C3i15 EPIC Leuctra (371 BC)

Details: Written by: C3i Magazine; Category: The Spartan Hegemony (404-362 BC); Published: 06 September 2010; Last Updated: 13 December 2018; Hits: 8355

Victory Results:

76 %

24 %

Total plays 17 - Last reported by SimSportPlyr on 2023-12-31 01:16:52

Historical Background
Sparta’s victory in the Peloponnesian War (431-404) over Athens cemented the reputation of her hoplites as the premier infantry force in the world. However, Spartan arrogance following this victory led to the outbreak of hostilities with her former ally, Thebes. In 371 King Cleombrotus of Sparta marched against Thebes. When he reached Leuctra he found the Theban army barred his way. The Spartans deployed in a long line with their allies on the left. Greek commanders traditionally placed their best troops on the right, and this wing usually led the attack. The brilliant Theban commander, Epaminodas, devised an innovative plan to mass his best men on the left in a 50-man deep phalanx. He intended to meet Spartan shock with super shock. Both sides sent their cavalry out and the Spartans horse were quickly defeated. Seeing his cavalry fail, Cleombrotus ordered his infantry to advance. In the meantime, Epaminondas’ massed left advanced against the Spartan right, while the rest of his army was ordered to hold back, in an oblique order. The Spartans on the left were attempting to change formation to deal with the situation when the Sacred Band charged and hit them in mid-maneuver. Cleombrotus was killed and the massive weight of the Theban phalanx broke the Spartan line. Never before had Sparta experienced such a defeat and Leuctra shattered the myth of Spartan military invincibility.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?

War Council

Theban Army (Use Greek blocks)
• Leader: Epaminondas
• 10 Command Cards
• Move First

Spartan Army (Use Eastern Kingdom blocks)
• Leader: Cleombrotos
• 8 Command Cards

Victory
11 Banners

Special Rules
The Theban Sacred Band is a special unit. Place a special unit block in the same hex as the Sacred Band unit to distinguish it from the other units. The Sacred Band will score a hit for each leader symbol rolled in close combat and may ignore one flag.

Heavy infantry units eliminated will count as 2 Victory banners.

all C&C Ancients Scenarios in C3i Magazine are Official and Approved by Richard Borg

Posts in discussion: C3i15 EPIC Leuctra (371 BC)

mk20336 replied the topic:

#3320

4 years 4 weeks ago

Key developments:
- The Elites clashes – yes! What a great and magnificent battle ensued on Spartan right / Theban left! Two powerful blocks of Hoplites met each other, decimating themselves pretty evenly; still, Spartans lost all of their Heavy Infantry while Thebans only 3 out of 5.
- The Theban center also moved forward but I managed to circumvent it with my cavalry – which in the end proved to be a very successful formation in that battle, killing two Theban Medium counterparts.
- In the long run my Spartans – despite great feats of heroism – had to succumb to the numerical superiority of the opponents; while losses were not so great on both sides – as we had 2 VPs for each HI – the battlefield looked like a place of carnage; not surprisingly, both sides blooded themselves here significantly with the victory going to Thebes.

Mark-McG replied the topic:

#3014

4 years 11 months ago

Started updating this scenario to Expansion 6 components, Spartans, Hoplites etc.
Added some peltasts and slingers since they are mentioned by Xenophon
Add an MC to the Spartans, maybe unnecessary, but filled out the component mix.
Then contemplating the 50 rank depth of the Thebans, adjusted the Theban Left to a double rank.

Ended up looking like this

Wondering if the Auxillaries should get a ranged attack. Thinking not, since Greek Hoplite warfare was not noted for it.

War Council

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