Persian Civil War

[Marshal Murat]

432 B.C.

Forty years past, Xerxes obtained what his father was unable to gain. The lands of Greece. The triumph was heralded across the land, and Xerxes, King of Kings, became greater than his father. The next twenty years were that of peace and tranquility as Greek philosophers expounded on atoms and life. Sparta still trained her soldiers, and the borders of Persia were maintained.

After the death of Xerxes, Artaxerxes I took the post of King of Kings, Ruler of the Known World. However the soldiers of Persia grew restless after so many years of peace. One night, Artaxerxes I died in his sleep. The unfortunate loss of the noble Artaxerxes I left is sons, Xerxes II and Sogdianos. Soon after the death of the King of Kings, the brothers took to the winds, summoning their allied satrapies and nobles. They then planned on taking Babylon. The satraps wait with baited breath, watching for the prince with the strongest army and the most power.

You take command of Xerxes II, the eldest son of Artaxerxes. You are the official heir to the King Artaxerxes, but you know that Sogdianos is plotting against you. You have taken your loyal knights and followers, and fled to the west. You spent much of your childhood amongst the Athenians and Spartans, Corinthians and Boetians. You respect the noble Hellenes, admire them, love them. As you are ferried across the Hellespont on the night after the death, you must decide many things.

First on your list is treasury. Charity is for the poor, not for a noble, and certainly not for the Crown Prince. Your followers believe in you, and you have contacts in Athens, Thebes, Corinth, Argos, Pella, and Euboea. The Greek satrapies aren’t as wealthy as the Babylon, or Tyre, but they have an income. You could ask politely for their coins, and you are the Crown Prince and future king.
“Dokrates, my Athenian friend, what do you say? I need money for my troops and to ‘persuade’ satraps. How should I get this money?” The short, burnt Athenian abruptly awoke, rubbing his eyes. Blinking furiously, he grinned suddenly.
“You are the Crown Prince. Order the Greek satraps to give you the money you need. The Athenians have hoarded cash for such a day as this. Promise the Greeks freedom,’ the Greek then winked, ‘and the men would kiss your feet.”
Nodding silently you wave Dokrates back to sleep.

Next on the list is levying troops. Sogdianos’ power base is in Media, Parthia, and Baktria. His troops are skirmishers, cavalry, and some medium soldiers, you know this. The Greeks are heavy infantry, bronze spears and shields. This seriously limits your troop variety and would render you vulnerable to Sogdianos’ troops. Do you want to levy the Greek hoplites?

Naval forces were never your strong suit, but the Greeks have a sizable fleet. The Phoenician warships are larger however. Do you want to send word to the Greek fleets to assemble or send letters to the Phoenician warships? The Phoenician warships are heavier, more bulky. The Greek warships weren't as large, but fast.

Last is your citadel. Your power needs to have a base. Somewhere that the loyal satraps can dine, where the conquered satraps can fester. A supply base, armory, treasury. A citadel. You know that Sparta is not the best city, and the Athenians were planning on building a wall to the port of Piraeus. There are many cities and citadels you can chose from, but you need to establish your power-base.

1. Treasury
A) Ask your friends in Greece to contribute to your treasury. The Greeks aren’t opulently wealthy, but they do have fortunes.
B) Order the Greek satraps to give you the treasuries of the cities and provinces, promise them freedom after the conflict. You know of their troubles and torments.

2. Troops
A) Levy Greek hoplites for your army, provide a solid core.
B) Raise skirmishers and peltasts with your cash, then hire hoplites with what you have left. Light troops are more important to any campaign you plan.

3.Navy
A) Order the Greek fleets to assemble at Piraeus.
B) Order the Phoenician fleets to assemble at Piraeus. The Greek ships are flimsy, they aren't needed.

4. Citadel for your treasury.
A) Athens
B) Corinth
C) Thebes
D) Pella
E) Rhodes
F) Argos
G) Sparta

[Ignoramus]

1.) B. Appearing weak at this stage could be quite dangerous. In order to maintain the loyalty of the Greek satraps, authority and decisive action is needed.

2.) A. Whatever skirmishers the Greeks could raise, they would be far inferior to the Parthian and Baktrian soldiers. It would be better to provide a well-armoured force to awe wavering satraps into submission.

3.) B. The Greeks wouldn't be too pleased at having to contribute money, hoplites, and ships, so the Phoenecians are a wiser choice. Besides, their ships are well-built, and shouldn't sink in storms.

4.) C. Thebes is relatively central in the Achaen Peninsular, and it would prevent unrest between Athens and Sparta.

[seireikhaan]

1) B. For the same reason as Ignoramus. We're the crown prince, we need to assert that we have the authority to back it.

2) A. The Greeks are the best heavy infantry in the world. It makes little sense to recruit its skirmishers when the enemy will have far superiors skirmishers anyways. Additionally, they will have no way to adequately counter the phalanxes.

3) A. Naval warfare at this time was all about speed and ramming. Triremes need to be quicker and smaller. Larger ships aren't as nimble, and can't reach the ramming speeds that the Greek ships can.

4) B-Corinth. Corinth occupies a very nice strategic poing between Athens and Sparta. It gives easy access from all points, and can act a harbor for ships as well.

[Gurkhal]

1. Treasury

A. The Greeks shouldn't be pushes to hard, nor should we promise them independence. If we do, then we are setting up problem for us in the future as others might want the same thing. Also, we arn't really desperate enough for their aid to fracture the empire of our grand-father. That would look bad.

2. Troops

A. The hoplites are the best thing Greece can offer. Other form of troops should be drawn from other places. For example we might gain light infantry and cavallery from both Thrace and Minor Asia as well as other places.

3.Navy

B. The Phoenicians makes the hearth of the Persian navy, if we can make them come to us, then we will dominate the sea fully with both the Greeks and the Phoenicians on our side. Domination of the city would give us an immense advantage over our foe. Also, the Greeks are providing the land army, we shouldn't streatch them to much.

4. Citadel for your treasury.

C. I'll throw in my support to the Thebeans. They did aid us in the past, hope is they'll aid a Persian king this time as well.

[DemonArchangel]

1.) I say A as well. Greece (and the west in general) is the core of our empire and we want to hold onto that. Also, Greece is wealthier than the deserts of Baktria and Sogdiana. It's not worth giving the Greeks their independence.

2.) A.) Recruit the Hoplites from Greece.

3.) B.) Phonecians. The Greeks are good sailors though, so they should be kept in reserve. Also try not invest too much money in the navy, given that my rival is way, way inland.

4.) C) Thebes should be my citadel, but Athens my main port.

[IrishArmenian]

1) B.
2) A.
3) B.
4) C.

[woad&fangs]

1)A If the Greek Satrapies are my base I don't want to lose them by giving them independence.
2)A Thermopalae II is on its way!!!:chucks:
3)B I would prefer the greek ships but that would stretch them a little thin.
4)Thebes

[Tiberius of the Drake]

1.)A-rewards come witht time and We cant afford to loose Greece

2.)A-Shock and awe troops that will decimate the lighter troops of our opponent. Especially take Spartans.

3.) B-Triremes would be better but we cant have a greek rebellion for to much pressure.

4.)C-the city has great central position.

[Lord Winter]

1. A, Grecce is a wealthy proveriance and a possiable danger to us in the future, better to keep it Persian even if it sets us back in the short term.

2. A, Hopolites defeated persia in real life and should serve us well now.

3. A, Not having there navy can decrease the chance of the Greeks rising up

4. Athens, having our citidal there will not only put us at a nice stratigic position and a good port but will help us keep an eye on one of the leaders of there failed war against us.

[Ignoramus]

Of course, we don't have to honour our promises to the Greeks...

[CountArach]

Treasury - A – A sign of weakness shouldn’t concern us now. They can help us later in our Campaigns. If they are taken by our foe, then they are likely to rebel to try to join us. If we seize their treasury, they are likely to openly declare their support for our enemies.

Army - B – Skirmishers and light troops are going to be necessary t even begin to compete with his cavalry. We should seek to turn this campaign into a skirmish before we seek an open battle. We do not know how much money we will receive from the Greeks. Therefore I propose that we spend whatever we get from them on hiring Greek Mercenary Hoplites.

Navy - B – We should seek out allies wherever we can. If we can continue to give the Phoenicians are reason to fight with us, we have a good chance of ensuring their loyalty later.

Treasury – C – I like Ignoramus’ reason.

[Ignoramus]

Is the update ready, MM?

[macsen rufus]

1) - A - people are happier giving gifts than paying taxes, and promising freedom is too much of a red rag to the Greek bull. It will never come soon enough to keep the Greeks happy.

2) - A - take the hoplites for a solid core, but as Ghurkal said, there are other troops you can raise. Thessalian cavalry should serve well, and for light troops look to the Thracian peltasts, Rhodean slingers etc. Also whilst the hoplites are overseas, they are not in Greece getting up to mischief behind your back. If the poleis all give up some troops (with the promise of campaign plunder to keep them sweet), they are less apt to have a go at one another.

3) - B - the Phoenician fleet should be your first choice. Depleted of hoplites, Greece will need its own fleet to defend against opportunistic invasions. Also Phoenicia is the only real option for your rival to raise a navy - if you already have it, the seas are firmly under your control.

4) - C - Thebes, for pretty much the same reasons others have given, but keep keep Piraeus for the centre of naval operations.

[Marshal Murat]

Chapter is complete
See Below
VVVVVV

[Marshal Murat]

Chapter 2

At the end of the ferry ride the sun begins to rise and you establish camp. Sleeping through most of the day, you rise to find that many of your Greek friends and retainers have disappeared. Asking the guards, you find that they mounted up and rode a few hours after you went to sleep. Confused by their actions, your Persian advisors fear that they have gone to round up a posse to collect a bounty on your head. Mounting up, your entourage rides westward to Thrace and finding refuge in an abandoned house. Riding the next morning you approach the city of Pella. Sending two of your guards in as Mesopotamian merchants you test the Macedonians and their feelings. The reply was startling.
They returned at the head of a column of Macedonian knights from the Macedonian garrison. They were leading a chariot and take you into the city. Laurels and garlands of flowers and oak, olive and rose, they fall from the houses. The Macedonians heartily greet your force and in the agora many of the people throw down talents of gold and silver. The riches are piled into chests and as you march southward you meet the same in Epirus, Thessaly, Boeotia and inside Thebes. Declaring the city your new home, the Thebans pour out their joy and happiness quickly opening the gates to the city citadel. Your brilliant march south through Greece has bolstered your treasury and army. Your friends have rallied those who were suspicious of your cause to your side and turned most if not all of Greece to your favor.
The treasury amounts to 20,000 talents, an income comparable to that of a respectable satrap. The army is made of 5,000 Macedonian hoplites, 3,000 Epirite foot-knights, 6,000 Boetians hoplites and 2,000 Thessalonians knights. Macedonian knights number 2,000 as well. The army totals 18,000 soldiers and horsemen.The light troops were distained in favor of the heavier hoplites and knights. The citadel in Thebes is strong enough to repel any rebel assaults, though you don’t need to fear any assault. Asking the Greek governors and mayors about your celebrity they reply as such.

“Xerxes II, your favor of Hellenic culture has lent you a Hellenic air. They greet you as a royal prince of Greece. You are an idol to them, they love you. They know that since you are Hellenic in all but name that you will favor Greece and her cities above all other Persian cities. They secretly hope that you might even provide them with independence to reward their obedience.”

Now your letters to Phoenicia arrive, and dishearten you. They balk and side-step all your requests. They don’t provide any warships, citing ’pirate attacks on our ports’ as reason not to send any warships. You know the true reason. They fear they might support the wrong side in this conflict and end up with dead families. They are waiting to see the prince with the strongest forces, the largest treasury, the most land. They want to back the winning chariot when he gains the winning edge.

As you establish yourself, you prepare to leave for Athens and Sparta, but letters from the satraps and friends arrest your movement.
The letter from your child-hood friend Alcibiades stops you from going to Athens.
“The city council is divided. Some would rather use this temporary disarray to launch themselves from Persia’s side and remain free. We and others see this as an attempt to give Athens more wealth and prestige. Your presence would be disturbing. I ask you to trust my forces to swing Athens to your side.”
The satrap of Sparta sends you reeling. They are like Phoenicia in that they would rather weather the storm and go with the winner than throw their lives in with someone that might win or lose. They know that their helots are most dangerous when they scent freedom. If they send their troops away to support one prince, they expose their homes to the intrigues of the other prince. Unless one prince has gained the upper hand they will resist all advances.

The islands of the Aegean, including Rhodes and Crete, they abstain from commenting on your position but many supporters have joined your camp in Thebes, indicating a strong support for your rule. The Ionian colonies, while mostly dismembered many years back, are still very Greek at their cores and have indicated support for your possible rule but refuse to be outright.

The satrap of Thrace is becoming very independent, refusing to send any money to your war-chest. The satrap, Demetres, has also called up Thracian peltasts and knights. There are even reports that he might levy taxes on any trade going through the Hellespont. The Potideans have raised their city garrison to repel any attempted siege and Pella is thinking about calling back her knights and hoplites to repel any Thracian movements. While overt military action has not occured, it is simmering.

As you contemplate these issues in your Theban citadel you also review the reports of Sogdianos.
His movements through Baktria and Media were greeted with a noble reserve, and the people are indifferent to him. The prince levied thousands of horsemen and hill-men, but the nobles will be joining him in a couple months. His soldiers have taken much of the gold from the satraps and secured it in Ecbatana. The prince has an army and treasury and has replaced any un-loyal satraps and mayors. You have done the same with no negative or positive results. Sogdianos is still assembling his troops and fortunes, just like you.

Now you have several decisions to make.

1. Athens
A) Leave the issue to Alcibiades. You know him from your stays in Athens, and he has a good political and military mind. He is also from one of the noble families, with influence and money. If you trust him to these affairs, he could be a valuable ally and a stronger friend.
B) March to Athens. Crush any thoughts of opposing your rule by force and power. Your heavy influence will win those who are on the fence, for they will know that you are the most powerful man in Greece. They will fear your almighty armored fist, and respect your power.
C) Go to Athens and discuss the issue in the council, in person.

2. Sparta
A) Leave them alone. They are military men and would be beneficial, but they are men with families. Do not threaten them and turn them against you. They are martial men who need to be sure that you can guarantee the safety of Sparta.
B) March to Corinth, assemble troops and march to Sparta. Guarantee the freedom of helots and destroy the Spartan soldiers. They are either with you or against you. If the Greeks see what you can do to the strongest soldiers in all of the Hellenic world they might join you.

3. Navy
A) Ask the Greeks to contribute 5 warships to the Royal Fleet to be assembled at Piraeus.
B) You do not need any fleet and can worry about those issues later.

4. Thrace
A) Allow the Macedonian soldiers to return to Pella and establish a base in Pella to ensure that the Thracian satrap doesn't attempt to attack.
B) Retain your Macedonian soldiers and knights. Better to have a chicken in hand than two in the bush.

5. Oracle at Delphi
A) Attend the Oracle?
B) Do not attend.

[Ignoramus]

1.) B. It is foolish to allow any thought of neutrality or hostility against us. Seeing our impressive army, the Athenians will have little choice but to submit. It is true that some may be offended, but most will respect a strong king.

2.) B. It is dangerous to invoke the hostility of the Spartans, but even worse to let them defy us. Defeating them will secure the loyalty of all Greece, and show that we are not to be messed with.

3.) B. 5 ships wouldn't transport that many soldiers, and are not as important as securing mainland Greece at the moment.

4.) B. We can't defeat Sparta without the Macedonians. The Thracians may attack, but that will unite all Greece against them, ensuring many more soldiers joining our cause.

5.) A. Who knows what we may discover?

[seireikhaan]

1) A.- If we truly want the Athenian's support, then we shall need a fellow Athenian to convince them. They will resent being put under toe.
2) B.- The vast majority of the Spartan population is helots. A couple things, here. For one, we will have a happily subordinate city, without the aristocratic warriors in charge. Two, helots can be quickly trained to make peltasts or slingers to potentially help our army's diversity.
3) B.- Same as Ignoramus.
4) A.- We don't want soldiers fighting for us half-heartedly, they will route quickly and will not be giving their full effort with their minds distracted. Let them leave, and help protect against Thrace. Additionally, we will not need them if the Helots revolt.
5) A.- It can't hurt too much to see the Oracle. Additionally, it might help attain more Greek approval, seeing us using the aid of one of their cultural icons.

[Marshal Murat]

Problem has been fixed.

[seireikhaan]

Oops, ok, should be fixed.

[Kommodus]

1. A

It seems like Alcibiades is trustworthy; there's no need to antagonize the Athenians. He should have even less trouble convincing them to join us when we decide to...

2. B

I agree with Iggy and GK here. Once we've anhihilated the rebellious Spartan leadership, the helots will welcome us. Hopefully this will be all we need to do to secure the loyalty of Greece.

3. B

This war will be fought primarily on land. I see little need for the warships, at least not at this point.

4. B

Best to keep our forces unified; also, I agree with Iggy - we may need them to quickly crush the Spartans.

5. A

It would be good to show the Greeks an appreciation for their culture.

[Tiberius of the Drake]

1.) A- The athenians will more likely listen to one of their own then to a Persian

2.) A-The spartans could be valueable allies and to crush them would be folly. the Spartans would make much better soldiers than the Helots.

3.)B
reason stated before^^^

4.)A Let the Macedonians return North as they wont fight effectively if they are worried about family.

5.)A perhaps the Oracle will be helpful to our efforts.

[DemonArchangel]

1.) A- It takes one to know one.

2.) B- Crush the Spartans. Then draft the helots as slingers and javelineers.

3.) B-What happened to the Phonecians?

4.) B- First we crush the Spartans, then we move to attack Thrace.

5.) A- Why not? The Oracle will get us to think.

[Marshal Murat]

The Phonecians are holding out until they recognize the man with the most power. They don't want to back a losing horse, so they aren't going to back anyone. Yet.

Sunday will have the new chapter.

[Julian the apostate]

1. Athens
A) Leave the issue to Alcibiades. You know him from your stays in Athens, and he has a good political and military mind. He is also from one of the noble families, with influence and money. If you trust him to these affairs, he could be a valuable ally and a stronger friend.


2. Sparta
A) Leave them alone. They are military men and would be beneficial, but they are men with families. Do not threaten them and turn them against you. They are martial men who need to be sure that you can guarantee the safety of Sparta.
-There is no reason to lose men fighting the spartans. Send envoys nonetheless not offering gold from our precious coffers but simply to lure them to glory and the concept of greece

3. Navy
A) Ask the Greeks to contribute 5 warships to the Royal Fleet to be assembled at Piraeus.
-we need ships

4. Thrace
A) Allow the Macedonian soldiers to return to Pella and establish a base in Pella to ensure that the Thracian satrap doesn't attempt to attack.
--- I would much prefer to hold the makkie cavalry and send their infantry home to protect. The cavalry can return fast enough if need arrives

5. Oracle at Delphi
A) Attend the Oracle?
-words can be twisted

[Marshal Murat]

Chapter 3



The next day dawns bright as your messengers ride out to the cities of Greece. You are about to launch your first offensive but preparations need to be made. The Oracle at Delphi is high on the list of preparations. Taking a small sum from your treasury, you visit the oracle. The line is cleared and you enter the temple to see the priests. Presenting your offering of gold, they carefully weigh it. Nodding in their approval the head priest asks the question.
“What do you wish to ask the oracle?”
“Will I achieve the crown of Persia?”
The scribe writes down the question and takes it to the oracle. Several hours later he re-appears with the oracle’s prediction, straight from the mouth of Apollo.

“Xerxes the strongest bronze is not just one metal. The King of Kings is the slowest tortoise. Watch for the black clouds of ash and reed. ”

The message is taken to heart as you ride south. Your army of 18,000 soldiers and horsemen moves down Attica. They rest in Marathon, waiting for an Athenian messenger. The camp is on the fields where your great-grandfather Darius lost his soldiers to Athenian hoplites. Hoping to avoid a similar fate you emplace sentries to watch for the Greeks. Lucky for your men the Athenian messenger returns. Your trust in Alcibiades was not misplaced. His successful persuasion of the Athenian City Council has provided you with Athens. Marching in at the head of your mounted troops you enter Athens.
The historians record your entrance.

“The Prince Xerxes II rode from the north, at the head of a column of knights and hoplitry 18,000 strong. His entrance was spectacular in itself, for he is like Herakles himself, bronzed and powerful. He doesn’t wear any Persian trappings, but a Corinthian helm with a flowing purple horse-hair crest. Riding behind your white charger, 4,000 knights from the northern realms of Macedonia and Thessaly, bronze helms gleaming, spears razor-sharp, horses wetted with lavender and rose. The hoplitry were more glorious, entering after the horsemen. The shields of bronze and steel shone bright as they were uncovered. The helms were canted back to give the foot-knights with air, and the horsehair crests trailed behind the knights. The Epirite knights were encased in muscled bronze cuirasses, hidden beneath a blue cloak.”

The Athenians were moderately happy that your troops have entered the city, but there are many disgruntled men. They were out-voted and not happy at all. You tell Alcibiades of your concerns. He replies as such.
“They are loud, but they have no muscle. They would only act in the political realm, never in the military. Athens isn’t as war-like as Sparta, and they fear each other just as much as they fear you.”

Marching to Corinth, you levy 5,000 Athenian hoplites and 5,000 hoplites from Megara. 28,000 men camp before Corinth, where your troops assemble weapons for the helots, food for the men and horses. The Macedonians are sent home, bolstering the Pella garrison, and just in time. The Thracians levied a tax on the grain from the Bosphorus colonies, driving the price of grain up, leading to food riots and disturbances. The knights and hoplites saved the city from ripping itself apart.

In Corinth you assemble troops to make up for the Macedonian deficit and already helots begin to appear. The Spartans ask for them back but you refuse. Marching south you split your command into two columns. The stronger one, under your control, consists of 2,000 Thessaly horsemen, 7,000 Boetian hoplites, 3,000 Epirite foot-knights, 5,000 Megarans. You march directly into Sparta, hoping to provoke Spartan retribution and draw helots to your side. The other column, 12,000 hoplites under Alcibiades, they march to Argos where you have called for 10,000 hoplites. You take the treasury of 30,000 talents, giving Alcibiades 10,000 to complete his mission. Talents pour in from the combined Greek satraps as taxes and tariffs are regulated. Many satraps have more often than not have re-organized the tax system to maximize the amount sent to your treasury, and to their pockets.

As your column marches southward, hundreds of helots appear, some dragging Spartans behind them. When the farmers heard the calls of freedom they came running, often overwhelming their Spartan over-lords and taking them to acquire bounties. The helots add 10,000 men to your battle standards.

Four days into the campaign, you receive reports of the Spartan army. 40,000 Spartans, crimson cloaked and armored. 20,000 allies of Sparta were also assembled beside them. 60,000 men in total, a levy that you have not yet reached. Alcibiades has reported that the Argives levied only 6,000 men to support your battle standard. He is marching west to join you battle lines. Your army now numbers 44,000, but 18,000 men are with Alcibiades. The 26,000 men that remain would be able to face the allies, but not the Spartan host, not without Alcibiades. The helots are hoping to assemble more men but the Spartans have decided that it would be better to kill them and leave the land untended than risk their rear. Almost 30,000 helots were put to the sword, many driven off cliffs into valleys or into the sea. A disgusting waste. Barbaric. War.


1. Battle with Sparta
Your men could face the Spartan allies and win, but you would lose men fighting the allies, then you have to face the 40,000 Spartans. You ask your generals for suggestions.
A)Wait for Alcibiades to arrive. Your soldiers would then have a decisive edge over the Spartans. Defeat the Spartans and you might break the spirit of the Spartan allies
B)Fight the Spartan allies. They will fight, but you can defeat them. Withdraw to meet Alcibiades and hope that you will have enough men to meet the Spartans evenly.
C) Withdraw to Alcibiades and wait for the Macedonians to return from the north.

2. Thracian Satrap
Your timely delivery of the Macedonians saved the city of Pella from anarchy. The northern states have assembled 12,000 men to resist any Thracian attempts to attack, but the Thracians have begun to mobilize
A) Withdraw from Sparta entirely, march north with Alcibiades, join with the Macedonian and Chaldician soldiers, punish the Thracian satrap.
B) Order the Macedonian soldiers back south to Sparta to assist your men
C) Do nothing

3. Athens
The Athenians aren’t angry with you, but they are not devoted to you. Alcibiades has suggested a public project to show that you favor Athens over all other cities. The others, especially Thebes, they might take this the wrong way.
A) Build a temple to Athena on the Acropolis, renovate the walls to Piraeus
B) Do nothing to favor Athens

[woad&fangs]

1.A If we beat the spartans no greek will be willing to stand up to us
2.C
3.A Thebes has already been shown special privelege by being made our citadel. The Athenians need to be pacified. We can't fight 40,000 spartans and expect to beat the Athenians too.

[DemonArchangel]

A) Stand fast and wait for Alcibiades to arrive. Have my men dig a camp in a defensible area with plenty of food and potable water. If the Spartans attack, then they would be drawn into a battle with my men and Alcibiades can attack their flanks and rear. If the Spartan warhost decides to attack my camp, I'm going to note that the Spartans were never much for building siege machinery anyway, so they're just going to have to sit there until my reinforcements come and I can sally.

C) Do nothing at this time. I need to defeat the Spartans first and the Macedonians can hold out against the Thracians for now.

A) Athens could use a fresh coat of paint. Besides, rennovating the walls of Piraeus makes my main port that much more difficult to attack.

[Gurkhal]

A)Wait for Alcibiades to arrive. Your soldiers would then have a decisive edge over the Spartans. Defeat the Spartans and you might break the spirit of the Spartan allies

Lets wait for more troops. If we beat Sparta's main force, their allies will likly submitt, or at least lose the leadership.

C) Do nothing

Let's secure Greece first, and then take care of the Thracians. The north will have to hold out for now.

A) Build a temple to Athena on the Acropolis, renovate the walls to Piraeus

I would personally be happier with just a grand temple, giving them walls might make the Athenians feel secure enough to contemplate rebellion. Also, I don't at present see any need to construct defences in Athens, if we do not intend to have the war fought here in Greece against our eastern rival. And even then we'll sooner or later have to march east to claim the crown.

[macsen rufus]

1) B - you HAVE to fight. You've marched an army into Sparta already. To withdraw now would make you the biggest, dithering wussy in Hellenic history. Take out the allies first - you may take losses, but you may gain defectors in their place. Sparta + Allies will be too strong, so do the job by parts. Trust that Alcibiades will arrive before you engage the Spartans themselves. Give your newly acquired helots a prominent role in the battle - they may be poorly trained, but they are well motivated, and you should establish the idea that they are valued as your subjects. Off the battlefield, take whatever means available to stir the helots into an uprising - the more fronts the Spartans must face, the better for you.

2) C - Do nothing, for now. The Macedonians can defend their homes, but let it be known that extra forces will be on their way once Sparta has been subjugated. This should either deter the Thracians, or spur them into a rash attack before they are fully prepared, and therefore an easier prospect for the Macedonians to deal with. Do not shift troops between the two theatres lightly, you have deployed your armies once, too much marching of armies across the length of Greece will make you look weak and ill-prepared when strength and confidence are required.

3) A - refortifying Piraeus would ensure your navy (such as it is, so far) has a secure base, and a new temple would be a grand gesture of friendship to the city - but maybe work should begin after the Athenians have helped you defeat Sparta....

[Julian the apostate]

i was really hoping we wouldn't go against Sparta but okay. First off most of our troops are peltasts and ranged troops far faster than the spartan phalanx even though less organised. Hopefully we have gained some archers as well men which the spartans will be largely bereft of (if i remember correctly helots were their auxillury troops). Thus i would suggest trying to pest the allies and hopefully seperate them into pieces as well as simply crushing them with our superior cavalry before the spartans arive.

Up North i think the men need to hold our ground and try to win over any thracian or getian tribes we can. it would help if the enemy was divided. That and any additional allies would be nice. (perhaps try any of the northern steppe tribes as well. Holding the stepes (or being allied with their leaders) would also be useful and i think something small as trading goods and promises of freedom and maybe a few tracts of land would bring these valuable warriors to our side and tie up more of the other princes troops.
3. improving the fortress of athens may a wise choice it also may question the amount of time the persians will stay. I fear that the athenians will be nervous if it seems the persians are planning a long term stay so it must be clear that we do this for them and for greece not to build ourselves a fortress

[Marshal Murat]

As your troops re-assemble to fight the Spartans, your captains advise against meeting the Spartans in battle so you withdraw to a ridge, closer to the paths that Alcibiades will use to reach your camps. The Spartans were moving forward in two columns, one composed of 20,000 allies and Spartans, the other with 20,000 Spartans. Your withdrawal from the intended battlefield allowed the Spartans to combine together and march to your new position.

The next couple days are broken by skirmishers between the two armies, watching and scouting for opportunities. Then one day breaks and dust appears from the mountain passes. Your messengers ride out to direct Alcibiades to your lines but return bearing grave news. The Spartans were able to detach 10,000 soldiers and navigate behind your lines. You face 10,000 Spartans behind you, 50,000 before your lines. The captains assemble the men swiftly as the twin pincers march in. Your skirmishers slow the main Spartan force. You ride out of your camp with the Megaran hoplites and the Epirite foot-knights. The remaining soldiers, 18,000 men, rush to the skirmish lines. The main Spartan host lines up and shakes into formation. The 18,000 hoplites and knights form up across from the Spartan main force.
The phalanx lines clatter and smack their shields together, the Spartans at the right wing of their force. Your 18,000 men form up there, hoping to hold off the Spartans for you to return. The captains and polemarchs hope that the Spartans aren’t able to exploit the length of his lines. With a roar and clash the shield clatter and smash. The battle has begun.
Your swiftly assembled hoplites move to the mountain paths. The messengers report that the main Spartan force is marching directly to the rear of your camp and you ride out to the fore of your hoplites. Thousands of bronzed hoplites wait for the Spartans to appear, their irons spears glittering in the sunshine. The first Spartan rangers appear, but carry the arms of Argive. Alcibiades then rides up. Your messengers were duped.
They thought that the Argive hoplites, leading the columns, were Spartan knights. Distraught that you have sent 18,000 men to battle without support. You immediately order an about face. The hoplites aren’t able to turn around and break ranks. They were never trained to do so. The confusion is resolved as the main battle line is enveloped. The allies and Spartans were able to exploit your line’s small size and were pushing in. The disaster is compounded by the fact that the Argive, Athenians, and Corinthians were marched through the night to reach your positions. Alcibiades feared that the Spartans would have already attacked your lines.

Your hoplites turn around and charge for the Spartans. Your knights appear at the battlefield as the Spartans rout your main body of soldiers. The 8,000 men in your command slow the retreat as the Spartans slaughter every helot on the field. Their blood-lust has allowed your men to reform with the remaining 2,000 Megara knights, 1,000 helots and 200 Thessaly knights. Your 11,200 men hold the line as the Spartans and allies try to re-assemble to launch their final assault. The day-light is fading and a light rain has turned the churned earth to mud and waste. The battle lines withdraw to camp. The Spartans have lost 12,000 men, now they remain with 48,000 soldiers. Your army has shrunk to 29,200 men in total. The next day is no better as the rain continues, mucking the battlefield further.

The third day is bright and sunny. The Spartans advance out of their camp and smash back the skirmishers. Your captains and polemarchs order the troops out into battle lines. Your army forms up into a dense phalanx to defeat the Spartans. The Spartans have 30,000 men ready to meet your 24,000 hoplites. Your men march forward with 6,000 Boetians trailing en-echelon to protect your flank. The horsemen are formed into a personal bodyguard who outflank the Spartan lines. With a clatter and smash the two lines clash. Hundreds of men roar and scream, thrusting and stabbing with spears and shields. Your cavalry charge in repeatedly, using spears to thrust and divert the Spartan knights. The dense formation concentrates your numbers into a pillar of men and steel than slowly bends the Spartan lines. Your horsemen withdraw to bolster the Boetian hoplites, defending against the massive allied numbers.
Then the Spartan line broke. With a thrust of the spear, the Spartan king fell beneath an Epirite spear, slain. The allies, while winning in on their front, were more afraid of the Spartans. With the king dead, they break. As they flee the field the 6,000 Boetians pour onto the Spartans, who also break. They flee to the city of Sparta. Your soldiers rest and pursue later. Helots, released from Spartan chains, join your column, bolstering the meager soldiers left. Your 30,000 soldiers were whittled down to 21,000 hoplites and horsemen. The helots joining the forces raise the number to 30,000. Spartan resistance was broken by your harsh bloody victory and with Sparta subdued, you reorganized the area and establish a satrap.

Messengers from Macedonia report that the Thracian satrap has joined with Illyrian tribesmen, seeing no action on your part. Border skirmishing has drawn more and more attention and the Macedonians and Epirite cities have become shaken, no longer fully trusting you to preserve them. Marching back to Thebes you hire more men. 20,000 men, consisting of Thessaly knights, Athenians, Megarans, Argives, Messians, and Boetians.
Another portion of your treasury has been devoted to renovating Athens, drawing some ire from the other Greeks, but your reverence for the gods has met with some approval.

Now your troops are based in Thebes as you accumulate information. The Thracian will no doubt have amassed a force, and probably sent word to Sogdianos to get some gold. Sogdianos’ realm has only slowly expanded as he uses words and bribes rather than his army to enforce his will. It has worked, but steel is more persuasive.

1. The Thracian satrap and Illyrian allies have made movements against Epirus and Macedonia. The citizens are feeling a little more hesitant about supporting you since they aren’t being focused on. Now with your army, you must decide what moves to make.
A) March to Pella and establish a camp. Place Alcibiades in command of the Macedonian soldiers then wait for Thracians to attack.
B) March to Epirus and threaten the Illyrians with your army. Scare them out of the war then march to Pella.
C) March to Byzantium with your full force, pulling the Macedonian and Potideans garrisons and defeat any Thracian movements.

2. With many Greeks wavering about your commitment to all their benefits, you have to decide what to do.
A) Garrison the cities with local allied troops to ensure their loyalty
B) Give the cities hundreds of talents each to renovate local projects
C) Do nothing. Temporary jealousy

OOC:Sorry about only 2 options. Also, I'm going to try to spice up the battles but the Greek hoplite combat wasn't the most vivid.

[shlin28]

1 B Better to get rid of at least one enemy before facing another

2 B If we garrison them with their troops the troops themselves would probably rebel along with their own people

[Julian the apostate]

I would suggest mantaining diplomats and spies but not troops among these people. It gives us more men from the frontline, bring heroes back to tell of the new glory of greece

The northern threat i still feel can be dealt with largely by diplomacy. The thracians and Illyrians are far from united and most likely some tribes can be swayed. Thus i agree we should march through epirote territory and then the northern border of the makedonian kingdom. Yet, i think that we can save troops and maybe pick up more by gaining alliances and turning the illyrians against eachother and possibly asking help among the getae and other tribes. The steppe people may also be useful in reducing the advantage that sogdinios has.
This will also reduce the troops sogdinios can bring to war.

Ultimately however i think the goal is to take the hellespont and to hold alliances with most of the tribes south of the Danube to protect our position in the baltic peninsula. Also do we know where Egypt stands in this war? i know there are likely large greek communities there and in other areas and hopefully these areas will join our rather new looking regime. It seems that while our use of military might over diplomacy may scare some i feel that the possibility of wealth will entice many

[DemonArchangel]

1.) A- Except a bit more proactive. Raid the Thracians, force them out to attack us on our terms.

2.) C- We don't have hundreds of talents per city to spend on renovation. We have defeated Sparta already, that should put the fear of the gods in the other Greeks long enough for us to defeat the Thracians.

[macsen rufus]

1) B - show you stand by your allies - Epirus first, to scare off the Illyrians and separate them from the Thracians, then move on Thrace afterwards

2) C - you just crushed the Spartans in battle, the other cities will behave themselves for a while. Your talents are probably better spent in stabilising Sparta.

[woad&fangs]

1) B We just defeated one of the strongest forces in the world. The Illyrians will be to scared to fight us without their thracian allies.

2) C Most greeks are either allied with the spartans or allied with the athenians. We have crushed the spartans and pacified the athenians so the rest of the greeks should give us no more serious trouble.

[Gurkhal]

A) March to Pella and establish a camp. Place Alcibiades in command of the Macedonian soldiers then wait for Thracians to attack.

I think we should let the Thracians come to us and konsolidate our grip in the north. Although I'm far from hostile to more aggressive action.

B) Give the cities hundreds of talents each to renovate local projects

Give them some nice temples and such so that they will be happy when we take military action up north. Also I don't belive this will make them start dreaming about things like independence and such crap like if they were given military power and similer. In short, give them some shiny stuff to make them be silent.

[Tiberius of the Drake]

is this dead?

[Marshal Murat]

Like Caesar after the Ides of March.

[Tiberius of the Drake]

such a sahme this was entertaining

[Gurkhal]

Yeah a pity it went away. :no: