SPQR SCENARIOS

While playing SPQR, have you ever tired the Romans were, but they proved
unable, or unwilling, to do anything
of waiting for your ponderous phalanx or to strengthen their weak mounted
arm in the decades between the First
leg weary legion to plod its way into and Second Punic Wars (241-219
contact with the enemy? Do you find the B.C.).
thunderous clamor of horses' hooves, as your cavalry The Romans Meet Hannibal's
Horse Soldiers
smashes into the enemy's
emy's flank, more appealing? After his surprise crossing of the
Fortunately for those who prefer the rapidity and Alps, Hannibal entered Italy with a
mere 20,000 infantry. His real
decisiveness of cavalry action, there were many battles and strength lay in the body of 6,000
crack, veteran cavalry with his small
skirmishes of mounted troops during the the Second Punic army. The Consul Publius Cornelius
War. A few of the most significant cavalry battles of the Scipio, after missing Hannibal at
Massilia (Marseille), sent his main
Hannibali War are offered here. army on to Spain and returned to
Historical Background Italy with a small escort. He took
Legionary infantry was paramount in Celts, Ligurians, etc. But Carthage command of the praetorian army
the Roman military system that had relied to a much greater degree on stationed in Cisalpine Gaul which
developed by the latter half of the 3rd her mounted forces civic heavy included two double legions with
Century BC. Cavalry, once the cavalry, Numidian light cavalry, 18,000 infantry and 1,600 cavalry. To
dominant arm of the patrician barbarian horsemen and, of course, this he added his bodyguard
aristocracy, had been progressively de- war elephants. Carthaginian armies (extraordinaire) of about 300 cavalry
emphasized over the preceding varied greatly in composition, but and probably less than 5,000 allied
centuries. The Romans could no longer usually had anywhere from 10 to 25 Celtic auxiliaries (with perhaps 1,000
field even one horseman out of ten of percent mounted. of these being mounted).
soldiers each legion of 4,200 infantry
Of all the enemy cavalry the Roman Scipio, moving rapidly to confront
had only 300 cavalry. Reliance on allied
Republic had to face, none proved the invader, considered the circum
circum-
Italian cavalry rectified this shortcoming
more formidable than the nomadic stances. He knew little of the
to some degree. The allies normally
horse warriors of Numidia led by strength of his opponent and his
contributed 600-900 horsemen for
professional Carthaginian officers. colleague, the Consul Sempronius
every 300 Roman cavalry. Yet the total
On Sicilian and African battlefields Longus, was enroute from Sicily to
of Roman and allied horse seldom
throughout the First Punic War, reinforce him. These factors made
reached as high as ten percent of any
Numidian horsemen proved their delaying any engagement seem
Roman army. What is more, the Italian
worth by confounding Roman prudent. On the other hand,
cavalry was generally inferior in quality
cavalry and harrying Rome's heavy Hannibal's army had to be in terrible
to that of Rome's opponents, such as
foot soldiers. Forewarned, shape after crossing the snow
the Celts and Epirotes. Nevertheless,
Rome still managed to win most of her covered Alps, and the Celtic tribes
battles and all her wars. (including his own auxiliaries) might
go over to the enemy en masse if they
The Carthaginian military system had sensed Roman hesitation or
evolved on an entirely different track. weakness. For these reasons, Scipio
The infantry was based on Libyan decided to lead out all his cavalry
conscript peasants, but depended even and velites to engage the
more on various mercenary contingents Carthaginians immediately.
immedi Hannibal
including Iberians, had also set out with his cavalry on
reconnaissance, and the two forces
collided along the Ticinus River.
Editor's Note: Scipio placed his velites, flanked by
Celtic auxiliary cavalry in his first
This is the "GBoH Module" previewed in line. A second line was composed of
C3i, Nr.7. Our production plans changed all his Roman and allied Italian
regarding this SPQR Module and for your cavalry. Hannibal countered with a
gaming pleasure, we include the complete single line, Iberians in the
th center and
"Cavalry Battles Module" in this issue. Numidians on the flanks. Things did
En jo y ! RB M
EQUUS: Cavalry Battles of the Second Punic War
not go well for Rome from the outset. Carthaginian Army: Withdraws For the campaign of 217 BC Rome
When Hannibal's Iberian lancers when units with TQ points totalling posted one consular army, under the
charged, the velites panicked and 46 have been eliminated. Consul Servilius, at Arriminum to
routed straight back, throwing the guard the Eastern approach to Italy.
Roman Army: Withdraws when
Roman cavalry into confusion. The The second consular army, under
units with TQ points totalling 37 have
consul Scipio was wounded and only Gaius Flaminius, was at Arretium, on
been eliminated.
saved from capture by the resolute the Western invasion rout. But
stand of the recovering Roman cavalry Maharbal's Masterpiece Hannibal made a surprise crossing of
and the heroism of his teenaged son, of Mounted Combat the Arno marshes to turn Flaminius'
later to be known as Africanus. Following Scipio's defeat at the strategic flank. Flaminius dashed off in
However, the Roman cavalry were Ticinus, his army fell back and was a hasty pursuit, the result being the
eventually flanked by the Numidians then joined by the army of the Consul annihilation of his army in the greatest
and swept from the field with heavy Sempronius. Hannibal met this ambush in history, at Lake Trasimene.
losses. The debacle at Ticinus was the combined army of four double
But another battle was brewing.
first of many for the Roman cavalry. legions and crushed it at the Battle of
Servilius had decided to force march
the Trebbia, 218 BC. His cavalry,
West to join his colleague as soon as
brought up to a strength of over
he learned of Hannibal's first move.
9,000 with Celtic recruits, played the
Appreciating that time was of the
decisive role.
essence, Servilius sent his cav
cavalry on
ahead under command of the

The Battle of
Ticinus River, 218 B.C.
Map:
Use the Cannae Map from SPQR. This
battle was fought on a wide open plain
near the Ticinus River, so the Cannae
Map works fine. The Roman Army
uses the Southwest map edge as its
retreat edge. The Carthaginian Army
uses the Northeast map edge.
Carthaginian Cavalry Fatigue: The
Carthaginian horses (not to mention
their riders) suffered severly from lack
of forage and the elements while
crossing the snow covered Alps. To
represent this, on any and all TQ
checks, the Carthaginian player adds
one (+1) to the dieroll.
Line Command Eligibility:
Rome:
1. Velites (may occupy every other hex)
2. Roman and Alae Sociorum Cavalry
Carthage:
1. Iberian Lancer Cavalry
2. Numidian Light Cavalry
Victory:
A player wins by forcing his opponent
to withdraw.
 The Great Battles of History Series: SPQR
Propraetor Gaius Centenius. This force 2. Balearic Slingers (may occupy every horse. This led to the envelopment and
reportedly consisted of 4,000 other hex) near annhilation of eight double
horsemen, an unusually large number legions. The fact that Rome could only
Victory:
for two double legions. There were raise 6,000 cavalry to support 80,000
A player wins by forcing his opponent
probably no more than the standard infantry is telling. The cavalry losses in
to withdraw.
2,400 Romans and Italians, with the Romes first four confronta
confrontations in Italy
remainder being provided by the only Carthaginian Army: Withdraws had been catastrophic: Ticinus over
remaining loyal Celtic tribe, the when units with TQ points totalling 1,000; Trebbia perhaps 2,500;
Cenomani. 30 have been eliminated. Trasimene as much as 2,500; and
Umbria 4,000; a total of no less than
Immediately following the Battle at Roman Army: Withdraws when units 10,000 mounted casualties! Cannae
Lake Trasimene, Hannibal learned that with TQ points totalling 28 have been added another 4,200 losses. Not only
another Roman force was approaching. eliminated. was Rome unable to continue raising
Centenius, on the other hand, knew
The Roman Cavalry's Inferiority even one in ten of its soldiers mounted,
nothing of the recent disaster that had
Complex, 216-203 BC but the horsemen that were raised were
befallen Flaminius' army. Hannibal
The next major cavalry confrontation psychologically traumatized. In fact,
assigned the task of dealing with this
occurred at Cannae. Ten thousand although Rome continued to fight
threat to his trusted marshall,
Carthaginian cavalry, commanded by against Hannibal for thirteen more
Maharbal. Maharbal had served as
Maharbal and Hasdrubal, inflicted a years in Italy with steadily increasing
Hannibal's deputy in Spain, and was
crushing defeat on Rome's 6,000 fortune,
tune, her mounted troops never
undoubtedly one of the greatest cavalry
recovered their nerve in that theater.
commanders of all time. He took a
Not surprisingly, the Romans
detachment of cavalry and Balearic
slingers out to meet Centenius. With
his superior Numidian scouts,
Maharbal located the Romans and
determined their route of approach.
Setting a hasty ambush, the
Carthaginians killed some 2,000 enemy
horsemen in the initial clash and the
pursuit that followed. The following
day the remaining 2,000 horsemen
were forced to surrender.

Maharbal's Victory
in Umbria, 217 B.C.

Map:
Use the East Half of the Beneventum
Map from SPQR. This battle was
fought somewhere in the foothills of
the Appenines. The Roman Army uses
the East map edge as its retreat edge.
The Carthaginian Army uses the West
map edge.
Line Command Eligibility:
Rome:
1. Roman and Alae Sociorum Cavalry
2. Celtic Cavalry
Carthage:
1. All Cavalry
EQUUS: Cavalry Battles of the Second Punic War
ventured no major cavalry battles for unfortunate Proconsul Publius C. brother Gnaeus in Spain in 217 BC.
the remainder of the war in Italy. Scipio in Spain, near Castrum Album The Scipio brothers fought a very
(the White Fort famous as the site successful campaign against Hannibal's
A Legion's March Through
of Hamilcar Barca's death in battle in brother, Hasdrubal Barca, culminating
a Gauntlet of Cavalry
228 BC). in the decisive Battle of Dertosa, 215
As the Second Punic War progressed, it
BC (featured in C3i #4). At Dertosa,
became every Roman commander's After watching his colleague
for the first time, the Romans were able
nightmare to be caught in the open by Sempronius get trounced by Hannibal
to win in spite of the Carthaginian
the ubiquitous Numidians. And that is at Trebbia, Scipio recovered from his
superiority in cavalry. Carthage
exactly what happened to the wound and joined his
responded to this defeat by dispatching
Mago Barca with a new army to Spain.
The Barca brothers opened the
campaign of 214 BC by ravaging the
territory of some of the Scipio's Iberian
allies. Publius rushed up with one
legion to succor his allies, while Gnaeus
remained behind with the remainder of
the army.
Publius found his force of 9,000
infantry and 1,000 cavalry facing a
combined forced of as much as 20,000
foot and 4,000 horse. So after making a
demonstration in support of his allies,
P. Scipio wisely decided to beat a hasty
retreat back to his brother's camp. The
withdrawing Romans evaded the main
Carthaginian infantry forces. But they
were caught in the open by the Punic
cavalry, elephants and skirmishers.
After a prolonged running
ru fight, the
Roman column managed to cut its way
back to camp. But Publius Scipio's
command suffered losses of 2,000
killed and many wounded.

The Battle of
Castrum Album, 214 B.C.
Map:
Use the Beneventum Map from SPQR.
The precise site of this battle is
unknown. The Roman camp and mixed
terrain on the Beneventum Map provide
an appropriate setting. The Roman
Army uses the East map edge or units
may retreat into the Roman camp. The
Carthaginian Army uses the South map
edge. Carthaginian units may not enter
the Roman camp.
 The Great Battles of History Series: SPQR
Line Command the Spanish command in 210 BC. in preparation for his invasion of
Eligibility Africanus consistently recruited among Africa. Africanus knew all too well that
Carthage: his Iberian allies to ensure that he had the support of the Numidians would
1. All Cavalry near parity with the Carthaginians in be crucial to his success in Africa. He
2. Numidian LI, Balearic SK and mounted strength. This enabled him to had only to remember the fate of
Elephants (may occupy every other win a victory at Baecula, 208 BC Regulusus during the First Punic War, at
hex) (Africanus Module). However, even the Bagradas Plains (SPQR Scenario
Scipio Africanus was stymied during 11.2).
Rome: Same as Beneventum.
the campaign of 207 BC, when
Africanus spent the year of 205 BC
Victory: Masinissa was given a roving
preparing his invasion force in Sicily.
commission and command of 3,000
The Carthaginian player wins by He payed particular attention to
Numidian and Iberian cavalry.
forcing the Roman Army to with- training his mounted force, which
Fortunately for Rome, the
draw. numbered about 2,500 cavalry.
Carthaginians offered battle in 206 BC
However, the Numidian support
The Roman player wins by: at Ilipa (Africanus Module), and Scipio
Africanus was counting on began to
won a decisive victory, despite being
1. forcing the Carthaginian Army to unravell. The beautiful Sophonisba,
outnumbered 4,500 to 3,500 in cavalry.
withdraw; OR daughter of Hasdrubal Gisgo, married
Meanwhile, in Sicily, a band of Syphax and convinced him to abandon
2. entering Roman camp with at least Numidians under the command of the his alliance with Africanus. Meanwhile,
24 units (including routed units). Liby-Phoenician officer Muttines King Gaia had died and his son
Carthaginian Army: Withdraws foiled Roman attempts to reconquer Masinissa became embroiled in a
when units with TQ points totalling the island from 212-210 BC. However, succession struggle. Syphax intervened
45 have been eliminated. the Carthaginian general Hanno and chased Masinissa out of his
became jealous of Muttines and kingdom. When Africanus landed in
Roman Army: Withdraws when units stripped him of his command. The Africa in 204 BC, Masinissa joined him
with TQ points totaling 63 have been result was the defection of Muttines, with his entire remaining army 200
eliminated. the desertion of the Numidian cavalry horsemen.
Cavalry Battles in Africa, and the final Roman reconquest of
Roman vs. Carthaginian
Spain and Sicily Sicily.
Cavalry in Africa
It was in Africa that the greatest cavalry Scipio Carries the War into Africa In response to the invasion, Hasdrubal
battles of the war were fought. After completing his conquest of Gisgo and King Syphax were ordered
Numidian armies often included Punic Spain in 206 BC, Africanus by the Carthaginian home government
upwards of 5,000 cavalry. King Syphax secured alliances with both King to recruit armies. Meanwhile,the
of the Masaesyles Numidians (modern Syphax and Prince Masinissa (who had Carthaginian leaders mobilized their
Western Algeria and Eastern Morocco) defected from the Carthaginians) citizen cavalry,
cavalry some
rebelled against Carthage in 213 BC. He
had been prodded by the Scipio
brothers in Spain, who sent him some
centurions as advisors. Carthage
responded by rallying King Gaia of the
rival Massyles Numidians (modern
Western Tunisia and Eastern Algeria) to
their cause. Gaia sent an army under his
27 year old son, Masinissa, after Syphax.
Masinissa defeated Syphax in their first
encounter, but Syphax fled to
Mauretania (Western Morocco) and
raised a new army. Masinissa defeated
this force aswell, ending the rebellion in
212 BC.
Masinissa was then dispatched to Spain,
where his Numidians had the decisive
role in annhilating two Roman armies at
the twin battles of Castulo (C3i #5)
and Ilorca, 211 BC. But Rome finally
found a commander who appreciated
cavalry when Publius Scipio
Africanus was given
EQUUS: Cavalry Battles of the Second Punic War
2,000 well equiped heavy cavalry. To Victory sent Laelius and Masinissa with most
this force they added 2,000 light cavalry A player wins by forcing the enemy of his cavalry and velites to pursue
recruited from Numidian tribes. Hanno Army to withdraw. Syphax. The Romans caught up with
(a son of Hamilcar, who may have been Syphax somewhere on the way to
Carthaginian Army: Withdraws
another of Hannibal's brothers) was Cirta, his capitol. Syphax had raised a
when units with TQ points totalling
given command of the 4,000 horsemen large force of excellent cavalry, and
27 have been eliminated.
and directed to screen the Roman army. some infantry levies. The impetuous
Hanno occupied the city of Salaeca, Roman Army: Withdraws when units Masinissa advanced ahead with his
then quartered his force within its walls. with TQ points totaling 28 have been Massyles Numidian horsemen and
Africanus was incredulous at the eliminated. began an immediate assault on the rival
inactivity of this Punic mounted force. Masaesyles.
yles. Syphax initially had the
While the Carthaginian cavalrymen A Cavalry Battle Royale: Laelius best of this cavalry fight, with superior
enjoyed the soft life inside the city, and Masinissa vs. King Syphax numbers and infantry support. Then
Scipio and Masinissa surveyed the Scipio followed up his success at Laelius arrived and brought up the
surrounding area to find a suitable Agathocles' Tower by besieging Utica. Roman cavalry and velites to support
ambush site. But, for once, the great Africanus Masinissa's faltering attack. Syphax's
failed. Hasdrubal Gisgo and Syphax army continued to fight for awhile, but
Early one morning, Masinissa rode up moved up with two large armies and then buckled, routed and fled.
to the city walls to provoke the forced him to lift the siege. Scipio
Carthaginians. Hanno took the bait and faked peace talks, then destroyed the
led out his entire command to pursue Carthaginian armies by burning their
the small band of Numidians. Masinissa camps in a night attack. Scipio
led him a lively chase along a series of returned to the siege of Utica, but
hills where Scipio and Laelius lay in Hasdrubal and Syphax rallied to form a
wait, near the watch tower of new army. Scipio marched to the Great
Agathocles (named for the early Greek Plains (C3i #4) and crushed this raw
invader of Africa). The Roman cavalry force. The Great Plains is probably the The Battle of
caught the Punic column in the flank first Roman battle in history that Cirta, 203 B.C.
and routed Hanno's force. Some 1,000 opened with the rout of both enemy
were slain in the ambush and 2,000 cavalry wings. Map:
more were killed or captured during the Use the Zama Map from SPQR. The
pursuit that followed. Hanno was
among the prisoners.

The Battle of
Agathocles' Tower, 204 B.C.
Map:
Use the Cynoscephalae Map from
SPQR. The Roman Army uses the
West map edge as its retreat edge.
The Carthaginian Army uses the East
map edge.

Line Command Eligibility

Carthage:
1. Carthaginian Heavy Cavalry
2. Numidian Light Cavalry
 The Great Battles of History Series: SPQR
exact site of this battle is unknown, Victory against Hannibal, who returned from
but one dusty, featureless African A player wins by forcing the enemy Italy in late 203 BC. Although Syphax
plain is pretty much like another. The army to withdraw. had been captured, the Western
Numidian Army uses the Southeast portions of his kingdom remained
Numidian Army: Withdraws when
map edge as its retreat edge. The loyal to Carthage. His kinsmen
units with TQ points totalling 54 have
Roman Army uses the Northwest Tychaeus and his son Vermina began
been eliminated.
map edge. raising cavalry from the Masaesyles to
Roman Army: Withdraws when units support Hannibal, while Masinissa was
Line Command Eligibility
with TQ points totaling 57 have been consolidating control of his Massyles
Numidian:
eliminated. Kingdom.
1. Numidian Light Cavalry
2. Numidian Medium and Light Zama, 202 BC: When Hannibal and Scipio began
Infantry The Final Showdown maneuvering for the final campaign in
At the battle of Cirta Masinissa the fall of 202 BC, a primary
Rome:
captured Syphax and reclaimed his consideration for both commanders
1. Roman and Alae Sociorum Cavalry
crown. More importantly for Scipio was linking up with their Numidian
2. Velites (may occupy every other
Africanus, it allowed Masinissa to raise support. Tychaeus joined Hannibal
hex)
3. Numidian Light Cavalry some 4,000 cavalry for use first, with 2,000 crack horsemen.
Hannibal sought to provoke a battle
with Scipio before Masinissa could
return, but the Numidian king arrived
with his 4,000 cavalry, just in time. His
advantage in cavalry, 6,500 to 3,000, is
generally considered to have been the
decisive factor enabling
en Scipio todefeat
Hannibal at Zama (SPQR Scenario
11.4). Cavalry, so long neglectedby
Rome, had won her greatest battle.
Interestingly, even as Zama was being
fought, more Numidian aid was on the
way to Hannibal. Syphax's son,
Vermina, arrived about six weeks after
Zama with an additional cavalry army.
But by then it was too late. Scipio
routed this conting
contingent in the last
combat action of the Second Punic
War on 17 December, 202 BC. But
this battle was merely a footnote in
history. Had Vermina only arrived a
little sooner, Hannibal might very well
have triumphed at Zama.
Scenario Notes & Information:
All SPQR 2nd edition rules apply to all
scenarios. Counters and maps are
taken from SPQR, The Great Battles
of History, Volume II, except as noted.
For an analysis of proper Cavalry
Tactics in SPQR, refer to the SPQR
Player's Guide article, Masinissa's Corner
by James Burton.