200 infantry Of all the enemy cavalry the Roman Scipio. Hannibal entered Italy with a mere 20. soldiers — each legion of 4. thunderous clamor of horses' hooves.C. What is more. war elephants. had also set out with his cavalry on reconnaissance.000 allied centuries. after missing Hannibal at Massilia (Marseille). But Carthage command of the praetorian army the Roman military system that had relied to a much greater degree on stationed in Cisalpine Gaul which developed by the latter half of the 3rd her mounted forces — civic heavy included two double legions with Century BC. weakness. Numidians on the flanks. Reliance on allied Republic had to face. SPQR SCENARIOS While playing SPQR. Iberians in the th center and "Cavalry Battles Module" in this issue. These factors made reached as high as ten percent of any Numidian horsemen proved their delaying any engagement seem Roman army. The Romans could no longer usually had anywhere from 10 to 25 Celtic auxiliaries (with perhaps 1. we include the complete single line. colleague. To dominant arm of the patrician barbarian horsemen and. His real decisiveness of cavalry action. had been progressively de. of these being mounted). Carthaginian armies (extraordinaire) of about 300 cavalry emphasized over the preceding varied greatly in composition. once the cavalry. A few of the most significant cavalry battles of the Scipio. Editor's Note: Scipio placed his velites. this he added his bodyguard aristocracy. was enroute from Sicily to of Roman and allied horse seldom throughout the First Punic War. flanked by Celtic auxiliary cavalry in his first This is the "GBoH Module" previewed in line. reinforce him. but and probably less than 5. the Italian worth by confounding Roman prudent. For these reasons. Nevertheless. shape after crossing the snow the Celts and Epirotes. as your cavalry The Romans Meet Hannibal's Horse Soldiers smashes into the enemy's emy's flank.7. there were many battles and strength lay in the body of 6. to do anything of waiting for your ponderous phalanx or to strengthen their weak mounted arm in the decades between the First leg weary legion to plod its way into and Second Punic Wars (241-219 contact with the enemy? Do you find the B. He took Legionary infantry was paramount in Celts. or unwilling. A second line was composed of C3i. cavalry was generally inferior in quality cavalry and harrying Rome's heavy Hannibal's army had to be in terrible to that of Rome's opponents. 18. moving rapidly to confront had only 300 cavalry. Hannibal countered with a gaming pleasure. Scipio The infantry was based on Libyan decided to lead out all his cavalry conscript peasants. Numidian light cavalry. and the Celtic tribes battles — and all her wars. of course. etc.). such as foot soldiers.000 crack.000 field even one horseman out of ten of percent mounted. but depended even and velites to engage the more on various mercenary contingents Carthaginians immediately. army on to Spain and returned to Historical Background Italy with a small escort. Forewarned. none proved the invader. (including his own auxiliaries) might go over to the enemy en masse if they The Carthaginian military system had sensed Roman hesitation or evolved on an entirely different track. considered the circum circum- Italian cavalry rectified this shortcoming more formidable than the nomadic stances. Things did En jo y ! RB M . He knew little of the to some degree. On the other hand. have you ever tired the Romans were. Cavalry. The Consul Publius Cornelius War. Ligurians.600 cavalry. sent his main Hannibali War are offered here. veteran cavalry with his small skirmishes of mounted troops during the the Second Punic army. immedi Hannibal — including Iberians. more appealing? After his surprise crossing of the Fortunately for those who prefer the rapidity and Alps. The allies normally horse warriors of Numidia led by strength of his opponent and his contributed 600-900 horsemen for professional Carthaginian officers. Our production plans changed all his Roman and allied Italian regarding this SPQR Module and for your cavalry. and the two forces collided along the Ticinus River. Yet the total On Sicilian and African battlefields Longus.000 infantry and 1. the Consul Sempronius every 300 Roman cavalry. but they proved unable.000 infantry. Rome still managed to win most of her covered Alps. Nr. Velites (may occupy every other hex) 2. at Lake Trasimene. His cavalry. Servilius sent his cav cavalry on ahead under command of the The Battle of Ticinus River. 218 BC. The debacle at Ticinus was the combined army of four double But another battle was brewing. Roman Army: Withdraws when Roman cavalry into confusion. . Numidian Light Cavalry Victory: A player wins by forcing his opponent to withdraw. under units with TQ points totalling 37 have consul Scipio was wounded and only Gaius Flaminius. The Carthaginian Army uses the Northeast map edge. was at Arretium. the result being the eventually flanked by the Numidians then joined by the army of the Consul annihilation of his army in the greatest and swept from the field with heavy Sempronius.000 with Celtic recruits. saved from capture by the resolute the Western invasion rout. so the Cannae Map works fine. 218 B. Consul Servilius. This battle was fought on a wide open plain near the Ticinus River. West to join his colleague as soon as brought up to a strength of over he learned of Hannibal's first move. 9.C. Flaminius dashed off in However. first of many for the Roman cavalry. losses. legions and crushed it at the Battle of Servilius had decided to force march the Trebbia. on been eliminated. Map: Use the Cannae Map from SPQR. The The second consular army. Line Command Eligibility: Rome: 1. Roman and Alae Sociorum Cavalry Carthage: 1. the velites panicked and 46 have been eliminated. of Mounted Combat the Arno marshes to turn Flaminius' later to be known as Africanus. Carthaginian Army: Withdraws For the campaign of 217 BC Rome When Hannibal's Iberian lancers when units with TQ points totalling posted one consular army. his army fell back and was a hasty pursuit. the Carthaginian player adds one (+1) to the dieroll. The Roman Army uses the Southwest map edge as its retreat edge. Hannibal met this ambush in history.EQUUS: Cavalry Battles of the Second Punic War not go well for Rome from the outset. on any and all TQ checks. To represent this. at Arriminum to routed straight back. throwing the guard the Eastern approach to Italy. Carthaginian Cavalry Fatigue: The Carthaginian horses (not to mention their riders) suffered severly from lack of forage and the elements while crossing the snow covered Alps. under the charged. essence. But stand of the recovering Roman cavalry Maharbal's Masterpiece Hannibal made a surprise crossing of and the heroism of his teenaged son. played the Appreciating that time was of the decisive role. Iberian Lancer Cavalry 2. Following Scipio's defeat at the strategic flank. the Roman cavalry were Ticinus. Map: Use the East Half of the Beneventum Map from SPQR. a total of no less than Immediately following the Battle at Roman Army: Withdraws when units 10.000. Roman and Alae Sociorum Cavalry 2. Celtic Cavalry Carthage: 1. 30 have been eliminated.500. knew The Roman Cavalry's Inferiority even one in ten of its soldiers mounted. There were raise 6. her mounted troops never undoubtedly one of the greatest cavalry recovered their nerve in that theater. 217 B. the Carthaginians killed some 2.400 Romans and Italians.000 horsemen were forced to surrender. The Carthaginian Army uses the West map edge. Trebbia — perhaps 2.000 fortune. on the other hand. The fact that Rome could only Victory: for two double legions. with the Romes first four confronta confrontations in Italy remainder being provided by the only Carthaginian Army: Withdraws had been catastrophic: Ticinus — over remaining loyal Celtic tribe.500.000 enemy horsemen in the initial clash and the pursuit that followed.C. He took a Not surprisingly. Carthaginian cavalry. Ten thousand although Rome continued to fight threat to his trusted marshall. Setting a hasty ambush.000. tune. This battle was fought somewhere in the foothills of the Appenines. Cenomani. and Umbria — 4. 216-203 BC but the horsemen that were raised were befallen Flaminius' army. the when units with TQ points totalling 1.000 cavalry to support 80. Balearic Slingers (may occupy every horse. The following day the remaining 2. commanded by against Hannibal for thirteen more Maharbal. and was crushing defeat on Rome's 6. inflicted a years in Italy with steadily increasing Hannibal's deputy in Spain. Trasimene — as much as 2. was Rome unable to continue raising Centenius. The Roman Army uses the East map edge as its retreat edge. Maharbal had served as Maharbal and Hasdrubal. Maharbal located the Romans and determined their route of approach. nothing of the recent disaster that had Complex. This force 2. commanders of all time. In fact. Not only another Roman force was approaching. Hannibal learned that with TQ points totalling 28 have been added another 4.200 losses. an unusually large number legions. Hannibal The next major cavalry confrontation psychologically traumatized. assigned the task of dealing with this occurred at Cannae.000 other hex) near annhilation of eight double horsemen. The Great Battles of History Series: SPQR Propraetor Gaius Centenius. Maharbal's Victory in Umbria. the Romans detachment of cavalry and Balearic slingers out to meet Centenius.000 A player wins by forcing his opponent probably no more than the standard infantry is telling. The cavalry losses in to withdraw.000 mounted casualties! Cannae Lake Trasimene. eliminated. This led to the envelopment and reportedly consisted of 4. 2. Line Command Eligibility: Rome: 1. With his superior Numidian scouts. All Cavalry . But Publius Scipio's command suffered losses of 2. Scipio recovered from his superiority in cavalry. the Romans were able nightmare to be caught in the open by Sempronius get trounced by Hannibal to win in spite of the Carthaginian the ubiquitous Numidians. But they were caught in the open by the Punic cavalry. in the decisive Battle of Dertosa. Publius rushed up with one legion to succor his allies. After a prolonged running ru fight. Map: Use the Beneventum Map from SPQR. Carthage exactly what happened to the wound and joined his responded to this defeat by dispatching Mago Barca with a new army to Spain. The precise site of this battle is unknown. Scipio in Spain.EQUUS: Cavalry Battles of the Second Punic War ventured no major cavalry battles for unfortunate Proconsul Publius C. 214 B. while Gnaeus remained behind with the remainder of the army. Scipio wisely decided to beat a hasty retreat back to his brother's camp. The withdrawing Romans evaded the main Carthaginian infantry forces. And that is at Trebbia. culminating a Gauntlet of Cavalry 228 BC). it BC (featured in C3i #4). near Castrum Album The Scipio brothers fought a very (the White Fort — famous as the site successful campaign against Hannibal's A Legion's March Through of Hamilcar Barca's death in battle in brother. At Dertosa.000 killed and many wounded. the Roman column managed to cut its way back to camp. . The Barca brothers opened the campaign of 214 BC by ravaging the territory of some of the Scipio's Iberian allies. became every Roman commander's After watching his colleague for the first time. the remainder of the war in Italy.000 foot and 4. The Carthaginian Army uses the South map edge. The Roman Army uses the East map edge or units may retreat into the Roman camp. Publius found his force of 9. So after making a demonstration in support of his allies.000 cavalry facing a combined forced of as much as 20. 215 As the Second Punic War progressed. The Roman camp and mixed terrain on the Beneventum Map provide an appropriate setting. The Battle of Castrum Album. Carthaginian units may not enter the Roman camp.000 horse. elephants and skirmishers. brother Gnaeus in Spain in 217 BC. P.C. Hasdrubal Barca.000 infantry and 1. Balearic SK and mounted strength. who sent him some centurions as advisors. Masinissa defeated this force aswell. Numidian LI. a band of Syphax and convinced him to abandon 2. succession struggle. When Africanus landed in Roman Army: Withdraws when units stripped him of his command. withdraw. the campaign of 207 BC. 24 units (including routed units). Carthaginian Spain and Sicily Sicily. Africanus by the Carthaginian home government upwards of 5. even the Bagradas Plains (SPQR Scenario Scipio Africanus was stymied during 11. training his mounted force. However. But Rome finally found a commander who appreciated cavalry when Publius Scipio Africanus was given . after Syphax. and the final Roman reconquest of Roman vs. 208 BC Regulusus during the First Punic War. ending the rebellion in 212 BC. Masinissa joined him with TQ points totaling 63 have been result was the defection of Muttines. with his entire remaining army — 200 eliminated.000 cavalry. Rome: Same as Beneventum. The Africa in 204 BC.500 to 3. After completing his conquest of Gisgo and King Syphax were ordered Numidian armies often included Punic Spain in 206 BC. despite being 1. which Fortunately for Rome. He had been prodded by the Scipio brothers in Spain. and Scipio Africanus was counting on began to won a decisive victory. Meanwhile. Carthage responded by rallying King Gaia of the rival Massyles Numidians (modern Western Tunisia and Eastern Algeria) to their cause. at hex) (Africanus Module). the Carthaginian general Hanno and chased Masinissa out of his became jealous of Muttines and kingdom. the draw. forcing the Carthaginian Army to unravell. Carthaginians offered battle in 206 BC However. commission and command of 3.2). OR daughter of Hasdrubal Gisgo. Hasdrubal battles of the war were fought. Masinissa was then dispatched to Spain. Africanus knew all too well that Carthage: his Iberian allies to ensure that he had the support of the Numidians would 1. He 2. the desertion of the Numidian cavalry horsemen. Gaia sent an army under his 27 year old son. However. The Great Battles of History Series: SPQR Line Command the Spanish command in 210 BC. This enabled him to had only to remember the fate of Elephants (may occupy every other win a victory at Baecula. Liby-Phoenician officer Muttines King Gaia had died and his son Carthaginian Army: Withdraws foiled Roman attempts to reconquer Masinissa became embroiled in a when units with TQ points totalling the island from 212-210 BC. Cavalry Battles in Africa. outnumbered 4. but Syphax fled to Mauretania (Western Morocco) and raised a new army. entering Roman camp with at least Numidians under the command of the his alliance with Africanus.000 The Carthaginian player wins by He payed particular attention to Numidian and Iberian cavalry. in Sicily.500 in cavalry. numbered about 2. where his Numidians had the decisive role in annhilating two Roman armies at the twin battles of Castulo (C3i #5) and Ilorca. Syphax intervened 45 have been eliminated.the of the Masaesyles Numidians (modern Syphax and Prince Masinissa (who had Carthaginian leaders mobilized their Western Algeria and Eastern Morocco) defected from the Carthaginians) citizen cavalry. forcing the Roman Army to with. 211 BC. King Syphax secured alliances with both King to recruit armies. All Cavalry near parity with the Carthaginians in be crucial to his success in Africa. Masinissa. Cavalry in Africa It was in Africa that the greatest cavalry Scipio Carries the War into Africa In response to the invasion. when Africanus spent the year of 205 BC Victory: Masinissa was given a roving preparing his invasion force in Sicily. The beautiful Sophonisba.500 cavalry. the Numidian support The Roman player wins by: at Ilipa (Africanus Module). cavalry some rebelled against Carthage in 213 BC. Meanwhile. in preparation for his invasion of Eligibility Africanus consistently recruited among Africa. married Meanwhile. Masinissa defeated Syphax in their first encounter. Hanno Army to withdraw. who may have been Syphax somewhere on the way to Carthaginian Army: Withdraws another of Hannibal's brothers) was Cirta. for once. routed and fled. The Romans caught up with (a son of Hamilcar. The Carthaginian Army uses the East map edge. The pursuit that followed. Line Command Eligibility Rome: All Cavalry Carthage: 1. with TQ points totaling 28 have been Massyles Numidian horsemen and Africanus was incredulous at the eliminated. then destroyed the led out his entire command to pursue Carthaginian armies by burning their the small band of Numidians. Hasdrubal Gisgo and Syphax army continued to fight for awhile. Masinissa rode up moved up with two large armies and then buckled. but Early one morning.000 well equiped heavy cavalry. Roman Army: Withdraws when units Masinissa advanced ahead with his then quartered his force within its walls. Hanno was among the prisoners.EQUUS: Cavalry Battles of the Second Punic War 2. The Roman Army uses the West map edge as its retreat edge. Scipio marched to the Great Agathocles (named for the early Greek Plains (C3i #4) and crushed this raw invader of Africa). Some 1.000 light cavalry A player wins by forcing the enemy of his cavalry and velites to pursue recruited from Numidian tribes.C. Map: more were killed or captured during the Use the Zama Map from SPQR.C.000 horsemen large force of excellent cavalry. 204 B. Syphax initially had the While the Carthaginian cavalrymen A Cavalry Battle Royale: Laelius best of this cavalry fight. To Victory sent Laelius and Masinissa with most this force they added 2.000 cavalry wings. Syphax. and Masinissa vs. with superior enjoyed the soft life inside the city. the great Africanus Masinissa's faltering attack. The impetuous Hanno occupied the city of Salaeca. Scipio Carthaginians. yles. Hanno took the bait and faked peace talks. Syphax's failed. But. and routed Hanno's force. and directed to screen the Roman army. near the watch tower of new army. Masinissa camps in a night attack. began an immediate assault on the rival inactivity of this Punic mounted force. some infantry levies. to the city walls to provoke the forced him to lift the siege. Carthaginian Heavy Cavalry 2. but hills where Scipio and Laelius lay in Hasdrubal and Syphax rallied to form a wait. Masaesyles. Roman cavalry and velites to support ambush site. King Syphax numbers and infantry support. Scipio led him a lively chase along a series of returned to the siege of Utica. Syphax had raised a when units with TQ points totalling given command of the 4. 203 B. The Roman cavalry force. Map: Use the Cynoscephalae Map from SPQR. and 27 have been eliminated.000 opened with the rout of both enemy were slain in the ambush and 2. his capitol. Then Scipio and Masinissa surveyed the Scipio followed up his success at Laelius arrived and brought up the surrounding area to find a suitable Agathocles' Tower by besieging Utica. The Great Plains is probably the The Battle of caught the Punic column in the flank first Roman battle in history that Cirta. Numidian Light Cavalry . The Battle of Agathocles' Tower. Roman and Alae Sociorum Cavalry crown. Scenario Notes & Information: All SPQR 2nd edition rules apply to all scenarios. The Great Battles of History Series: SPQR exact site of this battle is unknown. refer to the SPQR Player's Guide article. 202 BC. For an analysis of proper Cavalry Tactics in SPQR. featureless African A player wins by forcing the enemy Italy in late 203 BC. Vermina. arrived about six weeks after Zama with an additional cavalry army. it allowed Masinissa to raise support. Cavalry. the Western Numidian Army uses the Southeast portions of his kingdom remained Numidian Army: Withdraws when map edge as its retreat edge. Tychaeus joined Hannibal hex) 3. with 2. The army to withdraw. so long neglectedby Rome. 1. 6. But this battle was merely a footnote in history. even as Zama was being fought. just in time. His advantage in cavalry. map edge. is generally considered to have been the decisive factor enabling en Scipio todefeat Hannibal at Zama (SPQR Scenario 11.000. Kingdom. Hannibal might very well have triumphed at Zama. Counters and maps are taken from SPQR. Numidian Light Cavalry some 4. Numidian Light Cavalry 2. More importantly for Scipio was linking up with their Numidian 2. had been captured. Although Syphax plain is pretty much like another. while Masinissa was Line Command Eligibility with TQ points totaling 57 have been consolidating control of his Massyles Numidian: eliminated. His kinsmen units with TQ points totalling 54 have Roman Army uses the Northwest Tychaeus and his son Vermina began been eliminated.000 crack horsemen. Masinissa's Corner by James Burton. except as noted. The Great Battles of History.000 cavalry. Velites (may occupy every other Africanus. But by then it was too late. raising cavalry from the Masaesyles to Roman Army: Withdraws when units support Hannibal. Scipio routed this conting contingent in the last combat action of the Second Punic War on 17 December. a primary Rome: captured Syphax and reclaimed his consideration for both commanders 1. Hannibal sought to provoke a battle with Scipio before Masinissa could return.4). more Numidian aid was on the way to Hannibal.000 cavalry for use first. The loyal to Carthage.500 to 3. . Numidian Medium and Light Zama. but the Numidian king arrived with his 4. had won her greatest battle. Victory against Hannibal. Syphax's son. Volume II. 202 BC: When Hannibal and Scipio began Infantry The Final Showdown maneuvering for the final campaign in At the battle of Cirta Masinissa the fall of 202 BC. who returned from but one dusty. Interestingly. Had Vermina only arrived a little sooner.