Roman Republic way of war
Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 3:58 pm
For those of you who don't know Roman history here are some tips, an introduction:
First of all each year the Romans appointed 2 bosses who ruled one year: the Consuls.
Normally the Republic would raise 4 legions: two for each Consul. But these Consular armies always had auxiliaries attached: minimum the 100% of a Roman force, but in fact many times the 200%! So in theory each Consul would have an army of 8.000 Romans (legionaries) + around 16.000 allies = 24.000 men
Even when the Romans raised many legions each Consul would still command only two legions (+ the allies, don't forget it). For example, in 209 BC, during the II Punic War, 21 legions were raised. Only 4 of them were commanded by the two Consuls. The rest were commanded by other guys. But almost always each command consisted of 2 legions (+ auxiliaries).
So in fact, in the operations in 209 BC the Consuls only commanded 1/5 of the Roman forces. The Romans liked the pairs, as you can see. With Cesar & Co. you can see they might command 7, 8, 9 legions though. But that was the road that lead to the end of the Republic [:D]
So when the expansion pack will be available, remember this "pairs" thing. 2 consuls with 2 legions each, a legate in let's say north Italy with 2 legions, another guy in Sicily with 2 legions and so on and so on. Small forces of 2 legions that is, who fight independently in their own theater.
And of course don't forget the auxiliaries.
At Cannae, they concentrated their forces though.
Cheers
First of all each year the Romans appointed 2 bosses who ruled one year: the Consuls.
Normally the Republic would raise 4 legions: two for each Consul. But these Consular armies always had auxiliaries attached: minimum the 100% of a Roman force, but in fact many times the 200%! So in theory each Consul would have an army of 8.000 Romans (legionaries) + around 16.000 allies = 24.000 men
Even when the Romans raised many legions each Consul would still command only two legions (+ the allies, don't forget it). For example, in 209 BC, during the II Punic War, 21 legions were raised. Only 4 of them were commanded by the two Consuls. The rest were commanded by other guys. But almost always each command consisted of 2 legions (+ auxiliaries).
So in fact, in the operations in 209 BC the Consuls only commanded 1/5 of the Roman forces. The Romans liked the pairs, as you can see. With Cesar & Co. you can see they might command 7, 8, 9 legions though. But that was the road that lead to the end of the Republic [:D]
So when the expansion pack will be available, remember this "pairs" thing. 2 consuls with 2 legions each, a legate in let's say north Italy with 2 legions, another guy in Sicily with 2 legions and so on and so on. Small forces of 2 legions that is, who fight independently in their own theater.
And of course don't forget the auxiliaries.
At Cannae, they concentrated their forces though.
Cheers