01-14-2002, 10:56 PM
Petteia is phalanx warfare as seen through the eyes of ancient man. The board and pieces represent the Hoplites and and their field of battle.<br>
<br>
The board is 8 X 8 squares with the hoplites starting at opposite sides, each against the edge. Movement uses all the squares, like chess. Movement of a single hoplite is orthogonal.<br>
ie horizontal and vertical like a rook, but not diagonal.<br>
<br>
A column of hoplites can also move any number of squares.<br>
<br>
<- X X X X -> this column can move any number of squares left or right. If it was vertical, the same would apply, ie any number of squares up or down.<br>
<br>
However, the column can only move one square line abreast.<br>
<br>
<br>
Tactics were quite simple and well understood.<br>
<br>
Mass:<br>
<br>
If one side has a phalanx of men 20 wide and 15 deep, it will be able to push another phalanx of men 20 wide and 8 deep.<br>
<br>
In Petteia : two hoplites adjacent to a single enemy hoplite can move it one space.<br>
or three hoplites adjacent to a single enemy hoplite can move it two spaces.<br>
It is always the difference in number that determines the spaces moved. So, three hoplites adjacent to two enemy hoplites would only move one square.<br>
<br>
X X X O O-> the whole line would move one square<br>
<br>
Momentum:<br>
<br>
A single man adjacent to another will have difficulty moving another. However if he was to run at the man, he would be able to displace him. This was also true with a group of men.<br>
<br>
Petteia:<br>
<br>
A long as a hoplite is NOT adjacent to a single enemy hoplite it can use momentum to displace him one square. Momentum is like having another hoplite to aid displacement.<br>
So, two hoplites NOT adjacent to enemy hoplite would displace it two squares. Again the displacement is determined by the difference: two hoplites plus momentum = 3 versus 1 hoplite, result 2.<br>
<br>
Movement cannot be stopped. ie if your movement enables you to move an enemy 3 squares you cannot stop at 2 squares. It becomes quite apparent how this can be used<br>
when you view battles like Cannae.<br>
<br>
Capture by enclosure:<br>
<br>
Today we interpret the capture of a piece as being immediate.<br>
ie in chess or checkers, the piece captured, is immediately removed.<br>
<br>
This will not work in Petteia or Latrunculi because ancient man understood capture differently. The sequence of play is with black starting.<br>
<br>
Black removes any enemy pieces that are enclosed. Black then moves.<br>
<br>
White removes enemy pieces that are enclosed. White then moves.<br>
<br>
It is best understood by realising that capture is not instantaneous, but there is an opportunity for the piece to escape. If you imagine two men attacking a single man, the single man can try to flee.<br>
<br>
Understanding this concept is important, because when the phalanx is penetrated, to save men it will be neccessary to retreat and this starts the route.<br>
<br>
For the attacker: it is necessary to penetrate the enemy phalanx, and this will involve losses. ie at the end of a players turn, movement will have ended with your own hoplites between enemy hoplites. These pieces are removed at the start of your opponents turn.<br>
<br>
Hoplites can be trapped using the board edge. If a single or group of hoplites cannot move and are enclosed by enemy holplites or with the board edge and enemy hoplites, they are removed in the sequence mentioned earlier.<br>
<br>
A phalanx is a group of hoplites that are connected othogonally and are adjacent to each other. A phalanx can only move one square at a time, just like a column of men that are moving line abreast.<br>
<br>
The penetration of an enemy phalanx will be determined how deep your phalanx is. A phalanx also utilizes momentum.<br>
<br>
<br>
I will edit this tommorrow. Any vague areas will also be cleaned up and if you still don't understand it let me know and I will clarify it.<br>
<br>
The easiest way to play it is to imagine yourself watching two phalanxes and the movement that occurs. When playing have one group advance line abreast and you manouver the other group. Once one side loses 4 hoplites, the game ends fairly quickly.<br>
<br>
If you want I can set up a game via email as well.<br>
<br>
Gil <p></p><i></i>
<br>
The board is 8 X 8 squares with the hoplites starting at opposite sides, each against the edge. Movement uses all the squares, like chess. Movement of a single hoplite is orthogonal.<br>
ie horizontal and vertical like a rook, but not diagonal.<br>
<br>
A column of hoplites can also move any number of squares.<br>
<br>
<- X X X X -> this column can move any number of squares left or right. If it was vertical, the same would apply, ie any number of squares up or down.<br>
<br>
However, the column can only move one square line abreast.<br>
<br>
<br>
Tactics were quite simple and well understood.<br>
<br>
Mass:<br>
<br>
If one side has a phalanx of men 20 wide and 15 deep, it will be able to push another phalanx of men 20 wide and 8 deep.<br>
<br>
In Petteia : two hoplites adjacent to a single enemy hoplite can move it one space.<br>
or three hoplites adjacent to a single enemy hoplite can move it two spaces.<br>
It is always the difference in number that determines the spaces moved. So, three hoplites adjacent to two enemy hoplites would only move one square.<br>
<br>
X X X O O-> the whole line would move one square<br>
<br>
Momentum:<br>
<br>
A single man adjacent to another will have difficulty moving another. However if he was to run at the man, he would be able to displace him. This was also true with a group of men.<br>
<br>
Petteia:<br>
<br>
A long as a hoplite is NOT adjacent to a single enemy hoplite it can use momentum to displace him one square. Momentum is like having another hoplite to aid displacement.<br>
So, two hoplites NOT adjacent to enemy hoplite would displace it two squares. Again the displacement is determined by the difference: two hoplites plus momentum = 3 versus 1 hoplite, result 2.<br>
<br>
Movement cannot be stopped. ie if your movement enables you to move an enemy 3 squares you cannot stop at 2 squares. It becomes quite apparent how this can be used<br>
when you view battles like Cannae.<br>
<br>
Capture by enclosure:<br>
<br>
Today we interpret the capture of a piece as being immediate.<br>
ie in chess or checkers, the piece captured, is immediately removed.<br>
<br>
This will not work in Petteia or Latrunculi because ancient man understood capture differently. The sequence of play is with black starting.<br>
<br>
Black removes any enemy pieces that are enclosed. Black then moves.<br>
<br>
White removes enemy pieces that are enclosed. White then moves.<br>
<br>
It is best understood by realising that capture is not instantaneous, but there is an opportunity for the piece to escape. If you imagine two men attacking a single man, the single man can try to flee.<br>
<br>
Understanding this concept is important, because when the phalanx is penetrated, to save men it will be neccessary to retreat and this starts the route.<br>
<br>
For the attacker: it is necessary to penetrate the enemy phalanx, and this will involve losses. ie at the end of a players turn, movement will have ended with your own hoplites between enemy hoplites. These pieces are removed at the start of your opponents turn.<br>
<br>
Hoplites can be trapped using the board edge. If a single or group of hoplites cannot move and are enclosed by enemy holplites or with the board edge and enemy hoplites, they are removed in the sequence mentioned earlier.<br>
<br>
A phalanx is a group of hoplites that are connected othogonally and are adjacent to each other. A phalanx can only move one square at a time, just like a column of men that are moving line abreast.<br>
<br>
The penetration of an enemy phalanx will be determined how deep your phalanx is. A phalanx also utilizes momentum.<br>
<br>
<br>
I will edit this tommorrow. Any vague areas will also be cleaned up and if you still don't understand it let me know and I will clarify it.<br>
<br>
The easiest way to play it is to imagine yourself watching two phalanxes and the movement that occurs. When playing have one group advance line abreast and you manouver the other group. Once one side loses 4 hoplites, the game ends fairly quickly.<br>
<br>
If you want I can set up a game via email as well.<br>
<br>
Gil <p></p><i></i>
