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#61
Army Research / Re: Hellenistic Cavalry Shield...
Last post by stevenneate - Mar 04, 2026, 05:15 AMIs there not a new book from Helion on Ptolemaic armies, by Stephane Thion?
#62
Army Research / Re: Sardinians in the Second P...
Last post by stevenneate - Mar 04, 2026, 05:11 AMThere is an article on the "battle of Cornus 215 BC" in issue 139 of Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy Magazine. It's a quick rundown followed by the usual representation of armies for Hail Caesar: Epic Battles. The majority is pictures of what might be the Warlord Games Epic figures and rehashed artwork.
#63
Ancient and Medieval History / Hadrians wall snippet history
Last post by Imperial Dave - Mar 03, 2026, 08:46 PM #64
Ancient and Medieval History / Re: The 8 largest armies of th...
Last post by RichT - Mar 03, 2026, 02:34 PMQuote from: Erpingham on Mar 03, 2026, 12:13 PMAnd there is the question of what was available for deployment in the field, as opposed to holding defensive lines.
Yes indeed. What is an army?
1) Total manpower available for recruitment?
2) Total number of men actually in service at any one time?
3) Total number of men in one place, at one time, under one command, tasked with one mission?
These numbers naturally decrease, and decrease significantly, in size from one to the next. A very large number of 1) doesn't necessarily imply large numbers for 2) or 3), not least because there are very good reasons not to have a large number of men all in one place at one time.
Size of 1) is dependent on total population (which for most of the ancient world seems to be largely unknown) and recruitment systems (which vary enormously). Plus the whole angle of the article, "large armies of hundreds of thousands of men to defeat and destroy their enemies", is a bit odd, really, and somewhat depressing.
#65
Ancient and Medieval History / Re: The 8 largest armies of th...
Last post by DBS - Mar 03, 2026, 01:51 PMBut equally, the Chinese annals keep getting a free pass for their massive claims, because no one is allowed to question nationalistic claims, whilst poor old Herodotos is constantly pilloried for possibly inflating Xerxes' numbers. Classic example is the claim by the Chinese that the Parthians sent a vast number of cavalry to escort a single diplomat from the eastern borders to Ctesiphon, many times the number they probably deployed against Crassus. Yeah, right...
#66
Battle Reports / Caesarian Romans v Gauls using...
Last post by simonw - Mar 03, 2026, 01:26 PMThe Roman Commanders each took control of a single Legion (and supporting troops) with Dexter Hughlius on the right and Sinister Gordonicius on the left. Billcingetorix Commanded the Gallic hordes alone in the absence of Grahamtorix who was unfortunately delayed with interrogation of some prisoners of war.
The main feature of Terrain comprise a Flank Boundary of Steep Hills on the Gallic Right Flank sector and an 'egg box' of Low Hills in the Gallic Left Centre and Left Flank Sector. 3 of these 'mounds' did combine into a potentially usable and defensible ridge but the Gauls' inherent impetuosity would tend to mitigate against occupation of a defensive position for any length of time.
The Roman Commanders Deployed in Acies Duplex with their 8 figure Cohorts in 2 ranks. One unit of16 Auxilia (Massed Light Infantry, FV 4-6 veterans) was Deployed on the left at the base of the range of Steep Hills but Dexter had control of the bulk of the Romans' supporting troops comprising the other unit of Auxilia, the 16 Legionary Heavy Cavalry (FV 5-6,veterans) and 3 2 of the 3 units of 8 Numidian Light Horse (FV 3-6. Veterans with Javelins). The 2 units of Hellenic and Balaearic Skirmishers were strung out in front of the Legions to protect the Cohorts from the relatively numerous Gallic Skirmishers.
The Roman battleplan therefore relied upon keeping the Cohorts on a narrow frontage in 2 ranks and entering combat with the Gauls in a relatively solid contiguous line to maximise their combat power in melee with multiple Cohorts engaging each individual Gallic Warband. This configuration would reduce the number of Pila that could be thrown but this was deemed an acceptable compromise.
Billcingetorix decided to deploy asymmetrically with the bulk of his 48 figure Warbands on the right extending from the Flank Boundary of Steep Hills. Additionally, he Deployed the Elite Soldurii actually in the Steep Hills with orders to attempt to outflank th Romans. His overall aimwas to concentrate maximum force against a single Legion (Sinister Gordonicius) whilst using his Cavalry and a couple of smaller Warbands on his left to delay Dexter and his Legion.
General consensus was that Deploying the Soldurii in the Steep Hills was probably a mistake in that it would keep them out of the game for a substantial period of time before they could get into action against Gordonicius' Legion. Such a delay, it was thought, would likely advantage the Romans.
However, this is not what happened!
Seeing the relative deployments of the armies of the two armies, both Roman Commanders began the game in confident mood. Their plan seemed likely to succeed in getting the legions into combat against a slightly diminished Gallic array (with the Soldurii stuck in the Steep Hills) with the likely consequence of eliminating sufficient numbers of the Gallic Warbands to achieve Victory in their typically efficient, Roman 'meatgrinder' approach.
However, the Gauls were 'Druidically inspired'. In other words, Billcingetorix's dice were very good; particularly against poor, Sinister Gordonicius. Beillcingetorix passed nearly every Impetus Control Test and so received 'double dice' as they smashed into the dense line of Roman Cohorts. Not only that but he then rolled extremely well in melee and so gained Impetus Inroad Bonus' in subsequent Turns.
This Gallic combat efficiency against Sinister's Legion delivered sufficient time for the Soldurii to stream out of the Steep Hills, annihilate the single unit of Auxilia supposedly protecting the end of the Roman line, in a single Turn and then smash into the Flank of the line of Cohorts committed by Gordonius in 2 ranks depth (to maximise their combat efficiency against the Gauls to their front). Inevitably, in keeping with the day's general tenet of Fortuna's favour, Gordonicius went on to fail every Disorder Control Test he was required to take as each Cohort was Broken from the Flank in turn. Thus, Gordonicius' Legion was destroyed with the only saving grace that Gordonicius' 'respectable' family name and reputation was preserved as he was himself killed whilst valiantly trying to rally his Routing Cohorts.
All this disaster on the Roman left might not have been fully decisive as Dexter Hughlius was progressing generally satisfactorily with his Legion on the right. However, after a couple of successful Fates Rolls by Billcingetorix, the relatively small number of casualties that the Gauls did manage to inflict on Dexter's Legion and its supporting troops was sufficient in combination with Gordonicius' disastrous losses, to bring the Roman Army as a whole to its Breakpoint and so a glorious Victory was declared for Gaul.
Whether or not the Roman Commanders' decision to adopt Acies Duplex with the Cohorts deployed in 2 ranks was the best option, it is hard to say because of Fortuna's decisive influence over the course of events. Perhaps next week, will tell a tale. But then again, perhaps not.
Melia Fortuna Iterum
Acknowledgements:
(including photos)
Billcingetorix (Bill Robertson)
Sinister Gordonicius (Gordon Crawford)
Dexter Huhlius (Hugh Cameron)
Apologies:
Grahamsterix (Graham Bryson)You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.
The main feature of Terrain comprise a Flank Boundary of Steep Hills on the Gallic Right Flank sector and an 'egg box' of Low Hills in the Gallic Left Centre and Left Flank Sector. 3 of these 'mounds' did combine into a potentially usable and defensible ridge but the Gauls' inherent impetuosity would tend to mitigate against occupation of a defensive position for any length of time.
The Roman Commanders Deployed in Acies Duplex with their 8 figure Cohorts in 2 ranks. One unit of16 Auxilia (Massed Light Infantry, FV 4-6 veterans) was Deployed on the left at the base of the range of Steep Hills but Dexter had control of the bulk of the Romans' supporting troops comprising the other unit of Auxilia, the 16 Legionary Heavy Cavalry (FV 5-6,veterans) and 3 2 of the 3 units of 8 Numidian Light Horse (FV 3-6. Veterans with Javelins). The 2 units of Hellenic and Balaearic Skirmishers were strung out in front of the Legions to protect the Cohorts from the relatively numerous Gallic Skirmishers.
The Roman battleplan therefore relied upon keeping the Cohorts on a narrow frontage in 2 ranks and entering combat with the Gauls in a relatively solid contiguous line to maximise their combat power in melee with multiple Cohorts engaging each individual Gallic Warband. This configuration would reduce the number of Pila that could be thrown but this was deemed an acceptable compromise.
Billcingetorix decided to deploy asymmetrically with the bulk of his 48 figure Warbands on the right extending from the Flank Boundary of Steep Hills. Additionally, he Deployed the Elite Soldurii actually in the Steep Hills with orders to attempt to outflank th Romans. His overall aimwas to concentrate maximum force against a single Legion (Sinister Gordonicius) whilst using his Cavalry and a couple of smaller Warbands on his left to delay Dexter and his Legion.
General consensus was that Deploying the Soldurii in the Steep Hills was probably a mistake in that it would keep them out of the game for a substantial period of time before they could get into action against Gordonicius' Legion. Such a delay, it was thought, would likely advantage the Romans.
However, this is not what happened!
Seeing the relative deployments of the armies of the two armies, both Roman Commanders began the game in confident mood. Their plan seemed likely to succeed in getting the legions into combat against a slightly diminished Gallic array (with the Soldurii stuck in the Steep Hills) with the likely consequence of eliminating sufficient numbers of the Gallic Warbands to achieve Victory in their typically efficient, Roman 'meatgrinder' approach.
However, the Gauls were 'Druidically inspired'. In other words, Billcingetorix's dice were very good; particularly against poor, Sinister Gordonicius. Beillcingetorix passed nearly every Impetus Control Test and so received 'double dice' as they smashed into the dense line of Roman Cohorts. Not only that but he then rolled extremely well in melee and so gained Impetus Inroad Bonus' in subsequent Turns.
This Gallic combat efficiency against Sinister's Legion delivered sufficient time for the Soldurii to stream out of the Steep Hills, annihilate the single unit of Auxilia supposedly protecting the end of the Roman line, in a single Turn and then smash into the Flank of the line of Cohorts committed by Gordonius in 2 ranks depth (to maximise their combat efficiency against the Gauls to their front). Inevitably, in keeping with the day's general tenet of Fortuna's favour, Gordonicius went on to fail every Disorder Control Test he was required to take as each Cohort was Broken from the Flank in turn. Thus, Gordonicius' Legion was destroyed with the only saving grace that Gordonicius' 'respectable' family name and reputation was preserved as he was himself killed whilst valiantly trying to rally his Routing Cohorts.
All this disaster on the Roman left might not have been fully decisive as Dexter Hughlius was progressing generally satisfactorily with his Legion on the right. However, after a couple of successful Fates Rolls by Billcingetorix, the relatively small number of casualties that the Gauls did manage to inflict on Dexter's Legion and its supporting troops was sufficient in combination with Gordonicius' disastrous losses, to bring the Roman Army as a whole to its Breakpoint and so a glorious Victory was declared for Gaul.
Whether or not the Roman Commanders' decision to adopt Acies Duplex with the Cohorts deployed in 2 ranks was the best option, it is hard to say because of Fortuna's decisive influence over the course of events. Perhaps next week, will tell a tale. But then again, perhaps not.
Melia Fortuna Iterum
Acknowledgements:
(including photos)
Billcingetorix (Bill Robertson)
Sinister Gordonicius (Gordon Crawford)
Dexter Huhlius (Hugh Cameron)
Apologies:
Grahamsterix (Graham Bryson)You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.
#67
Battle Reports / Re: Not So Little Battles 2026
Last post by dwkay57 - Mar 03, 2026, 12:26 PMYes Carl, the Principia is my dedicated wargaming space. It alternates between battle and painting configurations.
The battle did take a long while to play out (troops were deployed on 4 Jan and final moves on 19 Feb) but play was not continuous by any means and generally in chunks of a couple of hours here and there (difficult to play when one is visiting relatives for a week!)
My rules are spreadsheet based to carry out all the complex and detail heavy crunching aspects I have devised. This includes tracking morale and casualties. So it is fairly easy to stop and start a battle without too much head scratching.
The battle did take a long while to play out (troops were deployed on 4 Jan and final moves on 19 Feb) but play was not continuous by any means and generally in chunks of a couple of hours here and there (difficult to play when one is visiting relatives for a week!)
My rules are spreadsheet based to carry out all the complex and detail heavy crunching aspects I have devised. This includes tracking morale and casualties. So it is fairly easy to stop and start a battle without too much head scratching.
#68
Ancient and Medieval History / Re: The 8 largest armies of th...
Last post by Erpingham - Mar 03, 2026, 12:13 PMAlways interesting to see something like this. Brings back memories of arguing with Patrick about Xerxes invasion of Greece 
Of course, articles like these are not the place for detailed argument but it would be quite interesting to know of the validation for some of these figures. Are they based on analysis of records, for example, or on propoganda statements? I suspect that the Chinese may indeed have detailed records - they seem to have been deeply passionate bureaucrats. But others, I wouldn't know.
And there is the question of what was available for deployment in the field, as opposed to holding defensive lines.
Of course, articles like these are not the place for detailed argument but it would be quite interesting to know of the validation for some of these figures. Are they based on analysis of records, for example, or on propoganda statements? I suspect that the Chinese may indeed have detailed records - they seem to have been deeply passionate bureaucrats. But others, I wouldn't know.
And there is the question of what was available for deployment in the field, as opposed to holding defensive lines.
#69
Ancient and Medieval History / Re: The 8 largest armies of th...
Last post by Jim Webster - Mar 03, 2026, 11:11 AMQuote from: Duncan Head on Mar 03, 2026, 10:56 AMhttps://www.thecollector.com/largest-armies-medieval-world/ - Tang, Song, and Ming, but still no mention of the Sui.
Perhaps they defined it as a large starving horde rather than an army?
#70
Ancient and Medieval History / Re: The 8 largest armies of th...
Last post by Duncan Head - Mar 03, 2026, 10:56 AMhttps://www.thecollector.com/largest-armies-medieval-world/ - Tang, Song, and Ming, but still no mention of the Sui.