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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 18 February 2010 |
The Roman invasion of Africa ended in disaster. In May, 255 years BC legions of Proconsul Mark Atiliush Regulus were cut in the trunk and trampled by 100 fighting elephants. Punic army led to a victorious battle Ksantippos, a seasoned soldier of Sparta. Characters both chiefs legend so that separating myth from truth is not always possible.
Already eight years Rome and Carthage fought a persistent marker for Sicily. Descendants of Romulus, for centuries landlubbers, suddenly built a powerful fleet and inflicted several disasters. But the Carthaginians kept firmly in the fortified towns on the western tip of Sicily. The Roman Senate decided to throw a hard enemy to his knees, invading the core of the Carthaginian state - Africa. Romans prepared 330 ships, mostly large . Leaders of the Armada 256 years were the consuls Lucius Manliush vulson and Mark Atiliush Regulus. The Roman historian Dion Cassius (ca. 155 - 235) wrote that Regulus was not a rich man, had only a small farm, and agreed to take command only when the Senate had promised that his wife and children to be kept by the state during the expedition. We cannot believe it. Among Atiliush was rich and influential, its representatives elected to the highest offices of the republic. Without abundant resources and the total numbers of customers Roman nobleman could not even dream about it. Carthaginians have understood that mortal danger hanging over their homeland. Great effort left a fleet of 350 ships, which barred the way the Roman armada Cape on the southern coast of Sicily. In this gigantic battle fought or even 300 thousand. people - if you believe the Greek historian of Megalopolis (c. 200 - c. 118 BC), who for the expedition Regulus is the best source. The Romans won because they had more soldiers on board. Consuls landed at the Cape (Cape Bon) near the city of Aspis, called by the Romans Klupea (both words mean "shield"). It's probably Kelibia today. The Romans drew ships to the shore, they surrounded the palisade and ditch. Aspis gained seized crew, then "sent to Rome to Members to explain what happened and ask what should be done in the future" (Polybius). Then they began to devastate the rich land of Punic and burned a great estates of wealthy Carthaginians, grabbed a huge number of cattle and failed for more than 20 thousand ships. prisoners. Then came the messengers of the Senate with an order to one of the consuls was with sufficient forces, and the other drove the fleet to Rome. It was a wise decision - the huge masses of board paddlers and sailors during the winter in the enemy country was not possible. Wulson so the fleet sailed, booty and lots of slaves. In Africa, Regulus was the 40 ships, 15 thousand. hikers and only five hundred horse-soldiers. Senate certainly did not expect that with so few troops to make Africa a lot. Regulus had just kept their position in the Aspis until the fleet arrives from Italy and the powerful army to Carthage from the block of land and sea. Ambitious Regulus was not satisfied with such a modest role. Like all Roman Consul wished to crown his magistratus (office) Victoria, a major battle and the triumph celebrated in Rome. He left the army, mercilessly Punic land. At the end of the siege of the city began (which can later Roman Uthina now Oudna, about 25 km south of Tunis). Carthage went to the relief of the city. Punic army led Bostar and Hasdrubal and Hamilcar, one of the commanders from Eknomos. This last country in the face of danger came from Sicily, together with 5 thousand. pedestrians and five hundred horse-soldiers. They were seasoned mercenaries in war craft, perhaps Iberians and Celts. The troops entered cavalry units, no doubt partly issued by Allied and dozens of elephants in battle. Carthage encamped on a hill overlooking the enemy position. Polybius sharply criticized such tactics - this is "hopes to ride and elephant, but still left the plains and locked themselves in a steep and inaccessible place, where they could not use his most dangerous weapons. It seems that the chiefs originally intended to wage war positional error and wait for the enemy or even a slight advantage, as the sun shining into the eyes of the Romans. Regulus, however, immediately decided to attack risky. He divided the army into two columns, which, under cover of night approached the Carthaginian camp from two sides. The attack occurred at dawn. The Carthaginians were surprised. Only mercenaries, the most fit soldiers in the army, managed to set the ranks. Fought with force and forced to flee one legion. But too were taken in the chase and the second column of Rome withdrew her from the camp. Taking the two fires scattered and fled from the chiefs horsemen and elephants. Historians wonder why Regulus has not entered into an alliance with Numidami who could help him his excellent horsemen. One hypothesis is that Regulus had fought in Africa too short to gain allies. According to another Romans murdered and looted all without distinction, so that Africans have avoided them like the plague. Regulus came to the camp for members Carthaginian peace talks. Negotiations were completed rapidly, because the Roman commander, 'is already considering the overall winner, he thought that everything, whatever they acknowledged they should accept as a grace and gift "(Polybius). Consul of the fierce conditions placed so that the Carthaginian envoys did not want to even listen quietly. According to Dion Cassius Roman commander demanded not only of Sicily but also in Sardinia. Demanded that the Carthaginians Roman prisoners freed without ransom, and paid for his. Carthage had to pay an annual tribute to Rome, go to war only with the consent of Rome, and keep only one warship, but help Rome at the request of 50 . Puniccy lords rightly saw that even in the case of total disaster cannot find them no worse. So they began to prepare for the hearing of such enemy. Then just landed in Carthage, one of the officers sent to Greece recruiting. According to Polybius had brought with him many silver Carthaginian mercenaries. Was among them a certain Ksantippos, an experienced "dog of war" of Sparta, husband, ambitious and hungry for fame. Polybius describes him as one who realized the Carthaginians that defeated because of their own mistakes, whereas in fact the power of the riders and elephants are not made on the flat terrain of the battle. Punic summoned before the elders of the Spartan warrior asserted that "if you listen to and choose plains place for marches, camps and battlefields, it is easy to manage to secure the safety and conquer enemies. Leaders noted with appreciation his views [...] and immediately gave his army "(Polybius). This relationship should be approached with caution. Already the great German historian Theodor Mommsen antiquities found that Polybius cites the tale, which told the Greek soldiers in. Carthage had also no stranger to the Spartan council to know that elephants and cavalry are effective only on the plain. Ksantippos was not Carthaginian commander in chief of the army, but a kind of chief instructor drill: expertly trained troops into the city walls. There is no doubt that energy and confidence, as well as the origin of Ksantipposa added comfort military and the people of Carthage. Sparta had already meant politically not much, but still enjoyed the best reputation as soldiers. At the beginning of May, 255 years chiefs Ksantippos and led his Carthaginian warriors thirsting for the fight in the field. Punic army consisted of 12 thousand. walkers, 4 thousand. horse soldiers and nearly 100 fighting elephants. The infantry was composed of citizens appointed under the banners of Hadaszt Kart, probably fighting in the armed mercenaries, and those who survived the disaster under. "When the Romans noticed that the Carthaginians held marches around the plains and smash camps on the flat areas were indeed surprised by this new method, but in any event, they were rushing to approach enemies. Stumbled upon them, formed the first day of camp at a distance of about ten miles from the enemy "(Polybius). It is difficult to understand why Regulus decided to accept battle on equal ground when the opponent has the advantage eight times in the cavalry, the terrible not to mention elephants. The Romans already fought with elephants, which have brought fame to Italy Pyrrhus of Epirus, king of Epirus. Pyrrhus of Epirus beat the Romans in two battles, with only 20 elephants in battle. How Regulus could be expected to defeat an opponent who ran these huge animals up to 100? Proconsul had probably that in a frontal attack almost invincible infantry Roman elephants and discussing the phalanx of the enemy before they have time circumnavigate the Punic cavalry legions. This unusual battle went down in history as the Battle of Tunes, it probably fought on the plain south-west of the city. When the Roman army was nearby, Carthaginian generals organized a conference. Apparently it Ksantippos persuaded them to accept the general battle commander such leadership struggle, what he considered to be beneficial," as provides Polybius. You can really gave leadership in this battle. But for this reason that we could not prove? Carthage had a nice little habit that sometimes sentenced to death supreme commander, who lost the battle. Perhaps the Tunes chiefs preferred to a foreigner led army. In the event of a disaster is Ksantippos been found guilty ... Spartan brought elephants and placed them in front of one line before the whole army, infantry phalanx and placed in the distance behind them. The distance was necessary so that the elephants are not fleeing their. Phalanx on the right wing took the position of pedestrians mercenaries, who were, however, expose, because the front foot Carthaginian battle was longer than the wall of the huge animals large cavalry deployed on both wings, with riders mingled "the busiest," according to Polybius, mercenary infantry, probably l. Regulus knew that elephants must be disposed of if it wants to be a winner. In the first wave, thus put spearmen, who were hurt by bullets elephants and force them to flee (even slightly wounded an elephant falls into a frenzy, often trampled and his or escapes) heavily, as steel - numerous, successive flags (Polybius). Banners are maniples, the basic tactical unit of the Roman army. Historians still pending litigation, as the army looked set Regulus. Typically, a famous Roman legions were formed triple formation, acies triplex. It resembled a chessboard, because the first line were equal to the width of the front gap combat. Maniples second line of concealed gap between the first-line troops. Likewise maniples third line, which formed the most experienced soldiers -concealed gap in the second line. This chic be flexible and check in various combat conditions. Perhaps Regulus abolished or reduced the gap between that no set of three, but in six lines. He could also leave the back of the legion as a reserve. Perhaps, too, that he put in an ordinary maniples, triple formation, but increased the number in each series. What is certain is that the commander and his deputy, increased depth of the line of battle at the expense of its length, rejected the flexibility o formation and instead formed a massive human chessboard shaft. "[...] As much as regards the fight against the elephants of their calculations were accurate, but as the fight against cavalry, their own numbers, which greatly exceeded, completely miscalculated "- Polybius commented. Ksantippos ordered the elephants that moved forward and torn the enemy formation. Nearly 100 animals in huge clouds of dust, heavy gallop crashed on the Roman army. Legionaries erected a rousing battle cry, rushed to the crash of shields and weapons and moved forward. A powerful lightning swept cavalry in battle protecting an infantry wing of the Roman cavalry, and proceeded to lap. Roman infantry from the left wing (probably allies) bump up with the mercenaries on the right wing, before which there were no elephants. Attacked furiously, forcing opponents to flee and drove them up to the shaft camp. But most soldiers Regulus had no such luck. Failed to frighten the elephants bullets. Colossi crushed, Romans, who "died en masse." Nevertheless, the battle front because of his Roman unusual depth for a time was . Carthaginian horsemen rushed to the Roman infantry on the flanks and rear. Last series the Romans had to turn away to take the fight. Momentum of the Roman attack immediately fainted. Some maniples bled and individual soldiers pierced through the crowd of elephants. Fatally exhausted, no longer spear, stumbled upon the untouched, rested phalanx of the Carthaginians, who with them easily. The rest disappeared into bullets pierced the clouds riders rolled by rampant elephants. In the end, only a few fled. Approximately 500 of the proconsul of the Romans fled Regulus, but the Carthaginians were able to catch up and took them prisoner. Survived only 2 thousand. legion, those who have conquered Carthaginian mercenaries, standing on the right flank, and then managed to get to the Aspis. The rest of the army has been destroyed. Polybius says that on the Carthaginian fell about 800 mercenaries. Regulus Brand catastrophe shocked senators. Although the fleet was sent, which took the soldiers from the Aspis, but until the end of the war in 241 years BC Romans dared not on a major expedition to the Punic Africa.
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Computer interfaces on the movies
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