Macedonian vs Seleucid

Deployment: The Seleucids are defending this mountain pass with two mixed commands, each containing pikemen and cataphracts led by a brilliant general. They also have a flank march of elephants supported by thyreophoroi racing to the field. The Macedonians have a cavalry command on the left, pikemen in the center, and a mixed command of pike, cavalry and medium infantry led by their strategist on right. 



Turn 1: The Tarentine light horse race around the hill to disrupt the Seleucid line, whilst the rest of the cavalry move into the center. On the right the long columns of pike and cavalry squeeze through the gap between the forest and gulley. The Seleucid's advance carefully around the brush, pushing their cataphracts into the center. 



Turn 2: The Macedonian pikemen on the right deploy from column to line screened by their cavalry. The Thracian medium infantry advance to the edge of the woods, but dare not leave the shelter of the trees under the threatening watch of the Seleucid cataphracts. On the left the Macedonian cavalry double back around the hill, whilst the Scythian horse archers shower the Tarentines with arrows. 




Turn 3: The Seleucids race both pike blocks forward to confront their Macedonian counterparts. On the right the Elephants flank march arrives. The main body advances to threaten the rear of the enemy phalanx, but a lone unit of psiloi makes a dash for the Macedonian camp! The Macedonian drag troops away from the center to confront these new threats, with cavalry moving to intercept the elephants and medium infantry from the woods going after the psiloi. 



Macedonian Turn 4: The Pike blocks on the right crash into each other, with the Macedonians getting the better of this initial clash. The cavalry try to swirl around the flank of the oncoming elephants, but the Thracians racing to defend the camp get pelted with arrows by the Seleucid psiloi. On the left the phalanx holds position and awaits the Seleucid advance, with cavalry moving once more around the hill to secure and threaten that flank.




Seleucid Turn 4: The flank march command peels off a unit of thyreophoroi to chase away the encircling cavalry, allowing the elephants to march on to the relief of the phalanx. The psiloi shoot down yet more of the Thracians, putting the safety of the Macedonian camp into serious doubt once again. The pike clash on the right swings slightly in the Seleucids favor as their brilliant general commits to the fray, leading his men to inflict serious casualties as the Macedonian Agema.




Macedonian Turn 5: In response the Macedonian strategist rides up to rally the Agema, and the Seleucids are pushed back once again. The Thracians chase off the pesky psiloi, securing the Macedonian camp. A unit of javelin men emerge from the gully and begin to disrupt the elephants by harassing their accompanying spearmen. 



Seleucid Turn 5: As the right pike block begins to crumble, their comrades on the left charge in. But once again the initial results are unfavorable for the Seleucids. Their accompanying cataphracts do better at taking on the heavy cavalry on the flank. The elephants smash ahead and are tantalisingly close to the engaged Agema but fail to reach them this turn. They have however lost their escort, which has peeled off to deal with the javelinmen. On the far right the thyreophoroi boldly charge the cavalry, and instantly regret their lack of caution, taking heavy casualties in the open.




Macedonian Turn 6: The gods seemingly turn their favor decisively towards the Macedonians. Both brilliant Seleucid generals leading from the front are struck down in melee! The Macedonian strategist calmly rallies the Agema again who are much encouraged that the Thracians have emerged from the woods to intercept the Seleucid elephants. On the far right the cavalry finish off their thyreophoroi opponents, whilst in the center a bold unit of pikemen take on and push back the cataphracts. 





Seleucid Turn 6: On the left the cataphracts break apart the Macedonian cavalry. But on the right and in the center the whole Seleucid line crumbles and the army is driven to rout. In a solid victory, Macedonians win!
































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