Legion and Galley

 

Mark Cordone's 'Hoplite' strategic game, including as it does a naval aspect, was enough to distract me from the naval projects I had already going. It led to my building rival fleets of galleys, which might be those of historical Athens and Sparta, or perhaps of the imaginary Ionian Thalassocracy against Opforia. But, as i don't have any Greek armies, methought to translate the whole concept a few centuries and to another part of the Mediterranean Sea.

So lets have a Roman Civil War: The Optimates (the 'Best') against the Populares (supporters of the People). 

Above, the rival fleets have grown to 8 vessels apiece. The latest units are slightly larger than the original dozen. The nearer row is that of the Populares.

Red shield legionaries and 'star shield' auxiliaries and light troops of the Populares.

White shield legionaries and the green and blue shields of the light troops belong to the Optimates.

A tentative strategic map, with the Populares centred around Italy and Rome. The Populares have armies in Africa, Spain and the Narbonensus.

This little article is by way of a foreshadowing. I'll be reverting  back for the time being to my Jono's World navies for the next posting or two.