Gabiene - DBA Scenario

Gabiene, 315 BC.

Return to the description of the battle.

For this battle the published DBA 1.1 Eumenid and Antigonid army lists should be amended slightly.  The lists give Eumenes a clear cavalry superiority, which was not the case at Gabiene.

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Eumenes
2 x 3 Kn
One knight must be designated as the General's element.  Most of these horse were raised from the Persian Upper Satrapies.
1 x 2 LH
Shieldless skirmishing horse.
4 x 4 Pk
The phalanx.  Two of these elements will represent the Macedonian Silver Shields.  See below for the special scenario rules.  Other pike are described as being armed in the Macedonian fashion, so are probably pantodapoi.
3 x 2 Ps
Some of these skirmishers would be Persian slingers and archers, but at least one element should be Indian archers, from Eumenes' Indian ally Eudamos.
2 x El
Eumenes had more elephants than Antigonos at Gabiene, again courtesy of Eudamos.

 

Antigonos
2 x 3 Kn
One knight represents Antigonos and Demetrios, and therefore must be designated as the General's element.  Your typical Hellenistic xystophoroi.
1 x 3 Cv
Heavy Thracian cavalry.  Perhaps mercenaries, probably originating from Greek colonies planted by Alexander in Asia, rather than directly from Thrace.
1 x 2 LH
Tarantines, or for colour, Median light horse.  Take your pick.  Antigonos' light horse have a special scenario rule attached to them.
4 x 4 Pk
The phalanx.   Like Eumenes, Antigonos enrolled a number of pantodapoi, or Easterners armed in the Macedonian fashion.  In DBA terms, perhaps two elements.
1 x 4 Aux
Peltasts.
2 x 2 Ps
Probably a mix of javelinmen and slingers.
1 x El
Naturally.  What self respecting Successor army would be without their Elephant?

 

Deployment

Gabiene deployment

Special Rules & Notes

  • In this battle, wheeling flank attacks happened twice, both times instigated by Antigonos.  The DBA recommended board size of 2x2 for 15mm figures is simply too cramped.  I'd strongly urge you to use a 3x2 board.

  • There was no terrain of note, so the entire battlefield is good going.

  • Eumenes' camp was apparently poorly guarded, so the intrinsic camp followers do not get their normal +2 combat bonus.  Antigonos' camp isn't represented for this battle.

  • Although terrain did not affect the battle's outcome, the dust clouds raised by the armies' movement and fighting certainly did.  Accordingly both sides command radius is reduced to 600p.

  • Antigonos' light horse, led by the able Peithon, proved rather adept at following orders.  Therefore Antigonos' light horse element shall always have a free movement per bound.  It still moves only once; it just doesn't cost the Antigonid player any pips to do so.

  • The Silver Shields of Eumenes were an elite unit.  In addition, their reputation certainly affected the morale of Antigonos' phalanx.  Any foot element in close combat with the Shield Shields has a -2 modifier, in addition to any other normal combat modifiers.

  • Normal victory conditions apply.

    Bibliography

    Richard Billows, Antigonos the One-Eyed, University of California Press.
    M. Cary, A History of the Greek World, Methuen & Co.
    Diodoros, Book XIX, Harvard University Press.
    Duncan Head, Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars, Wargames Research Publication Group.

     

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