01/20/07
Scenarios and Historical battles:
Lion of Chaeronea by permission from:
http://www.richmond.edu/academics/a&s/classics/photos/photodb/lg_1_28.jpg
Chaeronea the decisive battle
Repulsed at Perinthus and Byzantium, Philip launched punitive raids against the Thracians, Skythians, and other Balkan tribes. He gathered his strength and prepared for a campaign against Greece itself as the Athenians and their allies were the only force stopping his ambitions in the Balkans and the Chersonese. He needed these areas to secure as a "bridgehead" against Persia who he also planned to invade as head of a Hellenic "Crusade" to punish the Persian empire.
By 339 B.C. he gained an excuse to
intervene in Greece when he was yet again asked for help dealing with problems with
another "Sacred War" over Delphi. Philip surprised the Greeks instead and
immediately rushed and took the gates at Thermopylae. Athens was unprepared for this
aggression, but Demosthenes and the "War Party" organized an hasty
alliance with their old enemy Thebes. The Spartans refused to join in, and Philip
wasn't forced to face the combined might of all Greece. Both sides dug in for the winter,
although the Athenians were exasperated by Philip's continuing policy of launching raids
and actions during this normally "mutually agreed" time out from warfare..at
least amongst the Greeks!
In the Spring of 338 B.C. the armies gathered at Chaeronea in Boeotia. Philip had mustered
a very large force of Hypaspists, Phalangites, Cavalry and mercenaries. The Greeks
mustered an equal force of Hoplites and mercenaries, but woefully few cavalry (as usual in
Greek armies), and were commanded by the Athenian General Chares. The Chares deployed his
army across a plain with his left flank covered by the Acropolis of Chaeronea and the
right flank rested on marshy ground along the banks of the river Cephissus. His deployment
was calculated to create a solid Hoplite shield wall which would negate the
Macedonian cavalry advantage. The Theban allies were on his right flank, and the Theban
Sacred band of 300 anchored their wing near the river. Athenians, Euboeans, and
Corinthian forces held the left wing, but the Athenian Hoplites were mostly
"green" troops. Megarans, Mercenaries, and Hoplites from Leucas and
Corcyra held the center. The Greek alliance was able to raise a force of light troops
also. It is unclear if they had any cavalry...but if they did these may have been
deployed behind the phalanx and are not mentioned as intervening in the battle.
Philip mustered the whole might of Macedon's strength in infantry for this battle. Up to 24,000 Phalangites held the center while Philip and his 3000 Hypaspists Guards formed the right wing. The left flank was held by light cavalry. His son, eighteen year old Alexander, commanded the Companions which were held back behind the battle line in reserve, or hidden in some light woods. Philip's light infantry guarded the flanks and engaged their Greek equivalents.
Armies:
Chaeronea was a large battle and as such is best played as a "club" game
with multiple players per side..5-6000 points is possible...and a 12 x 6 foot table works
well. However, players may attempt a normal sized WAB game with 2-3000 points also using
the guidelines below.
The Macedonians must have Philip as their General, (Prince Alexander must be
included if using my alternate list). Otherwise you may take Alexander as the Army
battle Standard, one Wing Commander may also be included if using my alternate list). The
army list is modified as follows:
A maximum of 3 cavalry regiments may be taken, at least one regiment must be the Royal
Squadron with Alexander at its' head. At least 50% of the army must be Hypaspists and
Phalangites. Phalangites may not be heavy armored. No Hoplites or Mercenary Hoplites may
be taken. No war machines are allowed.
Special rules:
Up to two Veteran Phalanx may designated as Hypaspists.
The Greek Alliance must split their army into three wings of equal points, after
deducting up to 20% for Lt. Infantry, Skirmishers, 0-1 Greek cavalry, and 0-1 Theban
Cavalry unit (maximum size for any cavalry unit is ten models). All the cavalry enters the
table on turn 1 from the center.
The wings are labeled:
Athenian, Allied, Theban
The Athenian wing contains their General, Stratocles, on foot with an Athenian
Hoplite unit. He may be armored in Light armor, all Hoplites must be light armored
or no armor. The Athenian and Allied wing may be comprised of 32 figure Hoplite units
instead of 24 at the player's discretion.
Each wing may be composed only of Hoplites. The Thebans must take one unit of Sacred Band
Hoplites, this unit may not exceed twenty models. No Spartans are allowed (see
variant rules below).
Special Rules:
The Athenians were green troops but were highly motivated by the prescence of
Demosthenes and outraged by Philip's transgressions, but when things went bad they
skeedaddled. Athenian Hoplites count as 'confident' and will FBIGO when they
fail their first panic or break test, after that however they count as 'edgy' and must
take all panic and break tests on 3D6. Athenian Hoplites must always
pursue enemies that flee or FBIGO from combat.
Scenery:
The left of the Greek Alliance rose up hill to the Acropolis of Chaeronea, their right
flank rested on the marshy ground next to the river. The following diagram details
the set-up areas. The extra 9" on either side of the normal deployment zones
may only be used by skirmishing infantry.
Hills, Rocks and Marsh count as obstacles for all Hoplites and Phalanxes. Cavalry may not enter Hills or Marsh. Skirmishing cavalry counts Hills, Rocks and Marsh as rough going and must pay double movement costs for such terrain, and may not double move.
Woods count as very light, and do not affect movement for any troops..however they obstruct Line of Sight, and remove all formation/rank bonuses as normal. The Acropolis counts as hard cover and is treated like any building. Rocks are hard cover. The Dry stream beds had little impact on the battle and are included for visual appeal. The marsh however does come into play and begins at mid table and angles 30 degrees toward the Greek side until it ends 12" in from the table edge.
Deployment:
Deployment is normal as per the pitched battle rules, however all the units belonging
to one Greek wing must be deployed within 2" of another unit of their own wing.
The Macedonian Royal Squadron may deploy in the wood, or these Cavalry may be
held off table and must enter anywhere on the edge on turn two...they may not charge the
turn they are placed. All Light Infantry, skirmishers, and cavalry must be deployed after
all Hypaspists/Phalanx's of both side's have been placed. Only Greek skirmishers may be
deployed in the areas marked above.
Turns:
The game lasts for 7 turns or one side is broken. After turn 7 roll at start of each
turn... even the game continues, odd the game ends.
Who goes first:
The side that rolls highest on D6 takes the first move... the side that finishes
deployment first gains a +1 to this Die roll.
Variants:
As an option Spartans may be substituted for Thebans, however no Sacred Band or Theban
cavalry troops are allowed. Some keen observers have noted recently that the sources
for this battle are as unreliable as ever and most reconstructions are based only on
"modern speculation"...therefore if the player wishes to recreate this view then
change the following:
Alexander may fight on foot as an independent character.
Victory:
Philip wins if the Greek army is broken. The Greeks win if the Macedonians are broken.
Any other result is a draw.
Sample Army Lists:
The following are some sample OOB for this battle set at (* points) for play on a 9' x 4' table.
Chaeronea Greek Coalition Ancient Greek Army
Athenian wing:
1 Stratocles (Polemarch) (Chares was inept, so he hardly counts!!)
Thrusting Spear; Light Armor; Large Shield; Polemarch (Must be attached to an Athenian
Hoplite regiment, counts as the General for all Athenian wing troops) (Stratocles was
killed as he impetuously charged the Macedonian right wing)
24 Athenian (Hoplites)
Leader; Musician; Thrusting Spear; Light Armor; Large Shield; Phalanx
(Special scenario rules: Green troops)
24 Athenian (Hoplites)
Leader; Musician; Thrusting Spear; Light Armor; Large Shield; Phalanx
(Special scenario rules: Green troops)
24 Athenian (Hoplites)
Leader; Musician; Thrusting Spear; Light Armor; Large Shield; Phalanx
(Special scenario rules: Green troops)
24 Corinth/Euboea (Hoplites)
Leader; Musician; Thrusting Spear; Light Armor; Large Shield; Phalanx
12 Peltasts
Leader; Musician; Javelin; Shield; Light Troops; Skirmish
12 Skirmishers
Sling; Skirmish
Allies wing:
1 Chares (Army General)
Thrusting Spear; Light Armor; Large Shield; Army General
May ride a horse (free) movement increased to 8 may have Heavy armor, Thrusting Spear
(Chares was inept, but he counts as the General for Allies wing troops.. nonetheless. He
ran away after the disaster and eventually joined the Persian cause)
24 Megarans (Hoplites)
Leader; Musician; Thrusting Spear; Light Armor; Large Shield; Phalanx
24 Veteran Mercenaries (Hoplites)
Leader; Musician; Thrusting Spear; Large Shield; Phalanx
24 Mercenaries (Hoplites)
Leader; Musician; Thrusting Spear; Large Shield; Phalanx
24 Leucas/Corcyra (Hoplites)
Leader; Musician; Thrusting Spear; Large Shield; Phalanx
12 Skirmishers
Leader; Javelin; Shield; Skirmish
8 Thebes Heavy Cavalry
Leader; Musician; thrusting spear; Light Armor
8 Greek Heavy Cavalry
Leader; Musician; thrusting spears; Light Armor
8 Athenian Light Cavalry
Leader; Musician; javelins
Theban wing:
1 Theagenes Theban Boeotarch (Polemarch)
Thrusting Spear; Heavy Armor; Large Shield; Polemarch (Counts as General of the Theban
wing troops)
(Theagenes was killed, his daughter was spared during the sack of Thebes because of his
heroic behavior remembered by Alexander)
24 Boeotians (Hoplites)
Leader; Musician; Thrusting Spear; Large Shield; Phalanx
36 Thebans (Hoplites)
Leader; Musician; Thrusting Spear; Light Armor; Large Shield; Theban Phalanx
20 Sacred Band (Hoplites)
Leader; Musician; Thrusting Spear; Large Shield; Sacred Band; Elite Phalanx
12 Peltasts
Leader; Musician; Javelin; Shield; Light Troops; Skirmish
12 Skirmishers
Leader; Javelin; Shield; Skirmish
12 Skirmishers
Shortbow; Skirmish
Total Army Cost: -
Chaeronea Macedonian - Early Macedonian Army
1 Philip (General)
Pike; Light Armor; Shield; Army General (see Philip's special rules)
1 Antiochos (Taxiarch)
Heavy Armor; Sub-General
1 Antipater (Army Battle Standard)
Light Armor; Shield; Warhorse; Battle Standard
1 Prince Alexander (Strategos)
Heavy Armor; Kontos; Warhorse; (Counts as Strategos, Sub-General)
20 Agema Hypaspists
Leader; Standard; Musician; Pike; Light Armor; Shield; Elite Phalanx; Stubborn
20 Hypaspists
Leader; Standard; Musician; Pike; Light Armor; Shield; Elite Phalanx; Stubborn
24 Regular Phalanx
Leader; Standard; Musician; Pike; Light Armor; Shield; Veteran Phalanx
24 Regular Phalanx
Leader; Standard; Musician; Pike; Light Armor; Shield; Veteran Phalanx
24 Regular Phalanx
Leader; Standard; Musician; Pike; Light Armor; Shield; Veteran Phalanx
24 Regular Phalanx
Leader; Standard; Musician; Pike; Light Armor; Shield; Veteran Phalanx
24 Regular Phalanx
Leader; Standard; Musician; Pike; Light Armor; Shield; Veteran Phalanx
24 Regular Phalanx
Leader; Standard; Musician; Pike; Light Armor; Shield; Veteran Phalanx
24 Regular Phalanx
Leader; Standard; Musician; Pike; Light Armor; Shield; Phalanx
24 Regular Phalanx
Leader; Standard; Musician; Pike; Light Armor; Shield; Veteran Phalanx
9 Companions (Royal Guard Cavalry)
Leader; Standard; Musician; Kontos; Light Armor; Wedge Formation; Stubborn
9 Companions (Shock Cavalry)
Leader; Standard; Musician; Kontos; Light Armor; Wedge Formation
8 Paeonians (Light Cavalry)
Leader; Musician; Throwing Spear; Javelin; Light Troops; Skirmish
8 Thracians (Light Cavalry)
Leader; Musician; Javelin; Light Troops; Skirmish
12 Odrysians (Mercenary Skirmishers)
Leader; Javelin; Shield; Skirmish
12 Cretans (Mercenary Skirmishers)
Bow; shield, Skirmish
12 Agrianians (Peltasts)
Leader; Standard; Musician; Javelin; Shield; Light Troops; Skirmish
12 Javelinment (Mercenary Skirmishers)
Leader; Javelin; Shield; Skirmish
12 Macedonian archers (Mercenary Skirmishers)
Bow; shield, Skirmish
12 Thracians (Barbarian Allies)
Leader; Javelin; Shield; Skirmish
Total Army Cost: -
The Battle's outcome:
Philip advanced his battle line up to within shouting distance of the Greek Armies. His
skirmishers pushed the Greek skirmishers into the the hills near Chaeronea, on his far
left the Greek light troops were pushed back into the marshes. Alexander and the Royal
Squadron were hidden in woods behind the phalanx out of view of the enemy. Philip advanced
his line Obliquely to the right refusing his left wing from the Thebans. The Greeks stuck
to their plan of keeping both flanks hinged on the rough ground an advanced slowly,
keeping good order. Philip at the head of the Hypaspists rushed forward towards the
Athenians and halted, when the Athenians came in range they charged. But the Hypaspists
and Philip turned about face and fled back towards high ground. The Athenian Polemarch
Stratocles urged on his troops and the Athenian wing pursued pell mell after the
Hypapsists.
The Greek Allies in the center attempted to cover the Athenian right flank and surged
forward also. The Thebans refused to budge from the river bank and a gap opened
between them and their center.
Philip halted the "feigned flight" of the Hypaspists and they turned, locked
shields and charged the disordered Athenians. With a crash of Pikes and Spears on shields
the Athenians exhuberant advance was stopped cold and they were pushed down the slope.
The Macedonian phalanx engaged the Greek center and surged through the gap and began to
engage the Allied open right flank. Other Macedonian phalanx regiments and light cavalry
pinned the Thebans in place. Suddenly, out of the swirling dust Alexander's Companions
charged through the gaping hole in the enemy line. The Theban Cavalry ran or were
overthrown and Alexander wheeled his horsemen left towards the river bank.
The Macedonians were pressing the Athenians hard to the front and the Allies's right flank
was being "rolled up" by more Macedonian phalanx's. Eventually the Greek Allies
and the Athenians dissolved into rout.
The Theban battleline was now being "rolled up" from it's open left flank. Soon
the all the Thebans gave way except for the Sacred Band who stood fast. When the
Sacred Band was engaged by the phalanx frontally, Alexander launched his cavalry at their
rear, as other cavalry hit their flanks. The Thebans were annihilated, all but 46 were
killed. Alexander, in thick of the fight, was unhorsed and was thought killed until
he was found by his father after the battle. The Macedonians called off their pursuit
early, and allowed the routing masses of Greeks to escape through the Kerauna pass to
their rear, otherwise the Greek army could have been annihilated. Even the great orator
Demosthenes was unceremoniously captured, his tunic stuck to bushes, he begged for
mercy. Philip knew he needed these enemies as allies soon enough so he let most of
them escape.
Philip had decisively defeated the Athenian coalition and became
Hegemon of all Greece except Sparta. The Greeks would never completely be free of
the Macedonian yoke thereafter.
The 254 bodies of the Theban Sacred Band were buried in a mound where they fell, and
Philip erected the large Lion Monument (below) to mark the spot where he gained control of
Greece.
Philip was assassinated before he could launch the full Hellenic Crusade vs. Persia, it was left to his son Alexander to carry on his ambitions.
Historicon 2001 Macedonian Challenge
Read a
Battle report written about this scenario!
Sources: Alexander's Role: Plutarch