Hail Caesar Battle Report- Hoplite Greeks vs Achaemenid Persians in the Ionian Revolt, 497BC

[@norm977]

Thanks, I enjoyed that. I have had the rules and not done anything with them! However, with 2nd edition now out, I plan to have a go with my wars of the Roses and invest in some 1066 stuff - so HC’s replays on a standard sized table are very welcome. Cheers.

[@Shieldwall100]

I'm going to pick up 2nd edition at the Cavalier show in the UK soon.

[@buckospiffle594]

Nice battle report. Giving the Persians heavy infantry seemed to be the "game changer". I don't play "Hail Caesar" much these days but I recall I always made group moves with my Hoplites so as to present a "solid shield wall" as much as possible and prevent attacking "piecemeal". I agree that the Persians often get "bad press" in many rule sets, I think our perceptions are coloured by hindsight of the later battles. Having said that I also believe the Greek Hoplite was the "par excellence" heavy infantry of that time period. Great stuff, very enjoyable. Cheers.

[@Shieldwall100]

Cheers! The right-hand Greek command got separated by terrain, then had to decide whether or not to form up in bow range or take the charges they could get. Turns out they chose... poorly.

[@oblomovbruce9979]

Suprised to see Cat-aphracts able to traverse the field without getting engaged. Mine usually like to take some terrain with them.

[@Shieldwall100]

You don't see the out-takes.

[@gunner678]

Very good. I agree with your proposal that persian troops were rather more able, than simply a hoard army. They were after all massive empire, which tells us something about their abilities. I enjoyed that battle. I am back to painting figures for 1066 at the moment. Breton cavalry for a change. I must get my Macedonians out again. My interest is renewed 😁.

[@Shieldwall100]

That sounds great. I kind of want to do 1066 but one has to draw a line somewhere. May start some Macedonians though, as they compliment these armies fairly well.

[@roberthultz9023]

For what it's worth, I agree 100 percent. In fact; the Athenian survivors of the Ionian Revolt returned to spread lurid tales of Persian prowess on the battlefield - which played into the defeatism the Athenian Commanders faced in the days before Marathon.

[@WarGamingNewbHistorical]

Great battle report. Love your Hail Caesar content. Keep it up!

[@Shieldwall100]

That's very much appreciated.

[@sebytheman]

Such a cool battle report. I really love your Greek and Persian armies, they're so colorful with such well-defined contrast that they really pop!

[@Shieldwall100]

And they were done using contrast paints! I was given a tip a long time ago to use brighter colours for historical minis than would be accurate. Turns out they had a good point.

[@sebytheman]

@@Shieldwall100 Then I'd say these are a screaming endorsement for those! and yeah the scale makes all the difference in how the eye will pick it up!

[@shawnhaney1435]

Who knew the Egyptian gods were involved? Lol my cat does that all the time. Great battle report man keep it up!

[@Shieldwall100]

I have 3 cats and all are fascinated by daddy's strange room of things.

[@tomisopp975]

Very nice battle report and good to see some HC action as I am planning to expand my armies to match the standards of HC. As a historian I agree with your perception about the capability of the Persian army, the vast empire certainly makes for interesting armies and not all were "horde" armies or of inferior quality. The Greeks were definitely at the peak of soldiership but get a bit too much praise especially in older literature. As for HC itself, I like to watch but still not totally convinced by the system. While it definitely has a historic base and one can argue that the command system is reasonalbe, from a player's view I don't like it when half or more of my armies just stands around...

[@Fearior]

hope to see more Hail Ceasar!

[@Shieldwall100]

There will inevitably be more at some point.

[@wc9109]

Nice one, thanks

[@Shieldwall100]

Thank you!

[@leadbelcher7248]

Good report👍

[@Shieldwall100]

Thanks!

[@zargonfuture4046]

Is this in1/72 scale? The armies do look great. Nice battle report thanks. Ah just heard you mentioned victrix so 28mm cheers.

[@Shieldwall100]

Thank you! These are all in 28mm, mostly Victrix but some others too!

[@francoantonelli4264]

Army looks great..👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼😊

[@Shieldwall100]

Ah thanks, all made possible by the Citadel Contrast range.