The Battle Scene

Carthaginian Cavalry has routed all Roman cavalry and sits on the hill looking down to the road where the Roman legion, as yet unbloodied prepares to meet the enemy elephants, Numidians and Noble cavalry are in pursuit of the remnants of the enemy cavalry. The Celts who emerged from the woods have been shocked by the ferocity of the Latin Hastati, but their chieftain is still involved in the thick of the melee and their biggest unit is coming past the Hastati's flank, its not all bad news. The Phalanx is also moving quickly to hit the flank of the Latin legion before it can do too much damage to the Celts. Further south the Celtic cavalry is in pursuit of some Oscans, the fanatics are now looking for their next opponent, and the rear of the Latin Principes looks inviting, and the Triarii are effectively dealing with triple their number of enemy and winning to boot.

The Battle Draws to a Close

The Carthaginian cavalry catch and kill all the remaining routing Roman cavalry, those on the hill redeploy and rally. The elephants, ignoring the wishes of their commander turn tail, and begin to move north, some Numidians moving behind the phalanx appear concerned! The Celts in the woods who routed last turn continue to rout, those moving pat the flank of the Latin Hastati cunningly ignore it and hit the Roman Hastati in the flank, the Romans were advancing to intercept the phalanx. The Celtic cavalry catch and kill the few remaining Oscans, the Triarii charge the remaining tribesmen, taking minor casualties but routing both units. The fanatics move toward the rear of the Latin Principes who about face and move toward them.

The Roman Hastati, hit in the flank and using less than 10% of its man power holds its own against the Celts, who so astounded are quickly defeated and routed when the Romans deploy a third of their line to the flank assault. Although the Romans lose men, they are more than eager to keep on fighting. Near the woods, the Celtic chieftain and his men face the remaining Latin Hastati alone, although the Hastati can not get relief from their Principes who are facing a threat from the rear.

The Celtic chieftain and his men continue the sword work, but its is not his day, he is killed by a Latin legionary, unaware of whom he has just ran through. The Celts however are, and all of his tribe break and run. The other Celtic tribe fighting further to the south see their compatriots fleeing, and do likewise, outpacing any pursuit from the exhausted Triarii. The phalanx, now faced with the Roman legion without help from the Celts holds its position, the Romans also hold, unwilling to advance until the Carthaginian cavalry have committed themselves. The Carthaginian general, decides to conserve his force, he has only lost 3 Numidians, 1 elephant and 3 noble cavalry, all other casualties have been Celtic. So he orders his Numidians to move to screen the withdrawal of the phalanx who have marched all battle but never fought. The Romans do not push the issue, they have had taken serious casualties, but have prevented the Celts from joining with Hannibal main force, for the time being!!! Roman Casualties were 16 Oscan Foot, 6 Latin Light Cavalry, 6 Latin Heavy Cavalry, 6 Roman Heavy Cavalry, 5 Triarii, 3 Roman Hastati, 7 Latin Hastati, 2 Latin Velites and 10 Roman Velites

Result

Strategic victory for the Romans, although if the Carthaginian strategy was to use Celts to take the brunt of the fighting, then that could well be a strategic victory for them also. Both players enjoyed it enormously and didn't feel playing the retreat would add anything extra to the scenario. :)