Hecatombeaum 226BC (UPDATE; new file provided)

[grumblefish]

So, back when this game was first released, or perhaps at the time of Rise of Rome, I designed a scenario based on the battle of Hecatombeaum, faught between the Spartans and the Achaean League. Now, with the release of IF, a lot more suitable miniatures are available, and I have noticed a few balancing updates that needed to be made. Therefore, this is a new release of that old scenario. Any suggestions as to how the scenario could be improved are very welcome; right now I am thinking about adding some small-scale battles from Xenophon's Hellenica, but I can always revisit this one.

Anyway, without further ado, here's a brief run down:

King Cleomenes III is the leader for Sparta. He enacted various revolutionary policies, and reformed the Spartan military. The most important thing he did for this particular battle is raise up 5,000 picked men from the underclass, and had them specially trained to fight with pikes. They are represented in this battle as the 5 units of superior pikes, the "Neodamodeis Phalangites." On the left wing are some traditional, protected hoplites, screened by some poor peltastes, and the right flank is guarded by cavalry (hippikos) led by a minor Spartan named Gylippos (not based on a particular figure; the primary sources do not mention a general other than Cleomenes).

The Achaeans are led by Aratus. He was older than Cleomenes, and was very prominent in Achaean politics. His army is based on medium foot; the Achaean league fielded a lot more men than Cleomenes, but they were lighter armed, and generally regarded as inferior quality troops. They are spread out along a road in a disordered formation, and must quickly form up to withstand, and hopefully flank, the Spartan line.

The battle was joined on the initiative of Cleomenes. His army was stuck with the hostile city of Dyme to its rear, and Aratus' much larger army to its front. In a bold move, Cleomenes charged down the hill and caught the Achaeans by surprise. Historically, the Achaeans were unable to stand up to this sudden attack; their superior numbers were unable to save them from the better quality Spartan troops, who were lined up in formation and prepared for battle. This was one victory of many for Sparta against the Achaean League, but the tide eventually turned when, in desperation, a foreign power was invited to join the conflict...



Here are some download links for the file:


http://www.filedropper.com/hecatombeaum226bcad
http://www.mediafire.com/?khne3gsax4b3ca3

[Rosseau]

Thank you. I will download these now. Please feel free to create the smaller battles, too!

[grumblefish]

yes, I should really get to making those small battles, but my 2 month vacation was shortened to little more than a fortnight, and I'm heading in to work on Monday.