Mediterranean campaign - contributors requested

[Prufrock]

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

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[Ian61]

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.

[Prufrock]

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

[Keraunos]

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.

[John GL]

I can do some battles too.  I have all the armies needed and can rustle up opponents.  Happy to be involved.

John GL

[Martin Smith]

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.

[Prufrock]

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?

[Dave Knight]

I can't do this time but might well be able to participate in future rounds - I have all the armies or suitable proxies

[Ian61]

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.

[Prufrock]

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.

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!

[Prufrock]

I 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

[John GL]

I'll do Ptolemy v Seleucus, using DBM.  I'll try to get Russell King here on Thursday, and will take some pictures.

[Prufrock]

I'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...

[Ian61]

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.

[Prufrock]

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...