To convert existing army lists of Roman Manipular army to historically correct ones takes research, and heavy interpretation. The following is mine and ancient wargamer Mark Huml's interpretation of the Roman army lists should go for two sets of popular rules.
ARMATI REPUBLICAN ROMAN ARMY CHANGES
CR: H: 4 L: 4 BP: 6 Init: 4 Units
Troop types F V Prot Romans
2 Hastati 7 [2] 2 +2 Pilalswords
2 Princips 7 [2] 2 +2 Spear/swords
2 Triarii 8 [1] 0 +2 Spears
2 SI (Velites) 3 [1] 2 +2 Javelin
1 HC (Equites) 4 [0] 0 +1 Jav/spears Ala
2 Hastati 6 [2] 2 +2 Javelin/swords
2 Hastati 6 [2] 2 +2 Pila/swords
2 Princips 6 [2] 2 +2 Spear/swords
2 Triarii 7 [1] 0 +2 Spears
2 SI (Leves) 2 [1] 0 +2 Javelin
2 HC (Nobles) 4 [0] 0 +0 Jav/spears Plus
2 Extraordinai 4 [1] 2 +1 Javelins.
Syrukusian Bow 2 [1] 0 +2 Bow
4 WB (Italian Levy) 5 [1] 3 +1 HTP
2 Ft (Scutari!) 6 [1] 1 +1 Swords/"Pila"
1 SI (Caetrati) 3 [1] 2 +2 Swords/Jav.
4 LC (Numidian) 2 [0] 1 +1 Javelin
4 LI (Peltasts) 4 [1] 2 +1 Javelins
1 III (Rhodians) 2 [1] 0 +2 Slings
2HC (Pergamese) 5 [1] 0 +1 Spears
1 EL (African) 4 [3] 1 +1 Various
The Core (Romans and Alai are a typical consular army). Ideally the Hastati and Princips should be 12 figures each. but the basing used by Armati prohibits this. Sixteen figures per line is large. But if we assume lines are 6-10 rank's deep it almost works. I have based this legion on 1 stand (6-8) figs = 600 men. This does not jive with the ground scale, but by leaving a 1" dap between the three lines, (I know the rules don't allow gaps between lines, but imagine the three units are 1 division, gaps and all), at least a legion now looks like a legion as described in ancient sources.
1. Note the control of division total has changed. If you want to be historically correct, I legion and an Ala should make up a division. That leaves two additional heavy divisions that can still be controlled.
2. As the legions were under arms they became better at maneuver. If fighting with Scipio's reforms (207-167), allow the legions' to maneuver according to the Triarii rules 12.2, page 21.
3. If fighting in rough ground or hills the legion keeps its frontal FV If the front line has 2-3 break points, it withdraws and the second line takes its place. If the second line takes 2-3 break points it withdraws and the third line takes its place. If the third line takes four break points, the whole legion breaks, and the Roman receives 3 army break points.
Note: if flanked and meleed from the front, battlefield relief is not allowed and the three lines fight as three separate units with the flanked modifier. If flanked from the side but not meleed from the front. after the first turn of melee and the legion line is not broken by being out scored. the legion pivots to face its attacker, even if this means splitting a division. Note, I do not say wheel. simply face the legion 90 degrees. The maniples are so maneuverable that when the flanked maniples did not break, the other maniples in the line right-faced and moved through the gaps. forming a new line at right angles. The legion now tights normally with its frontal FV.
4. Some Alas kept their indigenous javelins. Those front lines of Hastati armed with javelins get a missile toss if in range per the missile fire rules. Only the front line have jay elins. By 167 BC the Alas all were armed with pila.
5. The Plus list.
If fighting Gauls or Carthaginians use of the following is allowed: Bow armed troops were mercenaries, or loans from allies. Extraordinarii are cohorts that have retained their native formations and weapons. Since most Italians were some sort of peltast. I've rated them as such. WB are Oscans, Apulians. Italians that are fighting in their endemic styles. I rated them as warbands, representing they have little or no discipline in combat. with a fierce charge
If in Spain. the Romans get Spanish allies. Assume each Spanish Warband is 1200 (12 figures) men. Caetrati are usually 1 unit for every -2 or 3 warbands. If you like you can deploy a complete Spanish army as listed on page 31. If the Spanish army breaks, it counts as one BP for the Roman Army.
When in Greece, the Romans get Greek allies. Allies never were more than a 1 4 of the Roman army. Thracians. Cretans, allied peltasts usually were prized as allies. Hoplites were not used except as camp guards. Romans figuring they had enough HI for combat. Twelve African Elephants, gifts from the Numidians, were used in Greece.
If the Romans go to fight the Seleucids, Galations in Asia, or the Ptolemaics in Egypt, they get the Pergamese army and their King, Eummenes. The Pergamese army (CR: H: 2 L: 4 BP: 2 Init:5) consists of 4 LI (Peltasts) 1 LI (Rhodians with slings) 2 HC Companion type cavalry. Each Companion Cavalry that breaks counts as I BP for Romans and the Pergamese. If both HC break the Pergamese army breaks, and the Roman takes 2 BPs. If Eumenes is killed, the Pergamese army also breaks. The Romans also had elephants in Asia, but declined to use them, because of the size and intimidation factor of opposing Indian elephants.
6. Because we have scaled the Roman army up 1 /3rd., Rome's enemies: the Gauls, Carthaginians, Spanish, Germans, Macedonians, and Successors, all have to be scaled up by at least 1 /3rd. Increase army BP by two, and unit control by 2. Initiative stays the same.
7. If Manipular Romans ever fight Germans, the following happens: If the first two legion lines are out scored by a WB they break. If the third line is out scored by a WB it takes 3 Break Points. The next turn if it takes an additional BP it breaks and with it the legion. Note that two charging WBs could break an unlucky legion in four turns. If Romans have to fight Germans, get a lot of cavalry and long range missile troops, or stick to rough terrain whenever possible.
I hope that I see Republican Roman armies being fought more historically accurate in the future. If I do, this article has accomplished its goal.
The Roman Legion Part II
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