A Roman Republican Historical Simulation

Por: André Geraque Kiffer

Perpendicular battle orders, or Agmen Impetum, were not standard in the more infantry-based Roman army; but from the middle to the end of the empire when they faced more cavalry-based armies (Gothic Germans and Sassanid Persians), they witnessed the strength of the so-called "boar-head" (Schweinskopf) - frontal infantry attack with flanking cavalry. Caesar was narrowly defeated by Labienus - one of his legates (commanders of consular legions) in the Gallic Wars - employing a battle order similar to Agmen Impetum at the Civil War battle of Ruspina in 46 BC. This would not preclude the possibility of distributing light cavalry and infantry on both sides, of course limiting the extent and force on the side of the obstacle. Caesar would hardly fall into a trap like Cannae but a one likely Ruspina nearly killed him, and that's what we'll try in this simulation.