A break from modern warfare

I have been promising myself that when I had the table clear, for a bit, I would take the opportunity to have an ancients clash.  And so to a period in the alternate earth history when the Greek-like islands of Thacia were busy fighting one another for control of trade more than any other factor.

The section of my world map below illustrates the general area of the conflicts that were rife at about 500AC (After creation - according to the ancient calendar of the Cyrenician and Thacian recorders).

The year is 512AC. The Lyceans have swept over near neighbours, Leona at the battle of Vanas (more of a skirmish where a very outnumbered Leonan force was swept away by chariots and light horse). Landing on the larger island of Antrasa. There, they are met half way by the Admatians, considered by most to be the leading Thacian city-state. Admatia does not wish to fight on its own ground.  Additionally, victory might place Antrasa within their grasp.

Anchotes, lead figure on the Council of Alma has persuaded the Admatians to vote enough money to take an army into Antrasa to face the Lyceans.  His rival Persilus conveniently arrives late and chooses to stay behind so he may throw his support behind Anchotes or criticise him depending on results.

The Lycean leader is a youthful king, Barises. Flushed with success from Leona, he comes at the Admatians outside Phelos with little thought of anything but another victory. His forces are 2 scythed heavy chariot units (Royal Chariots), 2 light horse units (Fort Hallas and Covilan 1st), Troilan Spears, Leonan Spears, Lycean 1st Spears, Lycean 2nd Auxiliaries, Lycenan Household Auxiliary, Fort Hallas Archers and 2 light Psiloi units, Leonan Plainsmen and Eronean Light Foot.

Anchotes has a more regular force, Oronean 1st, 2nd and 3rd Spears, Admatian 1st and 2nd Spears, 1st and 2nd Alman City Guard (Spears), Minastran 1st Spears, Chalander Spears, Anchotes Own Household Cavalry, The Bravios Auxliary and Alman Light Foot.

The following was the Battle of Phelos between Lyceans and Admatians played under DBA rules;

Move #1  Mostly posturing as the sides advance, slowly.

The sides square up.

 However, Anchotes briefs his lieutenant, Codis to take the household cavalry on a jaunt which heads for the only bridge across the swift flowing but narrow river.  If they can cross back, they will be able to come around behind the Lyceans and cause potential chaos.

Move #2  Lyceans Advance - two units seize control of Langos Hill on the right.

Fort Hallas Lt Horse & Archers move onto the hill

The rest continue to crawl forward

              

Meanwhile, the Admatian cavalry are crossing the old bridge

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   Move 3-4 The sides make a slow advance.  The Fort Hellas archers make no impression as the massed spears simply adopt a defensize tortoise and the arrows rattle off shields.

"So who was the first to die?" writes the poet and lyricist, Solopher; "was it one of the sturdy men of the Alman Guard or a javelin bearer from the blue Valor lapped shores of Soris below Lycena?  No, it was a youthful spearman, Agdus whose father kept the hounds for his lord in the manse of Senthe, below Seneca where the rolling lawns went down from the cypress plantations to the golden sands of the Admetia's shores. He raised his shield high to protect the heads of his fellows but too high, he held it and a javelin from a passing Hellas rider struck him and pierced him sorely so he fell and the darkness came upon him. But he was loved by the Gods and Athelene was sent to snatch his soul and take it to the halls of the warriors where he would sit with pride for his father was Daragus who had fought beside the legendary Prestus at Erinthe and who had struck down the beast that ravaged Norica. Such was his bloodline."

The Fort Hellas light horse gallop by, sending javelins into the ranks but like the archers, could make no impression.

The isue for the Lyceans, now was that the Admatian 1st and 2nd Alman Guard Spears marched forward forcing the Hellas archers to recoil as the Hellas Light Horse headed back to the ranks.

Sending in his chariots with Psiloi to support, Barises hoped to strike a blow against the enemy flank and go on to win as he had against the Leonans.

However, the Admatian spearmen were made of sterner stuff.

Admatian 2nd spear and Alman 1st City Guard hold the chariots and turn them aside, destroying both units quite swiftly.

The Lyceans wheel spears in to try to halt the now inevitable Admatian advance.

And now the sides lock horns again but the Oronean Spears are making headway through the centre and must be stopped. Young king Barises has nothing to use but light horse and psiloi

Outmatched, the Lyceans gamble

The end is inevitable.  The Psiloi with their general behind stand against the spearmen but the light horse, both Fort Hellas and Covilan 1st retreat at full pace from the table.  As the archers start yelling about the Alman household cavalry which are closing from the left flank, Barises signals a full retreat.

Where did they come from?

All up for Lycea

The game was effectively over in seven.   It's been a long time since I played DBA. I had forgotten some aspects of it.  I will hold my comments until I have given it another go with, perhaps an updated set of rules but playing today reminded me what I liked about systems with more detail and allowance for the types of units in charge and other modes.

So, now I need to put Admatia (Athens) against Antrasa (Sparta). The chariot and horse based Lyceans proved inadequate.  Perhaps one unit of LH should have been knights. Anyway, another day.  It was nice to play something different and with a little scenery and more representation.  I always feel ancients allow for symbolism and set ups that have purpose rather than necessarily being realistic.

I am about half way through a Persian army which will be Cyrenicia in this world. Also a lot more Greeks to allow me to play out more city state battles :)  Always fun. And so, the last word from our story teller, Solopher;

"And at last as hot tempered Helidorus let his chariot sink into the sea, Barises came to his tents and there was ministered for his wounds and his grief.  The flower of Lycea lay trampled upon the sandy earth below Phelos.  There Galluses whose mother was Della beloved of the River God, Xaponus, Galluses of the flashing eyes and ringing voice.  Numos of Raye struck him down with a spear thrust which entered his bowels and Galluses fell like a bullock when the spear is driven down into its neck. So also ended Eridosian, son of Ericos who rode the great shark, Strak and who rescued the maiden of Lagonis, Eyasa to be his wife. The spear that struck down Eridosian was wielded by a cousin of Anchotes, Anchulisis he of the white skin and great height. He was a captain of his troop and well they were led, this day.

The sands were soaked with their blood. A great pyre was built and set afire that evening in the honour of the fallen and many a spear stack was placed about it. So ended Lycea's attempt to rule the islands and chastened, did their king return home."