The Battle Day is open to both members and non-members of the Society of
Ancients. Come along for what will be a great day's gaming!

The sixth annual Society of Ancients Battle Day, Saturday 25 April 2009
Sycamore Hall, Drayton Road, Bletchley, Near Milton Keynes, MK2 3RR

Callinicum 531 AD



"But the army began to insult him, not in silence nor with any concealment, but
they came shouting into his presence, and called him weak and a destroyer of
their zeal; and even some of the officers joined with the soldiers in this
offence, thus displaying the extent of their daring. And Belisarius, in
astonishment at their shamelessness, changed his exhortation and now seemed to
be urging them on against the enemy and drawing them up for battle, saying that
he had not known before their eagerness to fight, but that now he was of good
courage and would go against the enemy with a better hope."

Procopius, History of the Wars, Book I viii 24-27, as found in the Project
Gutenberg eBook at
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16764/16764-h/16764-h.htm#PageI_xviii_7



This Saturday is our sixth annual Battle Day! Join the great Belisarius in
throwing back the Sasanian Persian invaders, or else fight with Azarethes and
the Persians to give the Eastern Romans a bloody nose. Alternatively, ride with
the Arab allies on either side, and look to see what loot you can collect!



The battle: Callinicum 531 AD – a raiding Sasanian Persian army is retreating
along the River Euphrates while being shadowed by the Eastern Roman army under
Belisarius, who prefers to shepherd the Persians out of Roman territory rather
than give battle. Catching the Persian army opposite the city of Callinicum,
Belisarius is forced to deploy his hungry and tired army for battle by his
impetuous soldiers and officers; the Persians under Azarethes see this as an
opportunity to bring some success to what has been a disappointing campaign, and
set out their army in battle array. The scene is set for a desperate clash…



As ever, the aims of the day remain the same:

· To have fun!

· To gather as many ancient wargamers as possible to refight a
historical battle.

· To fight the same battle simultaneously on many tables, using a
different set of rules on each table.



As usual the day will run from 9am until 5pm, with an hour either side to set up
and pack away. We can pick-up and drop-off from Bletchley station with prior
arrangement, although it is a relatively short walk anyway.



The cost, payable on the day, of participating in the Battle Day, to contribute
towards hire of venue and tables, has been held at £7 (juniors free) , as it has
been for several years now.




For further details, contact Richard Lockwood at battleday@... or 07990
510492, else via his details on the back cover of Slingshot.