Greeks

**Lord Matt** · January 09, 2012, 09:37 PM

Well, I started my campaign today. I defeated Hannibal and Theophanes (I think its Theophanes). But Taras still in their control. I defeated some gauls near Ariminium too.
I lost Genua and Messana.
Now the big problem. The Greeks invaded me near Beneventum with a huge army (They have 7 spartan hoplites, 1 militia cavalry, 1 greek cavalry, 2 hoplites, 2 militia hoplites and the rest peltasts and archers). Next turn, I guess, they will attack my army of the faction leader, who is blocking their way near Beneventum. My army: 2 generals, 3 equites, 7 hastatii, 4 principes, 2 velites,1 triarii and 1 slinger. The principes are a bit hurt with 100-105 men each unit, the rest is fine.
My question is: How can I defeat the spartans ?

**Khan Asparukh** · January 10, 2012, 03:10 AM

Originally Posted by Lord Matt

My question is: How can I defeat the spartans ?

Just shoot them to dead

**Lord Matt** · January 10, 2012, 09:41 PM

Well I lost the battle, they killed all my units except the faction leader. But they victory had a cost. They lost all the units, except for 47 spartan hoplites and 121 peltasts. My second army killed the rest.

**Zel408** · January 11, 2012, 01:56 AM

This strategy works on most enemies who come to attack you. Place your army on high ground and on the far end of the map (the further the better). Not only will your missile unites be able to shoot them from much further away (because they are on a higher altitude), but the enemy army will be tired marching uphill to meet your army. Focus your missile fire on the Spartan Hoplites or their general, OR you can expend all missiles on their weakest unites saving their hardest units for last. When their infantry is engaged in combat with your infantry, flank them with cavalry or other infantry units.

Also, don't forget to place your men on defense mode (press D when units are selected). They will hold their ground and will not tire easily in defense mode.

Another idea is: Restart the campaign and immediately take the Greek city (I think its called Syracuse) on the southern island south of Italy. If you capture this city early, the Greeks will not invade you.

**Lord Matt** · January 11, 2012, 08:57 PM

I did almost exactly what you said, except for the high ground because the terrain was really plain. I concentrated my missile units at the Spartans while my cavalry was killing their missile units. Then I charged their cavalry and they soon routed. After that I charged the Spartans at their rear but they killed all my cavalry units. Even using the Defense mode with my hastati and flanking the Spartans with my cavalry and Principes, they killed everyone. All of them were silver chevron (level 5 or 6). What did most damage to them were the slingers. I put them in the rear of the Spartans, but I had 1 unit of slingers (87 men) and wasnt enough to kill them all. Well, I lost the battle. I lost 1 general and all my units. Only the FL survived. The next turn I killed the rest of the invasion. Now I'm marching to take Taras.

**Zel408** · January 12, 2012, 12:58 AM

Fear not. Spartans are one of the best units in the game (if not THE best). Try this: Have Spartans engaged with your infantry line until they begin to tire. Units are most prone to routing when they are exhausted, surrounded, and/or their general is dead. When the Spartans are tired or exhausted, slam your cavalry into their flanks, but don't leave the cavalry engaged in combat. Instead pull your cavalry back and hit them again. Keep repeating this. Switch out units that are too tired or suffered too much casualties with fresher units. You should be able to pull a unit away from the Greeks without suffering too many losses because they tend to fight in defensive mode as well. This way you can rotate your units wisely. Keep your General near units engaged in combat with the Spartans to boost their morale.

Velites (Skirmishers/Spear chuckers) do well against heavy armor. Focus their missile fire on them.

I hope this helps, and if all else fails I recommend restarting the campaign to deal with Syracuse early and not have to worry about an invasion force from Greece.

I also forgot to mention that Spartans don't rout. Ever. They will fight to the last man, every time. So its probably best to deal with them last and you can surround them on all sides with infantry. There is no other way around it, you are going to suffer heavy casualties.