Hi!
A short battle report with our current favourites Romans, led by Legatus Lucius Valerius Flaccus
The Romans are well known for getting their revenge. After the attack on the convoy a retaliatory response was necessary. You can't let the natives get too boisterous.
The force was assembled:-
2 x Cohorts of Legionaries (each cohort of 2 elements)
2 x Auxiliary cohorts (each of 2 elements)
1 x Equites Alares (2 elements)
1 x Psiloi (2 elements)
Its aim:-
To drive the tribe from the hill fort and destroy as many enemy as it encounters.
The tribe was not in a state of readiness.
The chieftain, Brennus
It boasted:-
12 x Foot warriors
3 x Naked fanatics
3 x Psiloi
These were split between the town on the hill protected by earthworks. (Actually, ECW earthworks as a stand in!)
Two small villages.
And a force sent for from another town.
Who was successful?
As usual, dice were used to determine some outcomes for placement of troops and whether/where they appeared.
The Romans
The Ancient British in the hill fort
The Roans advanced towards the town, wary of the woods on either side.
The British muster in the town.
The plan is to defend it using the earthworks to fend off the attack.
The Romans advance then split to attack the nearest village.
The warriors in the town go impetuous and stream out of the town!
First blows are struck
Implacable Romans advance.
British split as the ardour of some warriors for battle subsides.
The Romans come to blows with the villagers. A gallant but foolish stand by some fanatics. The psiloi seeing more sense flee.
The Romans address their lines as one part of the British is still impetuous.
The psiloi make a mark on the warriors but they keep coming. The warriors attack and the psiloi flee.
The Legionaries advance and show the warriors their skill with the blade.
Short sharp shock for the British.
The ardour for battle is gone from the remaining warriors.
An easier victory for Rome than imagined
Initially, I had another 5 cohorts down to attack the town. The five would be in reserve to help if required. Points wise, this would put the Romans at double the British total so not a fair fight.
Fanatics, warriors and psiloi from the village behind the hill didn't materialise. Neither did the 2 elements of foot warriors form 'another town' close by. Were they paid off by the Romans? Treachery? The dice will decide if a feud is starting between these tribes.
But today Roman control is restored and treasure and slaves captured.
It's a night on the oppidum with vinum et mulieres et canticum
Revenge is sweet so they say.
