GREAT BATTLES MODULE

Alexander the Great in , 319-318 B.C. BY RICHARD BERG

Aware of this simmering pot of political In 323 BC, in Babylon, died, problems, Alexander plans accordingly. thereby ending whatever further plans the Allowing Agathocles to live out one of young king's restless muse had engendered. his tyrantial fantasies, he directs the Speculation thereupon has continued ever since, Syracusans, together with the army of another powerful Siceliot state, Acragas, and one of the joys of simulation gaming is that to attack the across the Straits we often get a chance to work out some of those of Messana as a diversion, while he, and possibilities. So, let us assume that Alex survived his army, lands at , just west of Tarentum, in the spring of 319 the rigors of a Persian lifestyle and went BC The Tarentines, as ever, employ the westward, as historians have stated he would do. cloak of neutrality, waiting to see what will happen. They have heard of It is 322 BC. Alexander finalizes his plans to conquer North Alexander's conquests, and they agree that his interests lie more with the Africa first, plans which included the amassing of a huge galley Greeks than the Romans, but the traders fleet. With this fleet clearing the Mediterranean west of Egypt of Tarentum are cautious to a fault. and , he leaves his base at and heads down In Rome, where the Senate is busy the coast, in 321 BC, quickly gobbling up the Libyan tribes on making plans for renewal of the Samnite the borders of Egypt. War, the news of Alexander's landing is greeted as less of a threat and more of He now faces the growing trading In typical fashion, now, Alexander folds an annoyance. The Greeks in Italy have power of the Mediterranean, the city- into his ever-growing empire always been troublesome, and the state of Carthage. Carthage has been and sails to to seal his alliance ruling classes agree that, when the waging a seemingly endless war with with the Greek-oriented Syracusans. He Samnites are despatched, something the Greek colonies, and mostly the does this by allowing them a large will have to be done to quell the power powerful city-state of Syracuse, for measure of self-control and "reinforc- of the Greek colonies. As the Samnites control of Sicily. Carthage, not unaware ing" their army with a garrison of 5000 appear to be quiescent for the time of Alexander, had even threatened to of his Greek-ally . He then being, the Senate votes to send a send aid to her sister-city of Tyre during spends the winter planning his invasion reinforced consular army, under Consul Alexander's siege of that Phoenician of Italy. L. Papirius Cursor, south to put a quick stronghold. Likewise, however, end to the invasion. Several of the His timing is extremely propitious, as Alexander becomes aware that the Senators remind Papirius that this is the political situation in Syracuse has just Italy is in turmoil. The growing military army of the "Greek" who just recently changed. While previous Syracusan power of the city-state of Rome is being destroyed the Persian Empire. Papirius, regimes were attempting to seek some tested by her Samnite neighbors, with however, assures them that the Roman common ground with Carthage, power the other tribes waiting around to see military system, unlike that of any in the is now in the hands of a military which way the wind will blow. Despite known world, will soon make short dictator, the , Agathocles. a stunning defeat by the Samnites at the work of the invaders. After all, it is a Caudine Forks, in 321 BC, the vaunted large Roman army, the equivalent of Alexander, spotting an opportunity, Roman legions, about which Alexander three double legions ... even if more send envoys to Syracuse to conclude a is starting to hear much news, have than half of those legions are recently treaty with Agathocles, assuring the recovered and are planning to strike raised Alae Sociorum legions. And word latter's political hegemony in Syracuse back at Samnium. In the middle of all of has reached them that this Alexander, by promising him military support. this - and much to Alexander's delight - With his rear thus secured, Alexander whose army is certainly not more than his spies have informed him that the 20,000, is desperately trying to raise begins a protracted, but not overly very Greek - and powerful - trading difficult, year-long land campaign, support from the locals, with little city of Tarentum has sent envoys to both success. helped by a massive naval victory by sides demanding they desist from his admiral, Nearchus, off Utica. Finally, continuing this war. Tarentum has in September, 320 BC, Alexander Papirius thus quickly heads south to declared she will side with whichever prevent Alexander from moving north. smashes a Carthaginian army, under side is attacked. one of Carthage's many Hamilcars, He intends to bar his way across the outside Tunes. river Siris, outside the city of Heraclea

Great Battles of History Module and, to that end, he reaches the western "named" Companions (see Hydaspes) too busy fending off Roman attacks on banks of the Siris just as Alexander's • Prodromoi LN: 1 their towns, while the northern tribes Macedonians are approaching, some 5 • Greek Allied LC: 1-2 are too beaten down and attached to miles to the east. Papirius, aware of their • Numidian LC (green/SPQR): 1-2 Rome to attempt to send troops so far approach, now deploys his army in • Carthaginian HC (SPQR): 6-7 south. However, Alexander does receive textbook Roman fashion, on the western • Indian Elephants (from Alex): 1-4 additional reinforcements from Syra- side of the wide, but shallow, Siris and cuse, with Agathocles, all of which waits confidently for the enemy. • Leaders: Alexander, , Craterus allow him to replace the losses incurred • MCC's: Cleander (Greek Allied HI), at The Siris. He then spends the remain- Alexander, informed of the Roman Leonatus (Indian units), Nicanor der of 319 subduing the local, Roman- army across the Siris by his prodromal (Hypaspists), Philotas (Companions). allied towns before heading north to scouts, does not intend to stand on The Macedonian Army numbers take Rome. ceremony. He will make a short, rapid approximately 23,300 men. march, screened by his new allies, his The Romans, meanwhile, are now aware Numidian Light Cavalry, and, as he The Macedonian Army may set up they have, at least, two big problems. has done so often before, make a anywhere it wishes, east of the river. The first is, of course, Alexander cross-river attack. However, no unit may be closer than himself, whose combined-arms style three hexes to the river except for Macedonian army is, at least, the equal Skirmishers, which may deploy any- of their manipular system, especially if The Battle of the Siris where on the eastern bank. Alexander can use his cavalry effectively. May 22, 319 BC The second problem is what to do about Special Rules: the Elephants. The latter brings forth a Play Note: In order to play the battles 1. The Alexander Elite Initiative Rule is host of ideas, none of which seem discussed below, you will need to have at in Effect promising, as the Romans have no your disposal Deluxe Alexander, SPQR, elephants on which to practice them. As as well the modules Pyrrhic Victory and 2. The Seeing the Elephant Rule from for cavalry, there is only one solution. Africanus, plus some Tarentine counters the Heraclea scenario in PV is in full Avoid combat in any location other than we included in C3i Nr.2), although the effect!! And see PV for terrain effects of one that will reduce the effectiveness of latter are needed only for the second battle. the Siris river. Alexander's striking force. Fortunately, this will be easier than it seems, as Map: 3. Romans must use the Triarii Doctrine virtually all roads toward Rome lead rule in SPQR II. through difficult terrain. The only Use the Heraclea map from Pyrrhic question is, which road will Alexander Victory. 4. Indian Archers do not use Slippage. take, and can the Romans react in time to take advantage of their knowledge? Deployment: 5. Romans use the SPQR Missile Chart; The Romans use all the units, and the otherwise, use the Alex Missile Chart. Actually, there is a third problem. exact deployment, given for the battle of Having won the initial battle, one of the Heraclea in Pyrrhic Victory, with the 6. There is no Personal Combat. reasons that Alexander has waited to following exceptions: resume the campaign is that his immense 1. The cavalry for the III, AS/VII and Siege Train is now just arriving from AS/XIX set up, with Drusus, in 2238-41 Victory: Africa and Sicily. The Romans, having and 2138-40. They do not start off-map. •The Romans Withdraw when they heard of Alexander's successes at Tyre, 2. For Papirius, use the Paullus consul exceed 175 RP's Gaza, Halicarnassus, etc., know that leader from SPQR. •The Macedonians Withdraw when they exceed 110 RP's simply hiding behind the walls of Rome will not do. They must defeat him, or at The Roman army numbers approxi- least cripple him, in the next battle to mately 29,000+ men. If Alexander is killed, the game is over. stop the Macedonians from taking Rome. The Macedonians have the following Dear Reader: If the Romans have won the Ready to move are two consular armies, units: Battle of The Siris, there is no need to read four double legions, under the com- • : Attalus, Meleager, on. However, if the Macedonians have mands of M. Folius Flacinator and Ptolemy, , and Philotas triumphed, continue. proconsul Q. Publilius Philo. Marching • Greek Allied HI/HO: against this army are Alexander's 1- 3 (Doubled-sized) With Papirius heading back to Rome in Macedonians, reinforced by a large • Hypasists: Agema, 1 and 2 defeat, Alexander sets about securing number of local troops. The battle will, • Mercenary (LP): 1-3 his base in the South. The Bruttians, most likely (we being unable to halt the • Mercenary Skirmisher Slingers: 1-2 subdued by Agathocles, decide to join downhill riot of hyperbole) decide the • Illyrian Skirmishers with the Greek invaders, as do the fate of Italy (and, in doing so, raising • Indian LI Archers: 1-4 Tarentines, who provide a large, but not overly promising, contingent of troops. some mighty interesting what ifs!). • Companion HC: Agema and all the The Samnites promise help, but they are

Great Battles of History Module

The Last Battle Pyrrhus), or deploy outside the camp. The Roman Player receives all the units • Trebbia from the VII, XIV, XV and XIX double Spring 318 BC • TheMetaurus legions. He gets 2 Tribunes, 2 Praefct • Munda Soc, two Prfct Eqtm, plus (for Folius Flaccinator), as Overall Commander, use The Map (We have not selected Ausculum, because the Regulus counter, and, for proconsul Here we inject a little fun into the crossing that river creates more play Publilius Philo, use the Servilius proceedings. The GBoH series has lots of problems than it is worth.) proconsul counter. maps, and, since the Romans are going to attempt to fight on ground of their He does not reveal which three maps he The Roman army numbers c. 39,000 men. own choosing, we will let them select the has chosen, but he labels them '!', '2', battlefield. However, with there being and '3'. The Macedonian receives all the units he three different approaches towards had for the Siris. However, having kept Rome, and the Romans being unaware of Having done this, Alexander chooses track of those units that were on-map which one Alexander will choose, we which Road he wishes to take: 1,2 or 3, eliminated (not just routed off the map), add some randomness and variety into thus choosing which map/battlefield he takes those units and rolls a die for the selection of the battlefield. will be used! each one. If the DR is higher than the unit's TQ, that unit is not available for Some of you may not have all of these Deployment: this battle. This includes Elephants that maps, and your choices will be, thereby, The Roman Player always deploys first. Rampaged which, for this purpose, are restricted. [A good excuse to go out and buy treated as if they had been killed. If Alex more modules.] He may set-up as he wishes, but must deploy only in the areas delineated to has lost any leaders, you may use, as replacements, Coenus and/or Antigenes. 1. The Roman Player chooses three maps one army, or the other, from the original on which he is willing to defend, from scenario for that map. Thus, if the Roman chooses Baecula, he must set up In addition Alexander receives the among the following: following, additional units: • The Granicus in the areas previously reserved for the • Issus Carthaginians; at The Metaurus he would choose one side's deployment Italian Allies • Baecula • 2 Tarentine MI (C3i Nr.2) • Cannae area or the other. Some flexibility and imagination may be called for here. • 2 Lucanian LC (C3i Nr.2) • Beneventum; the Roman may either • 2 Tarentine LC (C3i Nr.2) deploy totally inside the camp (as with

Alexander the Great in Italy, 319-318 B.C

• 2 Samnite HI (Africanus) 5. Romans must use the Triarii Doctrine is not increased by the arrival of the • 2 Bruttium MI (Red, SPQR) rule in SPQR II. Tribal reinforcements. • 2 Lucanian MI (Red, SPQR) 6. Indian Archers do not use Slippage. The Macedonians: Withdraw when they Syracusan Allies exceed RP's equal to 40% of their • 2 Athenian city-state HI/HO 7. Romans use the SPQR Missile Chart; available Rout Points. Unfortunately, (double-sided; Alexander) otherwise, use the Alex Missile Chart. you will have to figure this out for • 2 (1-4-6; red; SPQR) yourself - using the Alexander rules for • Agathocles (use the Megacles counter 8. There is no Personal Combat. doing so - because we have no idea how from C3i Nr.2). Agathocles may com- many losses Alexander will have taken mand only these 4 units; he is not an 9. Roman Reinforcements: If, at any one at the Siris. We do know that the MCC. time during the battle, in a Trump additional units would add 25 RPs to the attempt, Alex rolls a double-9, instead Siris number. Alexander sets up after all Roman units of treating it as a "Crisis of Faith", it have deployed. Alexander's army is allows the Roman Player to bring in If Alexander is killed, the battle is over. close to 30,000 men now, depending on "Reinforcements" - late-arriving allies - his losses at the Siris. at any time later in the game that the Campaign Outcome Reinforcement's leader (see below) If Alexander wins The Last Battle, and his Special Rules would normally go . The reinforcements losses, in RP's, are half - or less - than 1. Maps and Terrain. Be sure to use all consist of the following: the Romans, he immediately moves his special rules relating to a particular map. • Numidian MI #sl-6 (brown; SPQR), army to Rome and lays siege to it, a siege plus leader Culchas (from Africanus), resolved in Alexander's favor by winter. 2. Anti-Elephant devices, the Roman Culchas is the only leader who may Any other result, and you get to use your Player may choose to use either: command these troops. These represent own imagination, knowledge, and ability • the Ox-Carts from Pyrrhic Victory some 3000 allied troops from a local, to outshout your friends. (counters provided in C3i Nr.2), along Rome-allied tribe. with their LI escorts (also provided in Source Note: C3i Nr.2, or use the Arab Li's from War Reinforcements enter whenever a '2' Most of the febrile ruminations found Elephant); OR Initiative-leader can go. they may enter above are based on information found in • they may use the infamous Flaming through any three connected map-edge Rome and Italy, by , a Penguin Pig Rule in the Beneventum scenario of hexes from any side of the map. How- Classic paperback, B.H.Warmington's SPQR. They may use this only if they ever, they may not enter through any Carthage: A History, plus a host of have a camp on the map. hex that would place them immediately Alexander books. adjacent to a Macedonian unit. 3. The Roman Player may use Devotio (PV rules). Victory: The Romans: Withdraw when 4. The Alexander Elite Initiative Rule is they exceed 240 RP's. This number in Effect