Battle of the Granicus, May 334 BC in 54mm, played on March 8, 2026.

 We played the battle of Granicus. It was the first battle of Alexander in his campaign against the Persian empire.

The Persians were waiting for the Macedonians on the riverbank of the Granicus river, hoping to retain the Macedon infantry long enough on the riverbank, while the cavalry would defeat their Macedonian counterparts, and attack the infantry in the flank.

We added for the looks and the fun Egyptians units (including a camel cavalry unit) and two scythed chariots from Steven (2 of the 5 he has)

As Macedonians : left flank Jonathan (light infantry and 2 phalexes and hoplites), center Siegfried the 6 other phalaxes), right (all cavalry, light infantry and as Alexander) Steven.

Persian players: left Geoffrey (all cavalry ecept the scythed chariots, and the Egyptians), center : Alberik Persian medium infantry (including the Immortals)  and  mercenary hoplites, right Patrick Persian light troops and persian medium units.

referee Dirk

But the Macedonian-Greek army attacked first.

While all over the battle line, infantry was moving forward for making contact, also the Macedonian light cavalry went into the offensive., but were not able to get the upper hand.

 Quicker than expected, the phalaxes were able to get a foothold on the opposong riverbank against the veteran greek hoplite mercenaries, and pushing them back. The Persian center was in trouble from the start.

Then, Alexander and his heavy elite compagnions cavalry went forward. Alexander is always attached to his compagnion cavalry unit. As Alexander was always lucky in battle, he could only be eliminated when a flag, normally resulting in the attached offier eliminated, had to be rethrown, and only would result in Alexander being killed when against being a flag; Ths means only 1 chance on 36 for him being eliminated.   The compagnions and Alexander came into contact with the Egyptian camel unit and...  two flag were thrown against Alexander. 

With Alexander death, the battle actually would have to be ended with a persian victory and Macedonian retreat.

But as we had only played one hour. we decided to continue playing, this outcome not changing the battle result.

On the Persian left flank, the battle became a confusing afair, isolated cavalry combats all over the field.

The Egyptian, Persian and hoplite infantry in the center all were pushed back, one unit after the other desintegrating. On the Persian right, no side could take the o-upper hand.

So, the "after battle" ended with a Macedon victory.

We had also an unexpected visitor. A lady from the neighborhood saw us playing and was an enthousiastic sectator of our game.