sign in sign up
<<
Home , 211 BC, 212 BC, Castulo, Hasdrubal Barca, Iberians

• The numerical superiority they enjoyed with their new mercenaries; • The superior quality of their legions, probably the finest in the Roman army; and, • Overconfidence bred from seven years of campaigning without a serious defeat.

Had the Scipios actually faced only 35,000 Carthaginians with over 50,000 legionnaires and mercenaries as they believed, their chances for success would have been good. But had two additional detachments: 3,000 Numidian under and 7,500 warriors under Indibilis. And Hasdrubal Barca also were unable to obtain more troops from had a trick up his sleeve that was to Historical Background , due to the threat there from throw the entire balance over in the Following the defeat of Hasdrubal Barca . Instead, the Scipios hired on a favor of . at Dertosa (see issue Nr. 4 of C3i for large body of 20,000 Celt-Iberian Dertosa Battle Module) by the Scipio mercenaries. The Celt- were a While Hasdrubal Barca observed the brothers in 215 BC, Carthage responded mix of those two peoples, found mainly Romans from his position at Amtorgis, by sending reinforcements. Two armies in the wilds of central . They had a he ordered the forces of Hasdrubal were dispatched, one under Hasdrubal's reputation for ferocity and fighting skill. Gisgo, Masinissa and Indibilis to younger brother Mago, and another Both sides confidently planned to take concentrate at Mago Barca's camp under a political rival of the Barca clan, the offensive in 211 BC. near . Once these forces were Hasdrubal Gisgo. For the next three united, it appears he intended to move years (214-212 BC), the three Publius and Gnaeus Scipio knew that north against the Romans with his Carthaginian armies battled the two Hasdrubal Barca was encamped north combined forces. Roman armies under Publius and of New Carthage near Amtorgis with Gnaeus. The results were indecisive, about 15,000 men. Mago and Hasdrubal But the Romans struck first. Their entire especially as Carthage had to recall Gisgo, with about 10,000 troops each, force moved up to confront Hasdrubal troops to Africa to suppress a rebellion were some distance away in the Baetis Barca, and then Publius split off with his of the Numidian King and River valley. The Scipios decided to army to advance into the interior. Rome was unable to spare any rein- split their forces and defeat both Hasdrubal, through heavily outnum- forcements for the Scipios. Both sides Carthaginian bodies simultaneously. bered by Gnaeus' Romans and Celt- had reason to hope for more decisive Publius would take 20,000 men (two- Iberians, held his ground. Hasdrubal results in 211 BC. thirds of the original army) against Barca had been raised on the battlefields Mago Barca and Hasdrubal Gisgo. of Spain and he knew the Celt-Iberians Hasdrubal Barca could count on the Gnaeus would confront Hasdrubal very well. Having some of these return of his troops from Africa, as Barca with a double legion warriors in his own army, he was able Syphax's rebellion had been crushed. In (10,000 men) and the 20,000 Celt- to arrange secret conferences with the addition, the Numidian Prince Iberians. It was a bold plan, even rash. mercenary commanders from Gnaeus' Masinissa was bringing over a large Their motivation appears to have been army. For a large sum of silver, body of light cavalry. And an allied based on three factors: Hasdrubal Barca persuaded the Celt- Iberian Prince, Indibilis, was recruiting Iberians to abandon the Romans and forces from the , an Iberian return to their homeland. The Romans, tribe of the interior. The Scipio brothers outnumbered two-to-one by their mercenaries, could do nothing to prevent their departure. With this bribe, Hasdrubal Barca eliminated two fifths of the Roman forces without striking a blow.

Meanwhile, Publius Scipio had run into difficulty soon after separating from his brother. Hasdrubal Gisgo and Masinissa had already arrived at Castulo to join Mago Barca. Masinissa and his light cavalry were unleashed to harass the Roman column on the march. As Publius advanced towards Castulo, foragers were ambushed and stragglers were cut off. The Numidians struck without warning, by day and by night. As he neared Castulo, Publius feared that his column would soon be under a complete blockade. Then his scouts brought word that Indibilis with a band of Iberians was across his line of retreat and advancing on his rear. Publius realized that his entire command was in danger of annihilation. Roman flank just as the Iberians were the two Carthaginian armies arrived. about to break. Scipio still had the Leaving his tents standing and his fires The Battle of Castulo advantage in numbers, and was able to burning, Gnaeus led his forces in retreat Publius Scipio decided to take action change front to counter the Numidian after dark. But as his brother had before it was too late. He planned to attack. But his assault against the already discovered, a night's head start steal a night march on Masinissa and to Iberians slackened. Unable to come to was insufficient to outdistance crush Indibilis' detachment before the grips with the elusive Numidians, Numidian cavalry. other Carthaginian armies could react. If Scipio could not force a decision before successful, he could then retreat to join Mago Barca and then Hasdrubal Gisgo Masinissa's horsemen caught up with Gnaeus or engage Mago Barca and arrived with the two main Carthaginian the Romans on the following day. Hasdrubal Gisgo under more favorable armies. Constant attacks that continued into the circumstances. Scipio left some 2,000 night forced Gnaeus to halt on a small men, mostly his wounded, behind to The Romans, now completely sur- hill near llorca. The Romans struggled guard his camp under the legate rounded, fought on. But when Publius vainly to fortify their camp, but found Tiberius Fonteius. The Roman army Scipio was stabbed with a lance and fell the ground too stony and hard for departed in silence at midnight. dying from his horse, the Roman army digging and the hill barren of any Marching all night, the Romans collided broke. Small bands and individuals cut timber. Gnaeus finally had his men with Indibilis' men in the early morning. their way through the cordon of improvise a barricade from saddles and Neither side had time to deploy fully Carthaginian troops, but most were baggage as a new day dawned. into line, and a confused melee ensued. hunted down by the Numidians and Publius, with over twice as many troops light infantry. Only a handful of That morning, Hasdrubal Barca, Mago as Indibilis, began to gain the advan- survivors managed to join Fonteius at Barca and Hasdrubal Gisgo looked tage. However, the Iberians fought the Roman camp after darkness fell. scornfully upon the Roman "wall." surprisingly well. And they held on just Sending in their troops from all sides, long enough for help to arrive. The Battle of llorca the rampart was quickly torn down, and With one Roman general slain and his the legionnaires huddled together for a Masinissa had discovered the absence of army destroyed, Mago Barca and desperate last stand. Nearly the entire the Roman army from their camp Hasdrubal Gisgo paused only long Roman army was slaughtered. Gnaeus during the night. Pressing a vigorous enough to loot the dead. They then force was either killed on the hill with his pursuit, his horsemen crashed into the marched to join Hasdrubal Barca and army or, according to a different trap a second Roman army. Gnaeus version, broke out with a small body of Scipio, who had received no word of his troops and took refuge in a nearby brother's fate, assumed the worst when watch tower. The Carthaginian soldiers,

unable to break into the tower, set it afire they arrive in succession. The separate (Proconsuls); i.e., they may attempt LCs and immolated the Roman general. rout levels for the Carthaginian armies/ outside the OC's range, extend the range detachments make it possible to win of the OC, and replace the OC if killed. Aftermath successive victories, but it won't be easy. Although the three Carthaginian The Carthaginian Army generals cooperated throughout this The Carthaginian player is in a more There is not "a" Carthaginian army. campaign, they fell to bickering once reactive role. He must block the Romans Instead, there are two armies and two they had achieved success. With the with the Iberians long enough for his detachments. The Carthaginian army Carthaginian forces paralyzed by cavalry to arrive. Then he must either commanders, Mago Barca and dissension, there was no immediate race to prevent a Roman withdrawal or Hasdrubal Gisgo, represented rival pursuit. Tiberius Fonteius led Publius' arrange his forces for a set piece battle. political factions and did not get along camp guard back to the Roman base Having four separate commands allows very well. To reflect this command north of the River at . He great freedom of maneuver, but carries relationship, each army has its own OC was joined by the remnants of Gnaeus' the danger of separate defeats. Both who may give orders only to his own army under the command of a cavalry- players will have plenty of opportunity units. Each detachment also has an man, Marcius Septimus. By gathering in for offensive and defensive action. Have independent commander who may give garrisons, commissariat troops and naval fun, and watch your flanks! orders only to his own units. In addition, personnel, Fonteius and Marcius built up each army and detachments has its own a force of some 8,000 men. When the Map rout level, and losses must be calculated Carthaginians finally advanced across Use the Beneventum map from SPQR. separately. the Ebro, the Romans were able to hold The Roman camp does not exist, treat all on to their base until reinforcements camp hexes as wooded terrain. All other Carthaginian Command arrived from Italy. Vengeance would be terrain features and directions are as Leaders may issue orders/LCs only to had later, by Publius Scipio's son, the depicted on the map. units of their own army. great . 1. Mago Barca—OC for all red (and Castulo as a Game orange) units. Strategy rating is '5.' The ancient accounts of the Battle of Subordinate is Hanno. Mago may give Castulo provide the general scheme of orders to Masinissa and Indibilis, but not action, but few specifics. For example, to their units. only the strength of the Iberian (Suessetani) and Celt-Iberian detach- 2. Hasdrubal Gisgo—OC for all the dark ments are recorded. The number for all blue units (and 3 Balearic SK that are other armies are estimates, but these are light blue). Strategy rating is '4.' Subordi- fairly educated guesses. We know the nate is Bostar. Hasdrubal may give strengths of these forces in earlier and orders to Masinissa and Indibilis, but not later campaigns, and a little interpolation The Roman Army to their units. does the trick. The exact site of the The two double legions commanded by battlefield is also unknown. While this the Scipio brothers in Spain in 211 BC 3. Masinissa—Commander of Numidian lack of detail may be frustrating for the were the cream of the crop of the Roman cavalry (brown units). As one of the historian, it makes it easier to design a Army. No other legions had served as great cavalry commanders of all time, war game scenario. The Beneventum long (seven years) or with a comparable Masinissa may give Line Commands map from SPQR was selected as most record of victories. (Hannibal had automatically, without being within typical of the general area. And the annihilated all the other legions raised at range of an OC and/or resorting to a SPQR counter mix provided all the the beginning of the ). Strategy Rating die roll, as per rule 4.6, forces needed. But players should feel Therefore, the veteran X Double Legion Carthaginian Command. free to adjust the forces as play balance forms the core of Publius Scipio's army. or your own opinions on the matter To represent the additional troops, 4. Indibilis—Commander of all the light dictate. which included replacement cohorts as blue Iberian units. Indibilis does not well as marines and rowers pressed into benefit from rule 4.6; he must be within In this scenario, the Roman player is in a service as infantry, the recruit XIX Ala range of one of the OCs and make a race against time. He must crush the Sociorum is added. Finally, the Romans Strategy Rating die roll in order to issue Iberian detachment as rapidly as had a force of Iberian allies serving as a Line Command. possible, while holding out a strong rear auxiliaries. Celtic counters are used, to guard to hold off the cascade of avoid confusion with the Iberian units in 5. Hanno and Bostar—These two leaders Carthaginian troops coming up from the Carthaginian Army. do not represent any particular historical behind. If the Iberians can be routed, the figures, rather they embody the subordi- player must choose between trying to Roman Command nate staffs of the two Carthaginian execute a withdrawal under heavy Publius Scipio is the Roman Overall armies. Hanno and Bostar do not benefit enemy pressure, or facing about to try Commander. The two tribunes may from rule 4.6; each must be within range and defeat the Carthaginian forces as operate under the provisions of Rule 4.46 of his respective OC and make a Strategy

troops may "clump" to form lines during approach marches. 2. Cavalry Pursuit, rule 10.4, is not used.

3. Army Rout, rule 10.5 remains in effect for the Roman Army. However, it is modified for the Carthaginians as follows: TQ unit and leader losses are calculated separately for each of the four armies and detachments. When an army/detachment reaches or exceeds its Army Rout Level, the game does not end. Instead, all surviving units of that army/detach- ment undergo Unit Rout, as per rule 10.3. These routed units may be rallied normally, and are no longer subject to Army Rout.

Victory Conditions 1. Rome wins by routing BOTH of the Carthaginian armies AND at least ONE detachment.

2. Rome can also win by exiting at least Rating die roll in order to issue a Line line moves within movement allowance 165 TQ points from the east edge of the Command. If either OC, Mago or distance (and LOS) of an enemy combat map, from hexes 2244-3543. Only Roman Hasdrubal, is killed, replace him with his unit. Also, treat elephants as cavalry for and Alae Sociorum units count toward subordinate, Hanno or Bostar, with a this purpose. this total (which doesn't bode well for the Strategy Rating of ‘1’ Iberian (Celtic) auxiliaries in the rear (6.46) Clarification: Units may change guard.) Routed units do not count towards Retreat Edges to/from Column only at the conclusion the 165 point total. Units that exit the map may not return to play. For Carthage, the Iberian detachment of movement. uses the East edge; the Numidian Carthage wins by routing the Roman detachment uses the North or South, (6.47-48) Change: Phalanxes in Column army. whichever it entered from; and Mago's may not attack or fire. The only thing and Hasdrubal's armies use the West they can do is move. If attacked by any Army/Detachment Rout Levels edge. Things are a bit more complicated enemy unit (except skirmishers), the Rome: for the Romans. Their camp is to West, attacking unit is automatically Attack Army routs when TQ totaling '120' have the other Roman army and the Roman Superior. been eliminated. base area are to the East, and the Carthaginians are everywhere. The (6.46-48) Clarification: Any HI, MI, LI or Carthage: Roman player may choose the East or LGN may use column—and take 1. Iberian Detachment routs when TQ West edge as the retreat edge whenever advantage of its reduced Movement totaling 34 have been eliminated. a unit routs. costs—the same as PH. 2. Numidian Detachment routs when Errata (9.4) Addition: Numidian Light Cavalry TQ totaling 28 have been eliminated. 3. Mago's Army routs when TQ totaling The following rule changes/clarifications and Mounted Archers: The Numidian 40 have been eliminated. are based on Errata dated December 20, LC, and any Mounted Archers, have the 1992, as published in the Consul for same ability as velites to enter and leave 4. Hasdrubal's Army routs when TQ Rome Module, and are important for an enemy ZOC, as per the last paragraph totaling 38 have been eliminated. play in Castulo. of 9.2. This ability, however, can be used only against enemy infantry. It may NOT Sources: provides the only account of the (5.2/Play Note) Change: The flank-to- be used against "pure" skirmisher (SK) campaign of Castulo and Ilorca, but he flank, linear requirements for foot do units. appears to have followed the more NOT apply to lines entering as reinforce- reliable . H.H. Scullard, in ments (Beneventum and Rule Changes "Scipio Africanus: Soldier and Politi- Cynoscephalae). Foot reinforcements 1. Rule (5.2/Play Note) above, applies to cian", 1970, provides some important may "clump/ as long as 4.24 is obeyed. the Roman Army and the Iberian geographic clarification. This exception to the flank-to-flank Detachment, in addition to all reinforce- requirement ends as soon as the arriving ments in Castulo. That is, all bodies of