The Reign of the Rasna: an Etruscan timeline
- Thread starter Muwatalli'
- Start date
I am currently unable to post an update because I am on holiday, but I will post another update next week.
The city of Kuma was an important rival of the Rasnans in southern Vitelu. It was an old Ellinan city, and it was very wealthy. In the year 524 BC the city had successfully fought against the Rasnans from Capeva [1], who had allied themselves with a few minor tribes from the region. The Rasnans were defeated and Kuma gained power.
Kuma’s power would not last. After the Rasnan victory at Kuma, the city was weakened, and the Rasna attacked the city again in 479 BC. This time, Kuma was not as powerful anymore. The city was weakened by its defeat, and the Rasna were able to conquer the city. A part of the Ellinian population fled to Neapolis, another part stayed. The city wasn’t that important anymore. The city was partially resettled by Rasna and they transformed it into a naval base, but most of the trade now went through Capeva, and not through Kuma.
The people that fled to Neapolis were not save for a long time. The small, young city was no match for the Rasnan soldiers. The city was conquered and was abandoned. The conquest of Neapolis meant the end of the Ellinian presence in Campania. Some other small settlements in the south lingered on for some time, but it is certain that they were eventually conquered by the Rasnans around the year 400 BC.
The Rasna were also victorious in other confrontations with other peoples. The Rasna had a few small confrontations with minor neighbouring peoples. One of their more major neighbours was the Latin League, a league of Latin cities, to the east of Ruma. They had already established an alliance a long time ago, to protect themselves against their enemies, like the Rasna. When Tarquinius was lauchme of Ruma, he brought the Latins partially under Ruma’s control. But when Pursenas conqered Ruma, the Latins became independent again. This was a difficult situation, because many Latins in Ruma felt connected with the other Latins, and because of the Latins, the northern and southern parts of Meχl Rasnal [2] were not connected. Therefore, the Rasna from Ruma launched an attack on the Latin cities. The Latins weren’t as good as warriors as the Rasna, and they lost. The Latins then became subjects of Ruma, but they maintained a degree of independence.
[1] Capua
[2] Etruria
Kuma’s power would not last. After the Rasnan victory at Kuma, the city was weakened, and the Rasna attacked the city again in 479 BC. This time, Kuma was not as powerful anymore. The city was weakened by its defeat, and the Rasna were able to conquer the city. A part of the Ellinian population fled to Neapolis, another part stayed. The city wasn’t that important anymore. The city was partially resettled by Rasna and they transformed it into a naval base, but most of the trade now went through Capeva, and not through Kuma.
The people that fled to Neapolis were not save for a long time. The small, young city was no match for the Rasnan soldiers. The city was conquered and was abandoned. The conquest of Neapolis meant the end of the Ellinian presence in Campania. Some other small settlements in the south lingered on for some time, but it is certain that they were eventually conquered by the Rasnans around the year 400 BC.
The Rasna were also victorious in other confrontations with other peoples. The Rasna had a few small confrontations with minor neighbouring peoples. One of their more major neighbours was the Latin League, a league of Latin cities, to the east of Ruma. They had already established an alliance a long time ago, to protect themselves against their enemies, like the Rasna. When Tarquinius was lauchme of Ruma, he brought the Latins partially under Ruma’s control. But when Pursenas conqered Ruma, the Latins became independent again. This was a difficult situation, because many Latins in Ruma felt connected with the other Latins, and because of the Latins, the northern and southern parts of Meχl Rasnal [2] were not connected. Therefore, the Rasna from Ruma launched an attack on the Latin cities. The Latins weren’t as good as warriors as the Rasna, and they lost. The Latins then became subjects of Ruma, but they maintained a degree of independence.
[1] Capua
[2] Etruria
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A map of Sicily in 476 BC (I know it is a small map).
The map is set just before the events in the next update, which will have something to do with Sicily...
Carthage and allies (Himera and Selinunte) are orangy-shaded, whilst Sirakusai is coloured purple. Their borders are approximate: their exact borders are not known. The real extent of Syracuse may have been larger than shown on this map.
The map is set just before the events in the next update, which will have something to do with Sicily...
Carthage and allies (Himera and Selinunte) are orangy-shaded, whilst Sirakusai is coloured purple. Their borders are approximate: their exact borders are not known. The real extent of Syracuse may have been larger than shown on this map.
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The war on Sikilia was not over yet. Syrakusai had expanded in the last few years to become the most powerful Ellinan city-state in Vitelu. Syrakusai was conquered by Gelon, the ruler of Gela in 485 BC, and he moved his seat to Syrakusai. However, his rule was not without problems. Still in the same year, a combined Syrakusan-Neapolan fleet was defeated by the Rasnans in the Battle of Neapolis. This really damaged Syrakusan naval power, but the fleet recovered. Gelo died in 478 BC, and his brother Ieron took power.
Seven years later, in 477 BC, Syrakusai was, together with Carthaza, the greatest power on Sikilia. Carthaza had expanded in the last years with the conquest of Akragas, but Syrakusai had also conquered many smaller Ellinian cities along the coast. A clash between these two powers was inevitable.
In 477 BC, Carthaza had decided that it was time for war. It was only five years after Akragas, and in the last few years, Syrakusai had expanded rapidly and became a major rival to Carthaza.
The Carthazan fleet sailed met the Syrakusan fleet near Gela, the home city of Gelo. The Carthazan fleet consisted of approximately 70 triremes. The Ellinan force was smaller, but it still was quite a sizeable force. The Carthazans won the battle, and the Ellinans retreated. The Carthazans landed and besieged the city. Gela fell quickly, and the Carthazans took control over the city.
Then, the Carthazans split their army. One half went to Syrakusai by land, the other half would go by boat. The main part of the city was on an island, Ortyx [1], but the city also occupied parts of the mainland. Gelo had greatly expanded the city during his reign, including the walls. When the Carthazan army arrived at Syrakusai, the Ellines were waiting for them. A Ellinian hoplite army, approximately 20,000 men, waited for them and the Carthazans and Ellines clashed in a bloody battle.
Meanwhile, the Carthazans had already defeated the Ellinian fleet a second time, and the Carthazans were able to attack Syrakusai. The Ellinian fleet was largely destroyed, and they stood no chance against the Carthazan fleet who had probably largely replaced its lost triremes.
Syrakusai did not have any sea walls, so the city was very vulnerable for an amphibious attack. And that was exactly what the Carthazans did. Their men landed, and the Ellines were outnumbered. Carthaza conquered the once proud city of Gelo, and turned it into a client kingdom. Carthaza was rising…
[1] Ortygia, an island part of Syracuse
Seven years later, in 477 BC, Syrakusai was, together with Carthaza, the greatest power on Sikilia. Carthaza had expanded in the last years with the conquest of Akragas, but Syrakusai had also conquered many smaller Ellinian cities along the coast. A clash between these two powers was inevitable.
In 477 BC, Carthaza had decided that it was time for war. It was only five years after Akragas, and in the last few years, Syrakusai had expanded rapidly and became a major rival to Carthaza.
The Carthazan fleet sailed met the Syrakusan fleet near Gela, the home city of Gelo. The Carthazan fleet consisted of approximately 70 triremes. The Ellinan force was smaller, but it still was quite a sizeable force. The Carthazans won the battle, and the Ellinans retreated. The Carthazans landed and besieged the city. Gela fell quickly, and the Carthazans took control over the city.
Then, the Carthazans split their army. One half went to Syrakusai by land, the other half would go by boat. The main part of the city was on an island, Ortyx [1], but the city also occupied parts of the mainland. Gelo had greatly expanded the city during his reign, including the walls. When the Carthazan army arrived at Syrakusai, the Ellines were waiting for them. A Ellinian hoplite army, approximately 20,000 men, waited for them and the Carthazans and Ellines clashed in a bloody battle.
Meanwhile, the Carthazans had already defeated the Ellinian fleet a second time, and the Carthazans were able to attack Syrakusai. The Ellinian fleet was largely destroyed, and they stood no chance against the Carthazan fleet who had probably largely replaced its lost triremes.
Syrakusai did not have any sea walls, so the city was very vulnerable for an amphibious attack. And that was exactly what the Carthazans did. Their men landed, and the Ellines were outnumbered. Carthaza conquered the once proud city of Gelo, and turned it into a client kingdom. Carthaza was rising…
[1] Ortygia, an island part of Syracuse
Something of interest, for every comment there is ~125 views, so you are doing better than a lot of TLs.
That is a very interesting point. I am glad my TL gets a lot of views, but comments encourage you more to continue writing the TL!
Hi Muwatalli. Nice timeline you have here, glad to see it hasn't died! Does this mean Syrakusai is finished as an independent power? Also I noticed that Syrakusai had an alliance with Neapolan against Rasna, where do they fit in with Carthaza?
Yes, Syrakusai is finished as an independent power.
After the Rasnan victory on the Neapolans and Syrakusans, their alliance was basically broken and Syrakusai lost most of its intrest in mainland Italy.
Carthage wished to expand in Sicily, which led to war between the two, Syrakusai being the other main power on Sicily.
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The middle of the 4th century BC is one that remains relatively unknown. It is certain that this was a golden time for the Rasna, during which they were prosperous and benefited from the commerce in the Mediterranean.
Also Carthaza went through a Golden Age. They controlled large parts of Sikilia and also benefited from the trade.
But in the year 453 BC something was about to change…
Carthaza used to have a firm grip on Sikilia. It controlled Ziz, which had become the most important commercial centre of the island, and it had vassalized many other states, such as Himera and Syrakusai. But in Syrakusai, the people started to revolt against the Carthazan rule, as Syrakusai had become much less important as a trading centre since the Carthazan conquest, and the people despised the Carthazans.
There were large riots in the city and the puppet king of Syrakusai was killed in the fighting. The Carthazans were forced out of the city.
But the ones who would benefit from this situation, were the Sikeloi [1]. The leader of the Sikeloi was called Douketios [2]. He was a native Sikeloi, but he had an Ellinian education. In the past years, he had united the Sikeloi and had founded several cities.
Carthaza did not have a large standing army on Sikilia anymore. Carthaza wanted to prevent further riots, and quickly sent an army from Ziz to Syrakusai. However, it was already too late. Carthaza had gained control over many small Ellinian cities in Sikilia in the last few decades, and they also faced riots there. Carthaza lost control over Zancle [3].
Douketius used the chaos on the island to strengthen his own position. He conquered Zancle, that had revolted against Carthaza, and the neighbouring towns. Also towns on the southern coast like Gela were conquered by the Sikeloi.
Meanwhile, the Carthazan army had reconquered Syrakusai, and Carthaza remained in control of large parts of Sikilia.
Carthaza was not able to act against the Sikeloi, as it already had enough difficulty with remaining in control of the cities they already had, most importantly Syrakusai.
But Douketios act was not without consequences…
[1] Greek name for the Sicels.
[2] Greek name for Ducetius, leader of the Sicels. His Sicel name is unknown.
[3] Messina
What do people think?
Also Carthaza went through a Golden Age. They controlled large parts of Sikilia and also benefited from the trade.
But in the year 453 BC something was about to change…
Carthaza used to have a firm grip on Sikilia. It controlled Ziz, which had become the most important commercial centre of the island, and it had vassalized many other states, such as Himera and Syrakusai. But in Syrakusai, the people started to revolt against the Carthazan rule, as Syrakusai had become much less important as a trading centre since the Carthazan conquest, and the people despised the Carthazans.
There were large riots in the city and the puppet king of Syrakusai was killed in the fighting. The Carthazans were forced out of the city.
But the ones who would benefit from this situation, were the Sikeloi [1]. The leader of the Sikeloi was called Douketios [2]. He was a native Sikeloi, but he had an Ellinian education. In the past years, he had united the Sikeloi and had founded several cities.
Carthaza did not have a large standing army on Sikilia anymore. Carthaza wanted to prevent further riots, and quickly sent an army from Ziz to Syrakusai. However, it was already too late. Carthaza had gained control over many small Ellinian cities in Sikilia in the last few decades, and they also faced riots there. Carthaza lost control over Zancle [3].
Douketius used the chaos on the island to strengthen his own position. He conquered Zancle, that had revolted against Carthaza, and the neighbouring towns. Also towns on the southern coast like Gela were conquered by the Sikeloi.
Meanwhile, the Carthazan army had reconquered Syrakusai, and Carthaza remained in control of large parts of Sikilia.
Carthaza was not able to act against the Sikeloi, as it already had enough difficulty with remaining in control of the cities they already had, most importantly Syrakusai.
But Douketios act was not without consequences…
[1] Greek name for the Sicels.
[2] Greek name for Ducetius, leader of the Sicels. His Sicel name is unknown.
[3] Messina
What do people think?