The Greek Wars - not quite accurate DBA armies

But pretty close. For example, there isn't a specific army that fits the combined Greek armies, so I've used the Athenian Early Greek army as far as troop types go. Likewise, I wanted to use my 70s Garrison Assyrian and Egyptian Auxiliary figures in the force so slightly modified the early Achaemenids.

As usual for these games I've gone for a plain battlefield.

The Persians are a wide mix of figures. The Assyrian and Egyptian auxiliaries are part of my original 70s Persian army. The general previously served as Harry's general in a number of campaigns. Cavalry are quite recently acquired S Range, the heavies being Assyrians painted up as early Persians. Most of the other infantry are conversions.

The Greeks, on the other hand, are quite a homogeneous bunch of Garrison hoplites and psiloi, some painted by me, others acquired from Harry.

As usual the first tree marks the first precontact phase of the battle.

Both sides have pretty obvious game plans - Greeks try to break through the Persian centre and Persians try to outflank Greeks.

Back to moves, and 'Move 2' shows Greeks trying to refuse flanks as Persians start their encirclement.

And... contact as Persian left contacts Greek psiloi while the centres crash.

This did not go well for the Persian centre which basically died on contact. On the other hand, the right flank Persians have started to do their job and one of the Greek right flank psiloi elements has run away. Leaves the Greeks 3:1 up and the Persians one element away from breaking.

This where it turns more wargame than real battle - 'spare' Greeks turning to face Assyrian/Egyptian auxiliaries as they return from beating the Greek psiloi whilst the Persian general and lights fight it out with the Greek left flank hoplites.

Which is where the Persian general rolls a 6 and forces the hoplites they are facing onto the hoplites being pushed back by the Persian lights - 3 hoplite elements die. With the fleeing psiloi, at the end of the move it's 4:3 in favour of Persia, game over!

Hero of the day Darius in the ascendant! Possible revenge for Harry's Marathon refight.