The Roman Sections

Roman Velites

Velites usually formed in front of hastati line or in rear with triarii. Use both unit markers for a full consular army or just one for a single legion. By this time the Roman and Latin velites were especially good against elephants. Watch for future additions to the Special Tactics on page 25 of the rule book. New Special Tactics are part of the forth coming items to be found in the scenario books.

Roman Hastati line 1

The hastati are the first main battle line of a Roman army of this time. Pick only one of each or print all for full consular army of two legions.

Or if you think they should be a lower class:

Roman Princeps line 2

The princeps form the legion's second battle line. These are placed up to four inches behind the hastati. Why four inches? Because when the hastati retire back if they are further away the hastati might not be able to exchange lines with the princeps.

Or if you think the class should be lower:

Roman-Latin Triarii line 3

Triarii can use their swords only after 1st contact and then they cannot use long spear again until next melee. No addition has been added to basic melee modifier you must add this if sword is used. You must always use long spear first contact. Shown here are A class and B class. You pick which you want. When using a full consular army use one of each. Triarii should be one class higher than the highest class of princeps.

The Latin Allied Section of the Legions

The Velites

The Allied velites could be treated as levy class if a player wishes. These were young men who could not afford more complete armor and are from the lower classes.

The Latin Hastati

The Latin Hastati can be in one of two formation types either loose or close order. They may be either C class morale or B class or any mix in a full consular army. The Latin units were probably larger than those of the Roman sections. The morale class was probably C at the start of most wars changing to B class after gaining veteran status.

The Latin Princeps

Like their counter-part Romans the Latin princeps should be placed behind the Latin hastati in order to exchange lines.

Equites - The Horse

Roman Cavalry

Each Roman Legion would have one wing or ala of cavalry attached to it but it is best to brigaded together as one unit. Roman cavalry never really amounted to much. For one full legion there would be 300, for a consular army there would be 600 men and horses.

Latin Allied Cavalry

The Latin cavalry was organized on the Roman lines of the ala or wing with one ala for each Latin section of the legion. The Latins might supply both heavy cavalry and light cavalry. Consequently you can have one Latin section of the legion have a HC unit and the other a LC unit. Sometimes the Latin allies would be equal to in number of the Roman cavalry units but their numbers could be one and a half to twice as many. The Allied cavalry was much better than Roman cavalry. There would be one unit for each section of Latin legions. For a full consular army then there could be four units. Players can use either a mix of one HC unit and one LC unit or all HC or all LC.

Latin Equites

The Latin Extraordinarii

These were the select cavalry of the Latin Allies of Rome. They would occassionally be mixed with the velites. Sometimes they would guard the camp. They were the best cavalry Rome would ever have. They were often detailed with special activites as the consul Nero attempted to do in the Nola campaign. Dodge gives a nice account of Nero's activities in his book "Hannibal". This is available in both paper and hard cover.

Celeres - The Swift

It is possible that the Romans still maintained a guard for the consuls, called the swift. This would number about 600 to 800 men in loose or close order). Here I have used 8oo men. These men would be detailed to special tasks. They might carry either pila and sword or longspear and sword or javelin and sword. This up to the players discretion. This unit should be classed as either B or A class for morale. There would be one unit of these for each consul.

We would like to thank The Foundry for letting us use their wonderful photographs.