Warrior Ancient and Medieval Rules

[Ed Kollmer]

Stroudwater Field:

Leonidas walked quickly at the head of his Spartiates and Lakedaminans. He stepped aside as the column came to a stop.
Philon moved up next to him.

“What say you, Leonidas”

“Since we lost the river on our flank, we will use the rough hills to cover our right flank. The extinct volcano with the small village at its base on our left will be covered by Xenophon’s Light Infantry. Fortunately, we out-scouted Lilroblis. He has placed six blocks of Hoplites across the field framed by Peltasts, one unit on our right next to the hills and the other at the foot of the volcano. That unit of Light Cav in the middle of the field between the third and fourth blocks will need to watched. He has gone heavy on our right: look, three Heavy Cav and a Light Cav forming behind the Hoplites. Lilroblis, true to form is in the center with a unit of Heavy Cav.”

After a slight pause, Leonidas motioned with his spear for his command to form up.

“My command with take the right flank. We will follow our plans from last night. Send messengers to Xenophon and Memnon to form up as planned.”

6El Lakedam1/3HI(Sparta)2/3MI,Lts,sh+Leon
6El Lakedam1/3HI(Sparta)2/3MI,Lts,sh
4El Spanish RegC,LMI,HTW,Jls,sh @16
4El Peltasts RegC,LMI,Lts,Jls,sh @20
8El Allied Hoplites,Reg C, MI, Lts,sh @16
6El Javelinmen,RegC,LI, Jls,sh @8
6El Slinger,RegC,LI, S,sh @8

8El Ex-Cyreans(10000)RegB,MI,Lts,sh+Xeno
4El Spanish RegC,LMI,HTW,Jls,sh @16
4El Peltasts RegC,LMI,Lts,Jls,sh @20
6El Javelinmen,RegC,LI, Jls,sh @8
8El Thespian Hoplites,Reg C, MI, Lts,sh @16
2El Greek LC, RegC, Jls @12

2El Memnon+1El HC, RegB+1El RegC, Jls
4El Greek LC, RegC, Jls @12
4El Greek LC, RegC, Jls @12

scouting Pts 41

The Peltasts moved to take the hills on the right. Next, the Spanish, and then a unit of Spartiates/Lakedamonians on their shoulder, with a column of Light Infantry on their right, then Leonidas and his Spartiate/Lakedamonian unit. Damaphades’ Allied Hoplites came next in the middle of the field. Xenophon’s Peltasts formed up next, followed by Xenophon’s Ex-Cyrean 10000, with more Spanish on Xenophon’s left. The Thespian Hoplites finished the line. A unit of Light Cav supported the Thespians between them and the volcano. A unit of Light Infantry moved around to the left of the Volcano toward the village. Memnon deployed center field with the cavalry behind the Allied Hoplites and Peltasts.

Leonidas stepped forward and waved his spear along the line. Like a giant snake, the line surged forward. Immediately, the Allied Hoplites and the Thespian charged out their Ekdromoi to chase away the Light Cav and Peltasts to their front.

Lilroblis responded decisively with a massive move with his cavalry on his left. They flowed left driving between his Peltasts, who moved into the hills to meet the Spartan Peltasts, and the first Thessalian block.

Leonidas saw the move and realized that he had to advance quickly and hope to drive through the Hoplite blocks to his front and support his right.

Meanwhile, Memnon scanned his center and remarked to his companion, “Let us try to drive between our Spanish and Xenophon, to catch Lilroblis and his Heavy Cav.” He urged his companions to the gap, followed by his Light Cav.

Xenophon’s 10000 locked shields and moved forward.

The action along the line was simultaneous. Thessalian Heavy Cav on the Spartan right charged the Spanish and the Spanish wavered. Encouraged, two Heavy Cav units plowed into the wavering Spanish and routed them.

The First Thessalian block charged the Lakedaimonian Hoplites and pinned them. With the skill of a surgeon, Lilroblis prompted his third Heavy Cav to exploit the gap, opened by the routing Spanish and flanked the pinned Lakedaimonians.

Concurrently, Memnon pierced into the gap and met the Thessalian Heavy Cav, who had anticipated his move and met at the charge. The clash was great, but Thessalian skill of horsemanship paid off. Memnon and his companions were swept back, forced to recoil and routed, followed by his Light Cav.

The 10000 was locked in combat with the fifth Thessalian Block when Calphalon next to him shouted, “Memnon is in rout!”

Xenophon whipped his head around and could just make out Memnon’s cav galloping back, followed by Thessalians. “10000, hold firm, we are flanked!”

Soon Heavy Cav moved into their flank. The 10000 Held.

Unfortunately, the Spanish were not so lucky. Being locked with the sixth Thessalian Block, they quivered and then ran. The Thespians soon realized they were alone and moved back.

Soon the fourth Thessalian Block drove into Xenophon’s Peltasts and recoiled them. Lilroblis, sensing victory, streamed forward and completed the death blow with his Heavy cav and overran the Peltasts.
Meanwhile, Leonidas faced by the second and third Thessalian blocks managed to hold on.

“Leonidas, Memnon is routing and most of Xenophon’s command is retreating, Xenophon alone is holding. We will have to fall back and cover our retreat,” exclaimed Philon.

Leonidas bloodied by the pressure of facing two Thessalian blocks, quickly saw their fate.

“Contact Xenophon and together we will cover our retreat,” lamented Leonidas.

Cautiously, Leonidas and Xenophon broke contact and retreated back to the coast, gathering up their wounded and stragglers as they retreated.

The day was disastrous for the Spartans.