During the winter months of January and February discord among the Vandal tribes reached a boiling point
such that the Asding and Siling groups formerly split. Alan marauding parties
were seen further south in the region of Viennensis. The Suevi were content to remain
in the lower province of Maxima Sequanorum away from possible reprisals.
Many of the landed aristocracy
who voiced their discontent at the intolerant situation the previous year were now
talking rebellion. The debate among the provincial senators March produced not one but three
candidates that ironically all stepped forward seize the throne in the same
month.
Constantine III marched on Lugdenensis
III to deal first with Gerontius. Constantine III’s forces, though outnumbered
by Gerontius quickly moved forward to engage his main battle line. Locked in
combat, the Alan appeared in time (flank march stratagem) to see Gerontius in
full retreat leaving a full third of his force dead on the field.
Occupied with suppressing
revolts, the barbarians were able to raid unmolested most of Lugdunensis in the
month of April. After his victory over Gerontius, Constantine III returned
to central Gallia in May. Here, the presence of the army formed a breakwater forcing the
Vandals steer northerly course and the Alan a southerly direction.
By the first week of June, Constantine III marched his army north
to suppress a second rebellion taking place in Armorica. The speed of his approach caught
the army of Armorica completely off guard (rapid deployment stratagem). In less
than an hour victory had been achieved with a goodly portion of the former army
of Armorica now marching south with a new paymaster.
Events heated up in July as Constantine III confronted a
Siling marauding party and defeated them. Likewise, an Alan column caught and severely
handled an Asding raiding party capturing their camp and spoils. Similar operations
continued in August and September, the effect of which channelled
the Vandals in a southward direction toward Hispania.
The Asding Vandals had crossed
the Pyrenees in October with the
Siling hard on their heels. The Germanic group known under the collective name the
Suevi would settle in lower Gallia. The Alan were also content to settle in
Gallia. Having served well as allies, Constantine III moved a number of tribes
to Armorica to keep order there. Others found new homes with their cousins the
Sarmatae who settled in central Gallia some generations earlier.
By winter all the Vandals with
some Alan tribes had made the crossing into Hispania. Maximus, who was quick to
rebel, would now have a tough dish to swallow come spring 410.
End of game.
No comments:
Post a Comment