Victory in the Second Punic War (218-201 BC) established Rome as the dominant power in the Western Mediterranean. Since Philip V of Macedon had allied with Hannibal during that war, Rome had a score to settle. Rome used complaints from Rhodes and Pergamum about Macedonian aggression as a pretext to invade. The Senate sent Flamininus with two legions and some Greek allies for a showdown with Philip in 197 BC. This would be the first contest between the Roman legion and a true Macedonian phalanx (Pyrrhus’ phalanx had been composed of Epirotes, and Hannibal’s of many nationalities). The two armies were nearly identical in size, with around 23,000 infantry and 2,000 cavalry each. The battle would be won by the superior tactical system, not weight of numbers. Still, the hilly Greek terrain at Cynoscephalae did favor the legion. The two armies were marching on opposite sides of a ridgeline and met unexpectedly in the early morning mist. A skirmish began between light troops, and Philip decided to commit his entire army. Philip took command of the right wing and successfully attacked the Roman left. Flaminius seized the initiative and launched an attack spearheaded by elephants on the left flank phalanx, breaking it before it was fully deployed. Each army’s right wing was now victorious. An unknown Roman tribune, ‘seeing what ought to be done’ detached some maniples from the Roman right to strike the flank of the victorious Macedonian right wing phalanx. Philip’s pha- Cynoscephalae – 197 BC lanx was shattered in a textbook example of flexibility versus rigidity. Philip’s hopes to unite the Greeks under Macedonian hegemony ended with his defeat.“:

Taken from Ancients – Commands and Colors System website.

Map from the Penn State website.

As normal, the re-fight was using the Command and Colors game system on a hex mat with 15mm figures. The game was laid out as per the map below.

We had progressed a fair way into the game before I remembered to take some quick photos which suffered in quality as a result.

The deployment at the start of the game. Geoff and I were playing the Romans and given our Command cards decided to hold our right flank as the Macedonians already had the ridge line to our front, and attack in the centre. Unfortunately Bill and Steve’s command cards meant they had trouble coordinating a suitable plan.

The Roman centre advances to the ridge line with their light infantry skirmishers.

Legionnaires advance to the hills in force ready to disperse the Macedonian phalanx.

The legions have broken through and are now only facing light troops.

The Macedonian left is intact but the battle is almost over.

The Macedonian King seeking refuge with his light troops as the legions forge forward.

The Macedonians in full retreat with the battle over.

For those not used to the Command and Colors game you are dealt a number of command cards that allow you to move certain troops in one or more sectors of the battlefield. The trick is to try and keep some cards in your hand that can allow you to respond in any threatened sector. The Macedonians were unable to do this because the cards did not allow them to respond adequately to the main threat in their centre (the general and his sub commanders were having a bad day).

Players swapped sides and I retired and Blake took my place.

This time the Macedonians followed their historical counterparts and tried to move their left flank to respond to the threat in their centre.

It was a near run thing but this time Bill and Steve had their first win in three outings together making it two nil to the Romans.

Command and Colors is not my preferred set of rules for the Pyrrhic Wars, but it is a great simple system to play in a few hours on a Friday night after a tough week at work.