Battle of Tarentum

We return to Magna Graecia and follow the exploits of King Pyrrhus.

The Campaign So Far

In his first encounter with the Romans, Pyrrhus did not fare well. His elephants failed him and his cavalry scattered. He was forced to retreat to Tarentum.

The Romans pursued, determined to oust this intruder from the peninsula.

The Forces

I used the same armies as last time.

• Pyrrhus: 1 cavalry, 3 heavy infantry (1 is inferior Italian allies), 1 light infantry, and 1 unit of elephants
• The Romans: 1 cavalry, 4 heavy infantry (1 is inferior Italian allies), and 1 light infantry

The Set Up

The Romans (red, top) advance along the road to Tarentum. Pyrrhus intercepts them at a pass through the hills.

Notes: 

• Green markers indicate the inferior allied infantry
• Pyrrhus is with his cavalry. I used a yellow marker to indicate this but forgot it for this picture.

The Battle

Not content to stay on the defensive, Pyrrhus pushes his army rapidly forward. The Romans drive off Pyrrhus's skirmishers but then he leads his cavalry on a flank charge that decimates the legion.

The Romans attack on Pyrrhus's left. The elephants flee from the Roman light infantry. Fortunately, the phalanx deftly avoid the stampede.

The elephants had to retreat and the phalanx was in the way. I treated the stampede like a successful attack on the infantry. Fortunately, they passed their disorder and retreat saves.

Pyrrhus routs the Roman's allied infantry.

Pyrrhus rushes to his left flank, and finds himself surrounded.

But he breaks out, destroying a legion and routing the Roman lights and cavalry,

Pyrrhus cavalry single-handedly wins the battle! 

They were responsible for all the eliminated Romans.

Aftermath

The Tarentines laud Pyrrhus as a hero and the cities of Magna Graecia flock to his banner. Pyrrhus begins to pursue the retreating Romans.

But Rome's resolve is strong. They call up reserves to reinforce the army.

The stage is set for a climatic battle!

Thoughts

Wow! Pyrrhus's cavalry could do no wrong today! Let's see if they can keep it up in the next battle.

I am going to play one more battle in this campaign. It's win or lose for both sides. We'll see what happens.

Win or lose, I plan to take Pyrrhus to Sicily and face the Carthaginians afterwards.