Readers will recall that the indecisive Battle of Pisarium fought in late May. Rather than face the Romans the next day Hannibal fell back north east allowing the Consul Gaius Flaminius to advance north and relieve Ariminum. However, as Flaminius moved north Hannibal conducted a series of complex manoeuvres screened by his Numidian light cavalry. On the first day of June Hannibal deployed his army south of the Romans cutting their route south towards Rome. Flaminius had no other option than to fight a set piece battle.

Hannibal deployed with his right near the Mare Adriaticum. Here the bulk of his mounted were placed, a mixture of cavalry including a number of Numidian light cavalry. Extending west were his Gallic foot interspersed periodically by elephants. The Punic centre again comprised the bulk of the Carthaginian heavy infantry, a mix of Punic and African troops bolstered by a few Gallic warriors. Finally, the Carthaginian left comprised the bulk of his Spanish infantry as well as various light troops. Unlike the previous engagement the Punic left now included a number of Numidian light cavalry. Both flanks were constrained by terrain, a large wooded area and rising slopes on the left a steep and rocky hill on the right.

The Flaminius when alerted to the Punic intrigue ordered his legions south. In an untraditional deployment he placed the bulk of his cavalry on the left with a smaller number on his right. Again the Roman and Allied legions were deployed across the front in multiple lines with velites forward while the principles and triarrii formed the reserve. Again, the Roman centre was commanded by Porcius Licinus while the right was commanded by Gnaeus Servilius Geminus. Flaminius deployed on his left with the bulk of his cavalry.

Soon after midday Hannibal ordered the mounted of his right forward. This included a number of Numidians who moved first towards the coast before moving around a steep hill. Their movement was clearly designed to threaten the Roman flank. Meanwhile on the Punic left a series of complex manoeuvres were conducted by the Punic commander in an effort to clear the woods and rocky hill.

Flaminius countered in less dramatically by ordering a general advance. Along the entire front Roman infantry and cavalry moved forward in resolute and well ordered lines.

Battle was joined on the Roman left where Flaminius leading his Roman cavalry sought an early advantage. Yet disaster here was to strike. Despite outflanking the Punic mounted the Roman and Allied cavalry were thrown back in disorder. No sooner had this happened than the Numidian cavalry, previously conducting a flanking move, added their weight to the battle. In only a short time Flaminius had lost the advantage on his left and was thrown on to the defensive.

On the Roman right Gnaeus Servilius Geminus believed he would gain the advantage due to the overly complex manoeuvres of the enemy opposite. Advancing forwards he was confident a well ordered line would quickly overwhelm the scattered and confused infantry and Numidian cavalry. It was not to be and Numidian, Spanish and assorted light troops held the line. So much so that the fighting here soon became something of a stand-off.

This was not to be the case in the centre. For a time the Carthaginian infantry of the centre seemed reluctant to advance. However as the Carthaginian wings stabilised, and faced with the advancing legions under Porcius Licinus, the Punic and African heavy infantry finally moved forward in their deep ranks.

Both commanders expected the fighting in the centre to be prolonged with the heavy infantry of both armies push each other back and forth. This was not to be. Soon after the lines contacted the Carthaginian line stumbled and then in a short space of time a portion collapsed.

With limited reserves available a hole developed. Emboldened by success and encouraged by the valour of Porcius Licinus the hastati with principles pressed forward. More of the Punic line crumbled. Soon, unable to halt the advance of the legions, the entire Punic centre broke in rout.

Alarmed by the precipitous rout of his centre Hannibal ordered an all out attack on the Roman left, which it will be recalled, was thrown on the defensive earlier. Numidian and Gallic cavalry attacked along the front while elephants thrown forward in support.

Yet the Roman and allied cavalry withstood these repeated attacks. Indeed, on the extreme Roman left a small body of triarii, having been ordered to the right previously, fought particular determination. Despite being assailed to front and flank these veterans threw back their attackers mercilessly.

With darkness approaching Hannibal’s attacks reached a critical moment with victory or defeat on the Punic right in the balance. Determined Roman counterattacks occurred resulting in further Carthaginian casualties. Indeed, casualties against the Gallic and Numidian cavalry were too great and the Punic right broke. Now as Punic cavalry, infantry and elephants fled south all hope of Carthaginian domination of Italia were dashed. Gaius Flaminius had achieved a great victory.

Our game of course was at this point complete and the Carthaginian army broken. In particular the Punic right was demoralised and the centre lost. While no Roman command was demoralised that of the left was alarmingly near. It was without doubt a great game and one that was balanced throughout.

In early May of 217 BC, the Carthaginians crossed the Apennines unopposed, surprising the Romans by taking a difficult but unguarded route. Moving south they plundered the countryside, looting the plentiful stocks of food, razing the villages and small towns and killing out of hand all adult men encountered. Soon they were advancing south along the Mare Adriaticum coast. Here on the afternoon of the 25th, just north of Pisarium, the Consul Gaius Flaminius deployed his army. Before him stretched the Carthaginian host. A vast array of mercenaries, with the bulk on foot but supported by a large component of cavalry and a few elephants. All were emboldened by their victory the previous year against Tiberius Sempronius Longus.

Hannibal, aware of the advance of Gaius Flaminius and his legions, determined to offer battle in a relatively open area with his left near the coast of the Mare Adriaticum. His mounted, a mix of Punic, Gallic and Numidians were massed on his left. The centre comprised Gallic foot extended by Punic and African foot. Finally on the Carthaginian right were the bulk of his Spanish. The Punic flanks were to some extent protected by steep and rocky hills with that on the Punic right providing something of an obstacle to the advance Spanish and assorted light troops.

Flaminius deployed his legions opposite with care. His legions, a mix of Roman and Allied, deployed across the front with velites in front. Reserves comprised principles and triarrii. What mounted was available was divided between each wing, though a greater proportion was placed on the Roman right.

Alas, by the time both armies were arrayed the day was well advanced. Undeterred both armies advanced, the Carthaginians to clear the terrain and then use their mounted superiority against the Roman right and the Romans to press the Punic host before they could reorganise their lines and expanded. This was especially so on the Roman right where Gaius Flaminius ordered a rapid advance.

The rapid Roman advance created opportunities for the Carthaginians. In the Roman centre, commanded by Porcius Licinus, the Roman velites were deployed forward where they could counter the Punic elephants and to disrupt the Gallic foot. In the process of advancing these light troops were vulnerable to attack by Carthaginian cavalry. A body of Gallic horse surged forward. While some success was gained initially this aggressive move by the Gallic cavalry created a gap in the Punic line. Further, as the unsupported Gallic cavalry were driven back they risked disorganising the Gallic infantry to their rear.

Undeterred by the advance of the Gallic horse, Flaminius continued to advance against the Punic left. Soon the Carthaginians here were under significant pressure as the Roman horse, supported by advancing infantry including triarrii, pushed forward exploiting the gap created by the Gallic cavalry. Under significant pressure the Carthaginian left fell back and by herculean efforts their position was stabilised, despite heavy losses.

Back in the centre, and with the immediate attack by Gallic cavalry repulsed, Porcius Licinus threw forward more light troops to disrupt the enemy pachyderms and Gallic foot. Alas, his plan was too complicated and eventually the Gallic foot charged home. Now only Roman determination and the bravery of Porcius Licinus held the centre and despite casualties the Gallic mercenaries were pushed back.

While the Roman centre was stabilising the same could not be said for their left. Indeed, it was under immense pressure. The Roman commander of the left, Gnaeus Servilius Geminus, had been confident that his Roman and Allied legions would force back the Punic heavy infantry. However, these Punic and African veterans, deployed sometimes in deep and seemingly ineffective formations, fought back. With their spears lowered and their shields locked, they fought with great determination. Soon Gnaeus Servilius Geminus was forced to relieve some of his hard pressed hastati with principles and even triarii. Some Romans it is true pressed back the Punic line, but the early commitment of reserves was a concern.

Fortunately the commander of the Punic right was cautious. So much so that he refused to advance his Spanish in mass. This was in part caused by the terrain but also his cautious nature (or poor PIP dice). As a result the Roman and Allied cavalry, under the personal direction of Gnaeus Servilius Geminus engaged the few Spanish who ventured forward.

Alas, dusk was fast approaching and reluctantly, despite no conclusive result, both armies were forced to disengage. It now remains to be seen if the Hannibal will offer battle against Rome in the coming days, or if he will retire north pursued by Gaius Flaminius.

Four those interested in the forces involved I will provide a brief description. My Romans used a relatively simple command structure, with each command containing hastati, principles, triarii and velites in various proportions. The right wing, commanded by the Consul Gaius Flaminius, comprised the bulk of the cavalry, four stands, while the left fewer cavalry but included some Italians fighting in more traditional style (auxilia). In all the right wing comprised 13 stands, the centre 10 and the left 13. The Romans comprised a mix of 15mm miniatures but the bulk from Essex Miniatures range.

My opponent’s Carthaginians were organised differently than I was expecting. His left, under command of the Punic commander, consisted of 10 stands the bulk being mounted and included one stand of elephants. The Punic right comprised mostly Spanish and assorted light infantry (Ax and Ps), in all a further 10 stands. Finally in the centre the African and Punic heavy infantry (Sp) were deployed, along with the Gallic mercenaries (Wb) and the remaining elephants. This command amounted to 16 stands. The highest PIP die was allocated to the left, the lowest to the right.