In the first two posts of Year 16 of the Campaign, we witnessed the destruction of Therissa's once dominant fleet at The Battle of Siren's Tower, and, with Picenian sandals now firmly on the ground, the subsequent defeat of the Therissan Army at The Battle of Potedia. The four other City States that make up the Cyraenian Pentapolis are now duty bound to send military aid to their Therissan comrades. (To any World Leaders reading this post, that's how a defensive alliance works - the allies join you when you're attacked, not when you attack someone else, especially without warning your allies first). Moving swiftly on, and with thanks to Mark Cordone for the text and pictures, here follows The Battle of Cape Ecnomus.
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The combined Pentapolis fleet gathered in Cyraeus and along with a fleet of transports carrying some 5,000 hoplites set sail for Therissa under the Heralion Navarch Euryates. Their intent was to destroy the Picenian fleet and isolate the Picenian army while reinforcing the Therissians. Admiral Salenator knew they would come and ordered two squadrons from Picenia, now no longer needed for coastal defense, to replace his losses at the battle of the Sirens Tower.
Euryates had five squadrons all together, (one from each city), some 100 triremes, the surviving Therissian squadron being elite (all rams). The Picenians had four squadrons, 80 ships in all with two more squadrons totaling 40 more on the way. (All rams, the reinforcements were unreliable).
It was a cool, breezy day as the allied fleet rounded the Cape of Ecnomus to find the Picenians waiting for them. As the fleets formed line of battle admiral Salenator wondered if his reinforcements would arrive in time. The Picenians had three squadrons in the front line and one in reserve. The allies matched them with the Kartos and elite Therissian squadrons in reserve.
The battle opened with a general engagement on the right and center which saw both sides taking losses. Both sides committed fresh ships from the reserve as in the distance the Picenian reinforcements could be seen approaching the battle.
A chaotic, swirling melee developed which saw both sides able to take advantage of the confusion and launch successful flanking attacks. Just as it seemed the allied advantage in numbers would give them victory the first of the Picenian reinforcements arrived and stabilized the situation. As more Picenian triremes joined the fray the balance tipped decisively in their favor with only about 20 allied ships managing to escape the carnage.
The Picenians had won another victory but at great cost with half of their fleet destroyed. Most of the surviving crews were exhausted from rowing hard to join the battle rendering a pursuit impossible. As a result the remains of the allied fleet and the transports escaped, but the fall of Therissa was now assured.
After learning of the defeat at the Cape, and now knowing their would be no relief, the Therissans sought terms. The terms offered were generous (Considering the alternative was a thorough sack of the entire island and the sale of the entire surviving population into slavery.)
The Therissians were to disband their armed forces, with the men passing into Picenian service (and forming the new 18th legion). They were to pay an immediate indemnity of 1000 talents of silver and an annual tribute of 10% on all income and goods produced. They were otherwise allowed to govern themselves, but with a permanent Picenian garrison who's expenses were also to be paid. The Republic needed an immediate influx of cash to off set the cost of their huge military build up but also needed an increased revenue stream to pay the troops and maintain the fleet and army. This agreement would accomplish both goals. Having no real choice, they accepted, bringing the Therissan campaign to an end.
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Therissa has fallen, and the Cyraenian League has become a Tetrapolis. Given Picenia's recent success I probably shouldn't be surprised...
In the next episode we switch locations to Zigura to see how the King of Kings, all grovel before his might, is getting on.
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