It is time to revisit the Ancients (Punic Wars) campaign. The last time I played from this campaign was back in mid-January 2022 and saw a Carthaginian win. As usual the campaign turns begin with a naval battle. The winner of the naval battle gets to move second and has the advantage of responding to the other side's moves.
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| The fleets approach each other cautiously (Rome's fleet in the foreground). |
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| The forward lines of ships are soon engaged in combat with some becoming entangled and creating navigational problems for the second lines as the close in. |
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| Carthage's second line had mainly larger ships which while good for ramming and boarding are having difficulty moving around the carnage of entangled ships. |
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| Carthage get a good run of results and is able to claim victory. |
Having lost the sea battle Rome makes the first campaign moves for turn 5 covering the period 210 BC to 209 BC. This turn they will benefit from having the arrival of Scipio the Younger as a leader. He turns up at their time of crisis as Southern Italy is under threat from Carthage's armies commanded by Hannibal. Rome is able to recruit more legions from Northern Italy and marches one army down to Southern Italy.
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| Campaign map after the campaign moves. |
Carthage responds by recruiting in Africa and shipping another army to Southern Italy. Further north one of their armies marches from Spain to Northern Italy.
The first land battle to be transferred to the tabletop will be from Northern Italy where the opposing armies clash at Ateste in 210 BC.
Peter,
ReplyDeleteI like your Scratch Built Galleys- very well done indeed. Photos look great. Cheers. KEV.
Thanks KEV. I have played a good few games with them since making them a year or so ago. Cheers Peter
DeleteThe Romans are a bit surrounded. Let's hope Scipio comes up with the goods.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see if Scipio can turn Rome's fortunes around.
DeleteThose galleys look terrific Peter, I am really looking forward to the land battle.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I too am looking froward to getting the Ancients back on to the tabletop. It seems a while since I had my last game with them.
DeleteSo can Scipio beat Hannibal, he can do it with the odds in his favour as at Zama but when the odds are against him? I shall watch with interest.
ReplyDeleteThe Battles of Ateste sees a newly raised Roman army facing off against a more experienced/trained Carthaginian force - IIRC I proposed downgrading their pack a bit, although lifee looks hard enough for Rome as it is.
I am looking forward to playing both battles. An interesting point about newly formed armies. In this case there could be an argument that a march from Spain across the Alps and hostile Gaul tribes by Carthage's army has evened up things. But, unproven armies are a consideration for rule amendments.
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