Romans Vs Macedonians

Deployment: The romans anchor each flank with a solid line of legionaries, leaving the centre to their iberian allies. The Macedonians adopt a similar approach, with a pike block facing off against each legion and thracian mercenaries in between. In addition they have a reserve of heavy cavalry, and more horsemen ready to swing out on the left flank.


Roman Turn 1: The line advances free of the plantation encumbering their deployment area, with the  iberian javelinmen lagging behind at the camp.



Macedonian Turn 1: Seeing the might of two roman legions bearing down, the macedonian cavalry wing hesitate. Deprived of his flanking force, the hellenistic general cautiously extends his line, bringing the cavalry reserve into the centre and preparing for a long fight. 



Roman Turn 2: The romans hold one legion back to refuse their exposed flank, while the rest of the army march forwards. Both sides skirmishers dash between the lines, exchanging arrows and javelins, and jostling for an early advantage.


Macedonian Turn 2: Mirroring the roman dispositions, the macedonians refuse their right flank. The cavalry and thracians surge forwards in the centre, daring the impetuous scutarii to break formation and charge. 


Roman Turn 3: The iberians are no cowards, and hurl themselves into the centre of the macedonian line, leaving the legionaries on the flanks behind.           
        

Macedonian Turn 3: With their comrades now in jeopardy the cavalry wing finally act, cantering forwards in column to flank the roman line. Though the centre is holding, cutting down the barbarians is proving a far closer fight than the macedonian strategos would like, and he personally pulls back a unit of companions as they waver against the legionaries.


Roman Turn 4: The proud roman cavalry face down the macedonian flanking force, whilst the legionaries plunge onwards into the phalanx. Their opening hail of javelins makes little impression, leaving the two lines locked in for a long and hard fight. 

                                                                                                                                                                      
Macedonian Turn 4: The macedonian cavalry commander orders the majority of his force to chase off the roman horseman, whilst he redeems his earlier hesitation by leading the charge against the legionaries. A unit of hastati is shattered and the whole roman flank begins to fold.


Roman Turn 5: Emboldened by the legions committed on their flanks, the iberians fight like men possessed. Against the odds they carve their way through the macedonian centre, scattering the thracians and heavy cavalry facing them.


Macedonian Turn 5: Whats left of the macedonian cavalry in the centre pull back, whilst the strategos leads a detachment to secure the right flank. The phalanx on the left all but finish off their opponents, whilst those on the right hold off the roman legion arrayed against them.


Turn 6: On the right, the macedonian phalanx falters as the romans raise their shields and smash their way through the middle of the pike block. Having cannily brought his reserves to just the right spot in the line, the strategos charges with his companions into the breach. The legions exultation turns to panic and it is their turn to be slaughtered. The iberians are victorious in the centre, but are distracted away from the vulnerable macedonian camp by a taunting unit of horsemen. On the left the roman cavalry are lured from the battle by the macedonians illyrian light cavalry, and then crushed by galatian horsemen hitting them in the rear.



Roman Turn 7: The scattered iberians turn to face the macedonian left, catching the phalanx on the flank and pelting the cavalry with javelins. 



Macedonian Turn 7: As he rides along the line desperately trying to rally his men, the day slips from the macedonian generals grasp. His men smoothly react to the roman threat, countering the iberians assault, but in doing so the momentum of their own attack is dissipated. With both armies tipping over their breakpoint, the game is a draw. 


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