Ancient Warfare Armies: The Greek Wars Part 1
Ancient Warfare Armies: The Greek Wars Part 2

Early Carthaginian: 550-240 BC

This is the army of the city-state of Carthage from its period of expansion until the end of the 1st Punic War with Rome. Carthaginian armies campaigned in Libya, Numidia, Sicily and Sardinia. Remember, Carthage was finally defeated on the seas, not on land, and this army, when well led, can take on any army, period.

Tactical Hints: Always upgrade when possible. Watch where you place your heavy chariots and cavalry. Keep them away from the elephants! I like the elephants in the centre flanked by heavy and lightly armoured infantry as well as Gallic allies. Use the skirmish cavalry to screen the heavier cavalry and heavy chariots, supporting with Gauls and Spanish. This is a great, diverse and powerful army for any level of player.

Enemies: Numidian, Libyan, Syracusan, Punic Wars Republican Roman, Pyrrhic, Spanish.

Macedonian Early Successor: 320-260 BC

With Alexander’s death his generals broke up his empire, each claiming to be his successor. This list represents mainland Greece with the Macedonian army as its core. The successors were in constant conflict with one another attempting to gain supremacy in the eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor. This represents the forces commanded by Antipater, Perdikas,

Tactical Hints: Essentially the same as the Alexandrian Macedonian army and similar tactics should be used. Interesting battles can be re-enacted with all the successors.

Enemies: Later Illyrian, Thracian, Later Hoplite Greek, Early Asiatic Successor, Lysimachid, Pyrrhic, Galatian, Ptolemaic and Hellenistic Greek.

Early Asiatic Successor: 320-300 BC

Another of the successor’s located in Mesopotamia, the heartland of the older Persian army. Like all the successor armies it was built around Alexander’s army and augmented with indigenous people and their particular fighting abilities. The inclusion of Indian troops under Eumenes makes this a colorful army.

Tactical Hints: Large numbers of elephants and longbow gives this army a powerful punch. But be careful, Indian troops have poor morale quality and will not stand when faced with danger. Variants used will determine what tactics should be employed. This is an army for an experienced player.

Enemies: Macedonian Early Successor, Lysimachid, Galatian, Ptolemaic, Seleucid and Bactrian Greek.

Lysimachid: 320-280 BC

Located in the wild hills of Macedonian and Thrace this army includes a large number of irregular troops built around the old Macedonian army.

Tactical Hints: Use this army with hills and delaying terrain to maximize the peltasts capabilities while your regulars hold the open areas. If you can get the irregulars frenzied they can tear holes in an enemy line but if they cannot get the advantage on the first round then they are in trouble. Once again, use skirmishers or the peltasts ability to fire javelin to soften up the enemy before engaging in melee to insure stand losses which will cause morale tests. A one shot army, not for the faint hearted. If you lose your troops will be racing back towards your baseline before pursuing cavalry. Not recommended for the timid or conservative player.

Enemies: Later Illyrian, Thracian, Macedonian Early Successor, Early Asiatic Successor and Pyrrhic.

Pyrrhic: 300-275 BC

Pyrrhus of Epirus, a young Greek king with ambitions to take on the growing economic and political strength of Rome and Carthage, managed to fight against both of these emerging competitive powers in a short period of time. Ostensibly called upon to help his fellow Greeks defend their mercantile city of Tarentum, on the Italian coast, from threatening Roman besiegers, Pyrrhus raised his army of 25,000 men and 20 elephants and sailed to their defense.

The Tarentines had promised that the Greeks would have plenty of help from disaffected tribes, unhappy with Roman hegemony. Pyrrhus duly moved against the nearest roman army and defeated it at Heraclea. No help from the promised quarter, however, until he proved himself. At this point, several thousand 'recruits' did join him, but they hardly made up for his experienced phalangite losses in the battle. After another battle at Asculum, and more heavy losses, Pyrrhus sailed to Sicily to help even more Greeks who were fighting the Carthaginians. His forces were partially successful, but the plight of the Tarentines called him back to Italy for a final test of arms.

This time, he was defeated and his army destroyed at Beneventum. Pyrrhus returned to Greece and Tarentum fell to the Romans three years later.

Tactical Hints: The Epirot army is a powerful one. It contains all of the elements of a good, well-rounded military force. This is a fine army for any level of player.

Enemies: Camillan Roman, Syracusan, Carthaginian 1st Punic War, Hellenic Greek and Galatian.

Galatian: 280-25 BC

The cousins of the Celtic Gauls, and settled in Asia Minor, Galatians were even fiercer and more dangerous to face! During their migration from central Europe, they attempted invasions of Macedonia, Greece and other Balkan states. In these, they were generally successful until finally defeated by allied Greek armies. After which, the Galatians retreated north or into Asia Minor. They fought in close order and utilized dreaded scythed chariots to smash through anyone in their way.

Tactical Hints: This is another favorite army. The Galatians appear vulnerable because of their lack of armor, but they are extremely tenacious during the initial round of close combat. The hillmen and skirmish infantry are great for clearing delaying terrain, while the heavy chariots can lead the assault, supported by the warbands, that follow them into combat. Throw the main assault at the enemy CinC, wherever he is. Use the flanks for diversionary attacks and feints, to keep your enemy honest. This is a fair army for any level of player, but deadly in the hands of an experienced gamer.

Enemies: Thracian, Macedonian, Early Successor, Early Asiatic Successor, Seleucid and Pergamene.

Armenian: 300 BC-425 AD

Armenia, situated in the unenviable position of being prime real estate for invasions by Rome, Parthia and the Sassanians, managed to survive for over 700 years. This survival depended upon a diplomatic ability to goad their enemies into fighting each other rather than the Armenians.

Tactical Hints: This army takes some practice to use. The armored cavalry are tough, but not invulnerable. Use the unarmored infantry for supports and screen the cavalry with skirmisher foot. A cavalry assault all along the line is a good tactic. This is not for beginners.

Enemies: Alexandrian Imperial, Seleucid, Parthian, Sassanian Persian, Marian, Early, Middle and Later Imperial Roman.

Seleucid: 320-83 BC

The Seleucid kingdom embraced most of the Asian territory conquered by Alexander and unified under Seleucus I and his descendants. The core of the army was the Hellenistic units, many of which were descended from Macedonian units. The cavalry guards and Argyraspids (Silver Shields) were the standing forces, and training cadres for many of the Hellenistic colonists. Hellenistic mercenaries and indigenous subjects supplemented these. There was usually only one field army commanded by the king or a designated commander. Occasionally, there were two field armies with one campaigning on a secondary front. The second army would have a smaller contingent of guards and Argyraspids if present. Armies varied dramatically in size and composition. Seleucus I used mainly cavalry and light troops at Ipsus. Antiochus III commanded a force of 10,000 infantry (possibly all Argyraspids) and 500 cavalry at Thermopylae, and at Magnesia, he had as many as 72,000.

The most powerful of all the successors located in the Middle East. The most popular gamed, written and painted of all the ancient armies next to the Romans. Wedging cavalry, pikemen, elephants, scythed chariots and fanatical Galatians found in this army are by themselves a problem but taken together are a nightmare.

Tactical Hints: Many competitive tournament gamers like to use this army and usually end high in the final ratings. Players not using the Seleucids plan their lists planning on facing them in a tournament. Upgrading through the years only makes this powerful army even harder to face. The key to this army is knowing when to co-ordinate attacks for maximized effect. Novice gamers commit units unsupported expecting large holes to be opened up by elephants or chariots. A more experienced gamer knows when and how to use each facet of this army. This is an excellent beginning army for a neophyte gamer.

Enemies: Galatian, Armenian, Seleucid, Ptolemaic, Punic War Republican Roman, Pergamene, Later Macedonian, Bactrian Greek, Parthian, Maccabean Jewish.

Ptolemaic: 320-40 BC

Located in Egypt, the Ptolemies were in constant conflict with the Seleucids and are practically identical except the Seleucids were a notch better. The inclusion of native troops dilutes its staying power with lower morale. Most gamers prefer to stay with the Macedonian variants to maximize fighting abilities. The Ptolemies, Lysimachids, and Early Successors are practically identical armies and for the sake of historical battles, and can be switched back and forth to fit the scenario.

Tactical Hints: Though still a powerful army, the poor quality Egyptian subjects are not a great force to place any reliance upon. Still, the wedging cavalry and elephants along with supporting Egyptian foot can and will win battles. The secret is co-ordinating your attacks. Keep the foot back and able to exploit enemy mistakes or your own breakthroughs.

Enemies: Alexandrian Imperial, Carthaginian, Early Asiatic Successor, Seleucid, Marian/Caesarian Roman.

Hellenistic Greek: 275-146 BC

Greek warfare had evolved since classical times. A lightly armed soldier with greater mobility on the battlefield now replaced the heavily armored hoplite. Close order troops were rarely used now being an option. A battlefield dominated by hills and delaying terrain would be ideal for this army. Like all open order armies if caught in the open by heavier armed enemies will suffer. This is not one of the most popular armies in this era.

Tactical Hints: Use the allied loose order foot with plenty of delaying terrain to stymie you enemies. You will have a difficult time facing a Seleucid style army straight up, so use your advantages in delaying terrain and even flank marches to outflank your opponent. Ambushes out of forests can be very effective.

Enemies: Macedonian, Early Successor, Hellenistic Greek and Punic War Republican Roman.

Punic War Republican Roman: 275-100 BC

This is the army of Scipio Africanus, the scourge of Carthage and the arch-enemy of Hannibal. This Roman army is more versatile that the Camillan. The Romans at this point in their history had to be adept at improvising and utilising many non-Roman troops as the home forces were destroyed one battle at a time.

Tactical Hints: This is a very tough army to fight against. The heavy infantry once again are the shock troops. Make sure that they are mutually supported. Cavalry on the flanks with the Spanish and Italian lightly armored infantry to handle delaying terrain situations, screened by skirmisher foot should keep the heavy infantry center ssault protected from another Cannae. This is a good army for any level of player.

Enemies: Celtic Gaul, Hellenistic Greek, Pergamene, Later Macdonian, Carthaginian, Spanish, Numidian, Early German, and Seleucid.

Pergamene: 269-130 BC

This is an interesting army insofar as it has so much variety. Another enemy of the Successors, the Pergamum “kingdom” fought to survive in Asia Minor, with encroachment by both Bythinia and the Seleucids. The establishment of the kingdom provided a safe haven for a large treasury created by Lysimachus. His money funded the independent growth of the city, which employed mercenaries to defend it against its neighbors. Appealing to Rome for help, the kingdom became absorbed into the growing Roman Empire and Rome warred with the Successors after defeating Hannibal.

Tactical Hints: The army benefits from having very good cavalry that may be upgraded to armored veterans. There are elephants to hold the center peltasts and Galatian allies for delaying terrain troops and plenty of artillery. The cavalry can force either or both flanks, screened by the large numbers of skirmisher cavalry and infantry. This could be a very dangerous army in the hands of an experienced player, but would be okay for any level.

Enemies: Galatian and Seleucid.

Later Macdonian: 260-150 BC

Like the Hellenistic Greeks, the army reflects a move away from heavy armored troops to favor increased mobility. The pike are retained but cannot have their armor upgraded.

Tactical Hints: The large number of irregular and loose formation troops favor a more open, fluid battle, probing for weak spots in the enemy line. The lack of elephants and chariots put a heavier burden upon the Galatians and irregular (L) formations to go frenzied and disorder the enemy. This is not recommended for inexperienced gamers.

Enemies: Illyrian, Thracian, Early Asiatic Successor, Seleucid, Hellenistic Greek, Republican Roman.

Bactrian Greek: 250-130 BC

Bactria was a province of the old Persian Empire located next to India and was colonised by Greeks, descendants of Alexander’s army. They represent a small percentage of the army while either subject Indians or Saka allies filled the remainder. The Saka offer armored and skirmish cavalry while the Indians offer missile fire but poor cavalry.

Tactical Hints: The striking power of this army is the upgraded cavalry, expensive but powerful. Armored cavalry supported by massive bowfire has the ability to overwhelm the enemy. Just hope they do not have elephants that will disorder your cavalry. This is primarily a cavalry army and as such should be used carefully.

Enemies: Indian, Skythian, Seleucid, Graeco-Indian, Kushan and Parthian.

Graeco-Indian: 184-145 BC

When the Graeco-Bactrian king, Demetrius I decided to expand his holdings (he had been quite successful at the expense of the Seleucids thus far in his reign), he looked toward India. His greatest general Menander, would eventually be quite successful at expanding Greek holdings in north-west India.

Tactical Hints: The Greeks represent a percentage of the army while either subject Indians or mercenaries filled the remainder. The mercenaries offered skill and training while the Indians offered missile fire. The striking power of this army is the high quality cavalry, expensive but powerful. Armored cavalry supported by massive bowfire has the ability to overwhelm the enemy. Just hope they do not have elephants that will disorder your cavalry. This is primarily a cavalry army and as such should be used carefully. A combined attack with elephants, phalanx and Indian archers supported by some armored cavalry is an excellent way to learn how to use this army.

Enemies: Indian, Skythian, Graeco-Bactrian, Parthian, Kushan and Seleucid.

Later Punic War Carthaginian: 240-164 BC

This is the army of Hannibal and his successors, and my own personal favorite for gaming. The Carthaginian army has plenty of choices, mostly mercenary troops as the true Carthaginian armies under Hannibal slowly dwindled away after almost two decades of continual warfare. I try to field a historically balanced army; it is fun to use and gives a good feel of Hannibal's command problems.

Tactical Hints: Elephants in the center, supported by heavy infantry and fierce Gauls lead the assault. The skirmisher cavalry and heavy cavalry with Gallic warbands in support and heavy infantry can take the offensive on both flanks. Attack, attack, attack! This is a great army for any level of gamer.

Enemies: Celtic Gaul, Syracusan, Punic War

More Ancient Warfare Armies

Ancient Warfare Armies: The Greek Wars Part 1 Saga 84
Ancient Warfare Armies: The Greek Wars Part 2 Saga 85
Ancient Warfare Armies: The Greek Wars Part 3 Saga 86