Location: Near Antioch, Roman Province of Syria.
Date: February 21, 52 BC.

Objectives:
- Escort Cassius Longinus to Antioch.
- + Expel the Nabatean and Parthian invaders.
- Gaius Cassius Longinus must survive.

Unit Control Points: 163/500.
Troop Control Points: 9/50.
Starting units: 2x Auxiliary Archers (24/27), Auxiliary Infantry (19), Gaius Cassius Longinus (Centurion, level 2), Hawk Scout, 3x Legionaries (26/27/29), Wolf Scout.
Available units: Archer Cavalry, Auxiliary Archers, Auxiliary Infantry, Balearic Slingers, Equites, Hawk Scout, Legionaries, Physician, Praetorians, Spearmen, Wolf Scout.
Available construction: Ballista, Battering Ram, Catapult, Defensive Tower, repair.

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 _
| | = Village/barracks (may include various defenses).
* * = Fortification/wall.
 +  = Tower (free-standing from village).
. . = Path (minor pathways not shown).
~ ~ = River, sea or lake.
] [ = Bridge or location for bridge.
                                                                          

1 = Start location.
2 = Batuae. Population 600.
3 = Chalcis. Population 500.
4 = Antioch.
5 = Woodland.
6 = Wooden bridge.

At the very start of the mission, select all your units (including the Wolf Scout by the river) and run them over the bridge to the north. Since Legionaries cannot cross water, this route must be used to advance. If you wait more than a few seconds a large group of enemy cavalry will ride across the river and take up a position on the bridge. While it is perhaps possible to defeat the cavalry, such a fight inflicts heavy casualties on your troops - no Spearmen are available, so there is no 'easy' combat solution. Initially you have no Physician or village to recruit additional troops, so should try to avoid as much combat as possible.

Once across the bridge head for the woodland on the western side (marked 5 on the map above). Try to avoid the enemy units to the north-east. There are far too many enemy on the main path to Antioch to contemplate using the direct route. Once you reach the wood, you will see Syrian allies on the ridge to the north. Race in to help them defeat their attackers. Whatever allied units you save will join your forces. It is not critical to save them, but very useful. To the north is a broken bridge (6 on the map above), which can be repaired. Use your archers to kill enemy archers on the opposite bank first.

Now you have a choice. Sooner or later you must capture the village of Chalcis (3 on the map above) since additional troops are needed to complete the mission. If you proceed directly on to Antioch using the path to the north and then east the additional allied forces at Antioch will join you. Unfortunately Antioch itself cannot be used to produce new troops, so retreat back and capture Chalcis. The longer you wait, the better defended Chalcis will be. So although the first method provides more troops, you will lose more troops attempting the capture. I therefore suggest you capture Chalcis as soon as possible and delay moving to Antioch until you have secured the village and built up your forces.

Consider building a Catapult and positioning it, along with archers, on the ridge above Chalcis. Use these to support your Legionaries. Once the village has been captured immediately start producing replacement troops: Consider Praetorians (you should have amassed enough Honour Points for a handful by this stage) and of course a Physician. While the army is being built up small groups of enemy will attack. Watch out for Nubian Archers who fire poisoned arrows. Poison can be treated by the Roman Physician. Prevent your troops from advancing too far away from the village, since they will engage the large group of enemy troops waiting in the centre of the map.

Once Cassius has visited Antioch and a sizable army has been built up, head towards the enemy village of Batuae (2 on the map above), killing enemy units as you find them. Take care when approaching the village through grassland - many enemy units are lurking there; and those enemy archers never miss a chance to set your troops on fire should your forces enter the grass >:) . FV Constantinus writes: "After you neutralize this town, the map opens up and you can see all the enemy forces." To complete the mission, destroy all the remaining groups of enemy soldiers. There is no need to chase after every last scout.

Written by timski