The Weighted Scales: The World of an Aborted Rome

[frozenpredator]

interesting update, Makedonia is quite screwed, but I think successor states could hold out in Anatolia.

Magnum: your not obstructing the TL your pointing out something Errnge could use to improve it

[Berserker]

Where to begin any conversation about the Celtic Invasions of 275 B.E. (282 B.C.) is always a difficult task [1]. Historical bias has clouded much of the truth from historians for over two thousand years, and even if that were not enough, the ethnic tensions in the region, which continue to this very day, (and could arguably have some roots in the events following the invasion) electrify the issue.

ITTL: "All true....those cowards cant deny the fact we live here!!!"


OTL: very awsome update. cant wait to see how the Volcae en Boii ar going to chance the face of Macedon.

[Arrix85]

Celts FTW!!! will Epiros manage to hold out? seems a bit more alive than Makedonia.

[Grouchio]

Hey Errnge

I just got this really cool idea. You know how there's a Phoacean Greek colony in southern Gaul by the name of Massilia? Founded around 600 BC, they've been exchanging cultures with the Celts for centuries by the time of 275 BE. So what if this little colony decides to expand, be ruled by some King of mixed Celto-Hellenic heritage, and soon vassalizing most of what is now Southern France? And what if their philosophies and ways of life soon mixed in with the Celts'? A Unified Gaul with Hellenic influence would be able to defy the universe!

[Errnge]

Originally Posted by Magnum

I have my doubts regarding this. If the Celtic army is this big and we have a migration of the entire populace, they you're likely to see that, apart from the elite bands of warriors around the main chieftains, most warriors would be levies. These people we're not known for maneuver warfare, instead relying on the all-out charge. Apart from Gergovia, I can't recall any instance of a Celtic army out-maneuvering an organized force.

Once the main force charged, it was difficult to exercise any type of command and control over the whole unit.

Although, since the idiot Pausanias is leading the army, nothing is impossible.

If I were to write the battle, I'd have the Macedonian center hold, inflicting gruesome casualties on the charging Celts, but have both flanks (especially the often neglected left one) collapse, especially after a possible victory by the Celtic cavalry, leading to an encirclement of the phalanx, which then brakes ranks at the sight of the king being taken prisoner.

It should be noted that the macedonian phalanx was not incapable of maneuver. Here's an example against these very same Celts:

I know everyone here loves the Celts, but I honestly don't think Macedonia will just go quietly into the night after this. In OTL, with a lot fewer Macedonians present in Macedonia proper (since a lot went to places like Egypt, Syria, Mesopotamia or Baktria), they still evicted the Celts after a couple of years


Anyway, nice update and sorry if this seems a little bit, how should I put it, obstructive, to the goal of the TL.

The same Celtic army defeated the Macedonian armies several times, with better leadership. They slaughtered Ptolemy Keuronos' army, and they gave Antigonus a hard run for his money. The reason why this Celtic army is doing so much better is mainly because of my fictional princess who convinced the tribes to stick together longer. With such a massive force marching towards Pellas, the sheer chaos in the country, especially after the King was just killed with no heir... it would be a really sucky time to live through if you were Macedonian, i'll put it that way.

Also, as far as Celtic battle organization goes, despite contemporary writers' opinions, it seems that there was some good deal of organization. Gallic war-bands were top-knotch mercenaries at the time and were a staple of most armies. The Celtic armies, while not consistently, did defeat Hellenic armies rather often-- Look at the Galatians, or the Lusitanians. It appears that there was some level of organization that allowed them to maneuver. Perhaps their control over armies was not as firm as that of Hellenistic generals, and I'd be willing to bet Celtic leadership wouldn't be as professionally trained, but to depict them as a mindless horde simply charging in around an enemy seems... unlikely.

Also, most of the Macedonian leadership in Anatolia stopped giving two figs about Macedonia proper after the Babylonian invasion. They are much more worried about that more immediate threat than the one that just got rid of their sucky-ass king for them.

I think that there will be Macedonian resistance, but it will come in a different form than expected. I never said anyone was going quietly...

I do have to say though, you do know a lot more about military history than me, so it's always great to hear your opinions

[Errnge]

Originally Posted by Grouchio

Hey Errnge

I just got this really cool idea. You know how there's a Phoacean Greek colony in southern Gaul by the name of Massilia? Founded around 600 BC, they've been exchanging cultures with the Celts for centuries by the time of 275 BE. So what if this little colony decides to expand, be ruled by some King of mixed Celto-Hellenic heritage, and soon vassalizing most of what is now Southern France? And what if their philosophies and ways of life soon mixed in with the Celts'? A Unified Gaul with Hellenic influence would be able to defy the universe!

I would say largely because the Celtic tribes around Massalia vastly outnumber them. Also because that would ruin Massalia's lucrative trade relationship with them. What's more likely is that by ~150 B.C. Massalia is overrun by Gauls, like it would have been OTL if the Romans hadn't intervened and annexed Southern Gaul.

[Lysandros Aikiedes]

Originally Posted by Errnge

Chapter Five: To Live And Die By Fire
Part Eleven: Barbarians At The Gates (Depending On Who You Ask)



Where to begin any conversation about the Celtic Invasions of 275 B.E. (282 B.C.) is always a difficult task [1]. Historical bias has clouded much of the truth from historians for over two thousand years, and even if that were not enough, the ethnic tensions in the region, which continue to this very day, (and could arguably have some roots in the events following the invasion) electrify the issue.

The following is an attempt to relate the events during, and leading up to the Celtic Invasions.

Archaeological evidence suggests that the region of Pannonia was integrated into the Celto-sphere around the same time that Celtic tribes migrated into the Padus River Valley in Northern Italia. By the 3rd century B.E. the area was almost completely Celticized with many of the native Illyrian tribes, weakened by almost constant warring with the Greeks, adopting Celtic language, culture, and custom, even more of them being ruled by increasingly powerful Celto-centric confederacies. The Scordisci who seem to have come into existence some time before 303 B.E. (310 B.C.), led by a general named Molistomos, invaded and absorbed some of the Illyrian tribes further south such as the Autariatae and vassalized some tribes such as the Dardanians, Triballi, and Paeonians. [2]

Further north, however, in Noricum and Pannonia, the two dominant tribal entities were the Wolcae [3], near the head of the Istros [4] and the Boii to their east. The Wolcae and the Boii each appear to have been large confederacies of several smaller tribes, prime examples being the Tectosages (Wolcae) and the Tolistobogii (Boii). The Wolcae and Boii seemed to have been allies, considering the coordination the two tribes exhibited in their invasion southward.



Sources vary as to why the Wolcae and Boii moved south. Suggestions include over-population, economic incentive (the region was rich in metals, slaves, and trade), and the rise of the Warrior Cult. Tension between the Hellenic world and the Keltoi to their north was relatively new, but still existent. In 328 B.E. (335 B.C.), an envoy of representatives from several Celtic tribes in the north were sent under the pretense of paying homage to the then ruler of Makedonia, Alexandros III. This just so happened to occur during Alexandros’ invasion of Thrace, the region previously buffering the two cultures, which both eyed hungrily. It is almost certain that these representatives were sent with the true purpose of assessing the military might of the Makedonians and the prowess of their young king. Apparently, they were impressed enough to cease their southward push during his reign. But when he died at the Battle of Issos two years later, the migration continued unabated.

The relationship between the Makedonians and their neighbors to the north had never been a great one, with almost constant small-scale raiding into Thrace by Celtic tribes. During the reign of Philip III, the Celtic tribes supported rebellions in Thrace and Moesia. During the Makedonian Civil War, or Kassandrian War, raids intensified, with brief moments of Celtic occupation of Makedonian lands that were often repelled. Kynane managed to placate some of the tribes during her reign, using her connections with the Illyrian tribes. But relations continued to spiral out of control during Philotas’ and Orestes II’s reign. But it was only after Orestes II was assassinated, and his brother Pausanias II came to power did the tribes see their golden opportunity.

Pausanias II’s reputation as a feeble ruler was well known after his embarrassing defeat at the hands of Pyrros of Epiros and his incompetence in the wake of the Babylonian invasion of Syria. Add in the fact that the Wolcae Tectosages had a real grudge against the Makedonian Basileus after Orestes II publicly insulted an envoy sent by them to Pellas (the night before his assassination, interestingly enough): an envoy which was led by the Tectosages princess Iouinaballa and a druid.

A preliminary invasion led by Cambaules was the spark that ignited the war. Cambaules led an army of some 20,000 men into Thrace, and captured a large area, defeating a small Makedonian army, but ousted by Pausanias II’s army. Cambaules returned to his home among the Boii, affirming that more warriors were necessary.

And if there was one thing the Celts had, it was warriors.



The following year, a massive multi-pronged invasion marched down along the Istros River and into Makedonian held Thrace. In all, over 250,000 warriors invaded [5], possibly the largest army to ever march on the Hellenistic world since the Persian Wars of the 5th century B.E.

Cambaules headed this massive army, but he was by no means the only military leader present in the army. Leading the Prausi, a tribe of the Wolcae confederation, was Brennos. Leading the Tectosages was Acichorios. Bolgios lead the men from the Tocri and Tolistobogii from the Boii confederation. And Cerenthios led an army of Taurisci. It was between these generals that the army was divided when the Celtic invaders decided to “plunder the multitudes of nations,” and the top nation on their hit list was Makedonia. [7]

Cerenthios moved eastward into the heart of Thrace, massacring any tribe that refused to submit with an army of 20,000. Brennos and Acichorios were initially supposed to take their armies and invade Paeonia in northwestern Thrace while Bolgios would take his army into Makedonia, but at the urging of Acichorios’ daughter, a woman already familiar with the area, the two armies stuck together and marched first against the Paeonians, and then, after a swift victory, into Makedonia. Of course, Acichorios’ daughter was the diplomat Orestes II turned away a few years earlier, Iouinaballa.

Hearing of the invasion (it would have been hard not to), Pausanias II mustered as many troops as he could, sparing those on the eastern border with Babylonia. His army numbered about 60,000 infantry and 20,000 cavalry. He bought twenty Syrian elephants, and even rode one to meet the Keltoi, hoping to impress them or scare them off with this show of power. Other aristocrats braced themselves for the coming invasion by raising smaller, local armies to fend off raiders.

When the Celtic and Makedonian armies met, a Celtic envoy went to meet Pausanias II, advising that he surrender and pay the Wolcae and Boii off to prevent slaughter. Iouinaballa herself was present, only to be insulted twice by a Makedonian Basileus. Pausanias not only refused the “barbarian’s” offer, but countered with his own: that the Wolcae and Boii pay him homage, hand over their arms, and return to their homeland in the north with their tails between their legs.

“The son’s of men who fought under the likes of Alexandros and Parmenion who defeated the hordes of Persia are like gods in war.”

Pausanias then went on to claim that the Celtic invaders sought peace because they were cowards and feared for their lives before his Makedonian army. [8] When Pausanias’ response reached the ears of Bolgios, Brennos, and Acichorios, they responded:

“Only a fool would believe we seek peace for our safety and not his own.”

The ensuing battle was a complete massacre of the Makedonian forces. The Makedonian phalanx was ripped to shreds and completely out maneuvered by the fluid Celtic tactics. Pausanias’ elephants caused some initial disruption in the Celtic line, but one should never underestimate the hero-complex of the Celtic warrior. Soon, men wearing nothing but their breaches, covered in blue tattoos, were climbing up onto the elephants, killing the rider and the elephant. Pausanias himself was captured in such a way; being dragged kicking and screaming from his felled elephant.

Upon his capture, he was presented to the generals and chieftains of the Celtic army. It was Iouinaballa who was given the great honor of beheading Pausanias II, Basileus ton Basileon of Makedonia. She held the head up in the air, blood gushing everywhere, and let out such a cry that the surviving Makedonians had never been so terrified by a woman before, and paraded it among the Celtic army by chariot.

Many consider this moment to be the final nail in the coffin for the Kingdom of Makedonia.

It did not take long for the anarchy to spread. With the main Makedonian army destroyed, there was nothing in the way of the Keltoi.


---------
[1] These Celtic Invasions occurred 2-4 years earlier than those of OTL.
[2] There are conflicting theories about the origins of the Scordisci. One theory, that I obviously don’t favor, suggests that the Scordisci came into existence due to the failure of OTL’s Celtic Invasion of Greece. I, however, agree with the theory that they existed some time earlier (though not that much earlier, clearly) as a result of the steady southward movement of Celtic tribes down the Danube and Sava Rivers.
[3] The letter V did not make the same sound it does in the English language when Romans used it. V actually made the sound of a U or W, so the Volcae would have been the Wolcae. Usually, I don’t bother, but the Wolcae could be the source of the Germanic use of “Walkos” as a name for foreigner, such as Wales, Wallonia, Wallachia, and Gaul.
[4] The Danube
[5] Numbers vary on the actual number of the Celtic invading army, but the contemporary historian Pausanias (obviously not my fictional Macedonian King) and the Roman historian Strabo claimed that the army led by Brennus into Greece (a.k.a. 1/3 of the army) comprised of more than 150,000 infantry and over 60,000 horsemen. My estimation is actually low-balling the Gallic invasion. Recall that it was just a splinter group from this army that became the nations of Tyle and Galatia. It is likely, however, that numbers were inflated because these were not simply armies, but migrations with women and children in tow.
[7] I bullshitted a little here. We don’t know which tribes many of these men hailed from. In fact, Brennus is the only one we know for certain. I tried to make my best guess from what tribes settled where and when, but I think it is important that this information be presented because with a Celtic victory, such information would have been documented.
[8] Very similar comments were made by Ptolemy Keraunos to Bolgios’ army.

Love the update. I'm eager to see where this leads. Does this open the door for the Epirotes or the other post-Macedonian kings in the east to organize a campaign to "liberate" Macedon? Or is this the beginning for an extensive Celtic-dominated realm in the southern Balkans?

The system of Trimarchisia is said to have been used among Celtic cavalrymen whom participated in the OTL Delphi Expedition. This system would split the cavaly force into groups of three, with one or two sections brought into combat at a time.

Originally Posted by Magnum

I have my doubts regarding this. If the Celtic army is this big and we have a migration of the entire populace, they you're likely to see that, apart from the elite bands of warriors around the main chieftains, most warriors would be levies. These people we're not known for maneuver warfare, instead relying on the all-out charge. Apart from Gergovia, I can't recall any instance of a Celtic army out-maneuvering an organized force.

Once the main force charged, it was difficult to exercise any type of command and control over the whole unit.

Although, since the idiot Pausanias is leading the army, nothing is impossible.

If I were to write the battle, I'd have the Macedonian center hold, inflicting gruesome casualties on the charging Celts, but have both flanks (especially the often neglected left one) collapse, especially after a possible victory by the Celtic cavalry, leading to an encirclement of the phalanx, which then brakes ranks at the sight of the king being taken prisoner.

It should be noted that the macedonian phalanx was not incapable of maneuver. Here's an example against these very same Celts:

I know everyone here loves the Celts, but I honestly don't think Macedonia will just go quietly into the night after this. In OTL, with a lot fewer Macedonians present in Macedonia proper (since a lot went to places like Egypt, Syria, Mesopotamia or Baktria), they still evicted the Celts after a couple of years


Anyway, nice update and sorry if this seems a little bit, how should I put it, obstructive, to the goal of the TL.

There are plenty of instances that the Celts could be militarily well-organized and were capable of out-manoeuvring their foes. The Battle of Faesulae in 225 BCE involved the Italian Boii leading the Roman army of Lucius Aemilius Papus into an ambush where the Roman allied forces were almost completely destroyed.

Caesar describes one Celtic group, the Helveti of Switzerland, as forming a phalanx-like formation in battle against Romans. Whether this was something gradually adopted through contact by the Greeks or that some such military tactic existed among northern Europeans for centuries is unknown.

The 10,000 Galatians (about half of which may have been actual warriors) that entered Anatolia in the 270's BCE at the behest of King Nicomedes I of Bithynia, had survived for a long time after they started running amok. This group having survived as long as they did, could not have done so if they were a mere undisciplined rabble. Not for nothing were Celts in demand as mercenaries by the Greeks, Carthaginians and even Romans. The image of Celts as a mob of charging bloodthirsty wild-men is one of the strongest stereotypes of the ancient world. If a large Celtic horde was to have a high number of professional warriors in it, its more likely they would have a profound understanding of group discipline and tactical manoeuvres.

Most say the problem with the Celts was that they lacked organization. No, the real problem was that divided into smaller polities over a much larger geographic expanse. Their "tribes" were their nations. What's the real difference between a Celtic tribe and a Greek city-state? What's the difference between a tribal confederacy and a city-state league?

[Errnge]

Originally Posted by Lysandros Aikiedes

Most say the problem with the Celts was that they lacked organization. No, the real problem was that divided into smaller polities over a much larger geographic expanse. Their "tribes" were their nations. What's the real difference between a Celtic tribe and a Greek city-state? What's the difference between a tribal confederacy and a city-state league?

My guess at that answer would be a lack of urbanization, which is only true for some of the tribes...

[Grouchio]

Originally Posted by Errnge

My guess at that answer would be a lack of urbanization, which is only true for some of the tribes...

So, I predict that the Celts would be able to advance their culture and urbanize on their own by around 100 AE(?)?

And is this the last update for a week or so?

[Errnge]

Originally Posted by Grouchio

So, I predict that the Celts would be able to advance their culture and urbanize on their own by around 100 AE(?)?

And is this the last update for a week or so?

Most of the tribes left around had urbanized to a great degree by the time of Julius Caesar in Gaul and less so in Belgica but still. Britain had some cities, while Ireland was just a few hill forts.

Methinks so.

[EvolvedSaurian]

Oh shoot, I forgot to leave accolades when I read the updates earlier.

Accolades!

[B_Munro]

Ah, those wacky celts.

"How did you get injured in the battle?"

"Someone hit me with a pig on a stick!"

Bruce

[Berserker]

I think Macedonai is going to be robbed blind

[TaylorS]

And here come the Celts!!!

[Geordie]

And another dynasty bites the dust. Can't wait for this storm to smash all over Hellas.

[Dathi THorfinnsson]

Originally Posted by B_Munro

Ah, those wacky celts.

"How did you get injured in the battle?"

"Someone hit me with a pig on a stick!"

Bruce

No, no, thats the iowa state fair!

[Grouchio]

Errnge, two things:

First, I am certain that the history of warfare will be drastically different than OTL by 1500 AD. Will there be any different directions taken in combat, armor, weaponry, etc. within 100 years of last chapter? Also, if you need pictures of possible infantry, archers, cavalry, artillery, etc, just let me know, give descriptions, and I will grant your demands.

Second, when's the next update?

[Errnge]

Originally Posted by Grouchio

Errnge, two things:

First, I am certain that the history of warfare will be drastically different than OTL by 1500 AD. Will there be any different directions taken in combat, armor, weaponry, etc. within 100 years of last chapter? Also, if you need pictures of possible infantry, archers, cavalry, artillery, etc, just let me know, give descriptions, and I will grant your demands.

Second, when's the next update?

Well of course there will be, but I feel like telling exactly what will give things away. Some of the changes present now exist specifically within the Third Babylonian Empire, where their army has been influenced by the Macedonian phalanx, but is still much lighter, retaining some traits of their native military. It is also much more reliant on cavalry. There will be a lot of changes in the Balkans, and I would consider the current style of warfare in Italy actually to be more archaic than it was OTL without Roman innovations.

I don't think I need pictures, but if I do, I will tell you.

And soon. I'm still working out some of the kinks in it, but I'm almost done.

[Errnge]

Chapter Five: To Live And Die By Fire
Part Twelve: The Birth of Ouolkike



The following is a passage from The History of Ouolkike: Volume 2 by Catuandros—

“With the head of the Mapedonnirix [1] at the head of their army, the Ouolki moved onward with new strength. The Gods truly were on their side, and this new land delivered to them was fertile and warm. The war-horns and drums announced their arrival to each new city, and each new city paid tribute to the Ouolki. The cities the Mapedonni called Idomenai, Ioron, Bragylai, Morrylos, Europos, Klitai, Ichnai, Herakleia, Allante, Tyrissa, Gendetros, and Kyrrhos all opened their gates to the Ouolki upon their arrival and showered them with the riches their city had to offer. They swore fealty to the Ouolki and forsook their former loyalty to the Mapedonnirix, whose head was possessed by Iouinaballa Acichorignos.

Since the Mapedonnirix had no sons or daughters, there was no one to take his place as king in the Mapedonni tradition. Mapedonni generals began calling themselves kings in far off lands ruled by the Mapedonnirix. Fearing the coming might of the Ouolki, the Mapedonni living in the city they called Pellas began to flee by way of the ocean, while others set to panic and began to riot within the walls of the city. When the Ouolki arrived, half of the city was empty, and those who remained opened the gates to the Ouolki without a struggle. The city paid the greatest tribute of all, and many of the houses left abandoned were filled with the wandering families of the Ouolki.

The Ouolki then sent out two armies from Pellas. One was led by Brennos, and went west to defeat the Botti and the Paeoni, while another led by Acichoros went east and exacted tribute and fealty from the cities there as far as Philippi and the island of Thasos. Ouolki began to settle these cities and farm the lands abandoned by the craven Mapedonni.”

From the ashes of the destructive end of the Makedonian Empire, the Wolkae, or Ouolkoi as the Greeks later called them, began to settle and took quick control of the region. They ravaged the tribes along the Strymonas River, decimating the Maedi. They then cut east, and moved down the Bardarios River, assaulting Paeonian and Thracian cities such as Stobi, Dober, and so on, until they marched into the heart of Makedonia. The coming arrival of the Celtic migration had caused such fear that many cities simply surrendered to the oncoming army, not even risking the violence. Many of the Makedonian nobles fled the city of Pellas to Anatolia; however, for those who could not escape, it seemed that death drew nearer with everyday.

All accounts agree that a few days before the Wolkae arrived, a riot broke out in Pellas. The remaining nobility in the city insisted that the city man a defense, and hope that they could survive a siege long enough for reinforcements from Anatolia. But the fear within the city was too great, and the people within the city determined that if they gave up the city, their lives would be spared. Chaos held over the city for two days as the opposing sides vied for control of the city gates, until finally the last of the nobility were had either been captured, died, or fled the city. The gates of Pellas opened to the Wolkae without a fight on the ninth day of Scorpio, 274 B.E. (281 B.C.). The Wolkae determined to make Pellas their new base of operations, settling the rest of their families there. Brennos and Acichoros each set out with armies of approximately 60,000 men and began securing the surrounding area.

In Anatolia, the satraps and viceroys established independence, seeing that they could no longer rely on Makedonia for protection.

Meanwhile, the Boii, who had broken off from the Wolkae army, set about ravaging Thrace. They defeated and exacted tribute from the tribes along the Hebros River, including the Bessi, Sapaei, and Odrysians. Here they settled the Thracian city of Aenus, or Poltyobria, and set up a kingdom that the Wolkae called Bojikika. The Boii attempted to take Byzantion, but were turned back by an army from Bithynia. The Bithynian satrap pushed the Boii advance long enough to secure the surrounding area, but was defeated near Salmydessus by the Boii under Bolgios with the help of the Asti, a Thracian ally.

To the South, the Hellenes braced themselves for the coming onslaught of the Galatoi. And they had good reason to. Word soon spread that the Wolkae chieftain Brennos was leading an army of 100,000 men south. Almost half of this army was made of cavalry that used the trimarchisia system, where one cavalry man would be fighting in battle, while two others waited to retrieve his body, replace his horse, or replace him in battle.



Now, here is where historical bias becomes almost unbearable on both sides, because it is hard to discern the true motives of Brennos as he moved south. The Hellenes insist that his intention was to sack Delphi and desecrate the gods; but the histories written by the Ouolki insist that he intended to make the peoples located there into vassals and tributaries. It is likely that both are partially true. The Wolkae were doing a good job of securing the region of Makedonia, and the Greeks to the south remained unconquered. But then again, gold is always a great incentive for a raiding party, though Delphi may not have been his main target.

Regardless, by the spring of the next year, Thessaly had fallen. Brennos’ army met little resistance until Thermopylae, where a pan-Hellenic force had assembled to hold off the barbarian Galatoi. The majority of the army was made up of Aetolians, however a sizeable number of Athenians, Argives, Corinthians, and Spartans were assembled. Their army totaled 10,000.

Both sides agree on one thing: Thermopylae was a mistake for the Wolkae. They fought for two days, taking heavy casualties. Estimates range from 10,000 to 30,000 fallen Wolkae, while the Hellenes had only taken minimal damage. Frustrated, Brennos had his second-in-command, Iccauos [2] take 20,000 men west to raid Aetolia, hoping it would draw the Aetolians to their homeland and weaken the Hellenic forces at Thermopylae. Brennos had made a gamble, but it worked.

Iccauos’ army arrived in Aetolia and wrought such carnage, that the Aetolians left at Thermopylae were forced to leave to defend their homeland. This halved the army assembled at Thermopylae, which was soon overrun. In Aetolia, Iccauos slaughtered the Aetolian army when it arrived. The Aetolian defense was so vicious, that:

“The woman and children took up arms to defend not only their homeland, but their very existence. Such was the disparity of their situation.”

When Iccauos’ army had finished, Aetolia was devastated. His army took loot, and marched to regroup with Brennos as Delphi. When they met at Delphi, the Wolkae looted the temple and raped the Oracle. As they left, they saw a small Spartan and Athenian contingency of about 1000 men marching towards them. With the higher ground atop Delphi, the Wolkae cavalry passed over the Spartans like a great wave, leaving none alive. [3]

The Wolkae continued to raid and loot Hellas for another month until they drew back north to Pellas with all of the riches of the Greeks in tow. However, along the way, a disagreement broke out over the how to divide the spoils. The Hellenic historians simply say the Galatoi had such a lust for gold that they broke into squabbling over it. More specifically, the Ouolki say there was a disagreement over the rights and distribution of the plunder. Brennos wished to keep most of the loot for himself and the men of his tribe, but his generals insisted that the loot be divided equally through all the tribes assembled within the army. The disagreement led to infighting, and a brief battle broke out in Thessaly that the Ouolki call Briga Dibu e Debu, or the Hill of the Gods and Goddesses. It is likely that this is Mount Olympus, near where the Wolkae occupied lands began. In the end of the dispute, Brennos was exiled, and he took the some 20,000 men of his tribe left back north into Illyria, where he fell into historical oblivion.

The Celtic Invasions would leave a massive mark on the history of the region, and would directly shape the culture and political climate of the Aegean.

-----------
[1] My take on the Gallicization of the word Macedonians with the suffix –rix, denoting royalty. “King of the Macedonians”
[2] OTL, Acichoros was Brennos’ 2nd in command at Thermopylae, but ITTL, he is in Pellas securing Macedonia. This is a fictional man fulfilling a similar purpose.
[3] OTL, this happened a year later, so there weather was very different. A storm had caused chaos in the Celtic ranks, and forced the Celts to retreat at Delphi without actually sacking it.

[Berserker]

very good

but then... its awsome