Battle of Hormuz 226 AD - Command & Colors Medieval Game

 

Sassanids and Parthians deployed on the plain of
Hormuz between the Bebahan and Shuster Rivers

View from the Parthian side

Parthian left flank

Parthian centre

Parthian right flank

Sassanid left flank

Sassanid infantry and cataphracts in the centre

Sassanid left flank

Last Thursday afternoon Rick, Garry and Craig came over and we played a Command & Colors Medieval game (CCM) out in the shed. The scenario was the Battle of Hormuz 226 AD with the Sassanids under Ardashir I revolting against their Parthian overlords under Artabanus IV. We diced for sides, Craig and I were the Sassanids, Rick and Garry the Parthians. The Sassanids had six command cards, the Parthians only had five but moved first. Both sides started with three Inspired Action tokens. 

The Parthians played a Move Fire Move card, followed by Darken the Sky. The horse archers with their Parthian shot proved to be very effective. The Parthian forced some costly Sassanid retreats to have the lead early in the game. The Sassanids returned fire and managed to claw back the Parthian advantage making the game level pegging. They then launched a make or break Mounted Charge to try and finish the game but the Parthians prevailed 7-5, killing Ardashir I in the final turn.

Parthian horse archers 'Darken the Sky'

Horse archers with their Parthian shot were very effective

Artabanus IV with his cataphracts

Sassanids suffer some costly retreats

Sassanids return fire

Game is level pegging

Sassanids launch a Mounted Charge

Parthians prevail 7-5 victory banners