The Battle for Gaul Begins: Bibracte 58 B.C.

The Battle for Gaul Begins

Bibracte 58 B.C.

By Greg Pitts

Caesar remains as our primary authority and source regarding the Gallic War. In 58 B.C. war broke out in Gaul. We are told by Caesar that the Helvetii under Orgetorix were going to move to new lands. Their present territory being approximately 240 miles long and 180 miles wide, was too small an area for a tribe of such prestige!

Preparations were made over two years with the third year being held as the time of reckoning. Orgetorix was placed in charge of the enterprise and in due course was accused of becoming engaged in an attempt to seize power. Casticus, a Sequanian, and Dumnorix of the Aeduii, joined in the alleged plot. Shortly after the three had exchanged an oath of loyalty, the plot was exposed. Orgetorix committed suicide to avoid being placed on trial for treason. Nevertheless, the Helvetii were still intent on completing their migration to a new land. They set fire to all twelve of their oppida as well as 400 villages and began their journey.

Their were two routes that the Helvetii could take, one through the territory of the Sequani, the other through the Roman province. They chose the later. Caesar was in Rome when he was informed of the Helvetii moves. Leaving Rome, he had but one Legion in Transalpine Gaul and gave orders for more troops to be Rorman Camp levied and the bridge at Geneva to be destroyed.

Suspicious Caesar

Caesar did not trust the intentions of the Helvetii. These were the same tribe that had defeated the Roman army under Lucius Cassius so Caesar decided not to let them pass through the province. Dumnorix secured another route through the territory of the Sequani for the Helvetii. It appears that Dumnorix was playing both sides of the coin during this period. He played friend to Caesar while attempting to seize control of the throne. Caesar caught wind of the plan and Dumnorix followed shortly with an open break with Caesar and Rome!

Caesar moved on Bibracte and had Labienus (his deputy commander) march to join him at his camp, approximately a mile from the Helvetian camp. Dumnorix correctly ascertained that Caesar was moving on Bibracte. This being a major supply center, Dumnorix turned to attack Caesar.

When the Gallic forces started harassing the Roman rear guard, Caesar occupied a position on a hill with his four Veteran Legions about halfway up the hill while he kept his newly conscripted Legions to the rear. The Gauls formed up in a phalanx and proceeded to attack uphill into Caesar's Legions. The attack was unsuccessful and the Gallic forces under Dumnorix retreated to a hill some three quarters of a mile to the rear.

On Numbers

Caesar pursued the Helvetii with his four Legions only to suddenly observe a huge force of some 15,000 men approach from his rear consisting of the Boii and Tulingi tribes. Now Caesar was sandwiched between two adversaries. He turned his third line of cohorts to the rear to face the Boii and Tulingi while continuing to attack with the first two lines of cohorts. Only after fighting well into the evening did the Romans finally prevail with the Gauls retiring from the field. Documents that Caesar captured after the battle said that the grand total of the Gallic troops here were 368,000 of which 263,000 were Helvetii, 36,000 Tulingi, 14,000 Latovici, 23,000 Raurici, and 32,000 Boii. Of these, 92,000 were capable of bearing arms.

Caesar never says that he fought 92,000 men at this battle. As was his style, he threw out figures and let the rumors of his brilliant successes go out. Caesar's army at this engagement could hardly have exceeded 40,000 men which in fact, forces engaged probably did not exceed 20,000 men. The Gallic forces he engaged probably did not exceed 45,000 men and could have been much fewer.

THE SCENARIO

The following scenario is designed for use with Ancient Empires rules.

CAESARIAN FORCES

Army Commander: Julius Caesar (Superior)
Sub-Commander: Titus Labienus (Excellent)

VII, VIII, and IX Legions (all Veteran)
Each consists of:

Xth Legion (Elites)

XIth Legion (Conscripts)

XIIth Legion (Conscripts)

Auxiliary forces

(May deploy to the immediate right or left flank or the rear of the legionaires):

Infantry:

Two Tactical units of Cretan archers at 8 figures each.
Two Tactical units of Gallic archers at 8 figures each.
One Tactical unit of Balearic stingers at 8 figures.
Two Tactical units of Gallic Lt. Javelinmen at 8 figures each.

This Auxiliary infantry may be formed into a separate Major Unit or attached to existing Major Units as described in the Caesarmodule, 3.71-3.73.

Cavalry:

Four Tactical Units of Gallic Cavalry at 8 figures each.
One Major Unit commander (Lucius Aemilius).

GALLIC FORCES

At Start:

Army Commander: Dumnorix (Good)

Helvetii Tribe (Including elements from the Latovici and Raurici Tribes):

Major Unit 1

Six Tactical units of Gallic Warriors at 16 figures each.
Two Tactical units of Gallic Warriors (Elites) at 16 figures each.
One Tactical unit of Gallic Light javelinmen at 16 figures.
One Major Unit Commander

Major Unit 2

Seven Tactical units of Gallic Warriors at 16 figures each.
One Tactical unit of Gallic Warriors (Elites) at 16 figures.
One Major Unit Commander.

Major Unit 3

Eight Tactical Units of Gallic Warriors at 16 figures each.
One Major Unit Commander.

Major Unit 4

Two Tactical Units of Gallic Warriors (Latovici) at 16 figures each.
Three Tactical Units of Gallic Warriors (Raurici) at 16 figures each.
One Major Unit Commander.

MajorUnit 5

Three Tactical Units of Gallic noble cavalry at 8 figures each.
One Major Unit Commander.

Major Unit 6

Two Tactical Units of Gallic Noble cavalry at 8 figures each.
One Major Unit Commander.

Delayed Entrance:

Gallic Sub-Commander

Major Unit 1

Seven Tactical Units of Gallic Warriors (Boii) at 16 figures each.
One Major Unit Commander.

Major Unit 2

Six Tactical Units of Gallic Warriors (Tulingi) at 16 figures each.
One Tactical Unit of Gallic Warriors (Tulingi, Elites) at 16 figures.
One Tactical Unit of Gallic archers at 16 figures.
One Major Unit Commander.

Major Unit 3

Three Tactical Units of Gallic Noble cavalry at 8 figures each.
One Major Unit Commander.

ARMY DEPLOYMENTS The map shows the general area that this battle is believed to have been fought at. The Roman player deploys his six legions as designated on the map. The two Conscript Legions (XI and XII) must deploy to the rear of the other four legions and must be initially placed under a Defend, Garrison, or Fortify order. These two legions must continue operating under these orders and may not be changed until: 1. the battle is concluded, or 2. Gallic movement of troops brings these legions into Tact:cal Combat. At this point, these legions may receive orders )ust as any other Major Unit.

The Helvetii forces under Dumnorix set up in the area designated at the top of the map (the North edge). The delayed entrance forces enter play per the following rule: Roll one six sided die and apply the result below (This die roll is kept secret from the Roman player):

1 The delayed forces lose their way and do not arrive!
2or 3 These forces may enter play in the Maneuver Movement Phase of Turn One.
4 These forces may enter play in the Maneuver Movement Phase of Turn Two.
5 These forces may enter play in the Maneuver Movement Phase of Turn Three.
6 These forces may enter play in the Maneuver Movement Phase of Turn Four.

These forces may arrive from either the South or West edges of the table but must enter on the Southwest side of the stream (see area marked Boii and Tulingi). The Gallic player does not have to inform the Roman player where these forces are entering from prior to the moment of entry. Other than this, normal off board Movement rules from Ancient Empires apply.

VICTORY CONDITIONS

While in the battle the Helvetii did attack first, the strategical burden of attack was on Caesar. He could not afford to let these hostile Gallic forces pass unchallenged and could not afford to leave such a hostile force in his rear. On the other hand, Dumnorix could not afford to let Caesar take Bibracte unchallenged. It was clear, both sides had to attack but neither could afford an equal trade off in forces.

ROMAN

Caesar wins a strategic victory if he eliminates from play twenty-five or more Tactical Units of the Gallic forces that begin play under Dumnorix while losing no more than five Tactical Units of his own total force AND exits at least twenty cohorts off the North edge of the battle area to the West of the Arroux River (this river is considered impassable for the purposes of this battle).

He wins a tactical victory if he eliminates twenty or more Tactical Units of the Gallic forces under the command of Dumnorix while losing no more than ten of his own total force. A marginal victory is obtained by eliminating fifteen or more Tactical Units of the Gallic forces under the command of Dumnorix while losing no more than fifteen of his own total force. In this case, no Tactical Units of infantry under command of Dumnorix may have exited the south side of the playing area.

GAULS

Dumnorix wins a strategic victory if he eliminates twenty or more Tactical Units of infantry of the total Roman forces while losing no more than ten Tactical Units of the total Gallic force OR by exiting at least twenty Tactical Units of infantry from the force under Dumnorix off the South edge of the playing area.

A tactical victory is obtained if the Gallic player eliminates fifteen Tactical Units of infantry or more of the total Roman forces while losing no more than ten Tactical Units of the total Gallic force. A marginal victory is obtained by eliminating at least ten Tactical Units of the total Roman force while losing no more than fifteen Tactical Units of the overall Gallic force.

Units eliminated from play are, for victory conditions purposes, considered to be those units that have either broken and not yet rallied, Tactical Units which have routed and been removed from play, units which have incurred 100% casualties from either melee and/or missile combat. Tactical units that have evaded off the board and that have been pursued off board are likewise considered to be eliminated from play and count as casualties if they have not returned to play before the end of the battle. The maximum battle length for this engagement is ten hourly rounds.

Have Fun!

Large Version of Map (86K)

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