Postcards from

Gaugamela

The Society of Ancients Battle Day

3rd April 2004

On 3rd April 2004, the Society of Ancients organised their first Battle Day.  The same battle would be fought using as many different rules as possible.  The idea was, of course, to have fun, but also to compare the way in which the different rule sets coped with the same historical battle.

The battle chosen was Gaugamela:  where Alexander the Great defeated the mighty army of Darius, King of Kings of the Persians.  Below you will find pictures of the battles taken on the day.

Unfortunately, the light in the hall was very bad, so a lot of the shots look as if they have been taken in the dark.  This is one lesson I won't forget for next time:  remember to bring the spotlights!

For those who haven't had a chance to read up on the game, it was fought on a 12' x 6' table in 15mm at a scale of one figure = 120-170 men.  There were thus approx. 700 figures on the table.

Click on a thumbnail to see a larger version of each image.

The Initial Set Up

Really showing how the Persians outnumbered the Makedonians!

Makedonian Deployment

So compact were the Makedonians that you can see their entire line in this photo.

The Persian Centre

So numerous was the Persian hoarde that only the centre can properly be seen!

A Persian Leader

One of Andy Bryant magnificently painted Xyston figures

Greek Mercenary Hoplites

Tin Soldier figures from the collection of the Author

The Makedonian Phalanx

More Tin Soldier figures painted by Robert Avery

Greek Mercenary Cavalry

Head for the bushes

Greek Mercenary Cavalry

A close up of the Tin Soldier figures

Game One Begins

From the Makedonian Point of View

Game One Begins

From the Persian Point of View

The Persian Advance

This is the Persian left wing moving forward to engage

Horse Archers

A close up of the horse archers in the centre of the picture, above.  Xyston figures painted by Andy Bryant.

All Go in the Centre!

Note the scythed chariot about to run over a Greek Mercenary Leader!

Persian Envelopment

A picture from the climax to the first battle

More Horse Archers

But seen from a different angle!

The Thessalanians Advance

A shot from the start of the second battle

A Command Phase

The Persian Right Wing

The Rule Book Consulted!

You'd think the Author's brother (and one of the principal play-testers) would know the rules by now!