Greeks - RTW guide

Welcome my friend. Welcome to the founder of democracy and the bane of the once mighty Persian empire. We Greeks have a proud history of culture, architecture and war.

Now Greece again needs to call on the sword and the spear. The Macedonians, upstart barbarians from the North, hold a stranglehold over the cities that are still loyal to us. You must lead the forces of Greece again to unite Greece, throw off the Macedonian yoke and forge an empire of Aristotle.

You will not be powerless in this task. The soldiers of Greece are ready for your command and use the same equipment of the heroes of old. Most of your soldiers will fight shoulder to shoulder armed with a sword, spear and shield and equipped in the finest armour they can afford in the phalanx formation. The phalanx has served Greece well throughout the centuries and this century need not be different. You must not neglect the lighter infantry who harass the foe with javelins and arrows. They have many uses for the skilled strategos. Finally we have the Greek cavalry. Compared to the barbarians to the North we are not horsemen, but the men are willing and with a good general they are deadly.

Our historians will tell us of the benefit of caution in battle. The phalanx alone cannot win the day or even if it does many noble Greek lives will be lost for little purpose. The phalanx is a powerful weapon drawn up in deep ranks and faced from the front. Even the finest enemy troops who manage to engage our phalanx from the front will experience heavy casualties and a skilled general will be able to hold and flank the enemy like the hammer and the anvil crashing together before our disciplined troops break. A phalanx does however have weaknesses. Firstly, maintaining proper formation requires slow movement. The Greek general must be able to second-guess their opponent in their battle line else risk disaster. Avoid moving your heavy infantry if you can tempt the enemy to attack from the front where a wall of spears will aid our cause. Secondly, phalanxes are vulnerable from the flanks or rear. Most of our hoplites are trained mainly with the spear, they fight ineffectively with their swords and should not be expected to for long. Opposing heavy infantry or cavalry attacking your formations from the flanks or the rear will result in heavy casualties in Greek lives. Plan the disposition of your forces carefully to avoid this happening or turn calamity into victory by holding reserves to be thrown into battle at an opportune time.

Our skirmishers are best used, in my view, to tempt the enemy into attacking your steady phalanxes. We do not have mobile forces capable of guarding them against opposing heavy cavalry so keep them near your phalanxes. They may also be used to shore up wavering lines and to hunt down enemy forces who cannot bear to face us anymore.

Your cavalry have several uses. Firstly, history tells us that skirmishers can severely damage a phalanx hence our cavalry must be used to neutralise enemy skirmishers where possible. Tactical use of archers may negate the effectiveness of enemy skirmishers and may be worth considering. Secondly, cavalry can be used to deliver a critical blow to enemy divisions. Enemies are likely to turn and flee if our cavalry charge into their flanks or from behind them. Many battles have been won by decisive cavalry charges or a wavering line propped up. Thirdly, cavalry especially your general's bodyguard, who have significantly better horsemanship than most of your cavalry, may be used to destroy the power of enemy cavalry. It is still unadvisable without an overpowering numbers advantage to meet them head on but a charge to the flank or rear of an engaged unit can work wonders. This is relevant when fighting opposing generals who can be a huge menace to your relatively inflexible formation. Finally, cavalry are prime for hunting down enemy units so they cannot fight you again.

This is only a little insight into the power of the force you now command. The blood of Leonidas, Achilles and Hercules runs in their veins. To maintain Greece we must spill blood and many good Greeks will die. The power of Achilles and the wisdom of Athena be with you on the battlefield. Hail Strategos!