Rome vs. Carthage 1200 pts. Conclusion

I was able to conclude the battle with two more turns today. This was a lot of fun. Today there were some great surprises. Dice can make things that way. Here's what happened. Turn Five: Rome- The Romans won the initiative.The meles continued on the right flank. Legio I did well and put two Libyan phalanxes to flight. Legio III is having a harder time with the veterans before them, but at least they are holding the hilltop. Legio IV is clinging to the table’s edge, largely due to the heroic efforts of the triarii. Some velites are trying to assist. The Allied Lgion I hurled two units into the Spanish flank, destroying a unit of infantry and driving back a group of cavalry, while the rest of the legion tried to hold off Hannibal’s veteran division.

Carthage-Hannibal renewed his attack on the right with limited success, though one veteran phalanx is driving back the two units it is engaged with. The surviving Spanish desperately tried to close with the Roman line, but came up short. The hurled their javelins and spears but failed to do any damage. The Gauls continue their systematic destruction of the Fourth Legion On the hilltop in the center, a unit of veterans pierces the line of Legio III, but their comrades are locked in combat behind them. On the extreme left, the Libyan spearmen are grimly hanging on. The Numidian light cavalry are trying to offer support.

Turn 6: Rome-With the battle drawing to a conclusion, the Romans were desperate to shore up their line in the center, But where would the resources to do so come from? On the left, Allied Legion I is determined to hold back Hannibal’s veterans. Despite this, two groups are forced to give ground to a veteran phalanx, but the cavalry is able to drive back a unit of citizen infantry. The commanding general attached himself to the triarii and charges a veteran phalanx, driving them back. However, they are now in danger of being flanked by enemy units to their right. Legio II continues to press the Spaniards, but seem to lack the will to finish the task. On the hilltop, Legio III is beginning to get the upper hand. Two veteran phalanxes have been broken. The remaining units, however, are fighting all the harder. Finally, the triarii of Allied Legion II have destroyed the pesky citizen infantry that did so much damage earlier and have moved into position to support the rest of the line. Only one Libyan phalanx remains atop the hill.

Carthage- This would be the final initiative of the game. Hannibal’s division dispatches the allied triarii and also drive back the other units on the ridge. The Spaniards are now broken and must retreat. They leave Legio II pretty much unscathed. The Gauls completely annihilate Legio IV. The Roman center is broken. The Carthaginian cavalry division finally has a good command roll and advances quickly to exploit the breach. The battle on the central hilltop has dissolved into a stalemate with neither side able to gain ground. Fittingly, a truly amazing event happened on the extreme left of the Carthaginian line. The last surviving Libyan phalanx destroyed the triarii in front of them and used their sweeping advance to turn to their right and attack the flank of a unit of principes. Unbelievably, the Libyans rolled as poorly as I have ever seen and inflicted no casualties despite the advantage of attacking the exposed flank. The beleaguered principes rooked high and inflicted six hits. Then, astonishingly, the Libyans made only one save and lost the combat by five. Not surprisingly, the Libyans failed their break test and were removed from play, breaking the division. It would be up to the Numidian cavalry to defend the flank against the two battered legions facing them.

Closing Observations: Obviously, this was a very large game with 13 large divisions involved. The Carthaginians outnumbered the Romans, especially in cavalry, but the points were just about even. At face value, it would appear that the Romans never stood a chance. However, as in every HC game I have played, I believe chance had more to do with the outcome than numbers or points. The key to victory for the Romans was to overpower the Carthaginian allies in the center and then come to the aid of the legions on the flanks. Poor command rolls disrupted this plan from the beginning. Legions IV and II just couldn't get going. This allowed the Gauls and the Spaniards to close the distance quickly and attack. The legions on the flanks did more than hold their own against the cream of the Carthaginian army. The game played out well. Melees were methodical. Fronts tended to ebb and flow until one side would eventually become worn down and have to withdraw. It certainly had the feel of what I think an ancient battle would be like. I am enjoying the fruits of my labors. I have all kinds of troops to play a variety of scenarios. Next up will probably be a Peloponnesian battle pitting Greek against Greek. I will keep you posted.