To D.Junius Pompeius - Senior Army Commander, Dodona
To P.Curius Hibernicus - Junior Army Commander, Dodona

From Q. Manlius Lupus - Tribunus Prolegato, Legio VI (Tecmon/Dodona)

Please find the situation report.

I. EXPLORATIO

Oricum:
Currently within Roman security and influence.

Photice:
Currently within Roman security and influence.

Dodona:
Currently within Roman security and influence.

Tecmon:
Currently within Roman security and influence.

Ambracia:
Frumentarius have not been sent to Ambracia, however reports from Epirans indicate that Parmenion's forces are fortifying a position around Ambracia.

Nicopolis:
Frumentarius have not been sent to Nicopolis, however reports are that the city refuses the demand to surrender.

Ambracicus Sinus:
Reports from Classis I and II state that a large naval presence in league with Parmenion is still here in the harbour at Nicopolis. Class I and II are on defensive, allowing no ships to leave this area.

Stratus:
Frumentarius have not been sent to Stratus, however it is assumed that forces loyal to Parmenion have this area under their control as supplies come from the south.

II. LEGIO/CLASSIS LOCATIONS

III - Dodona
V - Dodona
VI - Dodona
XIV - Dodona (500 hold Castra Tecmon)
XVcs - Southwest, past Photice drawing towards Nicopolis
XXII - Dodona
Classis I - Blockading Ambracicus Sinus
Classis II - Blockading Ambracicus Sinus
AUX - Dodona
Epiran AUX - Tecmon

Reenforcements from Rome for Legios V and III are at Oricum currently, and reports from Oricum indicate that the men are moving with speed to Dodona and should be here within the week. 5,000 Epirans have formed an ally Legio and currently are being trained at Tecmon by Tribunus Prolegato Lupus and the Epiran Commander. All legions in the Epirus theatre are at full strength now.

III. RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Movements and Placement
That legio V under Junior Commander Hibernicus joins with Legio XVcs at Nicopolis.
That legios VI and Epiran Auxillary move along the Arachthus F. to Ambracia, ending at a position east of Ambracia to prevent movement eastward by Parmenion's forces. This to be done at a fast march.
That legios XIV, XXII and Mercenary Auxillaries move under command of Senior Commander Pompeius south from Dodona to Ambracia to prevent further movement northward.

2. Nicopolis
That Junior Commander Hibernicus issues a request for parlay, as now the city would no doubt know that King Alexander does in fact live, and that Epirans have answered the call to protect their country. That if Nicopolis would do this, that they would be spared and considered ally. If not, then the two legions will attack the city, with Classis I and II attacking the Epiran fleet in the harbour.

3. Ambracia - Pax
That Senior Commander Pompeius has a representative move to Ambracia and request the city to give Parmenion up, so that lives can be spared. That the city is to know the atrocities committed by Parmenion to King Alexander, and that the King does live. Should the city turn away Parmenion and lock it's gates to Parmenion and be friendly to Rome much like the city of Photice, that the city will be spared. The representative will also speak to the representatives of the Parmenion force exactly the same as Dodona. However, I would request that the Epiran Commander and myself be allowed to do this. If any Epirans wish to join Rome, they will be accepted and placed as auxillaries.

4. Ambracia - War
Four legions will surround the west, north and east of the city of Ambracia. Seige equipment will be set up to provide maximum damage to the forces of Parmenion, with ballistae also placed to main avenues of attack from . Stakes and other preventative measures will be placed to provide defence against any enemy assault. This will make Parmenion's forces either spread out and be extremely vulnerable, or concentrate on a single legion. Or, he would simply move south again. Either way, both choices leave him very vulnerable.

The honour of primary attack I suggest be given to Senior Commander Pompeius with legio XIV centred. Legio XXII will be to the west. Once engaged, Legio XXII will move eastward and attack the left flank of Parmenion's force. A hard cavalry charge should be first to break into the ranks of Parmenion's forces.

Once Legio XIV is attacked, and Legio XXII moves to the left flank of Parmenion's force, Legio VI and the Epiran legio will move to the right flank and rear of Parmenion's force in a hard cavalry charge. The aim of Legio VI and the Epiran legio is to prevent any southern escape by Parmenion. I suggest that 80 cavalry from legio VI be in reserve to immediately react should Parmenion try to personally escape. Their orders will be to take him dead or alive.

CONCLUSION

Nicopolis should be taken peacefully, as the people should return back to honour and join once more King Alexander and Rome. If not, two legions would be sufficient to take it. Classis I and II, who have been on defensive measures, should be able to attack the anchored fleet of Parmenion in the harbour.

As for the Ambracia situation - it must be stopped here otherwise, as I have stated previously, this will become a very lagging war. Parmenion will have to attack a single legion in the effort to try and win - to spread his men out will be folly as he will be significantly undermanned as we have have legions here. Seige equipment will be used offensively to attack his manned position to inflict as much casualties to his forces as possible. Parmenion's ego will come into play here - and should the Senior Commander move forward to meet him in battle, Parmenion will engage with his whole forces. Should he do so, the other legions will move to flank and attack his sides and rear.

A small force will be kept in reserve to the south to attack Parmenion when he flees the battle to move southward.

The Epiran situation needs to be resolved here in Ambracia. I also suggest that booty be shared with the legions here 100%. Parmenion must be either taken alive or dead - either way the rebel leadership should be shattered.

I do think however if you allow myself and my close ally, the Epiran Commander, to request parlay with the city of Ambracia as well as Parmenion's men - we should be able to sway the city to join Rome and King Alexander, and perhaps many more of Parmenion's forces. The option must be extended to them - so that when judgement is handed down by you, that it has the god's favour.

I am your servant, of course, and shall do as you direct.

May the gods shine their benevolence, mercy and power to us all. I look forward to the pending battle or peace.

In Service,

Q. Manlius Lupus, Tribunus Prolegato - Legio VI (Dodona/Tecmon)