As it is not so easy to get the players for the Great Battles of History (GBoH) sometimes the best option is to play solitaire, trying to win against yourself! One of the greatest installments in this series is SPQR – battles of ancient Roman Republic. It allows you to re-play variety of engagements, and the latest Deluxe Edition covers all the expansions. As I acquired SPQR some time ago, it was already high time to get into this – and as for the scenario, I picked the one suggested by the designer – Bagradas Plains.

THE SCENARIO – Bagradas Plains (255 BC)

It is nearly end of the First Punic War. The Carthage is almost defeated – the Romans landed in North Africa! The Punic leaders being desperate hired a Spartan general, Xanthippus, who managed to actually organize the Carthaginian forces and plan for the best use of their assets.

And so the battle on the Plains of Bagradas River started – the Carthaginians initiated the battle with an attack by the elephants. That in result tied up the main force of Roman infantry which was quickly exploited by Punic cavalry (outnumbering the Roman counterparts eight-to-one). Legions had some luck on their left where they routed mercenary Celts, but once Carthaginian cavalry redressed their ranks and attacked form both flanks, the battle turned into slaughter. Only 2000 Romans managed to return to Italy.

Would history be changed and Romans manage to withstand tactically more able Carthaginians? Enjoy below photo-session report!

SET-UP

T0b
The initial deployment of the forces. Lack of Roman cavalry is clearly visible (click the picture to enlarge)
T0c
Legio III prepared specially for the battle – the only unit fully clipped! (click the picture to enlarge)

TURN 1

T1a
Velites try skirmishing in the center but are repelled by the Elephant Screens and other range weapons (click the picture to enlarge)
T1b
Then the Elephants charge and even with pass-through, many Romans are routed (click the picture to enlarge)
T1d
Troops movements in the first turn – Elephants tied up the center, while Punic cavalry  started encirclement maneuver (click the picture to enlarge)
T1g
Causalities after Turn 1 (click the picture to enlarge)

TURN 2

T2a
Elephants continue wrecking havoc in the center and Prefect Plautius barely escapes! (click the picture to enlarge)
T2b
Another charge by the beasts but many of them will be routed and their unpredictable rout will damage both sides to great extent! (click the picture to enlarge)
T2c
The left-wing Punic cavalry strikes! (click the picture to enlarge)
T2d
In the end, Phalanx move on to attack! (click the picture to enlarge)
T2e
Main actions of the second turn – in Rout Points the situation is balanced but there is already 14 routed Romans on board. Triari still not activated  (those rigid Roman doctrines!) (click the picture to enlarge)
T2f
Causalities after Turn 2 – elephants, as powerful as they are, die quickly on the battlefield (click the picture to enlarge)

TURN 3

T3a
One overextended Phalanx was encircled by the Romans, routed and utterly destroyed! (click the picture to enlarge)
T3b
Left-wing cavalry continues its destruction of the Roman right (click the picture to enlarge)
T3c
Key developments of the third turn – phalanx killed in center, bot cavalry wings attacking the Romans (click the picture to enlarge)
T3d
Causalities after Turn 3 – the Roman one sky-rocketed (click the picture to enlarge)

TURN 4

T4a
Left-wing Punic cavalry redressed the units, removed cohesion hits and were planning for another attack (click the picture to enlarge)
T4b
In the last desperate effort – as in history – Roman legionnaires attack and rout Celt mercenaries (click the picture to enlarge)
T4c
Unfortunately, they are caught in the rear by the Carthaginian cavalry. And then the full-swing slaughter begun… (click the picture to enlarge)
T4d
Causalities after Turn 4 – Roman Legions utterly destroyed (click the picture to enlarge)

SUMMARY

Well, that was an interesting experience and much needed learning exercise in GBoH. Elephants proved to be a powerful but brittle and unpredictable creatures. The role of cavalry cannot be emphasized more – that battle shows this clearly. Another learning is that even if you are winning and pushing back the enemy, you should not overextend your forces (remember, they momentum advance) as they can get caught in ugly counter-attack – see the Phalanx case.

All in all that was great fun and you can expect further reports soon!