Severan Army vs. the Sassanid

I have selected the Sassanid a-list for this confrontation as Ardashir I did meet the Roman army during his expansion period. The Sassanid b-list will be handled as a separate test series which will include the Later Imperial Roman army.  

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).

II/69a Sassanid

1 x general (3Kn), 2 x nobles (3Kn), 4 x Asavaran (Cv), 5 x nomad horse archers (LH).

Game one

Rome selected as attacker the protection of a BUA and wood and staggered the deployment to reduce the chance of encirclement. The auxilia secured the wood on the left flank which allowed the battleline to wheel forward as the Sassanid cavalry cautiously drew near.

Nomad horse archers harried the Roman right flank and the main Sassanid force bore down on the awaiting Roman infantry. In the ensuing clash Sassanid nobles now cleaved a path through their centre line.

More Roman units fell to a combination of Asavaran charges supported by nomadic horse archers. Score 1 – 4 for Sassan.

Game two

On a similar battlefield the Sassanid found the Roman army taking the high ground and deployed slightly behind their right flank were Roman cavalry.

The Sassanid main formation moved slowly forward to allow the flanking units’ time to engage both ends of the Roman force.

Anxious to come to grips with the Sassanid the Roman battleline surprised the Sassanid cavalry by charging them and sending them back. A similar attack on the left flank had the nomadic horse archers fleeing.

Signalling the general attack the Roman battleline cracked, leaving isolated units to fend as best as they could. The battle was quickly over with the Sassanid holding the field; score 1 – 4 for Sassan.

Game three

For the final game the Romans were caught marching in the open, not an auspicious start.

Despite two setbacks, Rome was eager to attack and moved her battleline toward the main Sassanid force. The Roman cavalry reserve was positioned to take care of the encircling nomadic horse archers.

The Sassanid nobles supporting their commander cut an opening through the Roman line while the nomadic horse archers held the Roman cavalry at bay, the Asavaran supported by small units of horse archers completed the carnage. Score 2 – 4 for Sassan.

Severan Army vs. the Usurper (West)

The third century AD was a desperate period in Rome’s history as claimants to the throne backed by their legions waged war against other pretenders. This next test series brings two near identical armies to the battlefield with those of the western list labelled the ‘usurper’ agonist the Imperial army of the east.

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).

II/64a Middle Imperial Roman (Western)

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

Game one

The Usurper’s forces (Western) are deployed on the right and on the left, the Imperial or eastern army.

Both sides eager for battle moved steadily forward across the open plain.

Troops of the east struck first catching the usurper’s right off guard.

The usurper’s legions were driving back their opposition that the entire line began to pivot on the centre formations.

The battle was finally decided by the eastern legions rolling up their opposition including half of the Praetorian Guard. Score 1 – 4 Rome (Eastern).

Game two

The usurper’s forces were augmented by Frankish allies and can be seen lower right in the photo.

Both battle lines now cleared the muddy fields and would wheel to meet in the dry patches between.

The eastern forces quickly got the upper hand as the Frankish assault became stalled, the Praetorian were destroyed and the usurper’s cavalry were confronting not only the approaching legion but enemy cavalry as well.

With the loss of the Praetorian the centre was further widened and gaps in the usurper’s line were now appearing elsewhere. Fearing for his life, the usurper called a general retreat, 0 – 4 for Rome (Eastern).

Game three

Avoiding the muddy fields, both sides contracted their formations with the usurper’s Frankish allies formed up on the opposite side of some rough going terrain.

Better drilled (good pip score), the eastern troops wheeled and extended her line to reach the wood on the left in one quick operation. The usurper’s troops were less fortunate as their approach became disjointed.

Not all formations were lined up properly, but a gap could be seen to the right of the eastern line as the Franks were now earning their gold.

The western tide now became stalled as archery fire was sending the usurper’s cavalry back out of range and his legions were now recoiling under the pressure by the eastern units. This widened the gap between the centre and flanks that the eastern cavalry could be seen swarming over isolated units and sealing the retreat of many western units. Score 2 – 5 Rome (Eastern).

Severan Army vs. the Nobades

During the 3^rd century the Nobades displaced the Meroitic-Kushite sending those eastwards giving Rome new raiders to contend with  along her southern frontier.  Historically, the Nobades did maul a Roman punitive expedition but this remains an isolated incident.

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).

II/55b Nobades

1 x general (Cv), 2 x cavalry (Cv), 1 x archers (3Bw), 2 x spearmen on camels (Cm) 2 x spearmen (Sp), 4 x archers (3 Bw or Ps).

Game one

Constricted by the rough ground in front, Rome deployed her legions in the opening between them and placed auxilia on both flanks, cavalry were held in reserve.

The Nobades sent her bowmen to harass the auxilia as the spearmen marched alongside in support. Seeing the hilltop cleared of Nobades bowmen, the commander ordered the mounted troops forward. 2 – 0 for Rome.

A sense of panic struck the Roman command as gaping holes quickly appeared along the battle line with Nobades spearmen moving through them and camel mounted troops were seen swarming over what remained of the left flank. Score 2 – 4 for Nobades.

Game two

This time Rome was caught in the open by an awaiting Nobades army with difficult hills protecting their flanks.

Roman auxilia cleared the hill on the left of any Nobades troops allowing the legions to move their line forward.

Both lines met and the Nobades line was seen to buckle, but the effort cost Rome some legionnaires.

The battle was hard fought on both sides and skilled archery brought down a unit of cataphract, this with other casualties gave the Nobades the advantage to claim victory. Score 4 – 5 for Nobades.   

Game three

Rome deployment remained unchanged with the only exception being the addition of the cataphract in the first line. Nobades countered by placing all mounted on her right flank leaving the infantry positioned opposite the Roman line.

Rome seized the initiative to attack the Nobades infantry but this developed into uncoordinated assaults. As the attack stalled the Nobades took advantage of this by moving her camel corps against the open flank and sending the cavalry to encircle the Roman force.

After a long struggle, the Roman battle disintegrated leaving isolated units to surrounded and cut down but not without a high cost to the Nobades. Score 4 – 5 for Nobades.

Severan Army vs. the Carpi

We move from the arid regions of Africa and northern Syria to the area now held by the Carpi. The Carpi superseded the Dacian as dominant group and would prove just as tenacious fighters as they would continue their struggle well into the Later Roman period.

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).

II/52 Carpi

1 x general (Cv), 1 x horsemen (LH). 6 x warriors (3Wb), 2 x Bastarnae falxmen (3Bd), 2 x javelinmen (Ps).

Game one

Rome found the Carpi army stretched from the foothills on her left ending at the woods on her right, formations were noticeably deeper in the centre and further behind were the mounted units and Draco standard of their commander. Rome deployed, in now a standard formation, legions to the front flanked by auxilia with the cavalry in reserve echeloned back.

The Carpi remained noticeably inert with the exception of troops moving through the woods. Rome countered by wheeling her battleline to the left as auxiliary units and light horse extended the line yet further.

From this position, Rome awaited the Carpi rush. This finally came. Only one barbarian column broke through while others were dispatched or sent recoiling and Roman cavalry were edging forward ready to strike at exposed flanks.  

The battle turned into a drill as Carpi warriors fell in great numbers, score 1 – 5 for Rome despite the valiant resistance of the falxmen.

Game two

The Carpi deployed with noticeable more cavalry on their right; it was later learned these were the Sarmatian contingent that joined the festivities. Anxious about the defile that opened on the Roman right auxilia were positioned on the hilltop to take care of any threat from that direction. The remainder of the army formed up in standard deployment.

Through a mis-communication between general and allied contingent the two forces moved forward in staggered lines. Carpi warband were seen reaching the hilltop and this would be soon cleared of any Roman resistance.

Reaching the Roman line first, the Carpi helped by a second attack coming from the hill.

The legion not only held buy beat back the barbarians sending some back up the hill. Throughout the action the Sarmatian remained motionless. Seeing a second Carpi attempt at breaking the Roman wall, the Sarmatians moved forward, unfortunately, the Roman left was quick off the mark and caught the Sarmatian in flank.

With the field now littered with dead, the Carpi called a general retreat, score 1 – 4 for Rome.

Game three

Rome deployed as usual with the cavalry reserve forming behind the left flank. The Carpi took advantage of the open plain and formed her cavalry and allies on the right and warband on the left.

The Carpi struck half the Roman battleline while the Sarmatian would eventually strike the other half. Rome, one step ahead, moved the legion to support the centre giving the Sarmatian a full view of a Roman cavalry charge.

The Carpi wave that crashed on the Roman breakers soon ebbed away, even the Sarmatian, now overlapped, were seen struggling. The battle soon turned into another slaughter; score 1 – 4 for Rome.

Severan Army vs. Parthia

Historically, the meeting of Rome and Parthia was another flame in the greater conflagration that swept throughout the empire. Parthia’s army had not changed much since the day it fought the Seleucid and so speed and manoeuvre would play a key role in today’s matches.

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).

II/37 Parthia

1 x general (4Kn), 2 x cataphract (4Kn), 9 x horse archers (LH).

Game one

Parthia defending had placed two woods, a gentle hill and a hamlet of which Rome selected the hill as part of her deployment area.

As expected Parthian horse archers fanned out toward both Roman flanks in an attempt to encircle them and to counter this Rome would form a contiguous line with supports on each flank positioned back.

By now the loose formations of horse archers were beginning to form lines and not unnoticed the cataphract were steadily moving forward.

As the horse archers kept the Roman cavalry busy the cataphract moved toward the apex of the two lines creating a weak spot by destroying a unit of legionnaires.

Pealing troops from the left flank these were sent to contain the threat caused by the cataphract. Roman cavalry held their ground despite losing the Clibinarii to effective Parthian shot and further along the battle line Rome gained the upper hand to win the game, score 2 – 4 for Rome.

Game two

Parthia deployed in a similar formation and across the battlefield Rome anchored her left flank near a small hamlet extending her line toward the hill with the cavalry positioned at its crest.

In centre, the Parthian horse archers opened up to allow the cataphract to move forward creating a continuous line while small formations of horse archers moved forward to keep the Roman flanks occupied.

The Parthian formation crashed into the waiting line of legionaries, this resulted in many units being thrown back, but before the Parthian general and bodyguard destroyed their opposition.

Redoubling their effort a panic seized the Roman infantry as many of their number fell to the slow methodical advance of the Parthian. Score 5 – 1 for Parthia.

Game three

Rome defended this time and Parthia selected the area about the hamlet for their deployment giving the hill position to the Romans. Recalling the last stand of Crassus this was taken as a good omen.

Looking somewhat shaken Roman infantry repositioned their units near the base of the hill.

Emboldened by their temerity Parthian horse archers screening the cataphract cavalry now moved off toward the hill occupied by the legionnaires. Seeing the change in formation was not yet complete the Roman commander ordered a general attack.

These caught the Parthian by surprise and in the general mayhem horse archers were fleeing in all directions and those that did not retire quickly were cut down. Parthian cataphract held back two attempts at encirclement, but Roman cavalry were equally determined to gain the upper hand. In this they finally succeeded ending the battle to score 1 – 5 for Rome.