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By User:Fabienkhan – Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=588632

Battle of Edessa 260 AD

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Edessa

Table is all set up ready for the arrival of Shapur and his Persians (Mike and Alex) to take on Emperor Valerian  (Phil and Darryl) and the Romans.  This was ultimately an ill fated campaign for the Romans historically but perhaps our representation of the first few days of the campaigning around Edessa might yield a different result.

Two sides of 250 points each.

Romans and Persia.

Our scenario represents the first day’s engagement.  The Romans have deployed for battle outside their camp whilst an advance force of Persians have arrived at the outskirts of Edessa ready to fight and block the Roman advance.  If the romans can defeat the Persians on this day then they will be able to resupply from the city but if they cannot then they will soon be out of water and fodder and the Emperor will be forced to negotiate terms when the bulk of Persian Army arrives over the next few days.  During the negotiations the Romans will be betrayed and Valerian will be captured, leading to the eventual surrender of the Roman Army trapped in the camp thus suffering the worst defeat in Roman history. So our scenario is the only hope the Romans have to avoid the terrible true historical outcome.