Army lists for the Battle of the Catalaunian Fields, or Chalons, as fought at the Society of Ancients Battle Day 2013.
I decided that since there was very little in the way of detailed historical information for the battle, to just play it as a 9 contingent get-as-much-lead-on-the-table type battle, with the additional interest of some per-command victory conditions, rather than per-army victory conditions.
The 9 contingents were nominally divided into two sides – the Romand side and the Hunnic side, although they might have as much interest in the defeat of the contingents on their own side as on the other side.
The Roman contingents were:
- Aetius, Magister Militum, Last of the Romans, Dux et Patricius.
- Theodoric, King of the Visigoths.
- Merovech, King of the Franks.
- Gondoic, King of the Burgundians.
- Sangiban, King of the Alans.
The Hunnic contingents were:
- Attila, the Scourge of God, Great Khan of the Huns.
- Ellac, Prince of the Huns.
- Valamir, King of the Ostrogoths.
- Ardaric, King of the Gepids.
The complete orders of battle are available after the break.
Flavius Aetius, Patricius, Magister Militum, Last of the Romans
Your Command:
| Troops | Class | Els | ME | Tot ME | AP | Tot AP |
| Aetius | Reg LH(S) Brilliant C-in-C | 1 | 4 | 4 | 52 | 52 |
| Auxilia Palatina | Reg Ax(S) | 8 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 40 |
| Auxilia Palatina | Reg Ps(O) | 4 | 0.5 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
| Equites Illyrianici | Reg LH(O) | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 10 |
| Equites | Reg Cv(O) | 3 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 24 |
| Legions Comitatenses | Reg Bd(O) | 4 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 28 |
| Legions Comitatenses> | Reg Ps(O) | 2 | 0.5 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Equites Alani & Taifali | Reg Kn(F) | 2 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 22 |
| Saxons and Amoricans | Irr Wb(O) | 8 | 0.5 | 4 | 3 | 24 |
| Baggage Train | Reg Bge(F) | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| Total | 36 | 218 | ||||
| Disheartens on: | 9 | |||||
| Breaks on: | 12 | |||||
| Shatters on: |
Deployment:
You control the deployment of the entire allied army. The Visigoths must be the rightmost command, then the Alans. Your command should be next, if present, then the Franks and the Burgundians should deploy on the left, but can be in any order. You may delay one of these three commands, including your own. All the other commands have ally-generals, but their reliability will be determined by the player, rather than the first PIP roll.
No command may deploy within 40 cm of the flanks, or more than 30 cm from the rear edge, as you have just arrived at the battlefield.
Objectives:
Your objectives are:
To keep the balance of power between the various barbarian tribes in Gaul and Germany, especially the Huns and the Visigoths, who are both becoming over-dominant. You don’t want to see a Visigothic victory over the Huns or a Hunnic victory over the Visigoths. Your ideal outcome is for all Visigothic and Hunnic commands to be disheartened, but none of them to be broken. Certainly you cannot afford for the Visigoths to become any more powerful, but you need them as a counter to the Huns.
You would also like to see casualties caused to the Ostrogoths, Gepids, Alans, Franks and Burgundians, but again would not like to see any of those contingents destroyed.
At the same time you need to preserve the lives of your own soldiers, as Roman troops are now a scarce commodity.
The perfect situation for you is for all the other contingents to be destroyed (broken or shattered) while your own is unbloodied, but you realise you are unlikely to achieve that.
Theodoric, King of the Visigoths
Your Command:
| Troops | Class | Els | ME | Tot ME | AP | Tot AP |
| Theodoric | Irr Kn(F) AG |
1 |
4 |
4 |
14 |
14 |
| Visigothic Nobles | Irr Kn(F) |
4 |
2 |
8 |
9 |
36 |
| Visigothic Gardingii | Irr Cv(O) |
4 |
1 |
4 |
7 |
28 |
| Visigothic Spearmen | Irr Wb(O) |
28 |
0.5 |
14 |
3 |
84 |
| Visigothic Archers | Irr Bw(I) |
8 |
0.5 |
4 |
3 |
24 |
| Baggage Train | Irr Bge(I) |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
| Total |
|
|
36 |
|
188 |
|
| Disheartens on: |
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
| Breaks on: |
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
| Shatters on: |
|
|
18 |
|
|
Deployment:
Your exact deployment will be guided by Aetius, but as the vanguard of the allied army that has just arrived on the battlefield, and the largest contingent, you will be deploying on the right wing.
You are an allied general, but your reliability is determined by your own actions, not the roll of the fist PIP dice.
You may not deploy within 40 cm of the flank, or more than 30 cm from the rear edge, as you have just arrived at the battlefield.
Objectives:
Your objectives are:
Power – you wish to consolidate your power in Gaul. The main problem in this at the moment is the Huns, so you need to ensure that they are defeated decisively. However if, in that process, there are significant casualties amongst the Burgundians, Franks and Alans, then your task will be easier, especially if you have not taken many casualties yourself. You would also like to see Aetius dead, as he is a tricky customer and a good friend of the Huns. His army is irrelevant though, as it will collapse without him.
Glory – the blood of the old gods runs in your veins and your lance is strong. You must prove your valour before your people but striking down the opposing kings and their hearthguards. Especially Valamir, king of the Ostrogoths. If he dies at your hand then you can try and claim kingship of all the Goths.
Merovech, King of the Franks
Your Command:
| Troops | Class | Els | ME | Tot ME | AP | Tot AP |
| Merovech | Irr Cv(O) AG |
1 |
4 |
4 |
12 |
12 |
| Frankish Nobles | Irr Cv(O) |
3 |
1 |
3 |
7 |
21 |
| Elite Frankish Warriors | Irr Wb(S) |
6 |
1 |
6 |
5 |
30 |
| Frankish Warriors | Irr Wb(O) |
18 |
0.5 |
9 |
3 |
54 |
| Baggage Train | Irr Bge(I) |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
| Total |
|
|
24 |
|
119 |
|
| Disheartens on: |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
| Breaks on: |
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
| Shatters on: |
|
|
12 |
|
|
Frankish Cv(O) including generals can always dismount as Wb(S)
Deployment:
Your exact deployment will be guided by Aetius. You will be deploying either on the left wing or as a delayed command.
You are an allied general, but your reliability is determined by your own actions, not the roll of the fist PIP dice.
You may not deploy within 40 cm of the flank, or more than 30 cm from the rear edge, as you have just arrived at the battlefield.
Objectives:
<>Your objectives are:<>Revenge – your people have suffered and been driven west at the hands of the Huns and wish to be avenged on them. You also suffered many loses in a clash with the Gepids yesterday and wish to revenge yourself on them. You need to kill as many Huns and Gepids as possible to show them that you are not cowed by these reverses, and you personally need to kill as many as possible to show your people that you are still strong enough to lead them.
Sangiban, King of the Alans
Your Command:
| Troops | Class | Els | ME | Tot ME | AP | Tot AP |
| Sangiban | Irr Kn(F) AG |
1 |
4 |
4 |
14 |
14 |
| Alan Nobles | Irr Kn(F) |
3 |
2 |
6 |
9 |
27 |
| Alan Followers | Irr LH(S) |
6 |
1 |
6 |
6 |
36 |
| Baggage Train | Irr Bge(I) |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
| Total |
|
|
18 |
|
84 |
|
| Disheartens on: |
|
|
4.5 |
|
|
|
| Breaks on: |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
| Shatters on: |
|
|
9 |
|
|
Deployment:
Your exact deployment will be guided by Aetius, but you will deploy in the centre, to the left of the Visigoths.
You are an allied general, but your reliability is determined by your own actions, not the roll of the fist PIP dice.
You may not deploy more than 30 cm from the rear edge, as you have just arrived at the battlefield.
Objectives:
Your objectives are:
Survival – your men are few in comparison to the German tribes around you, and yet you need to show them that you are still a force to be reckoned with. Most importantly, you need to make sure that you come out on the winning side. You have no ties to either side and will happily work with either of them. You should ensure that whichever side wins (and that might be a difficult thing to work out) you have killed more of the losing side than you have of the winning side. You especially need to keep Attila and Aetius happy, so you can regard them as controlling the two sides.
Losing as few of your own men as possible is good, as you have few men to lose, and this really isn’t a battle you have any stake in – you will happily work with either side when it wins.
Gondoic, King of the Burgundians
Your Command:
| Troops | Class | Els | ME | Tot ME | AP | Tot AP |
| Gondoic | Irr Cv(O) AG |
1 |
4 |
4 |
12 |
12 |
| Burgundian Nobles | Irr Cv(O) |
2 |
1 |
2 |
7 |
14 |
| Burgundian Warriors | Irr Wb(O) |
20 |
0.5 |
10 |
3 |
60 |
| Baggage Train | Irr Bge(I) |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
| Total |
|
|
18 |
|
88 |
|
| Disheartens on: |
|
|
4.5 |
|
|
|
| Breaks on: |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
| Shatters on: |
|
|
9 |
|
Deployment:
Your exact deployment will be guided by Aetius; you will either be deployed on the left wing or as a delayed command.
You are an allied general, but your reliability is determined by your own actions, not the roll of the fist PIP dice.
You may not deploy within 40 cm of the flank, or more than 30 cm from the rear edge, as you have just arrived at the battlefield.
Objectives:
Your objectives are:
Revenge – it is fifteen years since the Huns destroyed your capital at Wurms and scattered your people, driving them west into Gaul, but the years do not make the defeat any more palatable. You wish to be revenged on the Huns and on their King Attila personally. If your spear is the one to slay him then your name will live for ever in the annals of the Burgundians and all the Germans. The more Huns you and your men kill, the more pleased they will be.
Once the Huns are dealt with, then Aetius himself has a lot to answer for his role in your defeat. And after him, it would be good to see the Franks and Visigoths cut down to size as they are threatening your borders.
Attila, Great Khan of the Huns, the Scourge of God
Your Command:
| Troops | Class | Els | ME | Tot ME | AP | Tot AP |
| Attila | Reg Cv(O) Brilliant C-in-C |
1 |
4 |
4 |
53 |
53 |
| Hunnic Nobles | Irr CV(O) |
2 |
1 |
2 |
7 |
14 |
| Hunnic Warriors | Irr LH(S) |
12 |
1 |
12 |
6 |
72 |
| Alans | Irr LH(S) |
2 |
1 |
2 |
6 |
12 |
| Heruls | Irr Kn(F) |
2 |
2 |
4 |
9 |
18 |
| Franks and Rugians | Irr Wb(S) |
4 |
1 |
4 |
5 |
20 |
| Franks and Rugians | Irr Wb(O) |
12 |
0.5 |
6 |
3 |
36 |
| Baggage Train | Irr Bge(O) |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
| Wagon Laager | TF |
4 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
| Total |
|
|
36 |
|
229 |
|
| Disheartens on: |
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
| Breaks on: |
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
| Shatters on: |
|
|
18 |
|
|
Deployment:
You will deploy in the centre of the Hunnic line. The Ostrogoths will be on your left flank, the Gepids on your right flank.
You have had a successful plundering expedition into Gaul, but now Aetius has unexpectedly pulled together a large force to oppose you and the risk of continuing is too great. It is time to pull back to Germany. However your route is blocked by a number of rivers, and Aetius is closer behind you than you realised. You have not had time to cross this river so you must stall his army before crossing. You are hoping that a setback will cause his fragile coalition to fall apart. You have turned to face him on an open plan outside Troyes, but his troops are keeping to the hills. They are however close enough to threaten you before you can get your army across the river, so you will need to advance to attack him. You have just realised that the large and steep hill that guards his right flank will be key to the battlefield.
You may not deploy within 40 cm of the flank, or more than 30 cm from the rear edge, as you have just arrived at the battlefield.
Objectives:
Your objectives are:
Escape – you have sufficient plunder and have no wish to risk your men. You must defeat the enemy, ensure that your subjects bear the brunt of the fighting and that your wagons of plunder are not themselves plundered. The ridge on the right is the key to the field – you must send loyal men to hold it. The coalition against you must be destroyed – the easiest way to do this is to kill Aetius.
Ellac, Prince of the Huns
Your Command:
| Troops | Class | Els | ME | Tot ME | AP | Tot AP |
| Ellac | Reg LH(S) SG |
1 |
4 |
4 |
27 |
27 |
| Hunnic Warriors | Irr LH(S) |
18 |
1 |
18 |
6 |
108 |
| Baggage Train | Ire Bge(O) |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
| Wagon Laager | TF |
4 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
| Total |
|
|
24 |
|
143 |
|
| Disheartens on: |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
| Breaks on: |
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
| Shatters on: |
|
|
12 |
|
|
Deployment:
Your exact deployment will be guided by your father, Attila.
You are a regular sub general, so Attila will determine which of the two PIP dice you receive each turn.
You may not deploy within 40 cm of the flank, or more than 30 cm from the rear edge, as you have just arrived at the battlefield.
Objectives:
Your objectives are:
The throne – your father is a great man, but you feel that it has come to be your turn to rule the Huns. And what better death for a Hunnic king than gloriously in battle, rather than in his bed with the women. If Attila was to die, but you were to win the battle fighting by his side, then none could contest your claim. Obviously not right by his side though. The Huns fight in nomad style so I am sure you can arrange a situation where he is left exposed by an unexpected withdrawal by some of your men. You need to ensure that there are still enough Huns left at the end of the battle to keep the uppity Gepids and Ostrogoths in hand though.
Valamir, King of the Ostrogoths
Your Command:
| Troops | Class | Els | ME | Tot ME | AP | Tot AP |
| Valamir | Irr Kn(F) AG |
1 |
4 |
4 |
14 |
14 |
| Ostrogothic Nobles | Irr Kn(F) |
12 |
2 |
24 |
9 |
108 |
| Ostrogothic Archers | Irr Bw(I) |
12 |
0.5 |
6 |
3 |
36 |
| Baggage Train | Irr Bge(O) |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
| Wagon Laager | TF |
4 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
| Total |
|
|
36 |
|
166 |
|
| Disheartens on: |
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
| Breaks on: |
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
| Shatters on: |
|
|
18 |
|
|
Deployment:
Your exact deployment will be guided by Attila, but you will be deploying on the left wing.
You are an allied general, but your reliability is determined by your own actions, not the roll of the fist PIP dice.
You may not deploy within 40 cm of the flank, or more than 30 cm from the rear edge, as you have just arrived at the battlefield.
Objectives:
Your objectives are:
Freedom – your people chafe under the harsh rule of the Huns, but you know that you are not strong enough to fight Attila. If he were to die though, then you could rise up against his sons, especially if they were divided. But it must not be an Ostrogothic lance that delivers the blow, in case they take a terrible revenge on your people. Better that he should die at another’s hand. Maybe you need to suddenly expose his position during the battle so that the Romans can kill him.
Glory – the blood of the old gods runs in your veins and your lance is strong. You must prove your valour before your people but striking down the opposing kings and their hearthguards. Especially Theodoric, king of the Visigoths. If he dies at your hand then you can try and claim kingship of all the Goths. Together you will be able to crush the Huns.
Ardaric, King of the Gepids
Your Command:
| Troops | Class | Els | ME | Tot ME | AP | Tot AP |
| Ardaric | Irr Kn(F) AG |
1 |
4 |
4 |
14 |
14 |
| Gepid Nobles | Irr Kn(F) |
8 |
2 |
16 |
9 |
72 |
| Gepid Warriors | Irr Wb(O) |
16 |
0.5 |
8 |
3 |
48 |
| Gepid Archers | Irr Bw(I) |
12 |
0.5 |
6 |
3 |
36 |
| Baggage Train | Irr Bge(O) |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
| Wagon Laager | TF |
4 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
| Total |
|
|
36 |
|
178 |
|
| Disheartens on: |
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
| Breaks on: |
|
12 |
|
|
||
| Shatters on: |
|
|
18 |
|
|
Deployment:
Your exact deployment will be guided by Attila, but you will be deploying on the right wing, as befits your role as most powerful of Attila’s vassals.
You are an allied general, but your reliability is determined by your own actions, not the roll of the fist PIP dice.
You may not deploy within 40 cm of the flank, or more than 30 cm from the rear edge, as you have just arrived at the battlefield.
Objectives:
Your objectives are:
Freedom – your people chafe under the harsh rule of the Huns, but you know that you are not strong enough to fight Attila. If he were to die though, then you could rise up against his sons, especially if they were divided. But it must not be an Gepid lance that delivers the blow, in case they take a terrible revenge on your people. Better that he should die at another’s hand. Maybe you need to suddenly expose his position during the battle so that the Romans can kill him.
Glory – the blood of the old gods runs in your veins and your lance is strong. You must prove your valour before your people but striking down the opposing kings and their hearthguards. You rule the most powerful of the German tribes, and you must demonstrate this prowess personally on the battlefield. Especially against the Visigoths, Ostrogoths and every other sort of Goths, who are the greatest threat to the power of the Gepids.