Post by Eric Farrington on Nov 22, 2021 15:53:41 GMT
This battle was the main Demo table at the Wars of the Republic launch party at Gestalt Studios in Powell, Wyoming. As such, there were a few different generals and my main role was as referee, host, and rules interpreter. The launch party had a surprising amount of people show up looking to game, talk ancient history, talk wargaming, and talk about being an author. Sadly, I did not get to spend as much time with everyone as I wanted to and I look forward to doing more wargaming events in the area!
The Greeks of Pyrrhus of Epirus came to Italy to aid their fellow Greeks of Tarentum. However, they faced a rising power in Rome. The successor mercenary and opportunist, Pyrrhus; was looking for a way to make cash to keep bank rolling his efforts in Greece. The situation in Italy seemed like a good way to do it! However, the Romans proved to be stiffer opponents than Pyrrhus suspected. After three costly victories, Pyrrhus left Italy and went to Sicily instead. This gave control of Italy to the Romans.
At the launch party, the main Demo table had a combined arms army of Greeks vs. Republican Romans. Each side had about 3 generals controlling wings of the armies. These players rotated in and out through out the battle, to give more people a chance at the game. We also had a secondary table of Etruscans and Romans, but I did not get to observe that battle much.
Since I was hosting the event and referee, I do not have full pictures of the battle. The following is a high-level recap.
Forces:
Greeks of Pyrrhus of Epirus
Center:
War Elephants
Silver Shields
Bronze Shields
Right:
Heavy Cavalry
Light Hoplites
Archers
Left:
White Shields
Peltasts
Light Cavalry
Republican Romans
Center:
Triarri x2
Hastati
Right:
Hastati
Principes
Velites
Left:
Hastati
Principes
Velites
Mission:
The game had no complications and was a simple pitched battle.
Set-up:
The table had a dangerous river on the Roman right/Greek left with an impassable temple on the opposite shoreline. A road slanted across the center of the board. On the Roman left/Greek right there was a difficult field, and on the Greek side a Difficult forest.
The Greek line stretched across the board from left to right it was:
Peltasts, Light Cavalry, White Shields, Bronze Shields, Silver Shields, War Elephants, Heavy Cavalry, Light Hoplites, and Archers. The Archers and Light hoplites were deployed in the woods.
The Romans formed up in their typical checkerboard fashion. Hastati were the front line, with off-set Principes on the edges, and off-set Triarri in the rear. Each flank had a unit of Velites. The Velites were near the river on the right, and approaching the field on the left.
To read the full battle overview and see all the pictures you can go to the Blood and Spectacles Blog:
bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2021/11/battle-report-wars-of-republic-romans_01344413117.html