Recent posts

#11

Shows & Events / Re: South West Model Show 2026...

Last post by Ian61 - Aug 16, 2026, 11:20 AM

Well as it happened, I found out about this event from the Warlord guys who had the stand next to ours at the Attack show in Devizes.  We thought it might be a great place for the Society to put on a participation game, but we could not rustle one up in the limited time available.

If anyone fancies helping us with a stand or game at next year's event, please get in touch.

Let me see what the set up looks like this year, I may be persuaded. Its the same distance for me or a little shorter than Newbury or Devizes.

#12

Ancient and Medieval History / Chaironeia reconstruction imag...

Last post by Erpingham - Aug 16, 2026, 10:46 AM

Helion have sent me one of their daily updates saying they have published a book on Chaironeia by Nic Fields.  Not particularly my subject so unlikely buy it but the ad shows a couple of reconstructions of parts of the battle. There is the presumed charge of the Companions against the Sacred Band. While curiously the Companions are attacking in open order, this is also obviously not their first charge.

The other curiosity is the Macedonian phalanx is shown fighting with the first two (or maybe three) ranks using their pikes overarm. I recall Justin suggested this in an earlier on the forum.  Has it now become an accepted interpretation for the early pike phalanx?

https://www.helion.co.uk/new-helion-title-chaironeia338

#13

Weapons and Tactics / Re: Infantry charging cavalry

Last post by stevenneate - Aug 16, 2026, 09:52 AM

But were the Parthians in an "uncontrolled advance" or a "wild charge" or did they get too close and have to shoot at "really close range" to avoid any penalties for shooting uphill and failed their movement test for trying to evade on difficult terrain?

I suspect the terrain and overconfidence got them too close, every horse archer trying to get in on the act, and the Romans saw their chance. A surprise Roman response led to panic, confusion and loss of formation as the horse archers bumped into each other and could not evade or  retreat. The terrain may have been more constrictive than we realise, otherwise why not go around the flanks?

Casualties led to more panic with horsemen streaming away. The legionaries could now close on the cataphracts and the slingers had a free hand to ply their trade.

You have to give the Roman general,  Publius Ventidius, cudos for a good plan that worked. His use of the terrain, no flanks or open space and the Parthian's overconfidence really turned the tables, and he showed he had learned from past Roman mistakes. He banked on the Parthians doing exactly as they did, so they played their part too!

#14

Battle Reports / Re: Refighting almost the Batt...

Last post by Erpingham - Aug 16, 2026, 09:06 AM

Topic split and developing theme of infantry charging cavalry continues here

https://forum.soa.org.uk/index.php?topic=10909.0

Further discussion of refighting "almost" Carrhae may continue here

#15

Weapons and Tactics / Re: Infantry charging cavalry

Last post by Erpingham - Aug 16, 2026, 09:02 AM

Split as requested

#16

Battle Reports / MOVED: Infantry charging caval...

Last post by Erpingham - Aug 16, 2026, 08:58 AM

This topic has been moved to Weapons and Tactics.

https://forum.soa.org.uk/index.php?topic=10909.0

#17

Ancient and Medieval History / Re: 50 medieval.sayings

Last post by Erpingham - Aug 16, 2026, 08:51 AM

number 25 is surely an observation on Anthony's pet.

I had a previous cat, the mighty Howie, who did snuggle into my beard and slobber - joy. Mina, the current cat, is better suited to the Scottish motto "Touch not the cat but a glove" given the long scratch on my wrist where she slashed me down the week 

#18

Weapons and Tactics / Re: Infantry charging cavalry

Last post by Jim Webster - Aug 16, 2026, 08:46 AM

Thanks for that Justin
would it be possible for one of our wise and technical people to filter off the bottom half of this thread and put it in a thread which said "Infantry charging cavalry" or something similar?

#19

Ancient and Medieval History / Re: 50 medieval.sayings

Last post by Nick Harbud - Aug 16, 2026, 08:37 AM

Hmm, number 14 appears relevant to several wargamers and their figure collections, and number 25 is surely an observation on Anthony's pet.

 

#20

Army Research / Re: Quality of the Equites Ala...

Last post by Erpingham - Aug 16, 2026, 08:35 AM

More than a few years back, I came across a video of "Hadrian's Cavalry" performing at a fort on the Wall

This performance, watched live by, IIRC, Mark G was subject to a great deal of debate on the forum a few years back. The Mounties got into that as well.

Add: See https://forum.soa.org.uk/index.php?topic=2823.0.  It was indeed Mark.