WRESTLING WITHBEING THE ACCOUNT OF ONE WARGAMER’S ATTEMPT TO PIN DOWN POLYBIUS By Chris Hahn

IRAPHIA did not set out with the intention of refi ghting the Battle of Raphia in a variety of reasons, this fourth attempt miniature, but that is what happened. My original goal was to set up a failed (in rather spectacular fashion) simple Hail Caesar game wherein light infantry and elephants would before the curtain went up on the do battle. I even had what I thought was a pretty good title: Peltasts third act. versus Pachyderms: Hunting Elephants in the Tall Grass with Hail Caesar. In mid April of 2012, after taking about However, as is often the case with my wargaming ideas, I could not resist a week to think things over, I started tinkering with the troop types and number of units involved in back to work on my “accidental” Raphia this now completely fi ctional contest. project. Instead of playing around with newer rules, I went back to Arty To make a potentially long story short, online translations of Polybius - were Conliffe’s familiar and comfortable Armati and Advanced Armati. Instead while on the fi fth version of an order categorically panned by the critics (if I of trying to cram 132,000 infantry, of battle, I recalled seeing a map of a may continue the theater analogy), and 11,000 cavalry, and all 175 elephants on fairly large engagement in my old copy resulted in an appropriate amount of my tabletop, I decided to break up the of Warfare in the Classical World. The disappointment as well as frustration. historical engagement. A close reading of book was secured from the basement In my defense, try number four was Polybius revealed that I could refi ght the stacks, and my attention, energy, and rather impressive. I used Hail Caesar, left, right, and then center of the fl at fi eld resources were soon focused on staging but modifi ed the dimensions of standard, as separate engagements. After rereading a Featherstone-correct production of the large, and small units quite a bit. In the relevant chapters of Book V, I decided epic clash between Successor kings. addition, I replaced the inches in the rules to model the action on the Kings’ Flank. My fi rst four attempts - using a variety with centimeters. These two adjustments The following orders of battle are my of rule sets, scales, and reinforcing allowed me to fi t Raphia on my 6' x 4' interpretation of the information provided the “coffee table” reference with table. Unfortunately, as just related, for by Polybius in Chapters 65, 79, and 82. The Battle of Raphia - illustration by Peter Dennis from War Elephants (NV 160) © Osprey Publishing. www.ospreypublishing.com 90

WI312-Raphia.indd 2 07/08/2013 13:36 The Battle of Raphia, 217 BC Antiochus Ancients Ancients 3000BC-500AD

Ptolemy The three Key Phases of the battle of Raphia

I - Antiochus’ elephants rout Ptolemy’s, who then cause mayhem in the Royal Guard. Then Antiochus’ right wing attacks C A Ptolemy’s left, driving them back. C E F F G G G II - Echecrates, on Ptolemy’s right, orders an attack, outfl anks the enemy cavalry and B drives back Antiochus’ entire left wing. III - Ptolemy takes command of his phalanx D D D D D D and orders an assault on the enemy. The Ptolemaic phalanx routs Antiochus’ men.

1 1 1 1

2 3 4 5 5 6 7

The accompanying diagram shows how 8 each wing was deployed for the miniature refi ght. Making use of the scenario rule Selucid Formations Ptolemaic Formations found on page 38 of Armati, I determined that King Antiochus would command 10 A. King Antiochus 1. African Elephants Heavy Divisions and 5 Light Divisions. B. Light Cavalry 2. Libyan Cavalry His right wing would be “destroyed” C. Heavy Cavalry 3. Egyptian Cavalry when 8 Key units were broken. On the D. Indian Elephants 4. Cretans other side of the fi eld, King Ptolemy E. Cretans 5. Royal Guard (cavalry on left) would command 7 Heavy Divisions and F. Greek Mercenaries 6. Peltasts 3 Light Divisions. His left wing would be G. Daae, Cilicians, etc 7. Libyan Infantry “wrecked” with the loss of 5 Key units. 8. King Ptolemy

SELEUCIDS - King Antiochus • Antipater’s Cavalry 2 units of LC 2 [0] 0 +1 Various 2BP 4 units of HC [K] 4 [0] 0 +1 Various 3BP • Cretans 3 units of SI 2 [1] 1 +2 Bows 1BP Armati • Greek Mercenaries 7 units of PH [K] 7 [1] 1 +1 Spears 4BP

FOR • Daae, Cilicians, Etc. 7 units of LI 4 [1] 2 +1 Various/Javelins 2BP • Elephants 6 units of EL 5 [3] 2 +1 Various 3BP PTOLEMAIC - King Ptolemy • Libyan Cavalry 2 units of LC 2 [0] 0 +1 Various 2BP • Egyptian Cavalry 2 units of HC [K] 4 [0] 0 +1 Various 3BP • Cretans 4 units of SI 2 [1] 1 +2 Bows 1BP • Cavalry of the Royal Guard 1 unit of HC [K] 5 [1] 1 +1 Spears 3BP • Infantry of the Royal Guard 4 units of PH [K] 7 [1] 1 +1 Spears 4BP • Peltasts 3 units of LI 4 [1] 2 +1 Javelins 2BP • Libyan Infantry 4 units of PH [K] 6 [0] 0 +1 Pikes 4BP • Elephants 4 units of EL 4 [3] 1 +1 Various 3BP Orders of Battle Battle of Orders

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WI312-Raphia.indd 3 07/08/2013 13:36 Above: Elephants! Photo taken at Partizan 2013 of a game presented by Simon Miller and Craig Davey, using Simon’s own ruleset “To The Strongest!”. Apparently the Seleucid and Ptolemaic elephants were all on loan from Aventine (and painted by Adam Smith).

In Chapter 84, Polybius offers a graphic Extra Elephant Rules* 7. Stampeding elephants may be targeted description of the contest between by missile units, if they are in range 1. Indian elephants suffering a BP (Break African and Indian elephants. In Chapter during the missile fi re phase of the Point) loss in melee, roll 1D6. On a roll 85, the military inexperience of young game turn. of 1, the elephants rout. King Antiochus is examined. While 8. During the movement phase of the 2. African elephants suffering a BP loss Armati does have specifi c rules governing game turn, routing elephants are moved in melee, roll 1D6. On a roll of 1-2, the elephants in combat, and breakthrough before any other units. elephants rout. movement, it does not contain rules 9. Elephants are removed from the 3. Routing elephants turn 180º and make specifi c to the historic engagement of tabletop when their unit BP is reached. Raphia. The following amendments a full move (9") to the rear. were drafted in order to better refl ect the 4. If friendly or enemy heavy infantry [*These rules were adapted from narrative of Polybius. units are contacted, a new melee is fought The LA Group. See Post #30877 immediately. The infantry unit rolls with on the Armati Forum.] African versus Indian a -1 modifi er to represent the disorder The Folly of Youth Rule 1. When a stand of African elephants associated with fi ghting elephants. This comes within 9" of a stand of Indian modifi er remains in effect until one side 1. Seleucid units will roll 1D6 to elephants, the African elephants must breaks, or the elephants rout again. determine if they make a breakthrough take an immediate panic test. Roll 1D6. 5. If friendly or enemy light or skirmisher move after a melee victory. On a roll of 2. If a 1-2 is rolled, then the African infantry units are contacted, roll 1D6. 3-6, the unit will make a breakthrough animals panic. They immediately stop On a roll of 1, the light infantry or move as per the rules. all movement, are given a panic status skirmishers are dispersed. 2. If the Seleucids manage to break the marker, and cannot rally out of their 6. If friendly or enemy cavalry units are left wing of King Ptolemy’s army, then panicked state. contacted, roll 1D6. On a roll of 6, the each Seleucid unit has to roll a “pursuit” 3. If a panicked stand of African cavalry manages to evade the onrushing die to determine if it will chase the elephants is contacted by Indian pachyderms. The horse are moved back defeated enemy off the fi eld. elephants, they will break on a roll of one full move, earn a fatigue marker as 3. Victorious Seleucid units will pursue 1-3 on 1D6. If they do not break, they well as a “disordered” marker. On any the enemy on rolls of 1-3. will fi ght with their special fi ghting value other result, the cavalry must fi ght as 4. King Antiochus (if still alive), against the larger and apparently smellier panicked troops. If the cavalry lose a BP, will pursue the defeated enemy on Indian pachyderms. then they are broken. a roll of 1-5. 92

WI312-Raphia.indd 4 07/08/2013 13:37 ON THE RIGHT WITH While this was transpiring, the Libyan Twenty more Indian elephants would KING ANTIOCHUS phalanx on King Ptolemy’s right perish in attacking the Cretan archers advanced straight ahead, supported on and the phalanx of the Royal Guard. The On the afternoon of 21 April 2012, its left by a large group of peltasts. To last twenty would add to the disorder the two Successor kings met again on beginning to take a severe toll on King a comparatively small tabletop. The meet this threat, King Antiochus moved Ptolemy’s line. His Libyan cavalry had following is offered not as a blow-by- up his Daae and Cilicians, and ordered withdrawn in order to avoid a stampede blow account, but rather as a summary his Greek mercenary infantry to advance. of the eight turns that witnessed history The Seleucid light troops were no match of panicked elephants. Now they were repeating itself, if not exactly in the for the heavier Libyans in the open being hunted by fresh squadrons under way it reportedly happened some 2,229 fi eld, so they kept the enemy at a safe Antipater’s command. A unit of Egyptian years ago. distance - but not so far away as they horse had become disordered trying to could not throw javelins into the serried move out the way of the same friendly King Ptolemy held the initiative for ranks of the Libyans. Casualties began herd, but got caught in a bit of a traffi c almost the fi rst half of the battle, and to mount on the Ptolemaic side of the jam. While trying to sort things out, they he lost no time in sending his smaller fi eld, and the frustration level did too, were attacked from behind by a unit of elephant force against the Seleucid as the enemy light infantry maintained Indian elephants. Suffi ced to say, these line. This initial advance was swiftly a steady harassing fi re. The light cavalry did not last long. The cavalry of countered by King Antiochus. About infantry under Socrates worked its way the Royal Guard had been charged by half of the African elephants - those on forward, subjecting the Greek mercenary elephants too, and fared just as poorly. the right of the advance - balked and formations to the same treatment. In fact, Fortunately, they were able to break off then panicked after a short fi ght. Ten a unit of hoplites had to split off from from the confused melee, and retreat in were brought down by javelin volleys of the main phalanx to protect a vulnerable the same direction as the surviving unit of the peltasts under Socrates. Another ten Egyptian horse. stampeded toward the solid line of King fl ank. The light infantry of both armies Ptolemy’s Royal Guard. On the left of got a little careless unfortunately, and With their successful advance, the the contest, the Ptolemaic pachyderms in subsequent turns, found themselves Libyans had taken themselves out of the were giving as good as they got. Size and on the sharp end, as fi rst the Libyans larger battle on the fl ank. King Ptolemy strength eventually favored the Seleucid caught up with and dispersed a large sent couriers to retrieve the heavy beasts and, though hurt in the chaotic number of the Seleucid allied troops, infantry, but apparently none arrived. melee, these formations were able to and then the Greeks and a single unit The infantry of his Royal Guard was send the smaller animals running for the of Daae javelins were able to catch the still intact, although they faced greater rear. In one sector, arrow volleys from peltasts from behind. While his left was numbers of Greeks to their front as Cretan archers brought down the friendly being scattered, King Antiochus focused well as elephants and a large number of elephants. Their volleys were then trained his attention on Ptolemy’s Guard and Seleucid heavy horse to their left. With on the advancing enemy animals. In the cavalry. The remaining elephants were his elephants and cavalry gone, with his far left sector, the Libyan and Egyptian driven deeper into the enemy position peltasts dispersed and three-fourths of his cavalry maneuvered to get out of the way and Antipater’s large cavalry contingent archers dead or wounded, King Ptolemy of the maddened creatures. was ordered forward, fi nally. left his Guard to fend for itself. With a

Above: Photo taken at Partizan 2013 of a game presented by Simon Miller and Craig Davey, using Simon’s own ruleset “To The Strongest!”. Models are from Aventine, Foundry, Polemarch, and Gripping Beast. 93

WI312-Raphia.indd 5 07/08/2013 13:38 small bodyguard and his sister Arsinoe based more on wargaming convention An additional question that bothered trailing behind, the young king galloped and experience than on any line found me was the specifi c deployment for his life in the direction of his main in the narrative. I can also accept that of Antipater’s cavalry. The online phalanx. I might have made a mistake or three translations of Polybius make mention of half of the four thousand horsemen being ASSESSMENT with my depiction of the Daae, Cilicians, Libyans, and Greek mercenaries. Readers arranged behind the elephant screen, and On page ten of Battle Notes for more familiar with Polybius or the then “two thousand more at an angle Wargamers, Donald Featherstone online translations of his Histories, will with them” (82). What is the angle? And, explains: “To refi ght any historical battle perhaps agree that he can be confusing are the two thousand cavalry facing in realistically, the terrain must closely at times. For example, in Chapter 79, the toward the Seleucid battle line or are resemble both in scale and appearance Daae and Cilicians under Bytaccus the they facing to the right? In the end, the that over which the original confl ict Macedonian are described as light-armed interested wargamer has to make - can raged, and the troops accurately represent troops. Then in Chapter 82, this same only make - a best guess based on the the original forces.” The diagram on contingent is described as being “armed available material and sources consulted. page 93 of Warfare in the Classical in the Macedonian fashion.” To my mind, World, and the lack of any reference to Given that I did not start out with the this means as pikemen, complete with specifi c terrain features in other source intention of refi ghting Raphia, and given material lead me to believe that my sarissa, small shield, greaves, etc. But that I “suffered” through several failed simple representation of the battlefi eld how can pikemen be considered light attempts, I think this completed third of of Raphia was suffi cient. With regard to troops? On the other side of the fi eld, the historic engagement went fairly well. representing the troops and troop types the three thousand Libyans are “armed The additional elephant rules, though present, I think I did a decent job of it. in the Macedonian fashion” (65). This some may view them as cumbersome, Differences of opinion will exist and description is repeated in Chapter 82, so I helped to recreate at least part of what occur, I expect. This is only natural, and thought it acceptable to make these troops happened on that June day in 217 BCE. indeed, welcomed. I fully admit that heavy infantry (phalanx types), though (At one point during the miniature battle, splitting Antipater’s horse into two units not as good as the Greek or Macedonian a unit of Indian elephants stampeded and of light and four units of heavy was units listed in Armati. ran into a Greek phalanx. The Greeks

Above: A clash of Man and Beast! another photo taken at Partizan 2013 of a game presented by Simon Miller and Craig Davey. Will the pikes and fi erce determination of the phalanx be enough to stop several tonnes of rampaging muscle? 94

WI312-Raphia.indd 6 07/08/2013 13:39 Right: A Successor-period Armoured War Elephant from Sergeant Major Miniatures. Painted by Steve Dake, photo by Don Nelson.

were able to handle the panicked animals both sides been labeled key units, well, could better visualize the frontages of without too much trouble, however.) the score and story would have been formations and the stages of the battle. The additional rules governing Seleucid very different. unit behavior also contributed to the I found a few translations of Book V The positive experience with the right overall enjoyment of the wargame. As online. The following is the web address one turn ran into another, it was noted fl ank at Raphia leaves me eager to of the translation I used most often: that history kind of repeated itself - albeit prepare and play the action on the left as http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/ in a smaller version - on this one fl ank well as the fi ght between the phalanxes in Roman/Texts/Polybius/5*.html. the center. Common sense would dictate of the larger battlefi eld. The African The Paton translation, mentioned in the elephants did not cause as much damage that I stay with Armati (and its various rule amendments), but I fi nd myself brief discussion thread on the Armati and disorder as they did in the actual forum, is available at: engagement, but they did effectively take tempted by the variety of Ancients rule http://www.archive.org/ stream/ the Ptolemaic cavalry out of the equation. books available. I wonder if I might have historieswitheng03polyuoft/ The peltasts under Socrates were not a go with War & Conquest or even Might historieswitheng03polyuoft_djvu.txt. affected by panicking animals, but they of Arms? As long as I’m considering were dispersed by the steady advance of these options, I wonder if I might Additional information regarding the Greek mercenaries. On this isolated fl ank consider another try at refi ghting the differences between Indian and African of the general engagement, the Seleucid entire battle with Hail Caesar. elephants at Raphia was found in the king was successful on his right and to Ah . . . decisions, decisions. following academic article written by a large extent, in his center. It was only COMMENTS ON SOURCES Michael B. Charles: Elephants at Raphia: on the left side of his right fl ank that he Reinterpreting Polybius 5.84-5. Classical was defeated. It was also noted that a Though dismissed as a coffee table book, Quarterly 57: pp. 306-311. decision was reached without either side the diagram and caption on page 93 of reaching its determined breaking point. Warfare in the Classical World seems to I am very grateful for the expertise and King Ptolemy lost just a single unit of mesh with the account given by Polybius. knowledge shared by members of the Egyptian heavy cavalry. King Antiochus I am certainly no expert in the fi eld Armati forum. In particular, I want to did not lose a single key unit during the (never have claimed to be one), but it was thank Steve, Mark, and Vincent for their eight turns played. Had the elephants of nice to have a map of the fi eld so that I constructive comments and counsel. 95

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