The Battle of the Lakonian Plains : Blood in the Sand

As the dawn rises on the coast of Lakonian, the sea mist gradually rises from the dunes and hills inland, the Roman force can now see troops lining many of the hills beyond the flat coastal plain. Consul Martinus contemplates his position if only the mercenary Gauls hadn’t been lost in the storm, no matter they may have landed somewhere else and be heading this way in support. In the meantime he has an enemy to deal with.

A few small technical details of the scenario before the battle begins. The Lakonian forces were entirely hidden during the Roman deployment with only the rough location of troops available. The Gauls will arrive at a random location sometime after turn three. If they get into combat but become disordered there is a chance they will swop sides. The sides were broadly the same size but there were significant differences. The Romans predominantly Heavy Warriors (with extra throwing spears) they are supported by a significant number of Numidian Mercenaries. The Lakonians have a small number of elite Spearmen, mercenary light cavalry, three large block of City-state spearmen and significant numbers of light tribal skirmishers and slingers. We didn’t really set a specific objective it was clear one side would have to break before darkness.

Local city states have sent huge numbers of spearmen to support their Lakonian neighbours, quantity over quality !

Tribal skirmishers run towards the battlefield

The Numidians , agile and aggressive horsemen and light spearmen

The core of the Roman army blocks of heavy warriors.

The two lines begin to move towards each other

In the distance the Greek light cavalry gets the better of the first engagements but they don’t have much room to move trapped against the sea, in the foreground the tribal skirmishers move into the difficult ground around the stream

The Numidian horse gallop forward to throw their javelins agains the slingers on the hill

The Elite Lakonian Royal Guard March in tight formation down the hill it will take a lot to scare them

Skirmishers start to annoy the Romans from the flank but for the moment both sides are reluctant to charge forward

Finally the order is given to close

The Lakonians have pushed the Numidian infantry right back, but they are tough fighters and it isn’t an easy win on this flank

The cavalry battle continues on the far left although agile the light cavalry starts to get worn down and picked off

A huge clash of arms spears but the city states come off worse with some very poor morale rolls and they are momentarily brought to a halt and pushed back

They miss a crucial turn of combat whilst they regroup and the Roman heavy infantry makes the most of it.

The majority of the Numidian cavalry has been driven off but it is taking too long to drive the infantry away

The Lakonian Royal guard has forced its way across the stream to hit the Roman centre, but somehow the Romans stand against the onslaught

Finally the Numidians are being worn down

In a matter of a few turns the huge spearmen blocks from the Greek city states on the left wing have been crushed and then turn and flee the battlefield. There will be a reckoning  for this cowardly action in the future.

Only the light hill tribes can now contest the centre ?

The Royal Guard have fought a desperate battle across the stream, many of them have fallen under the watchful eye of their King 

The Numidians are finally cracking but Lakonian troops on this flank are too far away from the centre to provide support

Cornered and fighting to the last man the Last of the Royal Guard are butchered turning the stream red with blood

At this point with the battle almost won the Gallic cavalry arrives, were they delayed, or were they deliberately hiding to see who got the upper hand….they are not to be trusted !

The rest of the Numidians are finally put to the sword but it is too late

The Romans are holding the centre in force with only light troops attacking them from the edges. Several Roman units are destroyed this way, lost in the difficult ground around the stream and then pelted with stones, darts and javelins but it is not enough to swing the tide

The Romans have the manpower to grind the defenders down

King Anaxander has been actively engaged in combat most of the battle killing Numidians with gusto, however with only one unit of Lakonian infantry left and having been abandoned by the other city states he has no choice but to capitulate. These Romans have been a formidable foe. He flees the battlefield amongst the carnage…..only the future will tell what sort of reception he gets on his return to the capital !

An enjoyable game and a chance to get lots of our ancients figures on the table. It was always going to be a tall order for the Lakonians who were outnumbered slightly but also overpowered by superior troops. The Roman infantry were particularly strong and in significant numbers but battles are seldom equal affairs.

Thanks as always for looking 👍 Matt