As the cool Northern breezes began to warm early in 217 BC Hannibal orders to Gisgo to Assault Arretium.

In the meantime Hannibal took his army and attacked Geminus Consular force, near Geminus. Hannibal combined with Maharbal and all of his elite Cavalry that had been wintering nearby combined to surprise Rome’s timid Generals. Geminus is stuck. His lack of leadership and indecision force him to stand and fight [he cannot roll a successful Avoid no matter what] .

As battle lines form up Geminus, despite his nerves feels confident. Situated on a hill he can see his checker board maniples arrayed out numbering the rag tag army of Hannibal by nearly 2:1. “ Juptier smiles on us he roars to his men, look at this rabble. You are Roman. We will not hold here…we will not stand and await the filth to sully one more inch of Roamn land – Advance”. Horns sound, Eagles rise, and drums beat. Hannibal’s forces, appear to back off from the slowly advancing Romans. They compress between two wooded areas.

Roman Cavalry scouts race to the Consuls side “Sire – enemy cavalry in great numbers is moving around to flank us. What will you have us do with our cavalry?

A small bead of sweat trickles down Geminus back. His color pales. Gripping his sword he points at his Cavalry officers – “Hold them, delay them until we finish these rogues, then we shall form a defensive perimeter – let the Cavalry charge our Pilum.  Now GO!“

From his vantage point Hannibal sees the hapless cavalry of the Romans attempt to flank, and block. He quickly senses his opportunity. Maharbal is directed to engage holding the enemy cavalry, at bay while the rest avoid the Romans all together and strike the rear of the Legions who are now engaged with his ‘rabble’.  An Elephant trumpets, and charges into the melee, throw shield and bodies in all directions. The cohesion of the Maniples being to break. Band of Gauls, and Numdians race into the gaps, hacking and slashing.  The ground trembles….shudders massively behind the Romans. They turn to see 2,000 archers on horse back and wild spearmen guiding their horses with their knees into the fray. Panic ensues. [28 Can points vs 8 Cav points, we can only imagine the carnage. Game battle note. The final attack goes in at +9! The result is however only a 10/20, the force must retreat, and given the huge delta in DRM, the losses for Hannibal are reduced. This becomes a major victory for Hannibal].

In the Senate, word has reached them of the worst possible outcome! An army lost. 28% of the Romans who fled where butchered! No quarter was given. The poor news however does not end there. Flaminus arrives to the outskirts of Rome, in a litter. A spear wound to the thigh and massive head wounds leave him and his tattered army almost useless.

His officers report directly to the Senate floor: Hannibals army approached us, in the Vanguard were eagles! From both the 1^st & the 2^nd Legion. As well as pikes with heads of officers. Despite this Flaminus to his credit took up a position across the road. We appeared to be evenly matched, but it was a slaughter! [+6 for Elite & Cav size difference,+1 EL,-3 for being disrupted + 7 for Leadership. Vs +2 for Romes leadership]. Dear Sentators, they are unstoppable, their cavalry swarms us, are never in the best position. His scouts are every where, roaming the country side at will, stirring up dissent. We need another army. We are down to 33% of our effective fighting force. “

The Senate is in an uproar! What do? As the days drag on, Hannibal’s forces roam at will subjugating provinces. Made easier each time a major victory is secured against the Romans. Geminus implores Rome for another army, and another chance to fight!

He succeeds but is ordered to avoid the fight. His army or what is left of it reinforces the urban legions.

Alba Lucens falls to Carthage. Barca marches to the coast and sieges Asculum. Rome is almost surrounded. Something must give, something must change. As Fall gives way to Winter, many Senators meet in private, lobbying, cajoling and bribing each other. The change must be drastic.