SPARTANS vs VIKINGS: Part 1

Drawing inspiration from a “stumbled across” discussion thread on The Miniatures Page (TMP) - Ancients Discussion Board or Forum, I decided to embark upon a long-term solo project wherein I would conduct a number of experiments based on the suggested hypothetical. [1] The “work in progress” plan (more of an hastily scribbled outline, really) was to stage six battles between the identified-in-the-title ahistorical opponents using six different sets of rules. These scenarios would not be “controlled experiments” in the sense that point values or sizes of the opposing forces would be equal, the terrain would be identical for the planned half dozen engagements, and I would be wearing a lab coat while taking copious notes on a clipboard. These scenarios would, for lack of a better description, provide a kind of “wargaming filler,” giving me something to do between more serious as well as historical, if admittedly non-traditional projects. In the initial draft of this long-term project, a single post, one containing details and narratives of all six experiments as well as an evaluation of the entire effort was considered. Legitimate concerns about the required stamina, both on the part of this amateur author/wargamer as well as the reader resulted in the revision of this original plan. It seemed a much better idea, a more prudent course, to tackle the project a little bit at a time. In other words, six short or medium-length reports would be drafted, edited and posted over the course of around six months (perhaps longer) instead of a single epic post. With this approach, it was believed that a suitable level of interest could be maintained by both parties. Without further preamble then, let me move right along to the first counterfactual contest between the armies of “King Leonidas” and “Ivar the Boneless,” wherein I employ the Armati 2nd Edition rules. 

Preparations

For this first contest between two very different forces, I drafted a Spartan army from one of the amended lists provided in Matthew Bennett’s “Real Spartans with Armati,” a short but thought-provoking article which appeared in the May/June 2018 issue of Slingshot, The Journal of the Society of Ancients. [2] As per usual, my Spartans would be represented with two-dimensional color counters instead of painted and based miniatures of any scale. For a slight change of pace, I decided to use 15 mm Optimal Scale, instead of reduced 15 mm Epic Scale formations. My Spartans would be a double-size army, with approximately 160 points worth of bonus units. My Vikings would also be a double-size army, but these longship raiders would be reinforced by 200 points worth of bonus units. Instead of drawing these fierce fighters from the army list provided (coincidentally) on page V of the rulebook, I decided to use the 800-1016 list, created by a “GildasFacit” (a.k.a. Tony Hughes) and found on the War Flute site, under the ‘Experimental’ category of ‘Armies.’

Rolling 2d6 and consulting my “work in progress” terrain table (drafted for a solo campaign game that has yet to see its first arrow loosed in ranged combat [3]), my Spartans and Vikings would meet on a field bearing a resemblance to The Granicus. Obviously, this setting gave me pause. The river and its difficult banks reportedly posed little challenge for the impetuous Alexander and his Companions, but it seemed to me that this kind of landscape would pose a number of problems for Spartan hoplites and Viking huscarls. The situation was resolved by making another roll on the terrain table or chart. This time, thankfully, the dice informed that these two armies would do battle over terrain very similar to the field of Idistaviso. The Spartans would deploy on the ground the Romans had originally occupied in 16 AD. Their cavalry would not start out in the woods on the left flank, however. The Viking “greater army” would arrange its formations across the same area where Arminius had gathered his tribesmen.

Adopting an even more “bare bones” approach to the depiction of terrain features, I decided to use the materials at hand instead of making specific additional purchases. To that end, I depicted the looping course of the river on the Spartan right flank with a long piece of blue yarn. The positioning of this meandering feature lopped off a fair portion of the right short-edge of my tabletop. The woods on the other side of my “model” battlefield were depicted with a long piece of dark green yarn. Studying the diagram of the battlefield on page 192 of Warfare in the Classical World, it seemed to me that the multi-tiered hill was eggplant shaped, with the narrower end jutting into the original Roman lines. For this scenario, I reoriented the hill, increased its overall size but reduced its height to only three tiers or levels. In Armati language, this large hill was still a “gentle rise.” To be consistent, this feature was also fabricated with long pieces of suitably colored yarn. To be sure, there was little aesthetic value to the terrain on my table. However, I could see at a glance where the river was, know where the woods started, and with the hill, I could imagine how line of sight, “surprise,” and a possible “uphill advantage” might play a part in the planned engagement. 

Deployments & Plans

I started with the Spartans. First I spent a day or so arranging and rearranging the heavy and light divisions. (There were 8 heavy division control points and 6 light division control points available. After double checking my “work,” it was determined that the Spartan army had a morale breakpoint of 13 key units.) On my far right, closest to the “bank” of the (very abstract) river, I deployed some peltasts and some Ekdromoi (light heavy infantry). These units were supported by two units of Thessalian heavy cavalry. My battle line of hoplites consisted of three divisions of Spartans on the right. The general of the army was with these veterans. These capable troops were organized in formations of a single unit of PH (the Hippeis), and two groups of Spartiates (also classed as PH). Moving left down this necessarily short line, there were three divisions of Perioikoi (more PH). The subordinate general of the army was in this area. Two screens of skirmishing javelins and slingers provided some cover for the arrangement of hoplites. On the left of my line, I placed the Helots (low quality FT) and the single “regiment” of Spartan heavy cavalry. Both of these formations were uncontrolled, meaning that they could not move until threatened by an approaching enemy formation. Peltasts and Ekdromoi formed a light infantry “bookend” on the far left of the larger formation. These units could go into the woods if needed. They could also harass and hit any enemy efforts on this side of the field. 

This photo was taken from behind the approximate center of the Spartan line of battle. The simple representation of the large three-tiered hill can be seen. The Viking formations are along the top of the frame. The skirmishers with bows are visible “screening” the main formation(s). There are two “divisions” of Berserkers positioned forward of the line as well.

The Vikings also had 8 heavy division control points, but only enjoyed 4 light division control points. (Even though this army had quite a few more bonus points, their key unit breakpoint was only 14.) Their battle line stretched also all the way across the space between the river bank on the left to the woods on the right. Instead of placing their best units on the right of this line, as the Spartans had done, the several formations of King’s Huscarls were deployed in the center. Extending to the left and right of these troops were Vikings of a lesser quality. There were Jarl’s Hindmen [or perhaps Hirdmen] (FT), Lesser Hindmen (FT), and then Bondi (also FT). Several units of skirmishers carrying short bows were scattered in penny packets across the entire front. Several groups of Berserkers were also positioned forward of the main line. The Vikings had no mounted troops and did not hide any troops in the woods on their far right. 

This photo was taken from above the Spartan right and Viking left. The Spartans are on the left side of the frame; the Vikings are deployed along the right of the frame. Again, the simple representation of the main terrain feature can be seen. The Spartan deployment is fairly historically correct, as the Spartiates are on the right of the line, and the Royal Guard unit holds the place of honor. The Spartan king or general is directly behind this phalanx. Skirmishers screen the Greek formation, and there are cavalry and light-heavy infantry assigned to the far right of the line.

Without going into great detail, the Spartans wanted to engage and win on their right and then wheel left to roll up the enemy line. Ideally, the hoplites would be able to trap the Vikings against the forest. The Thessalian cavalry would also play a key part in this plan. The Vikings, in contrast, were going to rely on brute force and numbers. They hoped to punch through the center of the Spartan line of battle. They also expected a hard-fought battle of attrition, which they would win because of greater numbers. 

A close up of the Viking center, showing the various formations of “King’s Huscarls” as well as “Jarl’s Hindmen or Hirdmen.” The Viking King command stand is also plainly visible. The green die in the upper left shows the Initiative Rating of the large Viking muster; the white dice are used to record the losses of key units. The Viking army will break and quit the field when it loses 14 key units. 

A close up showing the Spartan section of the hoplite deployment. The Royal Bodyguard and Spartiates are clearly visible, as is the Spartan General and skirmisher screen. The colored markers (purple, red, and yellow) are used to track fatigue, casualties (unit break points) and disorder or being “unformed.”

Summary of the Engagement

Both sides opted for a straightforward advance in order to come to grips and decide the issue. Having the greater range, the Viking skirmishers annoyed the Spartans and their allies but did little in the way of actual damage. As the distance closed, the Greek skirmishers let fly with their assortment of missiles. Their sling stones made more of an impact than their light javelins. Both skirmisher screens played little part, however, in the larger action. 

First contact was made on the Spartan right when two units of light-heavy infantry attacked a unit of Bondi. The lower-class Vikings performed poorly in this initial contest. The result did not set the tone of the developing battle, however. In the next turn, contacts were made up and down the line. Over on the Viking right, several formations were facing more open ground as a division of Helots and a single unit of Spartan cavalry had been held as a kind of reserve. On the subject of cavalry, the Thessalian heavy horse moved wide to the right and began to wheel around so as to come up on the Viking left and rear, but they misjudged the distance and timing. The light infantry that moved along with them also took themselves out of the larger action. 

This photo was taken above the Viking right after contact had been made between the opposing lines of heavy infantry. At the top of the frame, melees rage between units of the “King’s Huscarls” and units of Perioikoi. At the bottom of the frame, a portion of the ongoing contest between light-heavy infantry and Bondi can be seen. Several Viking units, screened by fierce Berserkers, have some ground to cover before they can make contact with Helots and a single unit of Spartan cavalry. These formations were held as a kind reserve and were marked “uncontrolled” so that more command and control could be designated elsewhere.

As a few units were trying to get around the Viking flanks (nothing would come of this, however and unfortunately), the main formations of each side crashed into each other on the Spartan side of the gentle hill. The fighting was fierce and chaotic, as one might imagine. Before the Vikings charged, they let fly with all sorts of missiles against the solid formation of enemy shields and neatly arranged spear points. With one or two exceptions, this barrage made little impact. The Spartan Royal Bodyguard received a bloody nose from these close-range missiles and was then further discomforted when engaged by two Viking formations. Their veteran status and fighting ability kicked in and they were soon giving more punishment than they were absorbing. The dice turned against them though, and when a lowly unit of Bondi was able to swing around and take them in the flank, well, that was the end of the Royal Bodyguard. Unfortunately, the Spartan General had joined the fighting the previous turn (to inspire his men), and he was cut down in the confusion of the collapse as the Vikings pressed from the front and the unshielded side of the unit. 

A close up of the fighting shown in the previous picture. Here, the “King’s Huscarls” are engaged with the Perioikoi on what might be called the reverse of the gentle hill. As can be seen by the casualty markers, things are going rather well for the Vikings. One unit of hoplites is about to break. The Viking King has yet to join in the fighting, but will do so shortly. Other Vikings will also join in the struggle. The red dice are the Spartan melee dice; the blue dice are the ones thrown by the Vikings. 

Taken from behind the Spartan center, this photo shows the attack by Berserkers against a couple of units of Perioikoi. The strength of the Viking line can be seen. The Spartans are stretched somewhat thin and are responding to moves and attacks made by the men who came from the longships.

Though a significant loss, the death of the Spartan General and the destruction of his unit did not immediately break the morale of the army. However, one might be tempted to remark “the writing was on the runes” for the Spartan effort. Advantage in the numerous melees swung back and forth as the fighting raged all along the hillside and more level ground. The light-heavy infantry on the Greek left performed well, holding the advance of the Vikings up for a while and inflicting quite a few losses on the enemy. Their bravery and skill was eventually overcome by fatigue and numbers. As the battle continued, fatigue began to take its toll on units from both sides. Casualties began to mount as well, and units were starting to look like shadows of themselves. Though the Spartan formations were of a better quality, generally, than the Viking units arranged against them, the melee dice did not cooperate. As one turn ended and another began, gaps, then holes, and then larger holes began to appear in the Spartan line as unit after unit was broken and routed from the field. A decision was reached on the eighth turn of play when four weakened units on the Greek side of the field were destroyed against the loss of a single unit of Berserkers. 

A close up showing the hard-fought contest on the Spartan left between the Ekdromoi and a variety of Vikings. The light-heavy infantry gave a good account of themselves but were eventually worn down and overrun by an enemy with greater numbers. 

This photo was taken near the end of the battle/scenario and shows the Spartan line in an exhausted and perilous state. A disorganized unit of Bondi has hit the Spartiates in the flank. A bloody melee is taking place further left down the Spartan line. The green die has gone from 5 to 1 due to involuntary breaks in divisional integrity. The white die indicates that the Spartans can only lose 4 more key units before their army morale will be broken. 

Comments

Acknowledging the ahistorical premise of this and subsequent scenarios or experiments, were there any historical aspects to this tabletop engagement? Attempting to answer my own question, I would respond yes and offer the following evidence.

First, the Spartans placed their best unit and their overall commander on the right of the line, the accepted position of honor. They had a small screen of skirmishers and relegated the light infantry and cavalry to operate on the flanks. I cannot be certain, but I think that the Vikings deployed historically, having their best troops or units in the center of the line, with lesser quality troops positioned next to them. If one accepts that Berserkers existed and formed into actual units, then I think it was correct to place these non-key elements forward of the main line of battle so that they could deliver an initial shock against the enemy. As both armies consisted of heavy infantry, I also think that it was historical for the battle to be decided by contact and melee between these various formations. 

Initially, I worried about the disparity in numbers. A review of the orders of battle showed that the Vikings had 30 units of heavy infantry at their disposal, while the Spartans had just 18 units of heavy infantry on the field. The nearly 2-to-1 advantage of the Norsemen was not key to their victory however, as command and control “problems” prohibited groups of Viking units ganging up on isolated or exposed units of Spartan hoplites and their allies. It seemed that the Viking win was more a case of “unfortunate dice” for the Spartans. One could also point to the frustrating failure of the Thessalian cavalry and light infantry. These elements were not able to swing around the Viking left, at least quickly enough, and play a part in the battle. Under the Armati rules, units that perform complex moves such as extended wheels, become “undressed” or disordered, and have to reorder their ranks or fight with a penalty. Once these units have straightened their lines, then they can move out to join or rejoin the general action. However, even with their 15-inch movement rate, the Thessalian cavalry could not reach the open flank of the Viking line before the engagement was decided. I confess that I am pondering whether this particular aspect of the recently concluded action was historical. (Perhaps ‘realistic’ would be a better word choice?)  It seems to me that cavalry units should be able to wheel and move with some speed. It also occurs to me that any penalty for being disordered should not be as costly as the penalty for being hit in or attacked on a flank, especially while engaged to the front. 

Turning briefly to a consideration of numbers, if I establish a representative unit scale of 600 men per key unit, whether heavy infantry, cavalry, or light troops, then the Spartans had around 15,000 men in the field compared to 18,000 Vikings. Being outnumbered by approximately 3,000 enemy troops should not, I think, pose a tremendous challenge to the experienced Spartans but again, the dice have the final say, and as reported in the brief summary, the dice gods did not look kindly on the sons of Sparta in this first encounter.

The opposing plans seemed historical and fairly sound. The opposing deployments also seemed historical and made appropriate use of the determined terrain. It seemed historical or realistic to have the Spartan commander become involved in the heavy fighting when his veteran phalanx was attacked by three enemy units on two sides. To be fair, the Viking “king” also threw himself into the melee when his huscarls were engaged. To his credit, he was wounded in the desperate fighting, but his men were in no danger of being flanked or assaulted by numerous units of hoplites. 

I think it would be historically accurate to remark that Vikings often employed the shieldwall when they fought against a wide variety of enemies. It was rather ironic then, that for this first of a planned six ahistorical contests, my non-traditional Vikings did not receive direct orders to “form shieldwall!” when they approached or were attacked by the Spartans and their allies. A review of the appropriate section of the rules informs that shieldwalls (or shield walls) can deny impetus and so, potentially save a unit from being swept away. The only units on the Spartan side of the field that had impetus were the Thessalian heavy cavalry. As reported and lamented, these two formations took themselves out of the battle by trying to move around the Viking left and left-rear. The hoped for decisive blow they could have delivered never arrived. This serious mistake should probably be laid to rest at the sandaled-feet of the Spartan commander. 

I confess that I was a little surprised to see the Spartans go down in defeat and so quickly and completely. I would have thought that with superior fighting ability, they would have doled out quite a bit of punishment to the “irregular” and less trained Viking formations. The dice proved me wrong, however, as they often do. I confess that I still wonder about the difference in numbers. Given the restrictions of command and control in Armati, and given the comparative difficulty of wheeling units of heavy infantry into positions of advantage, the Vikings were not able to capitalize on their “superior” numbers. In some respects, I think these longship raiders were just lucky. The dice fell in their favor and a tactical error by the enemy heavy cavalry allowed them to wear down the Greek hoplites. 

If I were to assign a letter grade to this first hypothetical encounter, I would give myself a C-plus, perhaps a B-minus. (This evaluation is based more on subjectivity than on any tried and tested rubric of solo wargaming.) At the risk of starting a new topic or opening up the proverbial “can of worms,” in some respects, I find myself growing a little weary or dissatisfied with the Armati rules and mechanics. Given my history with these rules, this development is more than a little disconcerting. The first entry into this Spartans vs Vikings record then, is a big “W” in the Vikings column. Proceeding alphabetically, the next engagement will see the Hail Caesar rules being employed. I am curious to see if Viking warriors will be cowed by a phalanx of large shields with red lettering on them, by serried ranks of spear points, and by shouts of “This is Sparta!” from the throats of hundreds if not thousands of veteran hoplites and their tough-as-leather unit commanders.

Notes

1. On 12 December 2021, a Russ Dunaway (TMP moniker “Old Glory”) posted the following topic to the Ancients Discussion Message Board: “Greek phalanx vs Viking sheild [sic] wall.” The gentleman posed a hypothetical, asking who would win if Spartan hoplites encountered a Viking shieldwall. To remark that the topic generated a spirited electronic conversation would be an understatement. In fact, I am tempted to compare the situation to Russ throwing a lit match onto a bale of very dry hay. Within a week—a few days, actually—the post had received 893 “hits” and had generated 36 replies. [A check on its status in the very early hours of 03 January 2022 informed that the number of “hits” had increased to 972; the number of replies had gone up just one to 37.] Out of curiosity, I conducted a brief search to see if the topic had been broached previously in other areas. Readers might be interested in taking a look at the following sites/links: https://www.madaxeman.com/reports/Bristol_2019_1.php and https://www.reddit.com/r/whowouldwin/comments/2to9xv/300_spartans_vs_300_vikings/.
2. In his reviewed and revised army lists, Matthew describes or identifies the “second class” phalanx units as Periokoi. Being quite unfamiliar with the complexities and exceptions of ancient Greek, I accepted this term. Then, while thumbing through a recently purchased copy of LOST BATTLES, I happened upon Perioikoi in Appendix 4. Perhaps both spellings are acceptable, but again, being untrained in ancient Greek letters, I deferred to the spelling provided by Professor Sabin.
3. This “table” was also footnoted in the January post titled “A Competition of Condottieri.” While some readers may find it limited or limiting, I find that it offers more potential variety than adherence to the various terrain rules found in the various rulesets. This “table” is not “set in stone.” It is also a work in progress, subject to revision and improvement. Anyway, here it is again. Terrain was determined by rolling 2d6 and consulting the following table:

Die Result “Appearance” of the Battlefield

    2                 Mantinea

    3                 Chaeronea

    4                 Granicus

    5                 Issus

    6                 Arsuf

    7                 Cynoscephalae

    8                 Pharsalus

    9                 Idistaviso

    10         Watling Street

    11         Argentoratum

    12         Chalons

Nine of these landscapes were taken from the pages of Warfare in the Classical World, the remaining two field were borrowed from previous Battle Day reports published in Slingshot. The word appearance is in quotes because my table would be decorated to look like an approximation of the ancient terrain. It would not be an exact, true-to-scale replica.