BYZ07 Ambush at Archesh ( 1 March 625 AD)
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
After crossing the Araces River, at Vrnjuruik, Heraclius was deserted by his Lazic and Alban allies, who marched northwards to defend their homelands. Heraclius crossed the Araxes and camped in the plains on the other side. Shahin, with the remnants of both his and Shahraplakan's armies, joined Shahrbaraz in the pursuit of Heraclius, but marshes slowed them down.
At Aliovit, Shahrbaraz split his forces, sending some 6,000 troops to ambush Heraclius while the remainder of the troops stayed at Aliovit. Heraclius instead launched a surprise night attack on the Persian main camp, destroying it. Shahrbaraz only barely escaped, naked and alone, having lost his harem, baggage, and men.
They took the arms of Shahrvaraz, namely his golden shield, his dagger, spear, gold belt set with precious stones, and boots. It is surmised that Heraclius was following Maurice's Strategikon advice, attacking by surprise, and against the lax Persian camp.
War Council
Sassanid Army (Use Tan blocks)
• Leader: Shahrvaraz
• 3 Command Cards
• 3 Inspired Action tokens
Byzantine Army (Use Purple blocks)
• Leader: Heraclius
• 4 Command Cards
• 4 Inspired Action tokens
• Move First 
Victory
6 Banners
Auxilia are worth 1 banner for every 2 Auxilia units eliminated.
Sassanid leader is worth 2 banners (Eliminated or exited.)
*A Sassanid unit that exits the board from their baseline counts as 1 banner.
*If Shahrvaraz exits the board from the Sassanid baseline, he counts as 2 banners.
To exit, the unit or leader must start on the baseline and be ordered.
Special Rules
*Night is in effect. No ranged combat is allowed. Remove the Darken the Sky, Fire & Close and Move,Fire,Move Command Cards.
*Sassanid units are surprised, and cannot use armour superiority. All swords hit Sassanid units.
*If a Byzantine unit occupies a Sassanid camp hex at the start of the Byzantine turn, the player may remove the hex and gain 1 Victory banner before playing a Command Card.
* Retreat and Panic rules (Exp.1) are in effect for the Sassanids