Cynoscephalae 197BC Set - Up

The battle of Cynoscephalae was fought in Thessaly in 197 BC between a Roman-Aetolian army led by Titus Quinctius Flamininus and an Antigonid Macedonian army led by King Philip V. The battle was the decisive engagement of the Second Macedonian War. The Roman victory forced Macedon to relinquish its possessions south of Mount Olympus, including the so-called "Fetters of Greece" — the fortresses at Demetrias, Chalcis and Acrocorinth, which had given Macedon its grip on southern Greece.
This refight is the second instalment in my Legion versus Phalanx series. The first was Pydna, fought by Philip's son Perseus nearly three decades later — so I appear to be working backwards through time. For Pydna, I used Strength and Honour, my usual rules for the period, but for Cynoscephalae, I've turned to To the Strongest, which I've played many times before, mostly for the Crusader era. As with Pydna, I've adapted the historical scenario for solo play by leaning into the considerable uncertainty surrounding these ancient battles.

Legion versus Phalanx from Myth and Memory

The Battle

Cynoscephalae was an encounter battle. Both commanders were looking for a decisive engagement, but the fight itself began by accident. As so often in ancient battles, a clash between skirmishers and cavalry gradually drew in, first, the advance guards, then the main bodies of both armies.

Philip was quicker to reinforce his light troops and pushed his phalanx up onto the ridge crest, so the fighting initially took place on the Roman side of the high ground. Visibility had already been hampered by mist left over from the previous night's storm. When Philip's phalanx finally crested the ridge, he found the Roman army arrayed on the slopes below. Flamininus, watching the Macedonians push back his skirmish line, led his left wing forward in a counterattack, while his right wing — screened by elephants and light infantry — was ordered to hold its position.
This is the point at which my simulation begins: the two main battle lines facing off, with the skirmishing forces already pushed back into a supporting role. 

The Armies

As with most ancient battles, considerable uncertainty surrounds the narrative above. There is, however, broad modern agreement on the numbers involved, and most reconstructions still follow Hammond's classic account. Yet there remains sufficient uncertainty to vary the order of battle. Below is a basic order of battle used in my reconstruction. 

Macedonia

16,000 Phalangites - five units on the left and four on the right flank. 
There's a question over the phalanx's quality. Philip is reported to have conducted a wide-ranging recruitment drive ahead of the war, so it's plausible that some phalanx battalions on the Macedonian left were raw. One option is to field additional phalanx units while downgrading some to raw status. 
2,000 Agema — elite phalangites, often (misleadingly) described as peltasts; deployed on the right wing
2,000 Thracians — on the left wing, perhaps closer to the centre. They may have fought as light infantry, a warband, or thureophoroi, a loose infantry type named for the large oval shield (*thureos*) they carried, which allowed them to skirmish. I have classified the Thracians as thureophoroi.
2,000 Illyrians (Tralles) — javelin-armed light infantry
1,500 mercenaries — either light infantry or thureophoroi; I've used them as thureophoro in this refight and placed them next to the Thracians.
2,000 cavalry — good-quality Macedonian and Thessalian heavy horse. One unit is likely to have been a veteran guard unit.

Rome

4 legions — the sources are slightly confused on terminology, but the best reading is two Roman and two allied legions, divided evenly between the two wings. There's no certainty over the quality of the legions. Rome's overseas campaigns meant its citizens were spending longer under arms and growing steadily more professional, and Flamininus brought with him veterans who had served under Scipio in Africa. Much of the Roman infantry can therefore reasonably be treated as veteran, though this remains debatable.
6,000 Aetolian infantry — probably thureophoroi of uneven quality
1,200 Athamanian infantry — probably javelin-armed light troops of uneven quality.
800 Cretan archers — good quality
2,000 Roman and Italian heavy cavalry, on the left wing
400 Aetolian cavalry — they fought well in the battle, which suggests veteran heavy cavalry, though Aetolia is more usually associated with light horse. 
Elephants — an unknown number, but sufficient to cover all or part of the Roman right flank.

Command

The sources say very little about the command structure of either army. Both Philip and Flamininus were senior generals in the classic mould, detached from any single unit and free to move across the battlefield. There's no mention of a second Roman commander beyond the unnamed tribune who led the flanking charge that decided the battle. However, there must have been a senior officer on the Roman right, but that wing showed remarkably little initiative until Flamininus rode over in person and set it in motion. So the Roman army can be played with either one c general and a hero, the tribune, or a second command with an attached general can be added.
On the Macedonian side, Philip was supported by Nicanor, who was tasked with bringing the Macedonian left up from camp to the ridge. At least one more Macedonian officer likely went unmentioned in the sources, so I've added an extra commander of my own, attached to the mercenary unit.

What If?

Between the uncertain troop types and the patchy command structure, there's plenty of room for "what if" thinking. A few other points are worth considering, too.
The mist left by the previous night's storm had hindered visibility during the morning skirmishing and arguably helped trigger the battle in the first place, but it had cleared by the time the two main armies came face to face. What if it hadn't?
The sources are silent on how the overnight rain affected the ground. Where the slopes were slippery, one option is to increase activation costs for the first couple of turns. It's also unclear just how broken the terrain was: Hammond stressed the steepness of the ridge, while a more recent study (Morton) argues the ground was uneven and full of blind spots rather than genuinely rough or broken. A reasonable compromise is to scatter some rough going on both sides of the ridge, across the ground Nicanor has to cross to bring up the Macedonian left.
To reflect these uncertainties, a roll can be made on a 'What If' table before the battle commences.

The possibility of a variation can be determined with a simple d6 roll; a 1-2 means a variable is operative.
Then roll 1d10 for the variable in play. 0 = roll twice. Then throw 1d6 to see if the variable is active. If dice exceed the range, no change is made to the basic setup.

	Variable	D6	Result
1	Morning mist	1–2	Mist lingers for two full turns; all shooting halved, command activation costs +1
2	Ground conditions	1–2	Slopes are slick from the storm; +1 activation cost for both sides, turns 1–2 only
3	Macedonian left-wing phalanx quality	1–2	Two battalions raw; add one extra small phalanx unit to represent the wider levy, also raw
4	Thracian infantry (Macedonian left)	1–2	Deploy as a warband
5	Roman/Allied legion quality	1–2	Left-wing veteran (Scipio's African veterans), right-wing trained
6	Aetolian cavalry	1–2	Light cavalry, but treat as elite for this battle only
7	Roman right-wing command	1–3	Uninspired subordinate; -1 to activation rolls until Flamininus personally joins the wing
8	Extra Macedonian officer	1–4	Present, attached to the mercenary unit as described
9	Elephant numbers	1–3	Full screen — cover the whole Roman right flank

Next

Part Two will cover my refight of the battle using To the Strongest.

Diomedes and the Cyclops. Extracts from the Lost Book of Hesiod.

The Quest So Far

After leaving the valley of fantastically beautiful flowers (Episode 1), our heroes found the landscape becoming steadily harsher. The sweet fragrance of blossoms gradually gave way to the smell of damp decay, although traces of rich honey still lingered in the air. They entered an overgrown dell where the sand had become wet and muddy beneath their feet. Moss-covered rocks littered the ground, with patches of scrub providing the only cover.

The Home of Honey, Bees and Cyclops

Ahead stood three crude huts. In front of two of them towered enormous Cyclopes, shouting and waving their clubs at something only they could see in the distance. Even with their single eye, they appeared remarkably alert. 

Diomedes and his Company

Diomedes quickly formed a plan. The archers would remain at a safe distance, peppering the Cyclopes with arrows to distract them, while the swordsmen circled around the right flank. Once in position, they would overwhelm each giant through the weight of numbers.

The plan worked surprisingly well—at first.

The archers shot with remarkable accuracy, and before long, one Cyclops resembled an oversized pincushion. Yet, despite the number of arrows protruding from his body, the giant seemed barely affected. He continued hurling huge rocks towards the advancing heroes. Soon, his brother joined in, although both giants proved to be rather inaccurate.

The Harpy

Just as the warriors began to close the distance, the beating of wings echoed overhead. A harpy swooped down, attempting to snatch Xanthe's sword. Fortunately, the creature's strength was no match for the determined warrior, who threw it aside. Nevertheless, the attack served as a warning: the Cyclopes were not the only danger lurking in this strange valley.

With fresh urgency, Diomedes led his companions forward. The crashing of rocks and thunderous footsteps disturbed the enormous bees near the huts, and they swarmed angrily. One of the Cyclopes hurled a massive boulder that crashed into Diomedes' shield. For a normal man, this would have ended in death, but for a son of a god, he remained standing with a sore shoulder, his arm hanging uselessly by his side. 

Diomedes, Xanthe and Menelaus fight Ceraos. Iolaus stands back with his eye on the huts.

The Sea God Rumbles

Then another sound rolled across the valley—a deep rumble, like a team of horses galloping through crashing surf. The Cyclopes smiled, seemingly invigorated by the mysterious noise.

Had Poseidon himself come to his offspring's aid? 

The situation suddenly looked far more dangerous.

Meanwhile, the old man of the troop, Aegisthus, found himself locked in combat with the harpy as it swooped repeatedly from behind the rocks, claws slashing wildly. Aegisthus, taken by surprise, was clawed down his back, falling to the ground covered in blood. 

Then an even more terrifying sight emerged. 

Molebos - The Elder Brother Arrives.

A third Cyclops, the oldest of the brothers, appeared. 

Larger than the other two and far better armed, he carried a sword that would have required two hands for any ordinary man. As he lumbered towards the battle, the harpy wisely abandoned the fight and flew towards Atalanta and the other archers.

It proved to be a fatal mistake.

Atalanta calmly drew her bow, loosed a single arrow, and the harpy tumbled lifeless from the sky. How long could she keep her heritage secret from her friends and companions, she wondered?

Near the huts, the struggle with the remaining Cyclopes intensified. Diomedes and his companions finally brought down one of the giants, but the other fought stubbornly on, sweeping his enormous stone axe over the heads of the surrounding warriors. 

Iolaus, Honey and a Beautiful Maiden

While the fighting raged, Iolaus, always careful to be useful without being injured, quietly slipped away to investigate the huts. His first discovery was a large pot of honey. Unable to resist, he sampled it—and then another taste, and another. Surely this was the Honey of the Gods! Sensibly deciding that meddling with divine delicacies was unwise, he reluctantly put the pot down and continued searching the remaining huts. The second hut proved unrevealing, but in the last of the cyclops abodes, he found a beautiful young girl tied up, one must assume as a future delicacy.

Athena's Touch

Back at the battle, the heroes eventually surrounded and slew the second Cyclops. Unfortunately, the noise had stirred the giant bees into a furious swarm, while the last and greatest of the three brothers charged into the fray. 

The first exchanges were inconclusive. Even supported by his companions, Diomedes struggled to penetrate the giant's defences. The great Cyclops fought with terrifying skill, his immense sword forcing the heroes backwards.

Then came a moment of divine intervention.

Athena touched Diomedes with her blessing, restoring his strength completely. Filled with renewed courage, he leapt forward in a single fluid movement. His sword flashed through the air in a mighty arc.

A perfect strike (a critical hit!). 

The blade bit deep, severing the Cyclops' head from his shoulders in a single, devastating blow.

The valley fell silent.

With the giants defeated, there remained only one sensible course of action.

Run.

The giant bees were now thoroughly agitated, and there was little treasure worth dying for.

Episode Summary

This was a good game for team Diomedes, and thirty-six experience points were won. Although the downside was the knockout of Aegisthus. Thankfully, he fully recovered, just another scar to add to his story written across his body.

The characters' stories have also started to make them three-dimensional.
Aegisthus - the quite old warrior with hidden strength and willing to sacrifice himself for Diomedes.
Xanthe - the female warrior with a temper
Iolaus - is he to be trusted? Will avoid danger to seek out hidden treasure.
Atalanta - what is her mystical past, and why is she so lethal with the bow?

Game Notes

This was my second game, and I am still learning the rules. Although I enjoyed the experience, I found it frustrating that important keywords are spread across both rulebooks. A quick-reference guide or set of monster cards would make the game flow much more smoothly.

I would also strongly recommend writing as much information as possible directly onto each character sheet—not just the abilities themselves, but brief reminders of what those abilities actually do. It would save a great deal of rulebook searching during play and keep the action moving. 

Whats Next

After this adventure, the heroes will have to take a break while I find some 'Sons of Posiedon'. I have seen a couple of standalone episodes, so they may be my next stop.

The Leopard Campaign: Scenario Two – The Man in the Wagon

A Spy’s Warning

It all began with a note smuggled out of besieged Plymouth.

The message was brief but alarming. An important Royalist prisoner, Sir Edmund Vine, was to be moved from the city under heavy guard before being transported to London for interrogation. Whatever information Vine possessed, the Parliamentarians clearly considered it valuable. The note also revealed the prisoner’s route and identified the ideal ambush site—a small market square through which the wagon would pass before descending the narrow road leading to the East Gate.

The Leopard’s orders were straightforward: rescue Sir Edmund before he disappeared into Parliament’s prison system.

(For the Leopard earlier adventures - start here.)

Wood Block Cutting of the Lepoard dating from the 1650s

The Morning of 17 March 1643

Before dawn, while most of Plymouth still slept, the Leopard and his companions slipped into position amongst the alleys and buildings bordering the square. In the distance, they could already hear the rumble of wagon wheels and the steady tramp of marching feet.

The trap was set.

Springing the Ambush

As the wagon turned into the square, the Royalists melted deeper into the shadows. Surprise would be their greatest weapon.
The vehicle concealed its precious cargo beneath heavy canvas, but the escort was formidable enough. A burly sergeant led a dozen Plymouth militiamen through the early morning gloom. Once the wagon reached the market cross at the centre of the square, the Leopard struck. Musket shots echoed between the buildings, scattering several of the militia and leaving only the hard-bitten veterans to protect their prisoner. The ambush had worked. For a brief moment, the odds seemed firmly in the Royalists’ favour.
The Leopard and his men surged forward before the escort could recover.

Edgar and Billy - The Other Mission

Not everyone was focused on the rescue. Edgar and young Billy had been tasked with locating a series of intelligence caches left by Royalist agents within the city. Unfortunately, those dead drops lay dangerously close to the fighting. Worse still, shots suddenly rang out from upper windows overlooking the square.

Parliamentarian snipers.

The city authorities had anticipated just such an attack. Or perhaps someone had betrayed them.

Chaos in the Square

Isaac—rarely far from a bottle and never far from trouble—attempted to shoot the wagon driver. As the company’s best marksman, success should have been assured. Instead, the shot flew harmlessly wide.
Whether the fault lay with the musket, the weather, or the previous night’s ale remains a matter of debate. Giving up with the musket, Issac abandoned subtlety, gripping his musket like a club and charging towards the melee. He managed only a few strides before slipping spectacularly on the wet cobbles and crashing to the ground.
The square itself soon became an unexpected ally of the Royalists. One of the wagon wheels struck an uneven cobblestone, jolting the vehicle violently and forcing the driver to halt while he regained control.

The Leopard wasted no time.

His men closed in from all sides, surrounding the stalled wagon before the escort could react.
Unfortunately, the remaining defenders proved far tougher than expected.

I am running a few minutes late; my previous meeting is running over.

At their centre stood Sergeant Hopgood.

A giant of a man and a former blacksmith, Hopgood wielded his halberd with frightening skill. Again and again, he held back both the Leopard and Maarten, his sweeping blows forcing them away from the wagon. Meanwhile, Edgar and Billy searched desperately for the hidden intelligence caches while dodging musket balls fired from the surrounding buildings.

A Runaway Wagon

Eventually, the driver regained control and urged the wagon forward once more. Suddenly. James and Isaac found themselves directly in its path. James threw himself clear at the last moment and even managed to grab briefly at the wagon’s side. Isaac was less fortunate. Still suffering from the effects of the previous evening’s drinking, he reacted too slowly and was knocked sprawling by the vehicle. The unfortunate marksman was left unconscious in the mud.

Recognising the danger, Maarten broke away from his duel with Hopgood and launched himself at the moving wagon. Somehow, he managed to cling to the side before disappearing beneath the canvas cover.

Inside, a desperate struggle erupted.

At the same moment, James seized his opportunity. As the wagon slowed, he hurled himself at the driver, dragging him from his seat. The driver’s whip caught James across the face, but a well-placed thrust forced the man from the reins.
The wagon ground to a halt once more.

The Fighting around the Wagon as it stalls.

The Tide Turns

As the fighting intensified, a sea mist rolled in from Plymouth Sound. Visibility dropped dramatically, reducing friend and foe alike to shadowy figures moving through the fog. The snipers abandoned their positions and moved closer to the wagon, sensing that the battle was reaching its climax.

Yet through it all, Sergeant Hopgood remained immovable.

Time after time, he blocked the Leopard’s advance, swinging his halberd with relentless determination. Although neither man could gain a decisive advantage, Hopgood’s stubborn defence prevented the Leopard from joining the struggle around the wagon. Then faithful Edgar intervened. Creeping through the confusion, he stepped quietly behind the giant sergeant and struck him from behind.

It was not heroic. It was not gentlemanly. It was, however, extremely effective. Hopgood collapsed.

Escape from Plymouth

Rain now began to pour from the darkening skies, turning the square into a treacherous mire.
Inside the wagon, Maarten finally succeeded in freeing Sir Edmund Vane. Escorted by Billy—who had also recovered another intelligence package from a Royalist agent—the rescued prisoner was hurried into the maze of alleys beyond the square.

Church bells began to ring. Shouts echoed through the streets. The alarm had been raised.

But by then, the Leopard and his companions were already disappearing into the narrow lanes, heading towards a safe house and the secret tunnel beyond.
Only Edgar was left behind.

The Angel and the Drunk

Somehow, Edgar evaded capture and eventually staggered into Lord Hopton’s camp. Demanding a drink to ease his wounds, he claimed that a dark-haired angel had rescued him from certain capture before he awoke aboard a cart bound for Saltash.
Whether anyone believed him is another matter entirely.

Post-Game Thoughts

This proved to be an excellent scenario, with momentum swinging repeatedly between the Royalists and the Plymouth militia. At one stage, I feared I had made the rescue too easy for the Leopard. Then Sergeant Hopgood appeared and almost single-handedly turned the battle in Parliament’s favour. He was one of those wonderful emergent characters that occasionally appear in solo gaming—an NPC who unexpectedly develops a personality simply through their actions on the tabletop.
Hopgood will almost certainly make another appearance in the campaign.
Once the wagon had been stopped for the second time, however, the initiative shifted decisively towards the Royalists. From that point, the rescue became increasingly difficult for the defenders to prevent.
The one change I intend to make when running the scenario again is to introduce militia reinforcements immediately after Sir Edmund is freed. That should add a greater sense of urgency to the escape phase and create a more dramatic finish.

Campaign Reflections

The game itself was a success, but the wider campaign structure remains a work in progress.
The Snakes and Ladders campaign map has not performed as well as I had hoped. Despite additional mechanics and dice rolls, it still produces a largely linear sequence of scenarios.
Likewise, while the scenario generator consistently creates interesting ideas, it still requires considerable development before each game and struggles to create a strong narrative connection between scenarios.
These elements will need some revision before the campaign continues.
For now, however, the Leopard has secured Sir Edmund Vane and the intelligence he carries.
The question is what secrets the rescued agent knows—and where those secrets will lead our adventurers next.