It's been along time since the Republican Romans and Seleucids came out as a large force so last week we pulled out most of the toys and set up a large game. 1600 points in WAB- or thereabouts, we weren't too precious with having the points even. As the game progressed and I became more engrossed I started to forget to take the pictures so you will have to put up with a wordy description in places I'm afraid. We play the second part of then game tonight, I'll be taking in my camera which will provide me with i/ more enthusiasm taking the pictures and ii/ much better quality pictures than one gets on an android phone, or for that matter an apple phone.
We played a hidden deployment with a screen placed over the centre of the battlefield whilst both armies set up.
Seleucid Set Up
Roman Left Flank
Roman Legionaries approach in March Column (allows them to approach at a rapid pace but impedes their combat abilities. Thewy are protected by the ridiculously good Roman Velites Skirmishers. The Velites protect the Hastati, Principes and Triarii who follow in their wake.
Roman Right Flank
Having refused the left flank and leaving just to shaky units of Roman Cavalry plus Cretans and Velites. Their best unit on this flank being the Numidian Light Cavalry (who's special rules include, Parthian Shot, Skirmishers and the all important Feigned Flight.
Seleucid Left Flank
Facing the Roman Right Flank we have a unit of Dahae (Parthian Shot, Skirmishers, Feigned Flight). A Wedge of Seleucid Line Cavalry, Two Heavy Ballista a few Mercenary Skirmishers and one unit of Phalangites protecting the flank of the Seleucid line.
Seleucid Centre
Elephants in the centre begin to plod forward protected to some degree by Skirmishers. They warily approach the Roman Velites.
Seleucid Right Flank
Consisting of wo Cavalry Wedges, one companion and one Agema Cavarly Wedge, three units of Phalangites, one Barded Elephant and another unit of Dahae.
The Romans move forward, again protected by their Velites whilst the Seleucid lights try to work their way around the left flank. Two unis of Velites managed to cause enough damage to a Mercenary Skirmish unit as to cause chaos and a veritable flux of Panic Tests which resulted in just about every skirmishing unit on the Seleucid Right fleeing off the table! Not a great start!
Having said that, the Seleucid Right still has a lot in reserve- enough to crash through the small roman Legionaries units if given half the chance.
On the Seleucid Left, the Skirmishers advance loosing as they go with the two Heavy Ballista both failing to hit their mark.
A view of the Seleucid Right skirmishing units advancing loosing as they go. The "Dice Gods" were not gunning for the Seleucids on this day and they caused minimal casualties as they moved forward.
Another view
And another
The Roman Cavalry attempt to set a trap.
The Roman war machine continues to grind forward on their Left Flank.
Dahae continue to try to work their way around the Seleucid Right Flank.
The Seleucid battle line as seen from the right hand side of the table; looking from their Left Flank to their right. The Cretan archers and Dahae managed to kill 75% of a unit of Roman cavalry, the ones above as they set up their trap!
Bonny Phalangites!
Due to the hidden Deployment at the start of the battle, combines with the strong Roman advance, it became necessary for some of the Seleucid battle line to shuffle around to make best their position.
The pride of the Seleucid army, the tooled up Macedonian Companions charge, lose the combat but pass their Break Test allowing them to Give Ground are charged next Roman turn where they choose to Flee narrowly escape the pursuing Roman Legionaries. Unfortunately in the next two subsequent chances to Rally, they fail and leg it off the table!
"Run away, run away!"
The retreating Companions left an Elephant stuck in combat which proved to be serendipitous as the Seleucid army was still in the process of rearranging their battle line.
Another view
The hardy Dahae manage to escape from the Numidian javelin onslaught with not a single casualty! Meanwhile, the Line Cavalry continue to move to the flank of the Roman Left.
The elephant proves to be a stubborn beastie indeed!
An arial view elucidating the dispositions of the various units of both armies on one flank of the field quite nicely.
And on the other flank
Still running
Not only did the Companions fail to Rally but they also caused major panic in the Seleucid lines in general, panicking the high command, and a unit of Pseudo Cretans.
One or two well designed Seleucid charges have the two unit of Roman Velites on the run,
The Triarii abandon their usual battlefield role of being left as a rearguard and charge other other elephant. And yes, it still weirds me out that any unit can charge an elephant!
Finally the Seleucid Line Cavalry take enough casualties from Numidian Javelins, fail a Panic Test and leg it.
Seleucid Argyraspids (top right) make it into combat as their fellow Phalangites line up to join the right
Those elephants really can be stubborn beasties!
Close up of the Seluecid Argyraspids in combat with Roman Legionaries.
As we ran out of time again, Part Three of the Repo Roman and Selucids contest will be gracing the pages of my blog next week.
Finally, some DBA and O Group.
