Shechem - 89 BC

Seleucid vs Hasmonean

Historical Background
John Hyrcanus successfully ruled and expanded Judea for 30 years. On his death in 104 BC, he was succeeded by his son Aristoboulos, who died only a year later. Alexander Jannaeus, another son of John, now assumed the leadership. He attempted, with varying degrees of success, to further extend Hasmonean rule. However, in 94/93 BC his army was ambushed and destroyed by Arabs. Alexander fled to Jerusalem, where he was immediately faced with a rebellion by the religious hard line Pharisees, who were unhappy with his tolerance towards conquered non-Jewish peoples.
After several years of fighting, the rebels requested help from the nearest of the warring Seleucid kings, Demetrius III in Damascus. Demetrius responded, and met the rebels at Shechem in Galilee. The combined army consisted of 14,000 foot and 3,000 horse. Alexander met Demetrius with his own army of 10,000 men, supplemented by 9,000 mercenaries (8,000 foot and 1,000 horse). Before the battle, Demetrius exhorted Alexander's Greek mercenaries to switch sides. Alexander tried the same ploy with the rebel Jews, but both appeals met with deaf ears, and the battle began. Demetrius triumphed, with the heaviest fighting being between the Greeks of both sides, and Alexander fled to the hills. With a victorious Seleucid king heading south towards Jerusalem, the rebels got cold feet, and withdrew their support. Demetrius returned to Syria where he died in the maelstrom of the Seleucid implosion. The rebels, having colluded with the hated Seleucids, lost support from the Jewish people, and Alexander was able to crush them and resume his rule.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?

War Council

Seleucid Army (Use Greek blocks)
Leader: Demetrius III Eucaerus Philopater
Take 5 Command Cards      .
Move First .

Hasmonean Army (Use Carthaginian blocks)
Leader: Alexander Jannaeus
Take 5 Command Cards      .

Victory
6 Banners

Special Rules
None.

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