At the 2026 HMGS Historicon Convention, the Schnepf Bros hosted the Battle of Trebbia, a decisive engagement during the Second Punic War.
Hannibal crossed the Alps into Italy a few months before. His ragged, starving army desperately needed a victory to increase morale and secure provisions. This victory came at the Battle of Ticinus — a cavalry clash between the Carthaginian army and their Roman counterparts. With their supplies replenished and their spirits high, the Carthaginians were eager for a fight. And thus, the Battle of Trebbia commenced.
At the beginning of the battle, both armies faced off.The Roman consul, Tiberius Sempronius Longus, exclaimed that the mere sight of the Roman legions would scare off the enemy.
The Carthaginians hold a thin line of infantry, relying on their war elephants and elite cavalry to win the day.
The Romans count on their fearsome infantry to rout the enemy line and put fire to the Carthaginian camp.
As the Roman legions advance, they deploy a screen of Velites to engage the enemy skirmishers. The skirmishers from both armies exchange volleys of pila, but neither side can gain the upper hand.
In the south, the famed Numidian horsemen advance on the Roman cavalry. As they near the enemy, their pace quickens to a trot, then a full-on charge.
On the rest of the battlefront, the skirmishers from both sides retire, making way for the heavy infantry.
These brave Romans hold their ground against the rampaging war elephants. The Romans throw a disciplined volley of pila just as the elephants crash into their ranks.
As the melee devolves, the Romans take ground. The Carthaginians are being whittled down, little by little, and are near their breaking point.
Even the war elephants lose momentum and become overwhelmed.
The situation is dire, but Hannibal has one more trick up his sleeve. He orders the horn to be blown.
As the deep rumble of the horn reverberates across the battlefield, confusion is present among the Roman ranks. Just then, an elite Carthaginian force emerges from behind a hill on the southern flank of the battlefield. The Carthaginians surge forward, surrounding the Roman cavalry and making short work of them.
The Numidian cavalry from behind the hill have their sights on the rear of the Roman line. The Triarii, typically the third line of battle, turn around to fight for the survival of the army.
This formidable wall of shields and spears did not deter the Numidians from charging into the formed infantry.
Seeing no success in the cavalry charge, the Carthaginian commander sent heavy infantry to aid the Numidian cavalry against the Roman line.
In the north, the Romans continue pushing back the Carthaginians, but it is slow and costly. Seeing the peril of the Roman left wing, Tiberius Sempronius Longus leads a charge, hoping to rout the enemy. This brave move is risky. If he is struck down, the Roman command would disintegrate.
The Carthaginian soldiers recognize Longus' elaborate armor and charge forward, hoping to strike him down. The consul’s bodyguards fend them off and send them fleeing.
Now Hannibal joins the fight. He orders a charge against the enemy. The Roman consul rallies his soldiers, and they hold strong.
In the south, the Roman line buckles. Surrounded, they desperately try to fight their way out, but to no avail. They are trapped by the solid Carthaginian shield wall to their front, and the Numidian cavalry to their rear.
The Romans in the south are finally overrun. The lucky ones escape; others fight to the last man. This brave Triarii maniple holds off as long as they can, but eventually, they are all cut down.
As the Carthaginians destroy the left wing of the Roman army, their commander smiles in delight.
The Carthaginians may have won the battle in the south, but the Romans break through their line in the north. More and more Romans charge towards the Carthaginian camp in hopes of finding loot and setting it to the torch.
In this chaotic rout of the Carthaginian army, Hannibal is slain by the pursuing Romans. With this, the Carthaginian army is defeated. The Romans continue to loot and burn the Carthaginian camp. Though the Carthaginians in the southern part of the battle held, they became too disorganized to mount an effective defense against the remaining Romans.
Many thanks to the players who took part in this battle. It was a moment of surprise for the Roman commander when the Carthaginians emerged on his flank, but he dealt with it well and continued to push the enemy back aggressively.
We will be returning with these miniatures to 2026 Fall In! If you're interested in purchasing a bespoke set, please email us at hello@schnepfbros.com.
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