Historical Overview Section
The Western Roman Empire's last gasp began when the Early Visigothic and Early Vandal Visigoths revolted around 395 AD, and then in 405 AD, the Early Ostrogothic and Herul Ostrogoths invaded Italy itself, but were defeated. Under their leader Alaric they returned again in 410 and managed to sack Rome, leaving it a capital-less state with few true "Romans" in positions of power or authority. The Roman Empire of the "Foederate" list is one which had little in common with the earlier Empire.
The remainder of Rome's territory was defended for several decades following 410 largely by the leading General of this era Flavius Aëtius, who managed to play off each of Rome's barbarian invaders against one another. In 436 he led a Western Hunnic army against the Visigoths at the Battle of Arles, and again in 436 at the Battle of Narbonne. In 451 he led a combined army, including his former enemy the Visigoths, against the Huns at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains. Despite being the only clear champion of the Empire at this point Aëtius was slain by the Emperor Valentinian III's own hand, leading Sidonius Apollinaris to observe, "I am ignorant, sir, of your motives or provocations; I only know that you have acted like a man who has cut off his right hand with his left".
Carthage, the second largest city in the empire, was lost along with much of North Africa in 439 to the Vandals and the fate of Rome seemed sealed. By 476, what remained of the Empire was completely in the hands of federated Germanic troops and when they revolted under Odoacer and deposed Emperor Romulus Augustus there was nobody to stop them. Odoacer happened to hold the part of the Empire around Italy and Rome but other parts of the Empire were ruled by Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Franks, Alans and others. The Empire in the West had fallen and its remnant in Italy was no longer Roman in its political nature. The Eastern Empire and the Goths continued to fight over Rome and the surrounding area for many years, though by this point Rome's importance was negligible.
In 395, the Western Roman Empire was operating several regional field armies in Italy, Illyricum, Gallia, Britannia and Africa, and about twelve border armies. By about 430, two more field armies were established in Hispania and Tingitania but the Romans had lost control of Britannia and the actual strengths of each army had declined signifcantly. As Roman troops were spread increasingly thin over its long border, the Empire's territory continued to dwindle in size. Barbarian war bands increasingly began to penetrate the Empire's vulnerable borders, both as settlers and invaders. In 451, the Romans defeated Attila the Hun, but only with assistance from a confederation of foederatii troops, which included Visigoths and Alans. By the 5th century, a significant portion of Western Rome's main military strength lay in rented Barbarian mercenaries known as foederati. In 476 these troops finally unseated the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire - see the Italian Ostrogothic page for more details.
Using the army in ADLG
- With lots of LH and a Strategist this army can have great initiative
- The low minima for Roman troops means it can even be a high command value Barbarian army in all but name only
- Plenty of interesting allies can also change the flavour and shape of the mix
- Don't however pack it with so many novelty items that you make the mistake to leave out the Auxilia, who are the best rough terrain troops in the game
Useful Links
User-contributed links about this army. Add links in this format:
- name of link description of link
as an example
- Arab Conquest Arab Conquest army on Fanaticus
Army Lists
Sample army lists for this army
Andys list from Warfare 2023
Competent Commander
3 Impact Auxilia Support
1 HI Legion Support
2 Bow
2 LF Bow
1 LF Javelin
==
5 Foederate Impetuous HCv
3 LH Bow
Brilliant General
==
2 LH Bow
2 HCv Impact
3 HCv Bow
Competent General
Richards Warfare-winning list from 2023
4 Impetuous Foederate foot
2 HCv Impact
2 LH Javelin
Brilliant Commander
==
4 Frankish Impetuous foot Elite
1 LF Javelin
Frankish ally Ordinary Included in Elite HI Impetuous Armour
==
4 Foederate foot again
1 LH Bow Elite Hun
2 Auxilia with support
2 Bowmen
1 LF Javelin
Brilliant Commander
Linardos Roll Call 2023
Included Ordinary -3
3 Horse archers Heavy Cavalry bow 33
1 Alans Light Cavalry bow 6
==
Brilliant 6
2 Clibanarii Cataphracts 24
1 Huns Light Cavalry bow elite 7
3 Auxilia Palatina Medium Swordsmen impact support 24
2 Isaurians Light Infantry javelin 8
==
Brilliant 6
3 Horse Heavy Cavalry bow 33
2 Equites Heavy Cavalry impact 20
1 Alans Light Cavalry bow 6
1 Auxilia Palatina Medium Swordsmen impact support 8
2 Auxiliary archers Bowmen LMI 14
2 Isaurians Light Infantry javelin 8
Roll Call 2023
6 Impetuous HI
2 MCv Impetuous Included Ordinary general
==
3 Poor Auxilia, support, Impact
2 MCv Bow
1 LH Bow Elite
1 LH Javelin
Brilliant General
==
2 L Bow
3 MCv Impetuous
3 Cv Bow
1 LH Javelin
1 LH Bow Elite
Warfare 2022 (V4)
450AD
Brilliant
6 FEDERES Cavalerie lourde impétueuse ------
2 HUNS Cavalerie légère arc Elite
1 EQUITE SAGITARI Cavalerie légère arc ------
2 EQUITE ILLYRICANI Cavalerie légère javelot ------
==
Brilliant
6 AUXILLIA PALATINA Fantassin moyen impact support
2 INFANTERIE LEGERE ARC Infanterie légère arc
2 EXCULATORES Infanterie légère javelot
==
Herul Ally: Ordinary, Included, Allied
4 NOBLES Cavalerie lourde impétueuse Elite
88 Patrician Western (v4 Lugdunum 2021)
Strategist
2 Equites (HC impact)
2 Equites (HC bow)
1 Sagitarii (LC bow)
4 Feoderati (HC impetuous)
4 Auxilia (MI Impact)
2 Auxilia (Bowmen)
2 LI Bow
1 Exculcatores (LI javelin Elite)
==
Ordinary
1 Huns (LC bow Elite)
1 Sagitarii (LC bow)
2 Alans (LC bow)
==
Hunnic Ally Ordinary Included
2 Huns (LC bow Elite)
2 Huns (LC bow)
88 Patrician Eastern (v4 Devonian Classic List)
Brilliant
2 Cataphract Cataphract
1 H Cavalry Bow Heavy cavalry bow
1 M Cavalry Bow Medium cavalry bow
1 L Cavalry Bow Light cavalry bow
2 Palatina Medium swordsmen
1 H Goth Cavalry Heavy cavalry impetuous
==
Ordinary Unreliable
2 Cataphract Cataphract
1 H Cavalry Bow Heavy cavalry bow
1 M Cavalry Bow Medium cavalry bow
1 L Cavalry Bow Light cavalry bow
2 Palatina Medium swordsmen
1 H Goth Cavalry Heavy cavalry impetuous
==
Brilliant
2 Elite H Palatina Heavy swordsmen impact support Elite
2 Legions Heavy swordsmen impact ------
1 H Gothic Cavalry Heavy cavalry impetuous ------
3 Palatina Medium swordsmen impact ------
2 L Cavalry Jav Light cavalry javelin ------
Britcon 2018
87 Patrician
Brilliant
5 federes Cavalerie lourde impétueuse
2 illyricanis Cavalerie légère javelot
2 exulcatores Infanterie légère javelot
1 isauriens (from federes) Infanterie légère javelot
==
Competent
5 auxillia palatina Fantassin moyen impact
1 artilerie Artillerie lourde
4 isauriens (from federes) Infanterie légère javelot
==
Herul Ally Comp Included
4 nobles Cavalerie lourde impétueuse
3 javelinmen (upgraded from archers) Infanterie légère javelot
1 nobles with general included Cavalerie lourde impétueuse
Command #1
Brilliant Commander 6
Equites, Heavy Cavalry Impact x2 20
Equites Illyricani, Light Cavalry Javelin x2 12
Auxilia Palatina, Medium Swordsmen Impact x3 24
Exculcatores, Light Infantry Javilin Elite x2 10
==
Command #2
Competent Commander 3
Horse Archers, Heavy Cavalry Bow x4 44
Equites Sagittarii, Light Cavalry Bow x2 12
==
Command #3
Competent Commander 3
Mounted Foederati, Heavy Cavalry Impetuous x6 54
Hun, Light Cavalry Bow x2 12
23 units 200
List 87 – Patrician Roman Eastern 484 AD Xeno
Command #1
Brilliant Commander 6
Equites, Heavy Cavalry Impact x2 20
Equites Illyricani, Light Cavalry Javelin x2 12
Auxilia Palatina, Medium Swordsmen Impact x3 24
Exculcatores, Light Infantry Javilin Elite x2 10
==
Command #2
Competent Commander 3
Foot Foederati, Heavy Infantry Swordsmen Impetuous x6 48
Light Infantry Bow x2 8
==
Command #3
Competent Commander 3
Mounted Foederati, Heavy Cavalry Impetuous x6 54
Hun, Light Cavalry Bow x2 12
25 units 200
87 Patrician
200AP USTT 2018
Competent Included
1, Replaced equites (gen), Heavy cavalry bow, ------
2, Equites, Heavy cavalry impact, ------
2, Auxiliary Palatina, Medium swordsmen impact, ------
2, Exculcatores, Light infantry javelin, Elite
==
Brilliant
4, Foederati, Heavy swordsmen impetuous
2, Replaced equites, Heavy cavalry bow
1, Replaced equites, Medium cavalry bow
1, Huns and Alans, Light cavalry bow
==
Romano-British Ally Included Competent
2, Replaced Briton horsemen (gen), Heavy cavalry impact, Elite
1, Scouts on pony, Light cavalry javelin, Mediocre
4, Spearmen, Heavy spearmen, ------
1, Spearmen, Medium spearmen, ------
1, Light infantry javelin, Light infantry javelin, ----
300 Points from Godendag 18
7 Foederate Cavalry MCv Impetuous
1 LH Bw Elite
Competent General
==
4 Foederate HCv
2 Foederate MCv
3 Auxilia Average
1 LI javelin
1 LH Bow Elite
Strategist Aetius
==
3 Equites HCv Impact
2 Equites HCv Bow
1 LH Bow Elite
Ordinary General
==
Alan Ally
4 HCv IMpetuous Elite
6 LH Bow
Competent General
200AP USTT 18
Brilliant
2 Foederati Heavy swordsmen impetuous
3 Decadent Legions Heavy swordsmen missile support
1 Slingers Light infantry sling
2 Cataphract Cataphract
==
Ordinary
2 equites Sagittari Light cavalry bow
2 Auxilia Palatina Medium swordsmen impact missile support
2 Exculorets Light infantry javelin Elite
1 Auxilia pseudo Medium swordsmen Mediocre
1 alans Light cavalry bow
==
Brilliant
4 Foederati Heavy swordsmen impetuous
4 Mounted Foederati Heavy cavalry impetuous
200ap USTT 2018
Brilliant
2 Horse Archers Heavy cavalry bow
1 Equites Heavy cavalry impact
3 Foederati Heavy cavalry impetuous
1 Equites Sagittarii Light cavalry bow
==
Ordinary, Included
3 Foederati Heavy cavalry impetuous
1 Equites* Heavy cavalry impact
1 Illyricani Light cavalry javelin
==
Brilliant
3 Auxilia Palatina Medium swordsmen impact
2 Equites Clibarnarii Cataphract
1 Exculatores Light infantry javelin
1 Auxilia Archers Bowmen
1 Slinger Light infantry sling
2 Horse Archers Heavy cavalry bow
200 AP USTT 2018
Competent
2 Foederati Heavy swordsmen impetuous
3 Decadent Legions Heavy swordsmen missile support
1 Slingers Light infantry sling
2 Cataphract Cataphract
==
Competent
2 equites Sagittari Light cavalry bow
3 Auxilia Palatina Medium swordsmen impact
2 Exculorets Light infantry javelin Elite
==
Strategist
4 Foederati Heavy swordsmen impetuous
4 Mounted Foederati Heavy cavalry impetuous
25mm list from Derby 2017
Brilliant Commander
2 Decadent Legionairies Heavy swordsmen missile support
1 Light Infantry Bow Light infantry bow
3 Mounted Foederati Heavy cavalry impetuous
2 Decadent Legionairies Heavy swordsmen
2 Equites Sagitarii Light cavalry bow
==
Competent Commander
3 Auxiliaries Medium Sword Impact
2 Isaurians Javelinmen
1 Auxiliary Archer Bowman
1 Light Infantry Javelin
==
Competent Included ostrogoth ally
2 Bowmen Bowmen ----
3 Ostrogoth Nobles Heavy cavalry impetuous Elite
3 Ostrogoth Cavalry Medium cavalry impetuous ------
List from Derby 2017
Strategist
1 Light Infantry Light infantry bow ------
2 Equites Heavy cavalry impact ------
1 Equites Clibanarii Cataphract ------
1 Eqites Illyricana Light cavalry javelin ------
1 Huns Light cavalry bow Elite
3 Auxilia Palatina Medium swordsmen impact missile support ------
==
Brilliant
6 Foederati Heavy swordsmen impetuous ------
1 Eqites Illyricana Light cavalry javelin ------
1 Huns Light cavalry bow Elite
==
Ordinary
6 Foederati Heavy swordsmen impetuous
Mounted list from Estella 2016
Strategist
6 Mounted Foederati Heavy cavalry impetuous
2 Mounted Foederati Medium cavalry impetuous
1 Equites Heavy cavalry impact
==
Competent
2 Auxilia Palatina Medium swordsmen impact Mediocre
1 Equites Inc General Heavy cavalry impact ------
3 Mounted Foederati Heavy cavalry impetuous ------
1 Mounted Foederati Medium cavalry impetuous ----
1 Exculcatores Light infantry javelin ------
==
Competent Allied Hun
2 Horse Archers Medium cavalry bow Elite
2 Horse Archers Light cavalry bow
2 Horsemen Heavy cavalry impetuous ------
Foot List from Estella 2016
Strategist
9 Foederati on foot Heavy swordsmen impetuous ------
1 Auxilia Palatina Medium swordsmen impact ------
2 Exculcatores Light infantry javelin ------
1 Auxilia Palatina Medium swordsmen impact missile support Mediocre
==
Competent
2 Mounted Foederati Medium cavalry impetuous
1 Equites Heavy cavalry impact
2 Equites Sagitarii Light cavalry bow
1 Mounted Feoderati Heavy cavalry impetuous
Allied Frankish Competent Included
5 Franks Heavy swordsmen impetuous ----
1 Franks with General Heavy swordsmen impetuous Elite
Sebs list from Roll Call 2016
6 equites Heavy cavalry bow Integral Competent Commander
2 Light cavalry bow
===
Brilliant Commander
3 auxilia Medium swordsmen impact
2 cataphractii Cataphract
3 Isaurians Light infantry javelin
===
Competent Commander
2 Roman equites Heavy cavalry impact
2 foedarati Heavy cavalry impetuous
1 Light cavalry bow
200AP list
Camp undefended
1st Corp
General competent and included
3 Auxilia Medium swordsmen impact missile support 9 = 27
1 Roman HC with general Heavy cavalry impact 10 = 10
1 Roman Heavy cavalry 9 = 9
1 Roman Light cavalry javelin 6 = 6
2nd Corp
General included and Brilliant
4 Goths Heavy swordsmen impetuous 8 = 32
2 Roman Light infantry javelin 4 = 8
1 Roman with General Heavy cavalry impact 10 = 10
1 Roman Heavy cavalry 9 = 9
3rd Corp
General Brilliant and not included
3 Huns Light cavalry bow Elite 7 = 21
4 Goth Nobles Heavy cavalry impetuous 9 = 36
2 Romans Cataphract 11 = 22
total 199
Interesting variation of the late Roman Army. Each Corp is self sufficient and can win by itself. Very good in the open and also can dominate some close terrain