The Siege of Halicarnassus

Hephaestion

335 BC, Spring: Alexander and his army are at Sardis. He has completed the Macedonian Prophecy with the conqest of two pivotal areas. This means he gets to 'level up' to level 2 (with Hephaestion as an adviser, Alexander is level 3). By comparison, Philip was level 3 earlier in this game, while the defeated Memnon was level 2.

Alexander has yet to achieve the standing of his father as a military commander, but the victory of the previous year at the River Granicus has gone a long way to building his reputation. The seasoned veterans in the ranks have still to be convinced. Alexander convenes a council of his generals at Sardis. The plan is to go for Halicarnassus this year, before the Persians can turn it into too tough a nut to crack.

Alexander tells his commanders that he wants to be feasting in Lycia before the autumn. The army goes through a refit for its foot regiments (-4 Gold) to bring it up to adequate strength. It is more powerful than anything Darius has in the region at the moment, although troops are known to be en route to Halicarnassus. It is essential that Alexander moves forward with his plans before they can arrive.

Alexander completes the Trojan Prophecy as he outfits his army, allowing him to level up again (+3). He is now accorded equal status to Philip as a general. His battlefield abilities increase.

Elsewhere, the enemy garrison at Halicarnassus receives further local reinforcements. Alexander's agents are forced to spend a further 2 Gold to buy off local opposition in Lycia (Gold 17). This proves to be far-sighted.

Alexander moves out of Sardis, making his way down to the Aegean coast at Ephesus, and spends 3 Gold to keep his army supplied (Gold 14). He proceeds on to Halicarnassus for a further 5 Gold (9). It is proving to be very expensive to keep a force of this size in the field! Alexander ponders whether to appeal to the garrison at Halicarnassus to surrender, but it looks doubtful. He decides to attack.

The Siege of Halicarnassus

"His next objective was Halicarnassus, the late Pixodarus' capital. A commanding fortress rebuilt in later ages by Seljuks and Crusaders, it was a tougher proposition than Miletus and needed a full-scale siege." Mary Renault, The Nature of Alexander (1975)

Halicarnassus looks like it should be relatively simple to attack as the garrison is quite small. Alexander is worried about the possibility of a new Persian army entering the region. The Macedonian army surrounds the city, whereupon the enemy launch a successful sally against them, for the loss of -1 Gold (8).

The Macedonians choose to storm the city, taking some losses among their infantry (that's what they're there for!) But with the assistance of the Companions, fighting on foot this time, and without recourse to any divine re-rolls, Halicarnassus is taken. Alexander elects to leave a garrison here this time.

It is still not high summer yet, and he decides to push on into Lycia. There are no Persian troops here, as the right palms have been crossed with silver. 3 Gold is spent on keeping the army provisioned in Lycia (5). Alexander feasts there before midsummer.

Alexander picks up 9 Glory for taking Halicarnassus and Lycia virtually unopposed (Glory 9 - note that +3 comes from the efforts of Callisthenes' propaganada team), and takes 15 Gold in revenue having vested garrisons at Halicarnassus and in Lycia (Gold 20). Another Gold is added in loot from Halicarnassus. Alexander decides to draw two Insights for 6 Glory. He receives a morale boost for his army and the option to set a trap for the enemy in the future.

Alexander spends 2 Gold on recruiting some light cavalry as he feels he needs more light troops. His forces now consist of Alexander (lvl 3), light cavalry, Companion heavy cavalry, archers, Hypaspists, infantry (depleted at Halicarnassus), phalanx.

End of turn

• Glory: 3
• Gold:19
• Re-rolls: 1
• Victory Points: 25

Immortality:

• Areas governed: 12
• Unspent Glory: 12
• Victory points: 50
• Total: 74