David Bickley's Wargames Blog

The occasional ramblings of an average gamer, journeyman painter, indifferent modeller, games designer, sometime writer for Wargames Illustrated and host of games in GHQ.



Saturday 17 August 2024

The Twilight of Pompus Maximus?

It was quite possible that this would be the last time the rump of my Late Roman collection saw action here in GHQ as I had very tentatively opened negotiations to sell them on. Paul has been having a difficult time of late and has not been able to get here for a game for a while, so for this month's resumption of 'friendly hostility' I thought the small Late Roman game using a cut down version of Hail Caesar would be best, a kind of gentle reintroduction to gaming with the emphasis firmly on fun.

The two opposing forces ~

The much reduced Imperial army of the rightful Emperor, Pompus Maximus.
The army of the usurper, Gornalus.






Now though it's on to the action on the tabletop battlefield at the onset of hostilities with the expected annotated photomontage ~

Pomp.Max.Imp directs his reluctant infantry to advance across the river.
No such hesitation on the part of the Equites! They sweep forward to engage their opposition on Gornalus' left, while the Cataphractarii trot forward intending to ride down the enemy infantry holding the centre.
Gornalus takes up a position behind his strong centre ready to direct the counter blow when the opportunity presents itself.
The crew manning the Onager readies the infernal machine to wreak havoc on Pompus' infantry struggling to make headway along the road. No Roman Road apparently here!!! 

Saxon Foderatii hold the right flank of Gornalus' centre safely out of range of the enemy's bows and seemingly impervious to their Ballista fire!
On Gornalus' right his cavalry are put to flight! The 'Dice gods' are fickle as ever and desert Gornalus at just the wrong moment. His armies left flank is in the air and disaster becons!
At last Pompus sees his infantry across the bridge, though progress remains painfully slow! Clearly the 'Dice gods' are enjoying their impartial and capricious behaviour!
It looks grim for Gornalus' cause by this time, though his cavalry remnants avoid destruction while Pompus' fail to achieve their orders in most respects. The army fights on with courage and stubborn determination!
Finally his cavalry remnants break as do his courageous Medium Infantry! Amazingly though Pompus' cavalry finds itself Shaken and/or Disordered and cannot influence the unfolding events.
Only one cavalry unit can manoeuvre freely, so of course it fails to do so at a crucial juncture. Thank you so much 'Dice gods'!!!
The Cataphractarii are halted by fire from Gornalus' Legion, supported by the Ballista and the javelins of the Saxon Foderatii! Pompus fears victory is slipping away from him...
Indeed it is! With his cavalry arm broken and one infantry unit fleeing it's all up for the aging Emperor...
Distraught by the turn of events turning certain victory to ignominious defeat, Pomp.Max.Imp falls on his sword and so passes to join the Shades of Immortal Memory...
It was great fun, unpredictable as ever and our fiddling with the rules for victory and defeat worked really far better than I'd hoped, despite the end result! Gornalus will assume the purple, though who can tell how long he will maintain his grip on it? 
As an added bonus to end with, some close-up pictures taken by Paul during the game ~
Clearly not a Roman Road...
Cart modelled by longtime chum Ian Bottrill.
Gornalus' infantry formed up for the coming battle.
What was that about roads?
Pompus' cavalry amongst the ruins...not long after they were ruined themselves!
Cataphractarii prior to coming off second to Gornalus' combined infantry and ballista!
A legionary's eye view of the action?
At least these Equites looked the part before the action unfolded!
As to the potential sale, well circumstances have moved on for now and the collection remains here in GHQ for the present at least pending developments. Perhaps the Shade of Pompus Maximus will rise once more one day...


26 comments:

  1. It's always a privilege to be invited into GHQ and play with such wonderful collections.... and this was absolutly no exception! The game provided so many twists and turns, I thought we were done for when the heavy cav' on the left flank collapsed. We had great fun and so many laughs throughout the game... what more can one ask?
    Yet another great day's action in GHQ. I wonder if we've actualy seen the last of Pompus Maximus?.... you just never know!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for such an effusive endorsement Paul! The Shade of P.Max.Imp may yet walk the earthπŸ‘»

      Delete
  2. Some really lovely figures on show the two armies are quite superb, great table too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very many thanks Donnie for your comment.

      Delete
  3. grand and fun outing for the Roman remnants. Fine narrative and murals to which we have become accustomed, conveying the joy of wargaming.
    Baldinus Imp (Esset)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 'Murals' not Murials? Nice touch there Phil!

      Delete
  4. Marvellous stuff David…
    Could this be the first in a year of many Emperors…?

    All the best. Aly

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Year of the Several Emperors, I like the idea!

      Delete
  5. Wonderful report and photo, always grand to see a good ancients battle. Impressive collection and I really like that one command group with the large Christian banner, very nice. I suppose in the bad old days one had to fall on one's sword (sounds painful), but now a bad guy takes a bundle of money and flees to the country of some friendly despot where he can live in luxury and plot his revenge. Cheers, Michael

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Michael! Glad you spotted the banner, as P.Max.Imp was at least a nominal Christian.

      Delete
  6. Well although he fell on his sword, maybe his spirit will live on to fight another battle, or rather it was all a dream a la Bobby Ewing in Dallas all those years ago;)! As always lots to enjoy visually and really loved the ruined building with the Roman floor, which is very well done:).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He may be succeeded by Pompus Minimaximus, a brother perhaps...

      Delete
  7. Indeed a spectacle and an engaging report. The numbers involved may encourage those with smaller collections to try this dramatic period. Someone is going to be very fortunate to own these troops. I guess you are concentrating your hobby efforts in another period now. Thanks as always for sharing.
    Stephen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Stephen. The sale was postponed thanks to William's pleas, the armies may even be added to in due course.

      Delete
    2. Good news on retaining the collection. I trust time will ensure you're glad you did.
      Stephen

      Delete
    3. I have plans forming already Stephen...

      Delete
    4. Vallejo or FoundryπŸ˜‰

      Delete
  8. Excellent looking game David and a very fun period to wargame and collect as you can really mix and match the forces as alliances and loyalties shifted!

    Christopher

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many thanks for your endorsement Christopher! Fancy adding some Goths and more Saxons.

      Delete
    2. I've been doing similar things Goths, Saxons, Late Romans, Romano British and thinking of adding Welsh and Picts as well! So many possibilities! :-)

      Christopher

      Delete
    3. Matt's Welsh for Footsore are outstanding Christopher!πŸ˜‰

      Delete
    4. I know I've had my eye on them!

      Christopher

      Delete
  9. Lovely battle and collection David, the late romans are so colourful, if I didn’t have quite a lot already to paint I might be tempted ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Matt! Hope you are on the mend!

      Delete