28mm Thebes v Macedon.

 For our final ancients battle (using Hail Caesar) for a while it was Ian and his Thebans against me and my Macedonians, 300pts per side in 2 divisions. It was a straight forward encounter battle with the scenery generated using the random chart in the Black Powder Pike and Shotte book. Ian won the dice off to make me deploy first and he also won first turn and took the initiative. 

Theban deployment. 

Macedonian deployment. 

Ian took his Thebans slowly forward. I tried to be more aggressive but my left flank refused their orders and stayed put. 

With my right flank division out on their own Ian Ian and his Thebans charged. 

A whopper of a melee at the start of turn 2. 

Both sides made use of the phalanx rule to help not to have to take a break test but my Companion Cavalry came in on the right flank to help out. 

Over on my left my troops their were still refusing to obey orders. 

Then after 3 rounds of melee some of the Thebans broke, leaving the Sacred Band fighting on their own. 

Totally surrounded now it was finally the death of the Sacred Band. and that whole Theban division defeated or in flight.  

Overhead shot of the game, Ian's remaining Theban Hoplites (top of photo) look a bit out numbered. 

Slowly the Macedonians encircle the Thebans. I had sent in all my skirmishers in the hope of whittling his phalanx's down a little or cause a bit of disorder.  

Ian tried to charge my Companion Cavalry who counter charged but it was cavlary that were destroyed in the ensuing melee. 

In the centre Ian continued his desperate 'attack is the best form of defence'. But his hoplite unit was well beaten here. 

Over on his base line Ian charged my disordered Hypastpists but the dice went my way and it was game over for the Thebans. All now destroyed or withdrawing. Victory and glory to the Macedonians. 

Another cracking game of Hail Caesar, delivers every time.