Cannae: 216BC

Special Rules

by Daniel Burkley
Battle illustrations © Osprey


ROMAN DENSE FORMATIONS

The Romans formed up in unusually dense formations at Cannae. This is represented by a column of stands, normally 1 SK, 3-4 SD, 1 SP. The columns all start adjacent to one another. To compel this tactic to be used:

    A: No SD or SP may expand out from, or separate from any of the columns until
      i) Any SD makes contact with an enemy unit.
      ii) Either cavalry wing (on either side)has been completely destroyed.

    B: All SD and SP must move forward at least 100 paces each turn until any SD or SP is contacted by the enemy.
    C: SP may detach (but not expand out) from the legions after any non SK enemy unit has been contacted by any non SK Roman/ltalian unit.
    D: To add +1 to any melee BEFORE any dice are thrown.

An ADVANTAGE CHIP can be used like an Initiative chip BUT ONLY FOR PURPOSES C) and D) LISTED ABOVE.

VARIABLE INITIATIVE

Both sides CinC's roll for initiative to see who goes first EACH turn. Each leader adds/subtracts his modifier (in brackets in the OOBs) to the initiative roll. This may permit double turns.

PANIC LEVELS

When an army's Panic Level has been reached (number of units lost = Panic Level), an Army Morale Check is done at the end of each completed turn. A D6 is rolled, adding the CinC's die roll modifier and subtracting 1 for each unit lost above the Panic Level total. EL and SK count only as half units with regard to Panic Levels. If the die roll is 0 OR LESS that army has broken and fled (and has lost the battle!).

Hannibal had just about everything going his way with this battle. Hannibal starts the battle with 2 ADVANTAGE CHITS and 2 INITIATIVE CHITS. All other generals start with 1 ADVANTAGE CHIT.

INITIATIVE and ADVANTAGE CHIPS

An INITIATIVE CHIP (Hannibal only at Cannae) may be used at ANY time for one of the following:

    A: To steal the advantage from the Romans if Hannibal has lost the roll this turn.
    B: To give an order to move any unit or group on the Carthaginian side.
    C: To force a reroll of a melee the result of which Hannibal doesn't like. Both sides immediately reroll and the new result is applied.

LEADERS AND COMMANDS

Troops should be assigned to each leader. CinCs can give commands to any of the troops on their side. Otherwise, leaders may only issue orders to troops they have been placed in command of. A leader may take command of a unit outside his initial command by attaching to it (such that his stand is in contact with it, either prolonging a flank or directly in front/behind) and issuing a separate order to it next turn.

The CinC must issue the first order during a side's turn. If the CinC commands a battleline to move forward as the first order, other units from other leaders' commands that are a part of the battleline at the start of the turn may move with the battleline (which may permit the other leaders to conserve their 'pips' to move other units in their commands).

INTERPENETRATION

Mounted troops may pass through SK, or SK through any troops which are facing in the same or opposite direction.The following interpenetrating recoils are permitted only if facing in the SAME direction:

  • EL may pass through SK.
  • Mounted (except EL) may pass through any friends except EL.
  • SD may recoil through any friends except EL.
  • SD may recoil through SD or SP.
  • SK through any friends.

COMBAT MODIFIERS FROM 2ND RANK SUPPORT

Use these in place of those in DBA.

  • SP add +1 if supported by another SP which is behind and facing in the same direction. This does NOT apply if in bad going, attacking a camp or the supporting element is under fire from bows or artillery.
  • SD or SP attacking a camp may add +1 if supported by a unit of SK which is behind and facing in the same direction.
  • HC or LC fighting cavalry/elephants add +1 if supported by a unit of SK which is behind and facing in the same direction.

COMBAT OUTCOME:

No change form DBA, merely treat:

  • SD as Blades.
  • SK as Psiloi.
  • HC and MC as Cav.
  • LC as Light Horse.

Editor's Notes

Cannae seems to be one of the few ancient battles where all the sources seem to be in broad agreement over what actually occurred. It is also of course one of the great victories by one of histories great captains. There is however still some debate over who fought, how many, and how. I would advise readers wishing to pursue this to especially look out for 'Warfare in the Age of Antiquity' by Hans Delbruk (translated by Walter Renfroe). For a game orientated discussion get hold of the excellent SPQR game designed by M. Herman and R. Berg, published by GMT.

More Cannae:

More Doing the Punic Wars

Back to Battlefields Vol. 1 Issue 5 Table of Contents
© Copyright 1996 by Partizan Press.

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