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In the summer of 317 BC Eumenes, trying to capitalize on an earlier victory,
was on the move against Antigonos. The two armies came to face one another in
the lands of the Paraetaceni (an area NE of Susa). The armies were deployed much
as described above. The venerated Silver Shields were among the phalanx of
Eumenes.
The battle began with Antigonid light horse making harassing attacks. Eumenes
dispersed this force with a flanking attack of his own light cavalry squadrons
brought over from his left flank.
In the center the phalanxes engaged, again to Eumenes’ advantage due to the
incredible martial powers of the Silver Shields who, despite their age (60 to 70
years old), seemed invincible. With his light horse in ruins, and his phalanx
being pushed back, all luck seemed against Antigonos. Yet Antigonos found
advantage and pulled off a maneuver that would even their fortunes.
Antigonos observed that the very success of the Silver Shields had led them
forward to reveal a gap in the Eumenid line as it detached from their left
flank. In a bold move Antigonos charged his heavy cavalry into this gap,
wheeling to the rear of the Eumenid cavalry. The attack proved successful –
ending what seemed to be the start of a Eumenid victory. The battle slowed as
both side tried to rally broken units. As the day ended, both armies retired to
their camps. Antigonos claimed victory, even though he lost some 3,700 foot
killed, and a further 4,000 wounded. Eumenes came off with a loss of only 540
foot killed and some 1,000 injured. Their next major confrontation would be the
Battle of Gabene that winter (317/316 BC).
The Armies
Antigonos (II/16a) (modified) - 1x3Kn(Gen),
6x4Pk, 1x3Cv, 1x2LH, 1xEl, 2x2Ps
Eumenes' (II/16d) - 1x3Kn(Gen),
1x3Cv, 6x4Pk, 2xEl, 2x2Ps
Deployment
Antigonos deployed his army obliquely, the right wing leading within 6 inches
of his baseline. The Antigonid LH deploys on the left flank (furthest from the
hills). The El may either be deployed anywhere along the front of the army, or
on the right flank. The Kn (gen), CV, and Ps are placed on the right flank as
well. The phalanx held the center.
Eumenes, also placed his phalanx of Pk in the center. The Eumenid left flank,
resting near the hill, was composed of the Cv, with one Ps, and 1 El. The right
flank was led by Eumenes himself – Kn (gen). Eumenes may place his other El
anywhere along the front. The remaining Ps deploys anywhere in front of the
center phalanx. None of these elements should be greater than 6 inches from
their baseline.
Game Map (ASCII)
With sample deployment not to scale.
================Antigonid Baseline===============
H H H H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
H H H H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
H H H . . . . . . Pk Pk Pk. . LH. . . . . . . .
H H H . . . . . . Pk Pk Pk. . . . . . . . . . .
H H . Ps. KN CV. . . .Ps . . . . . . . . . . . .
H H . El. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
H H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
H H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
H H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
H H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
H H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
H H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
H H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
H H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
H H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
H H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
H H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
H H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
H H . . . . . . . . . Ps. . El. . . . . . . . . .
H . . . Ps.EL . . Pk Pk Pk. . Kn. . . . . . . .
H . . . Cv. . . . Pk Pk Pk. . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
================Eumenid Baseline=================
SCALE: The space between each dot/letter is one inch.
Terrain Notes
.=Good Going (Good Going)
H=Steep Hill (Impassable)
The battlefield is set on generally terrain feature free plain, excepting for
the steep hill to the west. Camps may be placed anywhere along the baseline of
each army.
Special Rules
The Silver Shields of Eumenes were an elite unit with a fearful reputation.
Two of Eumenes’ Pk elements should be designated as this force. Any foot element
in close combat with the Shield Shields must convert any tied rolls into
recoils.
Antigonos showed initiative and courage in his daring charge at the peak of
the battle. To represent this, the general Kn element (Antigonos) may make a
subsequent move is the same bound if their 2nd move will end in close combat
with an enemy front, flank, or rear edge, or acting as an overlap or rear
support. This move may be only done once in the game, and does not involve a pip
cost.
Victory Conditions
Normal DBA.
Background Resources
“Battles of the Greek and Roman Worlds” by John D. Montegu
> Top of Page >
Battles > DBA Resources
> Fanaticus
Last Update: 4 Oct. 2005
Thanks to Mike McFadden for contributing
this scenario.
Comments and feedback welcome and can be
sent to Chris Brantley. |
