Dominate Roman

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Historical Overview Section

The accession to the purple on November 20, 284, of Diocletian, the lower-class, Greek-speaking Dalmatian commander of Carus's and Numerian's household cavalry (protectores domestici) was a time when conflict boiled in every province of the empire, from Gaul to Syria, from Egypt to the lower Danube. It was too much for a single person to control, and Diocletian decided he needed a mate, and raised his fellow-officer Maximian to the office of Caesar, making him co-emperor. After his acclamation, Maximian was dispatched to fight the rebel Early Frankish Bagaudae in Gaul. Diocletian returned to the East where he fought the Later Sarmatians indecisively, did a deal with the Sassanid Persians to achieve a temporary peace, absorbed the Early Armenians.

Maximian had a tougher time, as the Early Frankish and Ancient British were in open revolt, which the Romans struggled to contain. The two emperors continued to act independently against various enemies, but they agreed on a joint campaign against the Early Frankish Alamanni in 287 whilst Diocletian continued to play diplomacy with the Sassanid Persians and Palmyrans to keep them quiet, and cut a deal with the Beja too. Diocletian then conjured up two more Caesars in 293, moving the empire closer to a Rome and Byzantium format and this allowed the Empire to take on the Later Sarmatians again in the Balkans and the Dacian or Carpi tribes on the Danube. The Sassanid Persians new King Narseh declared war on Rome in 295 or 296 which was inconvenient for a while.

After Diocletian had split the empire and then retired, there was a bit of a rebellion by the Legions at the edges of the Empire, but it got sorted out after the Civil Wars of the Tetrarchy (306-324 AD) and a geezer called Constantine won. He was so happy he invented a city and called it after himself - Constantinople. Constantine rebuilt Trajan's bridge across the Danube, in hopes of reconquering the Dacian or Carpi tribes in a province that had been abandoned under Aurelian. In the late winter of 332, Constantine campaigned with the Later Sarmatians against the Early Visigothic and Early Vandals.

Constantine's death triggered another invasion by the Sassanid Persians, and another round of civil war, including the Battle of Mursa Major in 351, one of the bloodiest battles in Roman history. The winner, Constantius lived mostly in Milan, but also visited Rome - for the first and only time in his life - in 357, and, in that same year, he forced the Later Sarmatians and Early Frankish Quadi invaders out of Pannonia and Moesia Inferior, then led a successful campaign across the Danube against the Later Sarmatians and the Early Frankish Quadi tribe - but whilst his back was turned, the Sassanid Persians invaded again!

Constantius was succeeded in 361 by Julian (and his friend Sandy), after a bit of sharp practice in which Julian started off running Gaul for Constantius, but ended up running the whole shebang. Julians first action was a bit of a mistake, as in March 363, and despite a series of omens against the campaign, he decided to invade the Sassanid Persian Empire - possibly to keep the eastern Roman army happy (as he'd been running the Western one, and the Easterners felt they were missing out). This went badly wrong, "bad" in a "defeat" sense for the army and in a "death" sense for Julian personally. This let in Jovian for the next 30 years, and he just gave stuff away to the Sassanid Persians and Early Armenians to keep them quiet.

Valentinian and his brother Ritchie Valens then ruled until 375. During his short reign there were wars in Africa, with the Early Frankish and Ancient British tribes, and Rome came into collision with new barbarian peoples such as the Early Frankish Burgundians and the Early Anglo Saxons. Valens fought the Sassanid Persians, the Early Ostrogothic and Heruls and messed up big time at in Thrace when he marched against the confederated barbarian army led by the Early Visigothic and Early Vandals on 9 August 378 in what would become known as the Battle of Adrianople. When the battle was over, two-thirds of the eastern army lay dead. Many of their best officers had also perished. What was left of the army of Valens was led from the field under the cover of night.

Theodosius succeeded Valens, and Gratain succeeded Valentian. Gratian was killed in a rebellion in 383,and after 392 Theodosius ruled as sole emperor, appointing his younger son Honorius Augustus as his co-ruler for the West after a bit of a civil war. He was largely forced into doing deals with the various Early Visigothic and Early Vandal, (Dacian or Carpi)) and Early Ostrogothic and Herul tribes, recruiting them as Foederate troops.

He was succeeded by Arcadius and Honorius, the last of the Dominate Roman Emperors.

Morally Bankrupt? Moi..?
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User-contributed links about this army:

Tactical Tips

  • V2.0 change 2. The minimum size of battle groups including auxiliary foot with Light Spear capability in Dominate and Foederate Roman lists is increased to 6. Makes the Swarm harder to do, as does the other change of Break point of army cannot exceed the total points value of the army divided by 50, rounded up. (e.g. 16 in the case of an 800 point army).
  • The Famous Dominate Swarm This option uses a large number of small BGs allows the army to make full use of the flexibility and maneuver of these fast moving and drilled troop types (MF & LH).
  • Nearly all the shooters are selected as superior (using all the "superior" allowances in the list), gaining maximum benefit from re-rolls of 1's. Where the army is threatened by troops such as close formation foot or quality cavalry then they use terrain and skirmishing to deal with them.
  • The MF are fast enough to get into positions to flank charge or flank intercept larger and/or better enemy BGs, thus negating any POA disadvantage they may have, however JLS and sword + armour is a pretty good combination as it counts all the time against anything less than Knights.
  • Having multiple small units ganging up on larger enemy formations in an Assault Package limits the amount of shooting or combat dice that can be inflicted on any one unit, often saving them from death tests when they gang up on an enemy and win.
  • With so many BGs, losing one or two isn't a problem, and it's even possible to sacrifice a BG or two to draw an enemy out into rash pursuits and expose flanks in the process. Simply trading BG's 1 for 1 with an enemy will see this size of army win most games through attrition alone.
  • Opting for an IC and enough cavalry to give you a +3 or +4 on innitiative and then picking woodland terrain is one strategy as then the JLS/Swordsmen auxiia are the best possible troops in such terrain (which negates LTS bonuses for Thracians and similar). Otherwise a low aggression option (+1 with 22 cavalry and no IC or FC) allows you to move first and capture the initiative, and given the lack of concern about most terrain types that such a huge army has, both strategies are viable.
  • Do not underestimate the legions. A 4+2 supporting archer unit is as tough as pretty much anything out there and can take punishment as well.
  • These type of legions can take on literally anything they might face at evens or better - even knights - so deploying them "last" isn't much of a benefit - maybe bump them up the deployment order, and make your enemy deal with them
  • Deploying the infantry in 2 ranks as 3+1 or 4+2 allows you to cover the whole table, and then contract where needed to concentrate against an enemy (9 Ax=27 bases wide + 4 legions=16 and thats already more than the entire width of the table.).
  • Having total coverage with decent troops also means there ends up with being no part of the board where you need to "only delay".
  • Use the Superior allowance on shooting troops (LH or Bowmen), and legions.
  • Poor skirmishers can only run away whereas even 4 Superior LH or LF bow can work in the battle line (with a legion or auxilia unit for cover) and have a reasonable chance of incurring 2 hits every turn and disrupting someone to soften them up for the charge.
  • A few impact foot mean you have units who can charge if disrupted without a test, as well as being scarier for enemy foot. And the auxiia give you a LOT of JLS-armed troops anyway.


Allied Contingents

Western Armies

  • Visigothic, Later : Date restrictions None Book: Decline and Fall Page: 13 - 4 Compulsary L/S Cavalryand a couple of big blocks of foot. Impact before 622, Supported Def Spear afterwards
  • Alan, Early : Date restrictions None Book: Legions Triumphant Page: 41 - Lots of charging Superior Lancers (and plenty of LH bw/Sw to help them) gives this army another dimension
  • Visigothic - Early Visogothic or Early Vandal : Date restrictions None Book: Legions Triumphant Page: 52 - Lots of HF impact foot swordsmen, erm, not my cup of tea thanks.
  • Frankish - Early Frankish, Alamanni, Burgundi, Limigantes, Rugian, Suebi or Turcilingi : Date restrictions None Book: Legions Triumphant Page: 59 - 8 minimum HF Impact foot swordsmen make these rather uninspiring as an ally

Eastern Armies

  • Armenian, Middle : Date restrictions Before 364 Book: Legions Triumphant Page: 55 - More cataphracts always impresses, but the Bw/Sw cavalry option is tasty to drive away enemy LH and allow you to shoot up people sitting in terrain
  • Arab, Early : Date restrictions None Book: Rise of Rome Page: 60 - Well, it has no minima, so you can choose between uninspiring LH and Cv, Poor Bw armed camelry, and some very average Lt Sp/Sw MF. Hoorah!

Manufacturers with figures for this era (does not include foederate troops in other non-Roman ranges

You can see some of the figures in the Ancients Photo Gallery also on this site

Image Image Image Image Image

UK Tourney Results

1 / 62 Dominate Roman Britcon 2008 15mm (open)
1 / 20 Dominate Roman Warfare 2008 15mm (RoR, IF, LT)
4 / 62 Dominate Roman Britcon 2008 15mm (open)
6 / 17 Dominate Roman Warfare 2008 25mm (RoR, LT, IF)
7 / 18 Dominate Roman Roll Call 2008 15mm (LT)
9 / 14 Dominate Roman Roll Call 2008 25mm (open)
10 / 18 Dominate Roman Roll Call 2008 15mm (LT)
15 / 18 Dominate Roman Roll Call 2008 15mm (LT)
49 / 62 Dominate Roman Britcon 2008 15mm (open)
61 / 62 Dominate Roman Britcon 2008 15mm (open)

Army Lists

Sample army lists for this army
Alan Cutners placing Dom Rom at 800AP from Britcon 2012

  • 4 TC's
  • 1x4 LF, Average, Unprotected, Sing
  • 4x4 MF, Average, Armoured, Light Spear/Sword
  • 1x4 MF, Superior, Armoured, Light Spear/Sword
  • 1x4 MF, Superior, Unprotected, Bow
  • 3x4 HF, Superior, Armoured, Impact/Sk Sword + 2 LF, Unprotected, Bow
  • 1x4 LH, Average, Unprotected, Javelin/Lt Spear
  • 1x4 LH, Average, Unprotected, Bow
  • 2x4 Ct, Superior, Hvy Armour, Lance/Sword

( 16-9 vs Arab Conquest, 17-3 vs Early Successor, 20-5 vs Early Medieval German, 24-1 vs Spartan, 11-9 vs Dominate Roman, 9-11 vs Tibetan)

800 AP used at Warfare 2010

  • 1 Equites Illyriani LH Unprotected Average Drilled Javelins Light spear - - 4
  • 2 Equites Sagitarii LH Unprotected Superior Drilled Bow - - - 4
  • 3 Field army auxilliaries MF Armoured Average Drilled - Light spear Swordsmen - 4
  • 4 Field army auxilliaries MF Armoured Average Drilled - Light spear Swordsmen - 4
  • 5 Field army legionaries HF Armoured Superior Drilled - Light spear Swordsmen - 4
  • 6 Field army auxilliaries MF Armoured Average Drilled - Light spear Swordsmen - 4
  • 7 Field army auxilliaries MF Armoured Average Drilled - Light spear Swordsmen - 4
  • 8 Field army auxilliaries MF Armoured Average Drilled - Light spear Swordsmen - 4
  • 9 Equites Sagitarii LH Unprotected Superior Drilled Bow - - - 4
  • 10 Huns LH Unprotected Superior undrilled bow - Swordsmen - 4
  • 11 Field army auxilliaries MF Armoured Average Drilled - Light spear Swordsmen - 4
  • 12 Field army auxilliaries MF Armoured Average Drilled - Light spear Swordsmen - 4
  • 13 Field army legionaries HF Armoured Superior Drilled - Impact foot Skilled swordsmen - 4
  • 14 Field army legionaries HF Armoured Superior Drilled - Impact foot Skilled swordsmen - 4
  • 15 Auxiliary archers MF Unprotected Superior Drilled Bow - - - 4
  • 16 Auxiliary archers MF Unprotected Superior Drilled Bow - - - 4
  • supporting Bw for all legionary units LF Unprotected Superior Drilled Bow - - - 6
  • CinC TC - - - - - - - 1
  • Sub-commanders TC - - - - - - - 3


800AP Army List used by Tim Porter to win the IWF Euro Championships 2009 and come 2nd at Britcon 2009.
(MLMBDR - Marginally Less Morally Bankrupt Dom Roms)

  • 1 Slingers LF Unprotected Poor Drilled sling - - - 4
  • 2 Equites Sagittarii LH Unprotected Superior Drilled Bow - - - 4
  • 3 Field army auxilliaries MF Armoured Average Drilled - Light spear Swordsmen - 4
  • 4 Field army auxilliaries MF Armoured Average Drilled - Light spear Swordsmen - 4
  • 5 Equites Illyricani LH Unprotected Average Drilled Javelins Light spear - - 4
  • 6 Field army auxilliaries MF Armoured Average Drilled - Light spear Swordsmen - 4
  • 7 Field army auxilliaries MF Armoured Average Drilled - Light spear Swordsmen - 4
  • 8 Field army legionaries HF Armoured Superior Drilled - Light spear Swordsmen - 4
  • 9 Field army legionaries HF Armoured Superior Drilled - Light spear Swordsmen - 4
  • 10 Field army legionaries HF Armoured Superior Drilled - Light spear Swordsmen - 4
  • 11 Field army auxilliaries MF Armoured Average Drilled - Light spear Swordsmen - 4
  • 12 Field army auxilliaries MF Armoured Average Drilled - Light spear Swordsmen - 4
  • 13 Field army legionaries (Legion 2) HF Protected Superior Drilled - Impact foot Skilled swordsmen - 4
  • 14 Field army legionaries (Legion 2) HF Protected Superior Drilled - Impact foot Skilled swordsmen - 4
  • 15 Auxiliary archers MF Unprotected Superior Drilled Bow - - - 4
  • supporting Bw for all legionary units LF Unprotected Superior Drilled Bow - - - 10
  • CinC IC - - - - - - - 1
  • Sub-commanders TC - - - - - - - 3


800 AP Army used by Graham Evans at Britcon 2009

  • 4 Superior LF Sling
  • 4 Av LH, Bw
  • 6 Average Legions, Lt Sp/Sw
  • 4 Average Armoured Auxilia
  • 4 Poor Auxliia
  • 4 Average Armoured Auxilia
  • 4 Average Armoured Auxilia
  • 4 Superior Unprotected Bw
  • 4 Superior LH, JLS
  • 4 Superior LH, JLS
  • 4 LH, Bw
  • 4 Average Armoured Auxilia
  • 4 Average Armoured Auxilia
  • 4 Average Armoured Auxilia
  • 4 Bw, Superior, Unprotected
  • 4 Average Armoured Auxilia
  • 4 Superior LH Bw/Sw
  • 4 Average Armoured Auxilia
  • 4 Average Armoured Auxilia
  • 4 x TC


900 AP Dominate Romans as used by Dave Handley to secure 4th Place at Burton 2009

  • 4 Slingers, Superior LF
  • 4 City Lilitia, Protected Poor MF Light Spear, Undrilled
  • 4 Equites Illyricanii, Superior LH, Unprotected, Drilled, Javelin, Light Spear
  • 6 Legions, Protected Average HF, Light Spear Swordsmen
  • 4 Equites Sagitarii, Superior LH, Unprotected, Drilled, Bow,
  • 4 Equites Sagitarii, Superior LH, Unprotected, Drilled, Bow,
  • 4 Auxilia MF, Average, Armoured, Drilled, Light Spear Swordsmen
  • 4 Auxilia MF, Average, Armoured, Drilled, Light Spear Swordsmen
  • 4 Auxilia MF, Average, Armoured, Drilled, Light Spear Swordsmen
  • 4 Equites Illyricanii, Superior LH, Unprotected, Drilled, Javelin, Light Spear
  • 4 Huns, Superior LH, Unprotected, Undrilled, Bow
  • 4 Auxilia MF, Average, Armoured, Drilled, Light Spear Swordsmen
  • 4 Auxilia MF, Average, Armoured, Drilled, Light Spear Swordsmen
  • 4 Auxilia MF, Average, Armoured, Drilled, Light Spear Swordsmen
  • 4 Auxilia MF, Average, Armoured, Drilled, Light Spear Swordsmen
  • 4 Cataphracts, Average, Drilled Lancers Swordsmen
  • 4 Auxiliary Archers, Drilled, Superior, MF Unprotected, Bow
  • 4 Auxiliary Archers, Drilled, Superior, MF Unprotected, Bow
  • 4 Auxilia MF, Average, Armoured, Drilled, Light Spear Swordsmen
  • 4 Auxilia MF, Average, Armoured, Drilled, Light Spear Swordsmen
  • IC CinC
  • 3 x TC


Another 900 point army, this time the one used by Hammy and Justin Keeley to place 1st at Burton
(everything bar the Huns is drilled)

  • 9 x 4 Auxilia: Average, Armoured, MF, Light Spear, Swordsmen
  • 2 x 4 Auxiliary Archers: Superior, Protected, MF, Bow
  • 2 x 4 Equites Sagitarii: Superior, Unprotected, LH, Bow
  • 2 x 4 Equites Illyricanii: Superior, Unprotected, LH, Javelin, Light Spear
  • 4 Legions: Average, Armoured, HF, Light Spear, Swordsmen + 2 supporting light foot bow
  • 6 Huns: Superior, Unprotected, LH, Undrilled, Bow
  • 4 Equites: Superior, Armoured, Cav, Light Spear, Swordsmen
  • 4 Slingers: Superior, Unprotected, LF, sling
  • 4 x TC


The Dom Rom Swarm is a legendary army in the short lifetime of FoG
Here is my attempt at it:

  • 1 garrison troops MF Protected poor Undrilled - light spear - - 4
  • 2 Legions HF Armoured Average Drilled-light spear Swordsmen-4 + Light Foot LF unprotected Average drilled bow- 2
  • 3 Legions HF Armoured Average Drilled-light spear Swordsmen-4 + Light Foot LF unprotected Average drilled bow - 2
  • 4 Legions HF Armoured Average Drilled-light spear Swordsmen-4 + Light Foot LF unprotected Average drilled bow - 2
  • 5 Legions HF Armoured Average Drilled-light spear Swordsmen-4 + Light Foot LF unprotected Average drilled bow - 2
  • 6 Legions HF Armoured Average Drilled-light spear Swordsmen-4 + Light Foot LF unprotected Average drilled bow - 2
  • 7 auxilia MF Armoured Average Drilled - light spear Swordsmen - 4
  • 8 auxilia MF Armoured Average Drilled - light spear Swordsmen - 4
  • 9 auxilia MF Armoured Average Drilled - light spear Swordsmen - 4
  • 10 auxilia MF Armoured Average Drilled - light spear Swordsmen - 4
  • 11 auxilia MF Armoured Average Drilled - light spear Swordsmen - 4
  • 12 equites LH unprotected Superior Drilled bow - - - 4
  • 13 equites LH unprotected Superior Drilled bow - - - 4
  • 14 light horse LH unprotected Average Drilled javelins light spear - - 6
  • 15 cataphracts Ct heavily armoured poor Drilled - Lancers Swordsmen - 6
  • 16 bowmen mf Protected Superior Drilled bow - - - 4
  • CinC TC - - - - - - CinC 1
  • TC TC - - - - - - - 3


The Famous Graham Evans Roman Swarm is something like;

  • 9x4 Armoured MF Drilled Average Light Spear Sword
  • 6 HF Drilled average Light Spear Sword
  • 2x4 MF Superior, Drilled, Bow
  • 4 MF Poor
  • 6 LF sling
  • 5 x 4 LH, some superior Bw
  • 4 TCs



Here's a version using 6-element BGs of auxilia from Hammy.

  • OoM Troops Type Armour Quality Training Sh POA Im POA Me POA Special Number of bases
  • TC - - - - - - CinC 1
  • TC - - - - - - - 3
  • 1 Field army auxiliaries MF Armoured Average Drilled - Light sp Sword - 4
  • 1 supporting archers LF Unprot Average Drilled Bow - - - 2
  • 2 Field army auxiliaries MF Armoured Average Drilled - Light sp Sword - 4
  • 2 supporting archers LF Unprot Average Drilled Bow - - - 2
  • 3 Field army auxiliaries MF Armoured Average Drilled - Light sp Sword - 4
  • 3 supporting archers LF Unprot Average Drilled Bow - - - 2
  • 4 Field army auxiliaries MF Armoured Average Drilled - Light sp Sword - 4
  • 4 supporting archers LF Unprot Average Drilled Bow - - - 2
  • 5 Field army auxiliaries MF Armoured Average Drilled - Light sp Sword - 4
  • 5 supporting archers LF Unprot Average Drilled Bow - - - 2
  • 6 Field army auxiliaries MF Armoured Average Drilled - Light sp Sword - 4
  • 6 supporting archers LF Unprot Average Drilled Bow - - - 2
  • 7 Auxiliary archers MF Unprot Superior Drilled Bow - - - 4
  • 8 Auxiliary archers MF Unprot Superior Drilled Bow - - - 4
  • 9 Equites sagittarii LH Unprot Superior Drilled Bow - - - 4
  • 10 Equites sagittarii LH Unprot Superior Drilled Bow - - - 4
  • 11 Equites Illyricani etc. LH Unprot Superior Drilled Javelins Light sp - - 4
  • 12 Equites Illyricani etc. LH Unprot Superior Drilled Javelins Light sp - - 4
  • 13 Slingers LF Unprot Superior Drilled Sling - - - 4
  • 14 Field army legionaries HF Armoured Average Drilled - Light sp Sword - 4
  • 14 supporting archers LF Unprot Average Drilled Bow - - - 2
  • 15 Field army legionaries HF Armoured Average Drilled - Light sp Sword - 4
  • 15 supporting archers LF Unprot Average Drilled Bow - - - 2
  • 16 City militia MF Protected Poor Undrilled - Light sp - - 4
  • 17 Huns LH Unprot Superior Drilled Bow - Sword - 4


Here is a 900 ap list with some fairly grunty big blocks of legionaries

  • 1 Garrison Troops MF Protected poor Undrilled - light spear - - 4 3 12
  • 2 Slingers LF unprotected Average Drilled sling - - - 4 4 16
  • 3 Equites LH unprotected Superior Drilled bow - - - 4 10 40
  • 4 Equites LH unprotected Superior Drilled bow - - - 4 10 40
  • 5 Huns LH unprotected Superior Undrilled bow - Swordsmen - 4 12 48
  • 6 Auxilia MF Armoured Average Drilled - light spear Swordsmen - 4 9 36
  • 6.1 rear support archers LF unprotected Average Drilled bow - - - 2 5 10
  • 7 Auxilia MF Armoured Average Drilled - light spear Swordsmen - 4 9 36
  • 7.1 rear support archers LF unprotected Average Drilled bow - - - 2 5 10
  • 8 Legions HF Armoured Superior Drilled - light spear Swordsmen - 10 12 120
  • 9 Legions HF Armoured Superior Drilled - light spear Swordsmen - 10 12 120
  • 10 Auxilia MF Armoured Average Drilled - light spear Swordsmen - 4 9 36
  • 10.1 rear support archers LF unprotected Average Drilled bow - - - 2 5 10
  • 11 Auxilia MF Armoured Average Drilled - light spear Swordsmen - 4 9 36
  • 12 Auxilia MF Armoured Average Drilled - light spear Swordsmen - 4 9 36
  • 13 Cataphracts Ct heavily armoured poor Drilled - Lancers Swordsmen - 6 13 78
  • 14 Auxilia MF Armoured Average Drilled - light spear Swordsmen - 4 9 36
  • 15 Legionary Bowmen MF Protected Superior Drilled bow - - - 4 9 36
  • - CinC TC - - - - - - CinC 1 35 35
  • - TC TC - - - - - - - 3 35 105

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