Spartacus vs Rome, 73 B.C.
Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2023 7:40 pm
Spartacus vs. Rome, 73 B.C.
My nephew and I played two games of Triumph! using my 15mm scale armies of Romans and the Spartacus Revolt army. I took command of the Slave Revolt army for the first battle.
Army Composition
Spartacus
1 x Elite Foot (General)
6 x Heavy Foot
2 x Warriors
1 x Javelin Cavalry
8 x Rabble
Crassus
8 x Elite Foot (General)
1 x Javelin Cavalry
2 x Light Foot
2 x Skirmishers
Before the Battle
There were woods and fields on the edges of the battle but those played small part in the battle. A Roman village was in the center of the board which caused both sides to become hesitant to engage with their heavy infantry within the confines of the buildings.
The Romans were able to use a flank march and set their Italian allies (Javelin Cavalry and two Light Foot) aside for that purpose.
Deployment
The forces of Spartacus (top of the photo) deployed with their Heavy Infantry and Warriors in a line in the center. They were screened by some Rabble, with more Rabble on the flanks. The Javelin Cavalry was on their left flank. The Elite Foot was behind the Heavy Foot, ready to move into any gaps.
The Romans (bottom of the photo) deployed in a single line, with Skirmishers screening the line on their left flank.
The Battle
View from the camp of Spartacus, crowded with escaped slaves who have fled there for safety.
The right flank of the army of Spartacus, which includes desperate people of all ages as armed Rabble.
The left flank of the slave army.
Roman peasants are thankful the legions are passing them by.
The Romans build their customary camp.
Wild boar in the woods; somehow they have escaped the hunters that Spartacus has attracted to his army.
Closeup of Crassus and some of his legionaries.
The Italian Allies arrive on the left flank of the revolting slaves.
Mounted warriors and rabble turn to face the new threat.
Romans approach the village.
The revolt includes escaped slaves using captured Roman equipment and warriors from Gaul fighting in their native style.
Huge Molossor dogs accompany the Gauls.
The flank battle begins.
The armies edge forward.
A violent clash is imminent.
Spartacus sends more rabble to the flank.
The light troops skirmish; many of the slaves are killed but they drive off the Roman skirmishers.
The Rabble attempt to draw the Romans out of line.
Some of the Italian allied infantry flee the field.
The Warriors move forward and break through!
The Warriors surge into the gap in the Roman line!
The battle on the flank rages on.
The warriors begin to exploit the gap and attack the Romans on the flanks.
The Roman line begins to collapse.
The final blows are struck. The game ends with the Roman army in retreat.
Conclusion
The Warriors were the decisive force in the battle. They got a +1 bonus when double-ranked against the Elite Foot and only have to beat their combat score (not double it) to win.
We used the rule from Fantasy Triumph! allowing Rabble to move four instead of three, making them more of a threat on the flanks. They held their own against the Javelin Cavalry and Light Foot.
My nephew and I played two games of Triumph! using my 15mm scale armies of Romans and the Spartacus Revolt army. I took command of the Slave Revolt army for the first battle.
Army Composition
Spartacus
1 x Elite Foot (General)
6 x Heavy Foot
2 x Warriors
1 x Javelin Cavalry
8 x Rabble
Crassus
8 x Elite Foot (General)
1 x Javelin Cavalry
2 x Light Foot
2 x Skirmishers
Before the Battle
There were woods and fields on the edges of the battle but those played small part in the battle. A Roman village was in the center of the board which caused both sides to become hesitant to engage with their heavy infantry within the confines of the buildings.
The Romans were able to use a flank march and set their Italian allies (Javelin Cavalry and two Light Foot) aside for that purpose.
Deployment
The forces of Spartacus (top of the photo) deployed with their Heavy Infantry and Warriors in a line in the center. They were screened by some Rabble, with more Rabble on the flanks. The Javelin Cavalry was on their left flank. The Elite Foot was behind the Heavy Foot, ready to move into any gaps.
The Romans (bottom of the photo) deployed in a single line, with Skirmishers screening the line on their left flank.
The Battle
View from the camp of Spartacus, crowded with escaped slaves who have fled there for safety.
The right flank of the army of Spartacus, which includes desperate people of all ages as armed Rabble.
The left flank of the slave army.
Roman peasants are thankful the legions are passing them by.
The Romans build their customary camp.
Wild boar in the woods; somehow they have escaped the hunters that Spartacus has attracted to his army.
Closeup of Crassus and some of his legionaries.
The Italian Allies arrive on the left flank of the revolting slaves.
Mounted warriors and rabble turn to face the new threat.
Romans approach the village.
The revolt includes escaped slaves using captured Roman equipment and warriors from Gaul fighting in their native style.
Huge Molossor dogs accompany the Gauls.
The flank battle begins.
The armies edge forward.
A violent clash is imminent.
Spartacus sends more rabble to the flank.
The light troops skirmish; many of the slaves are killed but they drive off the Roman skirmishers.
The Rabble attempt to draw the Romans out of line.
Some of the Italian allied infantry flee the field.
The Warriors move forward and break through!
The Warriors surge into the gap in the Roman line!
The battle on the flank rages on.
The warriors begin to exploit the gap and attack the Romans on the flanks.
The Roman line begins to collapse.
The final blows are struck. The game ends with the Roman army in retreat.
Conclusion
The Warriors were the decisive force in the battle. They got a +1 bonus when double-ranked against the Elite Foot and only have to beat their combat score (not double it) to win.
We used the rule from Fantasy Triumph! allowing Rabble to move four instead of three, making them more of a threat on the flanks. They held their own against the Javelin Cavalry and Light Foot.
