As I continue to work on the Ancient naval rules, I decided to test them using an historic battle. The battle of Arginusae in 406 BC gave me the opportunity to test unskilled crews and the impact of having differing numbers of commanders.
The battle was precipitated by an earlier Spartan victory, that led to the blockade of the main Athenian fleet at Mytilene. The Athenians assembled a scratch force of newly-constructed ships manned by mainly inexperienced crews to relieve them. The Athenians had eight strategoi each commanding 15 triremes and were supported by Samians, Taxiarchs, Navarchs, and other allies with 30 triremes. The Athenians deployed either side of the Arginusae Islands and the surrounding shoals.
The Spartans had 60 triremes on their right and the Boeotian & other allies had another 60 triremes on their left. With only two admirals they deployed in two lines so that all units were in command.
(https://i.imgur.com/v67cKUl.jpg)
Both sides advanced with the Samians looking to exploit the open centre. The Boeotians spread out to threaten the flank of the advancing Samians. While the Spartans move further to the right to avoid them.
(https://i.imgur.com/rFuqfUB.jpg)
The better training of the Spartans and Boeotians was clear as casualties mounted amongst the Athenians.
(https://i.imgur.com/5qQxjX3.jpg)
The Athenian right managed to pull back and form a defensive line to the right of the Arginusae Islands. The concentrated Spartan attack on the right had sunk or captured many triremes of the Athenian left. The initial reluctance of the Samians meant that they were unable to intervene effectively before the Spartans claimed victory.
(https://i.imgur.com/vO4dRwY.jpg)
A close-up view of the Spartans destruction of the Athenian left. the Athenians lost five of their eight units while the Spartans lost two of nine units. The Samians after an initial run of very poor activation chits are only just getting into a position to impact the battle.
(https://i.imgur.com/A9RWMNg.jpg)
Things had not gone much better on the other flank for the Athenians. They had lost three units out of eight and the Boeotians had lost none.
(https://i.imgur.com/RlllwfK.jpg)
The game reversed history but the result could have been different if the Samians had been able to get a few more activations. The disadvantage of the unskilled Athenian crews compared the to the trained and skilled Spartans and Boeotians was not overwhelming and felt right.
With only two admirals the Spartans and Boeotians were limited in manoeuvrability but not crippled. The death of the Spartan admiral, Callicratidas, as happened historically would have assisted the Athenians. The Athenians with eight admirals had much more flexibility but were unable to make great use of it with unskilled crews and limited support from the trained Samians.
Most importantly all four players enjoyed the game and the rules flowed well.
What a fab looking game
A great looking game and a good AAR to boot!
Those triremes do look good en masse.
I like the islands and shoals too.
Not a period I know anything about, but it looks cool and a very doable game on a normal table by the look of it.