Politics with Pointy Sticks: The Art of Diplomacy in the Peloponnesian War - pre-VCoW 2020 Tester Game

And it came to pass that the Athenians did land a force of hoplites on a beach near Amphipolis lead by the great Strategos Cleon. He incited the people of the City State of Gaton to rebel against their overarching neighbouring City State of Stoliphion, the latter being in the armed camp of Sparta. To this peril the Spartan Strategos Brasidas raised a contingent force and marched towards the sea to meet his foe in armed battle. The rights of passage to the ancient ruined shrine of Artimis being a superficial excuse for this blood shed (see below, the dots to the right are the 1/1200 scale ships of the Athenians beached on the shores):

The rocky hinterland rising up from behind the ruined shrine of Artimis is clearly visible in this picture (see below, a "Zoom special" and how the players saw most of this battle - adding beautifully to the 'Fog of War' experience):  

The two armies arrange themselves for battle (see below seen from the Spartan lines, the Athenians concentrate with a skirmish line to their front, whereas the Spartans adopt a wider horseshoe formation): 

Looking from the Athenian lines at the Spartans (see below, the Athenians hope to make a big impact against the Stoliphon hoplites, outnumbering them four phalanxes to three): 

The Athenian battlelines (see below, Xyston ancient Greeks, lovely figures - 25mm level of detail in 15mm figures, I always enjoy painting them): 

The Spartans are a mixed bunch of Irregular Miniatures and Chariot Miniatures (see below, there may be the odd Xyston Psiloi refugee hiding amongst them): 

The Athenians boldly advance forwards (see below, they clearly have a hanging flank): 

And on that flank are some Greek mercenary horses waiting their chance (see below, these are Chariot Miniatures): 

The Spartans close the Athenians, almost to combat with the Athenian Skirmishers. The Spartans swing their cavalry around to the flank of the Athenian battle-line (see below, the Athenians pepper the Spartan hoplites with stones, slingshots and various other missiles which bounce harmlessly off their Spartan armoured foes):   

A battle-royal starts with hoplite trading blows with hoplite in a grinding battle of attrition, but it is the flanking Spartan cavalry that is having a dramatic effect on the Athenian left (see below, [right hand side of the photograph] pinned to the front the Athenians were taken in the flank and crumbled - a poet would say "reaped like ripe stalks of wheat"):   

In their counterattack the Athenians dispatched the unit of Persian mercenary archers fighting with teh Spartans on their right [let hand side of the photograph below] and engaged in hand to hand combat with the Spartan Skirmishers on their right (see below, both sides hoplites in the center are approaching "breaking points"): 

And so it ends for the Athenian, a second phalanx dissipates and the Spatan phalanx under Brasidas himself destroys the Athenian skirmishers in a devastating rear attack. The last remaining (battered) Athenian phalanx faces off against the fresh unit of Greek mercenary horse in a futile battle (see below, the last remaining Athenian troops are the foolishly advised Gatonian hoplites and skirmishers who quietly "slip the field" while they can): 

Thus a forgotten episode in an ancient epic civil war ends. The ruined shrine of Artimis now resides in the Stoliphonian sphere of influence. What survivors there are of the Athenians are frantically manning their triremes, but are leaving many to the victorious Spartans who will put them to good use against their former owners. 

All-in-all a very good Zoom battle and a good run out for Neil Thomas "One Hour Wargame" rules, unashamedly simple but perfect for a remote game like this.  

Back to basics: Removing Flash from 15mm Irregular Macedonian Pikemen

If nothing else (see below, a small mound [16 x15mm Irregular Miniatures - Macedonian Pikemen ] of the "lead mountain" is tackled): 

It is good for the soul! Prepping for painting!

Sparta v Argos (Re-Run Take III): Done (Part 7)

Flying high with gods the Spartan left flank can be seen cruelly wheeling into the Argive right hoplites, harvesting them like ripe wheat. The Argives have one last hope, a third attempt to shatter the Spartan "youth hoplite stand" of spears that has twice thwarted them (see below):

The proverbial kitchen sink is thrown at the Spartans. Notice how the Argive General (myself) refrains from attacking the Spartan hoplites to the right hand side of the attacking Argives, because success is unlikely to kill and a push back would help out the the beleaguered Spartan stand. On the other hand it would have potentially interrupted the run of "bad Argive dice" in the vital sector, but statistics say that should not have mattered because you do not affect the future with past rolls of a d6 (see below, I as the Argive ruminate about this now):

A sacrifice is offered to the gods, harsh words of encouragement by the Argive Captains of War are given and the attack commences and the die is thrown. Stunned into silence, all pleasure of head banging gone (see previous posts) just the sad (from the Argive perspective) calculation is repeated. "No, unbelievable, these Spartans cannot be moved" (see below):

The Spartan run through the Argive hoplites like a hot knife through butter. Smoothly and without mistake two Argive hoplites fall upon the hill. The Argive army morale shatters and they flee (see below, Sparta 5 Argos 3 - Sparta remains supreme on the Peloponnese):

What a fantastic game! Incredible in that right up until the end the Argives thought they had it, but the Spartans played true. This young novice Spartan King is a man to watch in the world of DBA, he plays the period not the game system. Immense fun. Maybe I should look to introduce some new troop types. Perhaps from Persia or Thrace ;)

Sparta v Argos (Re-Run Take III): Time to Finish it (Part 6)

For the second time of asking the seemingly forgone conclusion of a forlorn stand of Spartan hoplites outnumbered 3:1 and with no possible room for retreat were drawn into a "do or die" combat (see below, "Spartans we salute you! You fought well but Argos needs to teach Sparta a lesson"): 

Instead the Spartans show Argos that today, here, on this piece of hallowed ground no more Spartans shall give way to Argos. Bang 8-6 - the massed ranks of the Argives bounce away again. Quite sportingly the Spartan King offers me a cushion so to not damage my head (see below, the unbelievable happens and to my shame I did not use the extra PiP I had to bring the extra Argive troops into "usefulness", hubris my friends, hubris): 

It is Sparta;s time to deal the death blow. The Spartan king watches as his mighty phalanx unfurls for a  Sparta [Spears 4 + 2 flanks] = 6 versus  3 Argos [Spears 4 - 2 overlapped flanks + 1 for being on a hill] basic attack - needing to double to kill (see below, all to play for at 3-3 and just one stand needed by both sides to win):

Ah! The Argives roll a 1, all seems lost but then Sparta also rolls a one: 7-4 Push Back! How on earth? Argos has yet another chance to pull it out of the fire! Will this game ever finish? Will this game not stop providing "crazy" dice rolls. The Spartan King is momentarily crestfallen but composes himself and moves on (see below): 

Apologies for the misdirection saying it was a "done thing" but we seem to be now playing on past the end of regulation time ;)

Next: Extra Time Sudden Death?

Sparta v Argos (Re-Run Take III): Don't Go Counting Chickens (Part 5)

And so it came to pass that a bunch of Spartans stood between myself and immortal glory. These should be second-stringers as they were a third of the way along from teh weaker (less prestigious end of the line of battle). As an Argive it was time to "seize the moment" (before the catchphrase of the Dead Poet's Society even existed). Again the Argive killer Psilio were the key, placed in the rear of the Spartan Phalanx (see below, left middle):

In went my solid Argive hoplites, supported on their left by the Argive General's personal cohort and assisted by the deadly Psilio in the rear. It was the same trap to be spring for a third 'killer' time. Except these Spartan milksops had not read the script, the fought the Argives to a standstill and then pushed them back (see below, a classic case of DBA 6-1 to the Spartans!):   

The groans and revulsion was acute. A twisted knot formed in my stomach as my bolt was shot and the initiative had been passed back to the unforgiving scarlet Spartans. The concerned Spartan (novice DBA'er) General asked it I was OK. To which I replied "Fine. Absolutely fine. Banging my forehead off the tabletop like this is quite usual in these circumstances. In fact it has a quite a therapeutic affect!" I said smiling inanely (see below, the Argive General is left pondering "How did that not work?"):

Simply stated the Spartan milksops had remembered what their Spartan mothers had said to them before they left for war. Presenting their sons with their shields, "With it or on it" and you don't cross your Spartan mother (see below): 

The Argives now faced a fight for their lives on the right of the battlefield, but a critical low PiP roll of "one" gave the Argives hope. Instead of an overwhelming "no retreat overlap battle" the Spartans merely hit the Argive hoplite (who had luckily recoiled away from the front-facing Spartans last go) in the flank. The Argives turned to face and the die were rolled (see below):

The Argives gasped in horror as they were on the receiving end of a 5 to 1 die result. Fevered calculations took place, Sparta 4 (+0 supports) +5 = 9 versus Argive 5 = 4 + 1, so it was a push back. Had we been playing DBA version 2.2 then the rear holpites woudl have supported +1 and it would have been 'curtains' for the Argives, game set and match! As it was it was "Game on!" (see below, "Would you Christmas Eve it?"): 

And from another even more dramatic perspective, hoplite to hoplite and the Argives bend but do not break. The Spartan General adopted a disbelieving maniacal laugh instead of my primitive trepanning. Welcome to DBA, you never forget moments like these. They seem to come with alarming regularlity defying the 'sane' Laws of Statistics. In DBA terms statistics is merely a suggestion thrown at the gods, who more often than not will just laugh back at you. I digress! (see below):

After the recoil (see below, the Argives were now technically backing up a gentle hill. Could good news come from the other side of the battlefield to save the day? (see below):

After that"topsy turvy" sequence of events, both King and General wondered what twisted fate still lay in store for these armies?

Next: The End of the Matter!

  

Sparta v Argos (Re-Run Take III): Go Tell it to The Spartans (Part 4)

The Argive General gasps as he sees the fruition of his planning come to pass. Dirty ragamuffin Argive Psiloi crest the hill and fall upon the cream of Sparta (the opposite flank to the General was the point of second honour). These Spartans now found themselves between a rock and a hard place (see below):

The die is cast: Sparta 6+2 (4 - 2 overlaps, flank and rear) = 8, versus 9, Agive 4+5 (4 + 1 flank support). The Spartans could not have fought better, not doubled but beaten with no place to run they died where they stood (see below, Argos 1 - Sparta 0):

The Spartan General's riposte is to advance his battle line and turn the Argive right flank (see below, "Here it comes!")

As expected the shattering of spear on shield spells disaster for the brave Argive hoplites on their "second point of honour" (Argos 1 - Sparta 1). The Spartan juggernaut is poised to roll up the Argive right flank. Then a shout of victory as the Spartan spears facing the Argive General are "doubled". Unexpectedly fate swings in the favour of the Agives (see below: Argos 2 - Sparta 1):

Carrying forth the initiative the Argive hoplites on the hill advance 'shoulder to shoulder' overlapping the remaining Spartan spear. To add insult to injury the ugly Psiloi again seal the rear. Sensing victory is near the Argive General calmly explains the situation to his Spartan opponent and the dice roll (see below):

With a whimper rather than a bang the third Spartan hoplite spear is removed. The Spartan Army has almost reached its breaking point (see below, incredulously it is now Argos 3 - Sparta 1. ):

Not phased in the slightest, the Spartan General responds in the only way he knows how, "Spartan's Advance!" The ranks of Spartan spears and cloaks of scarlet descend once more upon the Argive right (see below, the Argive spears have been placed in mortal peril by their callous Argive General, he intends to buy time with their death to win elsewhere):

Predictably the Argive spears fall. This must be the oldest trap in Ancient warfare to fall into. Get the Spartans looking as if they are beaten, and you are going to win but merely you make them annoyed. You think you have them beaten, on the ropes but they come back and give you double the fight you expected (see below, Argos 3 - Sparta 2):

Suddenly an unexpected rush of Spartan spears leads to another cry of victory as the Spartan King himself engaged in combat smashes yet another Argive spear in by "doubling" it. This battle looks as if it is going to be a short and brutal affair like a knife fight in a telephone box! (see below, split honours "even Stephens", Argos 3 - Sparta 3):

The Spartans certainly "did all the telling" at the end of this sequence. The Argives were given a lesson in war but have they learned anything from it? The initiative is with Argos, one more stand would spell doom for the Spartans! That small, insignificant Argive Psiloi still looks as if it holds the key to victory.

Next: Spartan remember, "With it" or "On it"! Argive, "Be sure to take fortunes offering when it comes your way"

Sparta v Argos (Re-Run Take III): The Sands of Time Start Slipping Through my Hands (Part 3)

The Argive General (aka me) can feel the sands of time slipping through his clenched fist. His problem? The Spartan right needs to be decisively defeated on this hill (apologies to scholars of ancient history, we got our lefts and rights mixed up on our deployment, so we are strong where we should be weak and weak where we should be strong, if you get my drift), but quickly. The Spartans can match us spear for spear as we expand but the Psilio in the rear is my "ace" card to play (see below, they are out of camera shot at the moment): 

On the Argive right things look grim as I could easily lose the isolated base of spears by being doubled (Spartans attack with 6 - Argives have 2)! As I am pinned the best I can hope for is to hold my ground and be flanked, the "door closed" and then rolled up (see below):

The "20,000 Foot General in the Sky" can see my Psilio scampering to position themselves in the rear of the Spartan Phalanx (see below, middle left. Alas my ingenious plans come unstuck as I roll a "1 PiP" (see below, middle bottom right). All I can do is expand by a base on my left and "hope for the best" with the combats I am forced to make via existing points of contact (see below, the circling whirlwind of rotating wings begins): 

The Argives only menace with a developing overlap and future rear attack but only provide a tickle to the Spartan salient of two bases (see below):

That pushes one spear back but leaves the other isolated but in a stand-off. These Spartans can expect help from their fellows next turn (see below):

Remarkably the Argive right-most spear wins and pushes the Spartans back, but this success rather weakens its future position ("Doomed" as Fazer from Dad's Army would say). The Spartans immediately to its right can "close the door" next turn (see below):

The Argives await the Spartan riposte!

Next: Go Tell it to the Spartans!

Sparta v Argos (Re-Run Take III): Clash of Spears (Part 2)

The Spartans rolled for their Command PiPs and got a ... (see below):

I strained hard not to smile but it is hard even for a veteran player like myself. Explaining the options [or rather 'option'] open to the Spartan Phalanx (stand still and expand one base width or go forward) he decided (see below):

"Spartans go forward" was the simple reply and he did straight into my face, a typical Spartan tactic, he must have been reading some background information (see below, a brave move as the Argives could cause the Spartans big trouble if they roll high PiPs):

They look pretty tough dudes these Spartans (see below):

My plan however was simple, to win on the hill on the left of the Argive line with the help of my Psiloi friends from behind the Spartan line of battle. I should also add, before I got crushed on my Argive right by superior Spartan numbers (see below):

All I had to do was .. not ...

Not throw a 1 .... "Arrrgh". I didn't hide that emotion very well either! All I could do (after my head had bounced off the table in despair) was expand out on my weaker right hand flank to cause the Spartans more PiPs before they destroy it (maybe I should have just bounced forwards in retrospect). I had thought it best to bring my Psiloi into play but I had grossly miscalculated the command radius . The Psiloi were over the crest of the hill (The command range dropped to four bases widths [160mm], halved from the normal eight [320mm] because of the LOS obstruction of the crest of the hill. The very hill that was so integral to my "cunning plan") and now required 2 PiPs that I didn't have to move. Curses. No combat was initiated by the Argives this turn but not so with the Spartans on their next turn as they came bowling over, in that same old Spartan fashion. I was feeling like the novice now. This was going to hurt, if not immediately then it would set up the Spartan attack on the Argive right flank where the Spartan numbers [of pointy spears] would decisively tell (see below):

The clash of bronze on bronze rung through the hills of Sparta. I worked through teh mechanics of combat with the "novice" and he picked them up very quickly, in fact almost intuitively he got teh hang of things rather well. No immediate deaths but what resulted was rather an uneven and ragged battle line. To my Argive horror I noticed I had a very vulnerable looking isolated hoplite stand on my right but on teh otehr hand I had bounced the Spartan middle back in a very interesting fashion. If I pushed forwards next turn there could be interesting results. However I was feeling very queasy about not having any of my Psilio to hand, or rather to the back of the Spartans (see below):

So with the opening maneuvering rounds over and the two hoplite lines "going at each other like rabbits" it was only a matter of time before something gave way in true DBA fashion.

Next: Your Best Friends are always at Your Enemies Back