The First, Second, and Third Samnite Wars (343–341 BC, 326–304 BC and 298–290 BC) were fought between the Roman Republic and the Samnites, who lived on a stretch of the Apennine Mountains to the south of Rome and the north of the Lucanians. The first of these wars was the result of Rome’s intervening to rescue the Campanian city of Capua from a Samnite attack. The second one was the result of Rome’s intervention in the politics of the city of Naples and developed into a contest over the control of much of central and southern Italy. The third war also involved a struggle over the control of this part of Italy. The wars extended over half a century and the peoples to the east, north and west of Samnium (land of the Samnites) as well as the peoples of central Italy north of Rome (the Etruscans, Umbrians and Picenti) and the Senone Gauls got involved to various degrees and at various points in time. The Samnites were one of early Rome’s most formidable rivals.
This scenario can be played either ten turns or 50! We will explore the first ten turns and see what transpires in Rise of the Roman Republic from GMT Games.
343 BC
True to form the Roman forces move to support Capua. This kicks off a deadly chain of events!
Latium revolt against Samnite incursion. Rome attacks the Samnite force near Capua at a net -1 on the CRT. Rome does receive a +1 for Devotio or their ardour which inspires them to fight for each other vs the more mob like tactics of the enemy. A slow start for the Romans, losing that paltry fight.
342 BC
Consular Army #1 [CA1] moves directly to Capua, drops off a garrison then continues to attack the Samnites in Neapolis. In this one sided affair the Romans romp in at 4:1 but manage to only inflict 3 steps losses.
Pontius the wily Samnite leader moves into Campania and raise his army size up, but attracts no warriors this late in the year.
We review the Political control and Military control rules and note that regardless it seems the Tribes are testy bunch of cantankerous bastards. Its going to be a long war.
The Field Consul tries to raise legions! He fails…
341 BC
Pontius’s raise of Manpower brings in 13 Infantry and 2 Cav. They join Army #2.
Licinius moves from Neapolis and attacks the tribe in Salernum [5 factor str. Army. 6 +4+2+3+1 = 10/30 loss no Roman loss.-2 Tribe], + butchery [yes I know they die anyway..but come on it’s the BUTCHERY ROLL!!! ] = 4 more losses. Rome Consul is done and the win a victory!
Augury Tribal Revolt!: Luceria 5/1. The Apulian force is placed, do they get a chit now? Then what to do with them when they activate? Spread them around the villages? OR attack Rome? Things to ponder lots of good choices to be made here.
Brutulus activates but sits tight, while Pontius besieges Capua.
The Rome Consul wraps up the year and moves to Saepinum losing some forces to attrition. His efforts are rewarded and he is requested to stay on at year end. However Pluto has other ideas and he is wounded and sits out the entire next year [visit from Pluto is a random roll to see if your General can be re used in 2 consecutive years, often dying or being wounded as is the case here]. As we move into 340 BC Brutus becomes Praetor Urbanus. Rome Consul is Papus, a D rated leader. Field Consul is Albinus for the this year and P.Scipio leads the III Consular Army a decent C rated leader.
340 BC
Scipio moves to Etruia which immediately responds by raising a 13/2 Cav army! But Scipio wastes no time and demolishes them in combat 10%/25% losses. They acquiesce and areas adjacent see the growing power of Rome and adjust their alignment more towards Rome than the Samnites [Political influence from winning the battle].
force increase phase.
Scipio activates on his 2nd chit, moving now into Umbria who also raise a fair sized army 14 Infantry and 2 cav.
Papus attacks the Samnite Army #1 with his 1st Consular Army. This brash attack no doubt jealously inspired by Scipios recent success, is a disaster.
The Samnites beat the Romans in a 20%/10% loss. This is quickly followed by news of the Siege of Capua where forces are starving and the walls are being reduced ever so slowly.
The bright news is Saepinum falls to Rome.
Brutulus assaults Capua in a late year assault. Demolishing the weakened Romans. Capua falls!
The Gauls ever looking for a chance to play, sneak across the border and using a small force of 4 Inf and 1 Cav raise hell in the hinter lands undoing Scipios handy work. Egnatius wraps up the year assaulting Neapolis which barely holds on rebuffing the assault.
339 BC
Gurges is elected Rome Consul, and Lentalus takes the Field Consul role. The Senate however is worried that the war with the Samnites is not going as well as could be.
They install a Dictator – Lincinius . Who immediately raises a consular army and appoints a Master of the Horse [The last thing we want is this chap trying to fight ANY battle. In a olive branch moment the Dictator extends a diplomatic gesture to Bruttium who laugh at him and return the token of goodwill with a cart load of pig dung. So much for diplomacy.
Consular Army #1 moves to Capua and Consular Army #2 attacks a Samnite force, with such little vigor that an X result occurs. Once rerolled this becomes a 10/15% attacker versus Defender result.
Philo manages to stab himself during the battle, and a new Master of the Horse will be required will be required. The Samnite Ldr Egnatius moves to recover local lands and the Gauls capture Etruria.
Lentalus who is commanding Consular Army #3 seizes control of much of Saminum and then Sieges Santorum!
To and fro the control of villages and towns ebb and flow. In 338 BC Arminum comes under Roman control and Umbria collapses. Lentalus survives his prorogue roll and in this year removes the scourge of the Gauls from Etruia.
Longus begins moving thru Lucania taking quick control of all the townships. The Samnites raise another army at home this time 21 Infantry and 3 cav. While Umbria was just pacified she rises up in revolt again [Augury] but the effort is paltry.
While Capua is still under siege by Rome all this time they have been chipping away at the walls and internal defences of the city.
238 BC
The new Master of the Horse wastes no time he attacks Pontius giving a stinging defeat, pulls another chit and despite being disrupted runs thru Picenum attacking the uprising force destroy them, but dying in the process. Rome erects a statue of Mammerus in his honor.
Consular Army 3 fights the Lucania army eliminating it with just a 5% loss of forces.
But the leader Polabella dies !
Rome’s Leaders fall like flies this year. CA1 reduces the walls of Capua, Siege attrition runs its course, sickness and disease kill many of the defenders and besiegers.
Appulia falls to Roman control. Fearing a loss of independence, the Tarantines rise up with a large army 13/2.
237 BC
Consular Army II intercepts and destroys the army in one fell swoop. Consular Army IV now a veteran status army lays siege to Alba Fucens. Near the end of the year Capua is finally wrested from Samnite control.
The final turn played and the Roman forces are starting to gain the upper hand, quickly meting out their special brand of either justice or retribution as they see fit. This tends to calm the neighbours down enough to allow for both Military and Political control to be established in the peninsula. The situation barring the random explosively big tribe die roll, means we are about at our victory conditions. I could not see this running 50 turns but for sure at least another 3-4 turns.
Lots of game here. Fantastic and looking forward to getting it to the table again.
I always thought Rose of the Roman Republic was a beautiful and intriguing game…I’ve read the rules and cut out the counters, but never got it to the table! Thanks for the entertaining session report…makes me want to get this out and play it like I always meant to!