Battle of Telamon 225 BCE

After participating in two Reconquista battles at Ucles, David and Steve were willing to give Basic Impetvs on a grid another run-out in another period.  Next up would be an ancients battle exploring the Battle of Telamon in 225 BCE.  

The historical battled pitted a Gallic Army sandwiched between two Roman Armies as the Gauls were forced to fight the battle on two fronts.  In this contest, the situation is changed up such that the Gauls turn on their pursuers to the south and engage them in battle before the northern Roman Army can intervene.  This should offer up a much more even contest.  Or will it?

Now, Matt and I faced off on Sunday to fight this same battle.  The result was anything but close.  I leave that account for another time.

Let's see how this battle between Steve and David played out.

Steve won the dice roll and chose to command the Romans.  David took up the challenge of commanding the Gauls.

Initial deployments

As the battle gets underway, both armies advance.  The Roman right jumps off to a quick start while the Gallic line advances slowly maintaining its order and formation.  Both Gallic chariots, positioned one on each flank move quickly to threaten the Roman flanks.

The battle begins.

After some preliminary skirmishing, with the Gauls coming out on top, the Gauls attack.  In the center, two warbands smash into a unit of light infantry.  On the Gallic left, the chariot charges into the Roman right wing cavalry.  As the clash of shields intensifies in the center fight, the Roman cavalry are pushed back.  Despite holding a great advantage, the chariot fails to pursue.

The Gauls charge in!

View of the Gallic left as it marches into battle.

Having beaten the Roman cavalry,
 the Gallic chariot refuses to pursue.

As the melee continues in the center, the warbands finally overpower the Roman light infantry.  The light infantry are scattered while one warband is destroyed. Despite suffering in the clash, the remaining warband pursues.  Its pursuit carries it into contact with a Legion.  The fight is brief as the warband disintegrates under the power of the legion.  

Warband pursuit stopped by a Roman Legion.

Having seen off the first serious Gallic attacks, the Romans respond.  The leftmost legion advances into contact with a warband positioned to protect the left flank of the chariot.  With Hastati in the lead and Principes in the rear, the Romans strike.  To the right, Triarii come up in support.  The Gallic chariot bypasses the Roman foot and heads into clash with the Roman cavalry in the rear.  In the center, a second Triarii passes through the gap between two legions to attack the Gallic center.

The leftmost legion wheels before the attack. 

The Romans strike back.

The battle on the Roman left is heating up.  While the chariot drives into the Roman rear to challenge the cavalry, the combined effort of the Legion makes short work of the warband.  It is scattered.  

Gallic battleline looks solid.

Warband scattered.

In response, two warbands charge into the legions.  The legion is cut down to half strength in the clash but both warbands are repulsed.  The Roman infantry line holds.

The legion is wearing down but holding on.

While the infantry melee continues, the chariot overpowers the first Roman cavalry unit encountered.  In pursuit, the chariot drives off the second Roman cavalry.  With Roman cavalry in flight, one more pursuit could destroy the remaining opposition.  The path to the Roman rear and its baggage will be unprotected.  Unfortunately, the chariot fails to pursue. 

Heavy fighting on the Roman left.

The infantry battle on the Roman left is not over.  Another warband charges from the Gallic line into the Triarii flank in an attempt to break the Roman left.  

Warband attacks from the flank!

A gap is torn into the Gallic center!
Steve is pleased to see the Gallic line in flight.

As the warband goes in against the Roman left, the Roman Triarii in the center hits the Gallic line.  The first warband encountered is cutdown where it stands.  As the survivors break, they carry away two warbands from the Gallic second line.  The Gallic center is in flight as the victorious Triarii pursue.

Triarii cut a swath through the Gallic line.

Back on the Roman left, the flank attack against the Triarii fails.  The warband is repulsed with heavy casualties.  Wanting to keep pressure on the Roman left, two more warbands hit the wavering legion.

While one warband retreats, two more attack.

The legion retreats!  This victory is short-lived, however.  The second legion on the Roman left wades into the Gauls to its front.  The Gauls are scattered and the battle is won.

One legion retreats!

Another legion attacks!

One more Gaul destroyed and victory!

Victory to the Romans!

While Steve's Romans came away with the victory, the battle was tense and action-packed.  The decision was for grabs until the very end.  Both sides suffered heavy casualties.  As the Army Breakpoint clock ticked down, the outcome pivoted on which army would suffer the next loss.

With the Roman left in disarray and in retreat, an activation by the Gallic chariot could easily spell defeat for the Roman Army.  Within the chariot's sight was a retreating Roman cavalry unit which could easily be rundown followed by the sacking of the Roman baggage.  Alas, it was not to be.  Before the Gauls could capitalize on this opportunity, the Gallic army broke.

Great game and well-played by both David and Steve.  Intrigued by the battle and possibilities missed, both players requested a rematch of the battle.  Next time, however, David and Steve will swap sides with David taking command of the Romans and Steve leading the Gauls.

I look forward to the rematch!