Syrian War 189BC

General Pulcher's campaign against the Seleukids continued, this time demonstrating against Ipsos to drive them out of central Anatolia.

They had greater numbers, but his men were confident in his leadership.



His position was not ideal, waiting at the foot of a hill for the Seleukids to come.



On they came, skirmishers out front.



Then the lines met.



Missiles expended, the Roman skirmishers went to the flanks. Pulcher had the slingers save their remaining ammunition for the arrival of the reinforcements.



The Roman cavalry hit the skirmishers lurking behind the Seleukid line. The absence of any Seleukid cavalry gave them free reign.



The first of the reinforcements, light cavalry, arrived, only to be met by a mass of Roman cavalry.



The allied heavy cavalry meanwhile hit one of the phalanxes in the rear, and it disintegrated.



The trick was repeated along the line, routing one block after another.



Eventually the entire main line of the first Seleukid force collapsed.



As they fled, the reinforcements arrived, and Pulcher reined in his eager men. There was more fighting to be done this day.



The reinforcements concentrated on the Roman centre.



As they bunched together, not even repeated cavalry charges could make a dent in them.



The unengaged maniples moved to surround the pikemen, but they doughtily fought on.



After more than an hour of grind, the encirclement and repeated charges had the desired effect.



A great victory was won!



Ipsos was passed into the hands of allies and now the campaign moved to the Cilician coast.