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1 Commands & Colors: Ancients - Punic Wars
© Rodger B. MacGowan, C3i Magazine, RBM Publication
AGRIGENTUM - 262 BC
Historical Background
The First Punic War began when Rome decided to invade
Sicily in 264. Chartage, unprepared, scrambled to raise an
army under Hannibal Gisgo. By 262 Hannibal arrived with an
advance force at Agrigentum, but the Roman consuls Lucius
Postumius Megellus and Quintus Mamilius Vitulus made a
preemptive strike and placed him under siege. Months later,
Carthage dispatched a relief army of 30,000 foot and 4,500
horse and 60 elephants under Hanno the Elder. Megellus and
Vitulus detached about a quarter of their army to guard
Hannibal, and brought the remaining 35,000 foot and 3,000
horse onto the field. Hanno organized his army with his
mercenaries in the van, his elephants in a second lines and his
African levies in a third. As the armies clashed the
mercenaries fought fiercely at first, but eventually buckled. As
they routed in the line of elephants, all hell broke loose. The
elephants were caught in the pandemonium, and began to
rampage in all directions. The third Carthaginian line was
thrown in confusion, but rallied to resist the advancing
legions. After more hard fighting, the Punic army broke. The
largest battle of the First Punic War had ended in a decisive
Roman victory, but ironically Hannibal’s army was able to
escape. Roman losses in the battle and the siege were so heavy
that Megellus and Vitulus were denied a triumph, despite their
victory.The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are
in command. Can you change history?
War Council
Carthaginian Army
Leader: Hanno the Elder
5 Command Cards
Move First
Roman Army
Leader: Megellus, Vitulus
5 Command Cards
Victory
7 Banners
2 Commands & Colors: Ancients - Punic Wars
© Rodger B. MacGowan, C3i Magazine, RBM Publication
ADYS - 256 BC
Historical Background
Following the Battle of Agrigentum, the Carthaginian leaders
deceided to avoid pitched battles and instead fall back on fortified
posts, while harassing the Romans with their fleet and guerrilla raids.
The focus of the war shifted to Rome’s succesful struggle to wrest
naval supremacy from Carthage, 260-265 BC. With the seas clearof
the Punic navy, the consul Gaius Attilius Regulus landed in Africa
with a small army of 15,000 infantry and 500 cavalry in 256. In the
emergency, Carthage called out her seldom used civic levies under
two generals, Hasdrubal Hanno and Bostar. These generals
assembled about 10,000 militia foot, along with about 1,500 cavlary
and some elephants. The council also recalled Hamilcar from Sicily
with 5,500 crack mercenaries. The Punic army advanced to meet the
Romans ata Adys. The Carthaginians, hesitant to face the legions on
the plain, encamped in rough,hilly terrain. Boldly, Regulus launched
a dawn assault on the Punic camp from two sides. The Punic cavalry
and elephants were unable to engage effectively, but Hamilcar led his
mercenaries in a vigorous counter-attack. The mercenaries drove
back one legion, but were then caught in the flank and cut down in a
fierce struggle. The Romans then routed the Punic militia and overran
their camp. Carthage sued for peace. Regulus offered terms that were
impossibly harsh, prompting Carhage to renew the struggle. A
Spartan mercenary captain, Xanthipus, was hired and Cartage fought
on. The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in
command. Can you change history?
War Council
Carthaginian Army
Leader: Hasdrubal Hanno
2 Command Cards *
Roman Army
Leader: Regulus
5 Command Cards
Move First
Victory
5 Banners
Special Rules
A Roman unit that captures (occupies) a camp hex counts as a victory
banner for the Roman player. As long as the Roman unit remains on
the camp hex, it conttnues to count toward the Roman viciory. If the
unit moves off or is eliminated, it no longer counts.
(*) The Carthaginian player starts with 2 Command cards. On turn 1 play one
card, draw 2 cards. Carthaginian player now holds 3 Command cards. On turn
2 play 1 card, draw 2 cards. Carthaginian player now holds 4 Command cards.
On turn 3 play 1 card, draw 1 card. Carthaginian player hand size stays at 4
Command cards for the rest of the battle.
3 Commands & Colors: Ancients - Punic Wars
© Rodger B. MacGowan, C3i Magazine, RBM Publication
PANORMUS - 250 BC
Historical Background
Following the disaster at Bagradas only a few hundred of
Regulus’ men ever made it back to Rome. But they were
enough to spread the horrible stories of being trampled by
elephants, and cut down by cavalry. Despite his defeat at
Adys, Hasdrubal Hanno was placed in the command of the
main Carthaginian and from 254-252 was occupied
suppressing a Libyan revolt. In 251, Hasdrubal took his
veteran army to Sicily and massed 25,000 men and 140
elephants. The Romans now avoided pitched battles, for fear
of elephants and cavalry. In June of 250 Hasdrubal advanced
against the consular army of Caecilius Metellus at Panormus.
Metellus set a trap for the elephants. He built a trench before
the city, stocked with a large supply of missiles. Metellus sent
out his velites to goad Hasdrubal’s elephants, and then retreat
with apparent panic to the trench. The Punic army pursued in
disorder, sensing an easy victory. As the elephants approached
the trench, Metellus launched a massive missile barrage
against them. The war elephants recoiled in terror, and
rampaged through Hasdrubal’s Army. Metellus’ Legionnaires
sallied out from the city, and routed the shaken Punic army.
Nearly all the elephants were captured and later slaughtered in
tthe circus to entertain the crowds in Rome. The battle of
Panormus was the last major land battle of the war. Seven
years later, the Romans won the battle of the Aegates and
ended the 24-year war. The stage is set. The battle lines are
drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?
War Council
Carthaginian Army
Leader: Hasdrubal Hanno
5 Command Cards
Roman Army
Leader: Metellus
5 Command Cards
Move First
Victory
6 Banners
4 Commands & Colors: Ancients - Punic Wars
© Rodger B. MacGowan, C3i Magazine, RBM Publication
CISSA - 218 BC
Historical Background
As the Second Punic War began (218 BC), Hannibal first
conquered northern Spain. Before heading to Italy, he left his
brother Hasdrubal with about 15,000 men in southern Spain
and Hanno with 11,000 men in the north. The consul Publius
Scipio had been assigned an army of 24,000 with which to
invade Spain and defeat Hannibal. However, when Scipio
arrived at Massilia, he vvas shocked to discover Hannibal's
army vvas headed to the Alps. Publius returned to defend
Italy, but he sent his army on to Spain under his elder brother
Gnaeus. The Romans were not expected so late in the year,
and quickly overran northern Spain and then advanced on
Hanno's camp at Cissa. Hanno had been reinforced with a few
thousand Illergete warriors under Indibilis. Although stili
heavily outnumbered, Hanno decided to occupy a strong
position on high ground rather than retreat to join Hasdrubal.
Gnaeus Scipio did not hesitate and charged his army up the
heights in a frontal assault. The fighting was brutal, but the
outnumbered Carthaginians were eventually driven off the
heights in flight. Reportedly, Carthage lost 6,000 killed and
2,000 captured, including both Hanno and Indibilis. Despite
suffering heavy losses, the Romans had the victory. The
Romans had established a foothold in Spain. Indibilis was
later released, an act of clemency Gnaeus Scipio soon carne to
regret. Publius finally arrived a year later, bringing a third
legion of 8,000 reinforcements. Each of the Scipio brothers
could now command his own army in Spain. The stage is set.
The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. Can you
change history?
War Council
Carthaginian Army
Leader: Hanno
4 Command Cards
Roman Army
Leader: Gnaeus Scipio
5 Command Cards
Move first
Victory
6 Banners
5 Commands & Colors: Ancients - Punic Wars
© Rodger B. MacGowan, C3i Magazine, RBM Publication
UMBRIA - 217 BC
Historical Background
Even as one Roman army under Flaminius was being butchered by
Hannibal’s troops at Lake Trasimenus in 217 BC, his colleague
Gnaeus Servilius Geminus was racing to reinforce his fellow consul.
Servilius Geminus hoped to trap Hannibal between the two Roman
armies. And since speed was of the essence, he sent the propraetor
Gaius Centenius ahead with all his mounted forces. This body
numbered 4,000 horsemen - 600 Romans, 1,800 Italians and 1,600
allied Cenomani Gauls. Hannibal’s scouts spotted the approaching
column, and he dispatched his marshal Maharbal with about 4,000
light infantry and 3,000 cavalry to intercept the Roman troopers.
Somewhere in Umbria, Maharbal chose an advantageous site for an
ambush and posted his light foot troops in concealed positions.
Centenius approached with great haste and little caution. The
Carthaginians launched a missile barrage, and followed with a sudden
cavalry charge. Half the Roman force was slain in the initial
onslaught, and the remainder were driven back to a barren hill.
Maharbal quickly surrounded the fugitives and forced their surrender.
The Carthaginian victory was complete.
Without cavalry, Servilius Geminus’ army was crippled, and the
Hannibal's Punic marauders were free to pillage Italy without
interference. In Rome, the elder statesman Quintus Fabius Maximus
was elected as Dictator, to begin his policy of delay and avoidance of
battle - “Fabian Tactics.” The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn
and you are in command. Can you change history?
War Council
Carthaginian Army
Leader: Maharbal
6 Command Cards
Move First
Roman Army
Leader: Gaius Centenius
2*/4 Command Cards
Victory
5 Banners
Special Rules
(*) The Roman player starts with two command cards. On turn
1 play one card, draw two cards. Roman player now holds
three command cards. On turn 2 play one card, draw two
cards. Roman player now holds four command cards. Roman
player hand size stays at four command cards for the rest of
the battle.
6 Commands & Colors: Ancients - Punic Wars
© Rodger B. MacGowan, C3i Magazine, RBM Publication
CARALIS - 215 BC
Historical Background
Sardinia had been a Carthaginian province for centuries until
the turmoil of the Truceless War (241-238) allowed Rome to
opportunistically seize the island. This incident fed the hatred
of Hamilcar Barca and his sons for Rome. While Hannibal
was crossing the Alps to invade Italy, the agent Hanno slipped
onto the island to foment a tribal rebellion. After Hannibal's
great victory at Cannae, Hanno instigated an island-wide
uprising under King Hampsicora and sent messengers to
Carthage for support to capture the weakly garrisoned island.
An expedition under Hasdrubal the Bald was delayed by a
storm. While Hasdrubal was re-fitting his fleet, the Romans
scraped up a reinforcing legion under the septuagenarian noble
Titus Manlius Torquatus, who was already on the island when
Hasdrubal finally arrived. The two armies met near Caralis.
Hasdrubal, with about 20,000 men and 20 elephants, posted
his Sards on one wing and his African and Balearic
expeditionary forces on the other. Torquatus grounded his
fleet and pressed his sailors into service to swell his ranks to
22,000 foot and 1200 horse. The fighting was fierce and
prolonged. Eventually, the Sard wing collapsed and Hanno's
African wing, which had been fighting well, was taken in the
flank and also routed. Reports said 12,000 Sardinians and
Carthaginians were slain and about 3700 men, including
Hasdrubal and Hanno, were taken captive. Hampsicora
committed suicide when he learned that his son Hostus had
been killed in the fighting. Sardinia would remain in Roman
hands. The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are
in command. Can you change history?
War Council
Carthaginian Army
Leader: Hasdrubal the Bald
5 Command Cards
Roman Army
Leader: Titus Manlius Torquatus
5 Command Cards
Move First
Victory
8 Banners
7 Commands & Colors: Ancients - Punic Wars
© Rodger B. MacGowan, C3i Magazine, RBM Publication
ILITURGI - 215 BC
Historical Background
Following the decisive victory of the Scipio brothers at Dertosa
(215), Carthage sent out 13,500 reinforcements for Hasdrubal Barca
under his brother Mago. Hasdrubal reorganized his command of
18,000 men into three small armies, one under his command, one led
by Mago and the third under their nephew Hamilcar. Once the
Romans had retired north of the Ebro River for the winter, the
Carthaginians struck back in late autumn (215) and besieged Iliturgi,
a Roman garrisoned city. Each Punic commander set up a separate
camp around the city. The citizens of Iliturgi and their Roman
garrison soon suffered from hunger, as they had been caught
unprepared. Gnaeus and Publius Scipio marched to the scene with
two legions, about 18,000 troops, to lift the siege. Upon arriving, the
Scipios decided to assault Hasdrubal’s camp first, as it was the largest
and the key to breaking the siege. As the assault on Hasdrubal’s camp
climaxed, the armies of Mago and Hamilcar arrived and the fighting
spread out and intensified. Ultimately, the Romans emerged
victorious, overrunning the camp and breaking the siege. However,
the casualties were probably about equal on both sides. Since Rome
was hard-pressed by Hannibal in Italy, the Carthaginians could more
easily replace their losses, and benefited from such battles of attrition.
On the other hand, Carthage needed a decisive victory before
reinforcements could be sent to Hannibal in Italy. The campaigns of
these five armies continued for another four years.
War Council
Carthaginian Army
Leader: Hasdrubal & Mago Barca
5 Command Cards
Roman Army
Leader: Gnaeus & Publius Scipio
5 Command Cards
Move First
Victory
8 Banners
Special Rules
A roman unit that captures a camp hex counts as a Victory
Banner for the Roman player. The camp hex marker is then
removed.
8 Commands & Colors: Ancients - Punic Wars
© Rodger B. MacGowan, C3i Magazine, RBM Publication
CASTRUM ALBUM - 214 BC
Historical Background
Following the defeat at Iliturgi, the Carthaginians made an
unsuccessful attempt against Intibili, and then withdrew to the south.
Early in the spring (214) they dealt with a major Iberian uprising,
crushing the rebel army and re-imposing Punic authority. Many more
Roman allies would have defected if Publius Scipio had not hurried
south with one legion, about 10,000 men. Scipio camped near
Castrum Album, famous as the site of Hamilcar Barca’s death
fourteen years earlier. Hasdrubal, Mago and Hamilcar infiltrated the
surrounding area undetected. They brought only fast-moving light
infantry and mounted troops. When Publius Scipio advanced from
Castrum Album towards his brother Gnaeus’ camp, he was beset by
Punic skirmishers and Numidian horsemen. The light Carthaginian
forces showered the slow moving Roman column with javelins, sling-
stones and arrows. Whenever, the Romans charged, their opponents
melted away. Publius’ command was in danger of annihilation, and
he just barely cut his way through to the safety of his brother’s camp.
Over 2,000 Romans were left dead along the route of his march, and
many of the survivors were wounded. It was a clear Carthaginian
victory. Hasdrubal, however, was unable to exploit the superiority of
his Numidians for long, as a major revolt broke out in Africa and
many of his elite cavalry deserted. The campaigns of the five armies
would continue until both Roman armies were destroyed and both
Scipio brothers killed at the battles of Castulo and Ilorca (211).
War Council
Carthaginian Army
Leader: Hasdrubal & Mago Barca
6 Command Cards
Move first
Roman Army
Leader: Publius Scipio
4 Command Cards
Victory
6 Banners
Special Rules
The Roman player must exit at least 1 unit off the
Carthaginian side of the battlefield to win. If the Roman player
gains 6 victory banner first but a unit has not exited, the battle
is a draw. The hexes on the Roman right section are the exit
hexes. A Roman unit that exits counts as 1 Victory Banner for
Rome and the unit is removed from play.
9 Commands & Colors: Ancients - Punic Wars
© Rodger B. MacGowan, C3i Magazine, RBM Publication
ORONGIS - 212 BC
Historical Background
Mago Barca began the Second Punic War as a subordinate
commander under his brother Hannibal. In 215 he was given
command of his own army, and sent to Spain to reinforce his other
brother, Hasdrubal. Mago fought a series of campaigns against the
Romans under Gnaeus and Publius Scipio. In 213 Hasdrubal Barca
was recalled to Africa to suppress a revolt, leaving Mago and
Hasdrubal Gisgo to carry on the fight. Seeing the Carthaginians
weakened by the loss of an army, the Scipios went on the offensive.
While Publius besieged Saguntum, Gnaeus Scipio advanced into the
valley of the Baetis in 212. Hasdrubal Gisgo sent Mago into the
interior to raise reinforcements, while engaging Gnaeus in a series of
battles. The Romans won at Iliturgi on the Baetis, but Gnaeus was
badly wounded at the drawn battle of Munda. Just then Mago
returned with a band of mercenary Gauls under their kings Vismarus
and Moenicaptus. The two armies clashed at Orongis (AKA Aurinx).
Scipio had one reinforced legion, with some Iberian allies, about
14,000 men in all. Mago’s army was smaller, totaling around 12,000
troops and a few elephants. Nevertheless, the Gauls were eager to
fight, as was Mago. Scipio had to be carried into battle on a litter.
The battle was fiercely fought, and most of the Gauls went down
fighting. In retreating, Mago salvaged the remainder of his army.
Gnaeus Scipio had the victory, but Mago was not entirely displeased.
His Gaullic mercenaries had slain hundreds of Romans, and now he
didn’t have to make good on their payroll. Gnaeus’ victory was his
last, as the Scipio brothers were to meet their doom within a year at
Castulo and Ilorca. The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn, and
you are in command. The rest is history.
Carthaginian Army was formed by 10.000 infantries, 1.500
cavalry and 20 elephnats.
Roman Army was formed by 13.000 infantries and 1.000
cavalry.
Each Unit represents:
1.000 infantry - 250 infantry/block
500 cavalry - 170 cavalry/block
20 elephants - 10 elephants/block
War Council
Carthaginian Army
Leader: Mago Barca
5 Command Cards
Move first
Roman Army
Leader: Gnaeus Scipio
5 Command Cards
Victory
6 Banners
10 Commands & Colors: Ancients - Punic Wars
© Rodger B. MacGowan, C3i Magazine, RBM Publication
HIMERAS RIVER - 211 BC
Historical Background Western Sicily had been a Carthaginian province for centuries, until
Rome captured it in the First Punic War. Hannibal sent an agent,
Epicydes, to Syracuse to lead a rebellion against Rome in 214. Rome
responded by sending M. Claudius Marcellus against the city. Marcellus
succeeded in taking Syracuse but the Sicilian campaign was not yet over.
Epicydes rallied the remnants of the Carthaginian and Greek armies at
Agrigentum and Hanno arrived from Africa with a new army, including
3000 Numidian cavalry. Hannibal also sent one of his crack cavalry
commanders, the Liby-Phoenician Muttines, who was soon dashing all
over Sicily with the Numidians.The three Punic commanders built their
army up to 20,000 foot and 3500 horse, but Hanno, jealous of Muttines'
success, ordered him to not march with the army. Marcellus marched
against them with about 24,000 foot and 2000 horse. At this point, 10
Numidian deserters rode to the Roman camp and informed Marcellus that
their countrymen were furious at the insult to Muttines and intended to
take no part in the battle. Hoping the news was true, but expecting a trap,
Marcellus led his legions out to face the Punic army. As the Libyan and
Greek infantry advanced into the fray, it became apparent that the
Numidians were holding back. Marcellus ordered the Roman horse to
turn the exposed Punic flank. When the Numidians did not respond, the
Punic infantry became demoralized and broke. Marcellus had the victory.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. Can
you change history?
War Council
Carthaginian Army
Leader: Hanno and Epicydes
4 Command Cards
Roman Army
Leader: Marcellus
5 Command Cards
Move First
Victory
6 Banners
Special Rules The Himeras River is not fordable.
The 4 light cavalry units on the Carthaginian right flank are Numidian.
Lay all the blocks in these units down at the start of the battle, to
represent that they are holding back (inactive). Activating each of these
units unit requires spending TWO orders out of an appropriate Command
card (that could normally be used to order these units - section, order
lights, etc.) Once activated, stand that unit's blocks up. It may not move
this turn but may battle, and can move and engage in combat normally in
later turns. If any inactive Numidian unit is attacked by a Roman unit
(ranged or close combat), all the Numidian units are considered activated
for the rest of the game.
11 Commands & Colors: Ancients - Punic Wars
© Rodger B. MacGowan, C3i Magazine, RBM Publication
CELTIBERIA - 207 BC
Historical Background
Following the Battle of Baecula, Hasdrubal and Mago Barca and
Hasdrubal Gisco gathered for a council of war in 208 BC. They
decided that Hasdrubal Barca would cross the Alps into Italy. Mago
broke up his army to provide troops for his brother and sailed for the
Balearis to raise more troops. Hasdrubal Gisco retreated to the
Atlantic coast while Massinissa with 3,000 cavalry held Scipio
Africanus at bay. In 207, Mago returned with about 2,000 Balearics
and 4,000 African recruits under Hanno. To round up his new army,
Mago recruited a band of 9,000 of the fierce Celtiberians. However,
as soon as Scipio learned what Mago was up to, he dispatched his
deputy, the propraetor Marcus Junius Silanus, with a single legion of
10,000 foot and 500 horse. Silanus force-marched undetected to a
point just 10 miles short of Mago’s position. The Carthaginians wer e
in two separate camps – the African to the right, and the Celtiberians
to the left. The African camp was properly fortified but the
Celtiberians were bivouacked in disorder with little security. Silanus
ordered an immediate andvance on the Celtiberian position. The
Barbarians’ shouts of terror alerted Mago, who raced over to organize
a defense. But the Romans were already charging. A vicious hand-to-
hand melee ensured, while Hanno struggle to bring up the African
troops. Hanno wasn’t fast enough. Many barbarians were cut down
where they stood, and the remainder broke and fled. Mago, seeing
that the dat was lost, made good his withdrawal with 2,000 infantry
and nearly all the mounted troops. Hanno, coming up with the last
troops, was captured. There would be no Carthaginian counter-
offensive in Spain this year. The final showdown was delayed until
206 at Ilipa. The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are
in command. Can you change history?
War Council
Carthaginian Army
Leader: Mago
4 Command Cards
Roman Army
Leader: Silanus
5 Command Cards
Move first
Victory
5 Banners
12 Commands & Colors: Ancients - Punic Wars
© Rodger B. MacGowan, C3i Magazine, RBM Publication
AGATHOCLES' TOWER - 204 BC
Historical Background
When Scipio Africanus invaded Africa in 204 BC, Carthage
was caught without a field army. Carthage entrusted its
immediate defense to Hanno son of Hamilcar. Hanno raised
4,000 cavalry - about 1,000 civic noble heavy cavalry, 1,000
Libyan cavalry and 2,000 Numidian mercenaries and
established a base at Salaeca. Scipio had 25,000 foot but
brought only a little over 2,000 horsemen across the sea. Six
hundred were Romans, the remainder allied Italian horsemen.
While in Sicily, Scipio had summoned 300 noble cavalry from
the Greek cities. Cleverly, he offered them the option of
declining to join his army if they turned over their fine
mounts, arms and armor and in this way Scipio re-equipped
300 of his elite Italian extraordinaire. The Numidian prince
Masinissa joined Scipio, but with only 200 horsemen.
Even though Scipio was outnumbered, he decided to lure
Hanno into an ambush. He posted his Roman and Italian horse
behind a ridge overlooked by a watchtower built by the earlier
Greek invader, Agathocles. Masinissa demonstrated in front of
the Punic camp, and lured them out. Scipio and his deputy
Laelius then charged over the ridge and surprised the Punic
horsemen. Many were slain in the initial onslaught, though a
few managed to turn and fight. When Hanno was taken
prisoner, his command broke and fled. Scipio had won his first
dramatic victory in Africa. The stage is set. The battle lines are
drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?
War Council
Carthaginian Army
Leader: Hanno, son of Hamilcar
4 Command Cards
Move First
Roman Army
Leader: Scipio Africanus
6 Command Cards
Victory
5 Banners
Special Rules
Use a rampart hex as Agathocles watchtower. The watchtower
hex is impassable terrain for all mounted units.
13 Commands & Colors: Ancients - Punic Wars
© Rodger B. MacGowan, C3i Magazine, RBM Publication
CIRTA - 203 BC
Historical Background
Following his victory at Agathocles' Tower, Scipio Africanus
was penned in when Hasdrubal Gisgo and Syphax arrived with
two large armies. Unable to face them in open battle, Scipio
destroyed these armies with a treacherous night attack after
feigning peace talks. A few months later, Scipio defeated these
commanders once again at Great Plains. After the victory,
Scipio dispatched his deputy Laelius, along with the
Masinissa, to pursue Syphax.
Laelius was given most of the Roman cavalry and velites,
along with a few cohorts of legionnaires, a total of 1,800 horse
and 6,000 foot. Another 1,800 Numidians, mostly Massyles,
had rallied to Masinissa. For fifteen days Laelius pushed
across the desert in pursuit. Meanwhile, Syphax had fallen
back to his capitol Cirta, to raise an army for a last stand. He
managed to put 8,000 foot and nearly 5,000 horsemen in the
field, but this army was raw and untrained. The infantry
included some Roman-style cohorts, organized by the Roman
centurion Statorious, who had joined Syphax in 213. When
Laelius arrived outside Cirta, Masinissa charged impetuously.
Syphax initially had the best of the fight, but as the Roman
cavalry and infantry came up, the tide began to turn. Syphax
rode to the forefront to rally his faltering troops, but his horse
was killed and he was thrown and captured. Leaderless, the
Numidian army broke. Masinissa brought Syphax in chains to
Cirta, and the city surrendered. The stage is set. The battle
lines are drawn and you are in command. Can you change
history?
War Council
Numidian Army
Leader: King Syphax
4 Command Cards
Roman Army
Leader: Laelius and Masinissa
6 Command Cards
Move First
Victory
5 Banners
14 Commands & Colors: Ancients - Punic Wars
© Rodger B. MacGowan, C3i Magazine, RBM Publication
PO RIVER - 203 BC
Historical Background
Following Scipio’s victory at Ilipa in 206 Mago once again sailed to
the Balearic Isles to recruit mercenaries. Then, rather than fall back to
Africa, as everyone expected, Mago launched the third Barcid
invasion of Italy. With new levies from Africa, Mago sailed across
the Mediterrean and landed at Genoa in 205. After receiving
reinforcements, Mago invaded the valley of the Po River in 203. He
now had 18,000 infantry, 2,800 cavalry and seven elephants from
Africa; and about 15,000 foot and 1,500 horse from the Ligurian and
Gallic tribes. Two Roman armies were on hand in Cisalpine Gaul
under the Praetor Oublius Quintilius Varus and the Proconsul Marcus
Cornelius Cethegus. Their army included four double legions, with
40,000 infantry and 3,000 cavalry. The battle was joined in the plain
along the Po River. Mago placed his reliable African and Ligurian
infantry in his main battle line, with his Gauls in the reserve. As the
battle began, Mago’s main line clashed with the front line legions and
Carthaginians had the advantage. Them Varus led a cavalry charge
towards the Cartaginian’s open flank. This was the moment Mago
awaited-he counter-charged with his elephants. The Roman cavalry
broke before the impact of the lumbering behemots. As the Romans
flank faltered, Cethegus moved up the reserves. As these fresh troops
began to turn the tide in Rome’s favor, Mago responded with his
Gallic warriors. Just then Mago fell with a serious wound, and his
beleaguered army finally broke. It had been a very bloody fight. Over
5,000 Carthaginians and 2,300 Romans were left on the field. Mago
perished of his wound while sailing for Africa, but the remnants of
his army returned to fight at Zama. The stage is set. The battle lines
are drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?
Carthaginian Army was formed by 33.000 infantries, 4.500
cavalry and 7 elephants.
Roman Army was formed by 40.000 infantries and 3.000
cavalry.
Each Unit represents:
2.500 infantry - 625 infantry/block
1.500 cavalry - 500 cavalry/block
7 elephants - 4 elephants/bloc
War Council
Carthaginian Army
Leader: Mago
6 Command Cards
Move First
Roman Army
Leader: Varus, Cethegus
6 Command Cards
Victory
7 Banners
Special Rule
Po River is unfordable