The armies of Seleucus II, Antiochus Hierax and Seleucus III make interesting wargaming forces. In particular, the army of Hierax offers a change from the usual mix of Seleucid forces. Following are some guidelines for recreating these forces:

Historical Enemies - Seleucus II: The reign of Seleucus II was almost a continual civil war, first against Berenice, leading to a reign-long hostility to Egypt [Ptolemaic - Book Two], then against Antiochus Hierax, who would field a Seleucid army maxxed up with barbarians. The brief period between the death of Hierax and his own death could easily have seen conflict with Pergamum [Attalid Pergamene - Book Two].

Historical Enemies - Antiochus Hierax: Antiochus Hierax fought extensively against Seleucus II, who would field a more conventional Seleucid army, and against the rising power of Pergamum [Attalid Pergamene - Book Two]. He also on occasion fought his Galatian "allies" [Galatian - Book Two].

Historical Enemies - Seleucus III: His brief reign was spent in trying to regain Asia Minor from Attalus of Pergamum [Attalid Pergainene - Book Two]. Though he left the conflict with the Ptolemaic forces mostly to Macedon, conflict was very possible with them [Ptolemaic - Book Two].

Note: As much of the actual fighting during this period occurred along the coastal plain of Asia Minor, any of these forces could include and/or be opposed by allied contingents from the local Greek cities [Hellenistic Greek Book Two].

In addition, for both Seleucus II and Seleucus III, confrontations were possible with eastern foes, including India [Mountain Indian, or Classical Indian - Book Two], Kappadokia [Arlarathrid Kappadoklan - Book Two], Armenia [Early Armenian - Book Two], the various Arab tribes and cities [Nabataean Arab, or Later Pre-Islamic Arab Book Two], and the Skythians [Skythian - Book One].

Potential subgenerals: All three of these rulers tended to lead their own forces in the field. Antiochus Hierax should not field any sub-generals, only ally-generals, to reflect the continual saga for control he faced. Seleucus II entrusted the army which finally defeated Hierax to his father-in-law Achaeus and his cousin Andromachus. Seleucus III's army was skillfully handled after his death by his general Epigenes.

Potential allies: Seleucus II lacked allies of any significance throughout his reign, other than several of the Greek cities of Asia Minor [Hellenistic Greek - Book Two], Rhodes being the preeminent example. The army of Antiochus Hierax presents an interesting case it is best represented as a command of "traditional" Seleucid troops under Merax himself, plus a variety of allied contingents, most usually including Galatians [Galatian Book Two], and also Pontic forces [Mithridatic - Book Two], Armenians [Early Armenian - Book Two], Bithynian [Bythinian - Book Two], independent Greek cities [Hellenistic Greek - Book Two] and possibly even Thracians [Thracian - Book One].

Plausible allies for Seleucus III's army include the Macedonian army of Antigonus Doson [Macedonian Early Successor - Book Two], had they combined against either Attalus or Ptolemy, and the unreliable Galatian allies responsible for his untimely end [Galatian Book Two].

Variations by Troop Type:

Companions, Agema and Argyraspids - As he was never able control or even seriously threaten the heart of the empire in Syria, Antiochus Hierax never had access to these elite units, and therefore none of the capability to field them or the minimums required should apply to a force commanded by him.

Phalanx - Throughout this period, the military settlements in Asia Minor and those in Syria and the east were never in the same hands, so therefore each leader would have been limited in the number of regular core troops that could be fielded. For all three leaders the available quantity of phalangites [Reg Pk(O)] should be reduced to 8-12 elements.

Levies - As anarchy bread by civil war engulfed the kingdom, leaders had to increase the proportion of levied troops in their forces. For all three leaders the available quantity of levies [Irr Hd(O)] should be increased to 4-12 elements.

Civic Militia cavalry or Tarantins. The chaos throughout this period meant that the entire resoources of the realm never available to any of these rulers. All three armies should emphasize mercenary troops around a small core drawn from the military colonies in the areas they controlled. Therefore, only up to 2 civic militia cavalry may be used by any force, although up to 6 mercenary Tarantines are available to all.

Elephants - The gradual loss of communication with India led to a decline in elephant numbers - 0-1 available. Not until later in the reign of Antiochus III was the herd brought back up to the levels maintained by Seleucus I. Antiochus Hierax had no access to elephants - none are allowed.

Theuropborei - had completely replaced peltasts by this stage - they should all be fielded as Reg Ax(S).

Galatians - they figured very prominently in the campaigns both within Asia Minor and without during this period, Antiochus Hierax depended heavily on them, and should be required to field 4-12 elements, in addition to the Galatian Ally-General he is allowed. Seleucus III was also counting heavily on Galatian mercenaries for his attempted reconquest of Asia Minor from Pergamum, and so should be required a Galatian Ally-General, and be allowed no other elements other than those in the Ally-General's force.

Scythed Chariots - There is no historical mention of their use between the reign of Seleucus I and that of Antiochus III. Antiochus I was certainly exposed to them and familar with their use firsthand, and would have probably passed some or all of that knowledge down to his son Antiochus II. Therefore, I have retained their optional availability for both of these rulers (tbough the connection is somewhat tenuous for Antiochus II). Seleucus II, Antiochus Hierax and Seleucus III, however, did not field them and therefore they are not permitted on the specific lists for these rulers.

FURTHER READING:

If any of this catches your fancy, a list of suggested general works which provide a much more detailed look at this fascinating period was included with chapter one of this series.

The Selucid Army Parts

Part 4: The Laodician War, Seleucus I, Antiochus Hierax, and Seleucus III
Part 5: Antiochus III (The Great) Rescues the Kingdom

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