This is the army of Theoderic the Great and of Witiges. It defeated Odovacar, conquered Italy, beat the Franks, the Gepids and the Romans, but lost to Belisarius. It is fundamentally a Late Roman army with Sarmatian style cavalry and a solid infantry base. The Goths were the professional garrison army of Italy, mustering each year for training. Procopius claimed that they had large numbers of armoured cavalry. It is likely that they had some units of these. Bittugur Huns entered Italy with the Goths as did some Sarmatians. Alans were already settled in Northern Italy and joined the Goths.

SOURCES:Procopius, Anonymous Valesianus, Cassiodorus Letters, Wolfram's History of the Goths

Era: Triumph of Cavalry		Italian Goths 489 to 540 AD	CR: H: 4 L: 3			BP: 2	Init: 6
Core
Number	Type	Description	Key	FV	PROT	Weapon	Cost
2	HC(d)	Goths	Key	5(1)0	+1	Lance/javelin	11
1	HC	Alans	Key	5(0)0	+1	Lance	11
2	FT	Goths	Key	5(1)1	+1	Spear/bow	8
4	SI	Goths		2(1)1	+2	Bows	2
Bonus:
2	HC(d)	Goths	Key	5(1)0	+1	Lance/javelin	11
4	HC	Goths/Alans***	Key	4(0)0	+1	Spear/javelin	10
1	HC(d)	Royal Comitatus	Key	5(0)0	+2	Lance	12
5	FT	Goths**	Key	5(1)1	+1	Spear/bow	8
4	WB	Burgundians/Suebi*	Key	5(1)2	+1	Various	8
2	LC	Bittigur Huns	Key	2(0)0	+1	Various/bow	8
4	SI	Goths**		2(1)1	+2	Bows	2
O		ROMANS
1	HC(d)	Bukellarii	Key	5(1)0	+1	Lance/bow	14
2	HC	Cavallarii(d!)	Key	4(0)0	+1	Bows	12
2	LC	Illyrians	Key	2(0)0	+1	Javelins	7
4	SI	Psiloi		3(1)2	+2	Javelins	2

Terrain:

Core: 1 GR

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

Notes:

Core: 94 Bonus: 230

*These WB are BP 4 and move 6 inches. WB are subject to obligatory charge.

** If Bonus Gothic SI with bows are bought then archers are removed from an equal number of Bonus Gothic FT and an equal number of the Bonus Gothic FT must be bought at FV 5(1)1 with Prot of +1 and armed with spears for 6 points each. This rules does not affect the Core Gothic FT.

***If any bonus cavalry are bought, two of these units must be bought.

The Roman allies represent the Illyrian army that was to join the Goths against the Bulgars. If any are bought at least 35 points from the Roman sub list must be bought other than the bukellarii cavalry. In historical games the Roman ally should not fight against Roman/Byzantine opponents. It may fight against any opponent in tournaments.

Ordo Link: This list has several threads which could provide useful information. There is a dedicated Italian Goth thread, but the use of the Ordo Search function will also lead the researcher to other useful discussions.

Last Edited: 08 June 2006

List Author: Aligern