EPIC03 Raphia (217 BC)

Details
Written by: GMT Games
Category: Antigonid, Ptolemaic & Seleucid Wars (Various)
Hits: 12604
Victory Results:
 53 %
Record a victory for BOTTOM ARMY  48 %
Total plays 40 - Last reported by SimSportPlyr on 2024-04-06 19:21:10

Historical Background
The Wars of the Successors led to the establishment of three Hellenistic Kingdoms: the Antigonids (Macedon), the Ptolemies (Egypt), and the Seleucids (from Asia Minor to India). The Seleucid Empire began to fragment, losing Judea and most of its eastern provinces and parts of Asia Minor. Antiochus III became ruler at the age of 18 in 223 BC, and immediately began restoring his empire. In 217 he retook Judea and marched on Egypt with 62,000 foot, 6,000 horse and 103 elephants. Ptolemy IV, with a much smaller army, enrolled native Egyptians into his Greek phalanx to bring his numbers up to 70,000 infantry, 6,000 cavalry and 73 elephants. The two armies met at Raphia on the Egyptian frontier. Both armies deployed with their phalanx in the center and cavalry on the wings. Antiochus began the battle by charging forward with his right wing cavalry and breaking Ptolemy's left. The young Antiochus impetuously pursued the fleeing cavalry before him. Meanwhile, the Egyptian right swung forward into action and defeated its counterpart. With both wings wheeling in opposite directions, Ptolemy ordered his center to attack. Surprisingly, the Egyptian phalanx got the best of the veteran Seleucids and Antiochus' entire army broke and fled. Antiochus withdrew and Ptolemy recovered Judea. Despite this defeat, Antiochus went on to re-conquer his lost provinces and restore the great Seleucid Empire. Ptolemy, on the other hand, soon faced a major rebellion led by the Egyptian soldiers he had trained for the phalanx.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?

War Council

Ptolemaic Army: Use Greek (blue) and Roman (red) blocks. All icons shown are Greek icons.
• Leader: Ptolemy
• 7 Command Cards 

Seleucid Army:  Use Eastern Kingdom (tan) and Carthaginian (brown) blocks. All icons shown are Eastern Kingdom icons.
• Leader: Antiochus
• 7 Command Cards 
• Move First

Victory
13 Banners

Special Rules
none

 

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Posts in discussion: EPIC03 Raphia (217 BC)
TomKnight3 replied the topic:
#4006
2 years 8 months ago
We had two person teams. Overall commanders played center section, second player the wings. Seleucids came on strong but overextended in the center, they were hit hard, and scattered. They regrouped but were hit again by Ptomely and his heavies. However, a First Strike saved the Seleucids from destruction. They then followed up well, and took out all the Ptolemaic heavies save one which was isolated. Meanwhile, the Ptolemaic Right could not engage due to a dearth of cards. They suffered an elephant rampage, and the heavy Cav. did not move forward fast enough. On their left, the Seleucids hit fast with its Cav units. The Ptolemaic elephants got in the mix, but could not connect. The Ptolemaic center and left began to shrink and pull towards each other. On the right, the Seleucids got a retire and reform card and got back up to strength. With the score 12-7, the Seleucids had to confront the heavy Ptolemaic Cav. but thanks to a Clash of Shields they got the 13th banner. Antiochus down 3-0, and facing the collapse of his center kept his cool and came back to win 13-7. We plan a rematch and switch sides.
esparver73 replied the topic:
#3362
3 years 11 months ago
The Seleucids pressed hard with their elephants, also trying to kill the enemy elephants. Both phalanxes clashed and destroyed each other in the center. On the Seleucid right there was a long cavalry battle with no decisive winner. On the Seleucid left there was much going forth and back. Finally the Seleucids took some advantge for a 14-9 win.
Achtung-Panzer replied the topic:
#1206
12 years 5 months ago
decb wrote:

Just played EPIC Raphia on Sat nite with figs. What a great nites fun. Check out

thediceiscast.blogspot.com/

2-0 to the Poles.


Very impressive pics!
Achtung-Panzer replied the topic:
#1205
12 years 5 months ago
Looking forward to playing this Greek on Greek game using the new Spartan expansion! Just hope it will be available in UK before Christmas.
decb replied the topic:
#1204
12 years 5 months ago
Just played EPIC Raphia on Sat nite with figs. What a great nites fun. Check out

thediceiscast.blogspot.com/

2-0 to the Poles.
alecrespi replied the topic:
#1203
12 years 5 months ago
Thank you Martin for pointing this out.
I've fixed it right now.
Achtung-Panzer replied the topic:
#1202
12 years 5 months ago
The War Council shown above is wrong and mixed with that for Cannae.
alecrespi replied the topic:
#337
15 years 5 months ago
Yesterday night I played my first Epic scenario ever.
Reading forum all around we decided to give a try to RAPHIA (217 BC): it has been told to be one of the more balanced epic scenario.

Seleucid amry started moving on both flank, trying to fire some arrows... with few luck.
Ptolemaic fired back on both flanks with minor Ligh Units skirmish.
After some minor order ... the APOCALYPSE.
Ptolemy played a "Mounted Charge", allowing him to move 7 units (and rolling +1 attack dice).
He advanced with his right Leader (Echecratus) supported by Heavy Cavalry and also with Elephants on both flanks.
The result was an hard hit on Seleucid Army (partial result 7-2).
In the meantime Heavy Infantries on both ceneter side advanced a little bit, without taking part to battles in the whole game.
Antiochus managed to gain more control over his Right Flank, but on the other side Ptolemaic managed easily to gain full control over his Right Flank.
Echecratus + HC definitely ruled this game, outflanking Light opponent units (avoiding thei retreat).

Final Result: PTOLEMAIC 13 - 7 SELEUCID
Dice were unbalanced, favouring Ptolemaic side... but that's FORTUNE OF WAR.
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