Ambush!

Tribune Marcus Manlius Lupus has learned that there is plentiful livestock for the taking in a valley somewhere in central Italy, at sometime in the 4^th century BC. Being a rapacious lot the Romans advance through the valley to gather up the animals.

The priest Julius Albinus takes the omens and reports them as favourable. A wise priest knows that it is important to always have favourable omens but did he perhaps neglect to tell Lupus something?

The Romans have barely begun their march when Vitalstatistix’s elite Senone nobles come streaming down through the hills to hit Quintus Licinius’ Antipilani, catching them whilst still marching in column on the Roman left.

It is a catastrophe for the Romans! Licinius is wounded, half his formation is wiped out and the other half sent reeling back. Hoping to salvage the situation, Titus Manlius leads his Equites around the Gallic flank with the intent of taking a position to turn around and hit the Gauls in the rear.

More Gauls are coming onto the field from all directions. Fanatix leads his fearsome Gaesati forward, much to the consternation of the nearby cattle.

At this moment, Titus Manlius succeeds in launching a charge into the rear of Vitalstatistix’s Gauls.

The noble Gauls manage to hold their ground and then turn to face their attackers.

Then Domina Aetrix leads her chariots over the hills against the Roman cavalry. Deciding that discretion is the better part of valour, the Roman Equites leg it.

With fighting going on all around them, Getafix the Druid and Albinus the Roman priest trade insults and hurl curses to discombobulate the enemy combatants.

The Roman Equites have a brief moment of relief at having avoided the Gallic chariots but that does not last long. Charged by the fearsome (if scantily dressed) Gaesati, Titus Manlius’ men are decimated. The few survivors flee for safety, bursting through the ranks of the Roman hoplites who have taken up a defensive position on a hill.

Meanwhile Vitalstatistix’s nobles advance on the levy at the rear of the Roman column. A well aimed shower of javelins causes the Roman line to waver and when the Gallic charge hits home the Romans are decimated and driven from the field.

Encouraged by the Druid Getafix, Domina Aetrix’s chariots crash into Quintus Licinius’ remaining survivors to finish them off.

It has not been a good day for the Romans. Only Tribune Lupus’ hoplites (and their supporting skirmishers) remain on the field. The Gauls have suffered only minimal casualties and Actostix’s warriors are coming up to join the fight. Will the Roman hoplites remain on the hill in a gallant last stand or will they now withdraw to fight again another day?

This excellent game was another play test for Andy Hawes' Dux Italica Rules.