Clash of Empires Caesar against the Germans Battle of Vosges Sept. 58 BC

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. For Battle Bonus calculation a Roman Legionary army gets a +2 modifier for close order infantry in melee. The Romans also have a Heavy Cavalry upgrade which gives them a +2 modifier for mounted impetus as well as the normal +1 to Initiative for cavalry. The Romans can achieve a Double Bonus if they roll odds or evens Battle Dice. Furthermore, 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. In a refight situation the Battle Bonus percentage remains unchanged, but the Battle Bonus Dice are rerolled. If the Romans choose not to refight then they can disengage with 25% losses to the loser and 10% losses to the winner. 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. For Battle Bonus calculation the German army gets a +3 modifier to infantry melee for Battle Rush. Also, Germanic noble cavalrymen are noted for their great bravery and fanaticism and therefore despite being lightly armoured are classed as Heavy Cavalry. This gives them a +2 modifier for mounted impetus as well as the normal +1 to Initiative for cavalry. Furthermore, German Warband army can achieve a Double Bonus if they roll odds or evens Battle Dice. 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, Battle Bonus calculation and Double Bonus if applicable.

• 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.

Conversion and Casualty Tables not shown.

Battle Log

Later Republican Roman Army

Initiative	Battle Dice	No. of Units and CR to Fighting Bonus	Battle Bonus	Battle Advantage Dice	Total Score
2D6 +2 3 and 4 4+2 = 6	2D10 8 and 4 (Highest die only) Evens dice	25 Standing Roman Legionary Units (6 legions) ❸x 5 = +4 FB ❷x 20 = +10 FB Total = 14 FB Relentless 4-6	15 Points Converts to 1D6 = 3 (Double Bonus)  3x2 = 6	Tactical Advantage 2D6 5+1 = 6	8+14+6+6 = 34

Battle Bonus Calculation Table

Battle Factor (1D6)	Modifiers	Score	Points Value
Shooting	0	3	3
Infantry Melee	+2 Close Order Infantry	4+2	6
Mounted Impetus	+2 Heavy Cavalry	4+2	6
			Total = 15

Roll 1D6 for each Battle Factor and apply modifiers to find total points value and then compare with total FB on the conversion table (in rulebook) to calculate Battle Bonus Dice. Can simplify by rolling 3D6 plus total modifier. Double bonus for odds or evens Battle Dice.

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 and CR to Fighting Bonus	Battle Bonus	Battle Advantage Dice	Total Score
1D6 +1 2+1 = 3	2D6 4 and 2 (Highest die only) Evens dice	25 Germanic Warband Units. ❷x 25 = +12 FB	19 Points Converts to 1D6 = 5 (Double Bonus)  5x2 = 10	N/A	4+12+10 = 26

Battle Bonus Calculation Table

Battle Factor (1D6)	Modifiers	Score	Points Value
Shooting	0	4	4
Infantry Melee	+3 Battle Rush	5+3 = 8	8
Mounted Impetus	+2 Heavy Cavalry	5+2 = 7	7
			Total = 19

Roll 1D6 for each Battle Factor and apply modifiers to find total points value and then compare with total FB on the conversion table (in rulebook) to calculate Battle Bonus Dice. Can simplify by rolling 3D6 plus total modifier. Double bonus for odds or evens Battle Dice.

Note: - The Germans lose Initiative but try to retrieve the situation with Evens Battle Dice which gives them a Double Bonus score of 10. 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).