For my own part I opted to use a Asiatic Early Successor Army under Demetrius Poliorcetes (II/16b). The foot component of the army comprised of a core phalanx of well drilled phalangites, supplemented by Greek hoplites and peltasts. This infantry were supported by elephants, Greek mercenary cavalry and Tarentine light horse as well as a formation of Xystophoroi commanded by Demetrius himself. Other options were available to including artillery and additional hoplites. While I considered using the hoplites at one stage the above selection was used throughout Conquest's 15mm DBA competition.

The army was only completed the week prior to the convention and comprised Tin Soldier figures some of whom were well over 20 years old and who had never been painted before. Other castings were ordered recently from Tin Soldier in the UK who I must say provided both excellent service and very crisp castings. The army has a reasonably high aggression, specifically aggression three, and is littoral. For those not familiar with DBA littoral means that a waterway can be placed if defending and a naval landing can be made if attacking or defending. I had hoped the army would have faced a number of armies with a littoral home territory allowing a naval landing after the enemy had deployed. However, this was not to be.

With the army being painted and based only just prior to Conquest little time was available for training. It would seem that Demetrius and his army were poorly prepared for the upcoming battles.

The Battles:

Demetrius' first opponent was a Marian Roman army under a veteran commander. Demetrius had hoped to outmaneuver his opponent but the Roman commander, a veteran of many wars, had carefully selected the battlefield and deployed his army between two steep and rocky hills. Demetrius attempted several stratagems to lure the Roman commander out of his position however the Roman commander resisted all such traps and remained resolute in his position. Eventually, with dusk fast approaching, Demetrius launched his attack with elephants supported by his heavy infantry. All hope of maneuver was lost. The resulting battle was desperate. In one part of the line Macedonian phalangites would push forward driving back the Romans, while in another the situation would be reversed. As dusk finally fell Demetrius's army had suffered heavy casualties but was far from demoralised. However, further attacks were pointless and Demetrius fell back to reorganise. The actual result being a 0:3 draw to the Romans. Below, the Romans prepare for Demetrius' attack.

Demetrius then sort a period of relative peace in which to rebuild his army. In competition terms this is commonly known as having a bye. His time was however not wasted, a flurry of diplomatic activity found another player prepared to join the competition which bought our numbers to 12 players. This ensured that there would be no rest for other players. Could this work to Demetrius's advantage?

The next campaigning season found Demetrius once more campaigning against the Romans, this time however he faced a Patrician Roman army of a much later period. Again Demetrius was attacking clearly deep within in Roman territory as the Romans were fighting to defend another small town. Demetrius planning had been lack luster and despite the title "Demetrius Poliorcetes "The Besieger" he had neither the weapons or the inclination to conduct an assault on the town. Preferring instead to bypass the town and engage the enemy army in open battle. His plan called for a flanking move on his left flank against isolated Rroman light cavalry with his own Tarentine light cavalry and Greek horse while the phalanx, elephants and Xystophoroi held the main Roman army in position. A large body of Roman tribal levies were deployed in a large wood which he hoped would remain out of the battle. In due course the Macedonian phalanx would advance when his own cavalry had swept around the rear. The combination, he hoped, would see the destruction of the enemy army. The ensuing cavalry combat on the Demetrius's left went to plan but yet again dusk would rob him of final victory. As the sun disappeared over the horizon, and with victory in Demetrius's grasp, the Roman army escaped almost certain destruction. The final result was a 3:2 draw to Demetrius.

Demetrius soon found himself recalled to Greece where a Macedonian army threatened the peace of Greece. An Alexandrian Imperial army was known to be campaigning in the area and Demetrius set out on another campaign determined to defeat the enemy army and claim his rightful status. Descriptions of the battle are extremely limited. What sources remain open to the modern historian suggest the two evenly matched Successor armies faced each other over an open plain with cavalry and elephants on Demetrius's right flank being opposed by similar formations on the Macedonian left flank . The two commanders jostled for position but gaining little were reluctant to press their attacks until late in the day. Even when the two main battle lines were eventually locked in combat casualties were limited. The battle, like many others, ended in a draw, 2:3 to the Macedonians.

Demetrius, now desperate for a victory, abandoned Greece and marched northwest. Defeating or subduing the various Celtic nations he eventually, in an adventure the equal of Alexander the Great's eastern campaigns, encountered an army of Picts who had themselves traveled great distances. Once again Demetrius had seized the initiative but again his opponent had selected the battlefield. This time a large wood was to be found in the centre of the battlefield, a most unusual situation, and one that would result in both armies being split or concentrated on a narrow frontage. It was later found this is a typical Pictish tactic. Undeterred Demetrius determined to advance with his phalanx against the enemy camp while delaying as best he could the expected attack on his left by the Picts mounted troops and ambushes by light troops. To this end he positioned his elephants and what infantry could be spared on his right. Foolishly he should have supported this flank with more cavalry, he was however focused on his own attack which was likely the only way he could achieve what seemed like an elusive victory. As expected the Picts attacked Demetrius's left but were held by the elephants who while assailed from all directions yet withstood each Pict attack. Meanwhile Demetrius's phalanx pushed resolutely forward to engage the significant body of barbarian infantry. Victory was clearly in Demetrius's grasp as the Picts were assailed to front and flank. However, yet again chance of victory was lost due to early darkness. As both armies disengaged a 2:2 draw was determined.

Now learning of peril in northern Greece Demetrius abandoned his campaign against the Picts and marched home. Covering great distances in record time he was soon in Northern Greece as Pyrrhus of Epirus was about to conduct yet another campaign of destruction against the free cities of Greece. In a campaign of maneuver Pyrrhus was caught marching along the rugged coastline by Demetrius. Pyrrhus, with his back to the sea faced Demetrius well aware of Demetrius's navy prowling the coastline and threatening to land troops. This threat forced Pyrrhus to garrison his camp with a large force of Greek hoplites before marching aggressively towards Demetrius's main army. Demetrius, for his part, conducted a landing from transport ships of a small body of Tarentine cavalry with which he hoped to threaten the Epirot line while attacking it frontally. Below, Demetrius advances with his army on the Epirot invader while his Tarentine cavalry approach from the coast.

Seeking to take immediate advantage of the situation Demetrius attacked at the head of his cavalry while his phalanx advanced as quickly as it could. The ensuing battle was fought between the cavalry and in a moments disaster Demetrius himself was wounded. Taken from the field he was eventually to make a full recovery, but his wounds forced his army to abandon the field. Demetrius fell back east his army in good spirits leaving Greece to Pyrrhus, at least for the time being. The result was an Epirot  0:1G victory. For the Greeks it could only mean more oppression.

Having fully recovered from his wounds Demetrius now faced his next campaign, this time a rebellion against Hellenic rule in Asia Minor by a Persian satrap who clung to the ways of the Later Achaemenid Persians. Again Demetrius displayed all his old vigor and marched against the satrap. Demetrius was convinced victory was within his grasp when the Persian host deployed in two blocks separated by a large wooded and rocky area. Aiming to destroy the enemy left while holding the enemy cavalry on his own left he once again advanced with speed surrounded by his cavalry. However the Persian mounted wing also attacked. Persian horse archers darted back and forth firing at the Greek left which was held by a thin line of phalangites and elephants. Demetrius pushed forward on the right intent on riding down the enemy rabble deployed before the Persian camp. The destruction of this rabble, and the capture of the camp, would surely result in the end of this rebellion. However, Demetrius had clearly miscalculated. While his left flank collapsed under the weight of the Persian assault so to did Demetrius's own attacks. Rolling four "6s" the Persians claimed a great victory of 2:5G while at the same time robbing Demetrius of his last hope for the day. Demetrius Poliorcetes, it would seem, would fail to reestablish the empire of Alexander. Demetrius however, growing tired of campaigning on land, looked south to the great city of Rhodes. Surely, glory could be obtained by its capture. But that will mean another campaign...

The DBA competition at Conquest 2009 was, as I hoped, extremely enjoyable. The casual and friendly atmosphere provided a great backdrop to a full days wargaming. A special thanks must go to the Conquest organiser for allowing us to host the 15mm DBA event and providing medals and prizes for the main winners. Additional prizes, in the form of complete 15mm DBA armies, for most generals killed as well as two random draws were supplied by Magister Militum and Corvus Belli.

The use of a +20 scoring system encouraged players to seek out victory. A draw counting similiar points to a loss. This encouraged some aggressive play which had some merit.

Below is a list of players, their armies, as well as their final positions. Steve picked up the prize for the most generals killed, being five. This was a combination of his own generals killed in combat and enemy generals killed.