Battleday 2023

The nineteenth annual Society of Ancients Battle Day

Saturday 25 March 2023 Saturday 1st April 2023

Newbury Rugby Club, Monks Lane, Newbury RG14 7RW

2nd Mantinea 362 BC

 

Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, we have had to move the date of the 2023 Battleday to the new date of Saturday 1st April.  All other details remain unchanged.

 

Meanwhile Epaminondas led forward his army prow on, like a trireme, believing that if he could strike and cut through anywhere, he would destroy the entire army of his adversaries.  For he was preparing to make the contest with the strongest part of his force, and the weakest part he had stationed far back, knowing that if defeated it would cause discouragement to the troops who were with him and give courage to the enemy. 

Renowned Theban general Epaminondas makes his famous deep deployment of his hoplite phalanx aimed at crushing the Spartan army.

From the account by Xenephon found online at https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text.jsp?doc=Xen.+Hell.+7.5.23&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0206

For our nineteenth annual Battle Day, we once again invite you to a unique day’s wargaming.

The battle: 2nd Mantinea 362 BC – the decisive battle between Sparta and Thebes to establish which would be the dominant power in Greece.

The aims of the day remain the same as ever:

  • To have fun!
  • To gather as many ancient and medieval wargamers as possible to refight a historical battle.
  • To fight the same battle simultaneously on many tables, using a different set of rules on
    each table.

The day will run from 9am until 5pm, with an hour either side to set up and pack away.

We will have the usual pre-battle introduction, this year given by well-known author Duncan Head, putting it in its historical context and highlighting the controversial aspects.

And of course, The Society of Ancients will be awarding a number of prizes (for various criteria, some more spurious and frivolous than others) to the wargamers on the day, including prizes for Best Game and Best Terrain.

To offer to stage a game – contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or else via his details in Slingshot. But in any case, come along and take part as a player – most if not all of the games have room to take extra players and we have always managed to place people with a game. Of course, some like to attend just as a spectator and that too is fine.

The cost of attending the Battle Day, to contribute towards hire of venue and tables, will once again be held at £10 (juniors and students free). Ideally we will collect your cash on the day, but cheques can be accepted too.

Don’t miss out – come and be part of it!

The Battle Day is open to both members and non-members of the Society of Ancients.