A Loss of Pre-Biblical Proportion

After finally clearing away the remnants of the Montebello game (I still have one more Montebello battle report to chronicle), out come the five-inch hexes and the Sumerians.  First was a Sumerian parade and now a game.

Always ready for a game, Steve accepted my offer to take to the field in command one of the Sumerian armies.  The contest would be a remote, one-on-one game using my Basic Impetvs (BI) variant.  Armies would muster out on equal terms, each having 12 BMUs.  A veteran of these BI games, this would be Steve's first experience with commanding Ancient Sumerians.  Steve would command the Blue Army.  Introduced is a modification to the way in which battle carts retreat from melee.

Let's see how the battle unfolded. 

The two armies arrayed for battle.

Red Lugal assesses his opponent.

As the two armies close, battle carts attack on the left. 

In the initial clash, Blue archers are driven back
while Red skirmishers are scattered.
Already, Red Army has lost one unit.

In pursuit, Blue battle cart attacks the massed bowmen,
The archers stand firm unleashing a volley into its attackers.
Seeing the archers stand, the battle cart veers off. 

Blue battle cart, now behind enemy lines,
drives off another skirmisher.
In the center tension mounts as the distance closes.
 Red advances, attacking with both heavy foot and cart.

Red spear drives off the enemy but its battle cart is repulsed.

Red wins one combat and loses one combat.

As the lumbering cart slowly wheels to retire,
it exposes a rear to the enemy.

Is this an opportunity?

Watching this error unfold, Blue pounces,
attacking with both heavy foot and cart.

One Blue cart and massed bow are crushed.
Is the attack over?
No!

Blue moves skirmishers up to harass the heavy foot
while the cart rattles on.

Massed archers and skirmishers rain missiles
 into the heavy foot.
The heavy foot weakens.

When it rains, it pours.
The Blue cart, already in the enemy rear, 
charges into the Red center.
A skirmisher is hit...

and destroyed.

With enemy in its rear, Red's massed archers crumble
 when attacked by heavy foot to its front.

Red Army breaks.
The battle is over. 
The victor is pleased.

Steve's Blue Army claims a resounding victory.  Congratulations to Steve on a game well-played.  He is wily opponent.  Rarely have I suffered such an ignominious defeat.

Red's center is hollowed out.

Could the defeat really have been that bad? 

Yes!

A quick glance at the Dead Pile leaves no doubt.

Dead Pile.

Hopefully, I will have a chance to avenge this embarrassing, Manic Monday loss.

How did the revised battle cart retreat rules work out?  A topic for another time, I think.

Victorious Lugal surveys his victory.