The strategy of the Aetolian forces was to use scorched earth policy and cavalry harassment to slow the Macedonian advancement, while the main bulk of their forces retreat west to the Evinos river, where they would meet the reinforcements from the city garrisons.
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phase 1 - cavalry harassment
Aetolian cavalry harassment: 4
Macedonian repel attempt: 4-1 (for lack of skirmishers) +1 (for superior cavalry)
The Aetolian cavalry began harassing the Macedonian advance column, forcing them to act. Due to the lack of skirmisher troops in the Macedonian army, they had some trouble fighting the elusive enemy cavalry, but compensated this with their superior cavalry. Eventually, the Macedonians forced the Aetolian cavalry to disengage, causing some casualties to it.
Casualties
Aetolia: 110 cavalry
Macedonia: 10 cavalry, 30 infantry
withdrawal: Aetolia (4) Macedonia (6-1 for slow down)
reinforcements: (3-1 for early engagement) = late arrival
cavalry regroup: (6) =immediate arrival
After this, the Macedonians continued their pursuit. Although the cavalry harassment, combined with the scorched earth tactics managed to slow the Macedonians down, they were still able to catch the Aetolian army and force it to battle. This meant that the Reinforcements from the city would be delayed. However, the cavalry of the Aetolians was quickly able to regroup and join the battle from it's start.
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Battle order
Both the Aetolians and the Macedonians deployed their phalanxes to the center. The Macedonians set their cavalry to the wings, while the Aetolians set their skirmishers and a small group of phalangites there. The Aetolian cavalry came immediately from the Aetolian left, while their city reinforcements would come from the right.
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Phase 2 - first wing engagement
Aetolian left wing (600 skirmishers+ 1680 cavalry): 4+1
Macedonian right wing (995 cavalry [superior]): 2+1
Aetolian right wing (500 skirmishers 100 hoplites): 3
Macedonian left wing (995 cavalry [superior]): 4+1
While the centers remained stationary, the wings on both and all sides engaged. On the left side, the Aetolian cavalry were ale to tip the tide of the engagement, causing the Macedonians to be heavily pushed back, though not overrun. On the right side, the result was opposite: The Macedonian cavalry pushed the light Aetolian infantry heavily back, but as in the left, no breakthrough was made. After this, both sides withdrew somewhat.
casualties
Aetolia: 220 infantry, 20 cavalry
Macedonia: 400 cavalry
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phase 3 - second wing engagement, and central engagement
Aetolian left wing (880 skirmishers, 560 cavalry): 5+1
Macedonian right wing (945 cavalry [superior]): 5
Aetolian right wing (130 skirmishers, 70 hoplites + 900 cavalry): 1
Macedonian left wing (645 cavalry [superior]): 1+1
Aetolian center (6000 hoplites)
Macedonian center (9000 phalangites [greater numbers result in envelopment])
The second engagement at the wings began after a few minutes. Prior to this, part of the Aetolian cavalry (900) had been shifted to the Aetolian right wing to bolster it. The pushing of the wings continued the same way, albeit with lesser efficiency. However, both losing wings were close to a breaking point now. Meanwhile, Sosthenes decided that now is the time to push the center, sending his phalangites forward. Gregorios retaliated by sending his hoplites to confront them. Due to the higher numbers of the Macedonians, they were able to envelop the Aetolians, and cause more casualties
Casualties
Aetolia:120 cavalry, 35 skirmishers, 400 hoplites
Macedonia: 290 cavalry, 175 phalangites
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phase 4 - final wing engagement and ending
Reinforcement roll for Aetolians (5)
Aetolian right wing (570 skirmishers, 840 cavalry): 4+1
Macedonian left wing (450 cavalry): 6
Aetolian left wing (70 hoplites, 150 skirmishers, 800 cavalry + 500 city hoplites): 3
Macedonian right wing (860 cavalry [superior]): 4
Aetolian center (5400 hoplites): 3
Macedonian center (8825 phalangites [greater numbers]): 6+1
At the final part of the battle, the tide had started to turn on the Aetolians, even though they received reinforcements. At their right wing, the outnumbered Macedonian cavalry was able to prevent them from breaking the Macedonian left wing, while their right wing was pushed further off by the aggressive Macedonian cavalry, which then proceeded to push off the reinforcement hoplites as well. The center was however the main indicator of the Aetolian defeat: further envelopment by the Macedonians had rised the losses to over two thousand.
casualties:
Aetolia: 80 cavalry, 40 skirmishers, 2835 hoplites
Macedonia: 120 cavalry, 200 phalangites
Aetolian withdrawal, Macedonian pursuit: 5
Gregorios escape roll:4
Sosthenes danger roll:4
Gregorios saw no other option than to signal the retreat. The remaining Macedonian cavalry gave pursuit, striking down further 125 soldiers, but failing to take down Gregorios or make his army go to disarray.
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result: Macedonian victory, Aetolian defeat
Total casualties
Aetolia:1905 killed, 2280 captured
Macedonia: 525 killed, 525 wounded
[FULL]280 BC: Gallic invasion RTD
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Originally Posted by Pinkerton Stardust
