Granicus 334 BC

Macedonians vs Persians

Historical Background
Alexander succeeded his father in 336 BC, and after securing control of Macedon and the other Greek states, he marched east to challenge the Persian Empire. He crossed the Hellespont into Asia with about 32,000 infantry and 5,100 cavalry. Darius III, emperor of Persia, did not act in time to prevent the crossing and ordered his Satraps (governors) and generals to assemble their forces near the Granicus River. The Persian cavalry were deployed along the bank and the infantry some distance to the rear. Alexander placed his heavy infantry in the center and light infantry and cavalry on the wings. Parmenio command the defensive left and Alexander the overloaded right. The initial Macedonian attack across the river was repulsed. Alexander then led the Companion cavalry in a ferocious assault on the Persian leaders who were now grouped closely together. Mithridates, Darius’ nephew, struck the Macedonian king with a javelin, but Alexander slew him with a sword stroke. Rhoesaces then managed to deliver a blow that split Alexander’s helmet. As Alexander struck Rhoesaces down, Spithradates came from behind and raised his scimitar to finish off the Macedonian king. However, Alexander’s bodyguard Cleitus struck the Persian noble with such power that he severed his arm. The death of these three leaders was too much for the Persian cavalry and they broke and fled. So did the Persian foot. Only the Greek mercenaries held their ground. When they asked for quarter, none was given, and they were butchered almost to the man. Asia Minor was now ripe for Macedonian conquest.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. The rest is history.

War Council

Macedonian Army
(Use Greek blocks)
• Leader: Alexander
• 6 Command Cards
• Move First

Persian Army
(Use Eastern Kingdom blocks)
• Leader: Mithridates, Rhoesaces,
Spithridates
• 4 Command Cards

Victory
6 Banners

Special Rules
• The Granicus River is fordable.

• When Alexander is attached to a unit, the unit will battle with 1 additional dice in Close Combat.

• The Greek Companion Cavalry is a special unit. Place a special unit block in the same hex as the Companion Cavalry unit to distinguish it from the other units. The Companion Cavalry will ignore 1 sword symbol in Close Combat and may ignore 1 flag.

• Poor Persian Leadership: The three Persian satrap leaders (Mithridates, Rhoesaces and Spithridates) will only convert leader symbol results into hits for the units to which they are attached - not adjacent units. A "Leadership" Command card will only order the unit to which a leader is attached, and will not order adjacent units. A satrap leader will, however, normally bolster morale of the unit to which he is attached, so it may ignore 1 flag.