In this article I’m going to use the Clash Battle System to recreate the Carthaginian general Hannibal’s victory over the Romans at Trebbia in 218 BC. Trebbia is significant because it is the first major battle in which Hannibal demonstrated his military genius and it is the only battle in which his use of war elephants contributed to his victory. In fact, they were also used at Zama at the end of the Second Punic War (202 BC). However, that was a Carthaginian defeat.
Background
Rome’s designs upon Spain which was rich in resources and within the Carthaginian sphere of influence provoked the Second Punic War 218 – 201 BC. The Carthaginian general Hannibal decided to take the fight to Rome itself and marched an army of 20,000 infantry, 6000 cavalry and about 40 elephants across the Pyrenees and the Alps to arrive in northern Italy. Here the Carthaginian army was reinforced to nearly double its original strength by Celts from the Po Valley. They wanted revenge upon Rome for their earlier defeat and subjugation. A Roman army of some 40,000 men under the command of two consuls confronted the invaders on the west bank of the river Trebbia near the modern town of Piacenza. In the frigid conditions of late December, the two armies formed up on an open plain. Hannibal had picked his ground well and concealed an ambush force commanded by his brother Mago in a drainage ditch behind the Roman army. In the centre of his line Hannibal placed his expendable Celtic and Spanish troops while on their flanks he positioned his elite Libyan infantry in phalanx formation and reinforced by war elephants. On the opposing side the Romans adopted their usual array of three lines of heavy infantry in the centre and cavalry on the flanks. As predicted the serried ranks of Roman legionaries used brute force to punch their way through the Carthaginian centre. On the flanks the Libyans and elephants held. Meanwhile, Hannibal had used his superior cavalry force to neutralize the Roman cavalry while the ambush force blocked off any escape route to the rear. Now the Roman flanks disintegrated under the impact of the Libyan infantry and elephants. Thereupon, those Romans that pressed forward through the centre escaped while the rest of the army was slaughtered. The Romans lost about 30,000 troops while the Carthaginian losses were about 5000 men most of these being Celts and Spaniards that could be replaced. At Trebbia the Romans had a taste of what was to come namely the near extinction of Rome at the hands of one of the most brilliant military tacticians of the ancient world.
Clash of Empires
Using the Clash of Empires rules the battle strength and capabilities of the belligerents can be shown as follows: -
Carthaginian Army
The Carthaginian army consists of 36 units inclusive of cavalry and 1 War Elephant unit. It is a Mixed army which uses 1D8 and 1D6 (highest scoring die only) for its Battle Dice and has an army ratio of 3:2:1. The primary army type is the Part-Standing African Phalanx, the secondary army type Gallic and Celtiberian Warband and the tertiary army type Citizen Hoplite Phalanx (Italian mercenaries). The Pre-generated Army Ratio Table in the rulebook shows that an army of 32 units in the ratio 3:2:1 will consist of 16 Primary units, 11 Secondary units and 5 Tertiary units. This means that there will be 16 Part-Standing African Phalanx units at Combat Rating ❸, 11 Gallic and Celtiberian Warband units at Combat Rating ❶ and 5 Hoplite Phalanx units at Combat Rating ❷. On the Combat Rating (CR) to Fighting Bonus (FB) Conversion Table in the rulebook this equates to +13 FB for the 16 African units, +3 FB for the 11 Warband units and +2 FB for the 5 Italian Hoplite units. In addition to this Carthage gets to roll for 1D6 allied Numidian units. This is a special advantage available to Carthage for an army of 12 or more units. A 3 is rolled so therefore the army now also includes 3 Numidian Mounted Warband units at Combat Rating ❶ which converts to +1 FB. This gives a total of +19 FB which is added to the Battle Roll. For Battle Bonus calculation the primary African Phalanx element of the army gets a +2 modifier for close order infantry in melee, which is shared by the tertiary army type that is the Citizen Hoplite Phalanx (Mercenaries). The Carthaginian army also benefits from a +2 infantry melee modifier for Battle Rush which is afforded by the secondary army type i.e. Celtic Warband, while a shooting modifier of +1 is provided by the Numidians’ Deadly Shots. The Carthaginians have a Heavy Cavalry upgrade that gives them a +2 modifier for mounted impetus as well as the normal +1 to Initiative for cavalry. Mounted impetus is further augmented by a +4 modifier for War Elephant. Furthermore, the Carthaginians can achieve a Double Bonus if they roll odds or evens Battle Dice. As for Hannibal he is ranked as a Great Commander and rolls 2D6 (highest scoring die only) for Initiative. Under Hannibal the Carthaginian army has a superior command structure +2 Initiative and for this battle Hannibal has decided to place 20% of his army’s FB that is +4 in reserve to protect vulnerable points in his battle line. This means that the normal -1 penalty to Initiative for an unwieldy Hoplite Phalanx is negated. Therefore, the Carthaginian army rolls 2D6 +3 for Initiative. Lastly, at this early stage in the campaign Hannibal also has 1 War Elephant unit in his army. This has a Combat Rating of ❺ which converts to +1 FB. In this battle the Carthaginians have a slight advantage in numbers especially cavalry and therefore get a 1D6 bonus for outnumbering their opponent.
Republican Roman Army
The Republican Roman army consists of 32 units inclusive of cavalry. It is a Part-Standing army which uses 2D8 (highest scoring die only) for its Battle Dice and there is no army ratio for this army. A Part-Standing Roman Legionary army has a Combat Rating of ❷. On the Combat Rating to Fighting Bonus Conversion Table this equates to +16 FB for 32 Roman Legionary units. For Battle Bonus calculation a Roman Legionary army gets a +2 modifier for close order infantry in melee. They also have a Light/Medium Cavalry upgrade which gives them a +1 modifier for mounted impetus as well as the normal +1 to Initiative for cavalry. Furthermore, they can achieve a Double Bonus if they roll odds or evens Battle Dice. Also, a Part-Standing Roman Legion can save against defeat by rolling 5-6 on 1D6 which is owing to their special ability 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 an automatic 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. On the day of the battle command of the Roman army falls to the consul Titus Sempronius Longus. He is ranked as competent and rolls 1D6 for Initiative. Therefore, the Republican Roman army rolls 1D6 +1 for Initiative.
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
Carthaginian
Initiative | Battle Dice | No. of Units and CR to Fighting Bonus | Battle Bonus | Battle Advantage Dice | Total Score |
2D6 +3 4 and 2
4+3 = 7
| 2D8/1D6 6 and 3 (Highest die only)
No odds or evens
| 36 units incl. of cavalry and War Elephant unit ❸x 16 = +13 FB ❶x 11 = +3 FB ❷x 5 = +2 FB Numidians +1 FB War Elephant +1 FB Total = +20 FB -4FB (Reserve) = +16 FB | 25 Points
Converts to 2D6
5+1 = 6
| Opponent outnumbered 1D6
Tactical Advantage 1D6
3+2 = 5 | 6+16+6+5 = 33 |
Battle Bonus Calculation Table
Battle Factor (1D6) | Modifiers | Score | Points Value |
Shooting | +1 Deadly Shots | 6+1 | 7 |
Infantry Melee | +2 Close Order Infantry/+2 Battle Rush | 5+4 | 9 |
Mounted Impetus | +2 Heavy Cavalry/+4 War Elephant | 3+6 | 9 |
|
|
| Total = 25 |
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 Carthaginians win Initiative by 2 which yields a +1D6 Tactical Advantage. This combined with a slight numerical superiority especially in cavalry contributes to the rout of the inferior Roman cavalry. In this part of the action the Numidian cavalry distinguish themselves with their Deadly Shots from javelin skirmishing. They score a 7 for their shooting Battle Factor. As a result of this the flanks of the Roman infantry are exposed to attack from the African phalanxes and War Elephants. However, having failed to roll odds or evens Battle Dice the African Phalanx fails to achieve a Double Bonus. Nevertheless, under pressure from these troops and the impact of the War Elephants who cause panic the Roman wings disintegrate. Although the Roman centre manages to break through the Celts the rest of the army is annihilated. The Carthaginians lose 7 units and the War Elephant unit must save against loss on 4-6 on 1D6. A 3 is rolled so the elephant unit is destroyed.
Republican Roman
Initiative | Battle Dice | No. of Units and CR to Fighting Bonus | Battle Bonus | Battle Advantage Dice | Total Score |
1D6 +1
= 5
| 2D8 4 and 3 (Highest die only)
No odds or evens
| 32 units (8 legions)
❷x 32 = +16 FB
Relentless 5-6 1D6 = 3 | 12 Points
Converts to 1D6 = 5
| N/A | 4+16+5 = 25
|
Battle Bonus Calculation Table
Battle Factor (1D6) | Modifiers | Score | Points Value |
Shooting | 0 | 4 | 4 |
Infantry Melee | +2 Close Order Infantry | 3+2 | 5 |
Mounted Impetus | +1 Light/Medium Cavalry | 2+1 | 3 |
|
|
| Total = 12 |
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: - Despite losing Initiative the heavy Roman infantry steadfastly press on and manage to break through the Carthaginian centre. The Roman flanks, however, stripped of their cavalry protection are soon assailed by the African Phalanx and War Elephants. The fate of the Roman army is sealed when their rear is attacked by the Carthaginian ambush force and they subsequently fail to make their Relentless Roll. The difference between the two Battle Rolls determines the number of casualties which for the Romans is 75% of their army i.e., 24 units.
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.
Goldsworthy, A. 2001: Cannae. Cassell & Co.
Hackett, J. 1989: Warfare in the Ancient World. Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd.
Head, D. 1982: Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars 359 BC to 146 BC. A Wargames Research Group Publication.
Mellersh, H.E.L. 1995: Chronology of the Ancient World, 10,000 BC – AD 799. Helicon Publishing Ltd.
Wise, T. and Healy, M.1999: Hannibal’s War with Rome. The Armies and Campaigns 216 BC. Osprey Publishing Ltd.
Article Front Page Picture
Punic War, in which Romans and Carthaginians fought (3rd-2nd Century BC). After Alamy (IY04446764).
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