Jackson Gamers' Ancients 20mm Roman game
Roman vs. Roman
Using the Vis Bellica rules
Photo by Ed Sansing
Commentary by Gladius Tucia (Jay Stribling.) and Cialus Magnus (Ed Sansing) - with additional information from the Game-master, Phil Young.
We played our third Vis Bellica game on October 1,2004. We used two 20mm Roman armies, very nicely painted by Phil Young. Phil acted as game-master and rules tutor to the lot of us.
It was a Romans vs. Romans civil war battle - using "a whole lot" of troops per side Each side had six subordinate commands, plus a general and a sub-general. "The Southerners" had 2 legions; a mixed brigade consisting of 2 cavalry units (one being Praetorian), an Eagle cohort and auxilliary archers; a
large 6-unit brigade of war elephants; a 6-unit brigade of allies (heavy shielded infantry); a brigade of Auxilliary Infantry; a brigade of horse archers; and a small brigade of mixed cavalry.
The southerers were Paius Maximus (Fred Diamond), Agitatus Maximus (Robert Whitfield), and Gladius Tucia (Jay Stribling.)
"The Northerners" had three legions, 2 brigades of auxilliary infantry (1/2 being archers), a brigade of heavy cavalry, and a 4-unit brigade of light artillery. The northerners were Punctilius Pictianus (Jim Pitts), Julius Orangius (John Stangle), Caveat Emptor (Sean Pitts.) and Cialus Magnus (Ed Sansing)
Both sides came close to wiping the other out. The Southerners' elephants & allied
heavy infantry smashed the Northerners' right flank, while meanwhile loosing their own center & right flank. As I recall the Northerners' center held with 3 units of ballistae, a handfull of legionaries, & some weakened cavalry. Their auxilliary infantry stood unopposed on the far left. "The Southerners" failed to exploit their superiority of mobility, and their legionaries in the center did not advance in any degree of depth.
Phil Young - the Game-master - sets up the "southern" Romans. Behind him Paius Maximus Fred Diamond) and Agitatus Maximus (Robert Whitfield) watch and review the rules. The bald pate of Gladius Tucia is barely visible behind Mr. Young.
The elephants of the southern Romans, these were part of the forces of Paius Maximus - the most successful southerner in the battle, but a larcenous mercenary.
The troops of the "northern" Romans. The right flank, in the foreground, were mostly auxiliaries. The right center were Romans. Left center were Romans and ballistas. On the far left were Romans and more auxiliaries.
The southern lines, auxiliaries and cavalry on the foreground. The center is held by Roman infantry and on the far left flank are the Elephants, under the command of Paius Maximus. Maximus and his beasts produced the only thing close to victory for the southerners on this bloody day.
The northern commanders: John Stangle, Jim Pitts, Sean Pitts - Julius Orangius, Punctilius Pictianus, and Caveat Emptor - in that order. Ed Sansing Cialus Maximus not shown, also fought for this victorious force.
The southern commanders: Jay Stribling, Robert Whitfield and Fred Diamond - Gladius Tucia, Agitatus Maximus, and Paius Maximus - in that order.
The left flank of the southern Romans. The elephants follow the infantry. In our previous game, the ill-tempered beasts proved more of a handicap to their own side than a threat to the enemy. In this battle, their handlers had obviously fed them well and kept them under firm control.
The auxiliaries of the southern Romans advance, commanded by Gladius Tucia followed by their cavalry. Tucia thought that the woods would penalize the more heavily armed enemy and give the advantage to his more agile Auxilia. To his horror, he was wrong.
The southern Romans advance all along the line. Sigh, this is the last turn that the southern line looked so nice.
Go to PART TWO of this battle report! Return to the Master Index of Photos and Games Return to the Jackson Gamers' Homepage
Photo by Ed Sansing
Photo by Ed Sansing
Photo by Ed Sansing
Photo by Ed Sansing
Photo by Ed Sansing
Photo by Ed Sansing
Photo by Ed Sansing
Photo by Ed Sansing
Photo by Ed Sansing
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