Battle at Megara 213 BC (Med Campaign 12)

A report is in on the Macedonian excursion into Greece. Macedon under Philip V has waded into the confusing mix of political alliances and enmities in Greece proper by supporting the Aetolians against the Achaean League in a bitter struggle for influence. After a demand that Megara demilitarise and accept a Macedonian garrison is rejected, the Macedonians with Aetolian support attempt to bring this about by force. 

The Acheaan League musters troops in response to the threat and the armies meet north of Megara.  

Image attribution: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Achaean_League_192_BC.png

News from the front from John GL:

Hi Aaron

Fought today against Duncan Thompson (DBM).  The dice decided that I would command the Achaians and would be the attacker - bad news, as this pre-emptive strike against the invading Macedonians limited my terrain options.  Duncan placed only gentle hills; I added some rough going but only one patch was on my side of the table.  I would have to attack in the open.

At this date the Achaians are allowed a few pikes (only four elements) and have to rely on thureophoroi and Thracian/Illyrian mercenaries (all Superior Auxilia).  The Macedonians had more cavalry and of course lots more pikes.  The only important terrain was a hill opposite my left flank, and I planned to take this and turn the Macedonians' flank while my cavalry demonstrated on the other wing and my thureophoroi kept the pikes busy in the centre.  

Photo 1 shows the initial moves; the hill at the top of the picture was occupied by Macedonian light troops and then attacked by large numbers of Achaian and Thracian Ax(S).

Picture 5 shows the battle on that hill.  

Eventually the Macedonian forces there were worn down and a general intervened; he was outflanked, attacked by an Achaian general and slain.  His command broke.

In the centre it was a different story; the crisis is shown in Picture 6.  

Macedonian pikemen drove through lines of auxilia and their cavalry slew some more.  The central Achaian command broke, and losses to the other two commands made exactly half their army gone.  So a 9-1 win to the Macedonians.  

I've played Duncan dozens of times at DBM and that's my first outright defeat... good game, anyway.

And so Philip is victorious! Will the Lacedaemonians need to be roused from their slumbers to meet the invader? More to come. 

Campaign History