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Post by aaron on Apr 29, 2016 12:57:29 GMT
The Rise of Macedon Campaign
Background.
The Phocian Confederation had been illegally cultivating the sacred land on the Kirrhaean plain. The Amphictyonic League, a pan-Hellenic religious organisation which the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, fined the Phocian Confederation for this. However, the fine is far beyond the Phocians' ability to pay. A refusal to pay the fine would make the Phocians religious outcasts in Greece, and liable to have a sacred war declared against them.
Therefore the Phocians held a special conference to decide what action to take. Philomelos, a citizen of Ledon, advocated a pre-emptive policy of seizing Delphi (which was situated within the boundaries of Phocis), and asserting the ancient claim of Phocis to the presidency of the Amphictyonic League.
Philomelos began assembling a mercenary army and also raised a force of 1000 peltasts from amongst the Phocian citizenry. Then Philomelos marched on Delphi, just before the end of the period in which the Phocians had been required to pay their fine. He easily captured the city of Delphi, along with the sanctuary of Apollo. Philomelos then demanded that the priestess of Apollo (the Pythia) provide him with an oracle; she replied that he "could do whatever he wanted". Philomelos called that an oracle, and had it inscribed in the sanctuary, as was customary. This pseudo-oracle provided Philomelos with supposed divine justification from Apollo for his actions.
All of Greece now waits to see what happens…
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Post by aaron on Apr 29, 2016 13:09:49 GMT
Year 1, Spring
With Delphi occupied, the Spartans, as the defender of Hellenism declare that it will liberate Delphi and immediately sends its army there. The Former Helots of Sparta, following the inspiration of this raise an army and attack the Phocians in Ellis. With Spartan armies on the move the Athenians not wishing to be seen as lagging behind declare their support for war and ‘invite’ the Barbarous Macedonians to support them. With the Athenians and Spartans against them, the Phocians, persuade the Thebans to join them against Thebes long time rivals. The Athenians and Macedonians delay getting into the action and invade Thebes late in the spring with the Thebans making their stand against the Macedonians at Thespia, while the inhabitants of Aulis hold the Athenians off.
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Post by aaron on May 6, 2016 14:57:48 GMT
Year 1 Spring cont’d
In Delphi, the Spartans invade, but not wishing to desecrated the sacred area remain away from it and cut the supplies off to the Phocians forcing them to come out and engage the Spartans. The Spartans set up with the Hoplites in the Middle, the auxillia on the right and the cavalry on the left. The Phocians had there cavalry, including the general on the right, hoplites next then the artillery and psiloi.
The Spartans line then moves to the left while the Phocians send one of there cavalry to the left. It is eventually herded back passed Delphi, surrounded by a hoplite and the Auxillia where it does a heroic stand and scatters the Auxillia. Meanwhile the main Spartan line advances with the Phocians charging as the lines close. The Spartan Hoplites are able to flee the Phocian Psiloi in front of them creating a hole in the line. They are able to then come into the side of the Phocian hoplite line slaughtering the left end. The psiloi are then able to come back to stop this. On the other end the Phocian General moves out to try and get at the Spartan Cavalry, this allows the Spartan Hoplites on this end to wrap around the other end on the spearline and slaughter occurs again. In the middle of the line, the fighting turned against the Spartans as the Phocian Hoplites punched a hole through the Spartan line, killing many Spartans. The Spartans on the left now surround the Phocian General repeatedly, but are fought off each time. Meanwhile the hole in the Spartan line is increased with more Spartan loss. On the right of the Spartan line, the Hoplites start to surround and masscare the Phocian Psiloi. It is so great that the Phocian’s break and run. Delphi is saved, but not without loss of some of the treasures there which are melted down to fund the recruitment of mercenaries by the Phocians. The Spartans then make a dedication of the spoils to the Oracle and Apollo in honour of saving Delphi.
Meanwhile the Thebans stand against the barbarian Macedonian’s at Thespia. The Macedonians advance on the Thebans with the Phalanx holding back from engaging the Theban hoplites. Meanwhile the Companions and Cavalry sliced through the Theban psiloi. They then turn and charge the Theban hoplites from behind destroying the line and routing the army. Victory to the Macedonians. They erect a trophy on the battlefield. The Pro Macedonian Thespians gather up the Leading Pro Theban citizens (that have not escape already) and execute them while opening the city gates to allow the Macedonians in.
Meanwhile the Phocians in Messolongi resist the Helots awaiting relief from the army.
Year 1 Summer.
With the victory at Thespia, the Macedonians march on to Thebes. There the remains of the Thebean army face the Macedonians. This time the Theban Cavalry and Auxillia face off against the Companions and Macedonian Cavalry. The Companions again slice through all opposition. The Theban Cavalry does scatter the Macedonian Light Horse, but then is surrounded and butchered by Macedonian Cavalry and Auxillia. With the flank clear the companions again charge into the side of the Hoplites as they are trying to engage with the Macedonian Phalanx. Thebes is force to surrender and a puppet government is put in place by the Macedonians.
With news of the defeat, Aulis surrenders to the Athens. In retribution for the long siege, the Athenians enslave the women and children and slaughter all the citizens. Then over the winter Athenian Citizens are used to repopulate the city.
Meanwhile the Phocians, return to Delphi. The Spartans march out and form a battle line next to a fortress they have constructed. The Phocian advance, while the Spartans pull back so as to stay out of artillery range. Then, when the Phocian split their line to start to shoot their artillery at the fort, the Spartans advance. The Spartan Cavalry catches the Phocian cavalry off guard and wipes it out on the right of the Spartan line. Part of the Phocian line then charges the Spartan hoplites in a vain attempt to break the line, but is pushed back. The Spartans follow up with the cavalry charging the line in the side scattering the defending psiloi. At this point with the Phocians surrounded, the Spartans send a herald to them to end the battle. The Phocians are allowed to retrieve their dead and leave the battlefield under arms, but have to admit their guilt and promise to end the fighting against the Spartans.
At Messolongi, a Phocian herald appears and it is agreed between the Phocians and Helots that the city would be surrendered to the helots, but that the citizens would be left unharmed. This is agreed and the gates are opened.
Victory Points at end of Year 1
Macedonia: 7
Sparta: 7
Athens: 4
Acheans (Helots): 4
Phocians: 2
Thebes: 1
Year 2 Winter
During the Winter, with news of the Barbarian assault on Thebes, the Spartans, as leader of the Amphictyonic League, organises a pan hellic response to the invasion. The Phocians sign an alliance with the Spartans to fight the Macedonians. The Helots, agree to send a detachment to assist the Phocians against the Macedonians and to not attack the Spartans. The Athenians however snub the League. Instead they turn on Greece and side with the Barbarian invaders.
Year 2 Spring.
The Athenians lusting after the gold of Delphi, and supplied with Theban slave soldiers from the Macedonians invade the sacred land of Delphi. However the Temple and Oracle are defended bravely by the locals, knowing Apollo is with them and the Athenians are held off. Meanwhile the Phocians attack Kyphus, where the Barbarian army engage them. The Spartans move to liberate the old Athenian colony at Amphipolis from the Barbarian Macedonians.
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Post by panzermonkey1 on May 12, 2016 9:42:26 GMT
The Macedonian Kingdom hereby declares the liberation of the Theban people from it's foolish Hegemony & their unholy Alliance with the Phocian devils. They are now under our protection & will enjoy the deserved benefits of the Gods' benevolence & that of the of Macedonia,
Herald of Philip II
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Post by panzermonkey1 on May 19, 2016 16:58:56 GMT
Hail finest Macedonians! Bend your ear & listen to the words of your mighty king's herald! Yesterday the vile & ungodly Phocians attacked from Calydon into the soil of sacred Macedon itself: setting their sites on the city of Kyphus. The Macedonian army marched out to meet them!
The Macedonian Horse & psiloi moved forward on the left to engage the hill-bound Phocian artillery & Psiloi; the pike phalanx advanced centrally towards the Phocian Hoplites across dry farmland, Cavalry General & Psiloi; the Macedonian auxiliary waited on a hill on the right flank opposite the Helot Hoplites & cavalry & a single Phocian cavalry.
After the artillery's first shot drives back the Macedonian Psiloi the Macedonian General & his cavalry force realise the are approaching bad terrain & drive centrally with the artillery "damaged" & no longer able to fire. The Macedonian knight General & cavalry engage the Hoplites flank but are repeatedly driven off!
The Phocian Hoplites engage the shorter phalanx line along with their general, while trying to flank on the right with their cavalry. Their Helot allies freeze! Although the Macedonian mercenaries on the right fall back the pike phalanx holds firm & the Phocian general flees his men!
But at that moment the Phocian psiloi descend from their hill & with their Hoplites to the front they entrap Phillip himself! But in this direst of moments Philip drives forward crushing the Hoplites & freeing himself! Seeing their liege lord's mighty prowess the phalanx surges forward & with psiloi support breaks the Phocian Hoplite centre & surround the vicious Phocian psiloi who had single handedly been holding off the mercenaries!
Philip magnanimously offers the Phocians the hand of friendship as fellow brave warriors... but the foul Phocian general draped is his stolen gold charges forward, slapping aside the olive branch, & driving the Macedonian cavalry back upon their General in a crush of horses!
There would be no peace & no mercy! The Macedonian cavalry & pike surround the Phocian general & he is brought down; along with the heroic psiloi on the opposite flank!
Victory to Macedon as the sun sets! The Phocians drag their dead from the field & the Helot slope off into the night unbloodied...
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Post by aaron on Jun 2, 2016 22:03:25 GMT
Year 2, spring continued.
With the Phocians defeat, the Macedonians marched on Amphipolis to face the Spartans.
The Spartans lined up between two hills with the Cavalry on the left and auxilla on the right. The Macedonians had there Pike block on the left, next to a wood and their mounted wing on the right. The Mounted wing then moved further to the right, while the Spartan line expanded out to meet them. The Spartans then advance towards the mounted troops. At the last minute the Macedonians, now supported by Greek mercenaries, charged the line. The charge was held and pushed back with the Thessalian cavalry fleeing away. This created a hole in the line and the Spartan cavalry was able to charge Philip of Macedon in the side while he was engaged with hoplites in the front. His bodyguard was routed and he was taken prisoner. The Macedonian pike block now tried to advance, but with out the leadership it was too little too late. The Greek Mercenaries were surrounded next and destroyed. At this time, the Spartans showed clemency and allowed the Macedonians to leave the battlefield. With victory going to the Spartans, Amphipolis opened its gates and welcomed the Spartans as liberators.
Year 2, autumn.
With the news of the Spartan victory and capture of Philip, rumblings started in Thebes about overthrowing the Macedonian puppet government. In response, the pro Macedonian party, backed by Persian gold through Athens, seized the dissent ringleaders and murdered them. The families of the commanders of the Theban soldiers with the Athenians at Delphi, were taken in to custody as insurance that the army would not revolt. Then the puppet government declared its alliance with Macedon and Athens.
The Spartans now prepare to march to defend the sacred site of Delphi from the greed of Athens and Thebes, while the Macedons catch the Phoicans raiding into Kyphus.
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Post by aaron on Jun 9, 2016 13:52:46 GMT
Turn 2, Autumn
Out numbered the Spartans faced the combined might of Athens and Thebes outside of Delphi. The Athens had set up near the coast. They had the Thebans on the right and the Athenian Hoplites on the left with some light troops in the middle. The mounted troops and some hoplites were stationed on the Athenian fleet. The Spartans split their line with a small line of hoplites holding the right hand side and the rest on the left of the woods. The Auxillia set up to move into the woods and the Cavalry was on the far left.
The Spartans advanced on the left against the Thebans, who tried to retreat, but were surrounded by the Spartan Cavalry and hoplites, led by the King of Sparta. The Sacred band fell first, followed by the Theban commander. Meanwhile on the other side of the field the Athenian Hoplites smashed into the thin line of Spartans while the Light Horse came off the ships and was able to get behind the Spartan line. They managed to take the Spartan camp and liberate Philip, King of Macedon, who was recovering from his wounds suffered in his defeat. Meanwhile the Athenian hoplites pushed through the Spartan line. In a close run battle the Thebans held on long enough to allow the Athenian hoplites to defeat the Spartan holding force. The Spartan King was then forced to retire from the field.
The battle lasted long enough however for the Oracle of Delphi to hide all the treasures in the Sanctuary so that no force could take them.
In the North, the Regent of Macedon (in Philip’s absence) caught up with the retreating Phocians and was able force them to swear allegiance to Philip or he would surround and butcher them all. With the army all but destroyed, the Phocian council agreed to the move and came under Macedonian control.
Turn 3 Spring
Over the winter, the Persian gold poured over the Greeks as the Athenians convinced the Helots to turn on the Spartans. The Helots announced an alliance with Athens and Thebes and invaded Pylos while the Athenians attacked Argos, where the Spartan army awaited. The Macedonians, now led by Philip again, marched on Amphipolis, which knowing it could not get support from the Spartans surrendered it’s self to the Macedonians. The Pro Spartan supports who had not been able to flee the city, were gathered up and executed by the Macedonians. The Phocians and Thebans both sat at home to regather their strength.
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Post by panzermonkey1 on Jun 11, 2016 21:20:58 GMT
Rejoice oh Gods-favoured Macedonians! For our glorious king is with us once more & also the city of Amphipolis is returned to our bosom! It is only sad that the foolish & misguided within the city, who had sold themselves to the Spartan usurpers, could not see sense, & instead threw themselves from the city walls in a petulant show of fatal self-indulgence, while all others in Amphipolis celebrated.
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Post by aaron on Jun 14, 2016 9:14:00 GMT
Victory Points at end of year 2
Macedonia 14
Sparta 13
Athens 12
Acheans 8
Phoicans 4
Thebes 2
Even with the setback suffered to the Spartans, the Macedonians are still leading. The Athenians had a good year and are threatening the top two.
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Post by aaron on Jun 23, 2016 11:02:21 GMT
Rise of Macedon Campaign
Year 3, Turn 1
The invasion of Sparta began. The Athenians awaited the Spartans near Argos. Both sides lined up with the Athenians having their Cavalry and Light Horse on the right of the hoplites and their Archers on the Left. The Spartans had their Cavalry on the left and Auxillia on the right.
Both sides then advanced once they had sorted out their battlelines. The Athenians charged and on their left punched a hole through the Spartan line. The shock of the charged pushed the entire Spartan line backwards, except around their general who slaughtered all the Athenians who came near him and his bodyguard. He was then able to swing around and catch more Athenians in the side causing more mayhem. On the Spartan left, the Athenian Light Horse fled from the battle, this allowed the Spartans to push the ends of the Athenian hoplites back and isolated a group who were scattered. The Athenians now were able to increase the size of the hole they had created, but it was too late as the Spartans surrounded the last of the Athenian Hoplites on the left and wiped them out. The Athenians retired, and under a truce were allowed to collected their dead. The Spartans erected a trophy to their victory near one that had been created during the Peloponnesian war.
The Spartans, then forced marched to Pylos and engaged the Helots. The Helots lined up with the Cavalry on the Right and Light troops on the left. The Spartans had woods in the middle of their deployment and so had their Auxillia in it. On the left of the wood they had a small hoplite force, while the General lead most of the hoplites and cavalry on the right.
The Helots advance splitting their line in a few places, while the Spartans on the right advanced. The Spartan cavalry was able to get around the side of the Helots and scatter the psiloi there. The Helot auxilia then engaged the cavalry and held them off. Some of the Spartan hoplites then got involved while the Helots and Spartans formed lines to fight. With the Spartan Auxillia in the woods, the Helot General advance into to block them coming out. Meanwhile the Helot Cavalry moved from the extreme right of the army to the left to aid the Auxilia. Here the Spartan Hoplites managed to engage the Cavalry and push it back, this allowed them to get in the side of the Auxilia and scatter them. The Spartan cavalry then shadowed the Helot cavalry allowing the Spartan Hoplites to turn and hit the helot hoplites guarding the flank. By this time the two hoplite lines had clashed, with the flank guards gone the Spartan hoplites charged the side of the hoplites line causing great slaughter. The Helot army fled, leaving their dead on the field. The Spartans deemed creating a trophy for scattering slaves beneath them.
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Post by panzermonkey1 on Jul 11, 2016 10:10:31 GMT
Rise of Macedon Campaign
Year 353 B.C.: Summer
(Year 3, Turn 2.)
With the Athenians and helots defeated, the Spartans sent their herald with a peace proposal. With no counter offer, the Athenians send the herald away and again invade Argos with their allies invading Pylos. Again the Spartan army stands at Pylos to stop the helots.
Meanwhile the pro Macedonian group in Thebes find that they are having trouble suppressing the opposition and beg the Macedonians to send in a garrison to protect them. Thus more of Greece falls under the Barbarian while the Athenians carry on their insane attack on the Spartans with the real enemy behind them...
Battles to follow!
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Post by aaron on Jul 21, 2016 8:18:57 GMT
Year 3, Turn 2
The Spartans lined up with the Auxilia to the right of the spear line and the Cavalry behind it. The Helots, led by a Theban Mercenary General with an Athenian assistant, lined their hoplites in front with the cavalry to the right. Both sides then advanced with the Spartan cavalry moved to the left to counter the Helot cavalry. They would have a brief fight and then stare at each other for the rest of the battle.
The Helots then charged the Spartans and pushed them back. The Spartans then counter and punched a hole in the right of the helot line. This hole was blocked by the helot reserve. The Helots however scatter the extreme left of the Spartan line and swung around into the side. The Spartan line held and their reserve hit the helots from behind and eventually scattered them. Then disaster struck, the sun came out from behind the Helots shining into the Spartans. The Helots charged and almost destroyed the entire right of the Spartan line. Two thirds of the line was scattered. The Spartans recovered on the left and cut down the last of the helots there. With the right gone the helots swung into the Spartan General with the Theban Mercenaries charging into the front. The Spartan General heroically fought them off and then charged into the Thebans with his left wing coming into the side. The Thebans held them off and with the second Spartan charge the glow from the sun seem to create Halo’s around the Thebans causing the Spartans to recoil in confusion. Seeing the confusion the Thebans charged with helots coming in the side. The Spartan King and his bodyguard fought to the last, but were overrun. With this The Spartan army broke. The Helots created a trophy and under a truce the Theban General allowed the Spartans to cover their fallen King and dead.
With the army gone Pylos then fell to the helots, this was looted and burnt with the men slaughtered and women sold to slavery. When this was heard in Argos, they negotiated a peaceful surrender with the approaching Athenians. Back in Sparta the King was brought back on his shield and given a hero’s funeral as he had won many victories for Sparta and had died fighting to defend her. The Priests then came forward and announced that they had consulted with the gods and they had turned from Sparta as the Spartans had not shown the correct rites after the last battle with the Helots, and this was to teach the Spartans humility.
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Post by aaron on Jul 21, 2016 8:24:16 GMT
Points at the end of year 3:
Faction Points
Macedonia 20
Athens 19
Sparta 16
Acheans (Helots)15
Phocia 6
Thebes 3
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Post by aaron on Jul 28, 2016 11:18:11 GMT
Year 3, Winter.
With winter, the armies of the Greeks and Barbarians prepared for the next year. The Spartans also came to an agreement with the Athenians. With the Athenians now seeing the growing power of Macedon, the Spartans and Athenians signed an alliance. Part of the agreement was if the Athenians take land off the Macedonians then they will give Argos back to the Spartans.
Year 4, Spring.
With the passing of winter the armies were on the march. The Macedonian’s marched on Delphi, and used there slave cities of the Phoican’s and Thebes to call for their intervention due to Athens having spilled blood on its sacred lands when they ‘illegally’ took the place from its defenders. With no Athenian army to defend it the priests allowed the Barbarians in.
The Macedonian lackeys, the Thebans, believing the Athenians would be distracted by the Macedonians, prepare to invade, but are caught outside of Thebes by the Athenians. The Athenian heralds declare that they are liberating Thebes from the oppression of the Barbarian Macedonians.
The other Macedonian slaves, the Phocians, invade the helots to take their city of Mesolngi back. But the puppet regime there rallied the defenders and holds the Phocians off at the walls.
Meanwhile the helot army was on the other side of the country preparing to invade Sparta. Their invasion was slightly delayed as the Theban General that had been leading them had returned to Thebes to lead their forces. A new Phocian General had been hired, but had caused a delay with his late arrival. Thus they found the Spartans had invaded them.
The Spartans lined up their Hoplites in front with the Cavalry stationed behind them, with a wood on the right of the line. The Helots army was set up with their hoplites in the middle, Psiloi on the right flank and cavalry on the left. The Spartans Advanced at first and then stopped, while the Helots advanced slightly, but sent their Cavalry around the woods to the left of their line. With this the Spartans advance and moved to their right. At this point the Phocian general had problems conveying his orders to his army and they stood still as the Spartans manoeuvred around them and hit the far left of the line in the front and side shattering the left of the line. A group of Psiloi came around to fix up that side while the Psiloi left on the right of the line came out of the woods to hit the Spartan line in the side. The Spartans initially held but then were defeated, but they held long enough for the Spartans on the left to surround and butchered an isolated hoplite unit. At this point the Helot Cavalry appeared from behind, and the Spartan Cavalry intercepted them. The Helots on the Spartan left then surrounded the next part of the Spartan line. It was able to fight the helots off, while the Spartan right did a last desperate charge before the Helots could get into their rear. They hit the Helots from the front and side and destroyed another unit of Hoplites. Meanwhile the Spartan Cavalry, noticing that the helot cavalry was still trying to reform it’s ranks, charged in and despatched them. With this the Helot army panicked and ran. The Spartans celebrated by constructing a trophy and allowing the helots to take their dead away while making extra sacrifices to Ares for their victory.
The Spartans then occupied the destroyed town of Pylos. With the Spartans back a trickle of survivors that had hidden in the hills started to come back to the town.
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Post by panzermonkey1 on Aug 5, 2016 9:53:50 GMT
Glory unto Philip!
Rejoice oh Greeks!
For Delphi is now free once more!
- Herald of Macedon -
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