A/N: Hello all, I am back with another Chapter! It's been a bit since the last chapter, but I'm back now with another chapter. The Civil War has begun (though it technically not a real Civil War yet), now who will be the one to make the first move? Only one way to find out...
First Strike
Ricimer was ready to make his first move against Rome. He knew that the whole operation was risky, but at this point, it was his only way out of a swift execution. Luckily for him, he would only have to focus on defeating Western Rome. The Eastern half of the Empire was still preoccupied with reconquering Dacia, something that they had been doing since late 463. Still, it would be hard to defeat even the Western Army, which had grown to be a considerably mighty force. Though still a shadow of it's former glory, the now revitalized army would be more than capable of destroying his new army with ease if properly mobilized.
However, Ricimer knew that not all of the legions were completely loyal . In particular some in the Legio IV Italica had grown dissatisfied with the lack of action. While the other legions, especially the 3 main legions, were gaining glory against the enemies of Rome, the most the legion of Italy itself got was fending off pirates on the mediterranean. Many of the soldiers were itching for battle, at whatever cost nessesary. Majorian haf tried to mitigate this by switching around soldiers in order to solve this, but it had not fully gotten rid of the issue. Many saw working in the Legio IV as a demotion from being even in the other defensive legions, nevermind the main 3. These soldiers were loking for a proper fight, not to mention that many were personally loyal to Ricimer from him working as the Magister Militum.
But he still needed to show that he was capable of pulling off a victory. Not only to secure the loyalty of at least some of the IV Legion, bu also the secure the backing of his Visigothic and Suebic sponsors. But Ricimer knew he wouldn't have to wait long for that oppertunity. Nepotianus was marching North to inspect Hispania. Ricimer planned to catch the Nepotianus's forces near Ceasaraugusta. Which would allow Ricimer to get to the city before Nepotianus, as well as allow both armies to converge.
On the 2nd of March, Ricimer would begin the march to Ceasaraugusta, officially beginning what would become known as The Grand Roman Civil War. On the 4th March, Ricimer would arrive near the city alongside his Suebic forces, followed shortly by his Visigothic ones. He would start on one side of the Iberus River, with half his cavalry hidden as best as possible on the other side.
Nepotianus would arrive only a few days later on the 7th March, his arriving sparking the beginning of the Civil War's first battle: The Battle of the Iberus River. The Cavalry waited in position to strike. But right before they were close enough, they were spotted. They not had two options; retreat or charge. They charged, crashing into the cavalry forces. Whilst the infantry had gotten ready, Nepotianus's cavalry was still unprepared for the charge, and so many of Nepotianus's cavalrymen were diced up by Ricimer's.
Ricimer's cavalry then turned and fled across the river, having done their job. Now Nepotianus's Cavalry had been crippled, now Ricimer had the better cavalry. The rest of the day would be spent with the two armies on either side of the river, with both sides taking potshots at each other with arrows, though the Cavalry of Ricimer had the superior reach of arrowfire to Nepotianus's (now) mainly infantry archers.
The next day, the armies would continue the staring contest for the first few hours. This would change when Ricimer heard news that Majorian was heading to Hispania. Ricimer could not afford to wait much longer. If Majorian got to Hispania before he could finish off Nepotianus, then he risked getting caught in a pinser. Ricimer pulled back to regroup and keep his plans hidden. He ordered his infantry across the lake to split and cross the lake on either side of Nepotianus's army, keeping the cavalry back. The infantry was able to make it across before Nepotianus could respond. Now seeing Ricimers strategy, he split his into three, two bigger groups to deal with the infantry, and a smaller group to hold off the cavalry. The two sides clashed for hours more. Eventually, Ricimer ordered the cavalry across the river. Ricimer's Cavalry was able to break through the soldier sent to hold them back before splitting and charging into Nepotianus's forces, many scattered at this, their will finally broken. The rest of the army were cut down or captured, Nepotianus fought on bravely, but the numbers were too great, and eventually he fell as well.
The Battle of the Iberis River was a decisive victory for Ricimer. 4,500 of Nepotianus's forces were killed, 3,000 captured. Ricimer lost around 1,500 soldiers. Not ideal, but ut did the job well enough.
Majorian would recieve the news on the 10th March. He took a moment to mourn a fallen ally before readying himself for battle against a former friend.
A/N: And that is all for now, I hope you all enjoyed. Sorry for the wait, I've had other work to do, but I've found the time now. Thank you all for reading this series so far, it has been great writing it. The feedback is always appreciated. See you next Chapter!
