Victory Results:
 0 %
Record a victory for BOTTOM ARMY  100 %
Total plays 4 - Last reported by RiverWanderer on 2024-11-29 17:25:24

Historical Background
Following his set-back at Ruspina, Julius Caesar spent some time regrouping before making a surprise night march of 16 miles and camping near the Pompeian-held coastal town of Thapsus. Caesar immediately placed Thapsus under siege. Though numerically superior, Metellus Scipio, the Pompeian commander in the area, originally had no intention of risking a direct battle with the formidable Caesar. However, Caesar had forced the issue with this threat to Thapsus. If Scipio allowed a key city to fall without a fight, then key allies would defect to Caesar. Scipio reluctantly brought his 40,000 man army up to relieve the city. Scipio occupied a defensive position and drew up his line with elephants (provided by King Juba) on the wings. Caesar opposed the pachyderms with light archers and slingers, while taking personal command of his right wing. As the battle began, volleys of missiles sent the elephants reeling. At nearly the same time, Caesar’s infantry, eager for battle, attacked without orders. Many of the elephants stampeded into the center of Caesar’s line, where the 5th legion Alaudae ( the Larks) was advancing. The 5th was a Gallic legion, recruited in Transalpine Gaul. The Larks bravely stood firm against the elephants, and later adopted the elephant as their legionary symbol. Caesar’s horse countered a Numidian cavalry charge and forced them to flee. After the failed charge, the Pompeian line crumbled and the rout was on. Pompeian resistance in Africa had been crushed, but the civil war was not quite over. There remained one more Pompeian bastion – Spain.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. The rest is history.

War Council

Pompeian Army
• Leader: Afranius
• 8 Command Cards
• Move First

Caesarian Army
• Leader: Caesar
• 10 Command Cards

Victory
14 Banners

Special Rules
Julian Legions rule is in effect for both armies.
• Julius Caesar Rule is in effect.

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alecrespi replied the topic:
2 months 1 week ago
RiverWanderer replied the topic:
2 months 2 weeks ago
Continuing our romp through Michal Kowalczuk 's Epic Civil War series, Caesar was in the last chance taberna here at Thapsus. It started badly for him, with Pompey launching a relentless attack with elephants and cavalry, devastating his right.  Before long, the banner line stood at 8:2 in favour of a historical turnabout, the steady march forward of Caesar's line promising little in the way of reward. However, about now, Caesar leapt into action, despatching both enemy elephant units in a single turn and then pressing forward to pierce Pompey's left flank, reversing the tide of the battle.

It was still a close run thing but this time Fortuna was with Caesar. Unlike at Pharsalus , Pompey's final attacks failed to deliver and the Caesarians were able to take advantage to gain the final banners needed for Victory. Now on to Munda for the final showdown!

Below, Pompey's last attacks of the game: Two Medium Cavalry left of the board have pounced on an unsupported Medium Infantry, but have come off worse. On the other side, the luckiest of Caesar's Infantry will shortly dispatch the pursuing cavalry. Above, Caesar himself has survived Scipio's attack and is about to eliminate some optimistic Light Infantry. A line command will finish the game.


log: 

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mk20336 replied the topic:
1 year 6 months ago
One of our sessions with Thapsus (46 BC) - a really exciting game!

LINK: EPIC Ancients Battles – Thapsus (46 BC)

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Mark-McG replied the topic:
1 year 6 months ago
Caesar got home 14-13 in a uninspiring role.. Pompey's elephants tried to pin the Caesarian cavalry to the baseline and not only failed to hit, but wore bright shiny targets that attracted every type of hit. Caesar came forward, and then went back behind the line.

Otherwise a desparate struggle in the centre, the Pompeiians dominated on their right and the left remained pretty quiet apart from the struggle on the far left of cavalry and light troops.