WR is back from the recent HMGS-PSW 2012 Winter convention. WR had three different games, of three different time periods, on the convention schedule. Starting with the last game, this is WR’s after action report on the Clash of Empires Megalopolis 331 B.C.; Sparta and Greek City States vs. Macedonians game. Other soon to be posted AAR’s will cover my Breaking the San Fratello Line: Sicily 1943 and Battle of Sacile; 1809 games.
Megalopolis 331 B.C. HMGS-PSW Sunday game:
Macedonian army: General (Strategos) Antipater. Foot roster had 2×24 Veteran Phalangites, 4×24 Phalangites, 2×24 Mercenary Hoplites, 2×24 Allied Hoplites, 1×10 Peltasts, 1×10 Thracian Peltasts, 1×8 Cretan archers, 1×10 Macedonian skirmishers, 1×10 Illyrian javelinmen. Cavalry roster: 2×8 Companions, 2×8 Pannonian cavalry. Totals: 289 foot, 32 cavalry.
Sparta & City State Greeks (CSG): Spartan King Agis III. Foot roster had 1×19 King;s bodyguard, 1×20 Spartan hoplites, 2×24 Mercenary hoplites, 2×24 Elian hoplites, 2×24 Achaean hoplites, 2×24 Arcadian hoplites, 1×12 peltasts, 1×6 Cretan archers, 2×10 Javelinmen. Cavalry roster: 1×8 Spartan medium cavalry, 1×8 Allied medium cavalry, 2×8 Greek light cavalry. Totals: 270 foot, 32 cavalry. Greeks had 7 oracle-omen “goats” for use during game. Oracle rules taken directly from Warhammer Ancient battles game (WAB) under the Ancient Greek list.
Starting views with both armies deployed in the mountain pass region (24″ apart). Only skirmisher type units could ascend the heights or chase the goats. Both commanders attached themselves to their right flank units. We elected to use only one commander per side. Normally for armies this size there would be sub-commanders but David’s scenario design was for a fast convention game.
Macedonian left center line with Greek mercenaries at foreground, then Macedonian phalanx extending to their right ending with veterans at foot of hill.
Macedonians deployed with their best formations on right flank (veteran phalangites), then across the front leftward with phalangites, then Allied hoplites, ending with Mercenary hoplites on left flank. Skirmishers across the frontage and companion cavalry on rear flank support. Deployment shown above. Roster lists below.
Spartans and Greeks deployment below. Spartans anchored the right flank, then the Mercenary hoplites, Elian hoplites, Achaean hoplites…and the line ends with the Arcadian hoplites. Like the Macedonians, skirmishers to front and the formed Greek medium cavalry was held on each flank. Roster lists below.
Greek States with Spartan anchoring the right flank, then the mercenary hoplites, the various greek city-state hoplites towards the left.
Before the action starts, the local spartan commander requires an oracle report from the temple. Omens look good for a greek victory….
Spartans at the temple…..with local mountain goat supply.
Turn One: Opening movements. Both armies advance and exchange mild javelins or arrows.
Both armies advance….skirmishers to forefront….some early tension released with javelins and arrows.
Turn two: CSGs think it is time to chase away their opponent skirmishers so some charges are made. Win some, lose some, but the main phalanx or hoplite lines are exposed.
Enough of this stick chucking….Greek skirmishers charge their opposite opponents.
Macedonian right flank push forward while their left flank mercenary hoplites slow up to prolong the time of Spartan impact. With hoplites on both sides, this game AAR is going to be tough…
Macedonian Strategos Antipater trots behind his right flank sarissa phalanx.
Meanwhile, the Spartan king leads his royal bodyguard towards the Macedonian left flank. Additional spartan units form up on his left flank. Darn skirmishers keep getting in the way for the real spear and shield work.
Spartan King Apis III has the front of his bodyguard. Some Macedonian skirmishers will soon scatter from the on-rushing Spartans.
Time for the true test. City State Greeks (CSG) charge home in the center. Temple priests are placed on call to have the “goats” ready….as charging into sarissa (pikes) block will be grim work. Everybody has their opposite’s dance card in hand so time to step in.
Skirmishing period over. Time for the main event as the lines charge home. Greek City States charge into the levelled sarissa.
Turn three: With COE’s quick combat routine, the action generally was short. In some situations the Greek cause was hopeless, other shield and spear/pike action proved the Greeks victorious, especially after applying a few “greek oracle goats” to support the cause (combat outcome).
Sarissa vs. long spears….the struggle is short and sharp. Goats as oracle omens are applied.
Comes down to the tests…..Greeks feel positive goat vibes except on their left flank….Macedonians buckle in their center.
Outcome from the Gods has the Macedonians winning (destroying) one Greek hoplite block via pursuit. Greek payback destroys one Macedonian phalanx block in pursuit and chasing another. Both side test for friends destroyed, leading each to have units retire from the front lines. The battle center has completely changed into open field combat….no more neat lines.
The lines render apart….both sides winning and losing fights….
Turn four: Spartan king with his Spartans right flank advance. The Macedonian mercenary and allied Greek hoplites brace for the pending crash of arms.
Macedonian left flank sees the advancing Spartans….
On the other end of the battle, the Macedonian general sees the broken center and disordered / retiring CSG left flank. Time to crush this flank before the Spartans can engage decisively on the other flank.
City State Greek left flank is isolated by the victorious Macedonian right center break-through.
As the armies march about….some free ranging goats on a hill nearby…..
Free range goats….or tonight’s victor dinner.
Turn five: As the CSG’s left flank is falling apart, Tim the Spartan plans his right flank counterattack. Macedonian David thinking about goats….or how to stop rampaging Spartans.
Tim (left) and David (right) discuss the finer points of spartan drill…as the Spartans crash home on the Greek mercenaries.
Turn six: Spartans are fighting the pushed Greek mercenaries. Hot action. Meanwhile, on the Macedonian right flank their companion cavalry sees the open fields and charges home on the flank of pursuing CSG hoplites…..they sense an easy victory.
Macedonian wedge impacts the Greek City State phanlanx…in the flank, and caused one loss to themselves…..time for the score card on this fight…..got goat?
Surprise! CSG hold from the charge morale check and to compound the issue the companions have horrible dice throws. Toss in some lucky CSG armor saves and the combat is stalemate. CSG use one of their remaining oracle goats to break the tie….causing morale check. Companions hold but lose their wedge formation.
While the Macedonian wedge flattens out….the token Greek cavalry briefly chase away some skirmisher cavalry…but the Macedonian phalanx remains.
Not much left of the CSG left flank by turn six completion. All the hoplites have scattered and just some token skirmishers or medium greek cavalry. The Macedonian general turns slowly his phalanx blocks to head across the battlefield, but he knows the crumbling Macedonian left flank cannot hold.
Macedonian left flank slowly crumbles….The Greek mercenaries can sense the battle is turning against them.
The rallied Greek mercenary left flank unit watches as the Spartans and their allies crush one phalanx group….leaving one to go.
Turn seven: Spartan crush the Macedonian left flank one mercenary Greek formation at a time. Allied Greeks look on and want no part of the battle….they have seen the Spartan’s handiwork first hand.
The Greek mercenary unit is crushed by Spartans as their support looks on.
Overall, the Greek City State have defeated the majority of the Macedonian army. So advantage given to the CSG side, but unit loses for both sides were heavy. The Greek revolt will fester on.
Thanks David for the great game and scenario. Majority of miniatures from David’s 28mm ancient collection with a few Greeks hoplites from WR. Terrain by WR on 12×6 table.
Scenario army lists: Megalopolis Macedonian Foot, Megalopolis Macedonian Horse, Spartan Rebel Foot, Spartan Rebel Horse
Megalopolis map: Megalopolis Map
Additional notes: Wikipedia link, Jeff Jonas scenario notes Link
WR
Wargamerabbit 
Enjoyed the report… love the goats! 🙂
We use chickens (as well as sheep, pigs ducks, turkeys, cows, and soon a fox as well) as markers of Out of Command/Shaken status. Excellent grist for the bad pun mill…
Goats are always a fun subject matter for ancient games. Players go nuts with “goat jokes”…..thanks for the kind “goat joke free” comment.
I have other animals painted up…..especially like the crocodiles for the 1801 Battle of Alexandria battle once. Placed in river or lake shore for fun. Deers in european woods, boars, etc. Need a bear for Russia.
Almost have the Sacile report done.
Michael aka WR