The Battle of Trebia at Pacificon 2017

Trebia was the first of two games that I ran at Pacificon.   I had originally scheduled the game to run from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM.  However, two additional ancients games were added to the schedule with the first starting at noon.  Because of this I changed the times from 9:00 until noon.   There were six people who participated in the game.  Considering all the games that were being run that morning this was a good number of players.   The table measured 6 feet by 10 feet.

The armies were as follows:

ROME
UNIT	ATT	DEF	MOVE	MISSILE	MORALE	POINTS	NUMBER	TOTAL
GENERALS	+1	X	14	X	+ OR - 1 OR 0	X	1+8	X
VELITES	3	5	6,8	2"	10	7	20	140
HASTATI	3+2	6	6	X	10	9	20	180
PRINCEPES	3+2	6	6	X	10	9	20	180
TRIARII	4	6	6	X	10	9	20	180
CAVALRY	3	6	12,14	2"	10	10	8	80
								760
CARTHAGE
UNIT	ATT	DEF	MOVE	MISSILE	MORALE	POINTS	NUMBER	TOTAL
HANNIBAL	+1	X	14	X	+ OR - 2,1,OR 0	10	1	10
GENERALS	+1	X	14	X	+ OR - 1 OR 0	X	8	X
SLINGERS	2	5	6,8	2"	11	8	1	8
LT INF	3	5	6,8	2"	11	8	15	120
AFRICAN INF.	4	6	6	X	11	10	16	160
SPANISH INF.	3	5	6	X	11	8	8	64
GALLIC INF.	3	5	6	X	10	6	18	108
NUMIDIAN CAV.	3	5	12,14	2"	11	9	8	72
SPANISH HORSE	3	6	12,14	2"	11	10	4	40
GALLIC HORSE	3	6	12,14	2"	10	9	10	90
ELEPHANT	4	6	8	X	10	11	8	88
								760

Surprisingly both armies had equal points.   There was a special rule that I thought of including for the game to reflect the Romans crossing the cold water of the river and not having time for their morning meal.   This was to have the players roll one die for each unit with an odd numbered result causing the unit to start the battle with one hit.  Since this was a convention game and meant to be fun for all, I decided not to use this.

The Romans were given the option of how many of their eight cavalry units they would deploy on each flank with some restrictions.   They were required to place two on each flank with the remaining four as they chose.   They elected to have four cavalry units on each flank.  The Carthaginians deployed all their Gallic cavalry on their left flank, all the Numidian cavalry on their right, and sent all the Spanish cavalry on an off table flanking move.

Initial deployment.  Romans on right. Carthage on left

View from the opposite end

View from Carthage side.  Spanish infantry on right African infantry in the middle, Gauls on left, skirmishers in front.

Behind Roman lines.  Two combined Consular armies in standard Roman deployment

Carthage had an overwhelming advantage on both flanks with the elephants and cavalry outnumbering the opposing Roman horse, but their infantry was outnumbered by the Roman infantry facing them. 

Carthaginian commanders.  Steve (Hannibal) at the front and his son Matt at the back..

Roman commanders.

By turn two both armies were engaged in combat.  Instead of using their elephants to disrupt and chase off the Roman cavalry and then turning in on the Roman infantry with their cavalry the elephants ended up fighting the Roman infantry and the cavalry became tied down fighting the opposing horse. 

Turn one

On turn three the Spanish cavalry arrived on the Roman left flank behind the Roman lines.   With their flanks in jeopardy the Romans shifted their velites to protect the flanks of the heavier infantry.

Turn 3 Carthaginian flanking force has arrived and ridden into the rear of the Roman left.

Other end of the battlefield.  Roman cavalry has fallen back evading contact

Eventually the Roman infantry were able to cut their way through the opposing infantry center.   At this point Carthage conceded and the game was called at 12:06 PM.   Actual play had started after 9:00 following an explanation of the game mechanics.

 Fighting continues as casualties increase along the line

Gauls are held up

 Velites shift to protect flanks of the main battle line

Right end of Carthage infantry routs.  Soon to be followed by the rest of the infantry.



The Roman army is all Rapier Miniatures figures and is just over 2000 figures.  The Carthaginians are mix of Irregular, Baccus, H&R, and Rapier. and is also about 2000 figures.