Version 1.0
Modified 01/20/07
Map TBD
Megalopolis 331
B.C.
(A Scenario for WAB)
By Jeff Jonas
They expected that Darius would help them and send them much money so
that they could gather great armies of mercenaries, while Alexander would not be able to
divide his forces. Diodorus Siculus
The battle of Megalopolis showed the chronic weakness of the
Greeks against the Macedonians. First they still could not unite against the common foe,
and second they could not compete with the speed of the Macedonian armies. The Greek
coalition of Athens and Thebes was beaten at Chaeronea, but if Sparta had been involved
the Greeks may have prevailed. By the summer 331 King Agis III decided that the time was
ripe to try to shake off the Macedonian yoke, but this time the Athenians wavered and
Thebes had been destroyed by Alexander. (Agis was goaded on by Persian money and a
succesful invasion of Crete where he was joined by many Greek mercenaries, survivors of
Issus). Alexander was too busy gathering his strength to fight Darius to intervene or send
reinforcements, Antigonus was fighting a scrappy Nabarzanes in Phrygia and Antipater who
was governor in charge of Macedon was currently quelling a Thracian revolt. Obviously
Persian "archers"* were trying to spread out Macedon's resources, with a three
pronged strategy, while Darius gathered a vast new host to crush Alexander.
(Persian archers is the symbol on their coinage..it was often said that these
"Persian archers" were able to accomplish more than myriads of real archers!).
Agis cajoled a number of Peloponnesian states including the Elians, Achaeans, and even the unlikely combination of Argives into attacking the newly founded city of Megalopolis. This city was founded by Epaminondas the Theban to block Spartan influence. He is reported to have raised 20,000 foot and 2000 horse, but as always after Leuctra, real Spartans were in short supply. This force was enough to knock about some Macedonian garrisons, but fell afoul of the defences at Megalopolis and the offensive stalled.
Antipater made peace with the revolting governor of Thrace, as Alexander sent back 3000 talents to raise troops. Antipater quickly gathered an army of 40,000 men and swifter than the Greeks could develop their plans he was upon them. Agis was compelled to head for the hills, but he turned and formed for battle when he reached a pass narrow enough to negate the Macedonian force's numerical advantages. Once again, as Alexander had proven when he had squashed Thebes, the Greeks were not in the same league when it came to organization, speed, and logistics. The Macedonians were once again "First with the Most".
The Scenario
The scenario is a Pitched battle.
This game can be played with 2000+ points.
The AoA lists may be used or my Macedonian and Greek lists.
Deployment:
Both sides may deploy in their designated deployment zones. The Spartan player moves
first.
Game play will last 7 turns, after the 7th turn the Macedonian will roll a D6 at the start of each turn, on a 4+ the game continues, 1-3 night falls and the game ends.
Terrain:
The brown areas are hills, they block LOS and count as obstacles. The Darker brown
areas represent rocky areas or heavy scrub, they block LOS and count as Heavy woods. (i.e.
all troops move 1/4 though them except skirmishers).
Phalanx's and Formed cavalry may not move over any rough ground (unless fleeing).
Skirmishing cavalry may not move on the rough ground, but may move at half speed on the
hills.
Special Rules:
The Greeks may only have a maximum of 7 Oracles (roll a D6 1-2= 5, 3-4= 6, 5-6= 7), if the
OOB below is used. Players do not have to use the OOB below and may choose their armies,
in which case the Macedonian player should have a 20% edge in points to balance the
Spartans position, so if the Greeks choose 2000 points the Macedonian may have 2400. Only
one Spartan Hoplite unit may be chosen and it must be the smallest phalanx in the army.
Only one Royal Guard or Shock cavalry unit may be taken for the Macedonians. If the
Macedonian player uses the AoA list with standards in his phalanxes and/or chooses an ASB
then the Greek may use Oracles as normal.
Victory:
Normal victory points are awarded.
Forces:
The Macedonian and Greek forces may be drawn from my Macedonian list or
the AoA list. A sample OOB is below
Macedonian forces:
(1) Antipater (General) @ 185.0 pts
Warhorse, Kontos; Heavy Armor; Army General
(Special rules: Antipater and the unit he is with may re-roll any failed leadership or
break test once per game, he may dismount and fight with the phalanx, counts as pike
armed)
8 Companions (Shock Cavalry) @ 255.0 pts
Leader; Musician; Standard, Kontos; Heavy Armor (combine cost of light armor and
shield)
8 Odrysians (Light Cavalry) @ 154.0 pts
Leader; Musician; Throwing Spear; Javelin; Light Troops; Skirmish
24 Veteran Phalangites @ 375.0 pts
Leader; Musician; Pike; Light Armor, Shield; Phalanx
24 Regular Phalangites @ 255.0 pts
Leader; Musician; Pike; Light Armor, Shield; Phalanx
24 Regular Phalangites @ 255.0 pts
Leader; Musician; Pike; Light Armor, Shield; Phalanx
24 Mercenary Hoplites (gk) @ 250.0 pts
Leader; Musician; Thrusting Spear; Large Shield; Phalanx
(Mercenary Hoplites FEAR the Spartan Phalanx)
24 Allied Hoplites (gk) @ 298.0 pts
Leader; Musician; Thrusting Spear; Light Armor; Large Shield; Phalanx
(Allied Hoplites FEAR the Spartan Phalanx)
*There were most likely more of these Allied and mercenaries available... to make things
interesting we will assume that rest of them are the spectators that Curtius refers to in
his history!
10 Peltasts @ 75.0 pts
Leader; Javelin; Shield; Light Troops; Skirmish
10 Agrianians (Peltasts) @ 80.0 pts
Leader; Musician; Javelin; Shield; Light Troops; Skirmish
8 Cretan Archers @ 64.0 pts
Bow, shield; Skirmishers
10 Aetolian javelinmen (Gk allies) @ 50.0 pts
javelin, shield, Skirmishers
10 Illyrian javelinmen (Mercenary Skirmishers) @ 60.0
pts
javelin, shield, Skirmishers
Total Army Cost: 2356.0
Spartan Rebel forces:
1 Agis (Spartan General) @ 182.0 pts
Thrusting Spear; Light Armor; Large Shield. Army General.
Stubborn
(Special rules: Agis must be attached to his Spartans. Both he and his
Spartans are immune to panic as long as he is alive.)
19 Spartan Hoplites @ 428.0 pts
Leader; Musician; Thrusting Spear; Large Shield; Stubborn Phalanx
(Special rule as long as Agis is with them, the Spartans are immune to panic).
24 Mercenary Hoplites (Issus Veterans) @ 298.0
pts
Leader; Musician; Thrusting Spear; Large Shield; Stubborn Phalanx
24 Elian/Achaean Hoplites @ 298.0 pts
Leader; Musician; Thrusting Spear; Light Armor; Large Shield; Phalanx
24 Arcadian Hoplites @ 298.0 pts
Leader; Musician; Thrusting Spear; Light Armor; Large Shield; Phalanx
8 Spartan/Allied Heavy Cavalry @ 176.0 pts
Leader; Musician; Thrusting Spear, Lt. armor
8 Greek Light Cavalry @ 98.0 pts
Leader; Musician; Javelin; Light Troops; Skirmish
12 Peltasts @ 89.0 pts
Leader; Javelin; Shield; Light Troops; Skirmish
10 Skirmishers@ 50.0 pts
Javelin; Shield. Skirmishers
10 Skirmishers @50.0 pts
Javelin; Shield. Skirmishers
6 Cretan Archers @ 48.0 pts
Bow, shield; Skirmishers
Total Army Cost: 2015.0
The actual battle:
Well, the outcome was rather predictable. Agis arranged his forces in the pass as best
he could. The Macedonians came on and the heavy infantry clashed with the issue going back
and forth. Neither side would budge. Somehow the Spartan allies held up the flanks, and
the skirmishes on the hills were indecisive. No mention is made of cavalry.
After a very long grinding battle, Agis went down severely wounded in the thigh and was
removed to the rear by his bodyguards. The Spartans had pushed the Macedonians back, but
out in the open were now being pushed back themselves. Because of the cramped spaces, many
more troops were spectating than fighting.
Eventually the Greeks were pressed back and their allies gave way. Agis staggered to
his knees and began the fight again, but he was overwhelmed by multiple sarissa
jabs. The Spartans then broke and the revolt crushed. 5300 Greeks persished
and up to 3500 Macedonians were slain. (Although Curtius only claims 1000 Macedonian dead,
but hardly any returned to camp without wounds).
Yet again a Greek force was unable to match the numbers and decisive speed of the Macedonians.
Alexander showed off some of his glaring personality problems when he referred to Antipater's victory over vaunted Sparta as a "Battle of mice". Antipater wisely turned over any decisions dealing with the vanquished to the League of Corinth to decide, so as to not look too conspicuous in victory....
I really want to hear your comments and criticisms. If you use this list for a game please give me any details you can!
Created by Jeff Jonas 02/01