Battle of Barbilissos (252 AD)

Doug, Pete and Alex lined up as Roman against Rob, Brian, Kamal and Paul, who were Sassanid Persians, using Hail Caesar rules. The figures were from Alex’s collection and were 35-year-old Hincliffe figures which had appeared on the cover of Wargames Illustrated. The Romans were plastic from Gripping Beast, painted by master artist Bob Kiffe.

Turn 1

The Romans won the initiative which meant they went first each turn. No fancy manoeuvring – they just went straight forward.

Alex advanced the small number of Roman light cavalry on the right flank. Pete advanced with the auxiliary cavalry and gothic allies on the left. The Sassanids did a general advance along the whole of their front and got within range to shoot their arrows causing hits and disruption.

Turn 2

A unit of Roman light cavalry attacked the Sassanid light cavalry but lost, became shaken and then dispersed when they failed a break test. Another unit of Roman light cavalry got into the flank of a unit of Scythian horse archers – the Romans fired and missed.

Massed Sassanid horse archery was causing casualties on the Roman right. Rob’s die rolling was on form against very poor dice rolling from Alex at this point. On the Roman left, Pete’s auxiliary cavalry casualties from Kamal’s skirmish line and one unit withdrew. The Sassanid centre was advancing and soon came into the range of the auxiliary archers.

Turn 3

The Roman centre under Doug and Alex fired at Brian and Paul’s cataphracts. This caused hits but did not stop their advance. Pete regrouped his cavalry and advanced 5 cavalry units against the skirmishers on the Sassanid right under Kamal. Rob destroyed 3 units of Alex’s light cavalry – one unit escaped.

Turn 4

Brian’s cataphracts crashed into the Roman infantry and drove them back up the hill. Paul’s cataphracts drove into the medium archers who evaded and then ploughed into two Roman cohorts. The Roman foot held and then started to win. Pete’s cavalry scared off the skirmishers facing them and then charged on onto the Sassanid levy foot.

The Roman cavalry destroyed them, drove off some slingers and then chased them around the back of the elephants.

Rob’s light cavalry reformed ready to move in against Alex’s flank.

Turn 5

Paul’s cataphracts began to take more casualties as the Roman legions moved forward.

Brian’s cataphracts drove off some light cavalry and captured a small hill held by Doug’s auxiliary foot but Doug and Alex threw in their generals to give them a combat bonus which destroyed one cataphract unit and drove two back.

Rob failed to activate for the next two turns – this was quite pivotal as it meant Alex could save his flank and double up against the faltering cataphracts. The Sassanid leaders saw morale was crumbling but they decided to fight on for another turn.

Turn 6

As mentioned, Rob failed to activate which meant the cataphracts were being swamped by superior numbers. Pete’s cavalry were mopping up and reforming at the expense of their light cavalry who were holding Brian’s cavalry up, which died where they stood. The majority of the Roman foot was advancing strongly and the Sassanids conceded.

Game 2

Mark joined the Roman side as Kamal had to leave in the afternoon. The second game was almost a carbon copy as the Roman foot in the centre defeated the cataphracts in the centre. The only difference being Alex’s cataphracts routed in turn one after receiving one hit and failing a break test by rolling double 1.

Two turns later Alex’s levy foot failed a break test by rolling 4 with a minus 2 modifier and then Mark killed the Sassanid leader by rolling double 6 and then a 3 on 1d6.

The gods conspired against the Sassanids by Jupiter!

On the Sassanid left and right Pete and Doug respectively were doing well – but the centre was gone!!!

Roma 2 – Sassania 0

 

Note: Game was held at War Room on 22 February 2026 – Ed.