Companions, Elephants, and Phalanxes - Part 1

[Chris]

Companions, Elephants, and Phalanxes - Part 1


Even though I have very little experience with To The Strongest!, it seemed only fitting that I use Mr. Simon Miller's innovative rules to stage a refight of the historical battle of Paraetacene, a contest taking place in 317 BC - in what is now Iran - between two of Alexander's successor generals. [1]

Fortunately, I did not have to stress or worry about landscaping my table top. A close reading of the narrative provided by Diodorus revealed that there were no significant terrain features on the plain where the engagement was fought. [2] Other, more accomplished wargamers who used different rules came to the same conclusion. [3] As a result, I could focus my amateur historical wargaming skills on developing and drafting  orders of battle for the opposing armies. Being somewhat limited by the size of my table and again, being very inexperienced with the rules, I thought it would be a prudent course (a "plan of attack" if you will) to divide the battle into three smaller engagements. After reading and annotating - again - my printed copy of the translation of Diodorus' narrative and  wargamer-friendly description, I decided that I would start with the left wing of Eumenes' army and deployment.

Command 1 - the elephant and skirmisher screen
Attached anonymous general (mounted), save 2+
03 units of escorted elephants, save 6+
03 units of light infantry slingers, save 8+
03 units of light infantry with javelins, save 7+
> 14 victory points; command is demoralized with loss of 7 victory points

Command  2 - the cavalry wing on the left
Eudamus, detached general (mounted) save 2+
01 small unit of veteran cavalry to represent the squadron of Eudamus, armed with lances, save 7+; 2 heroes attached to this unit to represent the "two troops of selected mounted lancers" referenced by Diodorus.
03 regular-sized units of cavalry armed with javelins, save 7+; these units are commanded by Stasander, an attached general (mounted), save 2+
02 regular-sized units of Mesopotamian cavalry armed with javelins and bows, save 8+; these units were led by one  Amphimachus, an attached general (mounted), save 2+
02 units of Arachosian light cavalry armed with javelins, save 8+; Cephalon was the attached general in charge of this contingent. He was a mounted general with a save value of 2+.
02 units of light cavalry representing the troopers from Paropanisadae - armed with javelins, save 8+
02 units of light cavalry representing the Thracian squadrons - armed with javelins, save 8+
> 25 victory points; command is demoralized with loss of 13 victory points

Taking these two commands as a small army (a third of the overall force present), the victory point total was determined to be 39 (25 + 14), so this portion of the Eumenes' army would run away when 13 victory medals had been taken by the enemy. (39 divided by 3 = 13, no rounding necessary.)

On the opposite side of this sector of the miniature battlefield, I fabricated the following forces for Antigonus.

Command A - the elephant and skirmisher screen
Attached anonymous general (mounted), save 2+
02 units of escorted elephants, save 6+
01 units of light infantry slingers, save 8+
02 units of light infantry with javelins, save 7+
> 11 victory points; command is demoralized with loss of 6 victory points

Command B - the cavalry wing on the right
Antigonus, attached heroic senior general (mounted), save 3+
01 regular-sized unit of veteran cavalry to represent the squadron of Antigonus, armed with lances, save 6+; 1 hero attached to this unit
01 regular-sized unit of cavalry armed with javelins to represent the troops of slaves deployed as an advanced guard as well as the reinforcing Tarentines, save 8+
03 regular-sized units of Companions armed with lances, save 7+; Demetrius (son of Antigonus) as an attached general
02 regular-sized units of cavalry armed with javelins, save 7+; these units represent the "mercenaries of mixed origin"
03 units of Thracian light cavalry armed with javelins, save 8+
02 units of Allied light cavalry armed with javelins, save 8+
> 23 victory points; command is demoralized with loss of 12 victory points

Taking these two commands as a small army (a third of the overall force present), the victory point total was determined to be 34 (23 + 11), so this portion of the Antigonus' army would run away when 11 victory medals had been taken by the enemy. (34 divided by 3 = 11.3, rounded down to 11.)

Design, Deployment, and How it Played
I set up grid squares measuring 9 centimeters on a side, and then produced "miniature" units with a universal frontage of 7 centimeters. Being very inexperienced with these rules (the point cannot be stressed enough), my troops and formations were colour cardboard counters, identified with unit type and other key information to assist me in playing the wargame. While not terribly aesthetically pleasing, this approach is functional and for me at least, financially prudent. Instead of the oft mentioned and lamented "lead mountain," I have to contend with a cache of cardboard. Anyway. Given the comparatively small size of the grid squares and given the dimensions and oft remarked "clutter effect" of playing cards, I opted to use small metal washers instead. These were purchased from a local hardware store and marked with an "A" to represent the dreaded Ace card, or numbers 2 through 10, to represent the standard pip cards.

With regard to deployment, I followed the narrative of Diodorus when arranging my troops on the plain table. Not interested in marking my green cloths with pen spots or in trying to place grid square indicators, I simply fashioned a number of green squares out of construction paper, speciality paper, and foam sheets. These squares or tiles were then assembled in a random fashion and in about 15 minutes, I had my ancient battlefield. The actual dimensions of my field - for holding just the left wing of Eumenes' army - were 15 squares across by 13 squares deep.  The cavalry of Eudamus occupied 12 of the 15 squares and were deployed on the second square in from the longer edge. The cavalry under Antigonus and his son matched the enemy's frontage but was 3 squares in from the longer edge. There were no camps on the board. The elephant screen for Antigonus occupied 5 squares and was 2 squares forward of the cavalry (1 square of space separated the pachyderms and skirmishers from their cavalry supports), while the screen of Eudamus' wing stretched for 8 squares. A no-man's land 4 squares in depth separated the opposing lines of elephants and skirmishers. The opposing lines of cavalry were 8 squares apart.

The engagement commenced with both sides moving - or attempting to move - their screens of elephants and skirmishers forward. Arrows and slings stones were soon flying between the spread out lines but with very little effect. (If hits were scored, they were saved.) In the third turn, a unit of elephants on Eudamus' side of the field fired twice at a unit of Thracian horse and missed both times. Some nearby skirmishers joined in, throwing a volley of javelins at the light cavalry. This time, the luck of the Thracians ran out and the first victory medal of the game was awarded to Eudamus.
The next turn saw the luck of Antigonus take a turn for the worse, as the elephant and skirmisher command became demoralized. The shooting of the skirmishers and escorted elephants in Eudamus' wing was that effective. Four victory medals were won when a unit of enemy elephants was destroyed. Indicative of the poor luck Antigonus' men were having, the attached general drew a washer marked with the number 9. This meant that the commander was killed. (Perhaps crushed as an elephant collapsed and rolled after being struck by too many javelins and or arrows?) Somewhat ironically, the few remaining units in Antigonus' screen started putting up a fight in the fifth turn of the engagement. They managed to kill off an enemy unit of elephants. The general attached to this unit of pachyderms was only slightly injured, however.

While the skirmisher screens were embroiled with each other, the opposing lines of cavalry - for the most part - stayed where they were. Antigonus pushed forward the mercenaries and some Thracians on his left. He also gave orders for the "advance guard" unit on his right to move out. Some light cavalry on the right of Eudamus' position trotted off to meet the apparent threat or challenge. Hoping to turn the tide in his favor, Antigonus led his squadron and a couple of units of Companions forward. On Eudamus' right, an elephant unit was harassed by some enemy Thracian cavalry who managed to work their way around to the rear of the animals. The subsequent volley of javelins disordered the pachyderms. The wounded unit elected to keep moving so as to put some distance between themselves and the annoying Thracians. Back over on the right with Antigonus, one of his Companion units found itself targeted by an enemy unit of elephants. When the arrows did not work, a charge was ordered. For their melee draws (elephants can take another card or washer on the first charge of a battle - at least as I understand the rules), the attacking elephants secured two 10s. The Companions did not save either attack and were wiped out. Seeking revenge, Antigonus turned his squadron to attack the elephants in the flank but missed. He ordered the other Companion unit to do the same. This unit managed to disorder the enemy elephants. Luck completely abandoned Antigonus on the eighth (and what would proved the last) turn of the battle, when he drew an Ace to make another attack with his squadron against the enemy elephants. Being a general, he could draw a new activation to correct this apparent blunder. Another Ace was pulled and this ended any chance for Antigonus to move his troopers or any other unit in his cavalry force. Turning to the few units of skirmishers and one elephant stand remaining, he attempted to withdraw one of these to relative safety. The goddess of Fortune had it in for him, apparently, as a third Ace was drawn, ending his turn. Eudamus concentrated his  effort over on his distant right, making an effort to eliminate the pesky unit of Thracians. A ranging unit of light cavalry zeroed in on the enemy unit and quickly dispatched them with a volley of javelins. This loss removed the last victory medal from Antigonus' side of the field. This sector had been won, and convincingly at that, by the formations under Eudamus.

Comments
It certainly was a different kind of wargame. It felt strange not to have to use rulers and dice to measure moves and determine the outcomes of missile fire as well as of melees.  I was also somewhat surprised that I was able to finish the wargame in about 3 hours. (I played 6 turns in the early afternoon and then took a break to address some work concerns. The final turns were played after dinner that same day.

I have no doubt that mistakes were made - both in terms of tactics employed and in interpretation of the rules. Even so, I do not feel that the rule errors favored one side or the other. I do not believe that my inexperience gave a distinct advantage to one side.

In the perspective afforded by less than 24 hours, I still find it interesting or unusual that this segment of the larger battle was decided by the smaller contest between the skirmisher screens. While elements from each cavalry command did become involved, their participation was very much secondary to the decision ultimately reached on the miniature field of battle.

I was also struck by the irony of the reconstruction. According to Diodorus, "Antigonus had "thrust forward the right wing, in which he had the most confidence . . ." (XIX. 29.7), and had "drawn up the strongest thirty of the elephants" on this flank or wing. (XIX.29.6) As things played out on my table top, this confidence appears to have been misplaced. As to the elephants, well . . . perhaps I should have crafted a special rule of some sort to reflect their strength. The irony is also historical, for according to the ancient narrative, even though his right wing was pushed forward, the actual battle apparently started on his held-in-reserve left, when the horse archers under Pithon started playing "cat and mouse" with the enemy elephants. (XIX.30.2-3)

In brief summary, and again, admitting that mistakes were certainly made, I thought this first portion of my attempt to refight Paraetacene went rather well. As time permits, I will put together, play, and post the report of the contest between the opposing phalanxes.




Notes
[1] An description/introduction to the rules reads:

"When he (Alexander), at length, despaired of life, he took off his ring and handed it to Perdiccas.  His friends asked: "To whom do you leave the kingdom?" and he replied: "To the strongest!"      Diodorus Siculus, the Library of History

To the Strongest! is a set of simple rules for Ancient and Medieval tabletop wargaming.  It enables a battle to be fought with model soldiers on a dining room table and won or lost in less than two hours. But the rules also support huge battles, with several thousand figures and up to five players a side.

See http://bigredbatshop.co.uk/pages/about-to-the-strongest.

[2] See http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Diodorus_Siculus/19B*.html, specifically Chapters 27 through 30.

[3] See Mr. Stephen Phenow's Armati scenario at https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ARMATI/conversations/messages/34858. See Mr. Backhouse's Hail Caesar "report" at https://processwire-karwansaraypubli.netdna-ssl.com/assets/files/2761/paraetacene.pdf.

[Prufrock]

Nice report, Chris. Most enjoyable to read.

[Patrick Waterson]

Also interesting to note how the elephant 'skirmishes' replaced conventional skirmishing by just light infantry: one wonders how far this was a feature of full-blooded Hellenistic warfare.  I am not so sure an Antigonus in his right mind would have ordered Companions to charge elephants: better if possible to go looking for some enemy cavalry and vandalise them.  I suppose having seen his elephant right collapse he felt he had to do something ... and this was something!

Eumenes seems to have been a cunning one, keeping several aces up his sleeve.

Good battle, Chris.

[Chris]

Thanks for taking the time to read and reply, Gents.

A post-partial game analysis reveals that several rule errors were made - as admitted.

Have considered staging a do-over but have prepared for the phalanx contest and am rather eager to get that started.

It would be interesting to refight the entire battle, but I haven't the space to do that with TTS!

Point taken Patrick about the significant lapse in judgement with regard to facing off against the elephants.

Thanks again for reading.

Chris