In 395 BCE, we took Vandal, and in 350 BCE we founded the city of Eblana. These two events had cemented our exclusive claim on the western half of the subcontinent, or so we thought. Nearing the end of the century, a band of Greek settlers, accompanied by brigades of both chariots and archers, were spotted emerging from the sole mountain pass our cultural borders failed to reach. This was most unexpected. Though it looked like the Greek settlers would be headed to the southern jungle, to harvest the yet untouched wild sugarcane located near the river, we couldn't be sure if they would continue on their path. If they did, however, the decision was made - we would not concede the territory. Manifest destiny, for Camulos' sake! (As the Camulodunon's would say.)
There were two main factors that influenced the decision to brace for our second offensive in under a century. First, the Greeks are relatively alone in this world. While many of the nations are banding together under the same religion, none of the major belief systems has caught hold in any of the Greek cities. If
we were attacked, as Buddhists we would likely get support from our fellow brothers in faith, Spain and Rome. Especially the former, with Madrid being the powerful holy city of the Buddhist faith. They are unlikely to support me as the one's to draw the first blood of a potential conflict, but for a friend they could turn the blind eye. On the other hand, the Greeks, as pagans, are unlikely to get much sympathy at all from their neighbors, unless there is a significant trade relationship. I need not worry about foreign relation externalities.
Second, though the Greek army appears to be very strong, much stronger than ours, the geography of the area was to our benefit in the event of retaliation. Once we managed to clear the Greek settling party from the map, we would be able to dig into our fortifications at Vandal and the hills and mountains surrounding it, hopefully preventing any Greek advancement past that point. Also, we already have most of our forces stationed in the area, left over from the battles at Vandal.
Greek Settlers and Unsettled Southern Jungle
Our generals settled on a fail-proof plan to ensure the Greek settling party wouldn't make it far if they made a dash for the jungle. Between their destination and their current location in the hills, they must cross the band of plains. Thankfully, construction of this stretch of the trans-empire roadway system was a priority this century, and our workers recently completed the portion that runs straight up the middle of the plains. Our generals pulled two battalions of troops from Vandal and stationed them at the southern end of this road. Another battalion of axemen in Eblana stood at ready. If the Greeks tried at any point to climb down from the mountains and cross the road, we could converge and attack while they were most vulnerable - on flat and unforested ground.
Battle for the Frontier
320 BCE
In 320 BCE, the Greek troops went for it. Crossing our "line in the sand," we pounced. Up the road from the south our Gallic Warriors charged, first engaging the Greek chariots. But the chariots were prepared, perhaps expecting the attack. Our initial charge failed, and 6,000 of our best men were felled, taking 3,400 enemy troops with them.
First Wave of Attack on the Greek Settling Party
Our second charge finished what the first could not, destroying the remaining chariots, but losing 1,920 of our own numbers as well. The axemen stationed in Eblana were then called upon to be the third and final wave of the attack. The brigade faced off against the last of the Greek troops in the area, their archers. Exposed and on flat ground, their attempts to fight back were near laughable. All 3,000 perished, taking only 840 Celtic axemen with them to the afterlife.
Destruction of the Greek Settling Party
We captured the settlers, and sent them up to Eblana to work towards finish the last stretch of the trans-empire roadway. As you can see from the above pictures, reinforcements from the east are coming, and we need them as quick as possible. We will gather them in Vandal, and brace for a retaliation siege on the settlement.
Final Casualties
Greece - 7,000
Celtia - 8,760