CUNAXA - 401 BC

Persian vs Rebel

Historical Background
The Persian King Darius II died in 404 BC and was succeeded by his eldest son, Artaxerxes II. His younger brother, Cyrus, had helped the Spartans against the Athenians in the Peloponnesian War, which ended in the victory for the Spartans in 404 BC. Cyrus now used these Spartan alliances to begin recruiting a combined Greek and Persian army to march against his brother. Approaching Babylon, when a seer told Cyrus that the King wouldn't fight within ten days, Cyrus said: "then he won't fight at all". He was wrong. Artaxerxes' army suddenly appeared at Cunaxa, 70 km north of Babylon. Cyrus was caught by surprise and forced to deploy his troops in a hurry. Both armies deployed against the Euphrates river, but the King's forces outnumbered his brother's considerably and his center overlapped Cyrus' left. The Spartan general Clearchus charged straight ahead. The scythed chariots stationed in front rushed about, and the Persian infantry facing the Greeks broke and run. Unlike the battle of Marathon, where the Greeks stopped and turned to attack the Persian centre, they kept up their pursuit. Tissaphernes, on their right, broke through the facing peltasts and headed for the Greek camp, avoiding contact with the hoplites. Artaxerxes, with no enemy to oppose him, wheeled round to threaten Cyrus' flank. Cyrus, fearing he might get cut up the Greeks, charged. With his 600 he routed the 6,000 men posted in front of Artaxerxes, and without waiting to reform his cavalry he charged at the King himself, followed by his Table Companions, crying "I see the man!". Cyrus gave Artaxerxes a slight wound, but at the same time he was struck in the eye by a javelin, which killed him. The battle was over. Few days later, Clearchus and the other Greek Generals were treacherously seized by Tissaphernes and executed. Trapped deep in the Persian Empire, the Ten Thousand Greeks fought their way back home under Xenophon's command, who reported the story in his Anabasis.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. The rest is history.

War Council

Persian Imperial Army
Leader: Artaxerxes II, King of Persia
Take 5 Command cards
Move First

Rebel Army
Leader: Cyrus the Younger, the King's brother
5* Command Cards (3 CC in turn 1 and 4 CC in turn 2)

Victory
7 Banners or Kill Cyrus/Artaxerxes.

Special Rules
Table Companions: they are a special unit, that will ignore 1 sword symbol and may ignore 1 °ag, only if Cyrus is attached to them.

Greek Camp: if a Persian unit begins its turn on the camp, the Persian earns 1 Banner and removes the camp tile.

Original PDF:     click here to download HELLENICA maps/scenarios (MMxx)
Vassal Module:  click here to download VASSAL MODULE to play online