During the reign of Caesar Augustus, the conquest of Egypt gained for Rome an immense wealth and source of grain. It also had to contend with Meroitic raids on its southern frontier. In response, the Roman governor of Egypt, Publius Petronius, invaded Nubia and after a three-year long campaign a peace treaty between Augustus and Queen Amanirenas was made. Note, sourcing Gaius Petronius online, one can find a map illustrating the area of campaign in Nubia.
From
Augustus to the late 2nd century, a lucrative trade developed
between the province of Egypt and Nubia and permanent garrisons were
established at the First Cataract, Philae and Syene to protect the vital route.
The region remained relatively quiet for the next two centuries.
Game one.
Rome secured
a gentle hill for its centre on a gentle hill and holding the rocky ground on
its left were the auxilia. The Kushite horde advanced on the Roman centre
ignoring the legion to its left.
The advance
of the legion altered Kushite plans as troops were sent to face the threat on
its left.
The assault
by the legion floundered offering the Kushite a moment to pursue its original
plan and attack the Roman centre.
The legion
regained its second wind to inflict casualties among the tribesmen. The assault
on the hill lacked the desired result prompting the Nubian general to call a general
retreat. Rome 4 – 2.
Game two.
The Kushite
battle array stretched nearly 750 paces prompting Rome to do likewise. Rome,
forming two wings, positioned the legion on the right and auxilia with
artillery on the left.
The Roman advanced
against the enemy line confident of a second victory.
Unfortunately,
the Kushites were equally confident and proceeded to deal the legion a severe
defeat. Kushites 4 – 0
Observations.
The Kushites had phenomenal good fortune to score well on successive combats against the legion. The loss of the auxilia on the far right was the icing on the cake. Romani ite domum.
Early
Imperial Roman
1 x General
(Cv), 1 x equites (Cv), 4 x legionnaires (4Bd), 3 x auxilia infantry (4Ax), 1 x
archers (4Bw or Ps), 1 x light horse (LH), 1 x artillery (Art).
Meroitic
Kushite
1 x General
(Cv), 1 x cavalry (Cv), 2 x Meroitic archers (3Bw), 5 x tribal spearmen (Sp), 2
x tribal swordmen (4Bd), 1 x herdsmen with bows (Ps).
Recommended
Reading
Strabo
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strabo
Gaius
Petronius https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaius_Petronius
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