How to beat the Spartans

As the weather up here in Edinburgh developed rather to november-nasty, I decided to warm myself at an mediterranean table with some Peleponnesian hoplites vs some Delian imperialists. 28mm, Hail Caesar plus some add. useful rules.

Initially I geared them up in parallel lines, the Spartans more conservative, i. e. the elite bodyguard of the king on the left and the line up cascading down in troop quality to the right - all nicely flanked by some sorry helots in weapons, as peltasts. Ah, and a cavalry unit purely for embellishment and amusement. The Battlefield was an arid plain flanked by some difficult terrain (olive trees, bushes and rocks), where only peltasts could and would go.

The Athenians had more peltasts on their flanks and a slightly better cavalry (even if in nano measurements), but lacking the punch in the elite units. The Delian set up was slightly more modern as the quality of the line was mixed, still the general, with the elites, was as per usual on the opposite of the Peloponnesian weakest line. It seems not that easy to progress all in one line ... the goal of both would be to beat the opposite lower caste of hoplite unit, and then to roll up the line of the other.

Initial set up

the Kings bodyguard

and their Delian opponents (mere regular hoplites)

First turn - both fail to keep their units in line ...

The helots clash with the free men of Athens

The slingers in the olive grove

again not much movement

... and everybody tries to be in Phalanx (needs here a command check up roll)

the Spartan horse charges!

but is beaten back ... on top the bodyguard and the king charges!!

more peltasts clash

The Spartans charge the Delian moras

the middle field just shuffles into phalanx formation

The Delian general misses the opportunity for a fast charge

the second best Spartan unit has been pushed back ...

... slowly some battle lines are drawn ...

the Kings bodyguard fights alone

The spartan helots are no match for free men!

Finally the Delian General charges unarmored Peleponnesian auxiliary hoplites

still the centre is not ready ...

Then the spartan unarmored hoplites attack in phalanx!!

the spartan helot/light cavalry flank is non-existent anymore!

but still the Athenian general seem to struggle vs unarmored hoplites ...

then the unarmored auxilliares break - the King attacks again!

and nearly destroys the two Delian moras, alas just pushes them back

now all the Athenians have to do is to roll up the Spartan line

Spartans allies, one after the other is rounded up and destroyed

until the Spartan themselves are surrounded and pelted by peltasts!

as the two heavily beaten moras can't get out of their shaken status and attack the only option for the spartans is to die in shame ...