Cowardly or clever? A Pahlav AAR

[johnhughthom]

Copyright of Persepolis University 2008.

Persian history module 1.4 (The Arsacid dynasty) course guide.

Persian history module 1.4 will take you through the Arsacid period of Persian history. The module begins with the rise of the Arsacids as they overthrow the Seleukid state (see module 1.3, After Alexander) and ends with the Sasannian rebellion.

Background: The Seleukid rulers of Persia had been in charge for 50 years when the Arsacid rise began. Often known as "Parthians"" by western scholars, that is simply a name that was attributed to them after they had integrated themselves into the region known as Parthia. They were originally the tribe of "Parni," part of a larger confederation of nomads called the "Dahae." The Dahae had a poor reputation amongst the hellenic inhabitants of Persia and the surrounding regions and the word came to mean "robbers" to the Greek speaking populace. Little information on the Parni is available before their meteoric rise to power, we know they fought against, then with, Alexander but most of our information on them comes from their wars with the Seleukids and Romans. Part of the challenge of this module will be sorting out the fact from propaganda, as most of our information come from Greek and Roman sources. It is hoped that after completing the module you will be more informed about a misunderstood and neglected period of Persian history.

[A Terribly Harmful Name]

I just played the Pahlavans, and they seem an interesting faction. Be sure to fully explore the ineptness of the AI and the ineffective Seleucid troop selection to your favour.

[Aemilius Paulus]

Hopefully it will last longer than my previous attempt...

Your previous one was splendid, so I am absolutely following this one. So, I am guessing bovi couldn't do anything about corrupted saves? That's a shame.

Looking forward to first update!

[Codyos Vladimiros]

Copyright of Persepolis University 2008.

Persian history module 1.4 (The Arsacid dynasty) course guide.

Persian history module 1.4 will take you through the history of the Arsacid period of Persian history. The module begins with the rise of the Arsacids as they overthrow the Seleukid state (see module 1.3, After Alexander) and ends with the Sasannian rebellion.

Background: The Seleukid rulers of Persia had been in charge for 50 years when the Arsacid rise began. Often known as "Parthians"" by western scholars, that is simply a name that was attributed to them after they had integrated themselves into the region known as Parthia. They were originally the tribe of "Parni," part of a larger confederation of nomads called the "Dahae." The Dahae had a poor reputation amongst the hellenic inhabitants of Persia and the surrounding regions and the word came to mean "robbers" to the Greek speaking populace. Little information on the Parni is available before their meteoric rise to power, we know they fought against, then with, Alexander but most of our information on them comes from their wars with the Seleukids and Romans. Part of the challenge of this module will be sorting out the fact from propaganda, as most of our information come from Greek and Roman sources. It is hoped that after completing the module you will be more informed about a misunderstood and neglected period of Persian history.

This seems like a BRILLIANT way to do an AAR. I look forward to seeing what you can do with it!

[johnhughthom]

May be Monday before I get the chance to put the first update together. I'm busy in work the next few days and I don't want the first few chapters to be basically a rehash of my previous AAR, so my first update will encompass the first decade or so.

[gamegeek2]

My sympathies, johnhughthom, Of Mail and Men suffered the same problem.

[johnhughthom]

Lesson 1.

Note: The Western BC/AD system of dating will be used throughout this module.
For ease of reading the term Parthian will be used throughout to describe the tribe/nation/empire, the student will be expected to show in his/her work an understanding of when different terms ie Parni, Dahae, Arsacid should be used and, if relevant, when and why the applicable term should be used.

272 BC was a momentous year for the Parthians, an agreement, signed with a local Seleukid Satrap under Antiochus' orders, was made that the Parthians would attack Saka horsemen who were raiding the Seleukid Empires north-eastern regions.
https://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp139/johnhughthom/Pahlava/deal-1.jpg
The agreement was that the Parthians, who ruled over an area on behalf of the Seleukid Emperor, would pay the Empire a much smaller tribute in exchange for ridding the region of Saka attacks. The Emperor promised to defend the Parthian territory while they were away, though a small contingent of foot archers were left behind by the Parthians. The Saka had been allies of the Parthians and the deal could be seen as a betrayal. An emissary was sent to dissolve the alliance so it seems the Parthians had a sense of "honour" regarding such issues.

A huge force of cavalry, led by the Parthian leader, moved north-east to engage the raiding Saka.
https://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp139/johnhughthom/Pahlava/army-1.jpg
The army had a number of different type of troop, though they were all horse archers the differences in social standing and armour meant that each had a differing role on the battlefield.
The fewest in number, and heaviest armed, were the highest level of nobility, the Kings family and "First and Most Honoured Friends." Armed with bow and lance and very heavily armoured they were shock troops, a charge from these horsemen could shatter all but the strongest infantry unit. They were, however, quite slow on the battlefield and the quicker, lighter armoured, element of the army were necessary.
https://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp139/johnhughthom/Pahlava/bodyguard-1.jpg
Next were the nobles of other tribes and "First Friend" and "Honoured Friends" amongst the Parthian. Less heavily armoured than the highest echelons of Parthian society, they were nevertheless fearsome in the charge.
https://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp139/johnhughthom/Pahlava/nobles-1.jpg
A number of quick, nimble horse archer from other tribes in the confederation joined the Parthians in the hopes of glory and looting in the campaign.
https://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp139/johnhughthom/Pahlava/dahae-1.jpg
The bulk of the force was made up of Parthian horse archers. These men were experts at harrassing enemy formations, they would approach an enemy and tempt them to lose shape and order. Then they would flee, firing at the disordered ranks as they went. They were also adept at positioning themselves to get a shot at an enemies rear, when they enemy turned around another group would shoot at the newly exposed backs. They were not, however, keen to get involved in melee combat and were best away from such attacks.
https://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp139/johnhughthom/Pahlava/Parni-1.jpg

We have no record of the exact terms of the deal, were the Parthians allowed to keep any territory reconquered from the Saka or were they expected to hand it back to the Seleukids? War booty, slaves and livestock were another issue, would they belong to the Parthians or were the Seleukids entitled to a share? Keep such questions in mind when looking at the future actions of both parties, it can be difficult to ascertain the motivations behind events without a full idea of the background.

[johnhughthom]

I had originally planned a campaign closer to my previous AAR but I got bored going through the same things again. I think there is a good chance I will actually fail in this campaign, which would be amusing as the AAR has already assumed a succesful one, but what the heck. I've got a feeling I'm going to lose a lot of men to those bloody Saka FMs. One question, why is it always raining in the steppes in RTW? :furious3:

[A Terribly Harmful Name]

Murphy's Law.

[zooeyglass]

you seem to pick a different approach each time, i really like it. i suppose that's one of the strengths of pahlava, that you get so many choices in the early game as to which direction to take. good luck, look forward to hearing more!

[johnhughthom]

Lesson 1 extra reading.

271 BC saw the first battle in the Parthia-Saka conflict. The town of Chach had been an important buffer between the Seleukid Empire and the Saka warlords but had been taken by the Saka the previous year. This gave them a base from which they could strike deeper into Seleukid territory than they had previously been able. Therefore it was an important target for the Parthians to take and would give Antiochus' Empire some much needed breathing room in the east.
https://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp139/johnhughthom/Pahlava/Chach-1.jpg
The Parthian horde was almost twice as large as the Saka contingent in the town. They were led by a man named Aryandes, the son of the ruler of the Saka confederation and a man of huge influence in the region. Half of the army were horse archers, heavily armoured noblemen from various Saka tribes and easily the match of the heaviest of the Parthians, and the other half foot archers.
https://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp139/johnhughthom/Pahlava/Aryandes-1.jpg
https://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp139/johnhughthom/Pahlava/Aryandesarmy-1.jpg

It seems the King had lagged behind the rest of the horde as his son was ill and couldn't keep up. A man by the name of Harasp was given command of the army, assisted by the 17 year old grandson of the King. Harasp was a famed warrior amongst all the tribes of the confederation and liked to lead his army from the front with no fear of diving straight into battle.
https://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp139/johnhughthom/Pahlava/Harasp-1.jpg

The battle was a convincing Parthian victory, the heavy horsemen charged the Saka Prince right off while the lighter horse peppered the foot archers from a distance. The Saka Prince put up a great fight and his bodyguard accounted for the majority of the Parthian losses. He was only human though and, being surrounded on four sides by Parthian horsemen, he was cut down and his army lost heart. With the defeat of the cavalry the few remaining foot archers huddled in the town square were shown no mercy and hacked down in front of the terrified residents. Harasp was aware the locals had only been conquered recently and few had been part of the Saka attacks and was able to keep his victorious army reigned in so little looting took place.

https://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp139/johnhughthom/Pahlava/Chachvictory-1.jpg

[johnhughthom]

Lesson 1 extra reading part 2.

After some time recuperating his forces in Chach Phrapates led his forces north, leaving behind his son, Arshak, and a contingent of Parthian horse archers. They moved toward the town of Gava Saka, now they were in Saka territory-the local populace would be loyal to their enemies and the mercy shown in Chach could not be repeated. A scouting party sent out from the town was encountered and eliminated, the man leading all the Saka tribes was left in the town with only his fiercely loyal bodyguard. The Saka were again outnumbered, this time closer to six to one.
https://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp139/johnhughthom/Pahlava/GavaSaka-1.jpg
Sapalbizes was a name that struck fear into all the peoples in the region, an unsurpassed warrior he could inspire his men to courageous feats against more numerous foes.
https://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp139/johnhughthom/Pahlava/Sapalbizes-1.jpg
This time the Parthian king would lead his troops into battle, he didn't,perhaps, have the reputation of Harasp but he was no beginner in the business of killing. He was growing old, very old for a nomad, and was desperate to eradicate the Saka threat before his death. He believed that Antiochus would give his family a Satrapy and a new dynasty in the east would be founded with him as it's figurehead.
https://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp139/johnhughthom/Pahlava/Phrapates-1.jpg

Rather than use his vastly superior numbers to simply overwhelm Sapalbizes with arrows Phrapates ordered his heaviest cavalry to charge from three directions. Sapalbizes' men fought to the last, but they were decimated and the town fell to the Parthians.
https://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp139/johnhughthom/Pahlava/GavaSakavictory-1.jpg
Every male of fighting age was sent to the slave markets in the south, the Parthian army stayed in the town to rest before marching east with the intent to overwhelm the remaining Saka tribes.

[johnhughthom]

Well this AAR is over, the campaign ended in failure. Two Seleukid armies, one of which was entirely merc attacked my original two settlement at the exact same time a huge Saka horde attacked my main army and two smaller armies attacked the two Saka settlements I had taken. It was the best co-ordinated AI attack I have ever seen in all my time playing Total War games. I managed to beat the Saka horde but as none of my settlements had walls I lost the campaign, four cities taken by the AI in one turn in 268BC.:dizzy2: I don't have any screenshots as I just kind of watched as army after army attacked me and city after city was taken. I was quite excited after beating the big Saka army, thinking I had a clear run at their last two cities, then it was kinda oh dear, oh no, oh god, OH ****!!!
I think I might take a break from the Pahlava and then do a third with them AAR in a few months time following the tried and trusted blitz the AS strategy.



And yes,:shame: I did consider pretending I had had another recurring CTD.

[A Terribly Harmful Name]

RIP.

[desert]

Wow, a Seleukid-Saka conspiracy. Or was it a Roman conspiracy that involved the creation of a Seleukid-Saka conspiracy against the Pahlava? :dizzy2:

[Intranetusa]

I wish the AI in my campaign is as intelligent as that...

[PriestLizard]

Too bad :( The same happened to me playing as Baktria. I then moved one character to Krete and my fictional AAR was born...well...you could have done the same :)