These files are all zipped and packed. You need to unpack them with the scenario editor. They need the collector’s edition GBOH version of Caesar to work. You can find other scenarios for the system at http://www.wargamer.com/greatbattles.

The major source here is Justinian’s Wars, Chapma, G., & Garriock P. (Montvert 1993). Other details came from The Art of War in the Middle Ages, Oman, C.W.C. Having said that I made up the missing bits, notably the names of lesser commanders and the proportions of troops are estimates. The computer system has a limited number of troop types and pictures leading to a few units having to be wedged into the nearest best fit. The Roman and Persian basic cavalryman was an armoured horse archer but you can’t give HC a bow here. All the Romans are RC, I would have preferred bow armed LC but these get creamed by the Goths. There is a reasonable picture for the Sassanid levy if the Persian LI are used. These must have a missile weapon and even with javelin are just too good. The MI seemed suitably weedy on testing. None of the battles should be taken as 100% accurate, it surprises me that any ancient battles have OOBs and dispositions. Certainly some do in Livy, I don’t have Plutarch to check there or Procopius for this period although I have the Graves pastiche – Count Belissarius. I would hazard that these battles are at least as accurate as the less well known official battles.

All the battles have been tested and do run without being a walkover for either side. The AI has been set to default in almost all cases. This makes some of the generals wiser than their historical counterparts. When you get used to the AI you have a pretty good idea what the computer will do so try not to think too much. AI can be reset from the scenario editor as can just about anything else so have fun.

Daras 530 AD

Belissarius defeats the Persians outside the walls of Daras. This was a pretty close run thing. I have use the slope and rocks to show the outer works of Daras. The Roman infantry is in front of another ditch, represented by a rocky slope

25,000 Romans face 40,000 Persians. 1 size point represents about 100 men.

Persian cavalry units are size 4, levy infantry size 7. Roman infantry size 5 and Roman cavalry size 3.

Ad Decimum 533 AD

Belissarius encounters the Vandal army strung out along the road to Carthage. The Roman foederati were defeated but the Vandal commander Geilmer paused to bury his brother Ammatus who had been killed earlier in the battle. This allowed the Romans to recover and beat off the Vandals. As this death is unlikely to happen the Romans will have a tougher time. The Huns out on the flank actually won; don’t put too much hope on that happening here.

17,000 Romans face 11,000 Vandals. 1 size point represents about 80 men. Vandal Nobles are TQ 7

Scalae Veteres 536 AD

The Romans beat the Vandals and reoccupied North Africa. They then re-imposed Roman taxes and cut a few corners in paying the garrison. A good chunk of them rebelled and joined up with the Vandals and local Moors. The Moors sat around and changed sides towards the end of the battle.

1 size point represents about 40 men

Taginae 552 AD

Narses finishes off the conquest of the Goths started by Belissarius. Narses dismounted some of his best cavalry to support the infantry centre. The Goths rode down the middle and were shot apart by bowmen.

29,000 Romans face 18,000 Goths. 1 size point represents about 50 men.

Casilinum 554 AD

The Goths enlisted a column of Franks to take on the Romans. Unlike the Goths most Franks were infantry.

18,000 Romans face 22,000 Franks. 1 size point represents about 50 men.

Other Battles

Raphia

A direct conversion of the SPQR War Elephant module. To fit on the maximum width all units were divided by 2 and half the commanders removed. I used this as a learning system to work out the scenario editor.