Border wars (Orbis Romanum)

Timeline:  Orbis Romanum

April,1 42BCE Rome Julius Caesar leaves Rome for Belgica. Marcus Antonius has been raiding the barbaric German tribes accross the Rhine for two years. The barbarians reacted predictably but unwisely by uniting and preparing to resist the Romans in battle. Caesar brings four new legions with him, bringing the total ready to fight the barbarians to twelve.

June,5 42BCE Parthia Octavian has sent two legions to Armenia with the result that Armenia becomes a Roman protectorate. The Armenians help the legions to extend the rule of Rome to Atropatene on the Caspian Sea. This demonstrates the weakness of Parthia. Consequently king Orodes II of Parthia is murdered by his son Phraates IV who now becomes the new ruler of Parthia.

July,6 42BCE Judaea Octavian declares Judaea a Roman province with the center of government in Caesarea at the coast. Some Jewish troublemakers organize a revolt that is quickly subdued. The Roman treasury income has been doubled to 100,000 talents per year due to the conquests in the east.

July,9 42BCE Rhine Julius Caesar crosses the Rhine with 12 legions. His engineers have constructed a bridge in ten days. The invasion will extend Roman border to the Elbe river. Barbaric Germans have united to stop the Romans. Previously they avoided pitched battles, preferring to make hit and run raids. Now they have 100,000 warriors and feel confident to defeat the Romans.

July,30 42BCE Germany Barbaric Germans are completely defeated in the battle of the Weser River. The barbarians tried to lure the Romans into the woods using traitors and spies but Caesar did not fall to the trick. He sent out raiding parties to needle the barbarians. Inevitably the barbarians couldn't control themselves and they attacked the Romans in uncoordinated waves. Such was the rage of the barbarians that they dented the Romans lines in places. But a roman legion runs like a well-oiled machine. The tired first line is relieved regularly with rested troops and casualties are replaced. Superstitious barbarians get the impression that the legionnairs are immortal. After two hours of heavy fighting the barbarians panicked and were routed pursued by Gaul cavalry.

September,7 42BCE Elbe

Six fortresses are built along the Elbe river as winter quarters for the legions. Engineers have started to build the famous Roman Roads through Germany. Word of Caesar's victory has been sent to Rome resulting in two days of festivities. Now Caesar heads back to Rome for his deserved triumph.