The sun was shining brightly and a light, pleasant breeze drifted about from the Northwest as Legio 14 approached a peacef'ul valley with gently sloping hills that were only slightly broken by a small stream that meandered from small copses of woods on either end. The creak of leather, the occasional neigh of a horse, the subdued cough of a legionnaire and the glint of'the sun off of lethal instruments of war were the only circumstances that even remotely hinted of the passing Roman war machine into the countryside.

Suddenly directly in front of and slightly to either side of the legion there arose huge groupings of colorful, wild, war-like men that appeared intent on barring any further Roman intrusion into their territory. Small chariots pulled by equally small but amazingly swift ponies cantered about on thc Roman right flank, while both flanks swarmed with determined men mounted on the same small ponies and armed like light cavalry. Directly in front of the Romans, and well covered by clouds of skirmishers that ran around yelling like so many bothersome insects, stood four formidable and quite lethal British War bands. To make matters worse, a fifth war band could be seen behind a rather large cluster of those same light cavalrymen on the Roman left flank.

The Roman officers and centurions, as they had done countless times before. quickly and efficiently ordered their cohorts into the all too familiar Roman attack formation that looked rather like a bristling checkerboard of pila and glistening gladia. The Spanish heavy horse and the vaunted first cohort occupied a position on the left Roman flank. On the Right, the ninth cohort and allied light horse deployed in front of a sea of demonstrating skirmish troops, who lay behind a very organized and determined looking group of cavalry and chariot-mounted warriors.

The other cohorts fell into line with the third and set slightly behind and favoring the closest flank to act as reserve. In front of the cohorts, and gathered to the extreme left of the line stood the famed Numidian stingers, who stood prepared to secure the rough ground that jutted out in this spot. This would serve as an anchor for the Roman attack across the stream.

Roman experience and war-like disposition held that if the Romans could withstand the initial fierce onslaught, oftentimes the barbarians could be handled and either driven off or slaughtered. But this was not to be! These barbarians, who had learned well from the mistakes-of their predecessors, committed only the swarms of young warriors to harass the Romans as they crossed the stream. These young warriors, armed with slings and javelins, would attack and then maddeningly retreat back. They sorely tested the Roman resolve and discipline as the missile attacks slowly took their toll on the long, orderly rows of crimson-clad professional warriors that steadfastly crossed the stream.

Suddenly, the cavalry and chariots on both flanks surged forward in a massive cloud of dust and fierce battle cries. The sundering of wood, the clash of metal, and cries of joy and horror all blended into one indistinguishable din of fury. On the left flank of the Romans, the Spanish heavy horse were overwhelmed by the headlong charge of the British cavalry and could not hold melee long.

Even the magnificent cohort was hard pressed to hold on and suffered appalling casualties from first the victorious horsemen and, after they were swept aside, the waiting war band that h patiently stood its ground. On the Roman right flank, the situation, although bloody, was well under control. The brave and eager barbarian cavalry and chariot warrior had been dispatched and the left flank of the still lethal barbarian horde turned.

In the center an epic melee had developed as both sides literally poured men into the center in an attempt to break each others very spine of operations. A still the two sides came on again and again and again. Tactics and discipline were gone; here individuals and small groups fought on with no quarter given and none askcd. The battle raged for four grim, doubtful hours. In the end, though extremely close, the Romans did prevail and took the field. However, they did so at such a co that the expeditionary legion was forced to halt and regroup to await reinforcement from the coastal regions that now lay in Roman hands. Based on this, I pronounce engagement a tactical Roman victory and a strategic British victory. No doubt both sides will lick their substantial wounds and contemplate their next moves.

This is an "after battle" report I give my high school students after playing TACTICA. As a building principal and an avid gamer, this device is lots of fun and enables me to get into the classroom once in a while. I precede this battle with a lecture/presentation on the evolution of the Roman military system and society. The battle is the hands on feature that gives the kids a real feel for the period. I use it because it is easy to teach and seems to give tight games every time. The kids re get into it. Additionally, I have a club now that tries to meet at least twice a month. I had over 20 kids last Saturday at the high school, at 8:00 a.m. no less! I thought everyone might enjoy hearing about our little club and the fact that there are youngsters out there very interested in historical miniatures gaming. We only need to figure out and reach them. Finally, thank you to all who have sent in figs or terrain pieces, with a special thanks to you, Hal, for all your help.

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