I've always been fascinated by the Battle of
Pydna, 168BC. Rome finally defeated Macedonia & became 'Top Boys' of the Med. There is a great picture in Peter
Connollys 'The Roman Army' (
Macdonald), at the front of the book showing the two forces clashing. A smashing book, which I can remember reading in the School library when I was 11!
Here we go then, a Later Macedonian vs
Polybian Roman battle. Jack would take the Macedonians, he was the defender & set up the board. A large Hill, a rough area & a funky Greek temple to be
treated as rough. Being the attacker, I rolled for table edge & typically, got probably the worst edge. So
Jack started with the hill & a some rough....
Oh the shades of doom!Army selection for the
Polybians is straight forward enough.... Jack went with the
Auxilia option for his Macedonians.
II/35 Later Macedonian 260-148BC1x3Cv(Gen), 1x2Lh, 6x4Pk, 2x4Ax, 1x3Ax or 4Wb or 2Ps, 1x2PsII/33 Polybian Roman 275-105BC 1x3Cv(Gen), 1x3Cv, 6x4Bd, 2x4Sp, 2x2Ps---------------------------------------------
Initial Battlefield, Jack would cling to the hill with his Pike for extra advantage. His Light troops would flood the Rough. My plan was to attack the Lighter troops, I didn't want to be hacking away at that Phalanx.
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As suspected, the Phalanx lumbers over the Hill.......
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Roman Cavalry spot an open flank.....
MMMmmm an opportunity?
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Roman Spears & Blades on the left, would be a decoy.
Well that's the Roman plan.
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Jack rolls excellent Pips for the opening rounds
(as usual... ZZzzzz), The Macedonian specialists take to the rough.
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Battlefield after a few rounds, the flank is open for the Roman Cavalry.
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The Roman General takes a central position, the
Psiloi advance.
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The Roman left & the march of the Legions.
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Could I lure out Jacks Light Troops? It would be key to the battle.
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Love this Pic,
Polybian Roman Spears & Blades advance, very slowly though....
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Jack sees the danger & reacts with his Light Horse (Background), I bring up 2 Blades to deal with the Macedonians in the Rough.
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I'm not impressed with the match up, the Roman Cavalry only have a slight advantage.
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Jacks sticking to the rough, the Light Horse/ Cavalry scrap is not fairing well. I spot the Macedonian General on his own...... I transfer a Blade to partner the Roman General.
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Jacks sticking to his Hill, with double ranked Pike. It would be tough even for the Roman Blades to dislodge that lot. Many rounds are spent expanding the l
ine.
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Jacks patience is unbelievable... I finally get the Roman General lined up.
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In go the attacks, but in typical
MrF fashion my die rolls are abysmal.
Jacks aren't though.... First the Macedonian Light Horse kill the Roman Cavalry.
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Then the Macedonian General makes short work of the Roman Blades......
All on my turn, I'm speechless. Jack then utters
'Now it's my turn....'
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With a 'demonic' glance he looks up & rolls,
'5 for Pips' he says. I stare, slightly dumbfounded, as the Macedonian Light Horse 'gallops' around the board. Although he can't reach my camp on this turn & the fact it will cost him extra Pips. He WILL reach my camp on his next turn....
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There's nothing I can do! I make a pathetic attempt to withdraw troops back to defend the Camp, but they will never get there in time.... Of course he wins the combat & victory belongs to Macedonia!!!!!
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Final positions, another 'Grand Plan' shot to pieces.
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Oh... My head's in my hands & I'm shaking it back & forth.
'So Dad, your putting away the board then...' says Jack in an extremely smug tone.
A very quick end to the game, especially after many rounds of maneuver. The power of Light Horse, it had to happen one day. Never again will my camp go undefended!!!
Well done to Jack.
Bah Humbug... ;o)
