forgotten and they saw it as the ideal opportunity to once again attack Carthago, so they mobilised their troops to once again siege the city. This was something that Carthage took advantage of, as after claiming back Lilybaeum they faced even less resistance in taking back Karalis. Rome had concentrated its forces in Africa, the remaining 2 armies stayed on mainland Roman provinces leaving their island's exposed. Rome again controlled Thapsus and this time the effort on Carthago will need to be co-ordinated and cautious. Another big army was defeated and more heavy losses put on the Carthaginian command. It was the beginning of the end for Carthage in this battle, the Romans held firm and with its cavalry in bloodthirsty mode, they chased and chopped down as many men as they could. Initially not engaged in the battle, Scaeva managed to move his men around to the back of the Carthage line and once in sight they charged in and hacked their way through, causing mayhem and distracting those engaged in combat with Romes heavy legions. The battle chewed on, both generals attempted withdrawals and flanking efforts but the battle turned on one decisive factor. Piso and Scaeva were confident their men could break the morale of the enemy, however this time Carthage had the victory at Carthago to cling onto and know that these Romans were not invincible. Once again they would control the battle and stop any chance of being encircled as an aggressive stance saw them engage the Carthaginians head on with a brutal infantry battle. Romes cavalry turned the tide, routing Carthage from the fieldīack on familiar ground, the Romans once again found themselves facing Carthage forces from various sides. Large Infantry battles dominated the battlefield, as neither side could make a major break in the lines Eventually it worked, but Rome had lost over 60% of its cavalry and now relied upon infantry to finish off the job. Inevitably this charge cost the Roman's heavily, Carthage had lined its walls with ranged units and rained its fire down onto the cavalry, which took massive losses whilst attempting to destroy the gates. Initially the plan was to sit outside the walls, prepare siege equipment and attack at various points, however the impatience of General Spirius Piso (Legio IV) saw him decide to attempt to burn through the gates of Carthago and invade directly.Īs mentioned Piso wanted to take the glory of sacking Carthago for Rome so at first light he sent his cavalry charging toward the gates to attempt to burn them down. Rome allowed its armies to replenish and rest, before setting both Legio's III and IV off to siege Carthago in 148BC. Now Rome only had eyes on Carthago and there was little that the Carthaginian's could do other than hope that the heavily walled city and its garrisoned force could hold out long enough for reinforcements to arrive and take the pressure. The Carthaginians still had healthy armies based out at sea, but were ill prepared for this invasion and found themselves landing forces straight into Roman sight. The Romans readied themselves for the battle they had set out to achieve when they left Europe to invade Carthage in Africa. Carthage retreated its main forces to the actual city of Thapsus (albeit now in almost ruins), however Rome continued to force its way through and the shear weight of their Legions broke the will of the weaker infantry fielded by Carthage. The battle began, the early skirmishes saw the ranged units take chunks out of each other before Rome decided to push in its heavy central force. Rome had the advantage of being rested and on land, Carthage themselves had just docked their troops and once again found themselves split, a fact that didnt go amiss to the Roman generals. It was to be the biggest battle yet, 6000 of Romes finest to face up to 6000 of Carthage's brutal forces. However that move would soon be cancelled as the Carthaginians made their force known as they landed 6000 men behind the Romans just to the North of Thapsus and drew the Roman forces into another battle around the city.
ALEA JACTA EST EXECUTION FOR HONOR FULL
With confidence flowing through all of Rome and its armies after succeeding to repel Carthage and then conquer Thapsus with very minor losses, the Romans prepared for a full on assault on Carthage itself.