This AAR is my first AAR, and is a work of fiction about what could of happened if the Epriot legacy survived the wars with Macedonia. There wont be many pictures.

Difficulty: Hard/Hard no cheats.


272 BC
Part one: Gravis Stilus

The elite hoplites of Epirus, the Gravis Stilus, camped outside the city state of Argos shrouded in darkness. This small band of soldiers stood at only 400 men strong at any time. Although they are just a fraction of the huge army Pyrrhus commanded, they were the vanguard of the task that lied ahead. Inside one of the Gravis Stilus’ tents sat Akylos. Akylos was a man of muscular build and carried the scars from years service as he’s proof of being a member of the Gravis Stilus. At the tavern or around a campfire he would laugh, joke and tell the stories of every one of the scars covering he’s body, but tonight he sat In silence, as ordered by he’s officers and without the aid of a fire to keep him warm. He wondered if the Argonians were aware that just the other side of their city walls sat thousands of Epriot soldiers, surely they could hear the elephants?, but no, no alarms had been sounded the silence around the night could convince any one that not a sole was in this field.
The flap on Akylos’ tent opened and Koinos, an officer wearing a white plume on he’s helmet, stepped in. Akylos trusted Koinos, after all, officer rank in the Gravis Stilus could not be bought, it had to be earned. Which meant Koinos had performed some very brave feats in battle. The bond between members of the Gravis Stilus was legendary, they were more similar to a brotherhood than a group of soldiers. At the Battle of Beneventum, the final battle of the unsuccessful Italian campaign, it was them that held the rear guard to the rest of the army could withdraw successfully.
Koinos looked at Akylos, he wasn’t wearing armour.
“Akylos, It is time to move out, don your armour, collect your weapons and stand in rank outside”.
Before Akylos could acknowledge the order Koinos stepped out the tent. He was going down the line of Gravis Stilus’ tents issuing the same order to all members.
As Akylos walked into the open he noticed around him hundreds of soldiers were stood in small groups, donning armour, spears and a sword scythed on the waist. Philip approached Akylos. Philip was also a veteran with the Gravis Stilus and both knew what was likely to happen, they shared a common humour as the replacements for the soldiers fallen at the Battle of Beneventum stood around sounding confused. The two had no doubts that they were perfectly able warriors, otherwise King Pyrrhus would not of hand picked them, they just took comfort in the fact that they were part of a select few of veterans. The two soldiers clasped hands as a greeting.
“No moon tonight brother” Akylos whispered as he pulled away from Philips hand.
“Aye, up other the battlements, kill the sentries and open the gates before you can say Apollo‘s chariot.”
Akylos grinned “Sounds exactly like Pyrrhus is about to say.” He said pointing out King Pyrrhus’ entrance on horse back, accompanied by body guards.
The king said nothing, he just dismounted and walked forward and all conversation amongst the Gravis Stilus had ceased. Akylos noticed all members had emerged from their tents by now, and every one stepped forward to listen to what the king was about to say. Pyrrhus removed he’s helmet and began scanning the crowd of soldiers he had personally handpicked from the ranks of the standard army. Each one was worth 10 of he’s normal soldiers. Each one master swordsmen and master hoplites. Each one would rather die on the battlefield than retreat, much like the Spartans of old.
“Many of you, may have already guessed as to why you are the only soldiers stood here in this twilight night while the rest of the army is in their tents warm and resting. The answer is to your left men.” Many of the replacements shifted their heads towards the left looking upon the city gates of Argos a thousand or so metres away, illuminated by the torches on the front gate and by the patrolling sentries. Pyrrhus carried on speaking. “For those of you that have not yet guessed, it is up to you, the chosen few, the Gravis Stilus to scale the wooden walls and open the gates in order for the rest of the army to follow after you and liberate this city from Macedonian influence. Upon opening the gate, Koinos will shoot a single flamed arrow into the sky.”
Akylos wondered as to why he had simply not ordered the elephants to smash the gates down, but he knew better than to question the kings orders in front of he’s men. Pyrrhus stopped talking for a few moments, then began again
“I expect nothing but success from you men tonight.” and with that he climbed onto he’s horse and walked back deeper into the Epriot camp.
Akylos looked around, behind him he saw men bringing 3 ladders up to the edge of the camp to where the Gravis Stilus were now standing in perfect formation, 4 ranks deep, with Akylos and Philip stood at the front on the right flank. The position given to veteran hoplites. The left and right flank both had a ladder, along with the centre. Akylos was stood next to a man bearing a ladder, who constantly complained about how heavy it was.
“Do you want to swap places?” Akylos asked smiling
the man grinned and replied “I earned this spot son” .
Koinos stood alone at the front of the 399 men, with a bow and quiver of arrows strapped to his back over his armour. He looked round over his shoulder and pushed he’s spear up towards the air, then tilted it towards the city gates, signalling a silent march towards the city. The distance was covered shockingly quickly and before any of the men knew it, all 3 ladder were slammed against the city walls and soldiers were climbing up, Akylos was the 4th person in line at he’s ladder, with Philip behind him.
The unmistakable sound of struggling, a slit throat and a body falling across the walls into the city followed the first man over the rampart. Akylos climbed to the top of the ladder, then pulled himself over the rampart to stand alongside 3 other Epriot hoplites. He looked across to he’s left where other were doing the same, Koinos ran to where Akylos, Philip and other hoplites stood.
“The left flank, is going to capture the gate house, Akylos, lead the men down that tower and into the street, secure the gate”
“Yes sir!” Akylos said as he turned round and ran towards the indicated tower.
Akylos stood in front of the door to the tower, he looked to the men following him, Philip nodded to Akylos, signalling he was ready, and with that Akylos kicked the door off the hinges and rushed into the tower. 3 sentries were on break inside the tower, drinking watered down wine around a round table. They spun round, shocked as they saw the Epriot Hoplites rush in, and before they could ready their swords they were slain. Akylos stepped over one of the sentries bodies as he ran down the stairs leading to the ground. He emerged from the tower to see 4 sentries guarding a corner, all 4 shifted their attention to the Epriot hoplites and approached them. Akylos ran at the first smashing he’s shield into he’s opponents with enough force that the other man flew from he’s feet, as he lay on the floor Akylos stabbed him in the chest with he’s spear, and turned to another man. Blocking a sword swing to he’s ribs, Akylos put he’s spear through the attackers throat. Akylos then turned round to see Philip dispatch of the last sentry with a simple stab to the chest with he’s spear. A single flaming arrow pierced the night sky as it ascended.
“That’s the signal.” Akylos said out loud “March towards the gate men.” Dawn was approaching.

Koinos stood in front of the main gate with he’s bow in one hand and the other rested on he’s hip. The gates were open, and Gallic Mercenaries rushed forward past the Gravis Stilus Commander and into the market place.
“Barbarians” Koinos said to another Gravis Stilus officer.
Pyrrhus rode to Koinos, and Koinos saluted him.
“I have just received information that Antigonus, King of Macedon is on the other side of the city, lead the Gravis Stilus towards he’s position and capture him alive. “
Koinos acknowledged the order and began organising he’s men to flank the market place, where the fighting had grown fierce between the Gallic mercenaries and Argonian defenders.
Akylos saw Pyrrhus and sprinted towards him with Philip.
“My King, the Gallic mercenaries are about to fold in the market place, they require immediate assistance!” Akylos said in between catching he’s breath. Pyrrhus immediately turned to Koinos, who was listening.
“Koinos, cancel that, relieve the Gauls in the Market Place.”
“Yes King”

Akylos was in the first rank to charge into the Argonian flank. Realising a sword was more useful in such close combat he launched he’s spear into the mass of Argonian bodies, striking one down, and cleaved into another mans shoulder, separating the arm from he’s body. The man fell crying in agony . The 400 Elite Hoplites paved a path through the lightly armoured defenders, fighting with unmatched speed and power forcing the Argonians to retreat.
“Catch your breathe men!” Koinos ordered, and the Gravis Stilus held their ground.
Then the rising sun was blocked out by thousands of arrow shafts from hidden Cretan archers.
“SHIELDS UP!” Koinos shouted turning to he’s men, Gravis Stilus dropped a knee and raised he’s shield above he’s head. The lightly armoured Gauls screamed in pain as the arrows struck their bodies.
After another volley the Gauls retreated.
“Cowards!” Koinos shouted at them. “Hold the line!”
The remaining Gravis Stilus formed a phalanx, Akylos picked up a fallen warriors spear and joined it. One last volley of arrows was fired at the phalanx, making 20 to 30 men fall, then a sea of heavily armoured Macedonian hoplites slammed into the Epriot phalanx.

Pyrrhus saw the melee from he’s horse back and turned to a messenger.
“We need to retreat… but the gate isn’t wide enough for a speedy retreat… send a message to Prince Helenus that the elephants need to knock a section of the wall down”.
The messenger nodded and sped off towards the gate.

Helenus watched as hundreds of the Gallic mercenaries sprinted past him.
“It must be chaos in there!” He turned to the officer in charge of the elephants “Go and assist them”.

The first elephant advanced through the gate, startled by the swarm of Gauls beneath him he collapsed In the gate way. Sealing the exit.

Koinos watched as Philip was cut down by a Macedonian hoplite, it was clear that they could not hold. So after separating the head from a Macedonian in front of him he blew a horn signalling a fighting retreat, and took one step back, along with the rest of the line. The right and left flanks of the phalanx were beginning to fold and Koinos guessed only a hundred or so Gravis Stilus were still standing. Akylos had by now dropped he’s shield, as he was able to move faster with just a sword. He also witnessed Philips fall and surged into a frenzy of slices and lunges as he dropped at least 17 Macedonians. A spear was lunged at Akylos’ face, knocking he’s helmet off, stepping to one side he raised he’s sword and took the mans armed off then followed the blow with a stab to the throat. Akylos felt something pierce he’s right shoulder, went to spin round but fell to the floor as a shields rim collided with he’s naked head. Then, on the floor helpless he was stabbed by a Macedonian and became just another body on the blood covered market floor.

Not long after that the Macedonians over ran the Gravis Stilus. King Pyrrhus, with he’s body guard charged at the advancing Macedonians, but he too was easily dropped by the hoplites. The day was lost.

Within months after the defeat at Argos, all of Epirus except the capital Apollonia fell to Macedonian forces. Dicaeus, was the last of Pyrrhus’ sons alive. Although he was not present at Argos he had been forced to deal with the repercussions of the battle.

Dicaeus, aged in he’s early 30’s was now the king without a crown. He sat at he’s breakfast table, re-reading the demand of he’s unconditional surrender from Antigonus of Macedonia. He hadn’t eaten in days, and a 10,000 strong Macedonian army was descending on Apollonia, he’s home. Expected to arrive in a matter of days. Everybody In the city had long since abandoned hope. But Dicaeus had not. He was the rock in the storm that was likely to slit throats open if some one dared crash into him. He’s anger outbursts have already cost the lives of 8 servants. The Gravis Stilus had been reformed and were now the only soldiers in Apollonia. 400 men and some wooden walls were all that stood between life and death. Starring at a map of the Hellas Dicaeus grinned as he had a moment of enlightenment. It was a risk, he thought to him self, yes it was a risk. But it was all he could do.


Next:
271 BC - Dicaeus’ escape.