Storm over Sicily: Concluded

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This campaign allows the players to refight the opening eight years of the First Punic War in Sicily, the main battleground between Rome and Carthage. The campaign covers the entire period between Rome’s initial landing at Massena in 264 BC, until the Roman Senate decided to break the war’s stalemate by authorizing an unprecedent invasion of North Africa in 256 BC. A detailed theater map of Sicily allows armies to maneuver across the entire island. A campaign turn covers a full year of operations and, over the course of eight turns, both sides will vie for supremacy by military and diplomatic means.

Full credits and acknowledgements to Greg Wagman and Chalfant Conley originally having created the rules on behalf of Little Wars TV (available HERE), for use with AGE OF HANNIBAL, a set of fast-playing, army-level wargame rules for miniatures. While these rules originally were designed to work with AGE of HANNIBAL and physical play of the campaign as well as its battles, I have made some changes to adapt them to digitally playing the campaign (i.e., through PMs, mails, and chats) and fighting out the battles in Field of Glory II: Ancients with the use of army lists from the latest version of the TT Mod (v1.6.8).

dim30 is controlling the Carthaginian side and I the Roman. The campaign will mainly be run on a Discord server but updated here once per year turn (because I want players here to see what can be and is still done when combining some campaign rules with Field of Glory), so in case you're interested to follow it more regularly, please write me and I can add you to that Discord server.

The campaign lasted into the sixth round and year, with the Carthaginian loss at the battle of Catana becoming the final straw for the politicians back home at Carthage, calling home all troops and abandoning all claims on Sicily, giving the campaign victory to the Romans. Many thanks for a fun and exciting campaign, dim30: highly enjoyable, both gaming wise and socially.

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This is the starting point of the campaign: Rome controls the cities of Massena and Tauromenium, Carthage the cities of Selinus, Lilybaeum, Drepanum, Segesta, and Panormus.

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Rome decides to raise one army of size 9 for its 10 Talents (the general that must accompany each army costs 1 Talent) placing it in Tauromenium, and Carthage one size-6 army in Panormus.

Roman Army I: size 9, commanded by general with HARSH ADMINISTRATOR and ADMIRAL Traits.
Carthaginian Army I: size 6, commanded by general with GREEKLING and ADMIRAL Traits.

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The campaign season involves the two opposing sides alternating 10 Operations each, always starting with the Roman side. Each side is allowed to exercise a single Operation at a time, selecting freely before each exercise from among the four possible alternatives MARCH, SIEGE, DIPLOMACY, and FLEET ACTION.

Rome

1. MARCH: Army marches to Catana, with the intention to move southwards to Syracuse.
2. MARCH: Army marches back to Tauromenium, in order to deal with the Carthaginian invasion at Massena.
3. MARCH: Army reaches Massena, facing the Carthaginian army that retreats to Mylae with the Roman army coming after to Mylae, the Carthaginian army retreating farther back to Tyndaris.
4. DIPLOMACY: Failed diplomacy action on Cephaloedium, with the hope of making it switch to Roman control.
5. DIPLOMACY: Successful diplomacy action on Catana, switching it to Roman control and gaining +1 Momentum (due to Catana being a port, as illustrated by the blue anchor symbol).
6. MARCH: Army marches from Mylae to Tyndaris.
7. SIEGE: Army successfully sieges Tyndaris, flipping it to Roman control.
8. MARCH: Army marches from Tyndaris on to Cephaloedium and finally to Himera, reaching the Carthaginian army that is located there and decides to stay and fight.
   The Carthaginians call upon allies from the nearby cities that they control (Himera and Panormus), with the Greeks in Himera coming to their aid but Panormus failing to heed the orders.
   The Carthaginian army thus gains 2 strength to its size, reaching 8, and fights with Greeks as allies in the FoG battle (due to Himera being a Greek colony, as illustrated by the orange helmet symbol).
   FoG Battle
   Romans (strength 9, 1600 FP, Roman 280-220 BC without allies) versus Carthaginians (strength 8, 1560 FP, Carthaginian 262-236 BC with Greek (Western) 280-49 BC allies). Mediterranean Plain.
   => Romans win 66-37 (gaining +1 Momentum), with the Carthaginian army reduced by 8, from 6 to 0, and thus eliminated, and the Roman army reduced by 2, from 9 to 7.
9. SIEGE: Army unsuccessfully sieges Himera.
10. SIEGE: Army attempts to siege Himera again, now successfully, making it flip to Roman control.

Carthage

1. FLEET ACTION: Surprising and successful fleet action of army to Massena, taking the Romans off guard.
2. SIEGE: Army fails siege of Massena.
3. SIEGE: Army successfully sieges Tyndaris, flipping it to Carthaginian control.
4. MARCH: Army moves to Caleacte and further to Cephaloedium.
5. DIPLOMACY: Failed diplomacy action on Himera.
6. MARCH: Army marches from Cephaloedium to Himera.
7. SIEGE: Army successfully sieges Himera, flipping it to Carthaginian control.
8. DIPLOMACY: Successful diplomacy action on Makella, switching it from neutral to Carthaginian control.
9. DIPLOMACY: Successful diplomacy action on Cephaloedium, switching it from neutral to Carthaginian control.
10. DIPLOMACY: Failed diplomacy action on Enna.

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The first year of campaigning, 264 BC, ends with the following situation.

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Rome carries over 2 Momentum points from the previous year; Momentum that can be used for diplomatic missions as the first action of the Planning Season. Diplomacy represents all the various non-military means Rome or Carthage might leverage to influence a city – bribery, treachery, coup attempts, or simply currying political favor, and aim at making a city flip allegiance in its direction (i.e., from enemy control to neutral, or from neutral to friendly control).

• Diplomatic Momentum 1: on Caleacte => d10 = 8, modified by +2 for the Momentum level of Rome => 10 => Caleacte switches to Roman control.

• Diplomatic Momentum 2: on Megara Hyblaea => d10 = 9, modified by +2 for the Momentum level of Rome => 11 => Megara Hyblaea switches to Roman control.

Momentum is then reset to zero at the start of the Campaign Season (as illustrated already now below).

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Rome gets 15 Talents and decides to appoint two generals with armies, while Carthage appoints one general and army with its 14 Talents.

• Roman Army I: size 10, commanded by general with PROSPEROUS and QUARTERMASTER Traits, starts in Messana.

• Roman Army II: size 5, commanded by general with ENGINEER and PROSPEROUS Traits, starts in Catana.

• Carthaginian Army I: size 14, commanded by general with DRILLMASTER and PROSPEROUS Traits, starts in Panormus.

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The campaign season involves the two opposing sides alternating 10 Operations each, starting with the Roman side. Each side is allowed to exercise a single Operation at a time, selecting freely before each exercise from among the four possible alternatives MARCH, SIEGE, DIPLOMACY, and FLEET ACTION.

This year saw some very dramatic twists with Rome landing an army in Syracuse at the beginning of the season and the Carthaginians immediately thereafter their own army there, pushing away the Romans and conducting a successful siege of Syracuse. With the Momentum achieved, Carthage managed to loosen Roman grip over eastern Sicily. But no field battles this year, only sieges and active diplomacy in order to gain allegiances.

Rome

1. FLEET ACTION: Army II lands successfully in Syracuse, albeit with 10% loss.
2. DIPLOMACY: Acrae successfully shifts to Roman control.
3. MARCH: Army II moves from Camerina to Gela.
4. MARCH: Army II moves from Gela to Phintias and further to Akragas.
5. MARCH: Army II moves from Akragas to Heraclea Minoa.
6. MARCH: Army II fails to move to Selinus.
7. MARCH: Army II moves from Heraclea Minoa to Selinus.
8. SIEGE: Army II unsuccessfully sieges Selinus.
9. SIEGE: Army II successfully sieges Selinus, flipping it to Roman control.
10. DIPLOMACY: Catana successfully shifts (back) to Roman control, giving it +1 MOMENTUM.

Carthage

1. FLEET ACTION: Army I too lands successfully in Syracuse, with 10% loss as well. Roman Army II retreats to Helorus. Carthage's free DIPLOMACY roll results in Syracuse switching to Carthaginian control, giving it +2 MOMENTUM.
2. MARCH: Army I moves from Syracuse to Helorus. Roman Army II retreats to Camerina.
3. DIPLOMACY: Helorus successfully shifts to Carthaginian control.
4. DIPLOMACY: Acrae unsuccessfully stays Roman.
5. DIPLOMACY: Akragas successfully shifts to Carthaginian control.
6. DIPLOMACY: Acrae successfully shifts to neutral.
7. DIPLOMACY: Catana successfully shifts to neutral.
8. MARCH: Army I moves to Syracuse and further to Megara Hyblaea.
9. DIPLOMACY: Megara Hyblaea successfully shifts to neutral.
10. DIPLOMACY: Catana successfully shifts (back) to neutral.

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Carthage carries over 2 Momentum points and Rome 1 Momentum point from the previous year; Momentum that can be used for diplomatic missions as the first action of the Planning Season. Diplomacy represents all the various non-military means Rome or Carthage might leverage to influence a city – bribery, treachery, coup attempts, or simply currying political favor, and aim at making a city flip allegiance in its direction (i.e., from enemy control to neutral, or from neutral to friendly control).

1. Carthage's Diplomatic Momentum 1: on Catana => d10 = 1, modified by +2 for the Momentum level of Carthage => 3 => No effect.
2. Rome's Diplomatic Momentum 1: on Cephaloedium => d10 = 1, modified by +1 for the Momentum level of Rome => 11 => No effect.
3. Carthage's Diplomatic Momentum 2: on Catana => d10 = 8, modified by +2 for the Momentum level of Carthage => 10 => Catana switches to Carthaginian control.

Momentum is then reset to zero at the start of the Campaign Season (as illustrated already now below).

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Carthage appoints two generals and armies with its 26 Talents, and Rome gets 20 Talents and decides to appoint two generals with armies as well.

• Carthaginian Army I: size 7, commanded by general with DRILLMASTER and PROSPEROUS Traits, starts in Lilybaeum.

• Carthaginian Army I: size 17, commanded by general with ADMIRAL and ENGINEER Traits, starts in Syracuse.

• Roman Army I: size 5, commanded by general with QUARTERMASTER and HARSH ADMINISTRATOR Traits, starts in Massena.

• Roman Army II: size 14, commanded by general with PROSPEROUS and DRILLMASTER Traits, starts in Tauromenium.

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The campaign season involves the two opposing sides alternating 10 Operations each, starting with the side with the most talents received (Romans if equal). Each side is allowed to exercise a single Operation at a time, selecting freely before each exercise from among the four possible alternatives MARCH, SIEGE, DIPLOMACY, and FLEET ACTION.

This year saw just one field battle, with a decisive Roman victory, in Catana, which also saw the centre of the action for most of year through Rome's siege that ultimately proved successful. Carthage managed to gain Megara Hyblaea. Overall, a Roman year, I would say.

Carthage

1. MARCH: Army II from Syracuse to Megara Hyblaea => Complete move and end Operation.
2. MARCH: Army II from Megara Hyblaea to Catana => No movement (and end Operation).
3. MARCH: Army II from Megara Hyblaea to Catana => Complete movement and end Operation.
   Battle at Catana
   Carthaginians (strength 18, 1600 FP, Carthaginian 262-236 BC with Greek (Western) 280-49 BC allies) versus Romans (strength 15, 1510 FP, Roman 280-220 BC with Greek (Western) 280-49 BC allies). Mediterranean Mountain.
   => Roman win 49-22.
   => Carthage Army II loses 6 size, to 11 new size, retreats back to Megara Hyblaea.
   => Rome Army II loses 2 size, to 12 new size, Rome gains +1 Momentum.
4. SIEGE: Army of Megara Hyblaea => No effect.
5. SIEGE: Army of Megara Hyblaea => Megara Hyblaea flipped to Carthaginian control.
6. DIPLOMACY: on Leontini => No effect.
7. DIPLOMACY: on Panormus => PANORMUS shifts to Carthaginian control => Carthage gains +1 Momentum for gaining Port.
8. DIPLOMACY: on Leontini => No effect.
9. MARCH: Army II from Megara Hyblaea to Syracuse => Complete move and continue. Stays.
10. FLEET ACTION: Army II from Syracuse to Massena => Land as planned.
    => Roman Army I retreats to Tauromenium.
    => FREE DIPLOMACY: on Massena => No effect.

Rome

1. MARCH: Army II from Tauromenium to Catana => Complete move and end Operation.
2. SIEGE: Army II of Catana => No effect.
3. SIEGE: Army II of Catana => no effect.
4. SIEGE: Army II of Catana => no effect.
5. SIEGE: Army II of Catana => Catana flipped to Roman control => Rome gains +1 Momentum for gaining Port.
6. DIPLOMACY: on Panormus => PANORMUS shifts to neutral.
7. DIPLOMACY: on Akragas => No effect.
8. DIPLOMACY: on Akragas => No effect.
9. DIPLOMACY: on Akragas => Akragas flips to neutral.
10. DIPLOMACY: on Cephaloedium => CEPHALOEDIUM flips to neutral.

[kronenblatt]

Carthage carries over 1 Momentum point and Rome 2 Momentum points from the previous year; Momentum that can be used for diplomatic missions as the first action of the Planning Season. Diplomacy represents all the various non-military means Rome or Carthage might leverage to influence a city – bribery, treachery, coup attempts, or simply currying political favor, and aim at making a city flip allegiance in its direction (i.e., from enemy control to neutral, or from neutral to friendly control).

1. Rome's Diplomatic Momentum 1: on Leontini => d10 = 6 => Modified by Momentum Track: +2 => 8 => Leontini flips to Roman control.
2. Carthage's Diplomatic Momentum 1: on Catana => d10 = 7 => Modified by Momentum Track: +1 => 8 => Catana flips to neutral.
3. Rome's Diplomatic Momentum 2: on Catana => d10 = 10 => Modified by Momentum Track: +2 => 12 => Catana flips to Roman control.

Momentum is then reset to zero at the start of the Campaign Season (as illustrated already now below).

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ROME (25 talents)

• Army I with size 11 deploys in Catana with PROPAGANDIST and POLITICAL CONSPIRATOR general.

• Army II with size 12 deploys in Massena with 2 x PROSPEROUS general.

CARTHAGE (25 talents)

• Army I with size 5 deploys in Drepanum with 2 x SOFT general.

• Army II with size 5 deploys in Lilybaeum with HARSH ADMINISTRATOR and PROPAGANDIST general.

• Army III with size 13 deploys in Syracuse with DRILLMASTER and PROSPEROUS general.

[kronenblatt]

The campaign season involves the two opposing sides alternating 10 Operations each, starting with the side with the most talents received (Romans if equal). Each side is allowed to exercise a single Operation at a time, selecting freely before each exercise from among the four possible alternatives MARCH, SIEGE, DIPLOMACY, and FLEET ACTION.

This year saw two field battles, both with Roman victories, enabling Rome to gain a lot of Momentum and also conquer Lilybaeum.

ROME

1. FLEET ACTION with Army I to LILYBAEUM => Landing successful, but with 10% loss of army size => Army I's new size reduced by 2 to 11.
   Battle at LILYBAEUM
   Carthaginians (strength 9, 1510 FP, Carthaginian 262-236 BC) versus Romans (strength 12, 1600 FP, Roman 280-220 BC).
   => Romans win 60-38, gaining +2 Momentum (+1 due to general being PROPAGANDIST).
   => Carthage Army II: -8, from 5 to 0 => eliminated.
   => Rome Army I: -2, from 11 to 9.
2. SIEGE with Army I of LILYBAEUM => No effect.
3. MARCH with Army II to TAUROMENIUM => Complete movement and end Operation.
4. MARCH with Army II to CATANA => Complete movement and end Operation.
   Battle at CATANA
   Carthaginians (strength 14, 1540 FP) versus Romans (strength 16, 1600 FP).
   => Romans win 58-32, gaining +1 Momentum.
   => Carthage Army III: -4, from 13 to 9, and retreats to Megara Hyblaea.
   => Rome Army II: -2, from 12 to 10.
5. DIPLOMACY on LILYBAEUM => No effect.
6. SIEGE with Army I of LILYBAEUM => LILYBAEUM flips to Roman control. => +1 Momentum for gaining Port.
7. DIPLOMACY on AKRAGAS => No effect.
8. DIPLOMACY on AKRAGAS => AKRAGAS flips to Roman control.
9. DIPLOMACY on MEGARA HYBLAEA => No effect.
10. DIPLOMACY on MEGARA HYBLAEA => No effect.

CARTHAGE

1. MARCH with Army III to MEGARA HYBLAEA => Complete movement and end Operation.
2. MARCH with Army III to CATANA => Complete movement and continue. => Halts in CATANA.
3. SIEGE with Army III of CATANA => No effect.
4. MARCH with Army III to SYRACUSE => Complete move and continue. => Halts in SYRACUSE.
5. DIPLOMACY on MASSENA => No effect.
6. DIPLOMACY on ACRAE => ACRAE flips to Carthaginian control.
7. DIPLOMACY on MASSENA => No effect.
8. DIPLOMACY on MASSENA => No effect.
9. DIPLOMACY on MASSENA => MASSENA flips to neutral.
10. DIPLOMACY on MASSENA => No effect.

[kronenblatt]

Rome carries over 4 Momentum points from the previous year; Momentum that can be used for diplomatic missions as the first action of the Planning Season. Diplomacy represents all the various non-military means Rome or Carthage might leverage to influence a city – bribery, treachery, coup attempts, or simply currying political favor, and aim at making a city flip allegiance in its direction (i.e., from enemy control to neutral, or from neutral to friendly control).

1. DIPLOMACY on MASSENA => MASSENA flips to Roman control.
2. DIPLOMACY on PANORMUS => No effect.
3. DIPLOMACY on PANORMUS => No effect.
4. DIPLOMACY on MEGARA HYBLAEA => MEGARA HYBLAEA flips to neutral.

Momentum is then reset to zero at the start of the Campaign Season (as illustrated already now below).

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CARTHAGE (26 talents)

• Army I: Size 11 with DRILLMASTER & PROPAGANDIST general, starts in SYRACUSE.

• Army II: Size 13 with QUARTERMASTER & ENGINEER general, starts in DREPANUM.

ROME (25 talents)

• Army I: Size 12 with GREEKLING & SOFT general, starts in CATANA.

• Army II: Size 12 with POLITICAL CONSPIRATOR & PROSPEROUS general, starts in LILYBAEUM.

[kronenblatt]

The campaign season involves the two opposing sides alternating 10 Operations each, starting with the side with the most talents received (Romans if equal). Each side is allowed to exercise a single Operation at a time, selecting freely before each exercise from among the four possible alternatives MARCH, SIEGE, DIPLOMACY, and FLEET ACTION.

Politically this year was a stand-off, despite two field battles taking place, with Carthaginians wresting Massena out of Roman control.

CARTHAGE

1. DIPLOMACY on MEGARA HYBLAEA => No effect.
2. DIPLOMACY on MEGARA HYBLAEA => MEGARA HYBLAEA flips to Carthaginian control.
3. DIPLOMACY on MASSENA => No effect.
4. DIPLOMACY on MASSENA => No effect.
5. DIPLOMACY on HERACLEA MINOA => No effect.
6. MARCH with Army II to LILYBAEUM => Complete move and continue => Roman Army II stays and fights.
   Battle at LILYBAEUM
   Carthaginian Army II (strength 14, 1600 FP, Carthaginian 262-236 BC) versus Roman Army II (strength 13, 1570 FP, Roman 280-220 BC)
   => Draw 43-42.
   => Carthaginian Army II, Size 13: -4 for casualties (42) and -2 for retreat attrition = -6 => Size 7 and retreats to DREPANUM.
   => Roman Army II, Size 12: -4 for casualties (43) and 0 for retreat attrition = -4 => Size 8.
7. MARCH with Army I to MEGARA HYBLAEA => Complete move and continue => Halts at MEGARA HYBLAEA.
8. DIPLOMACY on MASSENA => No effect.
9. DIPLOMACY on MASSENA => MASSENA flips to neutral.
10. DIPLOMACY on MASSENA => MASSENA flips to neutral.

ROME

1. DIPLOMACY on MEGARA HYBLAEA => No effect.
2. DIPLOMACY on SEGESTA => No effect.
3. DIPLOMACY on SEGESTA => No effect.
4. DIPLOMACY on SEGESTA => SEGESTA flips to neutral.
5. DIPLOMACY on SEGESTA => SEGESTA flips to Roman control.
6. MARCH with Army II to DREPANUM => Complete move and end Operation => Carthaginian Army II stays and fights.
   Battle at DREPANUM
   Roman Army II (strength 10, 1600 FP, Roman 280-220 BC) versus Carthaginian Army II (strength 7, 1510 FP, Carthaginian 262-236 BC)
   => Roman victory 61-45.
   => Carthaginian Army II, Size 7: -8 for casualties (61) => Size 0 => Eliminated.
   => Roman Army II, Size 8: -4 for casualties (45) and 0 for retreat attrition = -4 => Size 4.
7. SIEGE with Army II of DREPANUM => No effect.
8. SIEGE with Army II of DREPANUM => No effect.
9. DIPLOMACY on MASSENA => No effect. => uses POLITICAL CONSPIRATOR trait to reroll once => MASSENA flips to Roman control => +1 Momentum for gaining Port.
10. SIEGE with Army II of DREPANUM => No effect.

[kronenblatt]

Rome carries over 2 Momentum points from the previous year; Momentum that can be used for diplomatic missions as the first action of the Planning Season. Diplomacy represents all the various non-military means Rome or Carthage might leverage to influence a city – bribery, treachery, coup attempts, or simply currying political favor, and aim at making a city flip allegiance in its direction (i.e., from enemy control to neutral, or from neutral to friendly control).

1. DIPLOMACY on MASSENA => No effect.
2. DIPLOMACY on MASSENA => No effect.

Momentum is then reset to zero at the start of the Campaign Season.

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ROME (25 talents)

• Army I: Size 5, GREEKLING & GREEKLING General, starts in CATANA.

• Army II: Size 5, PROPAGANDIST & POLITICAL CONSPIRATOR General, starts in MYLAE.

• Army III: Size 12, ENGINEER & DRILLMASTER General, starts in LILYBAEUM.

CARTHAGE (22 talents)

• Army I: Size 8, DRILLMASTER & PROPAGANDIST General, starts in SYRACUSE.

• Army II: Size 13, POLITICAL CONSPIRATOR & PROSPEROUS General, starts in HELORUS.

[kronenblatt]

The campaign season involves the two opposing sides alternating 10 Operations each, starting with the side with the most talents received (Romans if equal). Each side is allowed to exercise a single Operation at a time, selecting freely before each exercise from among the four possible alternatives MARCH, SIEGE, DIPLOMACY, and FLEET ACTION.

With the loss at the field battle at Catana, the political ambition of the Carthaginian rule to remain in Sicily finally gave way to a retreat to the African mainland, securing Roman campaign victory.

ROME

1. MARCH with Army II to MASSENA => Complete move and end Operation.
2. DIPLOMACY on MASSENA => MASSENA flips to Roman control => +1 Momentum for gaining Port.

CARTHAGE

1. MARCH with Army I to ACRAE => Complete move and end Operation.
2. MARCH with Army II to SYRACUSE => Complete move and continue.
   MARCH with Army II to MEGARA HYBLAEA => Complete move and continue.
   MARCH with Army II to CATANA => Complete move and end Operation. => Roman Army I stays and fight.
   Battle at CATANA
   Carthaginian Army II (strength 15, 1600 FP, Carthaginian 262-236 BC with Greek (Western) 280-49 BC allies) versus Roman Army I (strength 10, 1450 FP, Roman 280-220 BC with Greek (Western) 280-49 BC allies)
   => Roman victory 60-33.