Category Archives: Campaigns

Campaigns in Iberia

Battles in Hispania, Campaigns, DBA, Game Reports, II/11 Gallic, II/32a Later Carthaginian, II/33 Polybian Roman, II/39a Iberian

In a recent series of battles the peaceful peoples of Iberia would be subjected to a series of invasions by not one but three peoples. Specifically the Gauls, Carthaginians and Romans, all of which were commanded by one player with the battles fought in sequence. Alas, only scattered fragments of the various battles survive.

The Invasion of the Gauls:

The first significant incursion happened in the Spring of 229 BCE when the Volcae Arecomici, a confederation of tribes who inhabited the area between the Rhône and the Hérault rivers, crossed the mountains that acted as a natural barrier to Iberia. The Gauls under Vitalstatistix were eventually confronted by the Iberians commanded by Indibilus who drew up his army on a generally open battlefield though the Gallic left would be disrupted by a series of steep and rocky hills.

The Gauls divided their cavalry between both wings with a higher number deployed on their left. Around noon, soon after both armies were fully deployed, a number of Iberian caetrati were thrown forward to disrupt the Gallic left. Securing a portion of the high ground the caetrati now threatened the Gallic infantry and hampered the deployment of the Gallic mounted. Soon Iberian cavalry reinforced the Iberian right further slowing the Celtic advance before falling back in what some sources claim was a ruse. As the Iberian mounted retired the Gallic cavalry and chariots advanced and began to expand. Yet now the Iberian horse advanced again. Simultaneously a number of caetrati moved from the high ground to support the Iberian attack.

The Iberian attack with Iberian cavalry reinforced by caetrati.

Only the determination of the Gallic mounted overcame Indibilus’ cunning ploys and forced the Iberians back. Slowly the Gallic commander gained the advantage until eventually the Iberian right was in disarray. With it the Iberian centre was unhinged. Finally, with casualties mounting, the Iberians were forced to retire.

The following year that the Gauls invaded yet again, no doubt encouraged by their previous success. The resourceful Indibilus, having rebuilt his Iberian army, deployed in echelon his right and centre forward, his left withdrawn.

The Iberian right & centre with the left withdrawn in the distance.

Again the Gallic left was disrupted by a series of rocky hills. However this time the Gallic commander secured the high ground with infantry before advancing his mounted through a narrow defile and expanding on the open plain beyond. The advance of the Gallic foot in the centre and right was however delayed due to the broken ground. When battle was joined on the Iberian right the scutarii fought with considerable determination, particularly against the Gallic mounted. Indeed, on several occasions the Gallic mounted were forced back.

The Gallic line is disjointed and is already under pressure from the Iberians.

Slowly the Iberians gained the advantage and as they did Gallic casualties mounted. Eventually, the Vitalstatistix, at the head of a number of chariots was overcome. Once news of his loss was known the fragile Gallic host broke in rout. This tragic defeat ended Gallic incursions, at least for several years.

Carthaginian Expansion:

To the west the Carthaginians held a portion of the Iberian coastal areas. On several occasions they expanded their influence in to the interior. Now, in 227 BCE the Carthaginians pressed north once again determined to increase their control of the Iberian hinterland. The Punic force comprised a significant number of Libyan and African forces supplemented by various Iberian and Gallic mercenaries. Of note was the use some 40 elephants with which the Punic commander, Hasdrubal the Fair, intended to dislodge the Iberian line. Some sources indicate he was more concerned that with a greater mounted component the Iberians would avoid the open plain.

The Iberian right centre was open with rocky hills on the left and left centre while a large wooded area dominated the Punic right. With the Punic pachyderms deployed in the open centre the Iberian commander intended to draw these forward while fighting defensively on the left. Soon a number of caetrati were thrown forward. Soon a proportion of Punic elephants were drawn forward.

The general situation with the Iberians in the foreground.

A surprise Punic attack against the Iberian left gained some advantage. However, the timely commitment of Iberian reserves stabilised the situation. Instead, fighting now moved to the wooded forest that marked the Punic left. Here Gallic mercenaries were heavily engaged.

The battle against the Punic left as Iberian scutarii initially attack.

The Iberian attacks here continued, despite the commitments of Punic reserves, until the scutarii finally gained success. With his left flank collapsing Hasdrubal the Fair was forced to retire, his hopes of Punic hegemony in disarray.

The Romans Arrive:

In 226 BCE Rome and Carthage agreed the Ebro Treaty. Despite this Roman interest in Iberia was growing. In 220 BCE a Roman expedition under Lucius Veturius Philo was dispatched to operate north of the Ebro. Commanding the Iberians was none other than Indibilus, who it will be recalled had been engaged against the Gauls a few years prior. Two battles desperate battles would be fought.

The Iberian centre comprising the bulk of the scutarii.

The first was in the summer when Philo deployed his legions, bolstered by Spanish mercenaries, against the Iberians. The field selected by Indibilus was broken by rocky hills and woods. The Iberian left was anchored by a rocky hill his right by a large wood.

The general situation viewed from the Roman perspective.

But on the extreme Iberian right the battlefield was open and it was here that Lucius Veturius Philo decided to advance. Indibilus was soon on the defensive and reacting to the consul’s advance. It was not long before the Iberian right was under significant pressure. Unable to reinforce the struggling Iberian lines Indibilus army began to disintegrated. Rome it seemed, was victorious.

Fortunately, Indibilus was able to make good his losses and by late Summer of 220 BCE once again took the field to oppose the Romans. Alas, Lucius Veturius Philo outmanoeuvred Indibilus whose army faced the Romans in the open with only one large wood on his centre right. The situation seemed hopeless with the Iberian centre particularly vulnerable. Clearly Indibilus needed to press the Roman left or risk imminent defeat.

The Battle of Cissa, Summer of 220 BCE with the Iberians advancing from the top left.

The Iberian right advanced with boldly and began to press the Roman left. With the Iberian right advancing and the left withdrawn the Roman line was stretched. As such what Roman reserves available had been committed.

Expecting his centre to collapse at any moment Indibilus’ attacks were desperate. Yet reports arrived that the scutarii, while giving ground, were holding. Indeed, the fighting was so desperate that the scutarii were being forced back almost to their camp. Yet, so overstretched were the Romans that a final push against the Roman left caused it to buckle. News that the Roman left was breaking now rippled through the Roman lines like panic among a gaggle of geese. Lucius Veturius Philo, accepting defeat, fled the field. What excuse he would present for the failures was unknown.

Summary:

So ended a series of battles in Iberia. In what had become a fascinating series of five engagements the Iberians had suffered two defeats while securing three narrow victories. One can’t but wonder if the Romans especially will be contemplating further expeditions in the coming months. Only time will tell…

On Campaign with the Consuls of Rome

Ancient, Battles of the Punic Wars, Campaigns, DBA, Game Reports, II/19c Seleucid, II/32a Later Carthaginian, II/33 Polybian Roman

Regular games of DBA over Christmas and New Year have become something of a tradition for my son and I when he visits us with his family. In all we played fifteen games over the course of the holidays. As we both prefer games involving historical opponents all used historical pairs. The following focuses on a small selection of the games, specifically the Punic Wars engagements and a final clash between Rome and the Seleucids.

Battle of Ariminium – 217 BCE:

The first engagement of our Punic Wars series nominally began in 217 BCE as the Carthaginians moved south along the east coast of Italia. In a brilliant manoeuvre Hannibal circled around Arminium and approached the Roman army from the south (the waterway was on the Punic right). Unfortunately fate now intervened, some would say the gods, and Hannibal and was taken critically ill. With Hannibal incapacitated Mago would command the Punic army.

Mago deployed with his cavalry massed on the more open left. Opposite the Roman consul Gaius Flaminus deployed his infantry traditionally while massing his cavalry on his own right. Now the Carthaginian host, reinforced with a number of elephants, pressed forward all along the line.

Roman velites delay the Punic advance.

Above and below, views of the battle just prior two the two lines clash. Roman and Italian velites were particularly active some engaging the pachyderms while others slowed the advancing Gallic mercenaries.

A view from the Carthaginain lines.

The Roman use of velites somewhat limited the Punic ability to overwhelm the Roman line as initially planned. Eventually, the Roman and Italian infantry on the left and centre gained the advantage – securing victory over the Carthaginian invader. This was without doubt a terrible setback for Punic invasion.

Battles of Canusium – 216 BCE:

Despite the initial setback at the Battle of Ariminium Hannibal was able to establish his army in Italia. Short of elephants, no doubt due to their loss in the previous battle, Hannibal intended to fight a more mobile battle using his superiority in cavalry and light cavalry to overwhelm the flanks of the Roman army under Gaius Terrentius Varro.

Punic right surges forward.

Above, a view from the Carthaginian right where the majority of Punic cavalry were massed. next to them are the Gallic foot. In the centre were the African foot. Below, a view from the Roman lines. The triarri have been bought forward to counter the Punic cavalry.

The main Roman line prepares to halt the Carthaginian advance.

The Punic advance now stalled and slowly the battle turned as the hastati and principes gained the upper hand. Rome would secure yet another great victory.

Battle of Capua – 212 BCE:

Unperturbed by defeat, Punic resolve stiffened and reinforcements rebuilt the army. No sooner had the army been reinforced the Consul Fulvius Flaccus advanced on the Punic army which was positioned with it’s right flank on the coast. It was apparent to Flaccus that the Numidian light cavalry were not present on the field. Nervous of a landing by the Carthaginian fleet, positioned off the coast, the Roman and Italian horse were massed near the coast. The Numidian cavalry eventually arrived and by a series of marches positioned themselves on the Punic left. This forced the Roman commander to react and send his cavalry to his left, though this would take time.

A view from the Roman perspective, the coast in the distance.

Above, the general situation as the Roman cavalry reinforce the Roman right – the Italian cavalry remained on the left. Ligurian mercenaries, just visible in the right rear, will soon extend the Punic centre. Below, the Numidian light cavalry engage the Roman velites.

The Numidian cavalry engage.

Soon the heavy infantry of the centre were fully engaged. Below, a more general view as the main lines engage.

The main lines are engaged.

As the main infantry lines moved back and forth the Numidian light cavalry continued their desperate attacks on the Roman right. Eventually the Roman right was overwhelmed and with it the Roman army collapsed. Hannibal had finally achieved victory.

Battle of Numistro – 208 BCE:

On hearing of the defeat at Capua the Roman senate was in panic. It seemed likely that Rome itself would seen be attacked and as senators considered fleeing. Yet eventually resolve replaced panic. In 208 BCE another Roman army marched south. Consul Marcus Claudius Marcellus orders were clear – do not risk defeat at the hands of Hannibal. Marcellus therefore determined to offer battle on a restricted battlefield and rested his right on a nearby river. Yet, Hannibal was confident and advanced, determined to secure victory.

Hannibal’s centre comprised his infantry while his right the Punic and Spanish cavalry. On the left were the Numidians. He intended to threaten the enemy right which would advance beside the river, with his Numidians. Once pinned, his infantry would slaughter the Roman centre. It seemed simple, but attacking across a river is always complex.

The main lines deployed while forces are engaged along the river.

Above, the view from the Carthaginian lines with the Gallic foot in the left foreground extended by the Punic heavy infantry. Below, the Punic flanking contingent comprising Numidian light cavalry and Balearic slingers.

A desperate fight along the river banks.

As Hannibal feared the flanking manoeuvre was difficult to execute. It was made more difficult when Marcus Claudius Marcellus reinforced his own right making it more difficult to cross. Worse, the Punic foot were slow in engaging the Roman centre. Yet disaster was unfolding on the Punic right. The advancing Roman cavalry and foot here reduced the room the Punic cavalry required to manoeuvre. Soon the Carthaginian cavalry here were forced to retire exposing the Punic centre. Rome had secured a stunning victory!

Battle of Cirta – 204 BCE:

While Hannibal focussed on regaining the initiative in Italia the Senate approved an invasion of Africa. In due course the Consul Publius Scipio landed in Africa and soon threatened Carthage itself. A Punic army was hastily assembled and was to be commanded by Hasdrubal Gisco. There will be little surprise this army included a number of African elephants which were readily available.

Gisco put much thought into his selection of the battlefield, but less into the dispositions of his troops and even less into the enemies intentions. He deployed with his left flank resting on the coast, while the flanks of the Punic host were further limited by a series of marshes on both the left and right.

The main lines clash while Punic light troops threaten from the marshes.

While the marshes provided some initial advantage to the Carthaginians it was soon apparent that Roman light troops were likely to draw the African elephants forward. Accepting the threat the Carthaginian lines advanced and began to force the Romans back. It is worth noting that the Libyan heavy infantry gained notable successes in the desperate fighting. However, the pachyderms were countered by velites. The Punic advance faltered when the elephants broke, and with their rout the fate of the Punic line was sealed. Above and below the situation early in the battle.

A view from the Roman lines.

Now with Carthage itself threatened chaos reigned. Soon Carthage would be forced to sue for peace and with it the end of our Punic Wars series.

Battle of Demetrias – 191 BCE:

Yet for Rome other threats still existed. In just over a decade she was engaged in the east against the Seleucid Empire of Antiochus the Great. In 191 BCE, concerned by Seleucid interference in Greece, Rome sent the Consul Manius Acilius Glabrio to Greece.

Antiochus’ army can be best described as eclectic mix and as such he knew that securing a victory over the disciplined army of Glabrio would be difficult. Eventually Antiochus offered battle on an open plain with his right resting on the Aegean coast. He hoped that he would be able to mass his heavy infantry and elephants without significant threat to his flanks, especially his right. Indeed, Antiochus’ intent was to advance in echelon withholding his weaker right back while smashing the Roman centre before chieving final victory with his heavy cavalry massed on his left. Opposite, the Romans deployed with their cavalry on the right with ample reserves, clearly in an effort to counter any Seleucid breakthrough.

The general situation as the armies advance.

The battle soon opened in the centre where phalangites, elephants, Galatian mercenaries and scythed chariots advanced.

The Seleucid scythed chariots breakthrough the Roman lines.

The breakthrough of the Scythed chariots was soon followed by a charge Galatian mercenaries. The battle here was desperate but eventually the Roman line cracked. Yet again Roman reserves stabilised the situation.

Roman reserves attempt to stabilise the line.

On the Roman centre right taraii massed to prevent a potential breakthrough of the Seleucid heavy cavalry who posed a significant threat, despite being numerically inferior. Yet sensing victory Antiochus ordered forward his cavalry and in a series of attacks broke the Roman line even cutting down Manius Acilius Glabrio.

Antiochus prepares to attack with his heavy cavalry.

Above, the situation viewed from the Roman right just prior to Antiochus launching his attack with the Seleucid heavy cavalry.

With Rome suffering a humiliating defeat in Greece another army must be dispatched, but this expedition will have to wait for another campaign season. This was after all the final battle of our Christmas & New Year DBA series.

In all a great series of games, testament to the rules and an ability to play a game when time is short. While I have presented the above as a campaign the games were all seperate engagements with my son and I regularly changing sides.

As to other games in our holiday series a short description seems required. There were three engagements between in Greece with the Thebans engaging Phokians, Thessalians and Athenians. I believe the Thebans secured two victories and the Athenians one. There was one Successor Battle between Antigonius and Eumenes where Antigonus claimed a resounding victory. Moving to the Medieval period there were three outstanding Wars of the Roses battles, though the results escape me. Finally, there were two engagements in the New World as the Aztecs to clashed with the Tlaxacalans (supported by their Spanish friends). In the first the Aztecs were victorious while in the second Cortez secured a stunning victory.

Gracchus, Flaccus & Maximus

Campaigns, DBA, Game Reports, II/11 Gallic, II/32a Later Carthaginian, II/33 Polybian Roman

Like much of the world here in New Zealand we are under a lockdown in an effort to control the spread of Covid-19. For many weeks now all wargaming, at least face to face, has been on hold. However, my son and I decided to attempt some virtual DBA games using Skype. In the ensuing weeks we have played around five games. In the end the majority of engagements comprised battles involving Rome, so these are presented here in something of a campaign, though at the time we had no such plan.

Frustrated by the ever growing restlessness of the Gallic peoples north of Rome the Senate determined to move against the Cisalpine tribes despite the ongoing threat Hannibal posed to Rome. The Consul Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus was dispatched and pressed north engaging a large Gallic army in the Spring of 215 BC.

Above and below the view of the engagement with the Gallic cavalry and chariots massed on the Gallic left.

Gracchus was particularly aggressive and exploited ruthlessly the gaps in the Gallic lines.

However, the Punic threat could not be ignored and in 212 BC Rome moved against the Carthaginians in the south. Having assembled a large army the Consul Quintus Fulvius Flaccus marched south.

The Carthaginians, commanded by Hanno the Younger, deployed along the coast their flank resting on an occupied Italian city. Reinforced with a number of pachyderms Hanno hoped to break up the Roman lines with these beasts. Soon a dramatic battle developed with the elephants repeatedly pressing the Roman centre.

Above and below the Carthaginians are engaged against the Romans.

However, Roman determination was unwavering and slowly the Roman infantry gained the advantage until finally the Punic veterans were overwhelmed. 

Yet before the Punic threat could be overcome events in the north required attention. Therefore in the Spring of 211 BC a new Consul, Gnaeus Fulvius Centumalus Maximus, marched north to confront the Gauls.

Maximus hoped the campaign would be short and therefore planned to suppress the tribal alliance before moving south again. However, the old Gallic commander undertook a series of complex manoeuvres and fell on the overextended Roman right.

Above, the move against the Roman right, while below the Gallic main effort seen from the Gallic right.

The Gallic attack against the Roman right had clearly surprised Maximus whose attack temporarily stalled. This now allowed the Gallic centre to decimated the Romans opposite and secure a clear Gallic victory. 

Yet undeterred Maximus reinforced his army and by autumn was prepared to again move on to the offensive. In due course the Gauls offered battle and again the Gallic commander attempted a series of complex manoeuvres.

However, this time his cunning only created a series of gaps in his own line which he was unable to plug.

Maximus struck with deadly determination, shattering the Gauls and handing them their worst defeat since Telmon.

In the course of three years the Consuls Gracchus, Flaccus & Maximus had inflicted three defeats on the enemies of Rome. Now Rome, emboldened with confidence, could focus on the final defeat of Hannibal…

Epeirot Adventures

Ancient, Campaigns, DBA, I/61b Early Carthaginian, II/27b Pyrrhic, II/33 Polybian Roman

Because of the size of DBA games, and that you can more easily build armies in historical pairs, it is relatively straightforward to link several battles together to form a linear or narrative campaign. Over the last couple of weeks, as time has allowed, my son and I traced the campaigns of Pyrrhus of Epirus in Italy and Sicily using his and my own armies.

As way of a refresher Pyrrhus entered Southern Italy in 280 BC with an Epeirot army to support Tarentum against the growing power of Rome. Pyrrhus then fought the battles of Heraclea (280 BC) and Asculum (279 BC) where he secured a very costly victory. By 277 BC Pyrrhus had quit Italy and was campaigning in Sicily where he hoped to carve out a new kingdom. But as the campaign against the Carthaginians stalled he departed for Italy once again. Then in 275 BC Pyrrhus faced the Romans at Beneventum, but was defeated in battle. Unable to overcome Rome he finally departed to continue his wars elsewhere.

Pyrrhus, King of Epeiros 297 to 272 BC

For our purposes we decided on five battles with the first two or three against the Romans. These would decide the conquest of Italy. If the first two were defeats, or costly victories for the Epeirots, Pyrrhus would move to Sicily for two more battles before returning to Italy for a final battle. If however the first two battles against the Romans were victories Pyrrhus would fight a third battle against the Romans potentially securing his Italian conquests before moving to Sicily.

The army of Pyrrhus would be represented by the standard DBA list (II/28b). Pyrrhus would select a smaller phalanx and supplement his army with Italiot and Sicilian hoplites. While not perfectly historic the Romans would be represented by the Polybian list (II/33) in all three battles, this would at least allow Joel to use his own Romans which would of course fight with great determination. The Carthaginians would be represented by the Early Carthaginian list (I/61b) and in both battles the Carthaginian player selected to field heavy chariots, though less chariots and more cavalry may have been more realistic.

In the first battle in 280 BC near Heraclea Pyrrhus deployed his army with a strong centre and his elephants on the immediate left of the phalanx and his left extended further by a significant portion of his mounted. While Pyrrhus and his companions formed on the right he ordered a swift attack on the left in an attempt to destroy the Roman right before it was fully deployed. Unfortunately before the Epeirot line engaged the Roman right the Romans had completed their deployment and fought back with great determination. The resulting battle hung in the balance for some time. However, despite heavy Epeirot casualties the Roman army eventually collapsed and Pyrrhus secured a narrow victory.

Below, the Epeirot left and centre advance on the Romans. The Epeirot cavalry have just achieved a breakthrough and will soon exploit the situation.

In the second battle of the campaign, at Asculum in 279 BC Pyrrhus deployed with his companions and elephants in the centre flanked by phalangites while the rest of his army extended both flanks. He now aimed to simply cut his way through the Roman centre with the combination of Epeirot phalangites, pachyderms and Epeirot heavy cavalry. The Romans, having selected the battlefield countered with heavy reserves in the centre. In this battle however the Romans were unable to stop Pyrrhus. As dusk settled the Romans had suffered complete collapse of their army and as those few survivors fled north Rome was overtaken by panic. Pyrrhus now marched on Rome his conquest almost complete.

Above and below the forces at Asculum. Above the phalanx is seen advancing with Pyrrhus in support while below the refused Epeirot left wing with Italiot hoplites protecting a portion of the phalanx.

Rome was now galvanised into action and assembled another army and offered battle in 278 BC. Again Rome selected the battlefield and a now desperate and frustrated consul determined to offer battle near Fregellae, resting his left flank on the walled town. Constrained by woods on his left and right Pyrrhus struggled to fully deploy, especially on his right. Below, the general situation with Fregellae on the right.

Undeterred Pyrrhus advanced and progressively attempted to expand his right. It was against the Epeirot right that the weight of the Roman attack came and soon Pyrrhus himself was in the thick of the fighting. His first attack was to drive off the Roman infantry attempting to envelop the Epeirot phalanx, seen below.

Unfortunately Pyrrhus’ luck was not to hold. The first disaster was the loss of a portion of his phalanx engaged from the front and enveloped from the flank.

Pyrrhus now attempted to stabilise the situation and led his heavy cavalry in another charge. Unfortunately the attack was beaten back and worse Pyrrhus was wounded. The combination was too much and the Epeirot army retired from the field defeated. Above and below, the defining moments of the battle.

Clearly the casualties were becoming too great and in the late 278 BC Pyrrhus, having recovered from his wounds, departed for Sicily. As in Italy his arrival in was warmly received by his allies, and with concern by his enemies.

The first major battle occurred in early 277 BC near Agrigentum. Pyrrhus, his army reinforced and bolstered by Sicilian mercenaries, faced the Carthaginians on the coast. The Punic commander had selected an open battlefield ideal for heavy chariots and Punic foot. To counter the Carthaginian deployment Pyrrhus’ left rested on the coast and his infantry extended to the right. Again, Pyrrhus deployed towards the centre and between the phalanx. His right was extended by his massed elephants and cavalry interspersed by Sicilian auxilia.

The advance of both armies was swift and despite some attempts to adjust to the Epeirot deployment the Carthaginian chariots crashed into the Epeirot phalanx and pachyderms with unsurprising results. Meanwhile, other parts of the Epeirot phalanx, supported by Pyrrhus, pressed ever forward against the heavy Punic foot.

The fighting was desperate, as can be seen above, but the Carthaginian army was unable to withstand the Epeirot veterans. As night fell the Carthaginian army abandoned the field.

The ensuing months resulted in several great cities surrendering to Pyrrhus. However, as he advanced on Eryx, the last Carthaginian stronghold on the island in 276 BC, the Carthaginians having been reinforced offered open battle.

Again, the Punic army was deployed along the coast where it was supplied by the fleet and the terrain was open. The Carthaginian commander this time deployed more traditionally his mounted massed on the left and his heavy infantry extending to the right where a wood provided some protection from a move against the Punic right. Pyrrhus massed his mounted on his right opposite the Punic mounted and likewise extended his centre and left with his heavy infantry and the extreme left with his light troops. Again the armies advanced and soon both would be locked in combat. Punic light troops, originally to be used on the Punic right for an attack against the Epeirot left, were hastily moved to counter the Punic elephants but failed to adequately redeploy.

Above, the Epeirot army advances while the Carthaginian commander attempts to redeploy a number of slingers to his left. Below the advancing Epeirot phalanx, elephants and Pyrrhus heavy cavalry.

Instead, of the pachyderms being engaged with light troops it was the Gallic cavalry who skirmished against the Epeirot elephants while heavy chariots and Numidian light horse attempted to delay the advancing Greeks, as can be seen below.

But it was too much for the Punic host and the advancing phalangites, encouraged by Pyrrhus, pressed ever forward until the Punic army collapsed.

Thus ended our Epeirot adventures. Pyrrhic hopes of an Italian Kingdom looked initially likely to be achieved. That is until their devastating defeat at Fregellae in 278 BC. However, Pyrrhus’ campaign in Sicily was completely successful. With the Carthaginians utterly defeated there was nothing to prevent his establishment of a lasting kingdom on this rich island – other than a few rebellious locals and the rising power of his two new neighbours…