Pydna, 168 BC: The Final Battle of The Third Macedonian War - Paul Leach
Pydna, 168 BC: The Final Battle of The Third Macedonian War - Paul Leach
Pydna, 168 BC: The Final Battle of The Third Macedonian War - Paul Leach
168 BC
The question between peace and war can only arise so far as
THE FINAL BATTLE OF THE
THIRD MACEDONIAN WAR
By Paul Leach. Photos by Paul Davies.
Above: Pezhetairoi in Training is from Macedonian Warrior: Alexanders Elite Infantryman by Osprey Publishing (2006).
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3000BC-500AD
an old and noble Roman family.
Ancients
Along with their political allies,
the Cornelii Scipiones, Paulus and
his family contributed greatly in
the shaping of the Mediterranean
world order during the age of the
Macedonian and Punic Wars. His
father, Lucius Paulus, famously
commanded the battle against
Hannibal at Cannae, one of the
darkest days of Roman military
history. His son, Publius Cornelius
Scipio Aemilianus, served with him
Above: The Roman legions and allied infantry could not resist the palisade of leveled pikes. during the Third Macedonian War,
and went on to win great victories
PRELUDE TO WAR THE THIRD MACEDONIAN WAR in the Third Punic War in Africa and
the Numantine War in Spain.
Perseus inherited a number of things from Consul Publius Licinius Crassus departed
his father, Philip V: ambition, political Italy with a large army that included a Paulus devoted his deliberate,
deftness, and a kingdom stied by Rome. veteran legion that had previously fought honest, and thorough nature when
Bound by the Treaty of Tempea, which in Liguria. Despite the speed with which discharging all his duties, rst
formally ended the Second Macedonian the Romans collected and deployed their evidenced in his progressively
expeditionary force, the war turned into important priestly ofces. His
War (200 196 BC), Philip surrendered
an embarrassing misery for them shortly careful attention to discipline and
all of Macedons Greek and Asian
after the rst major engagement: The responsibilities carried well during
territories and paid 1,000 talents in war Battle of Callinicus Hill in Thessaly. his terms of military service,
reparations. Fortunately for Macedon, the Perseus won the battle, fought mostly winning the respect of his men.
Romans also crippled the western reach by the cavalry and light infantry of both
of the aggressive Seleucid kingdom a few Paulus led campaigning armies on
armies in front of the Roman ramparts
three different occasions. He served
years later, leaving the Greek mainland on the hill. The Roman army withdrew
as a praetor in Spain, where he
free from any one powerful master until under cover of darkness after it suffered
displayed a knack for solid military
Perseus succeeded Philip. Even though 2,500 casualties and the Macedonians
tactics, earning major victories
Perseus renewed the treaty with Rome, captured another 600.
against his barbarian enemies.
he wasted no time undermining the Perseus countered Rome whenever
As a consul, he led an expedition
autonomy of neighboring cities and he could and by any means available.
against piratical Ligurians in 182
petty states. He defeated the Roman eet at Orens,
BC. Not only did Paulus defeat
capturing 20 supply ships and four an army that overwhelming
Perseus alienated Rome throughout his
galleys. Consul Aulus Hostilius Mancinus outnumbered his own by 5-to-1, he
reign by increasing his inuence at the lost to Perseus at Elimea in 170 BC.
republics expense, employing a web displayed commendable leniency to
The Macedonian monarch brought King the Ligurians once they surrendered.
of intrigue and murder to win regional Gentius and his Illyrians to his side While he destroyed fortications,
favor. When subtlety failed, he marched through a mix of bribery and threats by conscated ships, and freed
his army beyond Macedons borders to the second year of the war. Even his old prisoners, he left their settlements
cower the lesser powers that opposed enemy Eumenes considered brokering intact. Fourteen years passed before
him. Even before he assumed the an agreement of sorts, although their he again assumed the rank of consul
Antigonid throne he used allegations of negotiations dissolved in consideration of and commanded Roman legions in a
treason to ensure the death of his brother Perseus strong attachment to his treasury. foreign land.
Demetrius, an ambassador and friend to His greed prevented him from easily
purchasing a number of allies. Even The Senate elected him consul a
Rome. Perseus angered the Senate further second time because they wanted
though Perseus failed to absolutely break
when he waged war against Abrupolis, him, above all others, to lead
Romes will or destroy its armies, the
a Thracian sovereign ally. It mattered malingering stalemate favored Macedon. the Roman army in the ongoing
little that Abrupolis started the conict war against Macedon. Paulus
by invading Macedon. The Macedonian The Roman army lacked energy and accepted the responsibility on the
ruler even initiated a bungled murder decisive leadership for much of the war. conditions that the Senate gave
At its worst, the army sacked a few cities him the resources he needed and
attempt against Eumenes II of Pergamum
of its Greek allies. Plutarch declared it the freedom to prosecute the war
after he testied against Perseus in the
shameful that Romes generals lacked the as he saw t, without interference
Senate, enumerating Macedons many skill or courage to achieve victory against or criticism. He unequivocally
treaty violations and preparations for Perseus, when in the past they defeated succeeded at the task of defeating
war. Finally, Perseus simply denounced the likes of Hannibal of Carthage, Perseus and subjugating Macedon,
and revoked the treaty his father signed. Antiochus of Seleucia, and even Perseus not only meriting a Roman triumph,
Rome saw no other recourse but to begin father, Philip. The consular election of but the title Macedonicus.
the Third Macedonian War. Paulus marked a turning point in the war.
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PAULUS TAKES COMMAND Paulus soon learned of a difcult and against a Roman assault. Paulus arrived
unguarded pass through the mountains shortly thereafter and kept his soldiers,
Paulus immediately addressed the
and tasked P. Scipio Nasica (son-in- fatigued from the march, from foolishly
inherent difculties with his army upon
law of Scipio Africanus) and Q. Fabius committing to battle. Instead, he ordered
his arrival in Macedonia. He spoke to the
Maximus (Paulus eldest son) with that part of the army stand ready while
soldiers candidly and bluntly, reminding
maneuvering a detachment of 8,000 the rest fortied a hill across from the
them that their duties did not include
infantry (mostly Italians and other allies) Macedonian ramparts. That night, after
offering advice to the commander or
and a squadron of 120 cavalry through the armies retired, the moon disappeared
countermanding his decisions. Paulus
it so they might appear in Perseus rear, in an eclipse. The Macedonians howled
assured them the responsibility of
on the other side of the Elpeus. They in terror, believing the lost moon foretold
command belonged to him alone. He
deceived the Macedonians into believing the downfall of their kingdom.
required them to follow his orders, keep
their arms in good repair, and prepare the gathered force intended to sail up the THE BATTLE OF PYDNA
themselves to move with little notice. coast, but they hastily moved into the
mountains during the night. Even though Not content to leave the eclipses
His absolute control of the army proved
they lost the element of complete surprise portents to ill fortune, Paulus sacriced
critical in overcoming Perseus.
thanks to an informative deserter, the as many as 20 bulls to win the favor of
Paulus then faced the other great anking force succeeded in routing a Hercules the following morning. He
challenge: Perseus and the Macedonian force of 12,000 soldiers sent by Perseus ordered his troops only to make ready.
army. Whatever he thought of the king, to stop them. The Romans now anked He commanded 20,000 legionaries
he acknowledged his foe held a daunting the Macedonians. plus another 10-12,000 allied infantry,
defensive position on the high banks of 4,500 cavalry and 22 elephants. Italians,
the wide and dry Elpeus riverbed, in the If Perseus did not risk battle, then he Numidians, and Hellenes numbered
seaside foothills of Mount Olympus. risked a determined Roman presence almost half of the 35-37,000 men that
The Macedonian army, numbering over within Macedon itself if he simply fought for Rome. Perseus commanded
40,000 soldiers, waited behind ramparts turned his great army into numerous city 21,000 phalangites, including 3,000 men
bristling with siege artillery. The odds garrisons. Deciding on the former, he of the elite Agema; 17,000 more infantry
rested with Perseus if the Romans tried withdrew his army, encamped on a hill and 4,000 cavalry. Hellene mercenaries,
a direct assault and, unless they could not far from Pydna, and took his chances. allies, and subjects lled the ranks of half
surround him, the Romans could not The areas open ground favored the his army. Many Thracians also served
effectively besiege him either. The restricted movements of the Macedonian Perseus, including King Cotys and his
Romans had to get to the other side of the pike formation, and two shallow rivers, contingent of Odrysaeans. And all of
river somehow. Aeson and Leucus, offered a barrier them waited. And they waited.
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DEPLOYMENT OF DEPLOYMENT OF
REPUBLICAN ROMAN ARMY LATE MACEDONIAN ARMY
The Roman army begins play on and The Macedonian army may deploy as
around the hill of its deployment area. close as 30cm from the Roman zone to
At least half of the Legions and all of the reect its quick advance on the preparing
Triari must start the game on the hill. The enemy. The deployment zone is
50cm deep.
deployment zone is 40cm deep.
THE BATTLEFIELD Left Wing (65cm wide): Heavy Cavalry,
Left Wing (65cm wide): Heavy Cavalry,
Light Infantry (3 units)
Allied Infantry (2 units) The game may be played on a 180cm x
120cm (6x 4) table. The Macedonian Centre (50cm wide): Phalanx (all), Guard
Centre (50cm wide): Paulus, Phalanx (far left)
army, having already crossed the river,
Legions, Triarii
now approaches the Roman force arrayed Right Wing (65cm wide): Perseus,
Right Wing (65cm wide): Elephant, Light on and before the hill. The hill offers Guard Cavalry, Light Cavalry, Light
Cavalry, Allied Infantry (2 units) defended status to units combating Infantry (3 units)
Deploy Skirmishers and Mounted enemies on the lower slopes, unless they Deploy Skirmishers and Mounted
Skirmishers as desired. charge, pursue, or retreat. Skirmishers as desired.
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Above: The Phalangite [Pezhetairos] WARHAMMER ANCIENT BATTLES into larger but fewer units than the
illustration and extract is from Macedonian Roman legionaries. For example, allow
Warrior by Osprey Publishing (2006). WABs special rules for Republican
no more than 16 gures per Roman
Roman maniples and Macedonian
maniple, but require 24 or 32 gures per
phalanxes capture the strengths of the
ALTERNATE GAME SYSTEMS historical counterparts: the tabletop Macedonian phalanx. Use whatever min/
Macedonian phalanx functions like a max numbers t the armies at hand.
While not an exhaustive treatment, the
game systems addressed below provide steamroller and the Roman maniples Take away the rank bonus of any
solid examples of how to incorporate the exibly support one another. A few Macedonian phalanx that loses a round
conditions attune the rules to the of combat while engaged on the hill.
principles of the scenarios design and
Pydna scenario. The phalanx may restore order and
army lists with the readers favorite rules.
At the very least, the army lists need to Use 2000/2500-point armies to regain its rank bonus if it spends a turn
accommodate the number and variety replicate the grand scale of the armies unengaged in melee and does not move.
of troops that fought the battle, and the and to purchase signicant numbers of This recreates the disorder the actual
terrain should not punish the Macedonian auxiliaries. A 1000-point army lacks phalangites experienced while moving
phalanx with excessive combat penalties. gravity and fails to adequately represent uphill on uneven ground.
The Macedonian phalanx should be able all the allies, subjects, and mercenaries
Treat the hill as difcult if the
attached to the antagonists.
to reach the hill within three moves, Macedonians consistently win
barring interference from the enemy. Assemble the Macedonian phalangites the scenario.
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DE BELLIS ANTIQUITATIS close combat, except for initial contact If using the 1st Edition rules, increase
with (or receiving re from) bows or the Later Macedonian Army Break
The following adjustments allow
artillery or if attacking a camp or if in Point by 3.
for a close-run engagement between
bad going; in such cases, use the normal
uphill Roman blades against downhill Treat the hill as rough ground.
combat factor of + 3 v. foot, +4 v.
Macedonian pikes. The DBA Republican
mounted. Pike stands do not gain a bonus Reduce the Roman army by 500 points
Roman and Later Macedonian lists if they consistently win the scenario.
from receiving rear support from other
require changes to eld the kind of ally-
pike stands. The Roman army suffers one Break
heavy armies present at Pydna.
Treat the Roman hill as bad going if the Point at the end of each turn in which
Increase the number of elements to four or more phalanx units partially or
Macedonian army consistently wins the
15 stands per army. Increase the Later wholly occupy the hill. Remove this rule
scenario.
Macedonian army by an extra 3 elements if the Macedonians consistently win
of auxilia (for a total of 18 stands) if the ARMATI the scenario.
Romans consistently win.
Armati is an excellent alternative to FIELD OF GLORY
The Polybian Roman army should Warmaster Ancients, plus it offers
include elements of auxilia and light the benet of allowing players to try Field of Glory players may augment
horse, plus an elephant. The Roman the game out with smaller hordes of this articles design suggestions with
army must also place a camp on the miniatures. practical advice found in the Pydna AAR
hill. If the Macedonians capture it, they (after action report) on Slitherine.coms
Use the special rules for Roman historical scenario forum. The posting
automatically win.
Echelon Tactics, which allows the Roman authors offer army lists, gaming notes
Increase the combat factor of pike rear units to avoid rout checks when (especially terrain considerations), and a
stands to +6 v. foot, +7 v. mounted for frontline Roman troops rout into them. narrated photographic play-by-play.
REFERENCES & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans - Plutarch
The following books offer excellent overviews of the Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars
Mediterranean worlds 3rd and 2nd Centuries BC, ranging - Duncan Head, WRG 1982
from high level military and political events down to the
tactics and equipment of the periods armies. Warfare in the Classical World
- John Warry, Salamander Books Ltd 1980
Romes Mediterranean Empire:
Books Forty-one to Forty-ve and the Periochae The miniatures is this article are 10mm gures from
- Livy, Jane D. Chaplin, Oxford University Press, 2007 Magister Militum. www.navigatorminiatures.com
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