280 B.C. All is quiet in the kingdom of Macedon. “Or is it?” though Gyras, the heir of the throne. Fifty years after the death of Alexander the Great. Macedon is just a shadow of its former glory. Control, and even influence, over Thrace has been lost. Greeks rallied around Athens again: their military power has grown strong. Rome (the Italian peasants, as Gyras farther Antigonos used to say) grew strong as well and is a power now in the Mediterranean. If they can shake Epirus off and challenge Carthage, they could become THE power of the Mediterranean. The time of the titans has come. Who would rise to the height of the master of the world, the height achieved by Gods alone?
“And now, Sardica infested with Celts!” he almost shouted at his farther. “Those Celts must be taught a lesson before they make any grand ideas about themselves” his farther replied after a moment of silence. “Take the men you need and march to Sardica. But, try to avoid battles. We want to show them that cannot pass to Macedon. This should divert them to Thrace. Let bloody barbarians fight each other … he-he-he” laughed the old man deviously.”
“Yes, farther.”
“Why you need so many men; you even ask for companions to join you? Those are just barbarians.” Well, I though more troops should see some action, they are paid anyway. Yeah, you are right”, said greedy Antigonos, they just drink and party all day long on my expense. Be gone with them.”
Antigonos, the old fox, did not know that he was outfoxed by Gyras who met the spy from Sardica personally and greatly diminished the number of barbarians in order to get the army under his command. A careful Antigonos would certainly take over the army if the situation would look too serious. Gyras knew it’s now or never. He was not naïve. He new, the Macedon will rise with him or will fall together with him. But, that was the risk he was willing to take …
*The barbarians*
Later that summer the Macedonian army marched into Sardica valley. “The valley of shadow they’ll call it” he though. That was not a comforting thought at all …
Three large Celtic camps were spotted in the Sardica valley. Now completely aware of the gravity of the situation he took a defensive position on a mountain slope and was awaiting for the enemy move. He was sure, his army was spotted and to retreat now would be foolish. Soon enough the closest celtic camp came to life. An army of celts at least as numerous as Gyras’ army was approaching.
*1st battle of Sardica*
Gyras decided to place phalanx (the anvil) in the center and light infantry and hoplites on flanks. Cavalry (the hammer) was moved to the right. Our knowledge of the details of that battle are scarce, but Plutarch (
J) gives the following brief account of that battle.
Enemy cavalry charged the wings of the Macedonian army, but was stopped and routed/destroyed. Celts, on purpose or not, were avoiding the phalanx and concentrated their effort on the left flank of the Macedon army. Hoplites, supported by the spearmen managed to stop the enemy advancement on the left flank. Gyras ordered the cavalry to charge the enemy infantry engaged on the left Macedon flank. Cavalry charge was successful and they created a breach in the enemy line. The cavalry captain noticed the enemy captain surrounded by a mass of archers and charged creating havoc. Just before the enemy captain fleed, a unit of spearmen flanked the Macedon cavalry. The enemy commander was routed as all his army soon after him, but two third of the Macedon cavalry was lost in multiple charges of the enemy infantry. The anvil was dead, long live the anvil, Gyras thought.
*2nd battle of Sardica*
Macedonians had just enough time to regroup, when the second celtic army was upon them. This time Gyras splited phalanx in three groups: one, the strongest in the center, and two smaller on flanks. Gyras expected celts to press on flanks again. This time he wanted phalanx to take a better part in the battle. Light infantry behind phalanx, closer to flanks, hoplites on the left flank to create an advantage. Gyras gathered all that was left of the cavalry around him in the center ready to support his troops in critical moments.
That was a strange battle … first, enemy cavalry charged on the right flank, but celts were careless enough to hit the flank of the phalanx and not rear. Light infantry from behind the phalanx did their job well … two celtic cavalry units were destroyed in no time.
Then, something much unexpected happened … enemy general charged into the gap between left flank and center phalanx. But the gap was too narrow and there were thureothoroi just behind. Drustan of Silva and his bodyguards stared the death ...
There was a rumor that a hoplite showed the enemy general a certain part of his body, which enraged the general and made him loose his head, literally and later actually.
Enemy continued to press on the Macedonian right wing, but with less flare. Finally, Gyras ordered the center and right flank phalanx to move forward and press the remaining enemy troops. Soon, the enemy fled and the Macedon cavalry slaughtered many celts, avenging their fallen brothers in arms …
*3rd battle of Sardica*
“One army left” thought Gyras encouraged by the course of the events. There was no time to regroup or contemplate; Erbin of Massilia and his mighty army were upon Macedonians.
Gyras split the falanx in two groups this time. One covered center and left flank and had a higher position, another smaller group formed the right wing and was supported by hoplites. Light infantry was split even between two groups and positioned behind phalanx. Gyras counted on the up-hill position of the main phalanx group and was planning to turn phalanx inside and wrap the enemy that was (hopefully) to fucus their attacks on the right flank.
As Gyras predicted the enemy attacked the Macedonian right wing: all four celtic cavalry units merged and headed towards the right Macedonian flank. Gyras turned hoplites to prevent the enemy hitting the rear of the auxiliary troops and right-hand phalanx.
“This is it”, thought Gyras watching the enemy cavalry approaching … like in slow motion … and then ...
... barbarians just stopped in front of the hoplite’s line. The thureothoroi took the advantage of this moment of hesitation/stupidity and threw all their spears. One cavalry unit was dispatched in no time. Celtic cavalry still standing. Gyras raise his hand and order hoplites to engage the nearby cavalry unit. He himself takes all the available cavalry and charges into the third remaining cavalry unit and route them in no time (that was light cavalry). Main body of the celtic army approaches and engages the phalanx, mostly the right-hand phalanx that was standing still in good order. Thureothoroi joined hoplites and finish off the enemy cavalry.
The main phalanx group turns inside and supported by light infantry advances downhill at the enemy. The enemy general soon loses control of his army (and self-control) and flees for his life to Sardica (with his nice long hair in the wind
). His army follows him in disarray. Having little cavalry left, Gyras could not take the full advantage of this mid-fight routing: an enemy contingent escapes and retreats to Sardica.
“Could be worse”, smiled Gyras to himself, now relived and back to his normal philosophical state of the mind.
The old man Antigonos got angry, then happy and proud, then a bit jealous of his son’s deeds, then happy and proud again. He sent his son to watch over the Greeks, just to keep him busy. He took the charge of some of the remaining and some fresh troops and lay siege at Sardica. He personally commanded the assault of the settlement and remained in history as the conqueror of Sardica …
Makedonia dreamin' AAR
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Originally Posted by Balikedes
A good plan, decent armies, and few long nights and I'm there: king of kings 
