This is a somewhat hypothetical scenario based on Mark Antony's invasion of Parthia in 36 BC. To work properly it requires at least three players (one Roman, one Parthian and one Armenian) but can accommodate rather more. Please note there are 3 briefings. It is designed to be played in an evening.

INTRODUCTION

Antony, feeling the need for a political and military success to restore his reputation in Rome (now dominated by Octavian - later to become Augustus) decided on an offensive war against Parthia, ostensibly to recover the standards and prisoners lost by Crassus in the disastrous campaign of 53 BC.

Antony assembled a very large force (according to Plutarch 60,000 Roman foot, 10,000 Gallic and Spanish horse and 30,000 allied horse and foot) for his expedition and was supported by Artavasdes, the King of Armenia (and according to Plutarch the promoter of the war) with 6,000 horse and 7,000 foot.

Instead of a slow, methodical advance which would have made full use of Roman defensive abilities Antony opted for a 'lightning war'. The ever 'gossipy' and moralising Plutarch says this is because Antony could not bear to be parted from Cleopatra for longer than was absolutely necessary, it may be however that Antony felt he could not afford to turn his back on Octavian. Antony may also have felt that the Parthians may have been in no state to resist him after a rather messy succession struggle in 37 BC during which Orodes was killed by his sons, being succeeded by Phraates.

Antony rapidly marched on Phraaspa, the capital of Media Atropatene, in his haste abandoning his siege train which was left to follow. Upon reaching Phraaspa Antony found it well defended, all he could do was establish his siege lines and await the arrival of his siege train.

Phraates, the Parthian king, learning of this assembled his army and sent 'a large detachment' (Plutarch) to intercept the Roman train. Statianus and the escort were slain (10,000 men lost) and the train destroyed. Due to the scarcity and poor quality of the local timber Antony was unable to replace this loss and the setback persuaded Artavasdes of Armenia that he had 'backed the wrong horse' and he and his army withdrew from the expedition. The Romans, making little headway, with supplies running out and under continual harassment from the Parthians eventually had to break away and retreat back to Armenia. With some skill Antony managed to keep the pursuing Parthians (some of these actions would also form the basis for good scenario) at bay and eventually brought his army to safety (beating the Parthians in 18 encounters) for the loss of 20,000 foot and 4,000 horse.

THE SCENARIO

This scenario is based on the Parthian attack on the Roman train as it marches to join Antony. It is not meant to be an accurate model of what actually occurred but is rather designed to give an entertaining and maybe 'slightly different' game. The OOBs are speculative and are structured to give 'representative forces' only. For extra 'flavour' some of the events which befell Crassus in 53 BC have been added to this scenario.

There are 3 briefs and 00bs. It is VITAL that players read only their own brief.

FINAL NOTE

Plutarch is not the most reliable source for information (possibly one of the most unreliable?) but he is very useful for background colour, anecdotes etc.

Bibliography

Although superfluous, useful ideas may be found in:

Langhorne, J. Plutarch's Lives, London 1876
Warry, J. Warfare in the CLassical World London, 1980
Wilcox, F. Rome's Enemies (3): Parthians and Sassnid Persians, Osprey, London 1986

Mark Antony in Parthia 36BC

Introduction and Background
Roman Briefing and OOB
Parthian Briefing and OOB
Armenian Briefing and OOB
Umpire Notes and Map