The Armies of Ricimer 456 to 472 AD

As Magister Militum from 456 to 472 and Patrician from 457, Ricimer was the most pivotal imperial figure in the Western Empire during its final years. Ricimer was an Arian of mixed barbarian blood with a Suebian father and a Visigoth mother (who was a daughter of King Wallia of the Visigoths). He was also closely connected to the Burgundians being brother-in-law to Gundioc, King of the Burgundians, and uncle to Gundobad (Gundioc’s son) who was successor to both the Burgundian throne and to Ricimer.

In 456 Ricimer defeated the Vandals at sea near Corsica and also on land near Agrigentum in Sicily. Backed by the popularity thus acquired Ricimer deposed the emperor Avitus and then spent the rest of his life as the de facto ruler of what was left of the western empire by setting up figurehead emperors, Majorian and Severus, and ruling through them. He opposed the eastern sponsored emperor, Anthemius, and effectively ruled Northern Italy from Milan before killing Anthemius after a successful blockade and battle at Rome. He then raised another puppet to the purple in the form of Olybrius, but died two months later.

Era: Triumph of Cavalry   The Armies of Ricimer 456 to 472 AD CR: H: 4 L: 4   BP: 2 Init: 5
Core
Number Type   Description Key FV PROT Weapon Cost
1 HC Buccellarii (d!) X 5[1]0 +2 Lance/Bow* 15
1 HC Buccellarii (d!) X 5[1]0 +2 Lance* 12
1 HC Buccellarii (d) X 4[1]0 +1 Lance 10
1 HC Suebi Comites (d) X 5[1]0 +1 Lance 11
1 HC Equites Palatina (d!) X 4[1]0 +1 Spear 10
1 LC Illyricani X 2[0]0 +1 Javelin 7
1 LI Auxilia   3[1]2 +1 Javelin 5
Bonus:
O   Northern Elements of the Army of Italy          
1 HC Equites Palatina (d!) X 4[0]0 +1 Spear 10
1 LC Guard Illyricani X 3[1]0 +1 Javelin 9
3 FT Auxilia Palatina# X 4[1]2 +1 Javelin 7
1 LI Auxilia   3[1]2 +1 Bows 6
1 SI Auxillia   3[1]2 +1 Javelin  
O              
O   Suebi Foederati          
1 HC (d)   X 5[1]0 +1 Lance 11
1 HC Retainers** X 4[0]0 +1 Lance 10
4 FT   X 5[1]1 +1 Spear 6
2 SI Youths   3[1]2 +2 Javelin  
O              
O   Alani/Sarmatian Foederati          
1 HC Riders X 5[1]0 +1 Lance 11
2 LC   X 2[0]0 +1 Various/Bow## 8
2 LC   X 2[0]0 +1 Javelin## 7
O              
O   Ostrogothic Mercenaries          
1 HC Saiones (d) X 5[1]0 +1 Lances 11
2 FT Ostrogoths*# X 5[1]1 +1 Spears/Bow  
1 SI Youth   2[1]1 +2 Bow  
O              
O   Hun Mercenaries          
2 LC Huns X 2[0]0 +1 Various/Bow 8
1 LC Huns X 1[0]0 +1 Bow 6
O              
O   Sciri/Herul Foederati          
1 HC Herul (d!) X 5[1]0 +1 Spear 11
2 FT Sciri *# X 5[1]1 +1 Spear/Bow 8
2 LHI Herul#* X 4[1]2 +1 Javelin 7
1 SI Youths   3[1]2 +2 Javelin 2
O              
O   Burgundian Allies          
1 HC Burgundian Nobles X 5[0]0 +1 Lance 11
2 FT   X 5[1]1 +1 Spear 6
1 SI Youth   2[1]1 +2 Bow 2

Terrain:

Core: 1GR

Bonus: (Max: 3 ) 2GR, 2SH, 1RG, 1W

Notes:

Core: 108 Bonus: 233

General Notes:

Light troops from any package only count against the requirement for purchasing all light troops in order to acquire an extra light division if any troops from that package are purchased.

A minimum of 16 points must be purchased from a package if any troops from that package are purchased.

The Guard LC is meant to represent the Scola Scutariorum Prima, or a unit of its ilk.

For Historical armies the following restrictions of troop types should be used:

456 to 461 AoNI, Suebi, Alan/Sarmatian,

462 to 469 AoNI, Suebi, Alan/Sarmatian, Hun, Ostrogoth

470 to 472 AoNI, Suebi, Alan/Sarmatian, Hun, Ostrogoth, Scirii/Herul, Burgundian

Line Notes:

*One line only. There is some debate as to whether this cavalry had bows. Therefore a choice is provided.

#These three LHI units may be substituted with any combination of three selections of:

a) FT K 6[1]1 +1 Spears at 8pts (Legio Palatina),or:

b) FT K 5(1)1 +1 Spears/bows at 8 pts (Legios Comitatenses), or:

c) FT K 5(1)1 +1 Spears at 6 pts and an additional associated SI Bow at 2pnts (Legios Comitatenses.

Mix and match as you like

**Two of these four units may be replaced by FT K 5(1)1 +1 Spears/Bows at 8 pts, or:

FT K 5(1)1 +1 Spears @ 6pnts and an additional assoicated SI Bow at 2pts.

Mix and match as you like.

##Only 1 Line may be chosen. There is some debate as to whether this cavalry had bows. Therefore a choice is provided.

*#Either or both any may be fielded as FT FV5 at 6 pnts and an additional associated SI Bow at 2pnts

#*Either or both may be replaced by a FT K 6(1)1 +1 Spears at 8 pts.

List Author: O\'Cahan