The final showdown for the Persians was against the Carthaginians. Both sides had been weakened by months of campaigning, but the Persian army was particularly weak. Even so they advanced into Carthaginian territory for the battle.
The field was a heavily wooded plain. The Carthaginians deployed thier usual spear line with the Sacred Band in the centre and the chariots on the left of the line. The right rested against a wood.
The Persians (without any Immortals - such was their plight) deployed a Sparabara line, with a column of cavalry on their left. The idea was to push this column down the road on the Carthaginian right where a weak group of Auxillia held the gap between the right of the spears and the wood.
Both sides advanced agressivly, but the Persian Cavalry descovered more Auxilla hiding in the woods and abandonded their plan and turned around. They then split, the cavalry going further left go around a wood to outflank the enemy,while the light horse came across to try and help any attack on the centre.
The split proved a mistake, controlling the two groups was a nightmare and as the general struggled to do so the Carthaginian spear line relentlessly advanced. They contacted the enemy and set to with a vengence, the Sparabara proving no match for the Carthaginian spear.
The Persian cavalry tried to get back in time to help. The light was fading, but the Persian general gallently refused to quit the field.
But it was to late. Despite a brave stand all was lost and the Carthaginians held the field./n/nSubmitted by Philip
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