Battle of Antioch (613 AD)

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Beginning in 610, under Generals Shahrbaraz and Shahin, the Persian army conquered Byzantine-controlled territories in Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq and Kurdistan) and the Caucasus. The Byzantine Empire could not offer much resistance to the invading Persians, with Heraclius himself needing time to implement a number of internal initiatives to ensure he could raise the necessary funds and troops for a renewed war against Khosrau II, the Sassanid king. In the next year, continuing their success, the Persian force overran Syria and eastern Anatolia, capturing Christian cities, such as Antioch and Damascus. Ostensibly, the Persian army could not travel much further into 
Byzantine territory without confronting a centrally-assembled Eastern Roman army.

In response to the sudden loss of territory on the Eastern frontier, Heraclius organized a capable-sized army and marched to Antioch. However, his counter-attack was decisively defeated in 613 outside Antioch. In the set battle, the Roman positions completely collapsed and a general rout of the Byzantine army led to an easy victory for Shahrbaraz and Shahin.
The victory at Antioch ensured the Persians would maintain control of its recently overrun Byzantine territory. It was a major psychological blow to the Byzantines, and blocked the land routes from Anatolia to Palestine, Syria, and Egypt. 

War Council
Sassanid Army (Use Tan blocks)
• Leader: Shahrbaraz
• 6 Command Cards
• 4 Inspired Action tokens

Byzantine Army (Use Purple blocks)
• Leader: Heraclius
• 5 Command Cards
• 2 Inspired Action tokens
• Move First

Victory
8 Banners

Special Rules
*If a Byzantine unit occupies a Sassanid camp hex at the start of the Byzantine turn, the player may remove the hex and gain 1 Victory banner before playing a Command Card.
*The Sassanid Medium, Heavy and Super Heavy Cavalry units are armed with bows.
*The Byzantine Medium, Heavy and Super Heavy Cavalry units are armed with bows.