Siege of Apollonia

1) Background-

Apollonia is an ancient Greek trade colony, located in modern day Albania on the Eastern Adriatic Sea. The town would serve as a foothold and springboard for future Roman Brutii campaigns. By 270 BC the town was not affiliated with either the Greek City States or the Macedon kingdom.

2) Prelude-

In 270 BC, Amulus Brutus crossed the Ionian sea under orders of the Senate to seize Apollonia. Amulus arrived near modern Himarë, north of Corfu. He swiftly marched east and prepared the take the settlement.

3) Battle-

Captain Diomedes mustered up nearly 500 men to attempt to defend the town, but these troops were far weaker than the Roman legionnaires Amulus Brutus had brought with him.

Amulus started the battle by bring a group of Velites to the towns entrance, with Hastatii to back them up, while he brought his cavalry along the side of the city. Captain Diomedes sent Peltasts to fire on them in response, but Amulus charged into them with his bodyguard, quickly sending them running back to the plaza.

Captain Diomedes quickly gathered his remaining troops, and began marching towards Amulus's army, but retreated once Amulus brought his cavalry up behind them to flank Diomedes's army.

Amulus then proceeded to pelt the remaining enemies with Pilum, before surrounding them with Hastatii and Cavalry killing nearly all remaining men including Diomedes.

4) Aftermath-

Amulius assumed control of Apollonia, and quickly Romanized it, and Apollonia would soon be used as a landing point for other excursions onto Greece, such as Aulus Brutus's arrival to go to conquer Salona