Clash of Empires: Caesar against the Germans The 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

Standing Army type (following the reforms of Caius Marius) CR ❸, which based upon the number of army units i.e., 25 converts to a +20 Fighting Bonus (FB). They also get +1 to Initiative for Forced March. Battle Dice 2D6 (highest scoring die only). Fighting Technique: Legion which gives the Romans a +2/+4 modifier to their Battle Dice score for Heavy Infantry. The second modifier is used if FB greater than that of the opponent. Also, a Standing Roman Legion can save against defeat by rolling 4-6 on 1D6 which is owing to their Special Ability Relentless. The Romans also have Heavy Cavalry which gives them a 1D6+2 Advantage Die as well as the normal +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

Warband Army type CR ❷, which based upon the number of army units i.e., 25 converts to a +12 Fighting Bonus (FB). Battle Dice 2D6 (highest scoring die only). Fighting Technique: Battle Rush which gives the German army a +3/+6 modifier to their Battle Dice score for a ferocious charge. The second modifier is used on an Initiative win. In addition, the Germans have Heavy Cavalry which gives them a 1D6+2 Battle Advantage Die as well as the normal +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, Battle Bonus determined by the army type and FB.

• 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.

Combat Rating to Fighting Bonus Conversion and Casualty Tables not shown.

Battle Log

Later Republican Roman Army

Initiative	Battle Dice (Modifiers)	CR to Fighting Bonus	Battle Bonus	Battle Advantage Dice	Total Score
2D6 +2 3 and 4 4+2 = 6	2D6 Legion (+2/+4) 8 and 4 (Highest die only) 8+4 = 12	❸x 25 = 20 FB Relentless 4-6	Evens Dice  4D6 6+5+3+2 = 16	Tactical Advantage 2D6 Heavy Cavalry 1D6+2 5+1+(3+2) = 11	12+20+16+11 = 59

German Army

Initiative	Battle Dice (Modifiers)	CR to Fighting Bonus	Battle Bonus	Battle Advantage Dice	Total Score
1D6 +1 2+1 = 3	2D6 Battle Rush (+3/+6) 4 and 2 (Highest die only) 4+3 = 7	❷x 25 = +12 FB	Evens dice 1D6  = 5	Heavy Cavalry 1D6+2 4+2 = 6	7+12+5+6 = 30

Battle Bonus Calculation Table

FB	Warband	Feudal	Citizen	Part-Standing	Standing
1-4	1D3(1D6)	1D3(1D6)	1D3(1D6)	1D3(1D6)	1D6(2D6)
5-8	1D3(1D6)	1D3(1D6)	1D3(1D6)	1D6(2D6)	1D6(2D6)
9-12	1D3(1D6)	1D3(1D6)	1D6(2D6)	1D6(2D6)	2D6(3D6)
13-16	1D3(1D6)	1D6(2D6)	1D6(2D6)	2D6(3D6)	2D6(3D6)
17-20	1D6(2D6)	1D6(2D6)	2D6(3D6)	2D6(3D6)	3D6(4D6)
21-24	1D6(2D6)	2D6(3D6)	2D6(3D6)	3D6(4D6)	3D6(4D6)
25+	2D6(3D6)	2D6(3D6)	3D6(4D6)	3D6(4D6)	4D6(5D6)

(#D#) = Enhanced Battle Bonus on 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 are unable to prevail against the devastating Roman killing machine which breaks them. A great victory for the Romans for the loss of 5 units killed or wounded. However, a serious defeat for the Germans whose army is destroyed.

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. 

Sources

Boulter, M. L. 2009/2025: 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).