Tarentum and the Battle of Sapriportis, 210 BC A WAR GALLEY Scenario

By Dan Fournie

Hannibal faced many difficulties allies of Rome who were taken during his Italian campaign due to prisoner by Hannibal, they had been the dominance of the Roman navy. treated well and sent home without Hannibal also faced a "catch 22" he ransom. Out of gratitude for this needed a port as a base to challenge leniency, these Tarentines came to the Roman navy and open lines of offer Hannibal their city. They communication with Africa, but he assured Hannibal that if only he couldn't take a major port as long as would bring his army within sight, Rome controlled the sea. With his they would stage a popular uprising superior army, he could besiege a and deliver the city to him. Unfortu port such as Neaopolis, but the nately, the Romans got wind of the Romans could freely bring in sup plot and further reinforced their plies and reinforcements by sea. So garrison. A new commandant for the Hannibal, though he tried often, was garrison, Marcus Livius Macatus unable to capture a major port for the (identified as Gaius Livius by first six years of the war. Polybius) was also assigned. Livius arrived only three days ahead of Of all the ports in Italy, Hannibal Hannibal, but he had just enough coveted Tarentum (modern Taranto) time to quell the planned uprising. Hannibal's hands. Philemenus and more than any other. Tarentum was Nico were the leaders of this group. the chief city of Magna Graecia, or TREACHERY IN TARENTUM Their first move was to go out on a Greater Greece, and a suitable capital Two years passed before another "cattle raid" in order to contact for an anti-Roman state in southern opportunity to take Tarentum arose, Hannibal. Philemenus and Nico Italy. Tarentum was also one of the in 212 BC. But, it was in Rome, not approached the Carthaginian camp finest seaports in Italy, ideally Tarentum, that a catalyst appeared. and allowed themselves to be situated to provide naval communi Phileas, a Tarentine on a diplomatic arrested by the sentries, requesting cations with Sicily and Carthage to mission in Rome, decided to stage a an audience with Hannibal. They the southwest and Greece and mass escape of the Tarentine hos quickly convinced Hannibal of their Macedonia to the east. The Romans tages. This was not difficult, as they sincerity and resolve. were also conscious of Tarentum's were lightly guarded. Phileas spent significance. It had been the last some time with the hostages, mostly Hannibal sent the conspirators back major city in Italy to submit to Rome, boys in their teens, and easily to Tarentum with some "rustled" just 58 years ago. Romans remem persuaded them to attempt the cattle. He directed them to make bered that it had been the Tarentines escape. The group eluded their regular forays under the guise of who had invited King Pyrrhus from guards and slipped out of Rome hunting or cattle rustling. This Epirus to do battle with Rome (280 without difficulty. As soon as their allowed him to stay in contact, while 275 BC). Their loyalty was suspect. absence was discovered, the Romans the Roman guards became accus For this reason, a large Roman quickly sent out detachments to hunt tomed to opening the gates at night garrison had been posted in them down. for the group. Philemenus made a Tarentum shortly after Hannibal point of presenting the gate guards arrived in Italy in 218 BC. The sons of The young Tarentine hostages were and the garrison commandant, Tarentum's leading families were soon apprehended. Rome applied its Livius, with game or cattle whenever held as hostages in Rome. Neverthe usual swift justice; all the hostages he returned. Meanwhile, Hannibal less, Tarentines continued to serve in were scourged and then executed by moved his camp far enough from Rome's armies and fleets. being tossed from the Tarpeian rock. Tarentum to allay suspicion. He then This ill-advised harshness turned the feigned illness to account for his Five Tarentine military officers Tarentine populace against Rome and prolonged inactivity. provided Hannibal with his first especially embittered the aristocratic chance to capture the city in 214 BC. relatives of the slain hostages. Shortly When the conspirators learned that These men had been captured by thereafter, thirteen Tarentine nobles, Livius was planning to attend a feast Hannibal at the battles of Trasimene kin of the unfortunate hostages, that would feature heavy drinking, (217 BC) and Cannae. As with all the conspired to place the city in they passed the word to Hannibal that the time for action had come.

Sapriportis: WAR GALLEY Scenario Hannibal formed a flying column of get a present of game. As the men A systematic looting of Roman and 8,000 foot and 2,000 horse. With a came in with the boar, the guard collaborator property followed. screen of 80 Numidian cavalry leaned forward to examine the great Although Hannibal had the city, simulating a raid, he force marched beast. Swiftly, Philemenus thrust his Livius still held the citadel which to a river gorge just short of the city. hunting javelin through the Roman's controlled access to the harbor. The A two-part entry scheme had been breast. Thirty Libyans dashed to Carthaginians first built a wall and devised for the night assault. secure the opening. Hannibal had a entrenchment to protect the city from Hannibal would bring the main body second gate. The 1,000 Libyan foot the Roman garrison in the citadel. of his force up to Temenid Gate, on now entered the city. Livius launched a sortie, but the eastern side of the city. Nico and Hannibal repulsed the attack, Tragiscus would be waiting there The Roman garrison was as yet inflicting heavy losses. The garrison with their men to overpower the unaware that they were under attack. of the citadel was now so weak that guards and open the gate. To secure Hannibal posted detachments at Hannibal planned a direct assault. an alternate entry, Philemenus would strategic points throughout the city. Before the Carthaginians could strike, lead a force of 1,000 Libyan infantry He also formed three assault battal Roman reinforcements arrived by to a small postern gate under a watch ions from his 2,000 Celtic warriors. ship. Livius sortied again and this tower. Nico, who had earlier stolen some time set fire to Hannibal's siege The advance of Hannibal's cavalry Roman horns, now had his men blow engines. screen was duly reported as a small "assembly." As the confused, sleepy raid to Livius. He ordered a troop of Roman legionnaires staggered into A NAVY ON WHEELS his cavalry to prepare to drive the the streets the Celts attacked and Hannibal had the city, but the Roman Numidians off in the morning, and slaughtered many of them. By the garrison in the citadel prevented the continued his feasting free of con time Livius awoke, the city was lost. Tarentine fleet from leaving port. cern. Some of Nico's men were He fled by boat along the coast to the Without that fleet, the city could not posted as lookouts at strategic points citadel where he was joined by the be safely resupplied by sea, nor could throughout the city while others kept fugitives of his garrison and some the Roman citadel be blockaded. an eye on Livius. When the feast pro-Roman Tarentines. However, Hannibal was not beaten. If broke up, Livius returned to his the Tarentine fleet could not sail to quarters and fell into a drunken At dawn Hannibal summoned the the sea, he would move it overland. slumber. The conspirators sprang into populace and announced the libera Calling for his sappers, he had rollers action. tion of Tarentum to rousing ovations. cut from the nearby woods. The galleys were lifted Hannibal arrived from the harbor, outside the Temenid rolled through the city Gate and signaled streets, and launched Nico with a torch, as into the sea. planned. The inside group responded Of course, Tarentum with the prearranged had once been a naval signal, and then power in its own received Hannibal's right, and that was countersign. With only some six decades total surprise, Nico past. Tarentine and his band at captains and crews tacked and killed the had since fought for gate guards. Rome against the Hannibal had a gate! Carthaginians, He rapidly marched Illyrian pirates and his 7,000 infantry other maritime foes. It into the city, leaving is likely many of the the 2,000 cavalry in Tarentine sailors currently serving in reserve outside. the Roman navy at Meanwhile, this time deserted and Philemenus ap- made their way home. proached the tower The small Tarentine gate with three men navy, commanded by carrying an unusu- Democrates, ensured ally large boar. At his the city was kept whistle the Roman supplied. They also sentry hurried to maintained a tight open the gate, blockade of Livius' hoping as usual to garrison.

Although Rome had over 200 galleys The two squadrons rowed into battle, Delayer. This was Fabius' fifth in service, the Roman navy was as the Romans deployed from column consulship, and, as he was now 66 stretched thin. With squadrons in to line abreast. The galleys of both years of age, most likely his last. Ostia, Greece, Spain, Sardinia and forces converged in the dance of Fabius had gained renown as the Sicily-including the large blockade ramming, avoiding, raking and "Shield of Rome" by preserving of Syracuse-none could be spared to grappling. A Tarentine captain, Nico Rome after the disasters at Trasimene challenge the small Tarentine navy. Percon* noted the location of and Cannae through his "Fabian Occasionally a Roman squadron Quinctius' quinquereme, the Roman tactics" of delay and attrition. He was would escort supplies into the flagship. The Tarentine skipper the recognized elder statesmen of citadel, but Democrates always steered his trireme straight for the Rome. Yet, Fabius' ambition was not managed to avoid contact with the quinquereme, grappled the larger yet satisfied. He desired one last larger Roman fleet. Roman ship and led his marines in a great triumph. Fabius wanted furious assault. Tarentum. The recapture of Tarentum A ROMAN PRIVATEER became the centerpiece of Rome's A Roman freebooter, Decimus Quinctius led his own marines in campaign for 209 BC. Fabius would Quinctius, organized a small priva person to repel the audacious, lead an army of 25,000 men and a teer fleet of two triremes and three outnumbered borders. The two fleet of 30 galleys against the city. smaller vessels in 211. He was a man captains squared off in hand-to-hand This time the Tarentine navy would of obscure birth, but recognized combat. Percon thrust his spear into not challenge the much larger Roman ability. He was so successful at Quinctius' midsection, slaying the squadron. To occupy Hannibal, the raiding enemy shipping that the Roman with one stroke. The Roman proconsul Marcus Claudius Roman consul Marcus Claudius marines were disheartened, but Marcellus would offer battle. The Marcellus assigned him three continued to fight. Percon and his other consul, Fulvius, was also to quinqueremes from the Roman navy small band of boarders were in distract Hannibal by moving against in 210. Quinctius went all along the danger of being overwhelmed. Then his bases in Bruttium (Italy's toe). south Italian coast "requisitioning" a second Tarentine trireme grappled more ships and enlisting crews for the Roman flagship, and boarded As Marcellus advanced against his growing navy from Rhegium, from the stern. The Roman marines Hannibal, Fabius moved up to Velia and Paestum. He finally were crushed and the ship was Tarentum with his siege train. gathered 20 galleys for his squadron. captured. The remainder of the Marcellus and Hannibal clashed in Roman fleet, observing the loss of the Apulian woods near Canusium Soon thereafter, Livius reported his their flagship, lost heart. Some ships (near Cannae) in an indecisive but garrison had once again run short of disengaged and fled, but most were bloody two-day battle. Marcellus' supplies. Marcellus had a provision captured, sunk or run aground as army had to spend the remainder of fleet of transports assembled at they scattered along the pro the summer licking its wounds. Rhegium. The consul ordered Carthaginian coast of Magna Graecia. Marcellus had kept Hannibal occu Quinctius to escort this fleet to The transport ships took advantage pied only briefly. Believing that Tarentum. Quinctius believed it was of the battle to beat a hasty retreat. Tarentum could withstand a pro time someone taught the upstart Livius' men would eat half rations for longed siege, Hannibal marched off Tarentines a lesson and welcomed the a while longer. to protect Bruttium against Fulvius. assignment. He knew his crews were no match for the Tarentines, but he THE END FOR TARENTUM At Tarentum, Fabius was preparing had larger ships, and he gathered a The valiant stand of the Tarentine to launch land and naval assaults powerful force of legionary marines. navy ensured their city would remain against the city. He equipped his When his squadron and the trans free for a bit longer. However, soon army and fleet with all manner of ports were assembled in Rhegium, Rome took stronger action. The two catapults, ballista, ladders and Quinctius sailed to confront the Roman consuls elected for 209 BC towers. As his preparations were Tarentine navy. were Quintus Fulvius Flaccus and underway, the love affair of a merce Quintus Fabius Maximus, the nary captain presented Fabius with DECISION AT SEA an unexpected opportunity. The Democrates had heard of Quinctius' Carthaginian garrison included a activities and welcomed the opportu *Ed. Note: The name Nico was a fairly band of Bruttian mercenaries. The nity to face him in battle. He led his common one to the Greek-influenced commander of this unit had fallen in galleys out from Tarentum to lie in Tarentine population. In his discourse on love with a woman who happened to wait for the approaching Roman the Hannibalic War, Livy gives one a have a brother in Fabius' army. When ships. The Roman fleet was still last name of Percon, but only when the brother learned of the affair, he discussing the battle of Sapriportis. It is under sail when they spied the probable that the sea captain Nico immediately went to Fabius and Tarentines in battle order 15 miles Percon was a different person than the volunteered his services. Fabius from the city. The two fleets met just nobleman Nico who co-led the con decided to send him into Tarentum off from the small port of Sapriportis. spiracy to have Tarentum join Hannibal under the cover of being a deserter. Just then the wind died down, and eventually died during the Roman The Roman agent, with the help of enabling the Romans to stow their recapture of the city.-SKT his sister, soon convinced the Bruttian sails and prepare for battle. officer to turn traitor. The mercenary

Sapriportis: WAR GALLEY Scenario agreed to have his unit allow the One issue remained to be settled. The The Roman receives the following Squadron Commanders: Quinctius Romans to enter the city in his sector. fate of Livius, the Roman comman a The location of this sector of the wall dant, was debated in the senate. One (Admiral) , *Drusus, *Agricola. was transmitted to Fabius, and the faction wished to honor the garrison Roman general then planned his commander for his successful three The Roman fleet is deployed as attack. year stand in the citadel against long follows: odds. Another group was all for Quinctius' Squadron: (under sail in Fabius launched three diversionary punishing him for initially losing line astern) 3 quinqueremes and 6 triremes trailing off the board assaults to draw attention away from Tarentum through negligence. from 2920. the area where he would enter the Finally, Fabius was asked his opinion. Drusus' Squadron: (under sail in city. In the dead of night, Livius The "Delayor" wryly commented, "I line astern) 5 quadremes trailing attacked from the citadel, the fleet am prepared to admit that the off the board from 2121. assaulted from the open sea, and a recovery of Tarentum was due to Agricola's Squadron: (under sail) 1 detachment of Fabius' army stormed Livius, as his supporters claim; for it tremiola, 2 biremes and 3 lembi the walls in another diversion. Fabius could not have been recovered if it trailing off the board from 3721. remained in hiding with his main had not first been lost." In the end, Initial Deployment: body opposite the sector of the the senate referred the case to the Tarentines Bruttians. When Fabius was sure the censors, who neither condemned nor The Tarentine player receives the Tarentines had committed their honored Livius-his years of merito following Green ships: reserves to counter the diversionary rious service apparently offset his ƒ 1 Quadreme (ID 20), flagship attacks, he sent his scaling teams negligence in losing Tarentum. ƒ 15 Cataphracted Triremes (ID 26- forward in silence. The Bruttians 40) were there to help them cross the ƒ 4 Reinforced Lembi (ID 1-4) wall, as promised. Once inside, the Romans moved swiftly to clear a The Tarentine receives the following gate. Fabius then led his troops into Squadron Commanders: Democrates a a the city, and took the defending (Admiral) , Percon , *Aristodemus. forces by surprise. Organized Maps resistance collapsed quickly, but the The game uses the "sea" map. The Tarentine fleet deploys as Romans continued to slaughter Sapriportis was 15 miles west of follows: soldiers and unarmed civilians alike. Tarentum, in the instep of the Italian Democrates' Squadron: (line Fabius then turned his army loose to boot. Tarentine side (east) hexrow abreast) 1 quadreme at 2701-00, 8 loot and pillage. xxOO. Roman side (west) hexrow triremes from 2801-00 to 3501-00. xx28. Percon's Squadron: (line abreast) 7 Even as Tarentum fell, Hannibal was triremes from 2501-00 to 1901-00. Balance Aristodemus' Squadron: (line counter-marching from Bruttium to abreast) 4 R lembi from 3701-00 to save the city. When Hannibal found it This is an unusual match between a cohesive, well-crewed Tarentine fleet 4001-00. Aristodemus may only already in Fabius' hands, he report and a hodgepodge Roman squadron command R lembi. edly commented, "so the Romans to, with bigger ships and plenty of have their Hannibal; we have lost marines. The Tarentines are favored a These leaders were published on Tarentum by the same strategy as here. the insert in C3i Nr. 12. won it for us." Tarentum was sacked, Special Rules the populace enslaved and there was Playing Time and Difficulty once more only one navy in Italy This battle should take about 2 hours Loss of Admiral the Roman navy. to finish. Rule 9.2 is modified as follows. If Difficulty Rating: 2.5 Quinctius is killed, the Roman fleet automatically withdraws, and victory THE FATE OF COMMAND Ship Scale is determined as in rule 9.2. If Democrates is killed, apply rule 9.2 The Carthaginian commandant, 1 counter = 1 galley Carthalo, laid down his arms to as usual. surrender, but he was cut down Initial Deployment: Wind anyway. Nico and the Admiral Romans The wind has just died. There is no Democrates died fighting in the ranks The Roman player receives the wind. of the infantry, but Philemenus following Red ships: disappeared in the confusion. The ƒ 1 Quinquereme (ID 50), flagship Victory Either player wins when he has at Bruttian captain and his mercenaries ƒ 2 Quinqueremes (ID 30-31) were also slaughtered, on Fabius' least 45 VP, and that number is at ƒ 5 Quadremes (ID 1-5) least twice that of the enemy. order, according to some reports. It ƒ 6 Cataphracted Triremes (ID 31- seems Fabius wanted to keep secret ƒ 36) If neither of the above happens, and/ the fact that the Romans entered the or the players halt play by mutual city by treachery rather than force of ƒ 1 Tremiola (ID 1) ƒ 2 Biremes (ID 1-2) agreement, a minor, indecisive arms. Fabius returned to Rome in the victory goes to he who has the most fall to a magnificent triumph. VP.