Severan Rome vs. Meroitic-Kushite

I have not read of many players using the Meroitic-Kushite, but in my opinion DBA 3.0 have certainly moved them up a notch as being an army with potential. In addition to their troop mix they are one of the few African armies that have steppe as home topography.

II/64b Middle Imperial Roman (Eastern)

1 x general (Cv), 1 x cavalry (Cv), 1 x horse archer (LH), 4 x legionnaires (4Bd), 3 x auxiliary (4Ax), 1 x auxiliary archer (4Bw), 1 x Clibinarii (4Kn).

I/58 Meroitic-Kushite

1 x general (Cv), 1 x cavalry (Cv), 2 x Meroitic archers (3Bw), 5 x tribal spearmen (Sp), 2 x tribal swordsmen (4Bd), 1 x herdsmen (Ps).

Game one

Rome as attacker positions troops on gentle hills securing both flanks and places in the centre all the legionnaires and heavy cavalry. The Kushite has positioned their forces facing the Roman centre with a small group prepared to seize the hill on the Roman left.

Kushite spear drive forward to take out a unit of legionnaires sending the rest back on their heels. On the flanks Roman troops are maneuvering to envelope the Kushite wings and to counter this, the Kushite general moves his cavalry to the right while a unit of archers deploy to take care of the light horse.

In a brief moment Roman resistance simply fell apart as the Clibinarii were cut to pieces, light horse were emptied from their saddles and units of Roman foot were being encircled by savage tribesmen. Score 5 -2 for the Kushite.

Game two

Game one proved to be a wake-up call and as defender Rome changed her deployment to form three battle groups. Seeing this, the Kushite general would lead with the right to clear the hill of the cavalry and eventually wheel left to support the main body confronting the Roman foot.

Movement forward was hampered by poor communication between Roman command and troops but the cavalry did manage to reach the crest in time with only 100 paces separating them from the advancing Kushite spear.

The Kushite spear struck the cavalry line and littered the hill top with Clibinarii dead and sent the rest recoiling back. This proved their undoing as the cavalry withdrew off the hill and would eventually be seen moving off to support their infantry.

On the Roman right, the legions with auxiliary support struck the Kushite left.

The Kushite general needed every bit of attention (pips) to adjust his line to meet the Roman attack. Realizing the danger a number of units were reforming to aide their general.

Roman drill and technique resurfaced as the legionnaires cut down Kushite tribesmen as many were hampered by their own troops and could not flee including their general. Score 1 – 5 for Rome.

Game three

Now defending the Kushite formed up in one large formation flanked by swordsmen and behind in a second line was light troops and cavalry. Rome deployed in a formation similar to the last battle; legionnaires supported by auxiliary in two groups with cavalry protecting both flanks.

Securing the hill top position, the Kushite general moved units from his reserve to seize the second hill to support the right flank. Meanwhile, the Roman line moved steadily forward while light horse took advantage of the situation to threaten the Kushite rear.

Both lines struck and subsequent turns brought the lines moving to and fro with nearly every Kushite unit being pulled into the conflict. The Roman light horse wheeled to the left to add their blades to the struggle taking place at the hill top.

Kushite swordsmen pursued elusive Roman auxiliary leaving the spearmen to deal with the Roman legionnaires, this left the general no alternative but to deal personally with the light horse threat. This was unfortunate as the continuing combat took the general and his bodyguard off the hill leaving the rest of the army bereft of their commander; subsequent turns meant Kushite units looked to their immediate chieftains or warlords for commands (extra pip costs).

Rome quickly seized the opportunity to cut down isolated units yet despite the loss of their commander the Kushite defiantly formed a shield wall. Victory came when Roman cavalry swept the second hill of the remaining Kushite cavalry. Score 2 – 4 for Rome.