28mm Hail Caesar redux - the account of Nikias, commander of auxiliaries

This week I was down at Battle Inc in Belfast to take my Seleukids out for a spin at a game of Hail Caesar with the lads from the Irish Historical Wargamers Guild. With a total of seven divisions and six players, two of my divisions were commanded by other players - I retained command only of a division of eastern thureophoroi and Arab auxialiaries. It wasn't necessarily their most glowing performance, as reported below by Nikias, commander of auxiliaries.

An account of Nikias of Amphipolis, commander of auxiliaries. Being in command of thureophoroi from Osrhoene, scythed chariots, and various camelry and other Arab tribesmen, I was posted to the far right of the Seleukid line; a position of honour, but also beyond the left flank of the barbarian enemies - an assorted line of Libyans and Romans.

At the outset, my speeches fell on deaf ears as the translators struggled to convey my orders from Greek into Aramaic and Arabic. Restless for action, the two companies of scythed chariots ignored the instruction to advance, and kicked off at full speed, crashing into the Roman infantry opposite. The chariots did well, disrupting the Romans, but failing to create a proper hole.

Everywhere across the plain, units form other commands advanced, stirring a wall of dust that obscured all from view. For the next few hours, translators argued with unit commanders to try to convey my repeated orders to advance and engage the enemy. The useless buggers stood there as my kinsmen and their commands earned honour and reputation.

Finally, after what seemed an eternitiy, the auxiliaries stirred into action, advancing towards what remained of the Roman left. The camelry and skirmishers managed to fire several volleys or arrows, scattering some velites, and a unit of thureophoroi charged some Roman hastatii, just as the horns sounded and the army of the enemy began their withdrawal. The auxiliaries had moved just in time to not be accused of treachery, but I will be seeking Greek speaking unit commanders in the future...