Hi all,
Something I've been wanting to do for a while is a Rome-centred campaign based around the situation in the Med from 228 BCE (Gallic incursions and start of 2nd Punic War) through to 168 BCE (end of the 3rd Macedonian War). I've put together a map, with rules derived from John G-L's 'Simple Campaigning' booklet, focusing on Rome and events occurring around her. I had intended to do this as a solo affair, but given current personal circs it has not happened.
I am wondering if any people on the forum would be interested in playing out campaign battles and sending through results (two or three paragraph summaries of events in the style of an ancient historian of the victor's choosing) to me.
As per map below, there are five major powers, three (at this point) active minor powers, and actions are diced for each turn. This initial turn (228 - 224 BC) we have a Ptolemaic attack (Ptolemy III Euergetes) on Phoenicia, which has caught the Seleucids (Seleucus II, Callinicus, on-map home base Syria) unprepared, but forced a response. Any advantage here is with Ptolemy.
There is also an attack from the Gauls on Italia, with any terrain advantage with the Romans.
So we currently need a Successor fight to be played out between Ptolemy (aggressor) and Seleucus, and another between Gauls (aggressors) under a (so-far unnamed) tribal leader and the consul Spurius Ruga.
Would anyone on the forum (whether solo or with an opponent) be interested in running either of these battles, using rules of their choosing? I would want to report on the campaign here and on my blog, with summaries from commanders being part of that (with me reserving right to edit summaries as required).
If keen to get involved in this turn, please let me know either by replying to this or by messaging me through the SOA options. There is no rush for reports; I would ideally aim to get through a turn every two or three weeks or something like that, but am happy to wait longer as circs require.
Some battles I will do myself, but as it's quite a big project would love community participation :)
Cheers,
Aaron
Med Map Master campaign T1_a.jpg
We can't do successor Armies atm but can field most of the other combatants here, Punic, Celts, Romans, Iberian and hoplite Greek. Busy Painting Persians for Cunaxa currently so back in time from here. Happy to run a battle or two.
Great, thanks Ian. I'll give it a day or two for other responses too, but if you were up for doing the Gauls vs Romans for this turn some time over the next couple of weeks, let me know! If timing is not right, I will keep forum updated turn by turn so you can jump in when it suits :)
I would be very happy to do this and can field opposing Successor armies. But, am in Canada at the moment and will then be going back to UK for the whole of May, so won't be reunited with my ancient armies until the start of June - and have my fingers crossed for a short holiday in Japan at some point in June. So, feel free to start with others and I will join in when I can.
Kim.
I can do some battles too. I have all the armies needed and can rustle up opponents. Happy to be involved.
John GL
I could offer to help, but the resulting games may be:-
a) DBA (i.e. "not proper wargaming...." 🙃)
and/or
b) solo
Let me know if that might be what you're after, Aaron.
Thank you gentlemen, any battles you could play out would be much appreciated!
Would anyone like to put dibs in for either of the battles for this turn?
I can't do this time but might well be able to participate in future rounds - I have all the armies or suitable proxies
Happy to get the Celts off against the Romans. Can I assume you expect roughly equal armies points wise? I will probably use Hail Caesar whose points are very approximate anyway.
Quote from: Ian61 on Apr 25, 2025, 07:01 PMHappy to get the Celts off against the Romans. Can I assume you expect roughly equal armies points wise? I will probably use Hail Caesar whose points are very approximate anyway.
Yes, approx equal would be be about right. If there is any slight edge. It should go to the defending Romans.
Excellent, will look forward to hearing how it goes! I will look to do the other battle this weekend.
Cheers, and thanks for jumping in so quickly!
Quote from: Dave Knight on Apr 25, 2025, 02:16 PMI can't do this time but might well be able to participate in future rounds - I have all the armies or suitable proxies
Great, thanks Dave. I will post future match ups here so you can jump in when you are ready
I'll do Ptolemy v Seleucus, using DBM. I'll try to get Russell King here on Thursday, and will take some pictures.
Quote from: John GL on Apr 27, 2025, 09:02 PMI'll do Ptolemy v Seleucus, using DBM. I'll try to get Russell King here on Thursday, and will take some pictures.
Excellent, thanks John. I will PM you re: recent developments in Phoenicia...
Spurius Ruga has rushed to hold up the Gaulish invasion.
What happened? Was he successful or did rushing lead to disaster? ???
Fought last night and result and write up will appear here when I get a moment but I have to rush out this morning.
Battle of Anthedon, 228 BC
Ptolemy III Euergetes fought a battle with Seleucus II Callinicus, near Anthedon, Gaza, in an attempt to take control of Phoenicia.
Seleucus drew up his army on the plain, with half of the cavalry on each wing and the infantry of the phalanx in the centre. He placed a third of his elephants in front of the Silver Shields on the left, a third behind them, and a third with the Asiatic infantry on the right. Near the Silver Shields and the cavalry of the left wing Seleucus positioned himself and his guard.
Ptolemy for his part placed himself opposite Seleucus. The guard infantry took the rightmost place on the line and the phalanx stretched from them out to the left, matching the Seleucid line in extent, but greater in depth. To the right of the infantry were placed half of the cavalry, and the other half were put on the left wing. The elephants were in advance of the infantry on the right and in the centre.
The lines pressed forward into contact but Seleucus, seeing that the cavalry of his left wing were outmatched, directed that the elephants behind the infantry move to the left and support the cavalry. These elephants prevented the horsemen from being overwhelmed.
The battle in the centre was long, but eventually Seleucus's infantry gave way, and Ptolemy was victorious.
Seleucus lost two thirds of his elephants and half of his phalanx in the battle, but the rest of the army escaped.
Ptolemy has now extended his rule into Phoenicia. For how long remains to be seen...
Hope this uploads but internet intermittent at best for last few days none last night or this morning and just won't let me add pics/diagrams (they are small not even th 44K one!!)
Romans v Invading Gauls – HC2
Wow – Aaron, I enjoyed that. I threw equal points values of Romans and Gauls onto the table and thought – terrain advantage?. Decided that Gauls had found a nice campsite but not thought carefully enough. Canny old Spurius Ruga has realised that there is a bottle neck that he can use to his advantage. He has the Marines get some Archers over to the other side of the steep sided but narrow river from which they can fire quite safely into the Gauls who stray close enough (in HC2 shooting isn't usually very effective so this is more a hurry-up for the Gauls, although one Warband managed a command Blunder that moved them into the firing line. Assaulting at dawn the Gauls panic fearing being boxed in and their battle lines fill up as each group gets sorted out. Apart from some Fanatics (sorry, I know, but they helped the points balance!) each unit had to be rolled for in order to get to the front. All this means that there is not enough room for all the Warbands and when they do arrive there will be some confusion and difficult positioning. It is a Roman Victory but tighter than you might expect. Both right wings did well and Gauls looked like they might break out alongside the hill but the Heroes of the Hour undoubtedly the Axillaries as they held up a Warband for a couple of round before being overwhelmed by numbers and a flank attack from the Gaulish Cavalry. The (now shaken) Warband then proved easy meat for the Legionaries.
The Start set up look a bit like this – (I took photos at start and after every turn and used a drawing package to trace the opening positions but there was quite a bit of distortion with the 0.5 zoom needed so my diagrams are only approximate.
Brilliant, thanks Ian. That is excellent. I will roll up the follow-on events tonight and report back with updated map
Ok, Open Reach engineer has just left and while I have it working I will try and get some things done but I really wanted to have some diagrams /pics up days ago. However despite much faster connection cannot seem to upload pics. I will play in the forum sandbox when I have time later and see if I can work something out.
Ian, Your computer difficulties may not be at your end. See this current thread:
https://soa.org.uk/sm/index.php?topic=9311.0
Quote from: Adrian Nayler on Apr 30, 2025, 11:20 AMIan, Your computer difficulties may not be at your end. See this current thread:
https://soa.org.uk/sm/index.php?topic=9311.0
Thanks Adrian, I am rushing around currently but have just glanced at that. So perhaps uploading to the site problems a coincidence with several days of little and mostly no internet.
Quote from: Ian61 on Apr 30, 2025, 12:50 PMQuote from: Adrian Nayler on Apr 30, 2025, 11:20 AMIan, Your computer difficulties may not be at your end. See this current thread:
https://soa.org.uk/sm/index.php?topic=9311.0
Thanks Adrian, I am rushing around currently but have just glanced at that. So perhaps uploading to the site problems a coincidence with several days of little and mostly no internet.
If you are OK with it Ian, can you send them to me on prufrock.japan@gmail.com? I can put them on my blog (if you don't mind) and then add a link here if that would help. I'll wait to hear from you before I continue with updates so we don't get out of step.
Cheers,
Aaron
Look forward to reading them on your blog 8)
Ian's battle is now up on the blog, with a bit of an intro from me. Many thanks, Ian! Campaign update is to follow.
Gauls versus Romans (https://prufrockian-gleanings.blogspot.com/2025/05/battle-of-clanis-river-228bc-med.html)
For those who would rather just see Ian's images to go with his earlier account up the page, here they are:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2C6KvMWVVlw__ug4SJV4g7eR7KmPx12XdB4ltQWTq5hiHsi6nYcTQYlEVCfYa1hlyOKpRZk0lx18zE7lEg5Es-pLhDIMBv6j9ex-XZnDKRp2_1QElP9tRCbRpsfqOvgr1VS6VBOMxwy_krVTREDpYr27ajRfyULq1Kd3VJFMBESUno8RhXxVRAJw0g/s731/B1%20start.jpg)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzsGzd-5fJLkxQQ4xuQ4FyvdhtFxJt_v2ToI41Rt-e_ZLYqqwTuTl0zwB9Kqlk7JliZ4K0QkkjIOQ2G7stlZp64y5Xuz98S5_vIqAxbq2hJRBlTdQ_qe19jBknse8aFwFRQJWfRo3QxtteNkOv1SRtzjB7-WR0gKJpdfrEe2Y3HdZA-t1TR8yW5CUsA/s732/B1%20end%204.jpg)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiregOJo8uSL3g7ogduc63VmLMdxO1YKkhhQBhKnc4qY9G8hbt1eRDTz6aPQHhmq3l8TYJ0t3yBefeH0UktljpDDrtqLIEEgneC6-32xiXRb0nkjt1AREvetIqA2Onbw0kw5-ssm1ybDCYtJgGfFEOCWPl7dmHkZOhNYTrUfXlQjiGbhWigzz0RKmmOZw/s1580/End%206.jpg)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiC-_BgdIm3R1PLURCS8voVXOEa1Elt51ZNtN9sAZAo8FWg51vhGJMwOJt12tZAhitvrc_OVRrVn5419fjuRtOA1_71C53wqIneWXCYpY969nQN4ok2WFfO4LBfLLMartBpGu_XMarHa0Yiycyes3FPDD5vCGVzfeQsQCZAJUNse5DAe_1INQOmjESjfA)
Thanks for getting those uploaded for me Aaron. Looking forward to see how this progresses.
Hello Aaron
Late to the party but I am happy to play out games here and there. I am sure I have forces for all the combatants. Will be solo and will fit as much as I can on a 2'x2' or 3'x2' table using my slowest solo rules :-)
Quote from: sztrave on May 01, 2025, 09:40 PMHello Aaron
Late to the party but I am happy to play out games here and there. I am sure I have forces for all the combatants. Will be solo and will fit as much as I can on a 2'x2' or 3'x2' table using my slowest solo rules :-)
Great, thanks Shaun, excellent to have you onboard!
At the end of the first turn (228-225 BC), Ptolemy has successfully nabbed Phoenicia and the Gallic attack on Italia has been beaten off.
Map at 225 BC:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFk7_RLmcTTdc6gQUmx9DQIvJ_hlNFxI2cyL0K3xjFy2oKXv53IP9AjsXLSHwRYmKpa4ffHWVssTfCOG0Dhe6mfgtTmca4_Yv2kcFb5LCyWavW3w2G5GVtiYmfxD0sBEBaZpbgIGzn7A9T5E4UzcpiTS12qUwmSVpNIjtI1z7gZXK-oF46IceFl3-DzA/s1476/Med%20Map%20Master%20campaign%20T2%20224.png)
The dice have been rolled, and the following battles are due this turn:
In 224BC Seleucus, having gathered reinforcements from the east, attacks Ptolemy in Phoenicia.
In 225BC the Romans launch a punitive attack on the Boii and Senones in Cisalpine Gaul.
In 226 BC The Galatians attack the Macedonians in Thrace.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15_ghQs9ya2Uxq_QXu_-ag9bXocQkcmalpLnW6gZkKgzqw59KLY2O7ZxqFYtU4vY4i48BKivJ5xBcg1xLfooqKJ6M1s4OlSJk3WcS8cADKp_JOmDFAWaKyOhq-lZZU9wKeJKflHQ7faVbx12IDlwucC1UVKR5Ywq2vNkMJSF4jvfooeYzelcfYzc86A/s1476/Med%20Map%20Master%20campaign%20T2_b%20224.png)
John G-L will play the Successor clash in the east.
Is anyone interested in doing the other battles? I'm waiting to hear back from someone who has first dibs on one or the other, but the other battle is up for grabs if anyone fancies it.
Cheers, and thanks very much for the continued interest :)
And we have another report in, this time from John G-L:
Excellent battle today against Russ King. We diced for sides and I took the Ptolemaics; I invaded so had the advantage of setting up second.
Seleucus occupied a large gentle hill in the centre with thureophoroi and Galatian warbands, with Thracian peltasts and psiloi in the open facing my left. The pike phalanxes opposed each other in the centre, and on the right the Seleucid cavalry (DBM knights), light horse and elephants opposed my weaker cavalry (DBM Cavalry) and light horse. There was a large area of rough going opposite my far right which I seized with Cretan archers and camel-riders (Inferior Light Horse). I expected to defend on the right and attack on the left with my lancers, elephants and numerous thureophoroi.
Mixed fortunes on the left as the Thracians slew many of my infantry but the lancers and elephants destroyed Galatians and thureophoroi. Ptolemy was himself at risk when Galatians luckily beat an elephant, but survived and led a victorious charge. The right-flank Seleucid command broke. On my right the Cretans delayed the Seleucid attack, but it eventually went in with heavy casualties on both sides. In the centre I had more pikemen (only one file of Seleucid Argyraspids) and got the luck of the combat dice. The Seleucid phalanx crumbled and then broke.
A tight game - my flank commands were both one element from breaking - but eventually decisive. 10-0 in DBM scoring.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEi49QyhWhHfUglYmuLebCX37MGwO0L-q3a03WRxZZXLhsO2qNEhXfvDihXMFOgxYtuJEK7bHJ1TwllXbgdWpn916kWNZxwlJaK_UYjNJz-WcmSTeLZgbzqW2ZCmYYn0DMMgeblXrKaJygZLtr994ELvLmem61eb7kDV9GMSrhOayR8vYqpVJpFRCjw/s3505/Ptolemy%20v%20Seleucus%20002.JPG)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97DyF9XF_qaq-AiM-A8A4WcUh26gHrhxPq2OnfHsQQC7qg1Z7iHjXlUOy2kutSZgMTG81e8gQgE2cmtBkPEbICwGvSz4LvDHEGHNz5Z1BLcUbEY4yyopXEOE9u6K9ecjMy4d_MTtzDXtqgAKfem1mzy5lslSh36sR2f1hsHGBNYxl_dXRUoMRN00FCw/s3669/Ptolemy%20v%20Seleucus%20003.JPG)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOb4kaG27kGIxLzatXH40_pVDc3VyOQcSyjyapSBrDRhoca9yTyTGV2rFDImHOI5pNjPI6bz7Co5d19TLjcq2-YNUvuuosOGmB-3WaorM8Jb_pSwGc97EilXMAwzgSv6WK-lRj1yaW-lF-o0ROkjjUNoOwMR2pkjPe1ZjzeUD9ToQXkCeokG4b3TjYw/s4000/Ptolemy%20v%20Seleucus%20006.JPG)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuJFNj8sFpHxmdJ9ECqxGP2KrMjke_TlcMXx0J27VFpt8kF5r9AL1Nu5vJU68iVfsyoYkNxdfMynQqvVWtvoOOCH6kU2mP2bIPIZnuUXKDnQ9FR-3y4Hh62EWehY0cOWrrGAIa-96BD6bV5BlaDTYjUD8RM-5jfpwDUcIxZMaY0-Dwshh70-L5-oMBg/s4000/Ptolemy%20v%20Seleucus%20007.JPG)
Many thanks to John and Russ!
Good stuff John.
PS Happy to go again as required, just let me know. Will be conscious of upload limitations next time. ::)
225 BC, Roman punitive expedition faces the Boii and Senones in Gallia Cisalpina.
Battle fought. Despatch to the Senate being dictated...
I'd love to play some of the battles for this campaign, Aaron, but all my games stuff is another continent. It's a great read - thanks for organising.
Paul
And the dispatch to the senate is in!
225 BC. Rome invades Cisalpine Gaul.
Fearing a further incursion by recently repulsed Gallic tribes to the north, the Senate of Rome voted to dispatch an army under the command of Consul C. Atilius Regulus. The Consul was ordered to seek out the troublesome barbarians, punish them for their temerity and remove this threat to Roman territory.
Regulus, in sole charge of Roman, allied Italian and Cenomani Gallic forces, advanced into the lands of the Boii and Senones. Hearing reports of a nearby hilltop site sacred to both tribes, he immediately gathered those Romans and allies he could at once assemble and led them onwards with all speed, aiming to destroy the site and thereby dishearten the enemy. The first wave of this force Regulus himself led, while ordering the remainder to follow on at their earliest opportunity.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-tR5YC0_HkvFdod8eRPxHb7tV_cMEe7c1tgFL8smRqv1iM4m_L1JZfNfuPMJinJPiKKGVRtCkVyFaFOQ8Em3Xqr04bjnAVg5qCr1WnQKRlQ0jjqGDMCBis-LKky2lBpqiZJtKai0yRmPraKKUDio8I6l3o4ipNYYXRWMvU-WvV6oXSooIEoP38yQyPg/s640/image0.jpeg)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdEGOLsOLO-48hAimb3X27wOmamJx9sdNL1v88fmlDhWNpnzP8luuB2vhrT2qHt3rY-n2BzB54AQBg-fMFKnE15XAuDYoBN9aP0mkMpITHpTPr__mLhIoUho_-b8eN6wbh16KPg3jHdyMuAmsISSffGs8iG7SA-T980_-Plw6aiWQLxdhnxsjd0SAAA/s640/image1.jpeg)
The holy site, and the ridge upon which it stood, were guarded by a swathe of Gauls, these hailing from both tribes.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexeL45U_JP8BgDy3KtKgeS6DaLudFpHypkObOTkFBA1jhAsJo-V7PDpskQCOh-9Nk7xoh4adJGwn4cykzuMPQkDzDjCP39zPMhLqHNWIf-0H16ymsnbUH9ecG8oSCb0WqoWfYJm1C7YjpvRHabdpTcPyntVO1_MbnYoZQsAsOhmgUKP-1JJT3YkCz8w/s640/image2.jpeg)
Upon sighting the lead elements of Roman forces, being the swift-moving Equites and Velites, this mass of warriors descended from the heights to fall upon Regulus's army. Fighting was long and hard, with neither side giving ground, and with Consul Regulus at all times in the thick of the action.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5pg9MEsfBebou_eOpKk20xi1PbRMUmPL2WSrQ_Vsr5XgdecbFM9CMociwkPPfVa9mDkrjrZNYy7cQ-V-OnZo-cc9vEreD_q0PFtApLGurI7sLB78efxIT7NvIDRYDDw6mOpKK2SsQZPxJKi9xCy6VWZPjvXXPcT3uKcPOC71G1POFMNEGgo6dnVgZQ/s640/image3.jpeg)
One body of the enemy, these being skirmishers of young and headstrong nature, occupied a grove of trees in the centre of the field, resisting all attempts to eject them from it.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfUo6ICXxmR2Flsw730TvfldyaYsf5qhoE5WOR8v2Uab4Ihp_d93YKlMkgRj6aJoNt9-4An_ZpRV_v9kGHSl1KZBHUhXkCzfboema4pl7AEDUDgY9NAuyADoRtx6RLDSDlf0CnAYmeBWMAAPz4TqxS_EYdpHoLd_n38I88NRT7-3gJfNpT0GdsWx_1A/s640/image4.jpeg)
As the second body of Rome's forces arrived the Italian allied contingent, being of javelinmen and slingers, engaged these youths and drove them back from the tree-line. Pursuing into this sacred grove, the Italians fought hand to hand, with the woodland contested until the battle's end.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01R6xj1WOck9Y90b2cbDD8wIo1vAM1_-N9X8h-Fp7xuPJUdxFC82WSA4G1xWoxLXeB4SmkV0pHgSje83vXzNKYTuXsOO8V1gVh_LJzOkTJoNFjWDh_5RroMmOJnonk10Su1v63aCtvmXD9ZYrXllT_ih-H670Yc_cSdPOpRE8f6d4xyTL9PxAWJFpMw/s640/image5%20(1).jpeg)
At the same instant that Regulus's reinforcements entered the fray a large body of the Boii tribe arrived to the north, moving southwestward towards the ridge, aiming to bolster their colleagues around the temple. This exerted enormous pressure on Atilius Regulus and those Romans south of the ridge, with first the brave but long suffering Velites and then subsequently the noble Equites being driven from the field. Their sacrifice had not been in vain, however, as the Gauls were sorely weakened by their struggles with those most valiant of Romans.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxtHJQmjz6jjQg9KvyblCtX3njSRlAOrmO3twas-2jZU3Mj9TEheHwt0MsD7CZVpzbcbzwaEb5zMkZedXOCZsrtWGHB7-RnLDu045agPKkn67VgWaE6NAP0HUr5TVxqtVmCAirzt0nxzBoAkOURKbHx9qIP3Xym6YS3aj3XIL8YDIEfOB16XQVkRUdw/s640/image6.jpeg)
The hard marching second wave being now at hand, Regulus despatched the Triarii and Italian close-order troops, supported by the Cenomani, on a swift encirclement to the right of the enemy positions.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDjL-33UzgxlJ5ajDwSDvUgvAhJsYSUhy1Y3mkb4ItD73b-r7PYx2MF-CsOQIiXnfIIQw8CIQkl9rXHRbfeFL4BRlbJsE1zvKTVl8DqTC_SkKfo8S8FMEM_3bl6Q569XXZx8OXh7wViZ9jYN3Z23vgxq0_JPZjXJDfx8Y03WpPxkwxY5ZFcTcUVGg8A/s640/image0%20(1).jpeg)
Although the Senones and their Gaesati allies, under their warlord Aneröestes, had now joined the Boii in the defence of the holy site, they could make no dent in the line formed by the Triarii and Italians, although the cavalry of the allied Cenomani quit the field, defeated by Gaesati charioteers.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjjtd-Brc7a59aR_Z445I25cWNFKXjJ2oCWR7LdbRnIsUaQLWrrhpePRIfJwTMo3r3dbafPEWc1_nNQHWj2HadN9ou-pIOb1Ih9AKfg5h6NN63hn7pzUqnRGqE6s0RSY5qpsryxWJEPPOxz9bnmtdUOdssdscY_OJ5yQ5EJVb3QErnOs6UkENVLZhsA/s640/image1%20(1).jpeg)
While fighting raged to either side, one brave body of Principes now stormed up the eastern end of the ridge, forcing the defenders of the temple to flee before them, and resisting all the enemies' attempts to drive them out.
As the day wore on, with their casualties rapidly mounting, the sacred site now in enemy hands and with no sign of the Romans wavering, the Gauls lost heart and began to slip away. Before long their entire force was in full retreat. However, despite his victory, Regulus was unable to press the pursuit, having lost his mounted arm in this day's battle.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdFhmCC4NW_wSUr0yRzN_R1HXZeOqd2LQM0ZcUR8tc45y0mgdlGjwRutziF_dyrN53gfHqRfx45KI90fELNuvgpx2IRBDjneSkWC3GJ7Ptg3LZ_FByl8HVInekEJdClA1RKkzjQW6pYhAu5qANRsVvQQOhQTtOaib3pPcxMgWFu9L1w-XjPsYLBn17A/s640/image2%20(1).jpeg)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CXaDyLKbwSuxBwK4E3iS6Ip1Pd24Ow1psB5yei8yJYDLyWqQKTAypM5eO-6jjhFPBzQBJbW643Zmx6eP52JeI_3FcK-g6q5kQGZA66nZAh2UAIqsgmm5LQbwF94i3lu5DH9b_gfuoxpLLVCbl6C4utvf1dfu0nztk9Xtyrgl2GuPpK5EOiEsU9cpug/s640/image3%20(1).jpeg)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YO9qSS69yBQDRClTOhmVjKjwvQm912UONpUXpK-aPGhJ04EnqkIrvwZapSGzduy9rTSD7mfdSRjfpaKeGbtNpODdMFanJO9A4U85VzYWjg1AFz7s5MTynmHV2Sr3RCMrXbHK8buNEXrgz2UtCCpdz-sMyd8Al3UU5RaeHdPKD0UJ7-JfrEjwZLsfNA/s640/image4%20(2).jpeg)
With evening approaching, the victorious army toppled and despoiled the circle of standing stones abandoned by the Gauls, C. Atilius Regulus therein pouring a libation to the gods, in thanks for a victory won.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1P1Ig2dYl3BL5x9f9CLOrvesWYbPM12vqp5fpxkfKyEH8KzVXpavPD_qhvAudxp3Mj1vA59NvyniMu65AMCJ7yxKFm7x3NjfdtZ2at1LhAC_lBe6epHjOxlJEjsUvp8oU0ugMj-DGYDD3XRONJlBHKsjqodhStZNlbakufAoJwN0AkrUjOBOV57b9g/s640/image5%20(2).jpeg)
The battle was fought solo, using a variant of Bob Cordery's 'Portable Wargame Rules: Ancients' from his Developing the Portable Wargame book, and with solo mechanisms deciding the course of action for each arriving body, determined at the moment it entered the field. The scenario for this battle was based upon Scenario 8 in Neil Thomas's One-Hour Wargames book.
******
Many thanks to Martin Smith for this refight, images, and the great report. The campaign continues!
The new turn is upon us.
Situation in 219 BC, end of turn 2:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWTc-I5zHEvTvHXYWVv_Y-owYMTztQUiUZPLlyPNiJSZr3Eau6QVXOsIbTXJYPGnyDZm42xkKQTyLNOAgOl7pZaOSPanX5T4vYGJLCUFOLiqvEu_fwFpGLFFSkxcanL3CA6b2AgZdSev5W6kDb_jGpcnlNS_lyOf0IdY-3g8DlD7oc5UEhLA8skIqkQ/s1476/Med%20Map%20Master%20campaign%20T3.png)
The Romans have a foothold in Cisapline Gaul. The Ptolemies have secured Phoenicia. News from Thrace is still awaited!
But time marches on.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3d7Pa9lw3tBGwt-8ShgiPHW3dFsHLTEGQkBqUV49NcbXLnDk1Y-uK0yJ7lH77RRgEBF8X2X7gWuyjRkPBxZYOl9s-AEJHHimVO2PpDratjb0uhGbpS_5hHq_DE_V6Gdytg-SDxPrPJsteCAqW4YKxUzXyxk3EeinvK0e9Y7-vZwsu4h-W-3pI-aFOGw/s1476/Med%20Map%20Master%20campaign%20T3_a.png)
220 BC - The Romans, inspired by the success of their recent attack on Cisalpine Gaul, are becoming ever more ambitious. A fleet has descended upon the coast of Nearer Spain, landing near Emporiae.
Elsewhere there is mostly just fractious politicking and rebuilding of strength, but in one other place there is war: the Illyrians are taking advantage of Macedon's eastward focus and have commenced raiding in force.
So we have two battles to fight this turn so far, Illyrians attacking Macedon and Iberians attacking a Roman force recently landed in Spain.
Any takers for these battles please drop me a message.
(And thanks for the interest so far!)
We have two new battles in over the weekend.
Heraclea Lyncestis, 219 BCReports are in from John G-L and his son Ralph of a battle in northern Macedon between the invading Illyrians and a force scrambled together to meet them:
QuoteThe Illyrians invaded; the Macedonians placed gentle hills and Ralph added some rough going. The Illyrian infantry proved surprisingly resilient even against pikes, and of course they had the numbers, but eventually their central command was worn down and broke. A cavalry clash on the right saw casualties on both sides but the Macedonians had the edge, while on the left the Macedonians held up against vastly superior numbers. After the standard competition time (three and a quarter hours) we called the game at 6-4 to the Macedonians. Either side could have won, given unlimited time, but Philip V had the edge. So the Illyrian invasion has been repulsed after a very hard fight.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTOm7DvdNf-UiNp-Fcaf53eO4AG_cqp49exQILpq4bXP_hTdB8DKBRTl61A2IH0uO95a-qoIqHuXPhAmYVg1vU5_n1hKtLfy6V7yvarGPypSeP9yDdFmNCR6B97YD6vLMgZsglZea8Pim3qQKCawX0WI0JwQsPsMEmPUlEUSmbtjD3vMiy2qexO9MzQ/s2713/Illyrians%20v%20Macedonians%20001.JPG)
Macedonians to the left of this picture; Illyrians to the right.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWw7Mg6SmbyVJU3re7QBkfZPdCqn6Ox8Ry7ykthKKVTsLW3LfZK78rzv9E2hVaH94vQvh_TM-ARxi1lYKuzf2AMKbXSv4qZVNWLwjVWSTCwqYuLaeAXSJwsAoJyzE3LDfMUQSf6kqJFFMAr5Ij6dcqfmX8we2TvjWnvP1CP8tOfhjA8gStAUvrVQegwg/s3090/Illyrians%20v%20Macedonians%20002.JPG)
The Illyrian centre on a gentle hill.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsMrIYQkXAqw9ExtP4fsIt7Q65Lsh4hf7jHRa4KrHYTX8HZIjhrBTkJrfAneOTS5cUIl09e1p4-O0K9t9Mnc-logSGqlIFJ0jYPXd0tDBQfLWU5CtCN7-Ze6vPmOEwBprBoZAs-es4G1GA67a0kgoPA1w5EEmIPuwG0En3PC0cYK_X2hqd7xTdxZInA/s4000/Illyrians%20v%20Macedonians%20003.JPG)
View from behind the Macedonian centre-right as the phalanx advances.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVRAK24_dna9uzGrHAr3N87rhMTx9xHAtNKBMgUUSq9hyS8UiTK63JZ06xPsYp9evorM3CSlmzWN3O_pXpAtY3DJJywvuZ0CEtqoeLjHVSxsOHc752n4wqt_mIupnMv8STTUQyHAtHDNB6aSRl9ShUzrhtwjhHAFfRiZLGTQXjqQa0iMWHCsvUe0w3A/s3125/Illyrians%20v%20Macedonians%20004.JPG)
Macedonian right, with an Illyrian outflanking movement underway.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcLhJHRUmGF2ezHXxb8XkEXY3Z9QVAxFbWx8QKYLcr3KPSBlSPmze9U0W9OE1ux3gpQ0rGPQLcxqZxKBqbNsLOA842B8ZdigEGoX7kQTep-mm8rS_kXSIiRtBmFRJQOdWuSDLSyriKurSxzUml_NedVNYAQO3_rLOdFlSpFa68NoqTYZ4WiJ_4y5U7g/s4000/Illyrians%20v%20Macedonians%20005.JPG)
View from behind the Illyrian centre as the crisis approaches.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fuYO7575MM7npwKvp2YYfKAyiBalJJcLeTle_KlkemjsPEt_zPidmRH_f0SuwUsOoJ_rnOuJydJY9ChAsS4gja2Wj45HFLlEkkeHBwNZjTnbRnrwcNTorh_QMKcaLUe2QI8YI9i7w6_Qob59FECQkIqPV0JDlmvvzLk7pX1tE9gxNruW4hAlzw6dTQ/s2937/Illyrians%20v%20Macedonians%20006.JPG)
Hard fighting on the Illyrian left.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlPelWBAIudy2a1q7NRLzhcX-uHrRJXIg71brP_ejgbfxC5DpTg0RkeL41ck4asJQwrpNp31niiUOPEuu-cR36qYVDrODCXep4l2uXYQ3FxfADx7HUhQzQY9xn89h2BQctDJuJqynlRylnxUr9j1Z1cEaYz87j6J2Rv0wDnXy1AJC-a2kpTddm3SnfA/s3535/Illyrians%20v%20Macedonians%20007.JPG)
The phalanx under pressure in a fierce melee.
The Illyrian raid on Macedon is driven off, but the army has not been destroyed.
Many thanks for John G-L and Ralph for fighting this one out and sending through the report and photographs!
Emporiae, 218 BC
Nearer Spain, Proconsul Aaronius Dubius Scipio Calvus, having landed a force near Emporiae, was engaged by an alliance of indomitable Iberian tribes under the command of one Simoniblis.
The tribes fell upon the Roman force as it was making camp. Both forces were equal in strength. For the Romans, who deployed first, there were twelve units of average legionaries, two of levy light infantry, three of average heavy cavalry (Roman and allied) and one of levy light cavalry (Spanish allies). Scipio Calvus was classed as an unispired commander. The Roman key zone was in the centre.
The Iberians were comprised of fourteen units of average heavy infantry, one of levy light infantry, one of average light infantry, two average heavy cavalry, one average light cavalry, and one veteran heavy cavalry with average leader (Simoniblis). They had a hill to their right rear, and their key zone in the right centre.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6Ybv_H53oHWQACJR2mBH9lEQf3XZWtPJ-JGJbysGUpGz1C4cHIAeagJay3NPaP5Iy33FGLkE30ZVfiNDW5agtMPQ99dRygEasph1RqgqHzwQFBVb8dWvH4KqqMRDUUayL5zuTPU4DoVIXilH9zpvWKdxwhVb_MW944xffNvncUuhbQZ0DXb7PsxFKw/s5184/IMG_3564.JPG)
View from the Iberian right rear.
In a cannily-fought battle the Iberians pushed forward in the centre and centre-right, later bringing Simoniblis and his veteran cavalry forward on the the right flank. The Romans were content to hold back their wings to avoid tangling with the cavalry and concentrate on the fight in the centre.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OnHxAZXE56yPpaFF2tBpCiZktFFW7xMd-2KvEEWgSY4K0OLjJehjOH7ktzF8TZGBhG2vvPP-2vkauwTYnZ0AawT1jlf4xRkORDI5HNamM3bPYixwdxeIWsChsQK8o-umlEKQQUljYi-_Gg2ULETm4p0aHFuM41tQqnvNRbFYYWqylFjNF9ekOVGW-w/s5184/IMG_3566.JPG)
The centres engage.
Powerful Iberian attacks forced the Romans to pull back their left centre. The Romans push forward the left cavalry to try to rescue the situation.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvC3jlQye9v19iwN_j_UBxd82opuwe-5Bx7ZVPwt9QCTreiaX03Q5_O6brQL_b9o95ZIZz9JIc4y8exaHD0QCGV0A-IXG54wpAon76eDtjW9U6lBu4tImhjP-5QkpCBeFwbrARBhQhwlaBgMor2NQShZ3WrMGR1qcGRq-uRrIij9miSbSTuj6TPKkLw/s5184/IMG_3568.JPG)
The Roman cavalry is defeated - Simoniblis advances.
The Romans are famously resilient, so the Iberian left now advances to engage the Roman right. The fighting is grim and bloody.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1iQ9_1UVjg4_igcwjAWv6C5L8I6LT7f7np5G4h5xdSvGj7APWYpAXCYRFFQt3ydy7s48-ntPk9IFAxmxQ_LZd2NaS_VJ8e1FvA6bOCwnPni8l3jYckX4nbcnYAGMTHvZGL7XUJuXCKSm5fJvJp6WX8EOBjh1bHK-iIlETrHdb63T2Paizb3pmXQ0Hw/s5184/IMG_3571.JPG)
The Roman left is chewed up while on the other end of the line the forces finally meet.
The Roman left is crushed; Simoniblis takes the camp. This plus eight units shattered means the Romans are at -3 to morale, and at the next setback the army flees. Dubius Scipio is unable to hold up the family reputation!
A famous win for SP (also giving him the Washbourn Trophy), who has overseen a good plan play out to near perfection, and pushes the Roman menace out of Nearer Spain.
The campaign continues!
Many thanks again to John, Ralph, and SP for participating in this turn, to John, Russ, Martin and Peter for having played in the other battles so far, and to others who have also expressed interest in participating. It is wonderful to have had so many hands to the pump, as it were!
Fine display of vintage figures by John there.
Quote from: Paul Innes on May 13, 2025, 05:41 AMI'd love to play some of the battles for this campaign, Aaron, but all my games stuff is another continent. It's a great read - thanks for organising.
Paul
Thanks Paul - not as epic as your Empire campaign, but we'll do what we can!
Great stuff. I will be able to join in to fight some battles (no Carthaginian figures yet) after 18th June.
Quote from: Erpingham on Jun 02, 2025, 09:01 AMFine display of vintage figures by John there.
Well I did say to Aaron " I don't actually have an Illyrian army, so the 50 Superior Auxilia elements were a mixture of Thracians, Spaniards and Estonians... they more or less looked the part."
Some of the figures are indeed vintage, dating back to about 1970, but others were bought and painted in 2023. The pikemen are newish, having featured in a Slingshot article in 2011.
Campaign is shaping up nicely. Well done all the recent contributors.
Turn 4, 216 BC.
Well, here we are at Turn 4. Thank you to the contributors and to those who have dropped in to see what's happening, here or on the blog.
With last turn's aggressors driven off, the map has not changed.
Turn 4, however, sees some unexpected activity - the Kingdom of Pontus has become active, and is now shown on the board by an orange diamond.
216 - Carthage at last moves, no doubt troubled by Rome's venture into Carthage's sphere of influence. Led by a young-go getter called Hannibal, the Carthaginans are welcomed by the Iberians and urged to continue on to attack the Romans, which they cross the Alps to do. Some of the Gauls pledge to support the Carthaginians and Rome must ready itself for another campaign.
215 - Carthage vs Rome in Cisalpine Gaul. Carthage can use Numidians, Iberians, and Gauls to supplement its citizen army.
213 - Macedon attacks Greece after one demand and one arrogant response too many. Will Rome support Greece? Not at this time - they are occupied with their own wars.
Map of the fourth turn, 216-213 BC.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1LaQ-A-ipEwNuAaj4ZjKgR2jwIxN0IhF3bLN9XMfUofXPnT7KFBxVIa6UhJg8GZycLKzT58kv6qU4gj4Ex0EK22cvhbXFkiwW5raeArab5mnAZ3a5dXAMKuq6S3zLBuhAXsvO4TIfhvUp9wIp0feCY1dtKVxShBQu9zJtRscnseuQiRybkHtiVmckA/s1476/Med%20Map%20Master%20campaign%20T4_a.png)
As with previous turns, if anyone is keen to take either of these battles, please let me know!
Cheers
Aaron
We can do a Carthage v Rome here, no probs. Just check is this envisaged as a full on pitched battle with equal-ish forces or do you want to put on some conditions?
I'll happily do the other one.
John GL
Intrigued by Pontus, as at this period it still doesn't seem to have control of Sinope or the coast, conquering these in the 180s BC. Seems to have allied with Bithynia against Pergamon to do it so a Pontus v Pergamon campaign is on the cards.
Given at this point Pergamon is still worried by Seleucids etc, it is probably a pretty even match 8)
Thanks all, Ian and John, much appreciated. Will get back to you (and Jim!) after work :)
Quote from: Jim Webster on Jun 08, 2025, 07:08 PMIntrigued by Pontus, as at this period it still doesn't seem to have control of Sinope or the coast, conquering these in the 180s BC. Seems to have allied with Bithynia against Pergamon to do it so a Pontus v Pergamon campaign is on the cards.
Given at this point Pergamon is still worried by Seleucids etc, it is probably a pretty even match 8)
It seems the elderly Mithridates II has announced himself as a player in the region's politics. A marriage alliance with the Seleucids; fluctuating relations with the Galatians; designs upon the Green coastal cities; a fledgling rivalry with Pergamon. He can call upon native troops from Pontus and Phrygia, perhaps Armenian friends, Hellenistic mercenaries, Galatians.
His emergence at this stage was a surprise, and it is unlikely that he will be an aggressive presence quite yet, but stranger things have happened!
Quote from: Ian61 on Jun 08, 2025, 11:26 AMWe can do a Carthage v Rome here, no probs. Just check is this envisaged as a full on pitched battle with equal-ish forces or do you want to put on some conditions?
Hi Ian, sending you a PM :)
Quote from: Prufrock on Jun 09, 2025, 11:17 AMIt seems the elderly Mithridates II has announced himself as a player in the region's politics. A marriage alliance with the Seleucids; fluctuating relations with the Galatians; designs upon the Green coastal cities; a fledgling rivalry with Pergamon. He can call upon native troops from Pontus and Phrygia, perhaps Armenian friends, Hellenistic mercenaries, Galatians.
His emergence at this stage was a surprise, and it is unlikely that he will be an aggressive presence quite yet, but stranger things have happened!
It does look very intriguing. Another crack at Sinope perhaps?
I could go out on a limb and try something solo in the area if you want :)
Quote from: Jim Webster on Jun 09, 2025, 11:40 AMIt does look very intriguing. Another crack at Sinope perhaps?
I could go out on a limb and try something solo in the area if you want :)
By all means, Jim. It would be very interesting to hear of an attempt on Sinope, or indeed anything to do with Pontus!
Attack on Sinope 216 BCJim Webster and friends have enlightened us on the reasons for the sudden appearance of the Kingdom of Pontus as an active player in our campaign. Here is the story (edit - just to be clear, the scenario, game and report are all Jim. I am merely posting it!):
Campaign Battle
We know from Polybius book 4 that Mithridates II of Pontus had got designs on Sinope.
Quote56 1 Such was the state of affairs in Crete. At the same period Mithridates too went to war with Sinope, and this proved as it were the beginning and first occasion of the misfortunes which finally befell this city. 2 The Sinopeans sent an embassy to Rhodes begging for assistance towards this war and the Rhodians passed a decree to appoint three commissioners and to place in their hands a sum of 140,000 drachmae on receiving which they were to supply the requirements of the Sinopeans. 3 The commissioners got ready ten thousand jars of wine, three hundred talents of prepared hair, a hundred talents of prepared bow-string, a thousand complete suits of armour, three thousand gold pieces, and four catapults with their artillerymen, 4 on receiving which the Sinopean envoys returned home. These things were sent because the Sinopeans were in great dread of Mithridates undertaking the siege of the city by land and sea, and they therefore were making all their preparations with this view. 5 Sinope lies p435 on the southern shore of the Pontus on the route to the Phasis and is situated on a peninsula running out to the open sea. The neck of this peninsula connecting it with Asia is not more than two stades in width and is absolutely closed by the city which is situated upon it; 6 the rest of the peninsula runs out to the open sea and is flat and affords an easy approach to the town, but on its sea face it is very steep, difficult to anchor off, and with very few approaches from the sea. 7 The Sinopeans were fearful lest Mithridates should lay siege to them by throwing up works on the side of the city next Asia, while at the same time effecting a disembarkation on the opposite side and occupying the flat ground over�looking the city; 8 and consequently they busied themselves with strengthening all round that part of the peninsula which was washed by the sea, blocking up the approaches from the sea by means of stakes and stockades and pla�cing soldiers and stores of missiles at suitable spots, the whole peninsula being of no great size but quite easily defensible by a moderate force.
So the game worked on the following.
It was obvious that landing on the plateau was possible. (Looking at google maps, it wasn't going to be easy)
Mithridates obviously had access to ships to do it. Pontus controlled the city of Amastris (Its tyrant Eumenes presented the city of Amastris to Ariobarzanes of Pontus in c. 265–260 BC rather than submit it to domination by Heraclea.)
This time Mithridates decided to attack more rapidly before Sinope had started doing defensive works.
I had two maps, one was a plan from 'Development of the city plan of ancient Sinope: Infrastructure as ideology.' By Owen Doonan. The plan is credited to Bryer, A. and Winfield, D. 1985: The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bSixUEN35ziF3WDV0lrETL5NlJ6Di3YNaooXFSPEgw9KUFHC9rAD0Uy8ROQ7TAKr21G7SnPeck_Id-DBlFkJRJJ7owWuMAPwAKYemeLAyD_u6HIwnxItuZZBQV-4a6I9jykfJbaTEYDmN2UJYfV15BVXCXG_ipml9328sKZgBY8TJKC7j5c2hUxdfw/s675/Ancient%20Sinope.JPG)
The other is a screen shot from google maps.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUyy4PGWblwCH1IwyhAHBcbs14HNZFwzYMTi0bKxQqpDqwXk8Xde-G3qvox7Mp2J4cpQ6QZFXiLGG6U8PD75-gIPApt3VDjLy8fXwH1mIMr_t9QSqWek__6FG5HhCUgzsyp_d480x8RaX48meS0yCbEmn0uVbuT0xAidVfcNLtIdsMWCrj1hc_X4GHg/s848/Sinop.JPG)
Over the last few months, at our club we've introduced people to DBA. They're not 'ancient' players but are enjoying the rules. So I would do this battle as a multiplayer DBA game with each player having a DBA army. Actually some had more than one.
The defenders were divided into three watches.
1) Miscellaneous Anatolian Mercenaries. 4 Sp, 6 Auxilia, 1 Cv, 1 Ps
2) The Greek mercenaries. 8 Sp, 1 Cav, 1 LH, 2 Ps
3) The citizens. 8 Sp, 2 Cav, 1 LH, 1 Ps.
I counted Mercenary Thureophoroi as Sp in this game as I think it better represented what was going on.
The attackers were divided into three landing sites.
1) North landing. The Galatian mercenaries. 11 warband, 1 Ps
2) East landing. The Greek Mercenaries. 6 Sp, 2 Ax, 3 Bw, 1 Ps
3) South Landing. The other mercenaries. 4Sp, 3Ax, 3Bw, 2 Ps
The Bow were because Pontus always seems to have had them. The Ax were probably dismounted cavalry.
The game started with one base for each landing party appear on the table edge. The Watch on duty was rolled for at random, and this one was queuing at the city gate.
The Sinopean forces were to drive the enemy back into the sea. The Pontic forces wanted to get into the city.
Each move each Pontic player rolled a d6, that was the number of bases who'd scrambled up onto the plateau that move. Each move the Sinopean player rolled a d6 for each watch unmustered to see how many bases arrived at the muster point (the main gate). When a watch left the gate it could move up to 6" in column. But once it deployed, it used Pip dice as normal.
The battle lasted a couple of hours. The first action happened when the troops from the South landing came into contact with the Miscellaneous Anatolian mercenaries.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinN569NMJJGIkUb9fb2NdJsSMtuTOWJNAjBD-7o9JZGt9lWGNyHwxeEqfDG2Uxm5LWKFGobtg6ANZVOtyPwRZQWYtDYNcLn7SNzd5Lhmz7VTP-MHUMDGDAX2G_Qe8DAgbpSNAbQBH_a_-jrkM484HVlHxI_6ov_vJSBxBWSQGf_yVcv-cHDi_fAmMwCQ/s1078/Galatians%20advance.jpg)
The Galatians advancing: three Sinopean commands have the centre ground; the third Pontic command is still plodding towards the fighting.Mainly due to dice luck, the Pontic forces triumphed comparatively quickly. But we used the rule where you can use pips to hold the demoralised remnants. So whilst the mercenaries broke, they managed to hold the line and slow pursuit.
Then the Galatians hit the Greek mercenaries whilst on the Sinopean side, the Citizens deployed to face the South landing force.
The fighting was tougher but the arrival of the Greek mercenaries from the East Landing meant the Sinopean Greek mercenaries broke.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-8z2em-Rl2cS1QFQ1nx6XRMzwVlhD7VM3cmk0j7f-AL5Z2NoC3UvmzM8OC2y5KjAqb2aJdsXOJLEny2wSTMDxlGFBxYkF6wd-FuFn9qJk9d8hKiOjvQsag3c-kCEfEK44ldBAIIjWmlG1keDEnvWJPmBLTsKS76KPTvpeQhfKgfX40ZkBTKLTkS3kA/s1078/The%20third%20pontic%20command%20arrives.jpg)
All three Pontic commands are closing in. One Sinopean command has just broken and the Sinopean citizens are being turned round to cover that flankFinally the Citizens, trying to withdraw to the city gate were hit by Galatians. Whilst they managed to fend them off, it meant that the troops from the South Landing finally hit them from the other side. The Citizen's general was pulled from his horse by Pontic psiloi in the city gateway and the now demoralised Citizen contingent surrendered. The city had fallen.
Many thanks to Jim for this account of how Mithridates II made a name for himself by conquering Sinope and turning his kingdom into a regional power!
The campaign continues.
Good work Aaron,a well thought set up. Our battle half way though the report will appear asap, perhaps later today.
Quote from: Ian61 on Jun 12, 2025, 10:35 AMGood work Aaron,a well thought set up. Our battle half way though the report will appear asap, perhaps later today.
That's all Jim's doing, not mine! I better edit to make that clearer :) And will look forward to your report as well! Many thanks, Ian
Battle Report Med Campaign Northern Italy – Hannibal v Gracchus
So my approach was a little different. I decided on a Roman Army and thought how could they be disadvantaged – not quite the Trebia but they are crossing a ford and not appreciated how close Hannibal is. Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus is of course leading the right wing and has crossed the ford and deployed his troops in a pretty pattern sorry effective Battle formation ...
Pic 1.jpg
The left wing, being lead by Silanus Punctilious is still crossing the river. At this point I decided to throw an average dice to see how many elephant units Hannibal had got across the Alps and rolled a 2 and wrote up an Army list to equal the Romans. I decided that Hannibal knew where the Romans were and enough about their deployment methods to risk a gamble. He has three divisions and plans to attack at speed. He has stacked the right wing in an attempt to block off the Romans entry / exit point from the Battleground and entrusted this to Maharbal the Numidian and conveniently it will contain the Numidian Cavalry and Elephants as well as two units of Iberian Scutari. Knowing he needs to keep the Roman right busy he has persuaded his Celtic Allies (ever disposable!) to attack Gracchus head on, knowing that, even if defeated, they will do a lot of damage to their opponents. He places a Hasdrubal to oversee this with his Punic cavalry. That leaves Hannibal following up with his main line of Battle hardened Libyans to deliver the coup de grâce if all goes well.
To return to the Battle
Suddenly the Romans see figures appearing from the treeline in front of them...
Pic2.jpg
(Sorry for distortion but this gives an idea of the overall battleground.)
The Romans win the first move and mostly freeze. Gracchus clearly spluttering in disbelief fails to get his troops actually moving (too busy drying their feet off?) Sempronius, having given orders that washed over the stunned troops has to bellow his orders again to get his wing moving to dry ground but not in any sort of good formation. The Numidians as expected sweep in to box up the Roman Cavalry crashing into the Velites en route who die valiantly but fail to stop the Numidians continuing into the Roman horsemen. The rest of the right wing and Hannibal in the centre advance. On the left wing both Cavalry units get stuck in breaking one opponent and forcing the other back. However the rest of the Celts have clearly had a heavy night of drinking and fail to follow up. However they will do so and well in following turns managing to get the drop on charging the Romans.
However the die is now cast. On the right the Romans struggle against the Celts but slowly dispose of Cavalry and one Waband but lose some units and are left out of position with two of the three warbands now effectively behind their main lines. On the left wing, having seen off the Numidians, the Romans almost get their line together - The Campanian Legionaries are the unit in limbo at the back. The elephants are the beasts of the Battle as they finish off the Roman Cavalry in front of them and then take two Roman units away from the centre to hold them up leaving the centre far too weak to withstand the hammer blow about to land as Hannibal marches his Libyans into the centre of the Battle.
Pic 3 Anno.jpg
This is the situation at the end of turn 3 Hannibal has a solid battle line of mostly heavy infantry (light blue) where the Roman line is broken up (red) (In both cases double lines represent two units). The Romans are in real danger of being enveloped so the result from here is inevitable – a victory to Hannibal.
Excellent, Ian! My apologies - I had missed this account of the great battle! I will add the news to my blog as well.
Battle at Megara, 213 BCA report is in on the Macedonian excursion into Greece. Macedon under Philip V has waded into the confusing mix of political alliances and enmities in Greece proper by supporting the Aetolians against the Achaean League in a bitter struggle for influence. After a demand that Megara demilitarise and accept a Macedonian garrison is rejected, the Macedonians with Aetolian support attempt to bring this about by force.
The Acheaan League musters troops in response to the threat and the armies meet north of Megara.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRhreDsYVTwZWtdfkXT29NcapbeQ_ORwYwwxqy7wP5hOl-Isc3ZeUO85niARJoNU-2PP8t1iW4vM69_sWtCnQmglgOQ27Q-oOsL3owUTcpd_OMCamPONpi95xjANSg3i2RayvODrA780Lgl6zjwMSyJPYfTQn1p_D7CcAjpKbbGsf4pjtqfIfpo3p_Yw)
Image attribution: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Achaean_League_192_BC.png
Report from John GL:
QuoteHi Aaron
Fought today against Duncan Thompson (DBM). The dice decided that I would command the Achaians and would be the attacker - bad news, as this pre-emptive strike against the invading Macedonians limited my terrain options. Duncan placed only gentle hills; I added some rough going but only one patch was on my side of the table. I would have to attack in the open.
At this date the Achaians are allowed a few pikes (only four elements) and have to rely on thureophoroi and Thracian/Illyrian mercenaries (all Superior Auxilia). The Macedonians had more cavalry and of course lots more pikes. The only important terrain was a hill opposite my left flank, and I planned to take this and turn the Macedonians' flank while my cavalry demonstrated on the other wing and my thureophoroi kept the pikes busy in the centre.
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QuotePhoto 1 shows the initial moves; the hill at the top of the picture was occupied by Macedonian light troops and then attacked by large numbers of Achaian and Thracian Ax(S).
Picture 5 shows the battle on that hill.
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QuoteEventually the Macedonian forces there were worn down and a general intervened; he was outflanked, attacked by an Achaian general and slain. His command broke.
In the centre it was a different story; the crisis is shown in Picture 6.
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QuoteMacedonian pikemen drove through lines of auxilia and their cavalry slew some more. The central Achaian command broke, and losses to the other two commands made exactly half their army gone. So a 9-1 win to the Macedonians.
I've played Duncan dozens of times at DBM and that's my first outright defeat... good game, anyway.
And so Philip is victorious! Will the Lacedaemonians need to be roused from their slumbers to meet the invader? More to come.
Many thanks John for another great battle and report.
Link to blog. (https://prufrockian-gleanings.blogspot.com/2025/06/battle-at-megara-213-bc-med-campaign-12.html)