Saturday, August 22, 2026

Parthians versus Late Republican Romans - Age of Caesars Saga Game

 

Parthians deployed


Romans deployed


Forces advance


Roman cavalry shoot at the Parthian cataphracts


Last Friday afternoon Craig came over and we played an Age of Caesars Saga game out in the shed.  My Parthians fighting Craig's Late Republican Romans, six points with the usual Clash of Warlords scenario. I seem to average a Saga game about once every two years, usually when there is a new supplement out. The Romans were the attackers and the two forces advanced to within shooting range. The Roman cavalry shot at the Parthian cataphracts then withdrew repeating this again in a later turn. 

The Roman ballista shooting was effective while the Parthian horse archer shooting was not. A Cataphract charge against a unit of legionaries on the left flank forced them to retreat and on the right flank the Cataphracts managed to destroy the Roman cavalry. The Cataphracts, worn down by shooting and combat, were destroyed. The Romans easily won the game when a legionary unit launched a Pilum attack to destroy a unit of horse archers, who were unable to evade like they would have historically. 

The Age of Caesars is a really attractive supplement with great photos and illustrations. It includes faction rules and battle boards for Caesar's Legions, the Parthians, Imperial Romans, Spartacus Slave Revolt, Germans, Dacians, Sarmatians and Palmyrans. As well as additional rules for Gauls, Britons and mercenaries, so plenty of new and old factions for the Saga enthusiast to game with.



Cataphracts charge the legionaries


Roman cavalry shoot again


Cataphracts are worn down, Romans win easily


6 comments:

  1. Great looking game but a bit of a battering for your Parthians.

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  2. Good looking game once more. I note your 'once in a while comment' and was wondering how do you rate this system, which I gather and presume is much more at the 'light'*, game end of things, compared with a more 'serious'* treatment of ancient wargaming?
    Best wishes, James
    *My terms.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks James, Saga is a very popular skirmish game but I personally find it pretty cheesy and prefer Lion Rampant for skirmish games. It depends on your preferences in rules I guess but I’m not really into comps much.

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