Clash of Empires: The Battle of Issus 333 BC

To coincide with the release of Clash of Empires: The Hellenistic World strategy game I’ve decided to use the Clash Battle System to recreate Alexander the Great’s stunning victory over the Persians at the Battle of Issus in 333 BC.

Background

After the Macedonian success at Granicus in Asia Minor the Persian King Darius III decided to face Alexander in person. Having learned that the Macedonian leader with some 30,000 troops was moving into Syria, Darius at the head of a 100,000 plus strong army advanced into Syria. Then unobserved, because of a mountain range, Darius managed to place himself behind Alexander and across the Macedonian line of communications, near the small port of Issus in southern Anatolia. This settlement lay on the shore between the Gulf of Issus (Iskenderun) and the surrounding mountains. The initial surprise gained by this manoeuvre, however, was fleeting as Darius had now restricted his army to a narrow battlefield which negated much of his numerical advantage. Alexander was quick to recognize the Persian King’s mistake and obligingly turned his army around and marched north to confront the Persian host, which had taken up a defensive position behind the narrow and low flowing river Pinarus. Here the Persians were drawn up in a very deep formation with 30,000 heavily armed Greek mercenaries along with 60,000 Persian infantry (kardakes) forming the central vanguard. On each flank was positioned a large force of Persian cavalry. Darius himself rode in his chariot and was in the centre from where he could easily issue orders to the left and to the right. Behind the vanguard the rest of the Asiatic host was strung out in groups across the narrow plain. On the other side of the river the Macedonians were deployed in their standard tactical array with the main body of the phalanx in the centre and echeloned to the left rear. The passive left flank was guarded by the Thessalian and allied cavalry under the command of Parmenio. On the right flank was the Companion cavalry commanded by Alexander himself and supported on the right by Agranian javelinmen.

The battle began with a slow advance by the Macedonian phalanx across the riverbed. The Persians countered with an offensive by the Greek mercenaries and a massed cavalry assault against the Macedonian left and Parmenio’s cavalry. Crucially these held. In the centre the Macedonian phalanx found it hard going against the Greek mercenaries, but the superior quality of the phalangites and the support of the elite Hypaspists enabled them to prevail. Meanwhile, Alexander had already put into effect his plan to smash the Persian left. At the head of his Companion cavalry Alexander charged the opposing Persian cavalry. These disintegrated under the impact, but rather than pursue the defeated cavalry Alexander rallied his own horsemen and wheeled westward into the now exposed Persian centre. Panicked by this sudden turn of events Darius fled the battlefield leaving his leaderless army to its bloody fate. In the catastrophic rout that followed more than 50,000 Persians were killed. Furthermore, the Persian royal household was captured, including Darius’s queen, children and mother. After this great victory Alexander resumed his plan to secure the Mediterranean seaboard and thereby negate the power of the vastly superior Persian fleet.  

Clash of Empires

Using the Clash of Empires rules the battle strength and capabilities of the belligerents can be shown as follows: -

Alexandrian Macedonian Army

Mixed Army type (Primary Standing/Secondary Citizen) with a Combat Rating of ❸/❶, which based on the number of army units i.e., 24 converts to a +13 Fighting Bonus (FB). Battle Dice 2D6 (highest scoring die only). Fighting Techniques: Mixed Fighting Techniques (MFT) consisting of Macedonian Phalanx and Hoplite Phalanx (Mercenaries) which gives the Macedonian army a +5/+8 modifier to their Battle Dice score. The second modifier is used if FB greater than that of the opponent. The Macedonians also have Heavy Cavalry which gives them a 1D6+2 Battle Advantage Die as well as the normal +1 to Initiative for cavalry. As for Alexander he is ranked as a Great Commander and rolls 2D6 (highest scoring die only) for Initiative and he also has a good store of Destiny points which enables him to increase his chance of success on the battlefield. The Macedonian army has a superior command structure +2 Initiative and for this battle Alexander has decided to place 20% of his army’s FB (i.e., +3) in reserve to protect vulnerable points in his battle line. This means that the normal -2 penalty to Initiative for unwieldy Macedonian Phalanx is reduced to -1. Therefore, the Macedonian army rolls 2D6 +2 for Initiative.

Later Achaemenid Persian Army

Mixed Army type (Primary Feudal/Secondary Citizen) with a Combat Rating (CR) of ❶/❶, which based on the number of army units i.e., 80 converts to a +24 Fighting Bonus (FB). Battle Dice 2D6 (highest scoring die only). Fighting Techniques: Mixed Fighting Techniques (MFT) consisting of Sparabara* and Hoplite Phalanx (Mercenaries) which gives the Persian army a +5/+8 modifier to their Battle Dice score. The second modifier is used if FB greater than that of the opponent. The Persians also have Heavy Cavalry which gives them a 1D6+2 Battle Advantage Die as well as the normal +1 to Initiative for cavalry. As for Darius he is a competent commander but not in the same league as Alexander and rolls 1D6 for Initiative. Therefore, the Persian army rolls 1D6 +1 for Initiative. The most significant advantage that the Persian army has is that it outnumbers its opponent by more than 2-1 so gets 2D6 Battle Advantage Dice.

*By this period the Sparabara formation was obsolete but can still be used in the game due to the high proportion of archers and slingers in the Persian host.

Clash Battle System

After rolling for Initiative the Battle Roll for each army consists of the following procedure:

• Roll Battle Dice (highest scoring die only)

• Plus, Combat Rating (CR) to Fighting Bonus (FB) (conversion dependent upon number of units).

• Plus, Battle Bonus calculation determined by Army Type and FB.

• Plus, Advantage Dice (representing a numerical, tactical or other special advantage)

Highest score wins and the difference between the two Battle Rolls determines the number of casualties.

Combat Rating to Fighting Bonus Conversion and Casualty Tables not shown.

Battle Log

Alexandrian Macedonian

Initiative	Battle Dice (Modifiers)	CR to Fighting Bonus	Battle Bonus	Battle Advantage Dice	Total Score
2D6 +2 = 5 and 3 5+2 = 7	2D6 MFT (+5/+8) 5 and 4 (5) (Highest die only) 5+5 = 10  x3 Destiny points expended to get odds dice.	❸/❷x24 = +13 FB 3 FB to Reserve = +10 FB	Odd Dice 3D6 6+6+3 = 15	Tactical Advantage 2D6 Heavy Cavalry 1D6+2 5+6+3 (+2)  = 16	10+10+15+16 = 51

Later Achaemenid Persian

Initiative	Battle Dice (Modifiers)	CR to Fighting Bonus	Battle Bonus	Battle Advantage Dice	Total Score
1D6 +1 = 3	2D6 MFT (+5/+8) 5 and 4 (Highest die only) 5+8 = 13	❶/❶ x 80 = +24 FB	No odds or evens 2D6 3+1 = 4	Opponent outnumbered more than 2-1 2D6 Heavy Cavalry 1D6+2  2+1+1 (+2) = 6	13+24+4+6 = 47

Battle Bonus Calculation Table

FB	Warband	Feudal	Citizen	Part-Standing	Standing
1-4	1D3(1D6)	1D3(1D6)	1D3(1D6)	1D3(1D6)	1D6(2D6)
5-8	1D3(1D6)	1D3(1D6)	1D3(1D6)	1D6(2D6)	1D6(2D6)
9-12	1D3(1D6)	1D3(1D6)	1D6(2D6)	1D6(2D6)	2D6(3D6)
13-16	1D3(1D6)	1D6(2D6)	1D6(2D6)	2D6(3D6)	2D6(3D6)
17-20	1D6(2D6)	1D6(2D6)	2D6(3D6)	2D6(3D6)	3D6(4D6)
21-24	1D6(2D6)	2D6(3D6)	2D6(3D6)	3D6(4D6)	3D6(4D6)
25+	2D6(3D6)	2D6(3D6)	3D6(4D6)	3D6(4D6)	4D6(5D6)

(#D#) = Enhanced Battle Bonus on odds or evens Battle Dice.

For a Mixed Army Combination select the column to the left of the primary Army Type and use the bonus dice shown therein. Use unamended FB for calculation.

Note: - The Macedonian army convincingly wins Initiative by 3 or more which yields a 2D6 Tactical Advantage which effectively negates the Persians superiority in numbers. Furthermore, the expenditure of 3 Destiny points ensures an Enhanced Battle Bonus by increasing the 4 to 5 on the Battle Dice giving two odd dice. An impressive Battle Bonus of 15 contributes to a decisive victory over the massive Persian host which rolled woefully low on all its Battle Advantage Dice. Unlike Alexander, Darius hasn’t got enough Destiny points to adjust this score. This condemns the Persian army to a disastrous defeat. The difference between the two Battle Rolls means that the Macedonians lose 4 units whereas the Persians lose 40 units killed, wounded or scattered.

The Macedonians clash with the massive Persian army at Issus where Alexander wins a great victory. Figures by Irregular Miniatures from their 25mm Greek & Persian range. Painted by Silurian and from the author’s own collection. The numerical strength of each army is denoted by blank coloured poker chips. Game board from the Clash of Empires: The Hellenistic World Game.

At this critical stage of the battle the Macedonian phalanx presses forward with renewed vigour against the wavering Greek mercenaries while Alexander at the head of his Companion cavalry charges into the Persian centre. Soon the entire Persian army like Darius himself is in full flight. A mix of figures from Essex, Magister Militum and Xyston from their 15mm Ancients ranges. Painted by Silurian and from the authors own collection.  

Sources

Boulter, M. L. 2009/2025: Clash of Empires: The Hellenistic World. Silurian War Games Ltd.

Dupuy, R. E. and Dupuy, T. N. 1993: The Collins Encyclopaedia of Military History. Harper Collins Publishers. 

Mellersh, H.E.L. 1995: Chronology of the Ancient World, 10,000 BC – AD 799. Helicon Publishing Ltd.

Warry, J.1991: Alexander 334-323 BC. Conquest of the Persian Empire. Osprey Publishing Ltd.

Article Front Page Picture

Alexander the Great in battle with Persian King Darius III. Alexander the Great Issus 331 BC. Mosaic Pompeii 100 BC. After Alamy (IY04291776).