Epic Command & Colors Ancients - Battle of Granicus 334 BC

 

Macedonians on the left, Persians on the right

Opposite end

Alexander and Companions, Macedonian right flank

Arsites commander on the Persian left flank

Nicanor with Hypaspists, Macedonian centre

Parmenion & Thessalian cavalry, Macedonian right flank

Rheomithres commander Persian right flank

Mithridates commander Persian centre

On Wednesday afternoon Garry came over to my place and we played an Epic Command and Colors Ancients game out in the shed. The scenario was the Battle of Granicus. Garry commanded the Macedonians, who had an eight card hand and moved first. I commanded the Persians, who had a six card hand and moved second. The Macedonians got off to a flying start, attacking on their left flank and on the right with the Prodromoi, Paeonians and Agrianians. 

Casualties quickly mounted for the Persian cavalry and they played a double time card to get the Greek mercenary hoplites up to contest the river crossing. The Macedonians responded with a line command card to bring the pike into action. The Greek mercenaries fought back but it was too little, too late and the Macedonians won easily 8-3 victory points.

Macedonians attack on their left flank

Prodromoi, Paeonians & Agrianians attack on the right

Persians counterattack

Alexander & Companions force their way across the river

Side view of the action

Persians play a double time card with
Greek mercenaries in the centre

Macedonians play a line command card and
the pike advance into action

Greek mercenaries contest the river crossing
but it is too little, too late!

Macedonians win easily 8-3 victory points

Indians versus Late Achaemenid Persians Mortem et Gloriam Game

 

Indians on the left, Persians on the right

Opposite end of the table

Persian cavalry and Greek hoplites

Indian right flank

Darius, Persian cavalry and Kardakes

Indian left flank advances

On Wednesday afternoon Garry and Craig came over to my place and we played a Pacto sized Mortem et Gloriam (MeG) game out in the shed. Craig and I commanded the Indians, while Garry commanded the Late Achaemenid Persians. The Indian left flank got off to a bad start with the four horse chariots and elephants charging Greek hoplites, only to be routed in the same turn. After some desultory shooting by the Indians in the centre, the Persians closed in combat. The Indians tried the same tactic on the right flank but the Persian cavalry ran away. At this point we ran out of time but with both sides committed in combat, the Persians definitely had the upper hand.

Armies close

Indian chariots and elephants charge Greek hoplites

Indian chariots and elephants are broken

Indians shoot in the centre

Indian chariots and elephants charge

Persian cavalry run away

Final turn the Persians have the advantage

Darius III King of Kings

 

Darius III and the Ishtar Gate

Today there's a guest post by Garry with his Battle Standard Miniatures, Darius III, King of Kings. The photo at the top shows him with some Casting Room Miniatures Guard Persian cavalry for comparison. We've got a Late Achaemenid Persian versus Indian Pacto MeG game lined up and no doubt Darius will be making an appearance. It will also be a chance to use my Kardakes that I painted up earlier in the year in their first game (see photo at the bottom of the post). 

The MeG Late Persian lists looks quite strong, lots of good cavalry and mercenary Greek hoplite infantry, I don't think the Indians will give them too much trouble.The Kardakes are rated as poor troops which seems a bit harsh, when Takabara peltasts and crescent shielded spearmen are rated average (there's a minus one modifier in combat for troops with a lower rating). They still have Long Spear, Shield Cover and Shove and can be in bases of three for Pacto which actually makes them quite resilient. Anyway it should be a fun game and interesting to see what happens.

Persian Kardakes

 

Here's a unit of Persian Kardakes that I've just finished painting. These all Victrix figures and transfers from the recently released Persian Unarmoured Spearmen. Combined with the Persian Unarmoured Archers these are really versatile and can be used to make early Persian unarmoured sparabara and archers, Kardakes like these for a late Persian army, as well as takabara peltasts and slingers. Options only increase with the most recent Victrix releases, Persian Armoured Archers and Persian Armoured Spearmen. I can't wait for the cavalry!

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