The Romans are Coming

Sails have been spotted on the horizon!

Julius Caesar is approaching the Kentish coast with 80 ships carrying 2 legions plus auxiliaries to invade Britain.

They are heading for the lands of Cassibelanus, King of the Cassi. Although confident in his prowess as a warrior, Cassibelanus does not have enough men to hold them off. Therefore he has reluctantly called on the aid of Taximagulus, King of the Bibroci, and Cingetorix, King of the Cenimagni. They have been shadowing the approaching Roman ships from the cliff tops.

All seems calm in Cassibelanus’s village on the banks of the Thames estuary.

On the outskirts of the village, however, Druids are preparing a sacrifice to call for the aid of the gods in this time of need. Rather than immediately leading his men to the beaches Cassibelanus shows his devotion to the gods by waiting for the sacrifice to be completed before marching off to meet the Romans.

The gods are pleased with the sacrifice. They call up the wind and sea, causing a Roman ship carrying Spanish auxiliaries to ground and wreck. Many of the Spanish are drowned as they escape the wreck and swim to shore.

Meanwhile Cingetorix leads his men across a river in order to make it over to the beach. Taximagulus, follows close behind.

As the Spanish survivors of the wreck approach the shore they are met with a hail of missiles from Cingetorix’s slingers and cavalry which does for many whom the sea has not already claimed.

The remaining Roman ships continue north along the shoreline just beyond the breakers where the ships would ground. Cassibelanus has arrived to set up a blocking position to the north as Taximagulus leads his men further along the beach passing behind Cingetorix’s men.

When the Roman ships pull in to disembark some baulk at jumping into the sea in face of so many fearsome enemies. The Aquilifer of Legio X leads the way, entering the water first to encourage the others to follow.

When the first lines of legionnaires hit the shore they are met by a devastating charge by Cassibelanus’ chariots and infantry. Unable to form up properly the Romans are pushed back into the sea. Cassibelanus challenges Gaius Volusenus (commander of the VII Legion) to personal combat which the Roman haughtily ignores. This does, however, increase Cassibelanus’ prestige in the eyes of his men.

As more Romans disembark they begin to gain an ascendancy as Caesar and Volusenus steady the ranks and encourage their men. Despite the fact that the Romans have not yet been able to form up some of the Britons flee in panic.

The British position is stabilised somewhat when Taximagulus leads his Fianna in a wild charge into the sea against several cohorts of Legio X. But with both sides struggling to fight it out in the water the attack peters out.

Having decimated the Spanish survivors of the ship wreck, Cingetorix sends his chariots forward to join in the main engagement. When charged by Caesar’s Gallic auxiliaries they decide that discretion is the better part of valour. They evade the charge, heading for the gap between the cliffs and to safety.

At the tuning of the tide, when their ships would begin to re-float, the Romans have not yet secured a beachhead. They have however begun to push the Britons back so that soon they will be in a position to form up properly. At this point the Britons would be very hard pressed to dislodge them. So it is likely that Caesar would not choose to re-embark but rather consolidate his position and press on.

Cassibelanus could claim victory. He had increased his prestige in the eyes of his men and his peers from having personally led several charges, been the first to challenge a Roman to single combat and from showing sufficient devotion to the gods to cause them to intervene and sink a Roman ship. Taximagulus can also hold his head high after leading a charge and also challenging a Roman to single combat even though this was barely noted by either side.

Cingetorix did little to raise his prestige amongst the Britons but having suffered no casualties he is in a commanding position. It is rumoured that he has sent overtures to Caesar offering peace in exchange for recognition as a client king. We shall have to wait and see how this pans out. It feels like a follow-on game is in order.

The game was played out on an 8 x 5.5’ table using 6 mm figures. The table layout above.

The rules used were a cut down version of Legio VI Julia Augusta which are available as a free download from my website here. There were additional scenario specific rules including the Druid Sacrifice, challenges to combat and the reluctance of Romans to disembark. These will be includes as a game scenario on my website shortly.