These are the Roman legions of Marius and Caesar and as good as they are going to get. Superbly led and disciplined during the last pause before the Civil Wars, when age of the Dictator loomed over the closing hours of the Republic and the legions had not yet learned to play the 'Caesar game'.

It has been said the Roman legions could survive even the incompetent leader. While this might be true there is no doubt that an exceptional leader could raise them to spectacular heights.

The alternative would have been do two seperate lists for Marius and Julius, but this would have been almost pure repetition.

Marius trained his legions and was with them, sharing their hardships, food and rewards. Caesar, as a follower and admirer of Marius, certainly emulated him when the time came to train his own soldiers. Both could draw more from their men than others who followed after them

The Romans from this time fought in battlelines and the wholesale introduction of FT simulates the restriction of activity by orders to maintain the line rather than any decline in training and curtails the absurdity of games where the Roman army all runs onto the flanks of the battle leaving an empty centre. The COH available are elite formations with orders that are more flexible/concise than for other units.

Who hasn’t heard of Julius and his Tenth Legion? That said, even reading the great man's biography makes it clear that the other legions could vary greatly in quality, even with Caesar in command. The cavalry also seems to have served him well whether German or Gallic or Numidian. This list is for the legions that fought the Gauls and Germans under first rate generals. Where Germans are mentioned, in particular for Caesar's army, this is to represent the Gallic fear of Germans and that Caesar mounted them on better horses.

Those wanting to do armies of the following Civil Wars for either great man should consult the Roman Civil War lists where a would be Caesar/Marius has to take his chance with the rest.

Enough examples have emerged from ancient sources to make a convincing argument for the Antesignani listed below. Modellers note that these could exchange weapons and shield for more appropriate equipment. e.g., Lighter shields.

Select sources:

Caesar's Gallic Wars; The Civil War.

Plutarch's Lives: Marius; Caesar; Sulla; Pompey.

Era: Age of Empires		Late Republican Legions 102BC - 49BC	CR: H: 5 L: 3			BP: 2	Init: 6
Core
Number	Type	Description	Key	FV	PROT	Weapon	Cost
1	COH	Elite legion	K	7[2]2	2	Pila and Swords	13
3	FT	Legionaries	K	7[2]2	2	Pila and swords	11
1	LC	Allies		2[0]0	1	Javelins	7
1	SI	Allies		3[1]2	2	Javelins	2
Bonus:
1	COH	Caesar's 10th Legion*	K	8[2]2	2	Pila and swords	16
1	COH	Experienced, long service Legionaries	K	7[2]2	2	Pila and Swords	13
5	FT	Legions	K	7[2]2	2	Pila and Swords	11
2	FT	Raw/Sequestered Legionaries	K	6[2]2	2	Pila and swords	9
1	LHI	Antesignani**		4[1]2	1	Pila and Swords	7
3	HC	Allied (K)	K	4[0]0	1	Various	10
1	LC	Allied		2[0]0	1	Javelins	7
3	WB	Gallic Allies***	K	5[1]3	1	Various	6
1	HC	German****	K	5[0]0	1	Various	11
3	SI	Allies		3[1]2	2	Javelins	2
1	SI	Allies		2[1]1	2	Bows	2
1	SI	Allies		3[1]2	2	Slings	2

Terrain:

Core: 1GR

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

Notes:

Core: 96 Bonus: 184

* Caesar's Tenth Legion must be a veteran unit if taken and is costed accordingly with the stated cost including the extra point for veteran status. Either the Tenth Legion or the Bonus Experienced Legionary COH may be bought - not both. If the Tenth Legion is bought, no other veteran unit may be bought.

**If Antesignani are bought then the choice of bonus 7[2]2 +2 Legions drops from 5 to 4 Unit options.

*** Only if the Tenth Legion is bought.

**** Only if the Tenth Legion is bought. This German HC may not be in a division with other HC and the choice of Allied HC in the Bonus list is reduced to 2 (No more than 3 HC can ever be used.)

WB if used must be in a separate division to Roman HI. WB are move 9 inches, BP3

Ordo Link: Late Republican Legions

Last Edited: 08 November 2006

List Author: Luxor