The XVI Flamia Firma have been despatched south
as Persian forces ravage unchecked. They arrive at a town as Persian cavalry
approach.
The XVIth deploy with a river on the left flank and an open right
flank.
The Persians have 6 units:-
3 x Light cavalry (4 bases each)
3 x
Clibanarii (7 bases each)
25 bases in total
The Romans have 11 units:-
1 x
Infantry (warriors 3 bases)
2 x Infantry (warriors 6 bases each)
1 X Infantry
(warriors 8 bases)
2 x Infantry (warriors 2 bases)
2 x Light Infantry (2 bases
each)
1 x Cavalry (8 bases) 1 x Artillery (1 base)
1 x Cavalry ( General 1 base)
40 bases in total
Seeing the Romans arrayed, the Sassanians deployed in three
battles. Each with a unit of light cavalry ahead of a unit of Clibanarii
The Romans had deployed with Infantry across the frontage with the right-wing
consisting of the cavalry unit. They held a units of infantry in reserve with
the general.
The battle field as a whole
In this battle I did not dice for rallying off damage to units. As I mentioned
previously, it is difficult as it is to inflict damage in the first place. It
helped to shorten the game though not the outcome I think. The Persian light
cavalry advance to soften up the infantry
The Roman cavalry and Persian Clibanarii cavalry advance, and the light cavalry evade
before being caught between the heavy cavalry. The Roman centre unit also
advanced, both to protect the cavalry wing and see off the light cavalry.
Successful in one, not the other.
The first casualties inflicted but only on the Romans.
More Roman casualties and more reinforcements for the centre. But they did
inflict some casualties on the Sassanians.
The Persian right-wing was still skirmishing . Having destroyed the light infantry they were not having mush effect on the heavier infantry.
More Roman casualties and the Roman infantry reinforce the centre and the Persian cavalry which evaded joined the centre light cavalry unit against the Roman infantry.
The left-wing was in a tussle with the Romans but, again, not too much in the way
of casualties. They would eventually push them back.
The Roman centre has
lost 1 unit and another retreats after casualties.
Breaking through
with the light cavalry in the centre they destroyed the artillery, which was
abysmal in the extreme! Oddly, I couldn't find any rule for combat against
artillery, I treated them as light infantry and they were destroyed very
quickly.
The Roman centre is gone. but time is called due to approaching night.
The Roman leftwing was mainly intact with the reserve defensively deployed to
prevent being flanked. The Roman right was pushed further back and almost at
breaking point.
More casualties received, but a Roman win as a viable force was still in the
field.
Besides the rallying change I also diced for priority as opposed to the
Romans, being disciplined, having priority every turn. Subsequently, the
Sassanians had more priority turns than the Romans.
It was interesting in that
the Roman infantry, warriors, in the centre were destroyed by the light cavalry but those
on the leftwing destroyed the light cavalry and repulsed the Clibanarii several
times.
The Roman morale held despite losing the centre units, a testament to their good discipline.
