1) The Battle of Dertosa in 215 BC was fought between the Carthaginian general Hasdrubal Barca and the Roman brothers Publius and Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio over control of Spain.
2) Each side assembled approximately 25,000-30,000 infantry and 3,000-4,000 cavalry. Hasdrubal's force included Iberian and African troops as well as elephants, while the Scipios commanded Roman legions and Italian allies.
3) After skirmishing for five days, the two armies engaged in a pitched battle, with Hasdrubal deploying his troops in a similar fashion to how Hannibal had at Cannae, while the Romans
1) The Battle of Dertosa in 215 BC was fought between the Carthaginian general Hasdrubal Barca and the Roman brothers Publius and Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio over control of Spain.
2) Each side assembled approximately 25,000-30,000 infantry and 3,000-4,000 cavalry. Hasdrubal's force included Iberian and African troops as well as elephants, while the Scipios commanded Roman legions and Italian allies.
3) After skirmishing for five days, the two armies engaged in a pitched battle, with Hasdrubal deploying his troops in a similar fashion to how Hannibal had at Cannae, while the Romans
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Great Battles Module-The Battle of Dertosa, 215 BC.pdf
1) The Battle of Dertosa in 215 BC was fought between the Carthaginian general Hasdrubal Barca and the Roman brothers Publius and Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio over control of Spain.
2) Each side assembled approximately 25,000-30,000 infantry and 3,000-4,000 cavalry. Hasdrubal's force included Iberian and African troops as well as elephants, while the Scipios commanded Roman legions and Italian allies.
3) After skirmishing for five days, the two armies engaged in a pitched battle, with Hasdrubal deploying his troops in a similar fashion to how Hannibal had at Cannae, while the Romans
1) The Battle of Dertosa in 215 BC was fought between the Carthaginian general Hasdrubal Barca and the Roman brothers Publius and Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio over control of Spain.
2) Each side assembled approximately 25,000-30,000 infantry and 3,000-4,000 cavalry. Hasdrubal's force included Iberian and African troops as well as elephants, while the Scipios commanded Roman legions and Italian allies.
3) After skirmishing for five days, the two armies engaged in a pitched battle, with Hasdrubal deploying his troops in a similar fashion to how Hannibal had at Cannae, while the Romans
The Battle of Dertosa in 215 BC prevented Hasdrubal Barca from marching into Italy with reinforcements for Hannibal after his victories. This helped turn the tide of the Second Punic War in favor of Rome.
Hasdrubal led around 25,000 infantry including African and Iberian troops as well as 4,000 cavalry and 21 elephants. The Scipio brothers commanded 30,000 Roman and allied Italian infantry and 3,000 cavalry.
Hasdrubal aimed to defeat the Roman army to allow his crossing into Italy and maintain Carthaginian control of Spain. The Scipios wanted to prevent his crossing and break Carthaginian power in Iberia.
Romans.
However, Gnaeus Scipio
reinforced his fleet with picked legion- naires, caught the Carthaginian fleet by surprise, and crushed it at the Battle of the Ebro. In the fall of 217 BC, Publius Cornelius Scipio, now a pro-consul, finally arrived in his allotted province with 8,000 reinforcements.
Meanwhile, in Italy, Hannibal won three
spectacular victories over the Romans at Trebbia, Trasimene, and Cannae by the summer of 216 BC. The Carthaginian government resolved that the time had come to reinforce Hannibal in Italy with an army from Spain and bring the war to a conclusion. Carthage sent Hasdrubal 4,000 foot and 500 horse as reinforcements, along with orders to march for Italy. A rebellion among the Tartesii tribe in southern Spain, how- ever, delayed his invasion until the following year. In the meantime, the Historical Background As the Second Punic War opened, Scipio brothers consolidated their Carthage held all of southern and control north of the Ebro and prepared At the onset of the Second Punic War in eastern Spain, up to the Ebro River. to meet Hasbrubal's onslaught. 218 BC, Rome dispatched one of its When Hannibal departed for Italy, he consular armies, under Publius Cornelius left his brother, Hasdrubal Barca, with Scipio, to invade northern Spain. Arriv- 12,650 infantry, 2,550 cavalry, 21 elephants, and a small fleet to hold the The Battle of Dertosa ing at Massilia (modern Marseille), the In the spring of 215 BC, Hasdrubal Romans were stunned to discover that province. After a swift conquest of moved north with some 25,000 foot, Hannibal was already on the east bank of northeastern Spain, Hannibal left Hanno 4,000 horse and 21 elephants. The the Rhone, headed for Italy. In what was with another 11,000 troops to control the Scipio brothers masses 30,000 infantry possibly the key strategic decision of the newly-won territory. Hannibal took and 3,000 cavalry to bar his path at the war, Publius opted to continue with the with him all the veteran troops and Ebro River. Hasdrubal's objective was invasion of Spain. He sent his army on experienced officers of Carthage's to defeat the main Roman field army so under the command of his older brother Iberian army. He had also bypassed the that he could cross into Italy while still Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio, while Publius coastal Greek cities of northern Spain, maintaining Carthaginian control of himself returned to Italy to face allies of Rome. Spain. The Scipio brothers likewise Hannibal. This move resulted in a 13- aimed to defeat Hasdrubal in open year duel for supremacy between Rome Gnaeus Scipio had 22,000 infantry, 2,200 battle to prevent his crossing into Italy and Carthage for control of the Iberian cavalry and a small fleet with which to and to break his grip on the Iberian Peninsula. undertake the invasion of Spain. With Peninsula. these troops, and friendly bases at Following the loss of Sicily, Sardinia, and Emporiae and Tarraco, Gnaeus easily Hasdrubal's army was comprised Corsica to Rome during the First Punic crushed Hanno's army and took control mainly of African and mercenary War (264-241 BC) and its aftermath, of northern Spain in the fall of 218 BC. regulars augmented by Iberian levies. Hamilcar Barca ((Hannibal's father) The following spring, Hasdrubal, his forces augmented by Iberian levies, His infantry consisted of around 15,000 carved out an extensive Spanish province Libyan spearmen, 1,000 mercenaries for Carthage between 238 and 229 BC. advanced north to challenge the (Ligurians and other unspeci- fied soldiers of fortune), 8,000 Iberians, and 1,000 Balearic slingers. His mounted force included 2,300 Numidian light cavalry, 450 Liby-Phoenician heavy cavalry, 1,200 Spanish horse, and 21 elephants. Reportedly, his Spanish levies were none too anxious to make the trek to Italy that would follow a victory.
The Scipio brothers' forces
included two reinforced Roman legions, consisting of 10,000 foot and 600 horse, and allied Italian troops number- ing nearly 18,000 infantry and 1,800 cavalry. Their auxiliary Iberian forces probably included about 2,000 foot and 400 horse.
The Roman command was
exercised jointly by the Scipio brothers. Although Publius had initially been the supreme commander, with Gnaeus as his deputy, the command by this point was largely shared. Gnaeus was the elder brother, and he had served a coming down onto a nearby plain to wing was also reinforced with about ten consulship with distinction against the face them. The two camps were about African war elephants (the same Insubrian Gauls in 222 BC. Gnaeus has five miles apart, and the two armies felt disposition Hannibal had employed at also served as the sole commander in each other out during five days of the Battle of Trebbia). The Balearic Spain for over a year before Publius skirmishing. The stage was set for the slingers formed an extended skirmish arrived. The Senate appears to have climactic showdown. line. The remaining infantry, 2,000 to vested both brothers with pro-consular 3,000 in number, guarded his camp. authority. Hasdrubal, on the other The Scipio brothers deployed their army hand, was the unquestioned sole in standard fashion, with the two The Roman battle plan appears to have Carthaginian commander. This was legions in the center and the allied mainly because he had no subordinate been typically straightforwarda infantry divided evenly between the frontal assault, weighted in the center. commanders of note. Himilco, his wings. The Roman cavalry, reinforced deputy, remained behind in southern The Scipio brothers, like Hasdrubal, with the Spanish horse, formed on the were well aware of what had occurred Spain to maintain control of the vast extreme right. On the far left were Carthaginian province. at Cannae. They apparently believed posted all the Italian cavalry. About the appropriate counter to envelopment 2,000 roman and Italian infantry and the was to rupture the enemy center. For Since both sides sought to fight a Spanish auxiliary foot remained behind decisive battle, the maneuvering was his part, Hasdrubal knew that the as a camp guard. circumstances he faced were signifi- limited and straightforward. In the early spring of 215 BC, the Romans cantly different from those at Cannae. Hasdrubal, who by now had received a His infantry was much closer in crossed the Ebro and laid siege to the full account of the action at Cannae, Carthaginian allied city of Ibera (the numbers to his Roman opponent's than posted his sturdy African phalanxes on Hannibal's had been, but he lacked the Battle of Dertosa is also known as the the wings of his infantry line. The right Battle of Ibera). Hasdrubal in turn laid decisive cavalry superiority his brother wing was purely African, while the left had exploited to such good effect. siege to a small Roman allied city, also wing was reinforced by his mercenaries. on the south bank of the Ebro, across Hasdrubal could only hope that his The center was composed entirely of elephant corps would provide the from the city of Dertosa (modern Iberian tribal levies. He stationed his Tortosa). The Romans then moved quick victory he needed from his Liby-Phoenician heavy cavalry and cavalry on the flanks, and that his against Hasdrubal and he obliged by Iberian horsemen on his far left, unenthusiastic Iberian infantry could opposite the Roman cavalry. Against hold in the center long enough for the the Italian horse he posted his superb envelopment to unfold. Numidian light cavalry. Each cavalry The action began in the center with the Italy with a second Carthaginian army. The Final Analysis charge of the two Roman legions into He would not accomplish this for Why did Hasdrubal fail at Dertosa Hasdrubal's Iberian infantry; the another eight years (208-207 BC). while his brother Hannibal had suc- Spanish troops immediately gave ceeded at Cannae against a far larger ground. The African phalanxes and Although the failed invasion attempt of Roman army? Many have assumed mercenaries on the wings now came 215 BC has been historically eclipsed by that Hasdrubal was simply inferior to into play and forced the allied Italian the Metaurus campaign of 207 BC, his older brother in command ability. foot back. Meanwhile, on the extreme Hasdrubal's earlier effort actually posed While this charge may have some merit, flanks, the elephant charges proved a far greater threat to Rome's survival. Hasdrubal undeniably suffered from a ineffectual, and neither side's mounted In 215 BC, Rome, still reeling from number of serious disadvantages. troops gained a quick advantage. At Cannae, would most likely have been First of all, he lacked the cavalry this critical juncture, the Carthaginian overwhelmed by the combined forces of superiority (10,000 to 6,000) that center broke in the face of the aggressive the two eldest sons of Hamilcar Barca. proved decisive at Cannae. He lacked Roman assault. Although Hasdrubal By 207 BC, Rome was far better pre- the disciplined troops that Hannibal had thus lost his chance for scoring a pared to handle a second invasion, as commanded, veterans of 20 years of "Cannae," he could still win a "Trebbia" the resulting Battle of Metaurus demon- continuous warfare in Spain. Even at this point. For just as in that earlier strated. more important, he lacked the cadre of battle, the Carthaginian infantry wings highly trained, professional staff officers were victorious even as their center The Roman victory at Dertosa also that accompanied Hannibal into Italy. faltered. In fact, the Italian infantry was brought the Scipio brothers new Iberian This was particularly evident in the hard pressed and effectively outflanked allies and the opportunity to carry the failure of the Carthaginian cavalry to by the African phalanxes. war into Punic Spain. In fact, the Scipio press home its attacks on the extreme brothers carried on the war in Spain flanks. In addition, Hasdrubal faced But at the Trebbia, the Carthaginian with great success for the next four two very competent Roman command- cavalry had won a decisive victoryat years. However, in 211 BC, Hasdrubal ers in the Scipio brothers, whereas Dertosa, they skirmished indecisively, Barca, along with his brother Mago and Hannibal had been matched against the then lost their nerve when they ob- Hasdrubal Gisgo, defeated and slew inept Gaius Terentius Varro. But most served the rout of the center. The Punic them both in the twin Battles of Castulo important, a double envelopment is cavalry joined in the flight, thereby and Ilorca. Of course, Hasdrubal was probably the riskiest of battle plans, also destined to die in a losing battle, at promising total, annihilating victory or dooming the heretofore victorious the Metaurus. It was left to Publius overwhelming defeat. Chance, or fate, African and mercenary infantry on the Scipio's son, the great Africanus, to had its role as well. Hasdrubal tossed wings. After putting up a stubborn avenge the deaths of his father and his the dice, and lost. fight and both inflicting and suffering heavy losses, Hasdrubal's wings joined uncle by decisively crushing the in the rout. Cannae had been avenged. Carthaginian Spanish armies at Ilipa in 206 BC. This battle would spell the end The Aftermath of Carthaginian domination and the The immediate result of this battle was beginning of Roman control of the to prevent Hasdrubal from crossing into Iberian Peninsula. Hasdrubal is killed, there is no substi- Optional Rules totaling 188 have been eliminated. tute OC. Tychaeus may only command The following rules from Consul for Numidian cavalry. Rome are recommended, if you have Carthage: Army routs when units with the module: TQ totaling 110 have been eliminated. Roman Leadership Triarii Tactical Doctrine Publius and Gnaeus Scipio are both Roman Line Replacement Sources Roman OCs, but only over the following The sources for Dertosa are generally units: From SPQR's Zama scenario, you may the same as those listed for SPQR. Gnaeus Scipio is OC for the III Double use the Special Rule: "Blow, Scipio, However, the primary source is Livy, Legion, VII Ala Sociorum Legion, and Blow." Either Africanus' father or uncle rather than Polybius, as the latter's all AS Cavalry. may issue the command for the sonic account of this battle has not survived. Publius Scipio is OC for the V Double anti-elephant blast in this scenario. Legion, XIV Ala Sociorum Legion, and (Surus is not affected.) Additional sources: the Roman and Iberian cavalry. Head, Duncan, Victory Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars, Both Scipio brothers can command The army which routs loses the Wargamers Research Group, any Roman unit which is outside its scenarios. If both armies rout Sussex, 1982 normal command chain by using simultaneously, the Carthaginians win. individual orders. If either brother is Lazenby, J. F., killed, the other becomes OC for the Army Rout Hannibal's War, entire Roman army. Rome: Army routs when units with TQ Warminster, 1978
Retreat Edges The Carthaginians use the Southwest edge as their Retreat Edge.