Early Achaemenid Persians versus Greeks - Age of Alexander Saga Game

 

Greeks and Persians deployed

Greeks

Persians

Persian cavalry attack

On Friday afternoon Craig came over to my place and we played an early Persians versus Greeks, Age of Alexander Saga game. Both sides were six points with the usual Clash of Warlords scenario. The Persian cavalry attacked early in the game but retreated lucky to survive. The Bactrian cavalry then shot at the hearthguard Greek hoplites but ended up retreating below half strength. The Greek line of battle proved to be effective but the Persian infantry survived repeated Greek attacks and with One Volley After Another shooting attacks evened up the contest. In the end it was a 15-15 draw, fun to get the troops out and play our first Age of Alexander Saga game.

Persian cavalry retreat

Bactrian cavalry shoot

Bactrians retreat

Persian infantry survive the Greek attacks

Game ends in a 15-15 draw

Early Achaemenid Persian Cavalry

 

 

Here are some Early Achaemenid Persian cavalry that I've just finished painting. The figures are by Warlord Games and the banner is Victrix. Only the commander is armed with a gorytos (bow case), so I'll probably use them for both early and late Persian armies. I have some of the Victrix Persian Armoured Cavalry to do and will make them early Persian cavalry with bow cases.

East Iranian Infantry

 

Here are some East Iranian infantry for my Early Persian army that I've finally finished painting. This unit is based on the illustration in Duncan Head's The Achaemenid Persian Army book. They are all Newline Designs figures. Painting the banding on the tunics and trousers of these was very time consuming and fiddly, to say the least, I'm glad I've finally finished! However it is all good practice as I'm working on some Immortals in campaign dress which will be even difficult. I find at best all I can do is an approximation of the tunic and trouser designs at this scale, it does seem worth it once you've finished but is a real exercise in patience and persistence while you're painting and hard on old eyes.

Early Achaemenid Persians versus Greeks Mortem et Gloriam Game

 

The armies deployed

Greek phalanx

Greek cavalry and skirmishers 

Side view of the Persians

Persian right flank and centre

Last Monday afternoon I went over to Craig's place and we played a Pacto (small) Mortem et Gloriam (MeG) game, with his Greeks taking on my Early Persians. This turned out to be a very one sided game with the Persians not putting up much resistance. The Persian cause was not assisted by poor shooting and some fairly dire dice rolling in their Kill A Base (KaB) tests which are basically morale tests. It was good fun to get the troops out and have a game with an actual opponent for a change. We used the coloured command discs rather than cards and I much prefer these, less clutter and less intrusive. I will have to put in an order to the Plastic Soldier Company and get some. Hopefully we will get in another game next week, the plan is for an Early Imperial Roman civil war game.

Persian left flank

Persians fire to no great effect

Crunch time for the Persian infantry!

Persians are about to break

Median Guardsmen

Here is my first unit from the new Wargames Atlantic plastic Persian Infantry set. These are Guardsmen in Median dress, based on the illustration by Richard Scollins, in Duncan Head's book The Achaemenid Persian Army. As I mentioned in my last post, I'm planning on further Early Persian units of Immortals, Kissians, Iranians and Persians/Medes.

Early Achaemenid Persian Sparabara and Archers

1st Corps Miniatures

Wargames Factory

Here are some new photos of old figures, various units of Early Achaemenid Persian Sparabara and archers. I'm really looking forward to the release of the Wargames Atlantic and Victrix Persians and already have some of the brilliant Xyston 15mm Early Persian range to paint. So many choices! The Early Persians don't usually do that well under most rule sets, but I found it interesting that both first and second place in the European Mortem et Gloriam championship were Early Persian armies.

Old Glory and Vendel Miniatures

Old Glory, Vendel and Wargames Factory

Early and Late Achaemenid Persians

Vendel Egyptian Marines

Minifig & Newline Persian Slingers

Vendel & Old Glory Persian Sparabara & Archers

Greenwood & Ball Persian Immortals

Here are some old pics of my Early and Late Achaemenid Persians that I had on my old blog Satrap Miniatures. I found them while searching through my old photos and cleaning up my hard drive. I have heaps of old photos stretching back to 2011 and earlier, so will post some of these as the clean up continues!

Hinchliffe Cardaces

Mixed bag of Persian Cavalry

Old Glory, Vendel & Tin Soldier Persian Heavy Cavalry 

Old Glory, Essex, Foundry, Newline & Tin Soldier Persian Heavy Cavalry