Cannae 216 BC (Carthage vs Rome)

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rbodleyscott
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Cannae 216 BC (Carthage vs Rome)

Post by rbodleyscott »

Scenario written and submitted by Luddite:

Cannae (216BC)

This is a historical scenario between the Carthagian forces of Hannibal and the Roman Legions under the joint command of Varro and Paulus.
It is designed to be represented by 15mm figures on a 6x4ft table.


Background

Shortly after the start of the Second Punic War, the Carthaginian general Hannibal had boldly crossed into Italy by traversing the Alps during the winter, and had quickly won two major victories over the Romans at Trebia and at Lake Trasimene. After suffering these losses, the Romans appointed Fabius Maximus as dictator to deal with the threat. Fabius set about fighting a war of attrition against Hannibal, cutting off his supply lines and refusing to engage in pitched battle. These tactics proved unpopular with the Romans. As the Roman people recovered from the shock of Hannibal's initial victories, they began to question the wisdom of the Fabian strategy which had given the Carthaginian army the chance to regroup. Fabius' strategy was especially frustrating to the majority of the people who were eager to see a quick conclusion to the war. It was also widely feared that if Hannibal continued plundering Italy unopposed, Rome's allies might doubt Rome's ability to protect them, and defect to Carthage's cause.

Unimpressed with Fabius's strategy, the Roman Senate did not renew his dictatorial powers at the end of his term, and command was given back to the consuls Gnaeus Servilius Geminus and M. Atilius Regulus. In 216 BC, elections resumed with Gaius Terentius Varro and Lucius Aemilius Paullus elected as consuls and given command of a newly raised army of unprecedented size in order to counter Hannibal.

The actual battle

As the armies advanced on one another, Hannibal gradually extended the centre of his line and gradually fell back so as to produce a crescent-shaped formation; his object being to employ the Africans as a reserve force and to begin the action with the Hispanics and Celts. His intent was to delay and draw in the Roman centre, win on the flanks to encircle the Romans and annihilate them.

When the battle was joined, the cavalry engaged in a fierce exchange on the flanks. The Carthaginian cavalry quickly overpowered the inferior Romans on the north flank (by the river) and routed them. A portion of the Carthaginian cavalry then detached itself from the Carthaginian north flank and made a wide circling pivot to the Roman south flank, where it fell upon the rear of the Roman cavalry. The Roman cavalry was immediately dispersed as the Carthaginians fell upon them and began "cutting them down mercilessly".

While the Carthaginians were in the process of defeating the Roman cavalry, the mass of infantry on both sides advanced towards each other in the centre of the field. Hannibal stood with his men in the weak center and held them to a controlled retreat. The crescent of Hispanic and Gallic troops buckled inwards as they gradually withdrew. Knowing the superiority of the Roman infantry, Hannibal had instructed his infantry to withdraw deliberately, thus creating an even tighter semicircle around the attacking Roman forces. By doing so, he had turned the strength of the Roman infantry into a weakness. Furthermore, while the front ranks were gradually advancing forward, the bulk of the Roman troops began to lose their cohesion, as they began crowding themselves into the growing gap. Soon they were compacted together so closely that they had little space to wield their weapons. In pressing so far forward in their desire to destroy the retreating and collapsing line of Hispanic and Gallic troops, the Romans had ignored the African troops that stood uncommitted on the projecting ends of this now reversed-crescent. This also gave the Carthaginian cavalry time to drive the Roman cavalry off on both flanks and attack the Roman center in the rear. The Roman infantry, now stripped of both its flanks, formed a wedge that drove deeper and deeper into the Carthaginian semicircle, driving itself into an alley that was formed by the African Infantry stationed at the echelons.

At this decisive point, Hannibal ordered his African Infantry to turn inwards and advance against the Roman flanks, creating an encirclement of the Roman infantry in one of the earliest known examples of the pincer movement.

When the Carthaginian cavalry attacked the Romans in the rear, and the African flanking echelons had assailed them on their right and left, the advance of the Roman infantry was brought to an abrupt halt. The trapped Romans were enclosed in a pocket with no means of escape. The Carthaginians created an ‘enclosing wall’ of men and began simply butchering the surrounded, trapped and panicked Romans.

Forces

Carthage

List used: Later Carthaginian (Rise of Rome p23)

Points total: 970
Initiative: +4

The Carthaginian army composed of roughly 27,000 heavy infantry, 6,000 light infantry, and 8,000 cavalry. The Carthaginian army was a combination of warriors from numerous regions. Along with the core of 8,000 Libyans, armed with Roman armour, fought 8,000 Iberians, 16,000 Gauls (8,000 were left at camp the day of battle) and an unknown number of Gaetulian Infantry. Hannibal's cavalry also came from diverse backgrounds. He commanded 4,000 Numidian, 2,000 Spanish, 4,000 Gallic and 450 Liby-Phoenician cavalry. Finally, Hannibal had around 8,000 skirmishers consisting of Balearian slingers and mixed nationality spearmen. All of these specific groups brought their respective strengths to the battle. The uniting factor for the Carthaginian army was the personal tie each group had with Hannibal

Commanders

Hannibal Inspired Commander (CinC) - 80
Hasdrubal Field Commander - 50
Marhabal Field Commander - 50

Infantry

African Spearmen (w. captured Roman armour) 8x [Heavy Foot, Armoured, Superior, Drilled, Offensive spearmen] -104
African Spearmen (w. captured Roman armour) 8x [Heavy Foot, Armoured, Superior, Drilled, Offensive spearmen] -104
Iberians 8x [Heavy Foot, Protected, Average, Undrilled, Impact foot, Swordsmen] - 56
Gauls 8x [Heavy Foot, Protected, Average, Drilled, Impact foot, Swordsmen] - 64
Gauls 8x [Heavy Foot, Protected, Average, Drilled, Impact foot, Swordsmen] - 64
Balearic Slingers 6x [Light Foot, Unprotected, Superior, Undrilled, Sling] - 30
Numidian and Libyan Javelinmen 6x [Light Foot, Unprotected, Average, Undrilled, Javelins, Light spear] - 24
Numidian and Libyan Javelinmen 6x [Light Foot, Unprotected, Average, Undrilled, Javelins, Light spear] - 24

Cavalry

Gallic Cavalry 6x [Cavalry, Protected, Superior, Undrilled, Light spear, Swordsmen] - 72
Spanish Cavalry 6x [Cavalry, Protected, Superior, Undrilled, Light spear, Swordsmen] - 72
Numidian Light Horse 4x [Light Horse, Unprotected, Average, Undrilled, Javelins, Light spear] - 28
Numidian Light Horse 4x [Light Horse, Unprotected, Average, Undrilled, Javelins, Light spear] - 28
Numidian Light Horse 4x [Light Horse, Unprotected, Average, Undrilled, Javelins, Light spear] - 28
Libyphoenician Cavalry 4x [Cavalry, Armoured, Superior, Drilled, Light spear, Swordsmen] - 68

Fortified Camp - 24

Special rules:
Hannibal intended that his centre line fall back in a steadily retreating crescent. To replicate this, the following special rules apply.
1. During the Carthaginian Manoeuvre Phase any friendly infantry BG within command range (12MU) of Hannibal may choose to ‘fall back’ by making a ‘Turn 180 degree move <=3 MU’s with simple advance and turn back again’ as a Complex move.
2. During any Joint Action Phase, any friendly infantry BG within command range (12MU) of Hannibal may choose to ‘fall back’ out of combat by making a ‘Break off’ move as if it were a BG of mounted troops. All conditions of the break off move remain the same.

Rome

List used: Mid Republican Roman (Rise of Rome p9)

Points total: 1060
Initiative: +2

The combined forces of the two consuls totalled 75,000 infantry, 2,400 Roman cavalry and 4,000 allied horse (involved in the actual battle) and, in the two fortified camps, 2,600 heavily-armed men, 7,400 lightly-armed men (a total of 10,000), so that the total strength the Romans brought to the field amounted to approximately 86,400 men.

Commanders

Varro Field Commander (CinC) - 50
Paulus Field Commander - 50

Infantry

Roman Veteran Legion 8x [Heavy Foot, Armoured, Superior, Drilled, Impact foot, Skilled swordsmen] - 112
Roman Veteran Legion 8x [Heavy Foot, Armoured, Superior, Drilled, Impact foot, Skilled swordsmen] - 112
Roman Legion 8x [Heavy Foot, Armoured, Average, Drilled, Impact foot, Swordsmen] - 80
Roman Legion 8x [Heavy Foot, Armoured, Average, Drilled, Impact foot, Swordsmen] - 80
Italian Legion ('Allied') 8x [Heavy Foot, Armoured, Average, Drilled, Impact foot, Swordsmen] - 80
Italian Legion ('Allied') 8x [Heavy Foot, Armoured, Average, Drilled, Impact foot, Swordsmen] - 80
Italian Legion ('Allied, Raw') 8x [Heavy Foot, Protected, Average, Drilled, Impact foot, Swordsmen] - 64
Italian Legion ('Allied, Raw') 8x [Heavy Foot, Protected, Average, Drilled, Impact foot, Swordsmen] - 64
Velites 8x [Light Foot, Unprotected, Average, Drilled, Javelins, Light spear] - 32
Velites 8x [Light Foot, Unprotected, Average, Drilled, Javelins, Light spear] - 32
Velites 8x [Light Foot, Unprotected, Average, Drilled, Javelins, Light spear] - 32

Cavalry

Roman Cavalry 4x [Cavalry, Protected, Average, Undrilled, Light spear, Swordsmen] - 36
Roman Cavalry 4x [Cavalry, Protected, Average, Undrilled, Light spear, Swordsmen] - 36
Allied Cavalry 4x [Cavalry, Protected, Average, Undrilled, Light spear, Swordsmen] - 36
Allied Cavalry 4x [Cavalry, Protected, Average, Undrilled, Light spear, Swordsmen] - 36

Fortified Camp (divided) - 24



Scenario

Terrain

The terrain should be laid out as detailed on the deployment map (see below).
The majority of the field is open terrain.
The hills are all steep and rise towards each table edge.
The river Aufidius should be 2-3MU wide and counts as difficult terrain to cross.

Motivation / Objectives

Following the shock of the initial Carthaginian victories at Trebia and at Lake Trasimene, the Romans had elected Fabius Maximum as Dictator to deal with Hannibal. Fabius’ strategy of denying battle and steady attrition of the Carthaginian force by skirmishing had left the Roman population and leadership frustrated and eager for Hannibal’s defeat. There are practical concerns also. Hannibal’s successes have started to fracture the Italian alliances. His position at Cannae also occupied the major food supply stores for the Roman Empire, threatening starvation for the masses.

Varro and Paulus have replaced Fabius and are under extreme pressure to bring Hannibal to battle and crush his army quickly.

Hannibal’s bitterness towards Rome was generational and inherited from his father. Hannibal’s aim was to destroy Roman power completely. He realised this was not militarily possible, particularly by sea, and so he set about the political dismantlement of his enemy. To this end, he invaded Italy across the Alps and defeated a series of Roman forces, forcing the Romans into a defensive position. His actions after the victory at Trebbia involved the pillage of Roman resources, while courting favour with the other Italian powers, however, the Fabian strategy of attrition was starting to work. Hannibal’s tactical superiority was being wasted and his lack of visible successes threatened the politicking with the wavering Italians.

Hannibal is keen to inflict further crushing defeats on the Romans to bolster his political position and reverse the losses from attrition he was sustaining, in order to advance the disintegration of the Roman Confederacy.

Both sides are therefore desperate to engage the enemy and inflict a ‘defeat of annihilation’.


Deployment

The battlefield should be 6x4ft (at 15mm scale figures) or adjusted to fit the figures scale being used.

For the initial deployment locations of both armies, see the deployment map below, I relation to the following key.

Carthage

A African Spearmen (w. captured Roman armour) – must be deployed 2 files wide and 4 ranks deep
B Iberians
C Gauls
D Balearic Slingers – must be deployed 1 rank deep
E Numidian and Libyan Javelinmen – must be deployed 1 rank deep
F Gallic Cavalry
G Spanish Cavalry
H Numidian Light Horse
I Libyphoenician Cavalry

Carthaginian skirmishers are deployed 6MU from the centre line of the battlefield. Their formed troops are deployed within 2-8MU behind their own skirmishers.

They must be deployed as close as possible to the positions represented on the deployment map.

Hannibal can begin the battle independent or with any Gaul or Iberian infantry BG.
Hasdrubal can begin the battle independent or with any Gallic or Spanish cavalry BG.
Marhabal can begin the battle independent or with any Numidian Light Horse BG.

Deployment notes

The Balearic Slingers must be staggered forwards of the Numidian and Libyan Javelinmen, but may remain in ‘partial edge’ contact to form a battle line.

The Iberians must be staggered forwards of the Gauls, but may remain in ‘partial edge’ contact to form a battle line.

Rome

A Roman Veteran Legion
B Roman Legion
C Italian Legion ('Allied')
D Italian Legion ('Allied, Raw') - All the Legions must be deployed 2 files wide and 4 ranks deep and they must be in contact with the neighbouring legion.
E Velites – must be deployed 1 rank deep
G Roman Cavalry
H Allied Cavalry

Roman skirmishers are deployed 4MU from the centre line of the battlefield. Their formed troops are deployed within 2MU behind their own skirmishers.

They must be deployed as close as possible to the positions represented on the deployment map.

Varro can begin the battle independent or with any Allied Cavalry BG.
Paulus must begin the battle independent.

Deployment notes

Note that troops listed as ‘allies’ were actually under line of command of either Varro or Paulus so are not counted as allies, but as core troops.

The Roman camp was divided into a larger position north of the river (represented by 80x80mm fortified camp) and a smaller position south of the river (40x80mm fortified camp). Both must be successfully assaulted to count the Roman camp as destroyed.

Turns

The Carthaginians start the first turn.

On the first turn only, the Carthaginian BGs/battle lines with a commander are allowed to make a second move that does end within 6MU of enemy BGs, but not within 3MU.

Victory conditions

For both sides it’s a fight to the death. Simple attrition points are used to determine victory, with the following bonuses.

The Carthaginians gain +2 Attrition points if any one of its cavalry BGs charges into contact with the rear of any Roman Legion. This is a single +2 bonus irrespective of how often this might happen.

The Cartaginians gain +2 Attrition points if Varro is killed.

The Romans gain +4 Attrition points if Hannibal is killed.


Notes and Comments

The design of this scenario was based around the principle of representing the battle as much as possible within the published FoG rules and army lists. At the suggested ‘250 men per base’ scale, the number of bases presented for each army are roughly a quarter of what they should be. However, by keeping to this scale, anyone with armies constructed to the base totals listed in the army lists will be able to play the scenario without having to purchase 3 more army’s worth of bases! The Romans will need a few more cavalry than normally available however.

Amendments, changes and ‘special rules’ have been kept to a minimum.

The Roman commander? Who was actually in command of the Romans at Cannae is in dispute. I’ve opted to follow Livy and Polybius and assign Varro as the CinC on the day.

Sources for the Roman ‘allied cavalry’ under Varro are vague, but they appear to have stood up to the Carthaginian light horse for most of the battle. As a result, I’ve simply classed them as ‘Roman Cavalry’, rather than any options available through ally lists.

Where are the Triarii?
At Cannae, the Roman Triarii were mostly assigned to guard the two camps. Those Triarii that were committed were very small in number and were attached to the rear of the Legions so that they did not form a separate tactical unit. As a result the Triarii are not separately represented at this battle.

Deployment Map

Image
rbodleyscott
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Post by rbodleyscott »

Just a note: There should not really be any Liby-Phoenician cavalry in the Carthaginian army at Cannae.
Luddite
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Post by Luddite »

Really...well...hmm.

now then...yes.

You see what i've done there you see is read 'Liby-Phoenician infantry' (Osprey Campaign Series 36 - Cannae 216BC p21), not cross-reffed properly, seen the entry for 'Liby-Phoenician cavalry' (Field of Glory - Rise of Rome p26)...

...put 2 and 2 together with a mix of cider and made what's technically known as an...um...error.

Right. Probably best to remove that cavalry unit from the roster if you use the scenario everyone...

I notice your list has no entry for Liby-Phoenician infantry. Are they assumed in the 'African spearmen' troops?
rbodleyscott
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Post by rbodleyscott »

Luddite wrote:I notice your list has no entry for Liby-Phoenician infantry. Are they assumed in the 'African spearmen' troops?
Probably. I haven't read the Osprey Campaign book, but there weren't any Liby-Phoenician cavalry or Poeni foot at Cannae as far as I can recollect from the primary sources. The only other candidate would be the African Spearmen (aka Libyan Spearmen).
Montagu
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Post by Montagu »

Thanks for the scenario. I think you have found a good way to depict the battle. Personally, I had been struggling with how to depict the center falling back.

For those that haven't read Theodore A. Dodge's "Hannibal" he went to all the battle locations and using his civil war combat experience and referencing tons of resources gives excellent opinions on the actual locations of battles and their setup. For a scenario like this it doesn't matter as much.
Monty

It doesn't take a genius to make something simple, complicated. It takes a genius to make something complicated, simple.
jlopez
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Post by jlopez »

I would probably upgrade at least one Spanish if not all Spanish infantry units to superior to reflect that these were veterans. If my memory serves me right, Hannibal allowed any reluctant Spanish auxiliaries to go home before leaving Spain so on top of being experienced they were motivated troops. A higher morale will also allow them to fall back more easily to create the trap and failing that, hang on in there long enough for the cavalry to complete the encirclement.

We upgraded the Spaniards for a re-fight using Principles of War and it worked superbly. Without it, the Romans would just have punched through the middle far too early.

Julian
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