Tuesday, 9 April 2024

Battle of the Nedao 454

Developing a scenario for the Battle of the Nedao has proven difficult due to the scarcity of information, such as strengths and deployment. The battle is mentioned as having taken place near the Nedao tributary. From Jordanes, the Germanic force included Heruli cavalry and among the infantry Rugii, Suebi and Sciri warriors are listed. Other sources mention the presence of the Ostrogoths, but this has been discounted by later studies, simplifying the selection of an army list for this scenario.

Recently, History Marche produced a video with an interesting interpretation of the Battle of Nedao

Using the video as a guide, our battlefield will have woods, rough ground and to one side, the Nedao river. The Gepids deploy on the right of the photo and have woods to cover their rear and the Nedao river on its right flank. Both armies are a single command of 24 elements. The distance between rough ground features is 12BW force the Gepid army to deploy a thin line to rest its flanks on the terrain features. Gepid cavalry, heavily outnumbered, are positioned behind the infantry line.



Possible outcomes to consider.

A decisive Gepid victory and the death of Ellac would mean a historical outcome with the dispersal of the Huns to the Pontic steppe.

A marginal Gepid victory might prompt the Ostrogoths to join the Gepids to bring the downfall of Ellac.

A Hunnic victory would bring the Gepids to heel prolonging the presence of the Huns on Rome’s frontier.

 

The Forces

The Gepid army (II/71)  of two commands: 

1 x Ardaric (3Kn), 1 x sub-general (3Kn), 6 x cavalry (3Kn), 8 x warriors (4Wb), 8 x skirmishers (Ps).

The Hunnic army (II/80d) of two commands:

1 x Ellac (Cv), 1 x sub-general (LH), 22 x horse archers (LH).

 

The refight

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