A battle South of Olbia – Somewhere in North of Thrace

A couple of weekends ago myself and a few lads from the club played a nice little battle between a Greek-Scythian Army and a Macedonian-Thracian Army. The battle was based on a fictional battle from Christian Cameron’s first book of the ‘Tyrant’ series where the city Greeks allied with a Scythian King and defeated a Macedonian General called Zopyrion. I tried to recreate the battle as close as possible to the book, however, instead of the one river crossing I made two. The game played very well indeed and the recreation of the battle played very similar to Christian Cameron’s final battle.

The figures were a great mix of Tin Soldier Scythians, A & A Miniatures Macedonian, Wargames Foundry Thracians, and a few other odds and sods from Old Glory Miniatures and Warlord Games. The collections were from my own collection and that of John Maguire. 

Allied Thracian light cavalry backed up by a unit of Thessalian cavalry scout out a ford on the river

Scythian light and medium cavalry move forward to defend the newly discovered ford

Greek Hoplites from the cities of Olbia and Pantikadaion form up on the high ground to defend the main river crossing.

Mixed Greek and Scythian cavalry supporting the Hoplites left flank

Two Macedonian Taxeis, one veteran and the other new recruits prepare to cross the river

Skirmishers and Thracian light foot support the Taxeis in the crossing

More Allied Thracian warriors

The Hoplites waiting

Scythian Noble cavalry waiting in reserve

Five units of Scythian medium cavalry made up the backbone of the Scythian Army on this day

The battlefield

Scythian light cavalry more forward to slow down the Macedonian advance with showers of arrows.

The Thracians more forward to attack the lightly defended ford on the right of the Macedonian line.

The Macedonian Taxeis move forward to the main river crossing, pushing back the Scythian light cavalry.

On the Macedonian right flank, the Thracians find the ford more heavily defended than they expected and a fierce little battle erupts.

The river crossing is forced

As too is the ford after a fierce charge by Thracian light cavalry

The Greek Hoplites move forward to defend the crossing

The Macedonians are across but the Allied Greek-Scythian defenders put up a stiff defence.

Arrows and javelins rain down on the Macedonians causing many casualties.

Scythian Noble cavalry charge and run down some Macedonian archers.

The veteran Macedonian taxeis is hit in the flank from a charge of well ordered Greek Hoplites.

And is pushed back after taking some heavy casualties.

The second Macedonian Taxeis is also attacked on the flanks.

On the right flank of the Macedonian line the Thracians have better luck and force the Scythian light cavalry back…but are soon hit but the Scythian medium cavalry, which halts their advance.

Greek Mercenary light foot support the Thracian light cavalry

The raw Macedonian Taxeis is hit again in the flank by professional Greek cavalry and this time they crumble and route from the field.

Seeing his army and his fine Macedonian troops crumble the Macedonian General Zopyrion charges with his Companions and to his death.

A fine victory to the Allied Greek-Scythian Army.