The Battle of Ephesus 498 BC

It has been far too long since we had an ancient game but now that drought has been broken. The first Battle of Ephesus took place during the Ionian revolt in 498 BC and is an opportunity to get modest forces of Persians against Greek hoplites. The causes of the Ionian revolt and its part in the later invasion by Darius of Greece, Marathon and all the way through to Plataea is well beyond this meagre blog post. But as a little bit of background, the Asian Greek states on the East of the Aegean Sea had lived broadly happily under the rule of the Persian empire, a partially successful conflict between Persia and Scythians around 500BC encouraged some of the Ionian states to seek greater independence. One thing led to another and the Ionians who kept close links with the Greek states to the west sought help. Sadly the Spartans refused, grumpy old bunch but the Athenians responded.

These troops landed around Ephesus and planned a campaign agains the Persian overlords. Their initial plan was to capture Sardis which they did unfortunately they seem to have set it on fire so they decided to retreat back to the coast. The Persians however were on their tail under the command of King Darius’ son in laws (Daurises, Hymaees and Otanes). The Greeks fell back along the River Cayster followed by a Lydian force loyal to the Persians. Realising they would be caught the Greeks formed line only to find the Persians had now joined the Lydians and Mysian peltasts from the North. 

A map showing the short lived Greek invasion

Battle lines drawn up, Persians on the left (East) Sparabara shield bearers supported by Lydian hoplites, these are lighter, with shorter spears, than their Ionian and Athenian enemies. The Persian cavalry, all classed as light for this battle on their exposed left flank. The Ionians have strung themselves out to achieve the same width but are out numbered and lacking any cavalry at all. The River is not crossable and forms the extent of the battlefield to the North. (I should draw readers to my principle source for this battle the excellent Land Battles in 5th Century BC Greece by Fred Eugene Ray an invaluable source for gaming in this period)

The Persian Army in all its colourful splendour , both sides have a few skirmishers out in front

The Greeks have formed up opposite, predominantly Hoplites but with some lighter troops mainly slingers on their right

The Greeks have very limited ranged weapons and no cavalry so realising if they are to have a chance they must go onto the offensive (Historically this was their demise as they were worn down by long range fire before they got into to combat and when they reached the Persian line they could break through)

As the two lines close, the Greek right flank is exposed and they are forced to realign to refuse the flank to the Persian cavalry. They are starting to take wounds from the Persian archers but so far not too bad.

A view down the whole line, the Persian skirmishers are breaking up the cohesion of the Greek advance

The Athenians have clashed with the Lydians by the River, but it is initially and equal match

In the centre the Eretians are out of position and frustrating the mixed Ionians behind them who are unable to charge

The Athenians have final won the combat on the greek right and turn towards the nearest sparabara unit, but they are already wounded if not broken yet.

In the centre there is a big hole, the 3rd Persian sparabara unit has fled but a huge gap in the Greek line has opened up, the Greeks throw their remaining skirmishers to plug this gap

The Persian light cavalry has been unable to make much progress due to the constraints of the battlefield, heavy weakened or exhausted they are chased off by one of the Greek command units (although a single figure these represent very small elite units) 

The battle is now turning to the Persians as the remaining Greek skirmishers flee towards Ephesus in the distance, 

The three (and  half) remaining Hoplites units are holding on but only the mixed Ionian Phalanx is fight effective still

And when the Athenians turn and flee towards their boats ( they did this historically) 

The Ionian (mixed)  Phalanx is left on its own. They turn and flee back to the city.

A good victory to the Persians, their archers were less effective than expected but they were still able to hold the Greek advance. The Greeks were significantly outnumbered on the day and I had toned this down a bit to give them a chance. For a while it looked possible but they needed an early break through to allow them to gain numerical superiority and they couldn’t do this.

Lovely to get this collection out on the table hopefully not that long till the next time 😀 if I wasn’t planning the battle of Prague 1757 and rebasing Late Romans I might start thinking about how many figures I would need for Plataea ? These are dangerous thoughts indeed !!!!