In this article I’m going to use the Clash Battle System to recreate the Battle of Vosges (58 BC), which was the third major battle of the Gallic Wars 58 – 51 BC. This battle is significant because it was fought against the Germans who had a fearsome reputation as fighters and were respected by the Gauls and the Romans alike. At the Battle of Vosges Caesar dispelled their aura of invincibility and fuelled his own ambition for greatness.
Background
After the Battle of Bibracte the remaining Helvetii and their allies were forced to return to their homeland. Grateful to Caesar for ejecting the intruders the other Celtic tribes of Gaul now asked him for military assistance to remove a powerful German chieftain named Ariovistus and his tribe the Suebi. They had entered Gaul at the invitation of the Arverni and Sequani to help them in a dispute with the Aeduai. With German aid the Aeduai were crushed but then Ariovistus turned on his former allies and encouraged more German tribes to cross the Rhine and make Gaul their home. Caesar seeing this as an opportunity for another campaign picked a quarrel with the German chieftain who threatened to destroy the Romans if they attacked him. Thereupon, Caesar accepting the challenge force marched six legions northwards to the plain of Alsace where they confronted the German army. Its precise size is unknown, but it is unlikely to have been much larger than Caesar’s army of 30,000 men. The two armies squared off but the Germans were reluctant to engage in battle. After the interrogation of some prisoners Caesar learned that due to superstition the Germans were disinclined to fight before the new moon. Seeing this as an opportunity to weaken the morale of the Germans Caesar immediately forced a battle. After drawing up his army in three lines the Roman legionaries charged the enemy forcing them to do likewise. The two armies collided with great fury and after a period of vicious hand to hand combat the Germans turned and fled only to be pursued by the Roman cavalry who killed most of them. Thus, in a short period of time Caesar had won three major battles and now had the nucleus of a formidable army that would go on to conquer all of Gaul and even launched two expeditions to Britain in 55 and 54 BC.
Clash of Empires
Using the Clash of Empires rules the battle strength and capabilities of the belligerents can be shown as follows: -
Later Republican Roman Army
The Later Republican Roman army of Caesar consists of 25 units inclusive of cavalry. Following the reforms of Caius Marius, the Roman army is now a professional Standing Roman army which uses 2D10 for its Battle Dice and gets +1 to Initiative for Forced March. The army includes 5 veteran units of the 10th Legion which is favoured by Caesar and famed for its valour. These units are ranked as Praetorian and have a Combat Rating of ❸. The other legionary units of the army have an ordinary Combat Rating of ❷ On the Combat Rating (CR) to Fighting Bonus (FB) Conversion Table in the rulebook this equates to +4 FB for the five Praetorian units and +10 FB for the 20 ordinary Roman Legionary units. This gives a total of +14 FB which is added to the Battle Roll. A Standing Roman Legion can save against defeat by rolling 4-6 on 1D6 for Relentless. This can be used for a field battle and once only. If successful, the Roman army can fight again. In this refight any tactical or numerical superiority that either side might have is negated, but the Roman army will get a manipular support bonus of +1D6. If the Romans choose not to refight then they can disengage with 25% losses to the loser and 10% losses to the winner. The Romans also have a Heavy cavalry upgrade which gives them a +1D8 Battle Advantage Die and associated +1 to Initiative for cavalry. At this stage in his military career Caesar has increased in rank to a Great Commander and now rolls 2D6 (Highest scoring die only) for Initiative. Therefore, the Later Republican Roman army rolls 2D6 +2 for Initiative. The armies are equally matched in size so there is no numerical advantage.
German Army
The German army consists of 25 units inclusive of cavalry. It is a Warband army which uses 2D6 for its Battle Dice and because Germanic warriors are supremely skilled fighters of great size and ferocity, they have a Combat Rating of ❷. On the Combat Rating to Fighting Bonus Conversion Table this equates to +12 FB for 25 Warband units. German Warbands have a special advantage called Battle Rush which enables them on an odds or evens score on the Battle Dice to gain a +1D6 Battle Bonus and if they win Initiative they can double this bonus i.e., 1D6 x2. Also, Germanic noble cavalrymen are noted for their great bravery and fanaticism and therefore despite being lightly armoured are classed as heavy cavalry. This means that they have a +1D8 Battle Advantage Die for Heavy Cavalry and associated +1 to Initiative for cavalry. The leader of the German army is Ariovistus and he is a competent commander who rolls 1D6 for Initiative. Therefore, the German army rolls 1D6 +1 for Initiative. The armies are equally matched in size so there is no numerical advantage.
Clash Battle System
After rolling for Initiative the Battle Roll for each army consists of the following procedure: -
Roll Battle Dice (highest scoring die only)
Plus, Combat Rating (CR) to Fighting Bonus (FB) (conversion dependent upon number of units)
Plus, Fighting Technique Battle Bonus (activated by odds or evens Battle Dice)
Plus, Advantage Dice (representing a numerical, tactical or other special advantage)
Highest score wins and the difference between the two Battle Rolls determines the number of casualties.
Battle Log
Later Republican Roman Army
Initiative | Battle Dice | No. of Units | CR to Fighting Bonus/Battle Bonus if applicable | Battle Advantage Dice | Total Score |
2D6 +2 = 4 + 2 = 6
| 2D10 = 8 and 4 (Highest die only) | 25 (6 Legions) | ❸x 5 = +4 FB ❷x 20 = +10 FB Total = +14 FB
Relentless 4-6 | Heavy Cavalry +1D8 Tactical Advantage +2D6
6 + 5 + 1 = 12 | 8 + 14 + 12 = 34 |
Note: - By means of a forced march and the use of psychological warfare to demoralize the enemy the Romans win Initiative by 3 or more and thereby gain a +2D6 Tactical Advantage. Enthusiastic for the fight the Roman legionaries beat back the German warriors who suddenly break and run. A great victory for the Romans for the loss of 5 units killed or wounded.
German Army
Initiative | Battle Dice | No. of Units | CR to Fighting Bonus/Battle Bonus if applicable | Battle Advantage Dice | Total Score |
1D6 +1 = 2 + 1 = 3
| 2D6 = 4 and 2(Highest die only) | 25 | ❷x 25 = +12 FB
Battle Rush 1D6 (x2)
= 4 | Heavy Cavalry +1D8
= 6 | 4 + 12 + 4 + 6 = 26 |
Note: - The Germans lose Initiative but manage to activate their Battle Rush with two even number a 4 and 2 on the Battle Dice. However, this is not enough to prevail against the devastating Roman killing machine which breaks them. A serious defeat for the Germans who lose 19 units.
Caesar’s legions clash with a Germanic army at the Battle of Vosges 58 BC. Figures by Essex and Irregular Miniatures from their 25mm Ancients range. Painted by Silurian and from the author’s own collection. The numerical strength of each army is denoted by the coloured plastic counters. Game board from the Clash of Empires: The Hellenistic World Game.
Despite the great size and ferocity of the German warriors they are no match for a professional Roman Legionary army and are utterly defeated at the Battle of Vosges 58 BC. Figures by Essex Miniatures from their 15mm Ancients range. Painted by Silurian and from the authors own collection. Army composition calculated by the Clash Conversion Table for Wargaming.
Sources
Boulter, M. L. 2009/2024: Clash of Empires: The Hellenistic World. Silurian War Games Ltd.
Dupuy, R. E. and Dupuy, T. N. 1993: The Collins Encyclopaedia of Military History. Harper Collins Publishers.
Hackett, J. 1989: Warfare in the Ancient World. Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd.
Jimẻnez, R. L. 1996: Caesar Against The Celts. Spellmount Limited.
Mellersh, H.E.L. 1995: Chronology of the Ancient World, 10,000 BC – AD 799. Helicon Publishing Ltd.
Article Front Page Picture
Caesar marches at the head of his legion in the invasion and conquest of Gaul. After Alamy (IY04570615).
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