Tag Archives: ancient greece

August 2nd 338BC Battle of Chaeronea Wargame Scenario

Before Alexander the Great took the ancient world. The Macedonian empire was already beginning to expand. Alexander’s predecessor, Philip II, grew to dominate ancient Greece. In one of his final battles, Philip faced off against an alliance of Athens and Thebes for the freedom of Greece.

The battle was decisive; the forces of Thebes and Athens were destroyed, and the war came to an end.

Macedonia
Philip II
30,000 Infantry
2,000 Cavalry

Athens/Thebes
Demosthenes
35,000 Infantry

Wargame
The Game is simple: use DBMM or another similarly balanced wargame. For the game, Alexander should take charge of the left flank with all of his companions deployed there, and Philip should have the right.

I built the Greeks with two principal commanders, one for each wing, as they had historically. The Athenians should take up the left, while the Thebans should take up the right.

DMBB Book 2 Alexandrian Macedonian400
C-in-C RegKn(F) (Philip)31
Sub-General RegKn(F) (Alexander)31
Companions RegKn(F) x666
Prodromoi RegLH(O) x210
Thracians IrrLM(O) x210
Pezetairoi RegPk (O) x40160
Pezetairoi W/ Javelines Reg Ax (O) x1248
Greek Allie Hoplites Reg Sp (I) x728
Greek Peltasts Reg Ax (O) x416
DBMM Book 2 Later Hoplite Greek400
Theban Reg Sp (S) 27
Athenian Reg Sp (O) 25
Hoplites IrrSp(O) x 70280
Javelinmen IrrPs (I) x3030
Slingers IrrPs(O) x510
Sacred Band RegSp(S) x428

Use the DBMM rules for terrain; however, the left flank of the Macedonians should have a river.

July 4th 362 BC Battle of Mantinea Wargame Scenario

The battle of Mantinea in 362 BC was fought between two rival Greek city-states. Thebes and Sparta. While Sparta and Athens are the best-known city-states in ancient Greece. Thebes was renowned for its rich culture and esteemed educational institutions. It was located in the plains and had many agricultural exports.

Thebes was no slouch militarily either. In 371 BC, 8 years before our battle. Thebes defeated a Spartan army at the Battle of Leuctra.

The Battle of Mantinea was part of a larger civil war between the Thebans, led by the Boeotian League, and Sparta and Athens, which were aligned against their growing power. Thebes allied with the Spartans during the Peloponnesian War of 431 BC, which caused resentment in Athens. During the battle, the Spartans were able to slay the leader of Thebes. Although Thebes won the battle, they were unable to capitalize on their victory and achieve greater success due to the death of their leader.

Order of Battle
Thebes, commanded by Epaminodas
30,000 infantry
3,000 Cavalry

Sparta, commanded by Agesilaus II
20,000 Hoplites
2,000 Cavalry

Wargame Rules: Hail Caesar, DBMM, any other large Bronze Age battle system
2 Players
Models Needed
Two armies’ worth of hoplites and skirmishers with light cavalry. The Theban military should be about 20% larger than the Spartan army. For example, if you are playing DBMM 400, the Thebian should have 480. Historically, the famous Spartan warriors numbered only about 1,000, and that should be reflected in list building. Feel free to have many commanders and allies, as that was a common feature amongst the forces.
Terrain: The battle took place on a large flat plane flanked by two mountains.

Objectives:
The Spartans must try to kill the commanders for the Thebians. The Thebians must defend their commanders and rout the enemy.