The Battle for Rome

[econ21]

EARLY AFTERNOON (TURN 4) - ORDERS

The Eastern Battlefield

Servius's Orders for Turn 4:

Discontented with the appearance of Decius's Gauls and the Iberian infantry's confusion, Servius began to bark orders frantically.

"Messenger! To our Iberian infantry immediately! Tell them my orders are simple, engage the Italian soldiers on Marcellus's left flank."

Looking further along the right flank he beckoned more messengers over.

"You, quickly, to Quintus's cavalry, tell them to engage the skirmishers on our right flank immediately, if threatened by their Italian infantry, do not engage, Tell them to use their speed to outmaneouver them and try to keep their skirmishers on the run until our Iberians can tie up their Italians."

"I need a messenger for the Roman division, quickly, you! Here, head to the right flank with haste, tell our slingers and velites on the right flank to go around to the sides of our Roman lines and unleash everything they have into the enemy roman's flanks. If our slingers are threatened by their Italians, withdraw but hit the Italians with any volleys they can safely throw as they do."

"One more, to our Italian division. Quickly! Tell our unengaged units to flank the enemy lines engaged with the rest of their division."

A glance to the left flank. "Another rider, to our gallic cavalry! Order them charge the enemy's afrikan cavalry!"


He turned then to the gallic infantry beside him. "Come! It is time! Prove to the world that the disaster at Ancyra was no fault in gallic valor, and every bit the wretched trickery of the senate! I need one spear unit and one sword unit to engage the gallic lines in front of us. The sword unit should flank right. The other spear unit is to drive off their skirmishers and then provide protection to the flank of our Italian spears on the senate's Roman flank."

His gaze went then to Appius. "It's time Appius, let's go! Spread out and engage the enemy in front of us, spears engage their velites, swords engage their swords, sword on their equites, Appius, you charge with me right into their cavalry general's unit. All units throw javelins first if you can do so safely. Velites, fire on any of their cavalry that you can unless the risk to our own is too great, in which case, fire on their gallic infantry. Head on! I'll check up on the gallic cavalry on the way and reinforce you immediately afterwards!"

With that, Servius was off again, heading to make sure the gallic cavalry received their orders, then back to reinforce Appius against Marcellus's cavalry commander (Kaeso I think his name was?).

---The two divisions closest to Servius at the beginning are the gallic infantry and appius's italians. The two closest to Servius at the end are the gallic cavalry and Servius's italians.---

Plan:




Marcellus's Orders for Turn 4

Division I (Cavalry): Wait for Decius' Praetoria (Publius and Domna) to come up. If they do so, smash the enemy cavalry and then retire. If not, guard the flank.

Division II (Marcellus): Nearest to 1st Senate Legion and 2nd Italian Alae. Blow the rally horn and prepare to countercharge the equites should they go after the missiles.

Division III (1st Senate Legion): Missiles, expend as much ammo as you can while retiring until you are charged by the equites. Once that happens, RUN! Once Marcellus engages the equites I want the velites to come back and get into a melee with the enemy.

Division IV (2nd Senate Legion): Retire a bit. If the enemy flanks the Italians, throw pila into their rear and counterflank them. If not, then shift to the right as a line. Do not engage unless they engage you. Missiles, target those Gauls to the right.

Division V (1st Italian Alae): Skirmishers, fire at will. Should they flank cause as much trouble (missile-wise) as possible but retire. I don't want you getting in a melee.

Division VII (2nd Italian Alae): One Swordsmen unit and one spearmen unit flank Servius. The other Spearmen unit is to be in reserve. If the equites get into a melee then I want that spearmen unit to attack the equites. If not, then just shadow the equites. Be prepared to shift directions should they flank you. Skirmishers, fire at will while retreating. If the equites charge you, RUN. If they get into a melee with Marcellus, then run back and engage them hand-to-hand.

Plan:



Decius's Orders for Turn 4

Both 1st and 2nd Gallic Alae: charge through the Senate skirmishers attack the left flank of the line in front of Servius. Skirmishers, provide fire as long as possible and then withdraw behind the Gauls.

Praetorian cavalry, join the other Senate cavalry on the right and join the other cavalry in the charge against the Consular cavalry, and against Servius himself. This is your hour!

Rearguard Italians and Legion: None of us will be able to join battle till later in the afternoon, but for now we will move in two straight lines to the left flank of the battle line, with the Legion in front, the Italians behind, and I will follow you all. Our goal is to flank the entire Consular force on their right flank. And if this goes well, we are assured victory. So onward!

The Western Battlefield

Luca's Orders for turn 4

Skirmishers - 3 units of Velites
Battle Line - 2 Hastati, 3 mixed Italian infantry, 2 Principes, Luca's Bodyguard
Slingers - 2 Gallic slingers
Cavalry - 2 Italian Cav, 1 unidentified(?) general

At start of turn, 2 closest divisions are Skirmishers and Battle Line.

Orders:

Slingers to move east, uphill until they can fire down on the enemy's left flank. They are then to commence fire, preferably at enemy velites and slingers.

Skirmishers are to advance into range of the enemy and throw javelins, preferably at enemy hastati, principes, and triarii.

Battle line is to move up until just out of range of enemy javelins (presumably right behind Skirmisher division.) During move, both principes are to shift to the right flank of the line, slightly behind the main line.

Cavalry is to advance to the top of the slope on the enemy's left flank.

At end of turn, 2 closest divisions are Skirmishers and Battle Line.

If Quintus withdraws:
Battle Line and Skirmishers are to charge after and engage the rearguard, if possible.
Slingers are to remain in the rear.
Cavalry is to charge down slope and attempt to capture or kill Quintus. They are to ignore other targets in this pursuit unless such a move puts them in serious peril. If Quintus escapes or they cannot engage him without serious peril, they are to run down the slingers and skirmishers.

Plan:



Quintus's Orders for turn 4

Quintus's orders are simple. His entire army is to withdraw from the field with Luca, his skirmishers and spearmen taking up the rear guard to protect against Luca's cavalry. He is to head immediately to Servius's location.