Hellenic War, 172BC

Relations with the Koinon Hellenon had broken down after they refused the request of a delegation from the Senate to cease their attacks on Makedonia. The core of the issue between the Hellenes was a border dispute, along with an attempt by both sides to alter the settlement from their last conflict in their favour. Makedonia, allied to the Romans after losing the war in 200BC, called on the Senate to uphold the terms of the previous treaty. The Greeks decided war was a more favourable course.

The censor and proconsul Sextus Cornelius Scipio was despatched with a consular army to settle the matter by force. He had swept through Aitolia, rapidly taking Thermon and continued into Thessalia. There he shadowed the Greek's largest army, commanded by the strategos Zoilos Rhodios.

Rhodios had a slight advantage in numbers, and his men were confident from the raids and sieges they had taken part in during the previous campaiging seasons.



Battle started quickly, the eager Greeks marching into skirmish range.



The Romans got the better of the skirmishing phase of the battle, their slingers decimating the Greek archers, even the famed Kretan toxotai.



When the skirmishers had exhausted their missiles, Scipio pulled the lights back and ordered the main line forward to engage with the Greek infantry.



The Greeks charged headlong into the marching Romans, keen to get to grips with their invading enemy.The strategos led the charge in person.



The hardest fighting developed in the centre, under the gaze of the Roman general.



The Roman cavalry rushed the Greek medium cavalry.



Meanwhile the allied cavalry had made it's way behind the Greek lines.



Having broken through on the right, the extraordinarii charged the enemy general from the rear.



They fought savagely, like men possessed, and cut their way through to the strategos.



And one of their number struck the great man down.



At his death panic rapidly spread throughout his army.



The Romans were not merciful in the flight.