Battle of Corinth 146BC using D3 Ancients Clash

 Introduction

This is game 50 in play testing my ancient rules by replaying historical battles.  I am using my new rules d3 Ancients Clash (the previous games were with ‘Ancient Battlelines Clash’).  I am in the process of writing the rules up from the scribbling it is currently.  D3 Ancients Clash is an evolution of Ancients Battleline Clash but uses d3s and designed to assist with replaying these historical games.  I am play testing the rules by replaying all the Peter Sides scenarios from his Historical Battles books.  D3AC is designed to finish in around 30 minutes on a 16”x16” table.  I may go back to 2’x2’ in future.

Battle of Corinth

Here are a few internet links of interest I used for this replay:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Corinth_(146_BC)

Troops

Roman

2 Legions, Heavy Infantry, line relief, medium missile protection

2 Allied Legions, Heavy Infantry, line relief, medium missile protection

2 Velites, Skirmishers, javelin

2 Pergamene Allies, Medium infantry

2 Cretan Archers, Skirmishers, bows

3 Heavy Cavalry

1 General with the Heavy Cavalry on right

All trained except where noted.

Breakpoint: 9

 

 

Greeks Achaean League 

4 Phalanx

2 Peltasts, Medium Infantry, javelin, untrained

4 Skirmishers, javelin

1 Heavy Cavalry

1 Light Cavalry

1 General with the Phalanx

All trained except where noted.

Breakpoint: 8

Deployment

Romans on the left, Greek League on the right

Game

Both sides advance.

On the right, a Roman cavalry charges the light cavalry that routs without inflicting any damage.

The Roman line advances. And the skirmishers are in range of one another!  Despite the advantage to the Greeks of firing first, three of the Greek skirmishers retire.

Skirmishers in missile range

The phalanx line advances and clear the Roman line of skirmishers for no damage to themselves (this was some lucky dice rolling!)

Phalanx battleline contacts the Roman legions

A legion is lost on the Roman right flank.

Legion is lost, phalanx is advancing.

The Roman right flank cavalry turns to the centre and manages to destroy a medium infantry on the way. 

 

The Roman heavy peltasts fire on the phalanx and it advances into combat.  Already shaken from last turn, it retreats depleted.  The peltasts follow up the advantage and destroy the phalanx (this was two very good dice rolls in a row).

Peltasts about to destroy the shaken and depleted phalanx

Another Roman legion is routed.  The phalanx advances into another legion that finally stops it and the phalanx is now shaken. To no avail as the phalanx manages to rout the legion in the next melee.

 

Phalanx routs a legion but stopped by another

The Roman Cavalry with the Consul charge into the rear of a phalanx unit and it is destroyed.

The Consul’s heavy cavalry charges into the rear of a phalanx

The Consul’s cavalry pursue into the rear of another phalanx that also routs

The Consul’s heavy cavalry charges into the rear of another phalanx

The Greeks reach their breakpoint and flee the battlefield.

End.

Rule changes

None this time.

Verdict

A great game, although almost a given that the Romans would win as the Greek left flank is well outclassed by the Romans.