The 2026 Society of Ancients Battle Day will take place at Hermitage Village Hall in Berkshire (postcode RG18 9WL), on Sunday 29th March 2026. We will be re-fighting the epic Battle of Cunaxa in 401 BC where Cyrus The Younger, aided by a band of 10,000 mercenary Greek Hoplites, sought to overthrow his brother Artaxerxes II for the throne of Persia.

The day will run from 9am (with the hall available to set up from 8am) to 5pm and will consist of an opening presentation by renowned historian and veteran wargamer Duncan Head, followed by a full day of wargames to refight the battle itself. A wide variety of rules sets, figure scales and even, perhaps, widely divergent interpretations of the historical sources will be on display. Games are laid on by attendees, and participants can either volunteer to run a game, or turn up and find a free space to play. The event is open to both members and non-members, and will cost £12 per person.

For more information please email the Battle Day Coordinator: battleday@soa.org.uk or soabattleday@gmail.com

If you wish to run a game please provide the following details:

• Name of Organiser
• Wargames Rules to be used
• Figure scale
• Size of table requested. Please note space is finite, so please do not ‘overbid’!
• Names and numbers of others in your group who are planning to attend (this helps with event planning).
• Number of ‘spare’ places you anticipate having at your table for unattached players to join you.

Battle Day 2025 (Maldon 991 AD) in full swing!