First Battle of Lacetania, 218BC

Having barely dried their feet, General Scipio's army went to the relief of Emporion, besieged by the army of Captain Bodinelqart.



Scipio was surprised when the Qarthadastim leader didn't retreat in the face of superior numbers. Evidently he was confident in the position he held, and responded to the offer of battle.

Scipio deployed his men in the traditional fashion, his chief tribune Kaeso Sergius Orata commanding on the right wing in the position of honour.



The Qarthadastim advanced, then halted to dress their lines. Not to have his men feel their general lacked confidence, Scipio responded in kind.



Some of the enemy broke from their formation to charge the Roman lines before they settled themselves down. The main battle line, however remained unengaged. Scipio watched for the activity of the elephants Bodinelqart had at his command, for he could already see they were unnerving his men, even at a distance.

On the right a mass of cavalry charged the Roman skirmishers, and for a few moments it seemed they might be driven off entirely. But the timely arrival of Orata and his Gallic cavalry turned the tables.



The enemy light horse were routed, while some other selected troops were fed into the fight by Bodinelqart. Orata and his Gallic horse pursued the Qarthadastim light horse for a while, effectively leaving the conflict.



On the left, the Qarthadastim heavy horse charged home, pushing the allied slingers back. The Campanian cavalry responded, but they were outmatched by the heavily armoured Liby-Phoenicians on big steeds.



Libyan Spearmen came in support of the heavy cavalry, and Scipio sent in the Samnites to aid his Campanians.



The Bruttians joined in the engagement on the left, which was rapidly drawing all attention. Spotting the approach of elephants, Scipio ordered his velites to attack.



Bodinelqart sent more men to the fight on the left of the Roman line, more Liby-Phoenicians eager to aid their countrymen. Both generals kept the bulk of their forces in reserve, waiting for the other to react. Scipio could tell how nervous his men were of the elephants, he couldn't afford to risk sending them forward until they were dealt with.



Some freed slaves were thrown into the mix, and the elephants withdrew. Not wanting to waste this opportunity, the velites pursued them.



The elephants returned, charging into the melee and sowing massive chaos and confusion. Spotting the danger, Orata spurred his troop in an attempt to stop the panic.



Unnerved by the smell and sound of the large beasts, Orata's horse threw him. He was trampled by one of the elephants.



But the confusion sown by the elephants affected the enemy as much as it did the Romans. Some men began to look over their shoulder, and in no time unease turned to flight.



Resistance on the left collapsed entirely.



In the centre and right, the Qarthadastim elite infantry fought on regardless.



The Romans moved to encircle them.



Meanwhile Bodinelqart ordered the general retreat.



The Qarthadastim elite fought on bravely, but it was in vain.



The day was Scipio's. He had killed or captured half the enemy force with relatively light casualties. But the loss of Orata soured the men's mood and took any joy there might have been from the victory.