The early army of Antiochus III and the armies of Achaeus and Molon make interesting wargaming forces. Following are some guidelines for recreating these forces:

Historical Enemies - Antiochus III: The early reign of Antiochus III saw a serious civil war with Molon [Seleucid - Book Two], and conflict was also possible throughout the early period with Achaeus, whose army will be detailed in Part VI. He also campaigned actively in Coele Syria against Ptolemy IV [Ptolemaic - Book Two], and subdued Media Atropatene [Early Armenian - Book Two].

Historical Enemies - Molon: His brief rebellion was spent mainly in conflict with the King's forces [Seleucid - Book Two].

In addition, for both Antiochus III and Molon, confrontations were possible throughout this period with eastern foes, including India [Mountain Indian, or Classical Indian - Book Two], Kappadokia [Ariarathrid Kappadokian - 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 sub-generals: Molon was assisted by his brother, Alexander, satrap of Persis, and another brother, Neolus, who commanded his right against Antiochus. Antiochus III initially had access to Seleucus III's skillful general Epigenes, and thereafter used a cadre of skilled sub generals including Theodotus "One and a half", Theodotus the Aetolian (after his defection from Ptolemy), Xenon and Xenoetas, who led expeditions against Molon, Zeuxis and Hermogenes, who lead assaults on the walls of Seleucia, and finally Diognetus his admiral.

Potential Allies: Neither Antiochus nor Molon made any use of allies during this period.

Variations by Troop Type:

Companions, Agema and Argyraspids - Molon probably had access to the agema, but not either the companions nor the argyraspids. During the campaigns against Molon, Antiochus probably didn't have the services of the agema.

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. During the campaigns of Antiochus against Molon, for both leaders the available quantity of phalangites [Reg Pk(O)] should be reduced to 8-12 elements. Against Ptolemy, Antiochus lacked the resources of Asia Minor, but scraped together as large a force as he could muster, therefore 12-16 elements seem appropriate (remembering that the relative size of the phalanx at Raphia was its undoing).

Levies - As anarchy bread by civil war engulfed the kingdom, leaders had to increase the proportion of levied troops in their forces. Both Antiochus and Molon should employ 4-12 levies [Irr Hd(O)] against one another.

Scythed Chariots - Antiochus III was the first Seleucid ruler since the reign of Seleucus I we know to have employed scythed chariots, and he was fond of them as a weapon. They should be allowed by his forces throughout his reign. There is no mention of their use by Molon, and he certainly would have used them if they were available, so he clearly didn't possess any.

Civic militia cavalry or Tarantines - Molon only had access to the eastern resources of the empire, and then shakily, during his revolt. Antiochus III was without the majority of the eastern resources until suppressing Molon, and without those of Asia Minor throughout this initial period of his reign. The chaos throughout this period meant that the entire resources of the realm were never available to any of these rulers. Therefore only up to 3 civic militia cavalry may be used by any force, although up to 6 mercenary Tarantines are available to all.

Elephants - Antiochus III was recorded as using elephants against Molon, and his elephants were very successful at Raphia. Against Molon he should field only 0-1, against Ptolemy he should be allowed 0-3.

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

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.

Other 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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