Had a terrific battle with Gareth on Saturday

Here is the scenario he put together. All the models/terrain are from his collection and are mainly from Aventine with a few Warlord and Black Tree mixed in. Olive press and temple by Grand Manner

Battle for the Cilician Gates 194 AD

The Battle for the Cilician Gates was fought between the forces of Emperor Septimius Severus and his rival, Pescennius Niger and was part of the Year of the Five Emperors. It was the prelude to the Battle of Issus. The Cilician Gates are a pass through the Taurus Mountains connecting the low plains of Cilicia to the Anatolian Plateau. The Gates are located on the border between Syrian and what is modern day Turkey. On a low desert plain in front of the gates, the Romans had built a magnificent temple to Mars the God of War. As a result, this was an important religious site and one that both sides valued.

Background
Pescennius Niger was the Roman governor of Syria who had been acclaimed Emperor by his troops, like Severus, following the death of Pertinax. Following its successive defeats at Cyzicus and Battle of Nicaea in 193, Niger's army successfully withdrew to the Taurus mountains, where it fiercely defended the Cilician pass.

Forces
Emperor Septimius Severus - 4000 pts (Western) Commanded by Rob

Emperor Pescennius Niger - 4000 pts (Eastern) Commanded by Gareth

Objectives for both sides
1. Pitch battle - at least 75% of the enemy formation must be destroyed or fleeing at the end of the battle.
2. Take and hold the Temple of Mars - secure the temple, ensuring no enemy formations are within 6 inches of the site.


Deployment
Summer


Pictures of the deployment and early moves (mainly taken from my perspective) - more info in the next post down

In the early moves both sides closed in the centre




On my right flank I had planned to make a feint and then turn in towards the centre however Gareth held his cavalry back so I could not risk moving my auxiliary cohorts away


Battle got underway with purpose in turn 3




My right flank decided to collapse!


Fighting got really serious in the centre, and on the centre right my cohorts pushed through but with a heavy toll on legionnaires










Despite my successes Gareths Eastern forces were taking control of both flanks and due to a poor move by myself, his archers were able to flank my Praetorians - this led to a massed combat on the centre left by the temple of Mars eventually involving 4 units, 2 from each side


This unit of Western Romans held on valiantly, no doubt inspired by the formidable looking centurion from Warlord games




I managed to regain control on the right flank, and my cavalry eventually charged the Eastern rear although they managed to hold on.



Unseen in this picture Gareth has a formation by the temple of Mars, both of us had casualties in the region of 66%. The Roman legionnaires really fought a meat grinder of a battle and so the game was effectively a draw, Neither army would be in any shape to fend off fresh enemies.


A very enjoyable battle, my thanks to Gareth for being a tremendous host and I look forward to the next game