Legions: Rise of Rome
Major Military EngagementThe Republic had forced Hannibal northwards into the Alps, denying him the vital Rhone crossing and protecting Italy from a direct Carthaginian assault. However, whether through luck or through Hannibal’s cunning, the army of Carthage found itself plentiful friends in the extremes of the Roman world, and was aided in crossing the Alps – despite the harsh winter occupying its valleys and peaks.
The Republic was aware of this move however, and mustered to meet Hannibal. After weeks of waiting, and seeing no evidence that Hannibal’s crossing was impending, Consul Longus dismissed the legions’ supporting Alae back to their winter quarters, and prepared himself to return to Rome until the Spring.
However, as the legions marched southwards, news reached them of Hannibal’s descent from the Alps. Turning back, Consul Longus force marched his army back into the north, where he was able to arrive in time for Hannibal’s descent.
Both the Roman Consular army, comprised of all of Rome’s active legions, and the Carthaginian invasion force, are exhausted. However, Hannibal cannot turn back, and neither can the Consul. Therefore, the first major engagement between Rome and Carthage falls here, near a tiny hamlet and the opening to an Alp’s valley. Location: Eporedia
Date: 17th of Ianuarius, 218 BC.
Combatants: Carthage and Rome
Commanders: Hannibal Barca and Consul Tiberius Sempronius Longus
Army Compisitions:
Iberian Heavy Infantry (Armoured, long spears and shields): 24,000
Iberian Light Infantry (Lightly armoured, small shields and javelins.): 6,000
Numidian Light Cavalry (Javelins, agile and fast): 2,000
Libyan Heavy Cavalry (Heavily armoured, lances and swords, pack a punch): 1,000
War-Elephants (Terrifies man and beast, used to create breaches): 34
Legio V Almeria
Legion VIII: Spurii Romanae
Legio Nona Hispania
Legio XI Celeris Acuta
Legio XII Mineruia
Legio Tertio Turcicum
Battle PlanHannibal has amassed his Iberian light infantry into a screening force infront of his Iberian heavy infantry, who are organised into a wide solid line. Owing to the narrow landscape, from which Carthage is entering the area, his Numidian cavalry and war elephants remain in his rear – unable to skirt around the wide formations of infantry, for the time being.
Consul Tiberius Sempronius Longus is unwilling to allow Hannibal to move out from the shadows of the Alps, therefore denying him the use of his deadly flanking cavalry forces. With this in mind, the Roman battle plan is as follows:
This is to be treated as a ‘Post Order’, and the stages should be posted chronologically by the various players involved. For example, Byrd Man posts first, then Thorigil and PheonixWhite, then TheMusketMan, then Dedonus, then Feigling. Legion VIII: Spurii Romanae shall lead the charge, and is tasked with a frontal assault on the Carthaginian centre. The hopes here are that the Bastards of Rome, with their renowned savagery, will drive off the light Iberian infantry, and puncture Hannibal’s armoured mass, buckling his line if for only a while.
Legio Nona Hispania and Legio XI Celeris Acuta will follow up this assault, with Legio Nana appearing on the Bastards’ left flank, and Legio XI Celeris Actua appearing on their right. The two legions are to force back the Carthaginians here, and prevent them from enveloping Legio VIII.
Legio V Almeria shall then move forwards, and through careful manoeuvring, will take the place of the Bastards’ – allowing the by now exhausted legion to fall back and rest up, acting as a reserve in case something goes ill later in the fight.
Legio XII Mineruia shall then deploy to the left, and if the Carthaginian’s left flank has been able to push far enough as to expose itself, then the legion is to prevent Hannibal from sending his Numidians and Libyans through the gap.
Legio Tertio Turcicum Will meanwhile move up on the right, and perform a similar action to Legio XII by preventing, or destroying, the Carthaginian right flank.