Of Gods And Mortals. Amazons besiege Athens. Version 1.

 

Perseus led an interesting life.  One of the most famous in Greek Mythology, with his adventures making him one of the original Heroes, a time long before the Trojan War and the birth (their descendant) Hercules.

Ruling over the city, Perseus and Andromeda would have many children together, with their family's reign lasting for generations to come. 

The earliest Athenian buildings date from the Late Bronze Age, particularly about 1200 bce when the Acropolis was the citadel. Around its top was built a massive wall that probably marks the union of the 12 towns of Attica under the leadership of Athens, traditionally ascribed to Theseus. The palace of the king was in the area of the later Erechtheum, but almost no traces of it have been identified. The town, insofar as it was outside the Acropolis, lay to the south, where wells and slight remains of houses have been found. 

Siege of Athens

Plutarch states that the Amazons had most likely conquered most of the Athenian state, the portion of the city where the Amazons had camped bear many Amazonian hallmarks, names and graves. Once the Amazons set siege on Athens, both sides remained disengaged for a period of time. Theseus then attacked the Amazonian camp, the left wing of the Amazon army stood in a place in Athens that came to be known later as the "Amazoneum", and the right flank reached to the Pnyx hill.  The Athenians attacked the Amazonian right wing, situated on the Pnyx, Plutarch states that the tombs of the fallen from this battle could be seen then along this area. The Athenian attack was repulsed by the Amazonians on this side, and the Amazonians counterattacked and pushed the Athenians as far back as the temple of Eumenides. On the other wing, where the Athenians attacked from the temples of Pallas and Ardettus and the Lyceum drove back the Amazonian left to their camp.

Many versions of the myth exist, one myth states that Antiope was slain fighting by a javelin. In another version of the Myth Antiope led the Amazons in battle against the Athenians and was wounded in the fighting, upon which Molpadia killed the wounded queen to save her from being captured by the Athenians, another version where Antiope is the wife of Theseus relates that she helped secretly transport wounded Amazons.

A peace treaty was concluded on the 4th month. The Athenians agreed to make sacrifices to the Amazons before each festival of Theseus. Plutarch writes that more Amazon graves suggest that the Amazons had to fight more battles with other Greeks on their way back to their home.

Note on kit.  This is the early/middle bronze age, and right out in the sticks.  Armoured is a relative term meaning some protection, even if it's a big shield and the aggressive attitude of a warrior culture.

Did Amazons exist?  Or did did early horse using tribes use younger/lighter people of both sexes as cavalry?  Centaurs could be the best on the biggest, also using a shield to protect the horse.  That will slow them down, but allow them to get close to some enemy.

Irregular Miniatures.  Alas the Small Yorkshire Gods of wargaming are now gone.  There are 4 manufacturers featured in these games.  Bulk of the Amazons are theirs.  (Many moons ago in the before time I had a very bad back that meant I lived in an office chair, leaning on my table.  To help keep my mind off it I found a box from Irregular to hand and based up the Amazon army pack.  They are now finished!)  I still have umpteen 6mm armies and a few other Victorians needing doing up!

Battle Valor (through kickstarter and the good offices of https://www.dragonfroggames.co.uk/amazonians) for the remainder/juvenile Amazons and centaurs, newly bought, 4 hero/leaders conversions coming up.  Bulk of my Trojans, not used here,  plus some cracking big nasties.  This honour is extended to Splintered light for cyclops, centaurs and more.

Museum miniatures.  If you haven't noticed, the bulk of the human forces.  I begged Dave (we rule the world) for nude javelins.  Here is batch 1.  More to come, I need to add shields for even more variety.  I bought loads for my Gods go to war proposed participation game but I gave up when I couldn't get the players.  That left me with a pool of mostly done figures, so I've gone through several batches, concentrating on the lighter troops.

L put a lot of time into converting and finishing this lot, so for once I cannot apologise for unfinished figures!

Of Gods And Mortals.  No big surprises here.  The Amazons worshiped Ares and Athens is the city of Athena.

I'm suggesting the scenarios Temple Under Siege (p44) for the raid on the  Amazon  camp plus the Athenian stand at the temple of Eumenides.  So a good days "swapsies" there.

Battle in the Sacred City. (p45) For the initial Amazonian siege and the Athenian attack on the right wing. 

Here's a thought.  If you have 4 players and a 6x4 table you could play both together, with the Gods having to decide where to manifest, possibly swapping when they get stomped? 

Or can they move in mysterious wars betwix tables?  Suggesting that you point as 1 huge force, 1 god, 5 Heroes?  

1_ Temple Under Siege (p44) Raid on the Amazon  camp

Amazon defends.

Ares Q2 C5 Group fighter, Combat master, Hammering blow.

Shapeshift Boar Q2 C4 Forester, Long move, Dashing, Poison. 376.

Legends
Hippolyte (Queen) Q3 C3 Armoured, group fighter, mounted 95
Amazon Chariot Hero Q3 C3 Armoured, mounted 87
Amazon Mounted Hero Javelin Q3 C3.  Mounted Long move shooter short 96

Mortals
13 Amazon spear Q4 C2 Greedy (head takers) @ 12 = 156
8 Amazon maiden javelin Q4 C1 Greedy, shoot short @ 8 (rare, max 8) = 64
4 Centaur Q4 C3 Drunkard. Long move @ 31 = 124

God 376

Legends 278

Mortals 344

Total  998

1_ Temple Under Siege (p44) Raid on the Amazon  camp

Athenian Attack

Athena  Q2 C4  248

Prophecy Roll 3 dice BEFORE game, can swap for C or Q dice any unit.

Protection  

Shapeshift Owl Q2 C3 Long, Flying.

Legends

Perseus Q3 C3 Armoured, combat master, mounted 99

Queen Q3 C3 Armoured, group fighter, mounted 95

2 x Achaean Chariot Heroes Q3 C3 Armoured, mounted 87

Mortals
4 Picked Warriors Q4 C2 Armoured @ 20 = 80
24 Citizen Spear Q4 C2 @15 = 360
7 Dregs  Q4 C1 @ 8 (rare, max 8) = 56
8 Javelin Q4 C1 shoot short @ 11 (rare, max 8) 88

God 248

Legends 368

Mortals 584

1,200

2 Temple Under Siege (p44) Athenian stand at the temple of Eumenides.  Amazons Attack 

Ares Q2 C5 Group fighter, Combat master, Hammering blow.

Shapeshift Boar Q2 C4 Forester, Long move, Dashing, Poison. 376.

Legends
Hypolyte (Queen) Q3 C3 Armoured, group fighter, mounted 95
2 Amazon Chariot Heroes Q3 C3 Armoured, mounted 174
Amazon Mounted Hero Javelin Q3 C3.  Mounted Long move shooter short 96

Mortals
2 Amazon Cavalry Q4 C2 jav Mounted long move shooter short @   25 = 50
16 Amazon spear Q4 C2 Armoured @ 20 = 320
8 Amazon maiden javelin Q4 C1 Greedy, shoot short @ 8 rare= 64
4 Centaur Q4 C3 Drunkard. Long move @ 31 124

God 376

Legends 278

Mortals 365

Total  558

1201

2 Temple Under Siege (p44) Athenian stand at the temple of Eumenides. Athens defends.

Athena  Q2 C4 

Prophecy Roll 3 dice BEFORE game, can swap for C or Q dice any unit.

Protection  

Shapeshift Owl Q2 C3 Long, Flying.   248

Legends

Perseus Q3 C3 Armoured, combat master, mounted 99

Queen Q3 C3 Armoured, group fighter, mounted 95

Achaean Chariot Hero Q3 C3 Armoured, mounted 87

Mortals
4 Picked Warriors Q4 C2 Armoured @ 20 = 80
8 Citizen Spear Q4 C2 @15 = 120
6 Dregs  Q4 C1 @ 8 rare = 48
8 Javelin Q4 C1 shoot short @ 11 rare.  88
4 Slingers or archers Q4 C1 shoot Medium @ 13 = 52

God 248

Legends 368

Mortals 388

1,004

3 Battle in the Sacred City. (p46) The initial Amazonian siege

Amazons Attacking.

Ares Q2 C5 Group fighter, Combat master, Hammering blow.

Shapeshift Boar Q2 C4 Forester, Long move, Dashing, Poison. 376.

Legends
Hypolyte (Queen) Q3 C3 Armoured, group fighter, mounted 95
Amazon Chariot Hero Q3 C3 Armoured, mounted 87
Amazon Mounted Hero Javelin Q3 C3.  Mounted Long move shooter short 96

Mortals
4 Amazon Cavalry  Q4 C2 Bow Mounted shooter Medium  @ 27  = 108
9 Amazon spear Q4 C2 Armoured @ 20 = 180
8 Amazon maiden javelin Q4 C1 Greedy, shoot short @ 8 rare = 64

God 376

Legends 278

Mortals 352

Total  1,006

3 Battle in the Sacred City. (p46) The initial Amazonian siege

Athens Defend

Athena  Q2 C4  248

Prophecy Roll 3 dice BEFORE game, can swap for C or Q dice any unit.

Protection  

Shapeshift Owl Q2 C3 Long, Flying.

Legends

Perseus Q3 C3 Armoured, combat master, mounted 99

Queen Q3 C3 Armoured, group fighter, mounted 95

Achaean Chariot Hero Q3 C3 Armoured, mounted 87

Mortals
4 Picked Warriors Q4 C2 Armoured @ 20 = 80
16 Citizen Spear Q4 C2 @15 = 240
8 Dregs  Q4 C1 @ 8 rare = 64
4 Javelin Q4 C1 shoot short @ 11 rare = 44
4 Slingers or archers Q4 C1 shoot Medium @ 13= 52

God 248

Legends 281

Mortals 480

1,009

I managed to get Sacred City played. Proved to be a bloodbath with the legends clashing in mutual destruction, the gods clashing but not going and most of the mortals getting pummeled!

The players enjoyed it. I was playing a game with a new player (nothing like it to concentrate on the rules) so only got a few pictures.

Original set up.

Replacement buildings from Blotz. Assembled but not washed and finished.

Ares had a hard time with this unit of javelins!

IF the others get played, I'll post that separately. I also have the BIG 4 person Dragon Rampant version in the pipe ready to rock n roll.

Of Gods And Mortals Sumer Variant - or later?

"Ow! Mind the bumps!  Go straight!"

I had the good fortune to (Kindle) read Harry Turtledove's Between the Rivers. ISBN 978 0 575 42150 8 1998.

I would also draw your attention to Dan Davis's Gods of Bronze series.  If you don't follow him on Youtube, then you're missing a real treat.  Shame he seems to have done 2, got bored and moved on.

His idea of gods, legends and mortals are quite similar.

If you haven't already, here's your homework.  Go Away.  Then come back.

This a variation of the rules, aimed at friendly games that "spreads the base".

Setting.  The first civilisation(s) of the fertile crescent.  Bronze is the new status toy but the spread of literacy to the merchant class is the game changer.

In this version each city state has its own patron God that gives the character to the city (think recent American presidents--) and its forces.

Gods.  Not the superpowered Loki.  I'd suggest no more than points, one major, one minor power.*

 "Mana".  Power hidden and stored in a normal looking object.  Version of Prophecy p38. This could be hidden in a unit of prophet wielding priests, legends or mortals.  Or you could have the defending god have a camp.  Suggest Q5 C1, 5. Gargantuan, 4. Prophecy, 5.  No retreat, 5.  This is a Mortal unit, not a Legend and would have 8 lives.  19p.  You could add poison, healing  

In the case of the Summoning Invocation the unit (or camp) can swap a failed roll for a successful dice.

If a god attacks the Mana holding unit and rolls a double number then the remaining dice are lost.  If a double 6 happens then its an Awe result p19.  Destroying does the dirty.

One source of the weird and wonderful is Pendrakens fantasy range:   https://www.pendraken.co.uk/fantasy-monsters-plague-elementals-fan-mon16

I'll also site Alternative armies and these have both larger scale figures and many, many interesting possibilities!  https://www.checkpointminiatures.co.uk/product-category/28mm-ranges/

One idea - the family.  Dad (or mum) the God, rest as Legends.  Once the god gets gone, the next in line (that gets prayed for) "pops up".  You could do a whole family squabble campaign based on the Sacred City scenario.

Let's have Grundi God of Upper Bland Ford:  Q2 C2, 25. Amphibious 3.  Water God 5.  Total 33 x4 as god = 132.  He doesn't pay for Mana as that is in a mortal unit.  Could be represented by a large croc.

(Mrs) Grundi Mah, Goddess of healing.  Q2 C2, 25. Culling the weak, 10.  Healing 5.  40= 160.  Or as Legend Q3 C2, 20. Culling the weak, 10.  Healing 5.  35= 70

Dikko, (son of, as Legend)  Q3 C2, 20. Big, 2.  Dashing 4. Traitorous strike 5. 31 = 62. 

Legends.  Can I point out p5.  Probably the least understood rule.  Lettuce say you go for 900 points.  That gives you 300 for Legends. Chariot and straddle car (ouch!) born warriors.  Tight groups of scribes, merchants and most especially priests with big axes.  Hairy barbarian heroes probably named Kohen.  Fortunately you can nick some of the later monsters.  Many gods had their own associated animal, so using a larger version would fit.

Your points divided by 3 gives you Legends.  Add the God.  That leaves a total for mortals.

A group of Merchants:  Q3, C3= 30. Armoured 5.  Group fighter 8.  Total 43x2 = 86. 

Fanatic priests, swap Group fighter for Fanatic and Dashing.

Chariot Mounted Hero or king: Q3 C3, 30. Big 2. Mounted 7. Shooter Short. 3 42 = 84.

Straddle Car Q3 C2, 25 Big 2. Mounted 7. Shooter Short. 3 . 37 = 74.

Straddle Car Q3 C2, 25 Big 2. Mounted 7. Hammering blow 10. 44 = 88.

Mortals.  Masses and masses of light armed troops.  Chaps on asses.  Double archers on camels.

https://unitrecon.blogspot.com/2022/03/song-of-blades-and-heroes-ur-we-go-ur.html

We did this campaign (Oh for a group to do campaigns!)  And I site this as an example.  There's all sorts of hairies just past the frontier! 

  https://unitrecon.blogspot.com/2022/04/song-of-blades-and-heroes-1st-campaign.html

"Blue kilt!  That's sooo of trend!"

Museum Miniatures.  Irregular do a good range of 6mm.

Lion and Dragon Rampant. Planning for Scots Common, Army o' the toons (towns) and Tim The Enchanter

 

"Before the Wars of the Three Kingdoms in 1644, there was no standing army in the Kingdom of Scotland. In the Early Middle Ages war in Scotland was characterised by the use of small war-bands of household troops often engaging in raids and low level warfare. By the High Middle Ages, the kings of Scotland could command forces of tens of thousands of men for short periods as part of the "common army", mainly of poorly armoured spear and bowmen. After the "Davidian Revolution" of the 12th century, which introduced elements of feudalism to Scotland, these forces were augmented by small numbers of mounted and heavily armoured knights. These armies rarely managed to stand up to the usually larger and more professional armies produced by England, but they were used to good effect by Robert I of Scotland at Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 to secure Scottish independence. After the Wars of Scottish Independence, the Auld Alliance between Scotland and France played a large part in the country's military activities, especially during the Hundred Years' War. In the Late Middle Ages under the Stewart kings forces were further augmented by specialist troops, particularly men-at-arms and archers, hired by bonds of manrent, similar to English indentures of the same period. Archers became much sought after as mercenaries in French armies of the 15th century in order to help counter the English superiority in this arm, becoming a major element of the French royal guards as the Garde Écossaise. The Stewarts also adopted major innovations in continental warfare, such as longer pikes, the extensive use of artillery, and they built up a formidable navy. However, in the early 15th century one of the best armed and largest Scottish armies ever assembled still met with defeat at the hands of an English army at the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513, which saw the destruction of a large number of ordinary troops, a large section of the nobility and the king James IV."

We have the Highland Scots (my ancestors)  Lowland Scots and the Borderers.  What is missing is the forces of the towns.

Lion Rampant gives a nice simple list on P 185.  200 years of history gives you some scope.

Irregular Miniatures do spearmen in different poses (R31 Scottish Spearmen)  Plus a complete 100 piece army for £35.20.

At 44p a figure the LW army needs 44 infantry, let's say 50 for different era leaders etc. making £22.  I normally use 1 figure on 1p coin.  I'm tempted to mount 2, even 3 if they'll fit.  This will make the distinction of heavy infantry as opposed to light.

The elite command group, the Scots often lagged behind their English foes or got an aid package of better, but probably still older, kit from French France.  Nice to do a selection, as older armoured styles then go as command base for the spear. 

Dragon Rampant First lettuce looke at the historical evidence:

The Scottish Cart of War. (Nicked from TMP) There is no detailed description in the original Acts of Parliament that call for these carts, so you can do more or less what you like:

[1456/5]

Item it is thocht spedfull that the king mak request to certane of the gret baronys† of the lande that ar of ony mycht to mak cartis of weire, and in ilkane [have] twa gunnys and ilkane of thame to haif twa chawmirys with the remanent of the gere that efferis tharto with a cunnande man to schut thame. Ande gif thai haif na craft in the schutinge of thame as now, thai may leir or the tym cum that will be neidfull to haif thame.

(Item, it is thought expedient that the king make request to certain of the great barons of the land that are of might to make carts of war, and each of them to have two guns, and each of them to have two chambers with the remnant of the gear that is appropriate thereto, with cunning men to shoot them. And if they have no craft in shooting them, as now, they may learn before the time comes that it will be needful to have them.)

The "two chambers" are obviously the removable breech-chambers.

The 1471 Act has even less detail:
[1471/5/5]
Item, as to the article that [gif] it happyinis our auld enimys to invaide the realme, that it war expedient to gar certane cartis of ver be maide be prelatis barones eftir the faculte and power of the persones for the defens of the realme, the lordis thinkis expedient that the said cartis of veir be maid be the said persones as for this tyme.

If you want to go the "more pedestrian"  route I'd suggest:  https://www.museumminiatures.co.uk/war-wagon-renaissance-ox-drawn-2.html

If, however, you want to follow me down the Wampant Wabbit Way:

The Sheddes of Warre.

The domestication of the Haggis is seen as a turning point in the defence of the Scottish towns.  Haggis provided both food and transportation.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5ONx-vlrCgs

T'was said that the peoples of the towns were "more English than the English", being more culturally diverse and open to trade and "the new" than their cousins.

Thus it was that they adopted the English Shed.  Every land owner strived to have one in his garden.  Allotments and common land had communal sheds, many following the mobile shepherds hut pattern: 

Thus came into use the Shedde Of Warre.  The roof was dropped to each side and 4 or more persons could wield crossbows, spears and javelins upon the foe.  The shedde was moved by it's own Stooshie*, who would attack the wounded and the lower extremities of foes.  Such were used to defend the narrow passages of towns, but a down hill rolling attack in such close defines could be devastating, if mostly suicidal and/or accidental.  They were usually accompanied by skirmishers and a rabble of barking dogs, snapping haggis and yelling children.

The carts:  

https://blotz.co.uk/product-category/wargames-terrain/20mm-terrain/scatter-terrain-20mm/

Wheels:  https://www.alternative-armies.com/products/fms05-15mm-battlefield-wheels-pack?_pos=7&_sid=e1d49f9d1&_ss=r&variant=32387105980495

Haggis.  mixed craft supply pom poms are perfect for those under the sheds:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=craft+pom+poms+mixed+size&crid=GURYCWBYQLP0&sprefix=craft+pom+poms%2Caps%2C211&ref=nb_sb_ss_mvt-t11-ranker_3_14

The Other Haggis, needing a wee bit of flock: https://www.alternative-armies.com/products/vnt66p-wee-beasties-ii-mega-pack-10-pack-with-saving-or-30-with-bigger-saving

*Stooshie is a herd of wild haggis. The collective noun is actually 'stooshie. What is a haggis called? Haggis (known as 'tagais' in Scottish Gaelic).

O Tim The Enchanter

Hereforto beith the tour of the core of the force.  Such others mayhap be the more dramatic highlanders, cultists and diverse alurms.

https://www.alternative-armies.com/products/shm98-evil-space-opera-emperor?_pos=11&_sid=66f848e91&_ss=r

Greater Warbeast Killer Rabbit 

https://www.alternative-armies.com/products/hal042-gnawbuck-mutagen-giant-creature-build-as-rabbit-or-rat

Rabbits-  Several different sizes but alas only one pose!  I thought of doing a set for Bast.  Regimented rows of cats!  https://www.pendraken.co.uk/28mm-animals-rabbits-28-nml9

Needing customising to make evil lesser warbeast swarm!  Others available!  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08341GJV2/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B08341GJV2&pd_rd_w=wP38q&content-id=amzn1.sym.7c2bff8e-4ce3-4cc7-b3f6-35ac6c74cf9b&pf_rd_p=7c2bff8e-4ce3-4cc7-b3f6-35ac6c74cf9b&pf_rd_r=7VGHZ3JEXNNTX41JN3XP&pd_rd_wg=L9Xui&pd_rd_r=c646d284-50a8-4360-ac11-b93c2d2b2f99&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw