Building a 28mm Republican Roman Army with Cavalry and Allied Legions
By Victrix Limited 28mm miniatures | Published: 2026-10-25
Category: Buying Guides
Learn how to build a balanced 28mm Republican Roman army for wargaming, focusing on cavalry and allied legions, with practical decision rules and product recommendations.
Quick Answer
For a versatile early Republican Roman force, start with Rome's Italian Allied Legions for your infantry core and add Republican Roman Cavalry to cover your flanks and exploit breakthroughs.
Why Cavalry Matters in a Republican Roman Army
In the early Republic, Roman cavalry was often outnumbered by enemy horse, especially against Pyrrhos or Carthage. You need fast units to screen your flanks, pursue routers, and counter enemy skirmishers. A small but reliable cavalry force can make the difference between a solid defense and a decisive victory.
The Republican Roman Cavalry set gives you 16 figures with mixed armour styles, reflecting the variety you'd see in a historical army. This variety also helps you field different troop types or even convert them for other factions.
Allied Legions: The Backbone of Your Infantry
Roman armies of this period relied heavily on Italian allies (socii) to provide the bulk of their infantry. The Rome's Italian Allied Legions set includes legionaries in mixed armour, Velites, and command figures, giving you a flexible core that can be used for both line troops and light infantry support.
These figures are suitable for wars with Pyrrhos and the Punic Wars, so they fit perfectly into the early-to-mid Republic timeframe. You can also use them as Carthaginian allies or convert them to represent other Oscan tribes like the Samnites.
Trade-Offs: Cost vs. Flexibility
Building a full Republican army can be expensive, but starting with these two sets gives you a solid foundation. The allied legions box provides multiple unit types, while the cavalry box adds mobility. If you're on a tight budget, prioritize the infantry first, as it forms the bulk of your battle line.
Remember that these sets are not a complete army by themselves. You'll likely need additional units like heavy infantry or skirmishers to fill out your roster, but these two boxes are an excellent starting point.
Decision Rules for Building Your Army
- Start with infantry: Begin with Rome's Italian Allied Legions to establish your main battle line. This gives you legionaries and Velites to form the core of your army. Ensure you have enough infantry to hold the center before adding cavalry.
- Add cavalry for mobility: Incorporate Republican Roman Cavalry to protect your flanks and pursue broken enemy units. Use them to counter enemy cavalry or raid skirmishers. Remember that cavalry are force multipliers, not frontline troops.
- Consider conversions: If you want to field Carthaginian or Samnite forces, use the heads from other sets (like The Warriors of Carthage) to convert these figures, expanding your army's versatility. Conversions can save money and give you multiple armies from fewer boxes.
Key Products for Your Army
- Rome's Italian Allied Legions: Rome's Italian Allied Legions includes legionaries in mixed armour, Velites, and command figures, suitable for wars with Pyrrhos and the Punic Wars. This single box gives you both heavy and light infantry plus command, letting you build a versatile infantry core without buying separate sets.
Rome's Italian Allied Legions - Republican Roman Cavalry: Republican Roman Cavalry contains 16 highly detailed cavalry figures in mixed armour styles, suitable for the same conflicts. With 16 figures, you can field a solid cavalry unit to protect your flanks and exploit gaps, and the mixed armour adds historical variety.
Republican Roman Cavalry
Who This Guide Is For
Best for
- Wargamers starting an early Republican Roman army for Pyrrhic or Punic War scenarios
- Players who want a balanced force with both infantry and cavalry without a huge initial investment
Not for
- Players seeking a heavily cavalry-focused army, as these sets emphasize infantry
- Those needing late Republican or Imperial Roman forces, which require different equipment and units
