The Seleukid War, 233BC

Mysia

Messaneos had been shadowing the Seleukid army for most of the year, marching and counter-marching, but neither side willing to offer battle without an edge. And neither had been able to get that edge. So he was completely surprised by the sudden bold move of the Seleukid commander to break off contact and march deep into Pergamene territory. Not simply deep, but to the heart of it - he invested Pergamon itself.

This added a whole new dimension to this war; Messaneos' wife and his children were in Pergamon. He could not afford to fail. The Seleukid force was larger than his own, though not as big as the combined might of his army and the garrison of Pergamon. He had no intention of relying on their strength, though.



Forest covered much of the battlefield, hindering the movements of both the Syrian pikes and Pergamene cavalry. The enemy was bold in their numbers and advanced.



They made an impressive sight.



But then they halted. Tired of the delays, Messaneos ordered the advance.



The lines closed.



Megarikos had command on the left, he and the Gallic horse made straight for the Seleukid light cavalry.



They drove them far from the main fighting, and fought their own separate battle.



Never wanting for valour or skill at arms, Megarikos cut a swathe through the lighter opponents and led the howling Gauls in the chase as they ran.



Still the lines hadn't closed, the Seleukid pikes apparently nervous of making contact.



As Megarikos began the trip back, Messaneos still struggled to pin the enemy down.



Ordering a charge, he began a flanking movement.



Some units broke on the left, but it was a confused affair.



Messaneos killed some skirmishers, trying to get a clear run to the rear of the enemy line.



A channel opened up as two phalanxes tried to fight back to back.



More units routed, but the whole picture was still unclear.



Eventually the enemy gave way.



A vengeful Messaneos had won the day, but not without many Pergamene casualties.



Nevertheless the threat to the capital had been averted. Messaneos nearly rode his tired horse to death reaching the city after the battle to see that his family was safe.

Editorial note



I've got to be honest, I didn't have a clue what was going on during most of that battle, the stats don't even help build up a picture of it. First, there was the really annoying habit of the Seleukid phalanxes to keep edging away every time I advanced. Eventually I just had my front line charge them, which is why they got chewed up as badly as they did. Second, their phalanxes got all mixed up, so I couldn't get at the rear or flank of any of them. They just seemed to fight on and on and on, then suddenly all routed.

I think it's time I stopped using those Anatolian hillmen, they're not very good. Always seem to get messed up out on the left, too. Perhaps it's time to bring in the Thracian peltasts.