You are blessed by Hadrian. Yet your Governors rob you blind and thieve from the people. For 7 years the Marcomanni and Lombards have raided across the Daube. The Costoboci threaten Macedon and Greece. The Sarmatians have migrated to our borders It is time for that to cease and for Rome to re assert its authority.

It is now the Spring of 170 CE what shall you do Marcus my dear friend? So wrote Fronto one of his dearest confidants and friends…at least in this version of history he did.

170CE

Spring

Marcus Aurelius, decided to deal with the highly volatile and cavalry centric Iazyges from today’s Iran first. It took two fierce battles with 6 Legions [LG] to force their retreat [used a rout card]

Sensing a potential victory, and despite exhaustion he presses deep into the new homelands of the tribe and forces their surrender. He immediately builds forts, to secure the frontier.

Summer

The Quadi, who recently broke their oath venture southwards and as word spread so to do the Marcomanni.

Marcus Aurelius [MA] loses some prestige in the Roman Senate due to these advances.

-1Prestige.

However during the Summer MA presses back the MarcoManni [MM] two areas via deft card play. MA also builds strong forts deep into the Iazyges territory to maintain order.

Winter

Barbarians , rebels attack forts across all provincial areas, urged on by the Quadi!

By year the Roman infrastructure has suffered and two sites are eliminated entirely, with stragglers bringing in tales of looting, rape and pillage. Despite this the surge in activity is managed and the Iazyges do not break their oath to stay peaceful.

171

Spring

During the winter last year the frosts came late and subsequently the winter ran long into the early days of March.

This keeps the barbarian tribes at home, cosy in their camps. But allows the Romans who are no stranger to hardship an opportunity to lead assaults across the Danube. After reviewing the situation the early reports are that the Marcomanni [MM], are not terribly vigilant.

They may be ripe for subjugation. MA leads his legions across the river and launches 2 attacks. In a lighten strike they force the slothful MM to retreat. Where later in March now mobilized they make a stand and fight back.

MA rallies the men and in two rounds of terrific fighting they are unfortunately forces to retreat. One LG will require refurbishment. While a partial success, this is not the outcome Marcus hoped for.

Summer

Seeking revenge for the sneak attack the MM move towards the Danube, burning and razing all in their path. The Quadi do the same. With this surge in activity the Iayzge conclave and deliberate about being pacified by these Romans. But a consensus cannot be reached. They remain in their homeland. Rome sensing future trouble upgrades all its forts.

Winter

Marcus is reading correspondence in Alsium, only to receive an urgent report of a plague racing through the Italian Peninsula. [-1Prestige] swelling, violent diarrheal responses and death ravage the populace. He suspected that Trade with Han China might be the cause. This plague debilitates 2 Legions, and causes unrest in Rome.

172 CE

Spring

After the ravages of the plague, Marcus is relieved to see and hear that no spring offensives by the tribes occur. This gives him time to re train men and launch his own punitive assaults, once again focused on the ever present and resilient Marcomanni. His efforts are rewarded, but the Senate can see no Triumphs or glories bestowed for while he wins one engagement the enemy still lives to fight another day and Marcus is forced to send a Legion south for rest and refit. He does however build forts in the MM regions North of the Danube.

Summer

To make matters worse the Costoboci invade Macedon and Greece! This is much more than a raid this time and Marcus will need to send a trusted Legate to secure the border. Given he will soon be reduced in force, he wisely invests in fortification of the frontier.

Winter

Plague strikes., and the Quadi inch closer to the Danube.

Stay tuned for more coming soon!