Background This scenario is based on an historical incident from the Pyrrhos campaign in 272 B.C. which I have translated into a game situation. Most of the information came from the book-, "Antigonos Gonatas" by W.W. Tarn. You can use any set of rules, I used Armati. Pyrrhos attacked Sparta mainly for the glory of being the one to take the famous city. His attack resulted in a sharp untidy fight across barricades and ditches. Eventually Pyrrhos was forced to withdraw because of the arrival of two relief forces. One was Spartan, commanded by King Areus who had been absent from the city. The other was sent by Antigonos, King of Macedonia who was an enemy of Pyrrhos. This second force was commanded by Ameinias and was sent from Corinth. None of the sources really gave much indication of the seize of the forces. Tarn says that Pyrrhos had 25,000 foot, 2,000 horse and 24 Elephants. Depending on which rules you use I recommend that Pyrrhos and Amenias both have full armies. Amenias was a mercenary General and his force was the mercenary garrison of Corinth. It should include Peltasts,light troops and possibly some Galatians. Areus should be smaller but include some Elite troops and some Cretan archers. Tarn mentions 2000 Cretans. Set up I used a 6' by 4' table with Sparta down part of one long edge. The city counted as cover with a linear edge. It was defended by poor quality troops, mainly light. I placed vineyards and orchards as well as fields around the City. Pyrrhos' army was set up opposite with the army organised as three commands. Tarn mentions Pyrrhos' sons Ptolemaias and Helenos. Who seem to have acted as cavalry sub-generals. Ptolemaias should be rated as "rash." Amenias entered from one short edge while Areus entered from the opposite short edge. Game mechanics The solo player needs to decide which force he is going to play. Then decide their own objectives. The other two sides are controlled by dice according to the following objective table; The Spartans in Sparta are not allowed to leave. Pyrrhos: Throw 1d6 1 - Attack Sparta, use some troops to hold off the relief forces. 2- Attack the Macedonians while holding off the Spartans. 3- Attack the Spartans while holding off the Macedonians. 4- Attack both the relief forces. 5/6 Draw off and try to escape from the relief forces. Areus: Throw 1d6 1/2 Enter Sparta as quickly as possible. 3/4 Attack Pyrrhos so as to be the saviour of Sparta. 5/6 Attack Pyrrhos but send some of your troops into Sparta. Ameinias: Throw 1d6 1-4 Attack Pyrrhos as he is the main problem. 5/6 March into Sparta as quickly as possible. Re-fight For my re-fight I took the part of Pyrrhos. I decided to attack the Macedonians while holding off the Spartans. Then I threw for their reactions. The Spartans headed strait for Pyrrhos. While the Macedonians tried to march into Sparta. This lead to an interesting battle. Pyrrhos' light troops were driven off by the Spartans. Meanwhile he attacked the Macedonian column and at first halted it. However the Spartan vanguard were able to interfere. At the end Pyrrhos drew off after inflicting considerable casualties. A real pyrrhic victory and an enjoyable evening. Historically there was not actually a battle outside Sparta. Both relief forces entered the city and after some skirmishing Pyrrhos drew off. He fought against the Spartan vanguard and then turned towards his next adventure and final destiny. However I like designing scenarios which give an historical context to a solo game. Back to Table of Contents -- Lone Warrior #123 Back to Lone Warrior List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1998 by Solo Wargamers Association. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com