Battle of Sandopar
| Battle of Sandopar | |
|---|---|
| Date: | 160B.U |
| Locations: | Sandopar, Northern Photenica |
| Result: | Decisive Mezarian Victory |
| Combatants | |
 Photenic Empire
|
 Mezarian Empire
|
| Leaders | |
| Lord Koricki
|
Lord Saáry
|
| Numbers (approx.) | |
| 5,000 Hoplites
|
15,000 Imperial Guard
|
| 30,000 Conscripts
|
50,000 Conscripts
|
| Casualties | |
| 3,000 Hoplites
|
5,000 Imperial Guards
|
| 6,000 Conscripts
|
8,000 Conscripts |
| Part of the Last Photenican War | |
| Battle of Denger - Battle at Messenia - Battle of Sandopar - Siege of Vaanspol - Battle of Dykrol - Battle of Mespinair - Siege of Spinstera - Battle of Acortan - Battle of Immesia | |
The Battle of Sandopar took place during the fall of the Photenican Empire and the rise of the Mezarian Empire. It included the final defeat of Photenica's northern Army and paved the way for the domination of the land by the Mezarian Empire.
This battle was also one of the last times that large armies on conscripts clashed before the final fall of the Empires. The numbers of professional troops were far outnumbered by the Conscripted Peasants, although this is one of the last times this occurred
History
By 160Bu, the Photenican Empire was on it's last legs. Constant war with it's southern rival, the Vegoscan Empire, as well as political instability led to an increasenly weakened Empire. The people were beginning to lose faith in the system that had led them for over 300 years and looked to the more liberal southern states for assurance as well as the North-eastern Vegoscan Empire.
Following the death of Emperor Bajnok II in 161Bu his two sons, Pista and Antal could not decide who was best to lead the empire forward. Pista was the eldest and a pacifist. He believed that the future of the Empire rested with the loyalty of the peasants and the union with the army. Antal was more conservative and wanted to lead the great Photenican armies of the past in crushing victories against the Danaversians and Mezarians. However, while the two houses dithered on who would ensure the survival of their ancient land, it's fate had already been decided.
In 160Bu, an army of 30,000 Vegocans invaded from the north of the country and her fate was sealed. The army, divided between loyalties and uncertain of how to react to the invasion, where unable to offer any effective resistance and the northern armies were smashed in the battles of Denger and Messenia. The Battle at Messenia also resulted in the death of Antal leaving Pista with the honour of being the last emperor of Photenica. He was crowned that year and promptly moved the capital to the south in order to avoid it's capture by the invading Vegoscan Army.
However, while the Vegoscans halted their advance and settled in to defend their new conquests, a new threat emerged from the north. The Mezarian Empire, led by Northern Emperor Koncal IV, had decided to take advantage of the Photenican advance and therefore marched with an army of 69,000 troops. Emperor Pista refused to discuss a peace treaty with the Mezarians and therefore rallied an army of 40,000 to confront the invaders.
Location
At first, the two armies advanced directly towards each other, seeking confrontation until the Photenican Army was informed of the difference ion numbers between the opposing sides. Lord Koricki, an aging but able military commander, turned away in a bid to find more favourable terrain. However, he became aware that morale was low and desertion rates high. To this end, he was forced to return to marching straight at the larger enemy and hope for favourable territory.
Although the Mezarian Army really had ample oppurtunity to find a spot that would give them the advantage, Lord Saáry was an impulsive and arrogant leader who believed that his troops would win through no matter what the situation. Therefore he continued to advance and was ignorant of the terrain in which to fight.
Sandopar provided the Photenicans with the oppurtunity they had prayed for. Facing the attacking Mezarians was a steep slope upon which Koricki placed his troops. The Mezarians were not aware of this tactical advantage until they arrived on the battlefield and even then Saáry believed it would have no effect on the battle beginning before his eyes.
