The Antigonids : A Makedonian AAR

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thanks for the comments, once more. :bow:

I don't really have to worry about the north at all. The Arverni are fighting the Aedui once more, and have quite the stalemate going. The Sweboz are fighting the Boii and keep loosing army after army. The Sauromatae are fighting the Lugoae, who have wandered to the Neurji territory, and are also loosing army after army. And the Getai seems to have just settled down and accepted their little kingdom, showing no signs of betraying our alliance (my heavily guarded border helps in that department).

The guy is 34 and the girl is 13. It isn't really a marriage of love or anything indecent, it is simply an arranged marriage for class standing. It's not that I approve, its just that it was something that happened back then. Besides, the guy almost immediately went to the front lines and won't even be home for at least a decade and by then it won't be so disturbing (44 v 23).

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Chapter 37 : The Iberian War

As the memories of the Romani War are still fresh in peoples minds, the Iberian front starts to heat up. Years earlier, the city of Kart-Hadast had defeated the city of Roma and achieved complete control over the western Mesogeios Sea. Now, the Arche Makedonia had made claim of the entire Mesogeios Sea and Kart-Hadast futily attempts to fight back.

With war on the mainland, Neokles, heir to the throne, hastens his attack on the isles of the Baliarides and decides to attack the small garrison as soon as he can:
https://img407.imageshack.us/img407/6442/maa2090op8.png

The garrison is so small that nobody even guards the walls. Only a few peasants man the towers as the siege towers approach:
https://img521.imageshack.us/img521/3240/maa2091he0.png

Dispite only facing peasant archers, one of the hastely built towers catches flame and burns to the ground before the hoplitai can push it to the walls:
https://img407.imageshack.us/img407/6889/maa2092ki1.png

The other towers easily take the walls, though. After completely securring the city walls, Neokles marches the entire army into the streets and moves to claim the town:
https://img521.imageshack.us/img521/2513/maa2093wm1.png

The hoplitai march against the town square and form a shield wall. With a little goading, the Kart-Hadast garrison is tricked into charging that wall, dispite Captain Akbar's warning that it is a trap:
https://img407.imageshack.us/img407/3038/maa2094sh7.png

While the Emporion Hellenes hold down half the enemy garrison, the Iberians charge in from the other side and attack:
https://img244.imageshack.us/img244/8333/maa2095oo2.png

Soon the militia are defeated and the hoplitai break formation and surround the remaining enemy:
https://img244.imageshack.us/img244/9648/maa2096lk6.png

With very little losses, Neokles takes the town:
https://img407.imageshack.us/img407/5420/maa2097yd6.jpg

Neokles establishes military control of the town, hires as many Balaeric mercenaries as he can, and immediately takes the bulk of his army back to the mainland. Fearing a fight with Neokles, the Kart-Hadast army besieging Sagounton decides to try and take the city by force:
https://img244.imageshack.us/img244/3685/maa2118bp1.png

With some of the largest siege engines ever seen, the Qarthadastism forces move forward and bombard the defenders with their balistae:
https://img407.imageshack.us/img407/7162/maa2119hg0.png

The great walls of the city are imposing, but the soldiers of Kart-Hadast, and their Iberian mercenaries, manage to reach the walls with their towers:
https://img244.imageshack.us/img244/3371/maa2120gz6.png

As they come out, however, the Qarthadastism Iberians are faced with superior Iberians fighting for the Arche Makedonia:
https://img210.imageshack.us/img210/970/maa2122oi2.png

The battle goes well, but Captain Dionysianos soon receives word that the soldiers of Kart-Hadast are mining under the walls. Finding the point of the mining, Captain Dionysainos possitions his men to meet anybody who attempts to come through any breach made. Captain Dionysainos underestimates the amount of wall that will be coming down, and as the wall falls, a great many men are crushed beneath it, including Captain Dionysainos himself:
https://img244.imageshack.us/img244/4641/maa2123db2.png

Quickly, one of Captain Dionysainos' lieutenants establishes control of the army and prepares the men to face anything that comes over the pile of rubble and through the breach:
https://img244.imageshack.us/img244/7169/maa2124de2.png
[Amagine there is a pile of rubble there. I've always hated how the debris disappears.]

Soon, the Kart-Hadast heavy cavalry charges for the breach, and the skirmishers on the wall greet them will several volleys of javelin:
https://img407.imageshack.us/img407/1572/maa2125kk9.png

The cavalry charges head-long into a wall of spears, but begins pushing them back:
https://img407.imageshack.us/img407/7518/maa2126wq2.png

The Iberian spearmen fight on. Dispite the chance of friendly fire, the skirmishers continue to throw their javelin from the wall, now at the enemy's backs:
https://img244.imageshack.us/img244/8271/maa2127hy7.png

Soon, the Iberian swordsmen from the wall come down and join the battle, blocking the enemy cavalry from the exit:
https://img210.imageshack.us/img210/7848/maa2128ft5.png

Eventually, after a long battle, a lone horseman breaks free and flees to the south:
https://img210.imageshack.us/img210/6360/maa2133cr6.png

The city is defended and the forces of Kart-Hadast are pushed back. In the battle, not only do the people of Kart-Hadast loose an army by many noble generals. The generals Jubal Saunites, Aegicoros Carmo, Hiram Alalia, and Ahiram are all killed that day:
https://img244.imageshack.us/img244/3426/maa2134ai1.jpg

Neokles arrives in the city to find it safe. He quickly orders the walls repaired and reinforced, and he orders additional men trained. Once the city is seccured, he marches south to the city of Mastia, capital of Kart-Hadast Iberia.

In Italia, where Pyrrhos is still establishing control of Latium, his son comes of age. Immediately testing the boy's command skill against rebels, young Sotades proves he shares his father's skill for command, if he shares nothing else:
https://img407.imageshack.us/img407/7914/maa2135ky0.jpg

As Neokles sieges the city of Mastia, an army of Kart-Hadast marches up from the south, under the command of the Iberian traitor Titos Moronocoi, and attackes Neokles:
https://img210.imageshack.us/img210/4766/maa2137dt5.png

As the battle begins, Neokles rushes his men up a hill to acquire the prime possition on the high ground:
https://img135.imageshack.us/img135/8116/maa2138ps1.png

The hoplitai form a wall, but the Kart-Hadast cavalry still charges them straight-on:
https://img237.imageshack.us/img237/9325/maa2139mz9.png

While the hoplitai pin down the enemy, Neokles circles his cavalry around the rear and charges into the exposed enemy:
https://img237.imageshack.us/img237/5756/maa2140ev1.png

The charge is extremely successful and kills both Titos Moronocoi and Ashtartyaton Tarraco. With their generals dead, the remaining Kart-Hadast soldiers turn and flee. Neokles orders his men to regroup for another attack, then gives chase to the routing enemy.

The battle line is barely reformed before Kart-Hadast reinforcements from the city charge in and attack:
https://img135.imageshack.us/img135/7030/maa2143ko7.png

As the hoplitai hold their ground against the entire enemy army, the Iberians regain their breath and try to remain fresh until just the right moment:
https://img221.imageshack.us/img221/1452/maa2144cv9.png

Returning from chasing the routers, Neokles charges the flank...
https://img237.imageshack.us/img237/4764/maa2145xn3.png

...but is soon forced to withdraw due to outflanking by Kart-Hadast. With the left flank in trouble, Neokles orders the Iberians in:
https://img221.imageshack.us/img221/7194/maa2146ry8.png

The right flank, however, holds and the Iberians on that side manage to circle all the way around the enemy's rear. Soon, they charge in and surround the Kart-Hadast soldiers, as the hoplitai break formation and go on the offensive:
https://img237.imageshack.us/img237/857/maa2147ja7.png

With the enemy entirely pinned in place, Neokles once again circles around the rear and charges them:
https://img221.imageshack.us/img221/3844/maa2148nf6.png

Eventually, Neokles finds himself up against the governor of Mastia, Charidemos:
https://img135.imageshack.us/img135/9030/maa2149qo1.png

In a short fight, Charidemos is slain and his men panic. Chasing them from the field, the remaining Kart-Hadast infantry disappear into the hills and disband:
https://img237.imageshack.us/img237/2845/maa2152xp4.jpg

Neokles marches triumphantly into the city and takes control of the largest town in Iberia.

Inland from there, the Iberian Confederation manages to win battle after battle against the weakened forces of Kart-Hadast. Soon, the Iberians push them to the very sea, where they hide in one of their last cities, though the war is not quite over, there is still one Kart-Hadast army in the region:
https://img135.imageshack.us/img135/191/maa2154bz1.png

With Kart-Hadast nearly pushed from Iberia, Roma conquered, Armenia under control of the Arche Makedonia, and so many other regions deemed unsuited for Makedonike conquest, a new age begins, where another great war is about to start.

This new era is marked by the passing of the last Hellene king. In Sparte, Kassandros, the Makedonia-friendly king dies quietly. Sparte is the only city that Perseus and Chrysoloras did not march against in their consolidation of Hellas. Now, the city is in a state of flux. There is no Makedonike-sponsered government established and now the old king who was holding the town together is gone:
https://img293.imageshack.us/img293/4994/maa2156ae9.jpg

At nearly the same time, Antaios, king of Sophene dies:
https://img221.imageshack.us/img221/9199/maa2153on1.jpg

Antaios, however, leaves all of his possesions and his kingdom to the Arche Makedonia. Quickly, control of the region is establish and the Skionaios family of Nikaia, under Pelops Skionaios, are sent in to establish control Sophene and to govern newly conquered Armenia:
https://img293.imageshack.us/img293/5296/maa2157hu9.jpg

With the deaths of Kassandros and Antaios, two client kingdoms of the Arche Makedonia ceise to exist. Now, only Galatia and Ioudaia remain as client kingdoms to the Arche.

The major event of the era, however, happens in Assyria / Babylonia. Aristotelis, seeking more control in the east, sends envoys to Seleukeia to negotiate the purchase of territory in Assyria. The talks quickly turn sour and the Seleukids declare that the alliance is null and that all representatives of the Arche Makedonia be removed from their territory:
https://img293.imageshack.us/img293/4695/maa2158va9.jpg

Aristotelis attempts to reopen talks, but the Seleukids refuse to listen. Eventually, Aristotelis turns to threats of violence. When that does not change the Seleukid oppinions, he has nothing left to do but prove those threats are not just bluffs. Sending word to his son and the various armies stationed on the border, Aristotelis mobilizes his forces...

The known world in 194BC:
https://img255.imageshack.us/img255/4688/hxmak194wio8.png

Next: Chapter 38 : A New Nubian King

[Hooahguy]

YAY!
a Mak & AS war!

[Basileus Seleukeia]

Oh, you cheeky fellow! If one does not give your oppulent and greedy Macedonians a reason for war, you make one yourself!:furious3:
Well, the sons of Seleukos shall not fall easily! If I recall correctly, you said in another threat that mesopotamia is full of elites... happy headache:laugh4: :clown:
Edit: BTW, why are the Iberian Skutarii in your city garrison showing the "black peasant" did you add them, too?

[Skandaz.Imperator]

It's finally time to go east and smash the AS, yeah!

[Mordrorru]

Dacia is an unsightly blight upon your empire. Form armies and subjugate them.

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

Your empire starts to get cooler than mine ever was.:bow:

[blado]

It doesn't really look like anyone is much of a threat to your large empire anymore.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

The AS did have elites in Babylonia, but they just fought a war and won against two and a half stacks of invading Sab'yns. The war was easily won by the AS elites, but it took its toll.

Dacia is a good friend and trading partner. They haven't shown any signs of betraying the alliance, but if they do they will suffer.

Yeah my empire has gotten really big. This is the second point in a campaign where I consider quiting. The first is after you win all your nearby enemies, establish an economy, and are secure. The second point is about here, where you have a huge empire and almost nobody left to challenge you. Last time I got to this point, I artificially made a challenge.

[Chirurgeon]

The AS did have elites in Babylonia, but they just fought a war and won against two and a half stacks of invading Sab'yns. The war was easily won by the AS elites, but it took its toll.

Dacia is a good friend and trading partner. They haven't shown any signs of betraying the alliance, but if they do they will suffer.

Yeah my empire has gotten really big. This is the second point in a campaign where I consider quiting. The first is after you win all your nearby enemies, establish an economy, and are secure. The second point is about here, where you have a huge empire and almost nobody left to challenge you. Last time I got to this point, I artificially made a challenge.

Is that a hint of what is to come?

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

I'm hoping that taking down the Seleukids will make a power vacuum that someone will fill and become powerful.

(Next chapter [a short one] is coming soon...)

[Hax]

The hoplitai march against the town square and form a shield wall. With a little goading, the Kart-Hadast garrison is tricked into charging that wall, dispite Captain Akbar's warning that it is a trap

Loved this line!

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

I was wondering if anyone would catch that. :laugh4:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Chapter 38 : A New Nubian King

Everything that lay in the path of the Arche Makedonia had fallen to her armies. Every great power that had apposed her had vanished from this world. The Arche Makedonia is now the undisputed supreme power of the known world:
https://img530.imageshack.us/img530/2485/maa2159oy0.jpg

All had apposed her had fallen, except two lesser nations. In Africa, the city of Kart-Hadast continued to appose the Arche and threatened world peace with open war in Kyrenaia:
https://img509.imageshack.us/img509/1029/maa2160ff1.png

And in Nubia, the Kingdom of Meroe had betrayed peaceful conditions and now attacks the southern Makedonike city of Pselkis:
https://img525.imageshack.us/img525/8385/maa2162lk0.png
[Amagine those guys look Nubian.]

The city of Pselkis had been attacked before, and since then, an army had been assembled in Lower Aigyptos and sent south. Harpalos Kyphios, local governor, is placed in charge of the army and charged with defending the border. Now, the city is besieged and the defenders are forced to fend off the Nubian seige engines.

The Nubian army approach with siege towers, which the city archers attempt to light on fire:
https://img509.imageshack.us/img509/1757/maa2163ml9.png

The newly recruited archers are only able to light a single ram on fire. Two towers reach the walls as a ram reaches the gateway:
https://img406.imageshack.us/img406/2306/maa2164xl5.png

Circling around from the side, the native Aigyptian peltastai manage to ambush the Elephant forces and easily take them down, eliminating a large threat:
https://img99.imageshack.us/img99/5192/maa2165ux7.png

Though, at the walls, the tower doors open up and the enemy charge out. To the west, Nubian spearmen charge out, who are easily dispatched by the Klerouchoi soldiers:
https://img530.imageshack.us/img530/3924/maa2168jn2.png

To the east, however, heavily equiped Galatians charge out, just another sign that the fallen Ptolemaic dynasty had connections to Nubia and survive in exile, there:
https://img406.imageshack.us/img406/461/maa2166se0.png

Soon, the gateway is broken open, and the phalangitai brace for battle:
https://img99.imageshack.us/img99/7894/maa2167go8.png

Worst of all, however is that the walls come collapsing down as miners weaken its foundation. Those who charge for the breach, however, fall to arrows as they approach and the Klerouchoi phalangitai, near the breach, finish off those who manage to come through:
https://img207.imageshack.us/img207/4162/maa2169rh4.png

With everyone else defeated, all of the Klerouchoi defenders on the wall move to engage the Galatians:
https://img518.imageshack.us/img518/7789/maa2170ad6.png

As the last Galatian falls, the Nubian cavalry charge for the gateway:
https://img402.imageshack.us/img402/7880/maa2171xb5.png

At first, the phalanx holds, but soon it is in disorder. With reinforcements arriving, the right flank breaks formation and starts to attack the Nubians with their swords:
https://img402.imageshack.us/img402/1614/maa2174nq1.png

Circling around form the side of the city, Harpalos Kyphios and his cavalry block the escape of the enemy cavalry and the Nubian king dies there. Along with the king, the son of the king, prince of Nubia, falls dead, as well as the king's brother-in-law. With this victory, the Arche Makedonia has removed the top three men in Nubia:
https://img207.imageshack.us/img207/4233/maa2178sq7.jpg

In Nubia, the new is received and the country going into mourning. Though, in Meroe there is at least one happy man. With the death of the top three men in Nubia, only two promanent men remain. Fourth in line to the throne, cousin of the dead king, is away on the Aithiopian border at the time, though. In Meroe, one man steps forward and declares himself king of Nubia, declaring himself also rightful king of Upper and Lower Aigyptos. This man is Pritios, decendant of Alexandros' general, Ptolemai. Assuming the title of 'Pharoah', he estabishes full control of the military:
https://img207.imageshack.us/img207/2/maa2181xd2.jpg

Far from there, the Iberian War finally comes to an end, as the third seige of Gader finally expels the Kart-Hadast forces from Iberia:
https://img207.imageshack.us/img207/7182/maa2184uj8.png

But these events pass with little interest. The world's collective eyes are all fixed on the east, where conflict is immenent between the Antigonids and the Seleukids. To sure up support for the war, Aristotelis arranges for alliances all across the region, in order to form a strong anti-Seleukid league:
https://img518.imageshack.us/img518/6932/maa2161ge8.jpg
https://img207.imageshack.us/img207/6355/maa2183ki7.jpg
[Sorry about the "Gadhara" typo.]

Then, when all is set, Aristotelis declares war on the Arche Seleukeia, declaring he will liberate all Makedones and Hellenes of the world who are under the perverted rule of the mad Seleukids:
https://img518.imageshack.us/img518/7858/maa2179ia4.jpg

The Seleukids, amongst other problems, have recently lost their Basileus. To replace him, Strouthion becomes Basileus and rises to power, but he and his armies are in the east, dealing with Gandhara:
https://img518.imageshack.us/img518/8453/maa2180qk0.jpg

In the spring of 192BC, Aristotelis marches his forces into Bablyonia as well as all Seleukid western territories. In the north, Lysippos invades Adurbadegan, to eliminate the tiny Seleukid-friendly kingdom there. Aristotelis invades eastern Assyria and attacks the city of Arbela. To the south, Bykoli, son of Aristotelis, leads the Syrian army into Babylonia, supported by an additional army of mercenaries:
https://img207.imageshack.us/img207/2078/maa2182ca7.png

Next: Chapter 39 : Babylon

[Chaotix]

Nice update! Conquer those foolish Seleucids!

[Chirurgeon]

Keep it up MAA!

[Basileus Seleukeia]

Now it's time for my kingdom to fade away into history, becoming nothing more than footnote. Ah, whatever, as long as they go with a good bashing *grabs for the green paint* Waaagh!:clown:

[Reality=Chaos]

Lovely MAA. I love the way you are able to create new factions and giving them a viable historical background. Keep up the good work. I hope the Maurya satrapy will become lively.

[Wolfman]

Finally East Meets West. I've beem waiting for this moment my entire life!

Edit: I was wondering if you did that Akbar thing on purpose. Nice Touch

[White_eyes:D]

Some of the images didn't show up for me anyone else have this problem or is it just me?:help:

Well....Marcus, you made me want to play as Macedonia before but I never did so till two days ago, I admit I love to play as the guys who start with one city and try to survive(or Romani to which I make an exception:sweatdrop: )
I love as Macedonia trying to decide which person to attack first since ALMOST everyone is at war with you but the Gray death:skull:, and trying to decide who to hit first is not easy:juggle2: . I just got control over Greece but after that Im
a little lost, the islands to finish off Rhodes?, Asia minor? with the other big bullys?, the Italian mainland? or north?, so many ways to go and so much to attack its mind-boggling:2thumbsup: , so great going Marcus:smash: your my Superhero for helping me get over my fear of playing as a Superpower, as before you used the plague as a weapon which earned you Hero status.

[Kuningaz]

First of all: great update again, as always.
Some of the pictures didnt show up for me neither. No idea why.
I was just wondering whether the ptolies are still alive now or not and if not
how did those eleutheroi get galatians? Looking forward to your war against the AS although I have just finished a campaign with them^^.
Keep going

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

Some of the images didn't show up for me anyone else have this problem or is it just me?:help:
I have the same problem since the last two updates.

[Hooahguy]

same here....
i have a feeling this AAR is going to end soon......
:sad:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thanks for the comments, everyone.

I fixed the pictures, I don't know why they lasted on ImageShack for only a couple days. Maybe they are angry I've posted nearly 2000 pictures there in the last half year.

Sorry I've slowed down so much with the updates, I've got three problems. 1- I've had tons of work to do from college. For example, I have a paper (only a little one) due in two days and I haven't even started yet. 2- I tried to play the game last night and it crashed during start up. I made a bunch of edits after the last time I played and didn't test them. Apparently I messed up somewhere. When I get the time I go through and undo them, but I just don't have the drive to do that right now.EDIT: I figured it out. First thing I tried to fix did it. Apparently when I tried to give "Meroe" Ethiopian Swordsmen recruitment, it crashed. Odd, because I couldn't find what part of it was messed up... And 3- I get the feeling that this AAR has become repetative. Thirty-eight chapters all in the same style is getting boring (and I'm the one writting it!). I might try to change things up a bit...

I've got one chapter's worth of pictures since I last played, but haven't had the time to write anything yet.

@White_eyes:D
My initial goal, after conquering Hellas was to unite all of the Hellenes, so I went after the islands and Ionia first. Though, being in the center of the map, you have tons of ways to expand...

[White_eyes:D]

@White_eyes:D
My initial goal, after conquering Hellas was to unite all of the Hellenes, so I went after the islands and Ionia first. Though, being in the center of the map, you have tons of ways to expand...

Yeah, went for the Islands and just won a HUGE battle with the KH in Rhodes only one unit got away and wouldn't you know it? its the Ruler. Now I need to use ONE turn to build a ram or sap point and then I get the islands. Yeah Im gonna head for Asia minor as I KHOW for a fact after reading your AAR and my own experience that the Big yellow bully gonna own AS, and I love to power balance:juggle2:. Well even if this long AAR ends, I hope you will make another maybe using one of the Unsung factions:hide: why not do a poll? it is up to you.:clown:

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

Makedonia is the best faction ever. I'm currently into a Carthage campaign and not far away from completing victory conditions, but I don't feel I'd do much more than that. I'm so longing for EB 1.1, when I'll start a new Makedonian campaign, and create an empire that'll consist of Alex's empire and the Roman one! YES! I will rule the world, and no less!

[Chirurgeon]

Well MAA my hats off to you. Your AAR has been going on for nearly four months!! Thats awesome. Truly Epic. My Ptolemaic AAR lasted for two. It was fun comparing our empires over the last several months. I just put up the last chapter and epilogue. Im gonna take a little break and then see what my next AAR is going to be. Did you vote in the poll I put up? Your input is greatly appreciated.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Chapter 39 : Babylon

The attack against Seleukid Babylonia went well at first. For almost a year, there was no major battles, and all major Seleukid cities became besieged. As Aristotelis besieges Assyria and his son Bykoli and Pefkolaos Idomeneus besiege the ancient city of Babylon, the mercenary army holds down the Seleukid forces in the giant city of Seleukeia. Eventually, Seleukid reinforcements begin to show up, though. The reinforcements lift the siege of Seleukeia, but as winter hits, the mercenaries strike back and engage the small army of reinforcements from the east:
https://img122.imageshack.us/img122/291/maa2185tb1.png

The heavy Seleukid cavalry slowly marches forward as the battle begins, and the Hellenic phalangitai prepare for combat:
https://img508.imageshack.us/img508/859/maa2186ju1.png

The Hellenic phalangitai do their best to hold their ground and manage to hold the enemy cavalry for a long enough time to give the hoplitai enough time to circle around the flank. Charging from the rear, the hoplitai attack:
https://img122.imageshack.us/img122/4613/maa2188ow0.png

Before too long, the Seleukids break and flee, but the victory is short. Charging from within the palm forest, reinforcements from the city of Seleukeia arrive. The hoplitai turn to face them, but are confronted with another unit of cataphraktoi:
https://img230.imageshack.us/img230/1121/maa2189os0.png

The cataphraktoi are soon followed by elite foot warriors. Amongst them are a devision of soldiers who are feared across the Arche Seleukeia. Legend says that they are so scarred by a life of intense combat, that they have to where armored veils to hide their grotesque faces:
https://img122.imageshack.us/img122/8008/maa2190ew7.png

While the peltastai circle around the flank, the Hellenes brace themselves and receive their charge:
https://img508.imageshack.us/img508/7272/maa2192jw0.png

Just as the hoplitai finally manage to break the cataphraktoi, a second unit of veiled elites charges them on the flank, and they counter charge:
https://img122.imageshack.us/img122/5049/maa2193ll9.png

In the center of the line, however, the flanking of the peltastai and the deversionary tactics of the mercenary cavalry manage to isolate and route the first group of elites.

Soon, another wave of Seleukid soldiers attack. This time, elite silver shielded phalangitai attack the hoplitai, who are already engaged. Freed from their own battle, the Hellenic phalangitai move in and attack the rear of the Seleukid elites:
https://img122.imageshack.us/img122/6383/maa2194in1.png

Stuck in a pincer attack, the Seleukid elites are quickly cut to pieces. With their armies wiped out, the remaining Seleukid forces fall back to the city of Seleukeia. Though the day is won, the battle costs many mercenary lives, especially in the cavalry, who deverted attension of enemies to buy time, throughout the battle:
https://img122.imageshack.us/img122/8354/maa2195wh3.jpg

The mercenaries renew their siege of Seleukeia and await reinforcement.

Far from there, the great walls in the city of Kyrene are completed. These will hopefully help in the defense of the city from near constant Kart-Hadast attack:
https://img122.imageshack.us/img122/8459/maa2196qs6.jpg

And in Bosphoria, Euboulides dies. A son of Antigonos, he is the last of his generation. His sons take over his armies and take control of the management of Bosphoria:
https://img508.imageshack.us/img508/6171/maa2218ak0.jpg

The following summer, more Seleukid reinforcements arrive in Babylonia. This time, however, they attack Bykoli and Pefkolaos Idomeneus, near Babylon:
https://img122.imageshack.us/img122/6738/maa2197wn3.png

And army from the the Kingdom of Sab'yn is nearby, but as the battle begins, there is no sign of the Arche Makedonia's allies:
https://img119.imageshack.us/img119/7707/maa2198xe9.jpg

This battle marks the first major battle in which the elephants of the Arche Makedonia are used. Elephants that were ironically acquired due to friendship with the Arche Seleukeia:
https://img412.imageshack.us/img412/8997/maa2199eo5.png

With the Thorakitai and elephants guarding the wings, the new army faces its first battle:
https://img119.imageshack.us/img119/5795/maa2200mv4.png

The first wave of Seleukid attack is focused on the center of the formation, where the veterans easily hold the line:
https://img119.imageshack.us/img119/4193/maa2202cq1.png

The second attack, however, hits the right wing, where the Thorakitai are forced to engage a unit of phalangitai who attempt to flank the battle line:
https://img412.imageshack.us/img412/1303/maa2204fr7.png

Lead by Pefkolaos Idomeneus, the Makedonike cavalry manages to circle around the rear of the enemy and charge the elites engaged with the Thorakitai. However, as soon as they charge, the Makedonike cavalry are counter charged by Seleukid cavalry:
https://img119.imageshack.us/img119/8431/maa2205zn7.png

The Seleukid elite phalangitai break and flee, but the Makedonike cavalry becomes bogged down in fighting with enemy cavalry:
https://img340.imageshack.us/img340/6881/maa2206oe4.png

Around this time, the Sab'yns finally arrive:
https://img340.imageshack.us/img340/290/maa2201dd0.jpg

Bykoli is almost suprised to see the Sab'yns coming to his assistance, approaching from the left of the battle formation:
https://img412.imageshack.us/img412/416/maa2207de2.png

The Sab'yns are soon countered by the more mobile devisions of the Seleukid army and begin their fight:
https://img340.imageshack.us/img340/9189/maa2208na9.png

With Sab'yn help, the light fighting on the left wing shifts in favor of the Arche Makedonia and the Seleukids begin to rout:
https://img412.imageshack.us/img412/945/maa2209sm2.png

The forces on the left wing, consisting of elephants and Thorakitai, then circle around the battle and attack Seleukid forces that are engaged in phalangitai duels:
https://img340.imageshack.us/img340/4948/maa2210tc7.png

The cavalry, however is still bogged down in fighting Seleukid cavalry and incapable of performing the needed Hammer & Anvil attack:
https://img340.imageshack.us/img340/662/maa2211uz9.png

As the elephants move to attack, the Seleukid commander, general Theodotas Philadelphos, charges them:
https://img412.imageshack.us/img412/1113/maa2212ki4.png

At first the elephants take losses, but soon they start wiping out the enemy cavalry. They manage to kill general Theodotas Philadelphos, himself, routing his remaining guards.

On the far side of the battle, Pefkolaos Idomeneus and the cavalry finally manage to break free and charge the Seleukid elites engaged near the right wing. With a single charge, the elite enemy breaks and flees. They all fall dead under the feet of Makedonike cavalry.

With that, the battle goes into a lull. Breaking formation, the Pezhetairoi charge forward to engage the few reserves still standing their ground:
https://img412.imageshack.us/img412/7646/maa2214us3.png

Finding one unit of veiled elites guarding the retreat of their brothers, the Makedones charge in:
https://img412.imageshack.us/img412/3343/maa2216uo9.png

The elites try their best to make time for their brothers to escape back to Babylon, but the cannot stand for long and soon perish.

With only a hand full of losses (especially among the elephants), Bykoli wins the day and takes control of the city of Babylon, itself:
https://img412.imageshack.us/img412/6761/maa2217pz7.jpg

Although his father was the one that had dreamed of entering Babylon as a successful conquer, Bykoli is the one who marches through the great gates and enters the city. With the city, the Arche Makedonia holds a great piece of history. This region was one of the birthplaces of civilization. The city was the capital of many great empires. The city has risen and fallen countless times and many a conqueror has passed through it. Both Kurus and Alexandros had conquered this region, and now so have the Antigonids:
https://img145.imageshack.us/img145/2020/maa2220vd6.jpg

Amid the greatness, there is an undertone of trouble to come. Seeing the great armies of the Seleukids fall as though they were nothing, those in the anti-Seleukid alliance begin to think. With peace on many fronts, it seems the Arche Seleukeia is no longer the most feared power in the region amungst the small powers. Little by little, the small nations of the anti-Seleukid alliance begin to make peace:
https://img148.imageshack.us/img148/2787/maa2219hu8.jpg
https://img148.imageshack.us/img148/9435/maa2239wu9.jpg

Aristotelis hears the good news, from his camp outside of the city Arbela. Soon after, he receives word from the the north that Adurbadegan has surrendered to Lysippos without any event. With many Seleukid soldiers within Arbela, Aristotelis has no choice but to continue waiting outside the walls. Though, he sends word to his son, telling him to begin the attack on the rest of Babylonia.

Bykoli immediately moves his army north to Seleukeia, but soon the city of Babylon begins to rebel:
https://img299.imageshack.us/img299/7751/maa2221ti9.jpg

The known world at the end of the year 191BC:
https://img145.imageshack.us/img145/1518/hxmak191li4.png

Next: Chapter 40 : The City of Seleukos

[Vorian]

Superb!!

Keep those Seleukids running. I never had an ally reinforcing me in RTW, last time it happened was in Medieval

[Basileus Seleukeia]

Magnificent! Although, you should change "scared" to "scarred", which is much more what you were trying to say, I guess:laugh4:

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

Long awaited and no disappointment. :2thumbsup: :2thumbsup: :2thumbsup:

Will you be content with Mesopatamia and Charax or do you plan to had further east?

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thanks guys.

I don't even know why that Sab'rn army was in Babylonia to reinforce me. I think they were an army that I teleported from Ethiopia to Yemen (there was an army there, looking into the ocean seemingly waiting for a boat that would never come, so I moved them by a cheat). But if they are that army, I don't know why the wandered all the way into Babylonia...

I made that change, thanks. Maybe it was a freudian slip because I thought they broke and fled too quickly. :inquisitive:

I'm not sure where I'm going to go. I role play that Aristotelis wants to go east, but Aristotelis is at the point where he is going to die at the drop of a hat. What I do next will be based on whoever is in charge at the time. The faction hier has a hatred for the the Carthaginians, by the way. :egypt:

[Mouzafphaerre]

.
Great! :jumping: More action. :viking:
.

[Hooahguy]

this AAR just gets better and better!

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

I'm thinking of changing my style a bit. I have one more update that I took pictures for in the old way, but after that what should I do? What do those of you who follow think? I was thinking of adding more story of the families and less about the battles, but that would require a lot more game playing per chapter than I had been doing. I also thought about changing the point of view to some historian telling the story, or some common soldier...

Or maybe I should just put this to an end. It has had a long run and I don't have as much time to keep like I used to. A while back Aristotelis died (but I cheated and reloaded before he died) and I came up with an idea to end this AAR. Where a civil war over succession causes the Empire to fall and the Romans rise to power once more. But Chirurgeon ended his AAR in a similar down manner, so I don't want to just do that too.

Maybe the Victory Screen should just be the end of this AAR...

What do you think?

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

Romans tear down the Arche Makedonia? Ye Gods, what illness befell thee? :gah:

[Hax]

Bah! We will never see proper Hellenes fall to Roman oppression! TO VICTORY!

[Chirurgeon]

How much more do you need for victory? You are suffering from AAR burnout and I know the feeling. You need a fresh challenge perhaps? If you are thinking about stopping the AAR that would be a good time to do so. No need to make something you enjoy seem like a job. Whatever you do the community supports you 100%.

[Ludens]

How much more do you need for victory? You are suffering from AAR burnout and I know the feeling. You need a fresh challenge perhaps? If you are thinking about stopping the AAR that would be a good time to do so. No need to make something you enjoy seem like a job. Whatever you do the community supports you 100%.
:yes: I would personally enjoy an AAR that goes deeper into the characters, but if you are going to have less time available that may not be possible. You certainly shouldn't force it, so do what you think best. I have very much enjoyed this AAR and thank you for going this far :book: .

[Mordrorru]

I think after Carthage and Seleucids are destroyed, the ARR should/can end.

[CaesarAugustus]

Where a civil war over succession causes the Empire to fall and the Romans rise to power once more.

Yes! What a wonderful ending that would be! Roman justice dealt out to the squabbling Hellenic swine! Oh well, even if you don't choose to do that I'm sure you'll find a great way to end this, MAA, a wonderful AAr you have created here, but all good things have to end :shame: (Including the rule of slimy Greek tyrants over the proud and noble people of Rome :evil:)

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thanks for the support.

I think I'll put up the next update, then take a break. The next chapter kind-of ends with somewhat of a conclusion. I don't want to quit playing this campaign quite yet, but I don't have much time for playing right now, so it may take a while.

I'm working on the next chapter right now, so expect it today or tommorrow.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Chapter 40 : The City of Seleukos

Although the main forces of the Arche Makedonia fought in Babylonia, war still raged in Aigyptos and Libye. In Kyrenaia, Antisthenes Gortynios, who is brother-in-law of Aristotelis, once again defends the city of Kyrene from Kart-Hadast aggression:
https://img520.imageshack.us/img520/9596/maa22422lo8.png

This time, however, the Qarthadastism general is able to trick Antisthenes into moving his forces outside the walls. Fighting outside the city walls, Antisthenes is still able to defeat the forces of Kart-Hadast, though he took much more losses than normal:
https://img81.imageshack.us/img81/8605/maa22423pw8.jpg

In Nubia, an army of the Kingdom of Meroe attacks the city of Pselkis:
https://img81.imageshack.us/img81/55/maa2245tl8.png
[Now you see why I was trying to add more recruitment options to the Ptolemaioi/Meroe.]

As the battle just begins, the archers on the walls manage to set fire to all of the enemy siege equiptment, except one tower:
https://img81.imageshack.us/img81/9792/maa2247su3.png

With only one tower, all of the enemy forces are funnelled into a single place, where they are all killed. Hellenes, Makedones, and Aigyptes all defend the walls and see the carnage. Soon, the pile of bodies becomes so great, that no man can help but feel sorry for the poor men that the Ptolemaic family has duped into coming to their death:
https://img146.imageshack.us/img146/7716/maa2252cf1.png

The battle is won and the city defended, with minimal friendly losses:
https://img146.imageshack.us/img146/3042/maa2254yd1.jpg

Back in Babylonia, Bykoli and Pefkolaos Idomeneus, who is the Bykoli's good friend and husband to his daughter, besiege the city of Seleukeia. The 'City of Seleukos' is the largest city in the known world, only rivaled by the city of Roma. Ever since the fall of Antiocheia/Demetreia, the Seleukid dynasty has centered their government in this great city [or at least I role-play that they have], but now it is left with no defenders and looks to fall at any time.

In less than a year, however, reinforcements from the east come to releave the city. They immediately attack Bykoli and Pefkolaos, without taking proper gaging of their chances:
https://img530.imageshack.us/img530/1871/maa2222bv1.png

So, in a plain, south of the city of Seleukeia, Bykoli prepares his men. Bykoli looks to his trusted friend, Pefkolaos, to lead the cavalry, which he deploys on the right flank. And on the left flank, Bykoli deploys his few remaining elephants:
https://img90.imageshack.us/img90/3127/maa2223yb2.png

Soon, the Seleukid army approaches. Leading the enemy column is the enemy general and some of their new Kataphraktoi. Bykoli does not fear these Kataphraktoi, however, for the forces of Makedonia have faced them before, and they offered no challenge what-so-ever:
https://img530.imageshack.us/img530/9605/maa2225to7.png

As the enemy approaches, a unit of Hetairoi, under the command of one of the enemy generals, possitions themselves of the Makedonike left flank. The Thorakitai move to counter, but they are not enough:
https://img172.imageshack.us/img172/6200/maa2226ak3.png

With Pefkolaos and the cavalry already deploying on the right flank, Bykoli is forced to take his personal cavalry into battle to counter the enemy general. He also orders the elephants to defend the now open flank:
https://img530.imageshack.us/img530/1116/maa2228ci2.png

When a unit of Kataphraktoi move into to attack the exposed flank, the elephants have no option but to attack. As the two forms of uniquely eastern warfare face eachother, both sides take heavy losses:
https://img143.imageshack.us/img143/5558/maa2230br3.png

In the center of the line, the leaderless Pezhetairoi face the Seleukid phalangitai and enter prolonged pike combat:
https://img530.imageshack.us/img530/683/maa2227ws6.png

Finally in possition, Pefkolaos charges his cavalry in at the rear of the enemy:
https://img143.imageshack.us/img143/605/maa2231sy9.png

The left flank continues to suffer, though. Bykoli orders the elephants to retreat, and two of the beasts manage to pull away, uninjured, but the Thorakitai and his personal guards are not enough to fend off the enemy. With a signal toward the center, Bykoli orders the Syrian reserves to move to the left flank.

Charging in, the Syrians confront the enemy general and his Hetairoi, buying Bykoli and the Thorakitai some time to finish off the Kataphraktoi:
https://img520.imageshack.us/img520/4123/maa2232ga9.png
https://img520.imageshack.us/img520/2338/maa2233bt2.png

The enemy Hetairoi and Kataphraktoi quickly break and flee. Purhaps stupidly, Bykoli abandons the battle and gives chace to the enemy cavalry.

With Pefkolaos leading the cavalry and Bykoli pursuing the enemy general, the center of the line is forced to fight without a leader. The line begins to form gaps and loose cohesion, but a charge from Pefkolaos breaks the last enemy and kills the governor of Babylonia, Alkimos Chalkidos Syriakes:
https://img520.imageshack.us/img520/6756/maa2234pm6.png

Chasing them from the field, Pefkolaos manages to wipe out most of remaining enemy infantry and prevents anyone from reaching Seleukeia and re-garissoning it:
https://img520.imageshack.us/img520/4349/maa2237qn2.jpg

Although Bykoli came up with the battle plan, as well as fought the hardest to defend the left flank, since Pefkolaos broke the enemy and killed their general, the men praise him and declare the day a victory for Pefkolaos. Since Pefkolaos is a good friend and a part of his family, Bykoli lets him have the praise... for now. When they march into the city, however, Bykoli is sure to take the lead.

Once in the city, the army of the Arche Makedonia takes to looting. Bykoli orders his men to keep their fun to a minimum, but does order the displacement and enslavement of a small portion of the populace (the non-Hellene, non-Makedone populace). Taking up residence in the great palace, Bykoli goes about securing the city and the rest of the region of Babylonia. Although he doesn't plan for anything soon, Bykoli orders his scouts to head toward the sea and gather information for an invasion, all the way to the river deltas.

To the north, Aristotelis is almost outraged when the elite army of the Seleukids comes out of Arbela and turns over their weapons. Aristotelis invaded the east, looking for a fight, yet all of the fighting has eluded him. Taking control of the city, he allows his men minor looting and even manages to acquire a good amount of money for himself, which he plans to use to finance further invasions eastward:
https://img81.imageshack.us/img81/2804/maa2241mh8.jpg

Old Aristotelis quickly establishes control of the city and marches his army out of the city, looking for a fight. The old man is a great leader and a great politician, but his anger is so great that it scares his own extremely loyal soldiers:
https://img146.imageshack.us/img146/3705/maa2242wc4.jpg

Aristotelis makes a short stop over in Seleukeia and Babylon to let his new subjects greet him. After a short visit with his son, he takes his army of old veterans, who would charge the gates of Hades if he asked, and heads eastward to force the Seleukids into a fight:
https://img146.imageshack.us/img146/9498/maa2244re0.png

Bykoli writes to his brother, in Iberia, telling him of the status of his father and the fears he has of what is to come. Neokles writes back, saying that their father, Aristotelis, is Basileus and his will is truth. However, he tells his brother to defend the borders and think of the people. Their father may wish to march to battle and possible death, but Neokles tells Bykoli, 'Do not let our father's anger cost our people suffering or give our enemies an advantage.' With this, Bykoli resolves to remain in Seleukeia for the time being and go on the defensive until his father returns. Bykoli appreciates the advice and decides to always listen to the wise words of his brother.

In Iberia, Neokles is concerned about his father, but in the center of his mind is something different. He has already ordered Pyrrhos and his son to move their armies from Roma and back to Sicilia for retraining. Neokles then orders the old army of veterans that served Demetrios, who had been stationed in Gaul, to move south and join him. With a letter to Antisthenes Gortynios, in Kyrene, his plan is completed as he mobilizes five huge armies and three fleets...

Dispite the anger of Aristotelis, the sceming of Neokles, or the ignorance of Bykoli, what Antigonos and Demetrios set in motion has grown into something great. With territories both east and west, and firm control, with organized succession, the Antigonids have surpassed Alexandros himself and established a great empire:

https://img146.imageshack.us/img146/6369/maa2238is0.png



The known world in the year 190BC:
https://img230.imageshack.us/img230/9177/hxmak190edituj5.png

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I tried to add more character interactions and such, and I had more fun writting it. I have no idea what my update rate is going to be from here on out, but I'll probably take a break now. I did set up a bunch of "to be continued" situations, for whenever that is...

[Hooahguy]

WOW! you fianally won!!!!!!!!!

[Skandaz.Imperator]

Congratuations to your victory!

[Mouzafphaerre]

.
:medievalcheers:
.

[Mordrorru]

He may have faked victory. He's faked a number of defeats in the past. (For other factions.)

But yeah, I can tell you're getting tired of this campaign because you're not even pretending enemies are a threat anymore. :laugh4:

[LotW89]

Those colors are 'new' factions. The gold is the Kingdom of Meroe, and the green is the Mauryan Satrapy of Gandhara.
new factions?
will they be in the next release? and which factions will they replace?

[Detlef]

new factions?
will they be in the next release? and which factions will they replace?

he just recolered and renamed Ptolemaioi (Meroe), Phalava (Mauryan) and Hayasdan (The Purple) respectively.

[Hax]

One thing bugs me.

If he replaced the color of the Pahlava in the descr_strat, how come I see a bit of the pink near their homeland? O_O

[LotW89]

One thing bugs me.

If he replaced the color of the Pahlava in the descr_strat, how come I see a bit of the pink near their homeland? O_O
yeah, and he even destroyed the ptolemaios...
i wonder if he cheated^^

[BerkeleyBoi]

Ah, what a great story! Do you plan on continuing this in the future or will you start a new campaign?

[Hax]

yeah, and he even destroyed the ptolemaios...
i wonder if he cheated^^

He has already explained this.

But, isn't it impossible to give one faction two colours at the same time?

[Chirurgeon]

Excellent Job MAA. Your endurance in this effort is second to none. Bravo!!

[Basileus Seleukeia]

Now it is time for you to pat yourselve on your shoulder, MAA. Not only have you created the biggest empire the world has ever seen, but you also have written a chapter with trait-based actions. This will surely make the chapters to come (no matter how long it will take, they will never be too late, so take yourself time, you deserve it) much more interesting.
Now, everybody, give MAA a big hug!:laugh4:

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

How disappointing that this faboulus AAR seems to come to an end.:no:

But, as said before, you already proved veeerrryy long endurance, and I think the story came to a good end (if it ends).

So congratulations, MAA. I know that I am far to lazy to write an AAR for such a long time. Doubtless, you joined QK and Obelics on the Olympus of AARs...:2thumbsup:

Edit: I almost never read AARs. I made an exception just for you and QK!

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thanks for reading, and thanks for the support and comments. :bow:

I don't feel like starting a new campaign (though I have played Broken Crescent a bit and started campaigns there). When I play EB, it will probably be this campaign, unless something new interally needs testing here soon. When I play, I'll update the AAR if I get the energy to do so.

The Pink up in the steppes is photo editting. The town rebelled to Pahlav/Gandhara and I didn't want a patch of green up there so I cut a piece out of an older picture and pasted it over. I'm role-playing that there are two separate nations and the Pahlav have rebelled to get their freedom. Give it a year and the Baktrians will conquer it again, though. You can even see a little evidence with the border to Kangha, since the picture I took the piece from had Saka in that region, not rebels. (Many territories have been rebelling up there, it seems Saka is falling apart.)

[Chaotix]

Will you make a Broken Crescent AAR? That would be awesome...

[Vorian]

it has ended.....I feel like i am standing at the end of an era.

Thanks MAA for this excellent read

[TWFanatic]

Wow...what an epic story. I just read about 5 pages, could not stop! :book:

[Mordrorru]

Will you make a Broken Crescent AAR? That would be awesome...

:sweatdrop:

:skull:

[BerkeleyBoi]

Thanks for reading, and thanks for the support and comments. :bow:

I don't feel like starting a new campaign (though I have played Broken Crescent a bit and started campaigns there). When I play EB, it will probably be this campaign, unless something new interally needs testing here soon. When I play, I'll update the AAR if I get the energy to do so.

The Pink up in the steppes is photo editting. The town rebelled to Pahlav/Gandhara and I didn't want a patch of green up there so I cut a piece out of an older picture and pasted it over. I'm role-playing that there are two separate nations and the Pahlav have rebelled to get their freedom. Give it a year and the Baktrians will conquer it again, though. You can even see a little evidence with the border to Kangha, since the picture I took the piece from had Saka in that region, not rebels. (Many territories have been rebelling up there, it seems Saka is falling apart.)

I played Broken Crescent too for a bit, but... I don't know, I think I'm just a little too spoiled by EB. I'll probably play it a bit more once more character traits are put in, that's what is turning me off from it right now.

[julius_caesar_the_first]

After an eternity and a half I finally managed to read the entire AAR (plus 60% of the other posts).
Congratulations Marcus for this extraordinary AAR and the endurance you have shown in writing it.:2thumbsup: !

[Reality=Chaos]

to MAA from a lurker, you are a AAR hero and legend. :2thumbsup:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thanks again to everyone who read have read and to those who have commented.

[Gaivs]

Well MAA, I just want to say thanks. This was the most enjoyable AAR ive ever read. It was what inspired me to start a campaign with Makedonia myself, which then led onto my AAR The war against Seleukeia. I suppose the mantle rests on my head come to think of it, there aren't any other active Makedonian AAR's. Weird because there were heaps at one stage. Anyway, thanks, this was awesome. I do hope you do another AAR at some stage.

[The General]

Congratulations! A mighty fine looking empire you set up, too, and to get to follow its creation was both interesting and a lot of fun.

[Maxinius Scipio]

Well, MAA, I have to admit that I have been a complete lurker, but since this AAR is over (or temporarily over) I just thought that I'd say thanks and congratulations.

Here, have a "slave" I acquired from my Romani campaign:

:belly:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thanks again. :bow:

I've played this campaign almost another decade and have been taking screenshots. I was thinking about making another chapter, but I keep not having either time or energy to do so...

[Frodge]

Aww c'mon MAA, just for old times sake

[Cbvani]

An entertaining and well written AAR, all things considered. I liked reading it after the fact, as it were, because I didn't have to wait for updates. (I am not a patient person.)

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Chapter 41 : Elymais

Aristotelis Argeades had marched his men through the mountains of Media and into the valleys Elymais. Were he a general, the Basileus would have repremanded him and forced him to return his troops to allied territoy. Aristotelis is however, himself, the Basileus of the Arche Makedonia. Thus he was the most powerful man in all the known world. When he decided to do something, some say they doubted that the gods themselves could have changed his path. Now he marches toward the city of Susa, seeking the combat he so desires.

Bykoli, his son, is left to defend the eastern front, against the forces of the Arche Seleukeia, from the great city of Seleukeia, once the capital of their enemy. Bykoli is not a bright man, but he had learned much through experience, and with the advice from his brother, friends, and advisors he is quite a compitant leader. A strong military man, he had passed through the Spartan Agoge and lead his army to victory many times, personally conquering Babylonia and its two greatest cities, Babylon and Seleukeia.

The regions of Babylonia have posed more of a difficulty to Bykoli and the Makedones. Though Hellenized greatly by the Seleukids, the region maintains much of its ancient culture and dispises the occupation of foreigners. For this reason, Bykoli begins to doubt the conquest and the chance to maintain control over the regions even further to the east. The Seleukids had managed to control the regions with local government and by pandering to the local customs and cultures. In Babylonia, there is even a great temple, built in the Hellenic fashion, dedicated to an ancient god of the local people:
https://img149.imageshack.us/img149/2271/maa2295gq1.jpg

While in Seleukeia, Bykoli repels an attack by the Arche Seleukeia army, lead by the Seleukid general Sophron Sidonos Phoinikikes. [For some reason FRAPS wasn't on and I was simply pushing the button for no reason during this battle.] Sophron Sidonos Phoinikikies retreats, but his exhausted army stops within striking range of Basileus Aristotelis and his veteran army of Makedones. Leaving the main road, Aristotelis attacks the exhausted enemy from the side, attempting to take them by surprise:
https://img521.imageshack.us/img521/4884/maa2255ow0.png

As the Makedones approach, the forces of the Arche Seleukeia take up position on a hill and wait for Aristotelis to come to them. To weaken their heavy cavalry, their only strength remaining after the loss at Seleukeia, Aristotelis orders his slingers to open fire:
https://img89.imageshack.us/img89/9946/maa2256rr3.png

In the attack, almost half of the enemy Hetairoi are wiped out and general Timoxenos Hierapoleos Syriakes dies. Though filled with a desire for combat, Aristotelis is no fool. He orders his line to slowly surround the enemy. Seeing this tactic, the Arche Seleukeia generals order their cavalry to charge the flanks of the Makedonike Pezhetairoi formations:
https://img521.imageshack.us/img521/9553/maa2258sl7.png

The Seleukid Hetairoi soon become pinned down and Aristotelis orders his Thaikioi to circle around the enemy's rear. Quickly, the enemy general Apolloniketes Megas is slain. Soon Sophron Sidonos Phoinikikes is surrounded and has entire bodyguard killed:
https://img521.imageshack.us/img521/4185/maa2261pm7.png

Fighting up to the last second of his life, Sophron Sidonos Phoinikikes is slain. The Thessalian cavarly soon wipes out the last of the infantry and Aristotelis orders his men to charge the last standing enemy general and his few surviving horsemen:
https://img89.imageshack.us/img89/3879/maa2262wa4.png

Soon, Diogenes Chalkidos Syriakes, too, falls dead as well. With that, Aristotelis wins his first military victory in this war which he himself started:
https://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2606/maa2265jv8.jpg

The battle is small an insignificant, and Basileus Aristotelis seeks more. His unquestioning veterans follow his every command as he continues eastward. In short order, they are completely cut off from supplies and communication. Bykoli is left to hold the eastern side of the Makedonike domain together without knowing the status of his father.

More than a year goes by, as Aristotelis besieges the city of Susa. Gathering men from their own eastern front, the Seleukids manage to put several armies together and counter Aristotels:
https://img214.imageshack.us/img214/2753/maa2269pa1.png

Aristotelis lines up his men on a broad field and awaits the enemy. First to run forward are the natives of the region, in the service of the Arche Seleukeia:
https://img521.imageshack.us/img521/2335/maa2271gm4.png

These men are sacrificed without a second thought and soon the Seleukid phalangitai move forward to engage Aristotelis' veterans:
https://img214.imageshack.us/img214/4295/maa2272zu3.png

The cowardly enemy don't stand for long. Only a small group of elites hold their ground as the rest of the Seleukid army turns to flee:
https://img521.imageshack.us/img521/5127/maa2273rm0.png

Just as the last of the enemy break, the reinforcements from the city of Susa arrive. Aristotelis orders his men to reform their line and brace themselves for another fight:
https://img89.imageshack.us/img89/3010/maa2274zh8.png

After fighting for a while, the Thraikioi attempt to flank the enemy but a unit of Seleukid phalangitai counter them. Rather than flee, Aristotelis gives the order to attack. Not even considering disobeying their great leader, the Thraikioi charge the enemy pikes. Their loyalty is only tested shortly though, as the Thessalian cavalry charge in and decimate the Seleukid phalangitai:
https://img521.imageshack.us/img521/9679/maa2275rq5.png

Formations begin to deteriorate, as both sides charge eachother with no order. The furiosity of the battle reaches a pitch and Aristotelis gives the order to charge in and wipe out all the enemy:
https://img89.imageshack.us/img89/5856/maa2276bx4.png

As the battle draws to a close and the majority of the enemy begins to flee the field, Aristotelis leads the cavalry in one last charge, wiping out the last of the Seleukid soldiers still standing:
https://img89.imageshack.us/img89/7302/maa2278di8.png
[I love the animations happening in this pic.]

The Seleukids are almost completely wiped out and not a single unit reforms after the battle. The city of Susa is left defenseless and Aristotelis wins his battle:
https://img521.imageshack.us/img521/7179/maa2280eu6.jpg

At first Aristotelis is disappointed. Though he took a city, the battle was an easy one and there was no way any commander worthy of leading a Makedonike army would loose it. His disappointment is soon met with another challenge. Before he can even move his men toward the city, another army of the Arche Seleukeia attacks:
https://img216.imageshack.us/img216/9249/maa2281rp4.png

This army is lead by Philonides Sidonos Phoinikikes, brother of Sophron Sidonos Phoinikikies, whom Aristotelis had killed a year prior. This army is a true army worthy of being called Makedones, pulled from the eastern front and sent over to battle the Arche Makedonia. Two lines of phalangitai face eachother on an opened field. Aristotelis, as defender, is able to take position on the high ground and awaits Philonides:
https://img149.imageshack.us/img149/6465/maa2282bf2.png

As the two lines prepare to clash, Philonides sends forward his medium infantry in an attempt to disrupt the Makedonike formation:
https://img297.imageshack.us/img297/6259/maa2283zt2.png

On the Makedonike left flank, Philonides Sidonos Phoinikikies personally leads a cavalry charge, but is quickly countered by the Thraikioi:
https://img88.imageshack.us/img88/6808/maa2284jh7.png

Aristotelis then personally leads the cavalry to the left flank to counter the enemy cavalry as the two line finally clash and begin the main battle:
https://img88.imageshack.us/img88/976/maa2285aw2.png

To the left flank, the other wing of Thraikioi face Seleukid Thorakitai. The Thorakitai hold their ground and prove a challenge for the Thraikioi, but the Thraikioi blades give them the definate advantage:
https://img88.imageshack.us/img88/115/maa2286oz3.png

On the left flank, Aristotelis leads a charge at the rear of Philonides Sidonos Phoinikikies' Hetairoi and kill the man. With their general fallen and the Makedonike Pezhetairoi showing no signs of weakening, large portions of the Seleukid army turns and flees:
https://img297.imageshack.us/img297/6181/maa2288bz8.png

For a while they hold their ground, but eventually the other Seleukid generals turn and run away, abandoning their men:
https://img297.imageshack.us/img297/7836/maa2289ci4.png

Such an action completely breaks the morale of their remaining troops and they too flee. Only a single unit of phalangitai hold their ground, perhaps in an attempt to buy some time for the rest of their army. The Thraikioi make short work of them, when attacking from behind:
https://img155.imageshack.us/img155/1482/maa2291kw0.png
[I recorded a video of them wiping out those Pantodapoi, but it doesn't want to be uploaded whenever I try.]

The darkness of the autumn sky is an erie indicator of the fate of the Arche Seleukeia, as the last remnants of one of her last great armies runs for the hills:
https://img297.imageshack.us/img297/8326/maa2292uv4.png
[No real point, but I liked the mountain and sky combination of this picture.]

With nearly no losses, Aristotelis wins one of the greatest battles of this age. Not only does Aristotelis ensure his capture of Elymais, but he also breaks the back of a once great nation:
https://img297.imageshack.us/img297/5365/maa2293cg4.jpg

Though Aristotelis takes control of the city of Susa and commands the valleys of Elymais, contact with the Arche Makedonia is not stable. The Arche Seleukeia still controls the coasts and Media controls the mountain passes, cutting off communication and supplies often. The situation is worsened when the Arche Makedonia's Median allies begin to move their entire military force from the east, where they once waged war with the Seleukids, and over to the west, near the borders with the Arche Makedonia, plotting.

Aristotelis grows ever intraverted and starts to become paranoid of every little thing. He refuses anyone to enter his presence unless he is prior known or well trusted. He appears publically rarely and has little direct contact with the locals, now his subjects. He selects an even greater number of bodyguards from his men he can trust [122 men] and starts fearing his own death ever more:
https://img149.imageshack.us/img149/811/maa2296kk4.jpg

The Seleukids attempt to retake the city, but are quickly repelled. The event has no great significance, but Aristotelis takes it as a sign that worse is to come:
https://img155.imageshack.us/img155/9610/maa2301sl5.jpg

Back in the lands of the fertile crescent, Bykoli is forced to take ever greater administrative powers. Every little event this side of Italia is brought to his attention and he is forced to make the decisions on all of them. During this time, Bykoli orders greater mines built in Armenia, colonies established in Sinai and along the sea south of there, and orders the construction of great harbours in Makedonia to receive even greater imports, from the vast territories, back to the homeland.

With a great influx of people from different places, a plague strikes the city of Petra in Sinai. Amoungst the first killed is Phoudanos Troios, brother-in-law to Aristotelis, who had ruled the area with near supreme power since the time Demetrios had personally left him in charge of the region:
https://img155.imageshack.us/img155/8858/maa2294as9.png

Bykoli gains even greater power once his brother finally assembles his army and goes to sea. Leaving the Arche in the hands of regional governors, allied kings, and his brother, Neokles, first born son and heir of Aristotelis, sails from Iberia and lands his army on the shores north of Numidia. Leading the royal army of Demetrios, Neokles attacks the Qarthadastism port city of Ippone. To the east, Pyrrhos and his son come ashore and lead two armies which sail from Sikilia. Leading his mixed army against the city of Adrumento, his second army of Syracusaians raids the surrounding countryside, breaking the will of the Qarthadastism citizens:
https://img297.imageshack.us/img297/8634/maa2302ai6.png

Further to the east, Antisthenes Gortynios, governor of Kyrenaia and long time enemy of all that is Kart-Hadast, mobilizes the entire garrison and marches through the desert. Following the path the armies of Kart-Hadast had established, which prisoners had devulged, Antisthenes prepares to attack the colonies of Kart-Hadast along the sea:
https://img146.imageshack.us/img146/4380/maa2303ul9.png

The known world in 188BC:
https://img511.imageshack.us/img511/6066/hxmak188yh9.png

Next: Chapter 42 : Africa

[Respenus]

Oh my God MAA! You are the One AAR writer of all times! Brilliant update. It must be damn hard to control your empire by now. Take care of Carthage and then you'll be freed from any African worries. I'd watch out in Europe though. The Getai seems to like their small empire, but I doubt peace will last much longer. Let's not forget the Lusotannan, Gauls, the Sweboz. I'm sure you want to recreate Alexander's empire, yet I smell trouble brewing in Europe.

Once again, great to see an update!

[Gaivs]

Yes, thank god this is back up and running! :D

[White_eyes:D]

GO Marcus :2thumbsup: wipe out those African swine :skull:.
Was kinda worried you stopped:sweatdrop: glad to see your still here:smash: .

[anubis88]

wow... If writing AAR's would be a full time job, you'd be a millioner by now!:2thumbsup:

[Chaotix]

Wow. I thought you finished this AAR, MAA, but it's back! I think this deserves a baloon... :balloon3: !

[IndianPrince]

SWEETNESS !!! I LOVE THIS AAR ... Love how u role-played the Pahlavans as Gandhara. THIS IS AMAZING !!!!!!

Prince

[Maxinius Scipio]

SWEETNESS !!! I LOVE THIS AAR ... Love how u role-played the Pahlavans as Gandhara. THIS IS AMAZING !!!!!!

Amazing? THIS...IS...THE ANTIGONIDS: A MAKEDONIAN AAR!

But anyway,

WOOOOHOOOO! An update!

I have a feeling that Aristotelis is going to become a corrupt warmonger and someone's going to try to assassinate or overthrow him. :batman:

[IndianPrince]

Amazing? THIS...IS...THE ANTIGONIDS: A MAKEDONIAN AAR!

lol ... indeed :laugh4:

But this is SO MUCH MORE epic than 300 ... not even joking !!!

Prince

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

Awesome update, MAA! The Empire strikes back! :2thumbsup: :2thumbsup: :2thumbsup:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thank you for the comments, though you exagerate.

I'm not sure how often I'll be updating, but I'll try to keep this going for a little while. I'll probably stop after the v1.1 release, as that would make the version I'm playing more than two versions old. Though, there's not much let to conquer (that's non-barbarian).

My European front is pretty secure. Getai loves me, for whatever reasons and doesn't even seem to consider betraying me. Sweboz is busy throwing themselves against the Lugoae. And the two Gallic factions have been equally balanced in their 'civil war' for decaded. There is only on faction in Europe that is disturbing the balance...

Aristotelis is over 70 now and should be dying at the drop of a hat, though doesn't seem to want to set quietly aside...

[Reverend Joe]

I think "all" you have to do (granted, it's a helluva big "all") to wrap this one up is reunite Alexander's empire and "defeat" Qarthadasht (namely, conquer and sack Qarthadasht and as many major cities as you deem necessary.) If you could somehow accomplish that, you would become a living god in the eyes of the Org.

[Basileus Seleukeia]

A very tense chapter! I very much like your new style, it makes the AAR so much more Novel-like, not only like retelling a game. I can hardly wait for the next chapter!:2thumbsup:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

I think "all" you have to do (granted, it's a helluva big "all") to wrap this one up is reunite Alexander's empire and "defeat" Qarthadasht (namely, conquer and sack Qarthadasht and as many major cities as you deem necessary.) If you could somehow accomplish that, you would become a living god in the eyes of the Org.
One thing that I didn't mention in the chapter was that I had just crushed two full-stack armies on Kart-Hadast in Kyrenaia. When I noticed that this was almost their entire military, I couldn't pass up an invasion of Africa. They really don't stand a chance.

A very tense chapter! I very much like your new style, it makes the AAR so much more Novel-like, not only like retelling a game. I can hardly wait for the next chapter!:2thumbsup:
Thanks, I was trying to get more into the characters. It is much more fun to write with more details too.

[Kuningaz]

So glad this AAR is still alive, it's simply the best.

Keep going

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Chapter 42 : Africa and the Median War (Part I)

As the cold winter of 188BC hits the lands of the east, the forces of Makedonia settle into their camps or cities where garrisoned for the long winter. In the mountains of Media, however, there are armies marching across the snow, to betray the only friend the young nation has ever known. Years earlier Media had secured a ceasefire with the Arche Seleukeia and moved their forces westward. Now the armies of Media march northward in a surprise attack of Antigonid controled Armenia:
https://img247.imageshack.us/img247/1254/maa2304go4.jpg

Spies had seen the army approaching and reported it to the garrison at Phraaspa. Lysippos now risks his army in the winter weather, by setting up camp near a bridge just to the south of Phraaspa. Lysippos knows that it was not quite cold enough to freeze the river, but the temperture of the water would kill anyone who tries to ford it. If an army hopes to cross into the Arche Makedonia, they would first need to take this bridge:
https://img247.imageshack.us/img247/549/maa2306bd2.png

Lysippos is the son-in-law of Euboulides, the youngest son of Antigonos who had just recently died. When Euboulides had taken all of his sons and invaded Bosphoria, Lysippos was left in charge of the Egrisi territory. Lysippos is a plain man with no great talents in any area, and he did not seek war. When the Kingdom of Hayasdan attacked the Arche Makedonia, however, he lead the war against the enemy and invaded Armenia. After Armenia had fallen, he moved his army to Phraaspa and liberated it from the Arche Seleukeia.

The army of Lysippos itself was an odd assortment. The core of the army were Hellenes, trained in the Makedonike military style, who had been brought into the Antigonid military during the time of the alliances with Hellas. Their recruitment and deployment to Pontos, in fact had weakened their city states to a degree and allowed Perseus and Chrysoloras more ease in securing power over all of Hellas. In the initial battles with the Kingdom of Hayasdan, Euboulides had lead these men until they were garrisoned in Egrisi. Reinforced by Pontic Hellenes, Armenian archers, and steppe cavalry, the army was then transfered to Lysipppos' command and had defeated the Kingdom of Hayasdan.

Now, Lysippos and an army of Hellenes far from home defend a small bridge against an sudden surprise attack from what was thought to be an ally. Lysippos is ready for the enemy, as they approach he has his superior number of archers opens fire on them:
https://img338.imageshack.us/img338/3639/maa2307np0.png

Taking losses from Lysippos' archers, the Medians charge across the bridge. On the other side they meet a waiting wall of pikes:
https://img508.imageshack.us/img508/9014/maa2308hd9.png

Before the battle can even begin, however, the Medians break and flee back to their own territory. They had hoped to take the area by complete surprise and they were not prepared for Lysippos to be guarding the bridge:
https://img508.imageshack.us/img508/7899/maa2310qx3.png

Lysippos gives chase with his cavalry, but is stopped by a single unit of Armenian refugee spearmen, who buy enough time for the rest of the army to escape:
https://img508.imageshack.us/img508/4545/maa2311km2.png

Between the archers and the cavalry pursute, Lysippos manages to eliminate half the enemy forces:
https://img136.imageshack.us/img136/7091/maa2312ue9.jpg

Message is sent through Armenia, Van, Sophene, Assyria, and Babylon to Bykoli, but by the time he hears of the battle he already knows of the Median betrayal of the alliance. One new piece of information is sent from Lysippos in the letter, that interests Bykoli. Lysippos sends word of the Median military system. Alexandros had destroyed the Achaemenid military system and the Arche Seleukeia had depended on Makedones for the core of their military. With no Makedones willing to fight for them and no local elites, the newly formed nation of Media lacks any elite core for their military. They can raise large armies, but they can field nothing that could stand up to the Makedonike military system.

With this information and further information from spies, Bykoli sends word back to Lysippos that he may proceed at his own discression, defending or even invading the Kingdom of Media. Yet Bykoli does give warning that if Lysippos encounters too much trouble, it would be impossible to send reinforcements from Babylonia to reinforce him. Until the coastal regions of Babylonia are taken from the Arche Seleukeia, Bykoli cannot move his forces out. He does promise, however, that when the coastal cities fall, he will send reinforcements and personally invade Media.

As a new war is starting just north of him, Aristotelis is forced to defend the city of Sousa against forces of the Arche Seleukeia, who were also beginning to suffer from a lack of well trained elite soldiers. Appearing before the citizens of the city one of only a few times, Aristotelis personally leads his loyal men in defence of the city:
https://img159.imageshack.us/img159/9089/maa2313sl2.png

Aristotelis leads his men out of the city and lines up to face the Seleukid troops. As his men slowly march forward, Aristotelis leads a cavalry charge against the enemy flank. The initial charge is devistating and the cavalry begin to mop up any resistance:
https://img159.imageshack.us/img159/2630/maa2315lc0.png
[I like the eastern wall with the huge greek temple sticking out above it.]

With their flank crushed, the Seleukid army turns and flees before the two lines of infantry can even begin their fight:
https://img159.imageshack.us/img159/6420/maa2317ka8.png

Aristotelis wins the day, but not much is gained or lost by either side in the battle:
https://img508.imageshack.us/img508/4138/maa2318gx5.jpg

Aristotelis returns to the ancient palace of Sousa and returns to his withdrawn lifestyle. Messagers reach Bykoli, not without difficutly, and tell him of his father's battle. Bykoli sends word back of his plans for the war with Media and the planned invasion of Seleukid coastal holdings, but Aristotelis does not respond.

Perhaps spreading from Sinai, a plague hits the great city of Memphis and affects every last person, including Asklepiodoros Grenideus, the last of the nobile Grenideus family who had been the original administrators of Aigyptos just after Demetrios' conquest:
https://img136.imageshack.us/img136/7497/maa2319xx6.png

North of Memphis in the giant city of Alexandreia, great panhellenic games are founded. The first major games outside of Hellas, the Arche Makedonia funds an improved version of the games held at the Ptolemaia, proving that the Antigonids are greater that the Ptolemaioi in all aspects, to the citizens of Aigyptos:
https://img159.imageshack.us/img159/7746/maa2268le4.jpg

Far to the west of their, Antisthenes besieges the great port city of Lepki, Prince Neokles besieges the city of Ippone, and Pyrrhos besieges Adrumento just south of Kart-Hadast. In an unexplainably daft move, a small army from Kart-Hadast moves to attack Pyrrhos and his first-born son, Sotades, while besieging Adrumneto. General Theopropides from the city then marches his garrison out of the city in an equally stupid move and assists in the battle:
https://img136.imageshack.us/img136/4431/maa2321dg4.png

Pyrrhos decides to possition his men around a large stone outcropping. He moves his phalangitai to counter the forces from the city while the Samnites circle around one side of the stone and his son leads the cavalry around the other side to face the small army from Kart-Hadast:
https://img253.imageshack.us/img253/1231/maa2322ys9.png

While the cavalry wipe out the Qarthadastism missile throwing machines, the Samnites hold down their infantry:
https://img136.imageshack.us/img136/6696/maa2324xj8.png

Sotades is young and inexperienced, but successfully leads a charge at the Qarthadastism men and breaks the small army from Kart-Hadast. While he chases the enemy from the field, the second Qarthadastism army approaches from the city of Adrumento but Pyrrhos and the phalangitai are ready for them:
https://img253.imageshack.us/img253/2968/maa2325ds4.png

The comparible disipline and training between the two armies is clear as the two lines clash and the Qarthadastism men break their formation and loose all cohession. Sotades returns from the chase of the other army and possitions his men to charge at the enemy rear:
https://img136.imageshack.us/img136/7320/maa2326wm3.png

Sotades charged his cavalry down the battle line and soon the entire Qarthadastism army is breaking and fleeing. In the midst of the battle Sotades looks up and notices the enemy general attempting to flee. Signalling to his men, he orders all the cavalry to give chase:
https://img136.imageshack.us/img136/8190/maa2327yr4.png

General Theopropides falls dead and Sotades turns the cavalry around to finish off all the remaining infantry. Almost no enemy survive and the city of Adrumento falls to Pyrrhos and his son:
https://img253.imageshack.us/img253/4062/maa2329hq5.jpg

In looting the city, Pyrrhos gains a level of wealth previously unavailable to him. The new found money grants him greater influence in the Antigonid court:
https://img136.imageshack.us/img136/603/maa2330mc2.jpg

After holding the city for about a year, Pyrrhos sails northward with his army, leaving Adrumento in the hands of his son and the Sikilian army:
https://img108.imageshack.us/img108/826/maa2336xg8.png

Back in Babylonia, the forces of the Arche Seleukeia march northward from their coastal holdings an attempt to retake their lost capital:
https://img136.imageshack.us/img136/6835/maa2331nf6.png

Bykoli and his friend/son-in-law Pefkolaos prepare the army and march them out to face the army of Aristodikides Lampsakou Troikes. Bykoli has the definate advantage, as he not only control the defensive position but has the advantage of experienced professional soldiers, while the enemy only has various conscripted levies.

When the Seleukid soldiers notice Bykoli mobilizing his army, they attempt to move to a more defendable place. This act, however, leaves them vulnerable to the archers on the walls of the city:
https://img253.imageshack.us/img253/8984/maa2332oz5.png

Taking losses from the archers and seeing the massive army moving against them, the army of the Arche Seleukeia turns and flees. Pefkolaos leads the cavalry in pursute of the enemy. Forced with pursuing enemies, a small group of spearmen turn to stop the charge. Pefkolaos charges straight into them and begins to cut through them. Bykoli, who had lagged behind joins the fight a bit late, but the cavalry know who is their true leader:
https://img136.imageshack.us/img136/6984/maa2334lg9.png

The battle results in yet another undecided outcome between the Arche Makedonia and the Arche Seleukeia:
https://img253.imageshack.us/img253/6105/maa2335vw0.jpg

To the north, the unmilitaristic Lysippos defeats the Median army near Phraaspa [which I forgot to take screenshots of] and marches his men south. By the following autumn, Lysippos and his army are besieging the Median capital of Ekbatana. Ekbatana has a massive population and massive garrison, but the complete lack of any elites prevent the garrison from attempting a counter attack:
https://img253.imageshack.us/img253/5121/maa2337pq4.png

Far south from their, another town is besieged, this time it is the Antigonid town of Pselkis:
https://img297.imageshack.us/img297/884/maa2339ci7.png

The aging Harpalos Kyphios manages to repel the Nubian army with few losses. Every loss, however is difficult to replace. Many Aigyptians and Makedones were granted land in the area in exchange for military service, but other than those men the area lacks any soldier class. As a result, Harpalos Kyphios begins to import soldiers from the south, both from Nubia and Aithiopia, to help garrison the city:
https://img206.imageshack.us/img206/5417/maa2340qn4.jpg

As things settle down for another winter, a few minor events occur around the Arche. In Illyria, a small army of Illyrian locals turn on the Arche and raid their own towns in the area, all in exchange for Median gold. The local garrison puts down the revolt, but it makes the locals uneasy:
https://img297.imageshack.us/img297/7149/maa2341ms5.jpg

In Seleukeia, Bykoli studies at the schools of the east. Merging his knowledge of warfare in the east and the west, he increases his skills in war, if only slightly:
https://img443.imageshack.us/img443/7392/maa2342db9.jpg

At the same time, an army from the city of Babylon, on oders from Bykoli, marches south. Faced with the chance of another siege or various counter attacks, Bykoli is unable to leave the city of Seleukeia undefended. Seeking to prove their loyalty to their new masters, the people of Babylon raise an army and march south to fight the Seleukids while Bykoli defends their homeland:
https://img443.imageshack.us/img443/355/maa2343lc9.png

And on the African front, they city of Lepki falls to the forces of the Arche Makedonia. With the fall of the city, all of the coastal region between Kyrene and Adrumento surrender and become part of the Arche Makedonia:
https://img297.imageshack.us/img297/3310/maa2345ky8.jpg

The known world in 186BC:
https://img297.imageshack.us/img297/2332/hxmak186fj9.png

Next: Chapter 43 : The Age of Seiges and the Median War (Part II)

[Zenith Darksea]

Now THAT is an empire.

[White_eyes:D]

Now THAT is an empire.

NO KIDDING:jawdrop:

Kept going Marcus finish those Medians:egypt:

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

Cool. Want an advice? Betray the Lusos! They have three provinces in sw spain which are extremely rich with mines. And a great empire like yours need money I know. Plus you'd have a much better border on the Pyrenees.

[Hooahguy]

good job MAA!

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thanks.

I was thinking about attacking the "Iberian Confederacy", but they are one of my closest allies. It is kind of funny that the two places I want to invade in Europe are my closest friends, Getai and Lusotanna. I guess they know I want their lands and are kissing up to me.

Now that Lusotanna has upset the balance in Europe, however, I think war is all but inevitable... to restore balance. Iberia could fall in about a year. Their entire army is in Gaul waging war and completely trust me on their coastline.

[IndianPrince]

The Sun shall never set on the Makedonian Empire ... :thumbsup:

Prince

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Chapter 43 : The Age of Seiges and the Median War (Part II)

Pyrrhos had besieged the Qarthadastism city they called Atiqa for only a short while before reinforcements from the city of Kart-Hadast, itself, move in to attack him in an attempt to lift the siege of the city. Although the Qarthadastism armies consisted of elites, they have no general and are much to eager for battle:
https://img183.imageshack.us/img183/7742/maa2346te0.png

Having the advantage of being on the defence, Pyrrhos positions his men on a wooded ridge near an old burned out estate. Facing only a small number of enemies, Pyrrhos orders his men into a deep formation and takes advantage of the forests at his flanks:
https://img183.imageshack.us/img183/7901/maa2348ck8.png

Without even waiting for their reinforcements, the Qarthadastism soldiers of the first army march up the hill to engage Pyrrhos' men:
https://img183.imageshack.us/img183/7474/maa2349gx3.png

As the African elites engage the Pezhetairoi, Pyrrhos orders his cavalry to move around his own right flank and attempt to gain position to the enemy's rear:
https://img182.imageshack.us/img182/1138/maa2350ay2.png

Lacking a noble mind to keep discipline, the Qarthadastism elites begin to to break formation. The Pezhetairoi, however, hold their formation, and the conclusion of the battle becomes known to all:
https://img183.imageshack.us/img183/6943/maa2352rm8.png

Pyrrhos, always calm and patient, doesn't rush the battle. Before he can even make a tactical move, the enemy begins to break and flee into the hills. His well disciplined men hold their ground as his slingers fire on the fleeing men:
https://img148.imageshack.us/img148/4391/maa2351od7.png

Pyrrhos, ever the practical man, ignores any preceived loss of honor in the act and ordered his cavalry to cut down ever last retreating man. The cavalry is in perfect position, too, charging in from the side and wiping out every last man.

With pride and discipline, the Pezhetairoi hold their position, denying looting their fallen enemies or attacking the routers, and stand firm. Only a great general could have such respect that his men would stand their ground with such richly ordorned defeated enemies just in front of them:
https://img148.imageshack.us/img148/5002/maa2354ih6.png

As the last of the enemy fall under foot of the Illyrian cavalry, lances are spotted cresting a hill, as the garrison of the city of Aqita arrives, though too late to reinforce the battle:
https://img182.imageshack.us/img182/1595/maa2353zw4.png

Pyrrhos repositions his men to face the new enemy, who simply march straight up and confront the Pezhetairoi battle line:
https://img148.imageshack.us/img148/8854/maa2356pn7.png

Personally leading the cavalry this time, Pyrrhos charges in on the enemy rear, immerging from the woods, just after the infantry clash begins, and brakes the remaining enemies:
https://img148.imageshack.us/img148/3206/maa2357gi5.png

Suffering few losses, Pyrrhos takes the field and marches on the city. Not a single Qarthadastism soldier had managed to flee back to the city and Pyrrhos takes it without a fight:
https://img182.imageshack.us/img182/3892/maa2358us3.jpg

The city's population, and in fact the entire region's population, is too large to manage without inevitable rioting and uprisings. Pyrrhos is thus forced to dislocate many people and even enslave portions of the enemy, to be sent back to the east. As Pyrrhos does this in Aqita, Neokles does similar to the west in the city of Ippone. Surrendering without a fight, the city of Ippone falls into Neokles' hands. Just like his father, he has thus failed to win an actual battle the a war he started.

In order to win over the remaining peoples, in the regions from Ippone to Lepki, Neokles enacts several decrees that harm the nobles but help the peasant classes. First and foremost, Neokles orders low taxes in the newly conquered regions. Secondly, he orders that the great noble farms of the Phoenicians be torn down and then issues land grants to the common people, winning over many of the peasant classes:
https://img514.imageshack.us/img514/5558/maa2369jc2.jpg

To the far east, the allied Babylonian army still besieges the coastal cities and ports at the base of Babylonia, yet the armies of the Arche Seleukeia do nothing to counter them.

And in Media, Lysippos continues his siege of the Median capital of Ekbatana, and at first the siege is uneventful. After about a year, several armies of the Median arrive from the the east to assist those isolated within their capital. The first, consisting mostly of untrained peasants, attacks in the autumn of 186BC:
https://img503.imageshack.us/img503/4326/maa2359nd3.png

As the battle begins, it is clear the the forces from the city are incapible or unwilling to join their brethen. The Medians are slow to attack and at first only move between Lysippos and the city. Lysippos doesn't risk attacking and simply rotates his battle line to face the enemy:
https://img141.imageshack.us/img141/1447/maa2361xp2.png

As the vanguard of the enemy approach to test the line, they suffer causualties under a rain of arrows:
https://img503.imageshack.us/img503/2051/maa2362at3.png

After suffering losses, the entire Median army moves forward and runs through the line of trees. As the enemy approach, the Lysippos steadies his men as they prepare for combat:
https://img503.imageshack.us/img503/5894/maa2363ba2.png

For many of the enemy, the battle is very short. Soon, they break and start fleeing into the woods. To prevent them from regrouping, Lysippos orders his steppe cavalry to give chase and cut them all down:
https://img141.imageshack.us/img141/8002/maa2364wo7.png

Perhaps as a feigned retreat or perhaps simply because the regained their courage, one group of fleeing spearmen turn as the cavalry approach and present their spears. The steppe cavalry breaks off quickly, but not before taking many losses:
https://img503.imageshack.us/img503/6251/maa2365qz4.png

The steppe cavalry break off their pursuit and return the battle line. By this time, however, the battle is over. The enemy retreat, but they soon reform and are joined by the city garrison, arriving late. They do not attack again this day, and the two battle lines stand silently watching eachother until sunset:
https://img401.imageshack.us/img401/3084/maa2367jg9.png
https://img503.imageshack.us/img503/5370/maa2366yl3.png

Lysippos holds his ground, but he fails to draw the city defenders into battle and the Medians hold their capital:
https://img141.imageshack.us/img141/9242/maa2368hs1.jpg

Lysippos and his men begin to settle in once more for the siege, but only a few months later, as the first snows cover the ground, another army from the east moves against him:
https://img401.imageshack.us/img401/1522/maa2370vb2.png

With the city garrison once again delayed, Lysippos' army waits in a snowstorm for the enemy to arrive:
https://img401.imageshack.us/img401/9112/maa2372rs4.png

The enemy slowly marches forward until they come within bow range. Then, charging forward, the ran through a downpore of snow and arrow:
https://img112.imageshack.us/img112/7350/maa2373nq2.png

Very few Median soldiers even survive to reach the battle line and those who turned to flee tak arrows in their backs and fall dead on the field. Lysippos' army easily wins the day and crushes the enemy army before the Ekbatana garrison could even mobilize:
https://img112.imageshack.us/img112/4386/maa2374tg0.png

Even on the far side of the Arche, more Median treachery is seen. In northern Italia, a small army of Gallic allies, turns against the Arche Makedonia and takes Median gold to loot the countryside. Loyal Gallic garrisons quickly puts them down, and a detachment from the spy network watching over the Romaioi quietly removes those agents of Media who had made the deal:
https://img112.imageshack.us/img112/7523/maa2375jn9.jpg

Spring reaches Media, but there is no reprieve for Lysippos. Once more, an army from the east throws itself at Lysippos and his men:
https://img179.imageshack.us/img179/8119/maa2376xw9.png

The mountains still hold their winter snow, but down in the valleys the spring growth has begun and the armies are forced to fight in shoulder length grasses:
https://img112.imageshack.us/img112/7595/maa2378kk3.png

The Medians spare no time in intiating the battle. As soon as they are on the field, they charge forward and engage Lysippos' phalangitai. The Makedonike phalangitai hold their line and the battle starts off well:
https://img338.imageshack.us/img338/6867/maa2379mx4.png

To the left, an small group of Medians attempt to flank the battle line but are quickly countered by the Pontic Peltastai:
https://img338.imageshack.us/img338/4498/maa2380ph6.png

The battle is fierce but very short. The small Median army doesn't stand long and soon retreats. The retreat is quickly followed by the deployment of the Ekbatana garrison, however. The garrison lines up on the far side of the field but does not initiate battle.

They attempt skirmishing a few times, but are pushed back by a rain of arrows from Lysippos' Armenian bowmen:
https://img112.imageshack.us/img112/4681/maa2381eg6.png

Skirmishing for hours, Lysippos' archers soon run out of ammo. The Medians, however, still have a supply and harrass the battle line from afar. Lysippos orders a counterattack. Charging forward, under a rain of arrows, the Pontic Peltastai charge the enemy archers and manage to route them:
https://img183.imageshack.us/img183/5791/maa2382om0.png

Once both side are depleted of ammo or archers, the battle comes to a complete halt. Once again, the two armies face eachother until sunset:
https://img112.imageshack.us/img112/7890/maa2383xv3.png

Crushing the last of the eastern armies, Lysippos once again settles in to besiege the city of Ekbatana, confident that he has broken the enemy's back:
https://img112.imageshack.us/img112/2571/maa2384vm9.jpg

As the campaigning season of 185BC begins, an army of Iberians and Hellenes from Iberia arrives in Africa. Transferring the garrison of Ippone to their control, Neokles marches out and to the east, to the great city of Kart-Hadast. With fleets cutting the city off from the sea, Neokles, heir to the throne, besieges the city walls and prepares for a long seige:
https://img183.imageshack.us/img183/5382/maa2385lk9.png

Just north of there, an earthquake shakes the straits between Sikilia and Italia. Though few die, many take it as a sign, though the meaning of the sign is different to each man:
https://img186.imageshack.us/img186/6939/maa2392hk6.png

The summer also brings disturbing news. Since the breaking of the Romani back at the start of the Romani War, the only powers in the known world were the Arche Makedonia, the Arche Seleukeia, and the city of Kart-Hadast. Now, the Arche Seleukeia is broken and fading away, and the city of Kart-Hadast is under siege and destined to fall. The only remaining power should be the Arche Makedonia, but news from the east says otherwise. The rebel satrapy of the Arche Seleukeia, in Baktria, has filled the void of the Arche Seleukeia and raised great armies. Having forced the steppe nomads into submission, crushed the nation of Pahlav, and continually winning battles against Gandhara, the small nation of Baktria is considered by some to have even surpassed the Arche Makedonia in power and greatness:
https://img186.imageshack.us/img186/2741/maa2386bc5.jpg

Word reached Aristotelis in Sousa, but he doesn't seem overly concerned. He had secured the city and knows that nobody could take it by force while his army lives. Outside of his immediate area of influence, he doesn't mind much that is happening. He is a great man, but age, anger, and paranoia have gotten to him. As he reached his 70th year, he has given up on acheiving anything further and simply tries to relax:
https://img183.imageshack.us/img183/9056/maa2387mc3.png

Sieges continue all around the Arche Makedonia. In Africa, Neokles besieges the great port city of Kart-Hadast and the last of her armies. In Media, Lysippos settles in for the siege of Ekbatana, hopefully undisturbedd. And in southern Babylonia, the allied army of Babylonians besiege the city of Charax at the river delta. In Seleukeia, Bykoli prepares his army, having receintly received a new deployment of elephants from Demetreia.

The known world in 185BC:
https://img183.imageshack.us/img183/9523/hxmak185xs3.png

Next: Chapter 44 : The Battle of Karchedon

[Reverend Joe]

That little blue smudge is more advanced than your mighty empire?! :stunned:

Well, MAA, I think you found your climactic ending. :2thumbsup:

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

I always wondered what makes for being "the most advanced faction". Your Baktria is nice though. Mine is again a giant blue mass in the steppe.

When Karchedon has fallen, will you recolour the Carthies and call them Numidia? I forgot how you did that.

[Chirurgeon]

Your endurance is monumental...keep it up and thanks for supporting my latest AAR!

[Hax]

When Karchedon has fallen, will you recolour the Carthies and call them Numidia? I forgot how you did that.

It's actually quite simple. You go into the descr_sm_factions in the EB/data/ folder, and there you change the primary_colour and secondary_colour to the colour of your liking.

[Reality=Chaos]

*Cackles like a maniac* Its Alive! It's Alive.

Wow two more execellent updates. Do you have any idea how the pahlav/maurya are doing? anything on their army composition?

[Basileus Seleukeia]

Man, how can you keep putting out so great chapters? I enjoy every single one of them very much, and now I've even got a reason not to look forward to the 1.1 release: It will stop this AAR. But well, that's how things go, the earth will still turn and turn.

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

It's actually quite simple. You go into the descr_sm_factions in the EB/data/ folder, and there you change the primary_colour and secondary_colour to the colour of your liking.
Thanks Haxos! And how do you change the name?

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

That little blue smudge is more advanced than your mighty empire?! :stunned:

Well, MAA, I think you found your climactic ending. :2thumbsup:

I always wondered what makes for being "the most advanced faction". Your Baktria is nice though. Mine is again a giant blue mass in the steppe.
I'm not sure what makes the most advanced faction, as far as game dynamics goes, but I think it has something to do with who has more large cities and advanced structures.

Baktria behaved quite well in this campaign. They went to war with Saka Rauka pretty early on and made them a protectorate. Since the only diplomacy the AI seems to respect is AI on AI protectorates, there is a pretty good garentee that Baktria will never go north. I wish they would have gone to war with AS as some point in the game, though.

When Karchedon has fallen, will you recolour the Carthies and call them Numidia? I forgot how you did that.
I was thinking of making a Numidia/Mauretania alliance out of the remaining Carthaginian territories. They can only recruit Numidians, elephants, and Liby-Phoenicians in those areas, anyways. (LP make up about 90% of the recruitment in those provinces, though. :wall: )

Color change is in the "descr_sm_factions.txt" and names are in the "text/expanded_bi.txt".

Your endurance is monumental...keep it up and thanks for supporting my latest AAR!
Thank you. I was thinking of invading Iberia in honor of your current AAR. :laugh4:

*Cackles like a maniac* Its Alive! It's Alive.

Wow two more execellent updates. Do you have any idea how the pahlav/maurya are doing? anything on their army composition?
Thanks.

At first, their armies were mostly Indian Spearmen and Indian Longbowmen. Once they expanded into Iran, they started recruiting locally (since the AI seems to recruit the bulk of its army from their front lines), so they started to have a lot of archer-spearmen and skirmisher cavalry. I haven't checked much lately, but they must have upgraded some of their MICs in India because I've seen some of those Guild-Warrior guys in their army.

They aren't standing up well against Baktria, whatever they are fielding, though.

Man, how can you keep putting out so great chapters? I enjoy every single one of them very much, and now I've even got a reason not to look forward to the 1.1 release: It will stop this AAR. But well, that's how things go, the earth will still turn and turn.
Thank you, kind sir. I'll try to keep moving forward, if only to get the record for longest AAR. :sweatdrop:

[IndianPrince]

WOW !!! This is one is a biggie. Btw ... r the Mauryans loosing BECAUSE they are fielding Iranian units instead of Indian ? >_> .... <_< ... lol ... just curious :P

Prince

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

I was thinking of making a Numidia/Mauretania alliance out of the remaining Carthaginian territories. They can only recruit Numidians, elephants, and Liby-Phoenicians in those areas, anyways. (LP make up about 90% of the recruitment in those provinces, though. :wall: )

Color change is in the "descr_sm_factions.txt" and names are in the "text/expanded_bi.txt".
Thanx. :2thumbsup:

[Ower]

This AAR is made of epic win dude, love it from the first page to the most recent one.

And thanx you and hax for the hint on changing the colours.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thanks. And no problem, guys.

WOW !!! This is one is a biggie. Btw ... r the Mauryans loosing BECAUSE they are fielding Iranian units instead of Indian ? >_> .... <_< ... lol ... just curious :P

Prince
I don't know, but they conquered most of the Iranian platau using Indian units then started losing once they were fielding Iranians. :beam: Though, part of that fact was that defeating AS was easy for them, but Baktria is putting up a bigger fight.

[Justinian II]

Again, chiming up in support of your decidedly Epic AAR.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Chapter 44 : The Battle of Karchedon

War continued to be waged on the eastern front of the Arche Makedonia, but in the west only one city stood in opposition to the great empire. The colonies and sub-cities of Kart-Hadast had been conquered one by one and now only the great city of Kart-Hadast herself remains in defiance. To the west, the Numidians, allies to Kart-Hadast remain loyal, but there loyalty is in name only, as they seem to be in no rush to save the city which had subjugated them.

Finally, after nearly two years, an army of Numidian, Lybian, and Garamantian allies arrive at Kart-Hadast. In an attempt to save their allies, they attack Neokles and offer an oppertunity for the Qarthadastism army to counterattack:
https://img148.imageshack.us/img148/9586/maa2393rr6.png

As the battle begins, however, the forces of Kart-Hadast are nowhere to be seen. For the time, her allies must fight alone, if only to buy time for the Qarthadastism elites to assemble:
https://img291.imageshack.us/img291/8178/maa2394gj3.jpg

Expecting to fight on two fronts, Neokles has his men deploy in defensive formation. Only facing an enemy from one side now, he quickly orders his men to reform as a single line and face the one approaching army:
https://img247.imageshack.us/img247/4214/maa2395oi4.png

Neokles is son of Aristotelis and next in line to the throne of Makedonia. When he came of age and took on duties as a member of the royal family, his grandfather was secretly disappointed in him. Demetrios knew that this man would one day inheirit the throne and had hoped that his grandchild would be a great man.

Neokles was a good leader and worthy of his position, but he is no great man. Neokles is smart, trustworthy, generous, and loved by the people, but he is also lazy and gloomy. Neokles showed no signs of seeking any greatness as a child, and when he came of age his grandfather forced him into the Spartan Agoge, in the hope of drilling some disciple into him. He completed the Agoge, but did not excede at it.

After he completed his training, he joined his grandfather in Massalia on the request of his father. There he bonded with his grandfather and earned the respect of the royal army. And when Demetrios died, Neokles was the only family member there by his side. After returning Demetrios to Aigai, Neokles conquered Toloso but soon returned to Massalia where he settled down for much of the rest of his life. When threats from Gauls increased, he moved the army back to Tolosa, but engage in no battle at that time.

Finally, when the Hellenic colonies sought help fighting against Kart-Hadast forces in Iberia, Neokles found his war. Though the early part of this war was simply fought by Hellenes and Iberians who were allied with the Arche Makedonia, Neokles was the one who finally defeated the last armies of Kart-Hadast in Iberia, allowing the Iberian Alliance to liberate their subcontinent.

When his father went eastward, seeking battle, Neokles realized that the fate of the Arche was in his and his brother's hands. It was then that Neokles began assembling armies to invade Africa. Aristotelis had ignored Kart-Hadast, wanting to expand eastward an reunite the empire of Alexandros. Neokles, however, had fought against them and realized the only way to keep them from comming back and attempting to retake Iberia and the islands was to burn the city of Kart-Hadast to the ground. So, with the support of Pyrrhos and his family, Neokles attacked Africa.

Now, the gloomy, 'educated', slightly paranoid Neokles is on the doorstep of his hated enemy, with only two armies between him and his goal. Neokles calms his men and prepares them for the battle. Looking forward, they see, leading the enemy charge, cluster of great beasts barrelling forward. Neokles orders his archers and slingers to target the elephants and has his infantry brace themselves:
https://img291.imageshack.us/img291/7576/maa2396bs4.png
[Just so that you, reader, understand my tactics and fear, I'd like to mention that I adjusted the stats on elephants so that they were back to vanilla levels. After this battle and another one I decided I was going to lower it so it was somewher in between vanilla and EB stats, though I haven't done so yet.]

The enemy infantry charges forward and engage the Pezhetairoi. The elephants, however, halt and the archer on their backs begin to fire on Neokles' Bosphorian Archers:
https://img502.imageshack.us/img502/990/maa2397fb5.png

The elephants' delay proves useful to the Makedones. Soon the great beasts begin to panic, under so much fire. Charging away from the battle, the elephants begin to attack their own men:
https://img247.imageshack.us/img247/5404/maa2398am5.png

With the elephants out of the way, Neokles decides to make his move. Personally leading the Hetairoi, he circles around the right flank and charges in at the enemy soldiers waiting in reserve:
https://img291.imageshack.us/img291/214/maa2399tz2.png

With this move, the entire Numidian army breaks and turns to flee. Neokles takes this oppertunity to turn his Hetairoi back and charge the fleeing enemy. The Numidians take great losses and scatter into the hills.

As Neokles pursues the Numidians, the forces from Kart-Hadast finally show themselves. Seeing this, a small segment of the Numidians reform their line and regroup. Neokles orders his battleline to reform and face the forces of Kart-Hadast, then circles around the reformed Numidians:
https://img502.imageshack.us/img502/6298/maa2400aq4.png

The Hetairoi make another charge and easily break the remaining Numidians:
https://img291.imageshack.us/img291/8302/maa2401dd9.png

Neokles returns to the battle-line and deploys his Hetairoi on the left flank. While Neokles rests he army, the Qarthadastism does little. Their army is slow to battle and simply walks around deploying their troops. After a while, the cavalry of Kart-Hadast moves forward to scout the Makedonike line. Seeing his chance, Neokles once again leads the Hetairoi in a charge, this time against the Qarthadastism general, Muttines:
https://img247.imageshack.us/img247/1816/maa2402hv5.png

As Neokles engages the enemy general, a division of enemy cavalry charges in and joins the fight:
https://img209.imageshack.us/img209/8938/maa2403hy4.png

The clash takes much longer than Neokles had hoped and soon enemy spearmen approach the battle, coming to their general's aid. Neokles realizes he needs to retreat but comes up with a plan. Neokles turns his Hetairoi and retreats up the hill. The Qarthadastism citizen cavalry break off as well, but the enemy general pusues Neokles up the hill. As the cavalry force reach the top of the hill, the Basilikon Agema, who were hiding the grass along the top of the hill, charge in from the side and attack the Qarthadastism general:
https://img209.imageshack.us/img209/7807/maa2404dr3.png

Faced with heavy infantry, the enemy general doesn't stand long. In a panic, he and his bodyguard cowardly flee, all the way back to the city wall of Kart-Hadast:
https://img291.imageshack.us/img291/2407/maa2405id4.png

With the general leaving the battlefield, Neokles takes the oppertunity to finish off the last of the enemy cavalry:
https://img247.imageshack.us/img247/2203/maa2406zc9.png

As the last of the Qarthadastism cavalry is defeated, their spearmen begin to slowly withdraw the battle quiets down. The only activity is the enemy bolt throwers, firing from great distance and killing Neokles' Pezhetairoi:
https://img406.imageshack.us/img406/2667/maa2407ad9.png

Neokles moves his Hetairoi to the right flank, where he orders the right Basilikon Agema to move forward and take out the enemy artillery. Marching forward, unapposed, the Basilikon Agema engage the enemy artillery crew:
https://img252.imageshack.us/img252/632/maa2408zi4.png

This action finally gets the enemy's attention and they move in to save their artillery. The Basilikon Agema turns and falls back to the battle-line, but a lone soldier gets stranded behind:
https://img252.imageshack.us/img252/5972/maa2409jh6.png

Finally, the enemy begins to move forward and attack the Makedonike battle-line:
https://img529.imageshack.us/img529/3209/maa2410tk4.png
[One of those dots between the first and third enemy group on the right is that one stranded guy. He actually made it all the way through the battle and rejoined his group.]

On the right flank, the last division of Sacred Band infantry from the city of Kart-Hadast attacks the pikemen:
https://img528.imageshack.us/img528/7777/maa2412pn5.png

And in the center, elite Africans try to break through the line:
https://img252.imageshack.us/img252/56/maa2413ph4.png

Soon, all the enemy are fighting up against the Pezhetairoi pike line. The Basilikon Agema are then ordered to circle around both flanks. Charging in on the left...
https://img529.imageshack.us/img529/6268/maa2414al4.png

...and on the right, they engage the enemy from behind:
https://img170.imageshack.us/img170/5524/maa2415qj0.png

On the left flank, the Basilikon Agema is drawn from the main battle and is soon bogged down in a fight against Qarthadastism elites:
https://img134.imageshack.us/img134/9408/maa2416df9.png

Suffering causualties, the Basilikon Agema call for reinforcements. Circling around the left flank, the Bosphorians attack the enemy from the side and soon break them:
https://img72.imageshack.us/img72/1497/maa2418rd3.png

On the right flank, the Sacred Band holds their ground, though surrounded. As they fight, Neokles, too, circles his Hetairoi around the right flank and charges in from the rear at the enemy African pikemen:
https://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5100/maa2417ur4.png

Finally, the Sacred Band and the rest of the enemy on the right flank breaks and begins to flee. While the Hetairoi give chase, both flanks of Basilikon Agema move to the center of the battle and attack the last standing enemy:
https://img72.imageshack.us/img72/2395/maa2419rb4.png

The last of the enemy are wiped out, but Neokles fails to take the city. General Muttines and a handful of men make it back to the city and hide behind its triple wall. Fearing the losses that he would take assaulting the wall, Neokles once again settles in for the siege:
https://img72.imageshack.us/img72/2817/maa2420jn4.jpg

Once again, time passes with little happening in the Arche. While mercenaries pester the allies of Kart-Hadast in Garamana and Mauretania, Neokles is secure in his seige.

To the north, the Iberian Alliance continues their invasion of Gaul. This annoys the Arche Makedonia, as a balance of weak hostile powers is preferable to a strong power in the region, even a friendly one.

East of there, the Germanic Alliance, led by the Sweboz, continue their war with what remains of the Boii, north of the river Istros.

Further east, a general sense of balance remains in the steppes.

In the far east, the forces of the Arche Seleukeia try to retake Sousa once again:
https://img170.imageshack.us/img170/5818/maa2421zz0.png

With a nicely sized army of local archers to reinforce him, Aristotelis once again defends the city. None know at the time, but this is his last battle, and the last time he is ever seen alive by the common people:
https://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5885/maa2422at4.jpg

Even further east, Baktria continues to defeat the armies of Gandhara. News is spreading that the Mauryan Empire has fallen and Gandhara is forced to fight on their own, without support from eastern India. Baktria takes advantage of this news and begins an invasion of India, itself.

To the south of the Arche Makedonia, an unofficial alliance is established between Meroe, Aithiopia, and the Kingdom of Sab'yn. All three groups begin mobilizing their militaries and openly defying the Arche Makedonia. With an alliance between Sab'yn and Makedonia, the Arabs are hesitant to openning engage in battle.

Back in the Arche, after lengthy sieges, Charax and the port cities fall. Soon afterwards, Ekbatana, capital of Media, falls in the north:
https://img134.imageshack.us/img134/4201/maa2423iy1.jpg

These victories are celebrated for only a short time. Soon the news of these victories is dwarved by even greater news. In Sousa, Aristotelis falls ill during a feast and dies shortly afterwards:
https://img134.imageshack.us/img134/4599/maa2424nm5.jpg

The known world in 183BC, the year Aristotelis dies:
https://img72.imageshack.us/img72/4552/hxmak183editxq1.png

Next: Chapter 45 : The Two Kings

[IndianPrince]

WOW ... That was some nice piece of luck. Delaying of re-inforcements. Its happened only once to me :) ... anyhoo ... GR8 CHAPTER !!!!!!

Prince

[Chaotix]

Excellent chapter, MAA, keep it up! :2thumbsup:
And by the way, in regards to the name of your next chapter...
Two brothers sharing the throne, and the younger one is more skilled than the older one? Sounds like Alkyoneus and Demetrios to me. History repeats itself, I guess. A nice touch, even in the early and late stages in the empire, the monarchs' politics remain similar!

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

Yeah, you're going after the Lusos! :2thumbsup: With an empire like this the only thing left to do for you is go and burn the world.:smg: :whip:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

WOW ... That was some nice piece of luck. Delaying of re-inforcements. Its happened only once to me :) ... anyhoo ... GR8 CHAPTER !!!!!!

Prince
Thanks. It was quite fortunate that the second army was delayed. Though, even if they had come at the same time it probably wouldn't have been to difficult. Other than the elephants, the first army didn't really have anything challenging.

Excellent chapter, MAA, keep it up! :2thumbsup:
And by the way, in regards to the name of your next chapter...
Two brothers sharing the throne, and the younger one is more skilled than the older one? Sounds like Alkyoneus and Demetrios to me. History repeats itself, I guess. A nice touch, even in the early and late stages in the empire, the monarchs' politics remain similar!
Thanks.
Yeah, I gave the next chapter the same name as Chapter 1 because of the similarities. Unlike Demetrios, these two may be the end of the dynasty, however...
Yeah, you're going after the Lusos! :2thumbsup: With an empire like this the only thing left to do for you is go and burn the world.:smg: :whip:
I haven't declared war on Lusotannia yet (though I'm only a couple years passed this last chapter), but I may if they start causing more problems or they are able to gain the advantage in the current stalemate in Gaul. The Aedui would easily win the war if they were serious about it. They seem to be only putting about a third of their effort into fighting Luso, while putting two thirds into fighting the Arverni (allies to Luso). The Arverni however are able to hold their ground as they only have to defend against a single enemy.

Gades has been riotting. I think I'll 'help out' my Lusotannii alies by buying the town from them (giving me a better base for my eventual invasion of Iberia).

[Reality=Chaos]

Still epic, still a great AAR, still loving it:laugh4: :2thumbsup: :2thumbsup: :2thumbsup:

[Hax]

Next: Chapter 1: The Two Kings

Next: Chapter 45 : The Two Kings

I am sensing a pattern...

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Still epic, still a great AAR, still loving it:laugh4: :2thumbsup: :2thumbsup: :2thumbsup:
Thank you, kind sir.

I am sensing a pattern...
Indeed, but unlike last time, where there was mediocre leader and a great leader, both with sons, this time I have two poor leaders without any sons to carry on the family line.

[Chaotix]

Well, you could always let one of Alyoneus's grandsons take the throne... or maybe let Pyrhhos the Crippled be king... he seemed like a pretty good general

[Basileus Seleukeia]

I see you have lost none of your skills as a writer, MAA! The title of the next chapter and your dark comments to the royal line make me even more impatient towards the next update. I can hardly await it:2thumbsup:

[Reverend Joe]

Thanks.
Yeah, I gave the next chapter the same name as Chapter 1 because of the similarities. Unlike Demetrios, these two may be the end of the dynasty, however...
Aw, man, don't do that, that's cheap. :thumbsdown: Roleplaying a loss is the coward's way out.

[Hax]

Well, he just said. They hae no sons :P

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Ha! I just finished a take-home final for a college class. Eleven essays requireing citation. That's why I haven't been around lately...

Now it's time to get back to my AAR. I had been hoping to post another update, to explain everything, but I obviously haven't been able to.

The problem with my family line is that Alkyoneus' line has died out and the two new guys are the last of Demetrios' line. Antigonos had a third son, and then there is always the decendants of Antigonos' cousin Alexandros (Pyrrhos being third born in the leading family there).

The way things are looking, I don't see how I can avoid civil war and was thinking of how to role-play that within the RTW engine. I was thinking of just pulling all of my forces back to Makedonia and disbanding half of them to simulate half being defeated... Or maybe I'll disband an army, then find some rebels and use codes to give them a bunch of Makedonian-like units and fight the rebels in a battle...

[Chirurgeon]

Ha! I just finished a take-home final for a college class. Eleven essays requireing citation. That's why I haven't been around lately...

Now it's time to get back to my AAR. I had been hoping to post another update, to explain everything, but I obviously haven't been able to.

The problem with my family line is that Alkyoneus' line has died out and the two new guys are the last of Demetrios' line. Antigonos had a third son, and then there is always the decendants of Antigonos' cousin Alexandros (Pyrrhos being third born in the leading family there).

The way things are looking, I don't see how I can avoid civil war and was thinking of how to role-play that within the RTW engine. I was thinking of just pulling all of my forces back to Makedonia and disbanding half of them to simulate half being defeated... Or maybe I'll disband an army, then find some rebels and use codes to give them a bunch of Makedonian-like units and fight the rebels in a battle...

I wish I was better at editing those files to simulate things. That is one thing (of many) that makes your AAR so great. It adds a great deal of realism. Congrats on finishing your take home final. Well at least a civil war would prevent your invasion of Iberia for a while at least.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

I wish I was better at editing those files to simulate things. That is one thing (of many) that makes your AAR so great. It adds a great deal of realism. Congrats on finishing your take home final. Well at least a civil war would prevent your invasion of Iberia for a while at least.
As you'll see in the next chapter (see below), I'll have time to engage in at least one more war before I have that civil war. Those dirty barbarians in Iberia might make a nice target. :egypt:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Chapter 45 : The Two Kings

The news of the death of Aristotelis spread across the world quite quickly. In the civilized, hellenistic portions of the Arche Makedonia, not much changes. Aristotelis has left the Arche years earlier and left the power with his sons. His death does not change much. In fact, across the Arche, the death of Aristotelis is treated more like the death of Demetrios' son, rather than the death of a Basileus. His most memorable aspect being that of relation to Demetrios.

In Armenia there was rioting, but it was light. In the Getic Confederation, the people mourn, for Aristotelis had been a friend to the Getai, the Thraikioi, and the Dacians. When Aristotelis was a young man he had visited the Getic Confederation and raised an army of local mercenaries, who he lead to victories against the Ptolemaioi.

The rest of the surrounding nations take the new differently. In Europe, the news is taken mostly as a minor event that doesn't concern them. Those in the north do nothing different, the Sweboz and the Boii continue their war. And the Gauls and the Iberian Alliance continued their war, not caring of news from their mighty neighbor. Kart-Hadast celebrates, for they assume that Neokles will break off his siege and return his army home for mourning. He does not.

To the east, the Seleukid Dynasty takes the news with glee. They immediately move against Sousa and besiege Aristotelis' army who hide behind its walls:
https://img341.imageshack.us/img341/6294/maa2431gl5.png

Aristotelis' army gives the dead Basileus all of his honors and burns his body in a funeral pyre. His ashes are collected for transport back to Aigai, but they also prepare to disperse them in secret, so that no enemy could claim them as a prize.

The army of Aristotelis is leaderless, but not defeated. They decide to come out from the city and face the enemy as Aristotelis would have done. And so they march forth and meet the enemy in the shadow of the walls of Sousa.

Fighting for the memory of their fallen leader, the Thraikioi charge the most elite enemy they could find and cut through them:
https://img341.imageshack.us/img341/1989/maa2432ij6.png

Seeing the fierce eyes of the Makedones and the Thaikioi, the Seleukid army hesitantly withdraws from the region and Aristotelis' army wins the day:
https://img264.imageshack.us/img264/1672/maa2433wp7.jpg

With the way home secure, the army of Aristotelis prepares to march westward and all the way back to Aigai, with the remains of their Basileus. This is disturbing new to Bykoli and Pefkolaos in Seleukeia, however. Bykoli had set in motion a plan to defeat the Seleukids in Babylonia and the fall of Sousa would bring an end to that plan and perhaps mean the loss of all of Babylonia, as well.

Bykoli sends a letter to the head of the garrison at Sousa requesting that he remain and hold the city, just long enough for Bykoli to secure Babylonia and to buy time for an army from Syria to move and replace Aristotelis' army in Suosa. Honoring the son of their beloved Basileus, the men agree to remain.

Bykoli and his friend / son-in-law Pefkolaos immediately move their army against all remaining Seleukid holdouts in Babylonia. With the fall of the coastal cities to the allied Bablyonian army, the Seleukids no longer have any supplies or have anywhere left to retreat to.

Bykoli engages the bulk of the Seleukid force in the palm forrest south of Sousa:
https://img523.imageshack.us/img523/3435/maa2434ht9.png

The Seleukid forces take a defensive stance, so Bykoli and Pefkolaos must march the army forward. Pefkolaos leads the cavalry on the left flank, while the elephants are deployed on the right flank:
https://img505.imageshack.us/img505/516/maa2436fy1.png

At first the Seleukids are hesitant to fight, so Bykoli orders that both flanks move around the enemy and attack from the sides:
https://img147.imageshack.us/img147/2508/maa2437ix3.png

The elephants prove quite effective against the enemy's light infantry, but are forced to withdraw as reinforcements move in:
https://img442.imageshack.us/img442/1846/maa2439ie3.png

The two armies meet, and among the giant palms fight eachother for the coasts of Babylonia:
https://img208.imageshack.us/img208/5456/maa2440av1.png

In the end, only one army can win and Bykoli manages to pull out a victory. The victory has cost his men greatly, however. After the battle, Bykoli and Pefkolaos are forced to withdraw all the way back to Syria and rebuild their army.

While in Syria, Bykoli is joined by his father's army who had been reinforced in Sousa and now are traveling west his his ashes. Bykoli leaves Pefkolaos in charge and joins them in their trip to Aigai. Once there, they take Aristotelis' remains to rest along-side those of his father. Due to their long service to Makedonia and they're willingness to stay in Sousa at Bykoli's orders, Bykoli gives large grants of land to each of Aristotelis' men and allows them to finally retire. Many of these men had been serving in the military their entire lives and had followed Aristotelis in his many battles. Now they finally have time to rest and live normal lives.

When Aristotelis died, he left both his son to rule the Arche. They were told that they would rule together, but Neokles would be the prime ruler. Thus, Neokles is declared Basileus of the Arche Makedonia, though he still remains in Africa:
https://img186.imageshack.us/img186/7343/maa2425wr2.jpg

The royal line looked as though it was approaching an end. Aristotelis had two sons and two daughters. Neither of his two sons had yet had a son of their own. The royal line could be continued through one of the female descendants of Aristotelis, or even one of the daughters of Demetrios or Alkyoneus, but it had been tradition to pass the reigns of power along the sons in the family. All the direct lines in Alkyoneus' family had ended and now Neokles and Bykoli were the last direct lines in Demetrios' family:
https://img181.imageshack.us/img181/483/maa2426fs8.png
[Aristotelis and his descendants]

Neokles is accepted as Basileus, but the Makedonike nobles are hesitant against Bykoli. Bykoli is dull, lazy, and quite a selfish man. He would often indulge himself in pointless feasts and entertainment, wasting money. He spent much of his luxury time with his soldiers and his good friend, Pefkolaos Idomeneus, husband of his daughter, rather than with nobles and his own family. This led to many rumors about his lifestyle.

Bykoli is extremely superstitious and engages in many odd practices, including an interest in foreign ways of thought and religion. He is also quite paranoid about disease and injury, avoiding those that may be ill and panicing over the slightest wound, sometimes resulting in increasing the threat of said wound. In the end, one of the biggest reasons that he is disliked is physical. Since he was young, he had an odd condition with his eyes. One of his eyes would not follow his vision and would often wander as he spoke. This, his low intellgence, and some of his early vices led people to believe that he was moron and should have been abandoned as a baby.

Bykoli had succeeded at war, but this success was widely contributed to his friend Pefkolaos and not earned by his own hand. Many of the Makedonike nobles said that Pefkolaos is the true power and Bykoli is only his puppet and his way to greater power. At this time, it looks as though Pefkolaos is lining himself up to be the successor to Bykoli once Neokles was dead. This threatens the nobles, who did not want a Thraikian on the Makedonike throne.

The nobles and those of the extended family began to consider where they would put their support, once Neokles was dead. They feared Bykoli, and the lines of Alkyoneus and Demetrios were at an end. Antigonos had had a third son, however, named Euboulides. Euboulides had been born when Antigonos was an old man, and thus, his house had never been a strongly supported branch of the family. Euboulides had since died, but his wife had given him three sons. All of his sons are now in Bosphoria and have never been involved in the politics of Makedonia. If not the sons of Euboulides, only one option remained: the descendants of Alexandros, nephew of Antigonos.

In the head family of this branch of the dynasty are three brothers, the sons of Nepos. First there is the eldest, Neikolas, liberator of Gaul and current governor of Massalia. His brother Gelon, governor of northern Italia. And finally the youngest, Pyrrhos, the great conqueror of Italia and Africa. Pyrrhos is well loved and has a strong family, with three sons of his own. Pyrrhos had also had the support of Demetrios and was now close friends with the newly crowned Neokles. Many nobles begin to support Pyrrhos even more than before, but not openly, fearing he might be eliminated by the sons of Aristotelis as a rival.

For now, succession is secure and the Arche Makedonia has a Basileus. With Aristotelis' death, a small wave of change comes over the Arche, mostly in an attempt to gain favor for Bykoli. From Syria, where Bykoli had returned to, Bykoli and Pefkolaos begin to administer the Arche, for Neokles is still besieging Kart-Hadast and unable to do so himself. Finishing a project originally commisioned by Aristotelis, but forgotten, the Persian Royal Road is rebuilt and upgraded. Using technology learned in Italia, the great road is rebuilt, all the way from Ionia to Elymais:
https://img509.imageshack.us/img509/8103/maa2427uy7.jpg

In Alexandreia, a great theater is built and dedicated to the memory of Aristotelis:
https://img179.imageshack.us/img179/7739/maa2428gm9.jpg

In Makedonia and Hellas, great farming estates are being built, so that more agricultural product could be produced from the hilly landscape of Hellas:
https://img179.imageshack.us/img179/3373/maa2430sx0.jpg

Not everything is easy, though. Less than a year after the death of Aristotelis, Asphalion, the hellenized Phoenician king of Judaea, dies. As a result, the allied state of Judaea begins to rebel. Moving in a Klerouchoi army from southern Syria and the coasts, Bykoli orders the town of Hierosolyma occupied and order restored. Promising the people continued freedom, Bykoli quickly chooses an new king and crowns him king of Judaea:
https://img509.imageshack.us/img509/8057/maa2429gc1.jpg

To the south, an even greater problem arises. Horemhotep, general of the king of Meroe who now calls himself Ptolemai VII, attacks the city of Pselkis:
https://img84.imageshack.us/img84/9311/maa2446nw8.png

This comes just weeks after Harpalos Kyphios, governor of Pselkis dies peacefully. Now his son-in-law, Admetos Datos, is left to command the garrison and defend the city without any practical military experience:
https://img255.imageshack.us/img255/6527/maa2447fo3.jpg

Admetos decides to march out of the city and engage the enemy, despite this and begins to move his men out. Seeing the Makedonike army deploying, the Nubian army moves to a defensive possition:
https://img212.imageshack.us/img212/1671/maa2448gv4.png

Horemhotep runs his cavlary back and in to position to get the far from the deploying Makedones, but Horemhotep fails to see Admetos deploying his cavalry through another gate. Seeing the enemy cavalry without infantry support, Admetos leads his own cavalry in a charge against them:
https://img255.imageshack.us/img255/2324/maa2449yd7.png

The Nubian general is quickly surrounded and Admetos' superior number of cavalry easily defeat the Nubian immitation Hetairoi:
https://img255.imageshack.us/img255/6760/maa2450ln2.png

As soon as Admetos' cavalry kill the Nubian general, they fall back and the main battle line, deploying from the other gateway, moves forward to confront the enemy infantry. Moving to the right flank, the Klerouchoi Peltastai open fire with their javelin on the enemy elephants:
https://img255.imageshack.us/img255/1641/maa2452dn4.png

Most of the elephants fall dead or dying and the remaining elephants, javelin sticking from their hides, panic and flee. With this move, the Klerouchoi Phalangitai move forward and confront the main line of enemy infantry. At the same time, Admetos leads his cavalry in a charge of the reserve line of enemy in the rear:
https://img120.imageshack.us/img120/8960/maa2453fc7.png

The enemy quickly breaks and flee back south, but the Admetos orders his army to pursue them. By the end of the day, the Makedonike army marches back to the city and leave a field of dead outside their walls:
https://img120.imageshack.us/img120/8744/maa2454ls6.png

Admetos wins the day and manages to kill an enemy general and wipe out an enemy army in his first true battle:
https://img120.imageshack.us/img120/520/maa2455wf1.jpg

Not only does Admetos win over his men, but he gains a good deal of knowledge of warfare in the battle that will serve him well when the Nubians inevitably return:
https://img120.imageshack.us/img120/9396/maa2456qh2.jpg

As time passes, things return to normal in the Arche Makedonia. To the west, the siege of Kart-Hadast continues and no further Numidian allies arrive to save the city. After almost three years of sieging the city and blockading her ports, the city begins to show signs of considering their defeat.

In Nabataia, and army of the Kingdom of Sab'yn moves in and begins to occupy areas long claimed as part of the Arche Makedonia. Though war is not officially declare between the nations, Bykoli orders reinforcements sent to the rebuilt, hellenized, colony-city of Bostra in northern Nabataia, in an attempt to disuade invasion:
https://img403.imageshack.us/img403/453/maa2457jj1.png

Bykoli would have moved in to engage the Sab'yn himself, in diplomacy or war, but he had already begun a march eastward. Seeking to draw the eastern wars to a conclusion, Bykoli and Pefkolaos move their retrained and replenished army through Elymais, to confront any who challenge them:
https://img120.imageshack.us/img120/995/maa2458ci3.png

The known world in the year 183BC:
https://img72.imageshack.us/img72/4552/hxmak183editxq1.png

Next: Chapter 46 : Our Lake

[Hax]

Yay! Update, woohooo!

Our lake, you're referring to the Mediterranean, righto?

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

Perhaps he is referring to that lake where the Keltoi would have sunk Hellenic loot... or did he already conclude that storyline? Can't remember...

Anyway, a very good and interesting chapter. :2thumbsup:

[Moosemanmoo]

Our lake, you're referring to the Mediterannean, righto?

My Moosey senses are tingling




Great update as always MAA, really liking this more character personal storytelling
:2thumbsup:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thanks guys. :bow:

The loot from the lake was already recovered a while back, by the new Basileus, Neokles, actually. So...

I hope I didn't get bogged down in the description of Bykoli, there.
Long story short: the nobles are fine with Neokles but don't like Bykoli.

[Strategos Alexandros]

I just finished reading this from start to finish in two days and it is without a doubt one of the best AARs in the history of EB! :2thumbsup: Looking forward to chapter 46. :whip:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

I just finished reading this from start to finish in two days and it is without a doubt one of the best AARs in the history of EB! :2thumbsup: Looking forward to chapter 46. :whip:
Thank you. :bow:

I've been sick and in bed the last few days and haven't had a chance to do anything, including working on my AAR. I think I'll start working on Ch46 tonight, though...

[Brave]

the best yet :smash:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Chapter 46 : Our Lake

As the time passed, the new generation of leaders take complete and secure control of the Arche Makedonia. In the east, Bykoli and Pefkolaos march against the remnants of Medians and the Arche Seleukeia. In the west, Neokles besieges the great port city of Kart-Hadast.

The siege of Kart-Hadast had lasted more than three years, but they are finally ready to talk. With their food and supplies completely diminished, the leadership of Kart-Hadast have no choice but unconditional surrender. Neokles proudly marches the royal army through the might gates and walls of Kart-Hadast:
https://img170.imageshack.us/img170/429/maa2459pk5.jpg

It isn't a historic military victory, but it is a great gain for the Arche Makedonia. Not only does the Arche gain control of the coasts and their trading, but also the fertile lands of Africa. With this victory, a mightly enemy is defeated and complete control of the Mesogeios Sea is gained. Although Iberians, Numidians, Mauretanians, and a few Phoenician colonists still control coast at the very west of the sea, none of them have a military fleet. The Makedonike navy, in fact, had already secured control of the Pillars of Hercules and now governs who comes and goes from the entrance to this sea. With complete control of the sea well in hand, a fleet sails from Rhodos, to tour the Mesogeios Sea and to hunt down every last pirate, raider, and rebel ship.

As for the great city of Kart-Hadast itself, Neokles is only mildly strict. The Romani had been a noble and worthy enemy, and when Pyrrhos took their capital he did nothing to it and left them with their autonomy. The people of Kart-Hadast have been less noble. They had used piracy, raiding, and surprise attacks against the Arche Makedonia. For this, hatred had built up against them, amongst the people of the Arche Makedonia. Because of this hatred and due to the overpopulation of Kart-Hadast, Neokles rounds up many people and forcefully relocats them to other locations, near and far. He also allows his men some time looting, so that the people would know who now rules these lands.

No autonomy is granted to the people of Kart-Hadast:
https://img395.imageshack.us/img395/5229/maa2442vu6.png

Neokles is kind enough to let the culture remain intact and orders that none of his men loot any religious or cultural sites. Chief amongst these is the great temple complex in the center of the city:
https://img170.imageshack.us/img170/3958/maa2461ze0.png

While securing the city, Neokles personally visits the great harbor of Kart-Hadast and rededicates it to the Arche Makedonia. A week later, a Makedonike fleet enters the port to make it their new permanent home:
https://img409.imageshack.us/img409/4417/maa2462yv8.png

All across the newly conquered region, there is worship to Phoenician gods, gods who have become quite minor in their own homeland. Chief among them is Baal-Hammon, who is worshipped everywhere in the region:
https://img170.imageshack.us/img170/4727/maa2463rt4.png

As Neokles reaches the end of his survey of the newly conquered city and watches as people are rounded up to be sent away, he see the great military complexes of the city. Once capible of training and housing many men, horses, and elephants, these complexes were now abandoned:
https://img170.imageshack.us/img170/676/maa2464jp5.png

With the fall of Kart-Hadast, there is celebrating all across the Arche Makedonia, but soon things slow down and return to normal. In Armenia, an earthquake hits, but with little damage:
https://img170.imageshack.us/img170/4444/maa2466in0.png

With the war in the west completed and Bykoli staying on the defensive, very little fighting is taking place in the Arche Makedonia. To the east, however, there is plenty of combat. With the fall of the Mauryan Empire and the devision of India, Gandhara is left extremely weakened. The northern Indus valley had even fallen into the hands of the Hellenistic Baktrians. Now war wages all over in Iran over Gandhara holdings there. Baktria fights many battles, which they usually win, but little land is gained or lost:
https://img252.imageshack.us/img252/4534/maa2468hf2.png

To the south of there, the Arche Seleukeia had rebuilt their military and instead of turning it against the well defended Arche Makedonia, the decide to engage Gandhara and regain territory they had lost long before. They besiege the city of Karmana many times, but are pushed back. They do not give up, however:
https://img89.imageshack.us/img89/9901/maa2469hd7.png

With the Arche Seleukeia - Gandhara War, Bykoli and Pefkolaos decide to march their army north and finish off the remnants of Media before the Seleukids turn their attension back westward.

All is going well in the Arche Makedonia, and with little exception there is peace. It did not last long, though. In an act of outright betrayal, the Empire of Sab'yn marches their armies northward to attack the Arche Makedonia:
https://img89.imageshack.us/img89/94/maa2467sn5.jpg

Attacking the Hellenistic colony at Bostra, and army of Arabs engage a Klerouchoi army of Makedonia:
https://img72.imageshack.us/img72/2724/maa2471gp1.png

Reinforced by local levies and Cretan Archers, the Klerouchoi army, under the command of Eulandros Delphikos, lines up outside the unwalled colony:
https://img409.imageshack.us/img409/2185/maa2472xo5.png

In order to avoid the arrows of the Cretans, the entire Saby'n army rushes forward toward the Klerouchoi Phalangitai. Eulandros Delphikos orders his men to hold their ground and they brace themselves:
https://img402.imageshack.us/img402/3654/maa2473it7.png

The line doesn't hold long and soon the enemy are pushing through the pikes and into the Klerouchoi infanty:
https://img402.imageshack.us/img402/7249/maa2474zj7.png

On the left flank, the Klerouchoi Peltastai hold off a small group as the first of the enemy in the center begin to break and flee:
https://img403.imageshack.us/img403/708/maa2475xr2.png

The center of the Makedonike line begins to deteriorate and Eulandros Delphikos order the unoccupied Klerouchoi Peltastai on the right flank to move to the center to reinforce the line:
https://img403.imageshack.us/img403/1007/maa2476jq9.png

With reinforcements in the center, the Makedones gain the upper hand and both sides realize it. As the Saby'n soldiers begin to loose the battle, they break and flee. The Makedonike center gives chase, but are soon countered by the enemy generals and their elite infantry bodyguards:
https://img520.imageshack.us/img520/5507/maa2477no6.png

The courage of the elites rallies the fleeing men and they turn back to reinforce the battle. Seeing his own men now outnumbered, Eulandros Delphikos orders all his men to charge in and reinforce them. Thus, a new battle begins as both army clash without any order:
https://img259.imageshack.us/img259/9624/maa2478qh1.png

Eulandros Delphikos personally circles around the battle, but just as he gets into position Shamdar Il Watar, general of the enemy, falls dead and the enemy army breaks. Eulandros and his cavalry then give chase:
https://img259.imageshack.us/img259/650/maa2480oy6.png

In the chase many men fall dead under the feet of the Hetairoi, including the other general, Alhan Il Watar Yuhan'em. In the chaos, some enemy even turn the other way and wander through the boarded up city, looking for somewhere to run to:
https://img259.imageshack.us/img259/8023/maa2482hs4.png

As the Hetairoi chase the enemy into the hills, the Klerouchoi army reforms just in case the enemy reforms or are reinforced:
https://img259.imageshack.us/img259/8167/maa2483yr8.png

Although Eulandros Delphikos was afraid he didn't have enough men, he wins the day without too many losses:
https://img253.imageshack.us/img253/9513/maa2484bv3.jpg

Around the same time as the Battle of Bostra, Median reinforcements attack Bykoli and Pefkolaos in Iran:
https://img337.imageshack.us/img337/7020/maa2485lq8.png

The masses of untrained levies seek to relieve the city of Apameia from Bykoli's siege, but they are too quick to attack and the garrison of the city is not ready to sally out and assist them:
https://img253.imageshack.us/img253/3492/maa2486ji2.jpg

Bykoli lines up his men, with his elephants on the left wing and Pefkolaos leading the cavlary on the right. The enemy approaches but is in complete disorder and without any plan:
https://img253.imageshack.us/img253/190/maa2488og3.png

Pefkolaos circles around the flank and charges the few enemies that get near the Makedonike battle line:
https://img253.imageshack.us/img253/9279/maa2489tj2.png

Charging through the unorganized mass of men, they easily break and flee. Pefkolaos then chases them from the field:
https://img329.imageshack.us/img329/142/maa2491ul7.png

Only killing Makedones due to arrow fire, the Median army is easily defeated. Bykoli and Pefkolaos then settle back in to continue the siege:
https://img204.imageshack.us/img204/4336/maa2492rv4.jpg

The known world in 181BC, just after the fall of Kart-Hadast:
https://img329.imageshack.us/img329/8153/hxmak181zg5.png

Next: Chapter 47 : War and Peace

[General Appo]

Brilliant! But what are you calling the old Carthaginians, Numidians? Some sort of confederation maybe, between various Numidians, Berbers and Libyans.

[Tarkus]

Great stuff as always, MAA...truly an AAR for the ages...Too bad the Sabyn turned their backs on you...

A silly question: What's up with the dark bluish-gray color of the old Qarthadast territories in northern Africa?

Looking forward to Chapter 47!!! War and Peace, eh??


Brilliant! But what are you calling the old Carthaginians, Numidians? Some sort of confederation maybe, between various Numidians, Berbers and Libyans.
Thanks, Appo...you stated my question better than I did...:inquisitive:

[Chaotix]

Great job MAA, keep it up! Heh... you get rid of one enemy, and along comes another. What are you going to do about Saba? Attack or defend? At the very least, I think Bostra needs a wall :laugh4:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thanks guys. :bow:

I'm not sure what I'm going to call ex-Carthage (I haven't changed the name yet). I was thinking just "Numidia", but the territory is mostly Mauretania. For now it's just a coalition of ex-allies to Carthage.

I think I'll take a little bit of territory from Saba, but probably not their core. Maybe just take all territory around the Persian Gulf. I've decided to role-play that the distance from Bostra to Carna is too far to march and won't invade by land...

Defense might be tough, though. I can't recruit any units in Bostra, Petra, Jerusalem, and can only get siege equiptment from Sidon. I'll have to ship in troops from at least Syria every time I take losses defending.

[General Appo]

Damn, I hate areas like that. Oh well, good luck, teach those Arabians not to mess with greatest empire the world has ever seen.

[Frodge]

Nice Update MAA! :2thumbsup:

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

Cool. I knew you would do what you did with the Carthaginian remnants.:smiley:

[Reality=Chaos]

:2thumbsup: that was just what I needed today, another update, and a nice one too

[Strategos Alexandros]

:2thumbsup: Great update!

[Chirurgeon]

Incredible as usual. I am wondering how long Iberia has before you crush them lol. Is your capital still Pella? What is the biggest city in the ancient world? Are you having problems with rebellion? Overall a very nice campaign you got going on :) Nice battle pics in front of Bostra. It really looked as if the entire army charged your line!

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thanks to all who have commented and for the compliments. :bow:

Incredible as usual. I am wondering how long Iberia has before you crush them lol. Is your capital still Pella? What is the biggest city in the ancient world? Are you having problems with rebellion? Overall a very nice campaign you got going on :) Nice battle pics in front of Bostra. It really looked as if the entire army charged your line!
As you can tell from the title of my next chapter, I tried to have an era of peace, but it wouldn't be, and that includes in Iberia.

Pella is still my capital. I was thinking about moving it elsewhere. I thought Athenai, but my empire has been quite Mishellene and that wouldn't do. When I was expanding only eastward I had planned to move my capital to Demetreia (Antiocheia), but not that would cause too much discontentment in places like Iberia.

Historically Roma, Seleukeia, and Alexandreia were all huge cities. My empire adds to that Pella, Athenai, Demetreia, Kart-Hadast, and all of central Italy. There are also about four huge cities in Baktria in this campaign. The city with the most people in this campaign would probably be Roma, since I didn't enslave when I took it. (I originally let all cities grow as they would in vanilla EB, but have since added restrictions.)

I haven't had any rebellions, but I have to have full stacks garrisoning towns in places like Iberia, Africa, Armenia, and the city of Jerusalem.

[Kuningaz]

So great seeing you still going. You actually inspired me to go on with my carthaginan campaign to conquer the whole world. Maybe I'll write some type of late game AAR about it.^^

[Moosemanmoo]

Brilliant as always MAA

That failed Saba invasion has made me wonder if they'll ever learn?
You'd think they would after having both the Ptolemoi and the AS breathing down their necks:gah:


Still rooting for the Sweboz lol:2thumbsup:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Sweboz and the Arverni are having an arms race. Both of them have several stacks on their shared border and are just staring eachother down. It would make quite an impressive war if it ever happened.

[Poggleit]

Congratulations on having over 25000 views and, of course, on producing such an all-conquering AAR. :thumbsup:

[alatar]

The Indian faction would be great to play,if only it was on 1.0, then you could upload the save and we could all try to beat the empire.

Also After iberia has fallen (hopefully the Luties will have a settlement of two in gaul).
And the Sabeans are destroyed in Arabia (so they have to fight meroe).

Then you could throw everything at the east and take Alexander empire (you know you want to).

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Congratulations on having over 25000 views and, of course, on producing such an all-conquering AAR. :thumbsup:
Thank you kind sir. I'm beginning to think that it has gotten too long...

The Indian faction would be great to play,if only it was on 1.0, then you could upload the save and we could all try to beat the empire.

Also After iberia has fallen (hopefully the Luties will have a settlement of two in gaul).
And the Sabeans are destroyed in Arabia (so they have to fight meroe).

Then you could throw everything at the east and take Alexander empire (you know you want to).
Since India is just Pahlav, you could easily recreate it by doing one of those migration campaigns and conquer Takashilia.

Somehow, the Seleukids are managing to completely rebuild themselves, so going east is looking difficult again...

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

May I ask how you roleplay the Makedonian government? Because from what I recall from 0.81, all possible Satrapies are situated in the east with a few exceptions in the west. But now your empire holds many territories which were historically no objects of interest of the Antigonids.

Iirc, the lvl3 government is a garrisoned allied state. That means, it's nominally no part of the AM. Plus they had a very impressive malus of -20% happyness. Which made building such governments in the farther corners of the empire a pain in the ass.

So was this government changed in 1.0 or will it be changed in 1.1? Because these two issues, the low happyness and the formal autonomy, turn me off a bit. I imagine it would be quite hard to expand westward with such governments. (I'd like to in my upcoming campaign).

Please share your thoughts.:smiley:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

May I ask how you roleplay the Makedonian government? Because from what I recall from 0.81, all possible Satrapies are situated in the east with a few exceptions in the west. But now your empire holds many territories which were historically no objects of interest of the Antigonids.

Iirc, the lvl3 government is a garrisoned allied state. That means, it's nominally no part of the AM. Plus they had a very impressive malus of -20% happyness. Which made building such governments in the farther corners of the empire a pain in the ass.

So was this government changed in 1.0 or will it be changed in 1.1? Because these two issues, the low happyness and the formal autonomy, turn me off a bit. I imagine it would be quite hard to expand westward with such governments. (I'd like to in my upcoming campaign).

Please share your thoughts.:smiley:
I'll start out by admitting two cheats... :embarassed: First of all, I removed the penalty from the Type3 government. Now they have basically not boni or mali. I justified this to myself by saying that I reformed my government back in the day (around the time I integrated Hellas into the empire) so that I have more of an empire system. The second cheat is that I editted the EDB so that I can build Type2's wherever I want. I have only taken advantage of this in Armenia and the cities of Tolosa and Bostra and Kart-Hadast, though. My role-playing and restraint now decides where I can build different governments, not that I have left the area of history...

I don't really follow the text descriptions of the governments exactly. The way I play governments is:
-Type1 = Core
This represents Makedonia and Epirus (which Antigonos integrated into his kingdom as full, equal citizens).
-Type2 = Hellenized, fully part of the Arche Makedonia
These are places that I have added to my empire as Satrapies and have started settling Makedones. These places I try to Hellenize and gain control with minimum military involvement.
-Type3 = None hellenized, military controlled parts of the Arche Makedonia
I consider to be part of the empire but not completely integrated. These places are still local in custom and control. They have a Makedonike government that is run through strict military control. The only places I have these are north of the Alps and in Iberia & Africa.
-Type4 = Client States
I consider almost as outside of my empire. They do what the Basileus tells them, but they don't have any direct connection to the Arche Makedonia base of power. My plan is to eventually integrate most of them into the Arche, but slowly. Rightn now, my only Type4s are Galatia, Judaea, and Roma (which I say controls all of central Italia, by giving Type3s [and no governors] to those towns).

I don't believe there are any official changes to the governments in v1.1, but I make my own unofficial changes midcampaign to make the game more dynamic. My changes to the Type3 are somewhat cheap, but it would be impossible to hold any of my Iberian (in culture) provinces without the edit.

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

I'll start out by admitting two cheats... :embarassed: First of all, I removed the penalty from the Type3 government. Now they have basically not boni or mali. I justified this to myself by saying that I reformed my government back in the day (around the time I integrated Hellas into the empire) so that I have more of an empire system. The second cheat is that I editted the EDB so that I can build Type2's wherever I want. I have only taken advantage of this in Armenia and the cities of Tolosa and Bostra and Kart-Hadast, though. My role-playing and restraint now decides where I can build different governments, not that I have left the area of history...
Can I do this mid-campaign or do I have to do it before starting? Could you please tell me how to do this?


I don't really follow the text descriptions of the governments exactly. The way I play governments is:
-Type1 = Core
This represents Makedonia and Epirus (which Antigonos integrated into his kingdom as full, equal citizens).
-Type2 = Hellenized, fully part of the Arche Makedonia
These are places that I have added to my empire as Satrapies and have started settling Makedones. These places I try to Hellenize and gain control with minimum military involvement.
-Type3 = None hellenized, military controlled parts of the Arche Makedonia
I consider to be part of the empire but not completely integrated. These places are still local in custom and control. They have a Makedonike government that is run through strict military control. The only places I have these are north of the Alps and in Iberia & Africa.
-Type4 = Client States
I consider almost as outside of my empire. They do what the Basileus tells them, but they don't have any direct connection to the Arche Makedonia base of power. My plan is to eventually integrate most of them into the Arche, but slowly. Rightn now, my only Type4s are Galatia, Judaea, and Roma (which I say controls all of central Italia, by giving Type3s [and no governors] to those towns).
That's almost exactly like I roleplayed it.:smiley: Thank you for your thoughts.:smiley:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Can I do this mid-campaign or do I have to do it before starting? Could you please tell me how to do this?
It is all in the EDB. You just have to find the governments section and edit them. They are kind of hard to understand because every faction has their own boni/mali for every level and there is a bunch of reference text there that almost makes it harder to understand. Just look for something like "happiness_bonus bonus -3 requires factions { macedon, }".

For the Type2, you just have to change the building requirements of the Type2 so that it is the same as the Type3 requirements. I think this involves simply removing a "and building_present" part of the Type2 requirements line...

That's almost exactly like I roleplayed it.:smiley: Thank you for your thoughts.:smiley:
No problem. It is basically how I play every faction's governments...

-----

On a side note...
Remember how I mentioned artificially making myself a challenge many pages back? Most ideas I had for doing so in this campaign were too complex or not possible without writting myself a script or something. I think I just came up with an idea to make a challenge...

-----

Next chapter, soon:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Chapter 47 : War and Peace

While war still wages in the east, from both Persia and Arabia, in the north and to the west things are pretty quiet. One odd even occurs in the winter of 181BC, however. A rebel tribe had migrated through Arverni territory and the Arverni decided to meet them with force. Now the tribe attempts to excape over the mountains, in the dead of winter, and into Italia, but are stopped in their tracks. A border fort of the Arche Makedonia, maned by locals, cause them to halt. There, they are attacked by the Arverni:
https://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2995/maa2493jr9.png

As the battle begins, the rebel tribesmen charge at the forces from the Arche Makedonia, attempting to break through:
https://img144.imageshack.us/img144/1983/maa2496id4.png

The local spearmen hold them down and the Arverni are quick to attack from behind and encircle the rebels:
https://img329.imageshack.us/img329/558/maa2497fc7.png

The Arverni crush the enemy and slaughter all they can there in that mountain pass:
https://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1682/maa2498kl4.jpg

The very same winter, on the far side of the known world, Median forces attack Lysippos and his steppe cavlary force who are guarding a river crossing in order to divide Median forces:
https://img144.imageshack.us/img144/8351/maa2499ix2.png

The Median forces approach the river crossing. As they position themselves and get ready to attack, a darkness comes over them. Looking up they witness more arrows in the sky then they have ever seen before:
https://img89.imageshack.us/img89/6575/maa2500ql2.png

The arrows rain down and deal heavy damage to the poorly armored men of Media. Taking advantage of their one key weapon, the Median general, Ayrarat of Tirpatuni, personally leads his heavy cataphracts across the bridge. As arrows simply bounce off of them, they charge Lysippos' unarmored cavalry:
https://img329.imageshack.us/img329/3861/maa2502rj5.png

At first the cavalry withdraws, but they lull the enemy general into a false sense of security and draw him from the protection of his spearmen. Separating him from his army, the light cavalry turns about and charges back in at him:
https://img181.imageshack.us/img181/8445/maa2503je7.png

Even with heavy armor and better weapons, the cataphracts don't stand a chance against so many enemies. Surrounded and isolated, General Ayrarat falls dead and his cataphracts are completely wiped out.

Falling back to the cover of the tree line, Lysippos' army once again opens fire on the enemy army:
https://img209.imageshack.us/img209/1087/maa2505nk8.png

With their own arrows depleted and the enemy demoralized, the great number of steppe cavalry charge in, in hope of breaking the enemy:
https://img209.imageshack.us/img209/1820/maa2506oh9.png

The risky manuever pays off, as the entire Median army breaks and attempts to flee in all directions. Surrounded by so many cavalry, many fall dead where they stand, and as the rest are chased into the forests, a mass of bodies is left in the wake:
https://img145.imageshack.us/img145/8439/maa2507ct1.png

Lysippos wins the battle and holds the bridge, isolating the city of Zadrakata:
https://img209.imageshack.us/img209/8251/maa2509lm4.jpg

Far from there, Neokles finally manages to establish firm control of the city of Kart-Hadast. With a system of government in place, he hands control of the city over to Pyrrhos and his sons. Assembling the entire royal army with him, the now aging Neokles boards the fleet and sails for Makedonia, to assume the throne:
https://img145.imageshack.us/img145/4445/maa2465tv0.png

With this, Pyrrhos and his sons come to complete control of the newly conquered African territories. Upon entering Kart-Hadast, Pyrrhos is greated with a measure of praise from the subjugated locals, for he is know for his kindness to those he conquers and his fair rule.

With the loss of the royal army, Pyrrhos is left with only one professional army in all of Africa and must depend on local support and that of his sons. When he came to Africa, he brought with him his first born son, Sotades. Sotades had come of age in Roma and had blooded himself fighting Latin rebels, but he had received little advanced education. His second son is Philippos, who came of age just after Pyrrhos had begun the African campaign. Pyrrhos decided that Philippos was to be sent to Hellas for training. There he had accomplished the Spartan Agoge and is now in Athenai, training at the great academies. Other than those, Pyrrhos has two more sons, one is still young, but his third-born reciently came of age, just after Pyrrhos' family moved to Africa. This man is not a great man, but takes after his father greatly, even in physical malities:
https://img145.imageshack.us/img145/775/maa2510qu5.png

Back in the east, Lysippos is once again attacked at the river crossing. This time, however, it is an offensive army, lead by Armog of Gnuni, returning home to defend their territory:
https://img209.imageshack.us/img209/460/maa2511nl6.png

Rather than wait and take losses, like the previous army, they decide to charge forward and cross as quickly as possible:
https://img503.imageshack.us/img503/8645/maa2512of8.png

Under a rain of arrows, the mass of men force their way across the narrow bridge to get to the other side:
https://img530.imageshack.us/img530/2696/maa2513vo6.png

Armog and his cataphracts move forward, as his infantry regroups. Their heavily armored cataphracts are once again no match for the vast number of men Lysippos has with him. Armog and his cataphracts are quickly surrounded and wiped out:
https://img530.imageshack.us/img530/3876/maa2514zg1.png

Although ever last one of his men die, Armog of Gnuni manages to personally break free. As hundreds of arrows bounce off his armor, he escapes and flees southward:
https://img440.imageshack.us/img440/9317/maa2515jo2.png

With their general gone, the infantry attempt to escape as well, but are pursued by the steppe cavalry and take huge losses:
https://img401.imageshack.us/img401/3742/maa2516ij2.jpg

Although he is winning, the lifestyle of danger in enemy territory does not agree with Lysippos. Uncomfortable with his assignment, Lysippos request to be replaced:
https://img259.imageshack.us/img259/727/maa2520pa0.jpg

Around the same time, south of there, forces of the Arche Seleukeia attack a Makedonike fort guarding the passes in the valleys of Elymais:
https://img440.imageshack.us/img440/8374/maa2517ip2.png

The archery army fires at the Seleukid men from behind their protection and inflict casualties:
https://img259.imageshack.us/img259/7237/maa2518xu8.png

Marching from the fort, the Persian archers chase the enemy from the field. This marks a change in diplomacy, as the Arche Seleukeia comes to the realization that they can no longer attack the powerful Arche Makedonia and cancel all reclaimation invasions westward:
https://img440.imageshack.us/img440/9954/maa2519gz3.jpg

Neokles finally arrives in Makedonia. Marching his army into Pella, Neokles is crowned Basileus of the Arche Makedonia. After visiting the grave of his father and paying him his honors, Neokles goes to the business of managing the Arche. Being a man of peace, rather than war, Neokles attempts to negotiate peace with the Arche's many friends and enemies, bringing an end to the long era of war that has enveloped all aspects of the Arche Makedonia since its formation with the expulsion of the Celts from Makedonia.

First, Neokles sends diplomats to the Numidians and Mauretanians. Once clients of Kart-Hadast, these newly freed nations oddly still stick together for some unknown reason. Although difficultly, the envoys manage to establish peace with the Satrapies of Kart-Hadast:
https://img401.imageshack.us/img401/9375/maa2521oa8.jpg

Then envoys are sent eastward to the Arche Seleukeia. Peace with the Arche Seleukeia comes quicker. The Arche Seleukeia had since cancelled westward expansion and is now focusing on retaking Persia from the weakened Gandhara. Welcoming trade with her old ally, the Arche Selekeia agree to a ceasefire:
https://img259.imageshack.us/img259/7726/maa2522bi5.jpg

In Iberia, envoys are sent to the capital of the Iberian Confederacy. There, they negotiate for the southern coast of Iberia. In this region, huge amounts of Phoenicians and Phoenician-friendly Iberians live discontently. Since the fall of Kart-Hadast in Iberia, this region has proved difficult for the Iberian Confederacy to hold. The Iberians are quick to surrender this troublesome province in exchange for Makedonike silver. With this purchase, a firmer control of the Pillars of Herucules is gained for the Arche Makedonia.

Finally, word is sent southward to the Kingdom of Meroe. Peace is acheived, but those who understand the enemy do not expect it to last long. The reborn Ptolemaic Dynasty still lay claims on all of Aigyptos and are most likely using the ceasefire as a chance to build up their military:
https://img401.imageshack.us/img401/6799/maa2523ox4.jpg

One place Makedonike diplomats are clearly not welcome is Arabia. From the deserts, the Saby'n Empire only marches for war. Once again they attack the Makedonike colony at Bostra:
https://img259.imageshack.us/img259/499/maa2524pb5.png

With his young son at his side, Eulandros Delphikos prepares his Klerouchoi army for another fight:
https://img259.imageshack.us/img259/3056/maa2525zz1.png

Once more, the Arabian army charges for the Makedonike line...
https://img259.imageshack.us/img259/4977/maa2526fd7.png

...and once again they start to break through the line and start inflicting casualties on the Klerouchoi phalangitai:
https://img267.imageshack.us/img267/1166/maa2527ak1.png

As general Tharin Il Watar watches, his men begin to loose the battle:
https://img267.imageshack.us/img267/5387/maa2528jh3.png

In the tactics of Demetrios, Eulandros Delphikos attempts to wraps the flanks of his battle line around the sides of the battle. Seeing this move, however, is the last straw as it breaks the Arabs and they begin to flee:
https://img523.imageshack.us/img523/779/maa2529lk9.png

Attempting to raise the courage of their men, the generals and their elite bodyguards charge in and engage in the battle. Only a few of the fleeing men turn to join their generals. With only a few elites on the field, Eulandros quickly outflanks the enemy with his Klerouchoi peltastai:
https://img403.imageshack.us/img403/136/maa2531qz9.png

Killing the general, Saraw Bayin, with javelin, the Klerouchoi peltastai charge in from the rear and surround the remaining elite enemies. On the right flank, the phalangitai begin attacking general Tharin Il Watar and his men from all sides:
https://img87.imageshack.us/img87/6526/maa2533on8.png

Killing the enemy general, Eulandros once again defends the colony and the borders of the Arche Makedonia. Although a victory, there is no sign of surrender of even weakening from Arabia:
https://img87.imageshack.us/img87/2584/maa2537iy2.jpg


The known world in 179BC:
https://img87.imageshack.us/img87/28/hxmak179mv8.png

Next: Chapter 48 : A New Man

[Reality=Chaos]

how you manage to keep it interesting is beyond me. But, by jove, interesting it still is:dizzy2: thanks for another update:2thumbsup: :2thumbsup:

[QuintusSertorius]

I have to say reading those wars with the Romans were quite disappointing seeing the stupid armies the AI raised. And all those crappy levy hoplites?

[Chirurgeon]

Awesome Job MAA!! I remember fighting the Arabians in my Ptolemaic campaign and man it stunk. You cant recruit anything and the towns rebel left and right. I would completely exterminate a town with only 400 people left and had a garrison of a thousand men and somehow there would be a civil revolt! Very annoying. I like your new leader.

[General Appo]

Great work. But I&#180;m dying to see what this artificial challenge could be. Might it have something to do with this New Man?

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

how you manage to keep it interesting is beyond me. But, by jove, interesting it still is:dizzy2: thanks for another update:2thumbsup: :2thumbsup:
Thanks.

I have to say reading those wars with the Romans were quite disappointing seeing the stupid armies the AI raised. And all those crappy levy hoplites?
Yeah, the Romani recruitment was a bit disappointing. Though, they do seem to recruit better armies in the Polybian Era over the Camilian Era...

Awesome Job MAA!! I remember fighting the Arabians in my Ptolemaic campaign and man it stunk. You cant recruit anything and the towns rebel left and right. I would completely exterminate a town with only 400 people left and had a garrison of a thousand men and somehow there would be a civil revolt! Very annoying. I like your new leader.
Due to the lack of recruitment, the distance from my capital, and the real lack of anything worth conquering, I don't think I'll attack Arabia any time soon. Your comments make me even more hesitant. :sweatdrop:

The new Basileus is somewhat of a lazy coward, but someone seeking peace is nice for a change...

Great work. But I´m dying to see what this artificial challenge could be. Might it have something to do with this New Man?
Last night I tried to implement my idea, but the little tiny script I was trying to write for it refused to work. I eventually got it to work in a different way then I was trying, but I got quite fustrated by the whole thing. You'll all see what it is in about 2 or 3 chapters.

The "New Man" is involved in the change, but not directly at first...

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

Thank you for your explanations & very nice update. You use force_diplomacy, right?

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thank you for your explanations & very nice update. You use force_diplomacy, right?
Yeah, I use forced diplomacy. It's the only way I could possible get that many ceasefires in RTW.

[QuintusSertorius]

Thanks.

Yeah, the Romani recruitment was a bit disappointing. Though, they do seem to recruit better armies in the Polybian Era over the Camilian Era...

I just don't get the spear-fetish the Roman AI seems to have. Triarii, Levy hoplitai, levy Gallic spearmen...


Yeah, I use forced diplomacy. It's the only way I could possible get that many ceasefires in RTW.

Indeed, it's the only way to get around the frankly moronic behaviour of the AI when it comes to diplomacy. You've destroyed all their field armies and taken some settlements, and they have no means of resistance. Yet refuse a ceasefire?

[Chaotix]

So, Marcus, what are you going to do now that 1.1 is out? Your AAR has gone on for really long... it's now an EB Forum legend...
Or maybe you already have 1.1 downloaded on a separate vanilla install?

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

So, Marcus, what are you going to do now that 1.1 is out? Your AAR has gone on for really long... it's now an EB Forum legend...
Or maybe you already have 1.1 downloaded on a separate vanilla install?
I was planning on quiting on the release of v1.1. I am playing a version that is now more than two releases old. However, I have just made a change that could give me another couple months out of this campaign.

I've got both v0.97(what I call my version) and v1.1 on my computer so I don't have to worry about choosing one or the other.

I've got at least three chapters worth of pictures and the next chapter is nearly done. I think I'll finish up the next chapter then work on the 'citymod' and the EB2 FAQ. In the next week or so I'll see if I want to continue the campaign and thus the mod. Until then I'll make a update or two when I have the time.

I should probably just let this thing die now, though...

[Reality=Chaos]

You probably should let it die, but that would be such a great pity.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Chapter 48 : A New Man

Since the fall of the great city of Kart-Hadast, her old territories of allies had remained united and resolute in their definance of the Arche Makedonia. Neokles had expected the satrapies of Kart-Hadast to rebel, fall apart, and begin fighting eachother as soon as Kart-Hadast had fallen. None of this had happened, instead they built up their forces and remained an obstacle to the Arche Makedonia.

As the summer of 179BC hits, the Arche Makedonia finally finds out why Numidia, Mauretania, Garmana, and the desert tribes have stayed united. Men from Kart-Hadast had hidden themselves away in the region and now reemerged to take up power after the withdrawl of Neokles and his army from the region. Several aristocrats from the city of Kart-Hadast and an army of her elites have managed to remain undefeated, hidden in the hills of Numidia, and now they strike back at the newly conquered Makedonike cities in Africa:
https://img392.imageshack.us/img392/4757/maa2538vl8.png

The garrison of the city of Ippone desides that it is best to confront the Qarthadastism army quickly before they run low on supplies and the enemy can build up siege equiptment. As the Makedones charge out of the city, the Qarthadastism men rush forward to meet them:
https://img413.imageshack.us/img413/2594/maa2539pn9.png

The African elites attempt to attack the Makedonike battle line before they can form up, but towers and skirmishers rain disaster down on them and they pull back:
https://img392.imageshack.us/img392/3251/maa2540fb4.png

Elite Sacred Band Spearmen attack the Makedonike battle line before they can form up, but it is too late and the line is already fully established. Realizing they have too few men to break the Makedonike line, the Qarthadastism generals order a general retreat but not all obey:
https://img413.imageshack.us/img413/5355/maa2541up6.png

Circling around the side of the city, the cavalry attacks the enemy bolt throwers, who are among those who refuse to retreat, and chase the engineers down, killing every last one of them:
https://img209.imageshack.us/img209/1743/maa2542gp9.png

When the last Sacred Band Spearman falls dead, all that remains are the elite African Pikemen from the city of Kart-Hadast. They make an attack against the Makedonike line but are quickly surrounded by flanking cavlary and skirmishers:
https://img413.imageshack.us/img413/2919/maa2543np9.png

Although all of the Qarthadastism aristocrats escape, the city garrison manages to wipe out most of the elite army, an army that cannot be replaced from amongst the Numidian population:
https://img413.imageshack.us/img413/3490/maa2544hz5.jpg

Pyrrhos, in Kart-Hadast, is relieve that the city is saved but fears that a full war will break out in Africa. Coming from north of there, a letter reaches Pyrrhos in Kart-Hadast. His eldest brother, Neikolaos, writes of what seems to be bad news to come. The Iberian Confederacy has suddenly pulled her armies from the war in Gaul and is now mobilizing on the Arche Makedonia's borders. Though they still claim to be allies and friends of the Arche Makedonia, this action can only be seen as an act of war:
https://img413.imageshack.us/img413/3628/maa2555wm8.png

Far from any battle front, a man had been educated in the ways of war, politics, and philosophy. First completing the Spartan Agoge then studying in Athenai, he had matured as a wise and strong man. This man is Philippos, third-born son of Pyrrhos' four sons. Being more than twenty years of age, Philippos, with consent of his father, decides that it is time to get some actual experience. Gathering a few men, Philippos begins his military career by engaging brigands. Fighting in Hellas, Makedonia, Thraikia, Anatolia, and Syria, Philippos begins to gain actual military experience.

While in Syria, Philippos begins to gather a larger army, first being the famed Syrian archers. During this time in the east, Philippos is exposed to great animosity. The governors and ruling elite of the area, mostly decendants of Antigonos, treat Philippos as though he were a enemy rival and are very cold to him. It would seem that the popularity of his father and the successes in the west have inbittered the eastern branch of the family.

As time passes Philippos begins to get the feeling that he is constantly watched and fears that an assassination may come at any time, from his own people. Escaping the animosity, Philippos takes what few men he has and sails for Aigyptos, where the ruling class has no strong family connections to any branch of the Antigonids.

Once in Alexandreia, Philippos finishes assembling some men for his army. Being raised in Italia and exposed to different types of warfare, Philippos attempts to assemble a new type of army, completely lacking any pikemen. While in Alexandreia, Philippos hears news, travelling down the Neilos, that the Nubians have betrayed the ceasefire and now march north. Volunteering his services, Philippos marches his new army southward and confronts the Nubians in the open field:
https://img209.imageshack.us/img209/8598/maa2545kb6.png

Lining his infantry in three lines, Philippos places his men with the most javelin out front and his elites in the rear. Then behind the three infantry lines are the archers and finally the cavalry:
https://img413.imageshack.us/img413/9492/maa2546xh6.png

The two armies both move toward eachother and as the distance decreases and the enemy come within javelin range, Philippos halts his men. With the enemy just before them, the first line opens fire with their javelin and pelts the Nubian front line:
https://img296.imageshack.us/img296/4735/maa2547ib9.png

As they come into range, Philippos orders his archers to open fire on the elephants behind the Nubian line. It may be hard to kill the great beasts, but it is quite easy to scare them.

Just as the first line runs out of javelins, the Nubian vanguard rush forward and charge the Makedonike line:
https://img296.imageshack.us/img296/4770/maa2548sm9.png

The initial Nubian attack is followed by the changing of the bulk of the rest of their army. As the first line begins to get tired and surrounded, Philippos orders the second line to attack and the first to withdraw:
https://img395.imageshack.us/img395/6447/maa2549mj0.png

The second line does well in reinforcing the first line, but the first line is unable to retreat from the chaos.

The battle begins to grow stale as neither side gains an advantage over the other. Then the elephants panic. Charging through their own men, the elephants break through the middle of the battle:
https://img257.imageshack.us/img257/3870/maa2550vd2.png

The elephants deal casualties on their own side but fall dead just short of the Makedonike line of engaged infantry.

With the elephants out of the way, Philippos moves for his end-game and circles his cavalry around the right flank. Once in possition, he signals to his third line to charge into the battle, while he charges them from the side:
https://img257.imageshack.us/img257/1081/maa2552oz5.png

With this move the Nubians quickly break and route. The Makedonike army gives chase and few are able to escape into the desert, where they die from exposure anyways:
https://img257.imageshack.us/img257/3504/maa2553qf9.jpg

Philippos' new army defeats the enemy, but not easy enough. The first line proved to be too weak and the third line is too expensive to keep in a standing army. Philippos returns to Alexandreia, where he dismisses his elite Makedones and reviews what happened in the battle. From Alexandreia, Philippos takes what is left of his army and boards a ship, travelling first to Makedonia then to Sikilia. Dispite the fact his battle was not an overwhelming success, the battle does teach Philippos many things for him to consider in future engagements:
https://img296.imageshack.us/img296/2697/maa2554kl0.jpg

Just as Neokles is settling in to managing the Arche from the capital at Pella, disaster strikes. In the first major crisis of his reign, a plague hits Makedonia and manages to infect people of all classes, all the way up to the highest level of society, including Basileus Neokles himself:
https://img257.imageshack.us/img257/2520/maa2556vl2.png

The second crisis of Basileus Neokles' reign is quick to follow the first. Betraying the long standing alliance, the Iberian Confederacy attacks the city of Emporion and betrays the very people who had saved them from enslavement under the armies of Kart-Hadast:
https://img395.imageshack.us/img395/503/maa2557vp4.jpg

With this act, the Iberian Confederacy also looses there only other ally, the Arverni king. With a long shared border with the Arche Makedonia, the Arverni would be fools to chose to betray such an ally:
https://img257.imageshack.us/img257/787/maa2558hu4.jpg
[I reloaded and betrayed them so I would keep the allies...]

The attack on Emporion is easily broken as the attackers flee from the garrison when it sallies, but now war has come. There to counter the invasion is an old man, Neikolaos, son of Nepos, liberator of Gaul, eldest brother of Pyrrhos, and hero of the Romaioi War. Neikolaos is the one man that Pyrrhos looks up to and the only other surviving hero of the Romaioi War. It is said, in fact, that if Pyrrhos had been offered the throne he would default it to his eldest brother, for Pyrrhos looked up to him and saw him as the leader of their branch of the family.

Now Neikolaos assembles his Gallic army, a small number of which are old veterans of the Romaioi War, and marches them against the Iberians who are defying Makedonike land:
https://img257.imageshack.us/img257/337/maa2559ak7.png

As the two armies enter the field, Neikolaos marches his men forward to meet the enemy:
https://img257.imageshack.us/img257/7859/maa2560kw5.png

In the center of the line are the Hellenized Gauls, newly trained and equiped in mixed style, a result of the Makedonike conquest of the area:
https://img257.imageshack.us/img257/2959/maa2561fn0.png

As the enemy approach, the battle line halts and gets down so that the missile units may fire over them at the approaching enemy, who take heavy losses to the arrows and lead shot:
https://img395.imageshack.us/img395/363/maa2562jq6.png

Even under a rain of death, the Iberians are undetered and unfrightened as they slowly move forward:
https://img257.imageshack.us/img257/4210/maa2563sd6.png

Finally the Iberians charge the Makedonike line and engage Neikolaos' Gallic forces. On the left flank, elites with huge sheilds confront the line:
https://img296.imageshack.us/img296/930/maa2564ee4.png

Meanwhile on the right flank, swordsmen skirmish with the Makedonike line before charging forward:
https://img257.imageshack.us/img257/4627/maa2565us7.png

The Iberians fight along the entire Makedonike line, but they focus the bulk of their force on the Hellenized soldiers in the center. This tactic manages break through the center but tie down the flanks so that the center cannot be reinforced:
https://img296.imageshack.us/img296/921/maa2566tg1.png

Soon Neikolaos' center breaks and the Iberians surge through. With the flanks tied down and the center fleeing, Neikolaos orders his archers to hold their ground and tie down the enemy while he takes the cavalry around the right flank and frees up the men tied down there:
https://img211.imageshack.us/img211/7718/maa2568ui7.png

With the Makedonike center completely gone, the battle desolves into three separate battles, two on what used to be the flanks and one where the archers fight to keep the Iberians from taking the field.

In an attempt to free up the right flank, the elderly Neikolaos personally leads a charge in at the rear of the Iberians:
https://img296.imageshack.us/img296/7356/maa2569zl9.png

The cavalry charge is successful and the Iberians on both flanks begin to break. The Iberians fall back but quickly regroup. While the cavalry and the remnants of the Makedonike line infantry rush to the aid of the archers, the spearmen who were originally ordered to guard the extreme flanks rush forward and meet the regouping Iberians:
https://img296.imageshack.us/img296/3162/maa2570jb2.png

After a short skirmish, the Iberians break once again and the Gauls chase them from the field. Meanwhile, the Iberians who had been battling the archers break and flee as well:
https://img296.imageshack.us/img296/3946/maa2571wo1.png

Giving no quarter, Neikolaos orders that his men chase down the enemy and kill as many as possible. By the end of the day few remain:
https://img296.imageshack.us/img296/6273/maa2572sn3.jpg

Neikolaos realizes, in the aftermath of the battle, that he and perhaps all of the Arche Makedonia has underestimated the power and skill of the Iberian people. Realizing that native forces won't be enough to fend off the Iberians, Neikolaos writes to his little brother Pyrrhos and requests that one of the armies of Makedones deployed in Africa be relocated to the Iberian front. In Africa, however, is only one professional army, the personal army of Pyrrhos. Rather than deploy his army and allow for Numidian/Mauretanian invasion, Pyrrhos sends word to Sikilia to build an army and to inform his son, Philippos, that upon his arrival he is to move to Iberia and engage this foe. Pyrrhos does not only send his son to Iberia because he believes he is the best general but to separate him from modern politics of the Arche.

As war starts up in the west, war draws to a close in the east. By taking their new capital at Apameia and blocking off the trade routes through Hyrkania, Bykoli and Pefkolaos manage to restrict what was once the reborn Median Empire to a tiny strip of land in eastern Hyrkania:
https://img296.imageshack.us/img296/1882/maa2576hu4.png

As the Arche Makedonia pushes eastward, more the eastern customs become dominant over the Hellenized aspects of Syria or even Babylonia. In these regions, the Arche Seleukeia even funded such eastern customs and religions:
https://img296.imageshack.us/img296/4627/maa2577jl5.jpg

After about a year of few events, Philippos manages to land his new army in Iberia. Mustering two armies of Iberians to join his attacks, Philippos moves his army west from Mastia and begins his counter attack on the Iberian interior:
https://img98.imageshack.us/img98/7507/maa2596ee8.png


The known world in 178BC:
https://img98.imageshack.us/img98/176/hxmak177be6.png

Next: Chapter 49 : An Era of Disaster

[General Appo]

Great work, it&#180;s finally time to take Iberia. Though the title of the next chapter is a bit worrying.
Also, I&#180;m guessing that none of your generals died in that plauge?

[Strategos Alexandros]

Nice work:2thumbsup: Glad you haven't stopped.
General Appo, maybe the plague is part of the next chapters title?

[White_eyes:D]

Sweet go Marcus, hopefuly nothing too bad happeneds in the next chapter......:juggle2: . BTW, did you get that plague for role-play purposes?
or was it so kind of weird event???? and lastly seems to me in 1.1 in italy you can recuit some pretty nice units there now as Im playing as Epeiros and am recuiting some legions into my armys :laugh4:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thanks guys. :bow:

The plague started in Sardis and I moved a spy into Makedonia. Since plagues are basically harmless I did so for roleplaying, since domestic problems are so rare in RTW. The plague continues for a while...

Italy is pretty bare for me. I get Rorari, Hastati, and Equites and that's it.

[Chirurgeon]

Great Job MAA. Like a good book you keep me turning the pages. I have grown quite attached to the little world you have created here on the forums! You have kept it interesting and it has been a pleasure following it! Awesome job!

Oh and congratulations on over six months of the Antigonids!! You started this thread on October sixth of last year!! I don't know if this is possible but it sure would be cool to see a time lapse of your empires growth. Somehow string together your screenshots of your map or something. I know your busy but that would be cool to see your empire evolve!

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thanks for following, Chirurgeon. I always try to keep up with your great AARs, too. Your latest sure has been successful. In the chapter after the next there is some Makedonia-Iberia action. Those Iberians sure are tougher than they look...

I haven't played since the v1.1 release, so this AAR may finally come to an end when I run out of content and pictures in two or three chapters. (The next one is almost done.)

I could give a chain of minimap pictures and a short description of what each Basileus did militarily over the years. I might do that, as things wind down...

[Chirurgeon]

Thanks for following, Chirurgeon. I always try to keep up with your great AARs, too. Your latest sure has been successful. In the chapter after the next there is some Makedonia-Iberia action. Those Iberians sure are tougher than they look...

I haven't played since the v1.1 release, so this AAR may finally come to an end when I run out of content and pictures in two or three chapters. (The next one is almost done.)

I could give a chain of minimap pictures and a short description of what each Basileus did militarily over the years. I might do that, as things wind down...

Well getting it to 50 chapters would be a nice round number. Sounds like thats doable. Yea from what I hear 1.1 is all the rage. I am too deep in my AAR to stop, however I did notice that there are some new units for Iberia in the new release. Go figure right?

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Chapter 49 : An Era of Disaster

The rule of Basileus Neokles continues and the plague in Makedonia refuses to pass. Growing in intensity, the plague begins to kill nobles, governors, and generals. Suffering from the plague, himself, Basileus Neokles grows ever tired from the exhaustion of dealing with the problems of governing:
https://img357.imageshack.us/img357/1917/maa2574yj0.jpg

His brother Bykoli and his good friend / advisor Pefkolaos rule the eastern part of the Arche from their military controlled, newly conquered city of Apameia. Unable to move his army out and risk loosing the city, Bykoli decides to remain and send out envoys to do his bidding. One of the first things he does is calls the Mekybernaios family to Babylonia. Bykoli grants this family, who is extremely loyal to him, the governorship of this area and has them rule this historic fertile land betweens the two great rivers:
https://img241.imageshack.us/img241/7176/maa2575wk9.jpg

After Philippos had crushed the standing army of Meroe, another peace treaty had been signed between the Arche Makedonia and the Kingdom of Meroe. The dynasty of Ptolemai VII was not to be trusted, though. He never stopped seeking to retake the lands of Aigyptos. After a couple years, when a new army had been assembled, Ptolemai VII brakes the peace treaty and attacks the fortress city of Pselkis once again:
https://img357.imageshack.us/img357/6876/maa2578xp5.png

A Nubian army lead by a Makedonike general from the court of Ptolemai VII besieges the city and prepares to attack it with siege equipment. As the lumbering machines move forward, the archers on the wall open fire at them:
https://img357.imageshack.us/img357/9061/maa2579rh8.png

With little effort, both enemy rams are set on fire:
https://img530.imageshack.us/img530/7960/maa2580yw5.png

And then the archers set ablaze one of the enemy mining sites:
https://img241.imageshack.us/img241/179/maa2581mq9.png

As the archers attempt to set the final mining entrance on fire, the siege towers reach the walls and the Nubian infantry comes pouring out:
https://img241.imageshack.us/img241/9886/maa2582jf4.png

Undermined by the emeny sappers, a section of the wall comes crashing down. Although nobody is on it at the time, it does come crashing down on a division of Klerouchoi phalangitai:
https://img530.imageshack.us/img530/5083/maa2583rh9.png

With a breach in the wall, the enemy general orders his cavalry to rush forward and move into the city. The enemy cavarly are met with a quickly arranged block of spears and their charge is stopped. Though halted, the Nubian cavalry start pushing through the line. To sure up the defenses, the majority of the reserves are rushed to the fight:
https://img241.imageshack.us/img241/434/maa2585se1.png

The last remaining group of reserves then moves to the walls to help finish off the last of the enemy coming out of the towers:
https://img357.imageshack.us/img357/8561/maa2586qc6.png

More Nubian cavalry rush through the breach in the wall, but they all die there on Makedonike sarrisa:
https://img241.imageshack.us/img241/3558/maa2588qr5.png

Realizing that the battle is lost, the enemy general orders a retreat. Outside the wall, however, the Makedonike cavalry have already blocked off the escape. Finishing off his cavalry quickly, soon only the enemy general remains:
https://img357.imageshack.us/img357/457/maa2589be9.png

With both horse and man exhausted from the fight, he fails to escape and dies there. Once again the armies of Ptolemai VII have been repelled:
https://img530.imageshack.us/img530/6678/maa2591yl8.jpg

Although the battle is won, it is a direct blow to Neokles. He came to the throne claiming he would usher in a new age of peace and prosperity. Now the Arche is at war with her old ally in the Iberian Confederacy, Arab armies constantly cross the deserts and attack the Levant, and all of his peace treaties with Numidia, Mauretania, and Nubia have all fallen apart. Although Neokles is a non-violent man, he is surrounded by violence from all sides and striken by a plague.

In the city of Tolosa in Gaul, the great general Neikolaos dies:
https://img357.imageshack.us/img357/1488/maa2592ps7.jpg

This is a great blow to Pyrrhos, who looked up to his elder brother greatly. Although the death is declared a death by natural causes, it occures while Neikolaos is being visited by guests, envoys from Bykoli. Rumor quickly spreads that he was poisoned so that the descendants of Alexandros would not challenge Bykoli' right to the throne. Pyrrhos' advisors quickly set up greater security for him and prepare for any type of problem.

This is only the first of many mysterious deaths. In the court at Pella, several nobles mysteriously die from the plague, even those who were recovering or didn't seem ill at all. The one thing that ties all of the mysterious deaths together is the fact that each noble had been a man advocating Pyrrhos take the throne. Because of the amount of those dying in Makedonia, there is no time to investigate each death and even the most mysterious deaths are left as speculation.

Surrounded by war, plague, assassination, and intrigue, Neokles is once again forced to deal with disaster. Due to heavy rain and a storm, the city of Halikarnassos is flooded. Although few are killed, much damage is done to the town, draining the already low treasury:
https://img530.imageshack.us/img530/1125/maa2594pu1.png

More troubles follow and Neokles is besieged with problems. Just as it seems the plague in Makedonia is ending, it spreads. Reaching down into Hellas, the plague once again grows and hits Makedonia again, even in places were it seemed to have passed:
https://img357.imageshack.us/img357/690/maa2595sl8.jpg

In Africa, the surviving nobles of Kart-Hadast once again strike at the Arche Makedonia, this time with an army of mostly locals:
https://img357.imageshack.us/img357/6006/maa2600db6.png

In Nubia, the armies of Meroe once again cross the border and invade Makedonike territory:
https://img530.imageshack.us/img530/9913/maa2601tf3.png

And in Nabataia, several new waves of Sab'yn invaders cross the desert, moving from one hidden water source to the next:
https://img530.imageshack.us/img530/6495/maa2602wx9.png

Troubles from all sides besiege the new leader and just as things seem as bad as they can get for the Arche Makedonia, the worst possible things happens. Exhausted from overworking and stress, the plague finally takes Basileus Neokles in his sleep:
https://img357.imageshack.us/img357/3039/maa2597rs3.jpg

News quickly spread across the Arche Makedonia and the question of who would be the next Basileus was asked on every street corner and in every tavern. The nobles still fear Bykoli and Pefkolaos coming to power, but the decendants of Antigonos and Demetrios don't want a distant branch of the family gaining power.

In Bosphoria, the sons of Euboulides have a claim on the throne as well. Other than Bykoli, they should have been the next in line. They lacked great support of the nobles, but they have the loyalty of Bosphoria, Pontos, and Egrisi. Also, they have Lysippos. Lysippos, hero of the Armenian and Median Wars, is the brother in-law to the sons of Euboulides and loyal to his family. With Lysippos, the sons of Euboulides would gain a strong general and all the armies loyal to him. However, of the three brothers, only the eldest, Herakleon, sought the power, but even he was not willing to go to war for it.

Then of course there is Pyrrhos of Makedonia, decendant of Alexandros who was nephew to Antigonos Gonatas. Nepos, who had planned the Romaioi War and died just before the fall of Roma had been the head of the Alexandros branch of the family. He had had three sons: Neikolaos, Gelon, and Pyrrhos. Gelon only sought out a simple life and administered northern Italia quietly. With Neikoloas now dead, that meant Pyrrhos not only had the support of the nobles and armies, due to his fame in battle, but he also had the support of the Alexandros family as the rightful leader.

Pyrrhos had been planning an invasion of Numidia and was in the process of releaving the siege of Ippone, when the news of Neokles' death came. Realizing what had to be done to save his family and possibly the entire Arche, Pyrrhos quickly withdrew to Kart-Hadast, where he gained support from the populace while making ready to sail:
https://img357.imageshack.us/img357/8559/maa2604ra0.png

And in the east, new reaches Bykoli and Pefkolaos in Iran. Bykoli was the descendant of Antigonos Monophthalmus, Demetrios Poliorcetes, Antigonos Gontanas, Megas Demetrios, and Aristotelis. Bykoli is the only man left living who could claim direct descendence from all the great rulers of the Antigonid Dynasty:
https://img530.imageshack.us/img530/595/maa2603mm2.png

Upon hearing the news of his brother's death, Bykoli and Pefkolaos assemble their entire army and quickly march westward, abandoning the newly conquered territories. Civil unrest builds in these regions and soon other garrisons and armies are abandoning their posts. Lysippos, in Media, assembles his army and moves to retreat. Before he leave, though, he makes contact with the surviving Median royalty and exchanges the territory of Media for a promise of a peace treaty. Although this is outside the power given to Lysippos, there is currently no man in all the Arche who has the power to be angry at him for doing so:
https://img530.imageshack.us/img530/4990/maa2636lk2.jpg

Lysippos quickly retreats his Persia / steppe army to Armenia. Along the way, his old Pontic-Hellene army joins him and Lysippos moves both armies all the way to Egrisi and prepares to join up with his brothers in-law in Bosphoria.

Bykoli and Pefkolaos, meanwhile, move to Babylonia. In Babylonia, he retrained his army and gained support from the generals, armies, and people of the area. The people were quick to join the two men when they inform the populace that Pyrrhos had murdered his brother and sought to gain complete control of the Arche Makedonia for his own gains and to usher in an age of tyranny. The average people are quick to accept such "truths" and soon Bykoli has the complete support from the Persian Gulf to Assyria.


The known world in 177BC:
https://img530.imageshack.us/img530/6718/hxmak1772lj9.png

Next: Chapter 50 : Philip's War

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

That sounds fantastic. If you manage to explain to me how one can start and roleplay a civil war, you will be my deified hero! :2thumbsup: :2thumbsup: :2thumbsup: :bow: :bow: :bow:

[Chirurgeon]

This is amazing. After nearly 50 chapters you still manage to mix it up. I liked how you referred to the Lusitannan as the Iberian Confederacy. I laughed a little upon hearing that. This should be interesting!

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

That sounds fantastic. If you manage to explain to me how one can start and roleplay a civil war, you will be my deified hero! :2thumbsup: :2thumbsup: :2thumbsup: :bow: :bow: :bow:
I did more than just roleplay a civil war. How to get the civil war to work and have it actually be a challenge is the idea for a challenge that I came up with a couple weeks ago.

This is amazing. After nearly 50 chapters you still manage to mix it up. I liked how you referred to the Lusitannan as the Iberian Confederacy. I laughed a little upon hearing that. This should be interesting!
Back when Carthage conquered the Lusotania territory from the Iberians I started considering them Arevaci (Celtiberians) since that was their capital and the strongest tribe left. When the retook Lusotania I decided to call them the Iberian Confederacy. In the next chapter I'll be fighting your Iberian Confederacy. (It looks like your AAR has made it into both mine and hooahguy's recently.) :laugh4:

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

I did more than just roleplay a civil war. How to get the civil war to work and have it actually be a challenge is the idea for a challenge that I came up with a couple weeks ago.
Can't wait. And later explain it, please.:smiley:

[Chirurgeon]

I did more than just roleplay a civil war. How to get the civil war to work and have it actually be a challenge is the idea for a challenge that I came up with a couple weeks ago.

Back when Carthage conquered the Lusotania territory from the Iberians I started considering them Arevaci (Celtiberians) since that was their capital and the strongest tribe left. When the retook Lusotania I decided to call them the Iberian Confederacy. In the next chapter I'll be fighting your Iberian Confederacy. (It looks like your AAR has made it into both mine and hooahguy's recently.) :laugh4:

I think its cool how we can do that. I am really intrigued as to how you did a civil war. CAn't wait!

[Lysimachos]

I did more than just roleplay a civil war. How to get the civil war to work and have it actually be a challenge is the idea for a challenge that I came up with a couple weeks ago.

Some weeks ago i thought about how to do a civil war for a (at the moment postponed) romani aar. I'm curious to see if you have some better ideas than i had :beam:

[Strategos Alexandros]

Brilliant update!:beam: Did you give some territories to the AS for the civil war?

[hrrypttrbst]

It all sounds great and the name of the chapter is really true to the story i was amazed how much disaster come from every side of the Arche Makedonia

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thanks for the comments.

I don't think my form of civil war would work for the Romani. It isn't too complex, but requires a few things being setup correctly. And forced diplomacy.

[General Appo]

Hmmm... I think I know what you&#180;re planning. Oh well, we&#180;ll see if I&#180;m correct.

[Hooahguy]

well, time to come out of the shadows again! looks like civil war is coming up more often these days among AARs.... mine, yours, ect.
good luck!

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Chapter 50 : Philip's War

When the news of Basileus Neokles' death arrives in Iberia, Philippos is already besieging the Iberian fort-city of Baikor. Upon hearing the news, Philippos prepares to assemble his army, march east, and join his father in his claim for the throne. Before Philippos could even inform his men of his intention, however, a letter from his father arrives. Pyrrhos writes to his son of many things. First he talks of his intensions to sail for Sikilia and then the city of Roma to gain support for his claim to the throne.

After discussing his general plan, he tells his son of what it would take to be a good general and a good leader. It is advice that Pyrrhos has given all of his sons many times and Philippos knows it well. Even written, Philippos knows he was more sincere now than he had ever been before. Pyrrhos listed the virtues that he saw made up the perfect man and perfect leader, virtues Philippos had striven for his entire life.

Philippos took all of his father's words to heart, but then came the surprising news. Pyrrhos gives direct orders to Philippos, as a son and a subordent general, to remain in Iberia and to fight the Iberian Confederacy. Pyrrhos intends on taking his first and third born sons with him, as well as his young fourth born son, to Makedonia, but he wants Philippos to not get invovled. He tells his son that he wants at least one son that is not tainted by the politics of the time, who could be clean of all ill doings that were about to come. Pleading with his son to remain out of the evils he will soon endure, Pyrrhos finishes his letter by telling his son to look to his uncle Gelon if anything happens to him.

https://img441.imageshack.us/img441/2443/maa2672dd7.png

Young Philippos decides to heed his father's words and remain in Iberia. The young man is extremely loyal to his father and to his home of Makedonia. He is a noble and virtuous man. The only thing he lacks is charisma. He isn't an unfriendly man, he simply believes that there are better ways to spend his time than giving speaches and befriending nobles at feasts. He is very smart, and dispite his low charisma found himself a smart wife to compliment him. Taking after his father, in the short time that he has been active, he has grown to become a good military leader.

With trouble brewing all around him, Philippos knows that he must bring this war in Iberia to a close quickly. Were a civil war to break out in the Arche Makedonia, Philippos knows that reinforcement will never come. Risking early losses, Philippos decides to attack the besieged city of Baikor and take it by force:
https://img165.imageshack.us/img165/6439/maa2606ti1.png

The garrison is small and the only thing stopping Philippos is the stone walls encircling the city. With siege towers in position, Philippos orders his men to take those walls:
https://img252.imageshack.us/img252/9466/maa2607yj9.png

The elite Peltastai quickly take the lightly defended walls and begin raining down death from their high position:
https://img252.imageshack.us/img252/7268/maa2609rx3.png

With the walls taken and the forward defenders disorganized, Philippos makes his move and orders his main force through the gates:
https://img165.imageshack.us/img165/729/maa2611tp6.png

Seeing such and outnumbering force, the few defenders of the walls fall back to the city's center hill and regroup. Philippos then moves his entire army into the city and slowly marches on the city center.

The infantry move against the inner defenses and the Syrian archers begin the final battle by weakening up the enemy with several volleys of arrows:
https://img165.imageshack.us/img165/2756/maa2613on8.png

The infantry charge the first line of defenses, who quickly break and flee:
https://img165.imageshack.us/img165/2523/maa2614gm8.png

Moving in from the great hall in the center of the town, a small group of Iberian swordsmen counter the vast army of Makedonike spearmen:
https://img525.imageshack.us/img525/3994/maa2615ma7.png

Circling his cavalry around through the town, Philippos personally leads a charge at the rear of the enemy and quickly kills the last defenders:
https://img229.imageshack.us/img229/6660/maa2616kc6.png

Although losses are taken, they are quite few for an attack on an enemy city:
https://img229.imageshack.us/img229/7210/maa2617cl9.jpg

Philippos rests his army a couple months an establishes military control of Baikor. Once the initial unrest subsides, Philippos moves one of the allied armies of coastal Iberians into the city and moves his army westward.

Just to the west, in the town the locals call Sucum-Murgi the Arevaci king, Tueizu Consaburacoi, current head of the Iberian Confederacy, is raising an army. Cornering a small scout army, Philippos is able to draw the elite Iberian army from the city and into a battle on the open fields:
https://img525.imageshack.us/img525/9308/maa2618on1.png

With the Iberian scouts cornered at a small lake, and the two large apposing armies approaching eachother from either side and the battle begins:
https://img229.imageshack.us/img229/3234/maa2619wv0.png

Philippos marches his army forward a short distance, halts, orders his archers to fire a single volley then marches forward again:
https://img229.imageshack.us/img229/7092/maa2620pj1.png

Slowly moving forward and regularly firing volleys of arrows, the Iberian light infantry is quickly widdled away until only a handful of men remain, running for the hills:
https://img229.imageshack.us/img229/4085/maa2622vb5.png

With the small army gone, all that remains are the two elite armies, facing off along the edge of the lake:
https://img229.imageshack.us/img229/3654/maa2623zh0.png

Philippos moves his men forward then halts. Facing off against eachother, only a short distance between them, the two lines begin skirmishing with their javelin:
https://img525.imageshack.us/img525/5606/maa2624gv5.png

The skirmishing lasts a short while, then the Iberians charge forward at the Makedonike line:
https://img165.imageshack.us/img165/5388/maa2625tf0.png

At first, not much is evident, then the Makedonike line starts taking losses and loosing cofidence. Seeing the situation, Philippos yells to his men to hold their positions and rushes his cavalry around his right flank.

Skirting through the woods, Philippos surprises the Iberians and charge out into the rear of the Iberian left flank:
https://img165.imageshack.us/img165/9375/maa2626ks4.png

Philippos quickly pulls his cavalry out of the fight and regroups them. Leading another charge, this time on the center, he hits the enemy in the rear again:
https://img165.imageshack.us/img165/5038/maa2627fv5.png

Philippos pulls his cavalry out again and as he looks back at the line he sees his own men beginning to faulter. Looking to the Iberian right flank he sees why. King Tueizu Consaburacoi is shouting out orders to his men and leading all aspects of the battle. Even units that are loosing the fight against the Makedones are filled with confidence simply because this man is here.

Realizing what must be done, Philippos charges in at Tueizu Consaburacoi on the Iberian right flank. Tueizu Consaburacoi attempts to escape but is quickly caught by the Makedonike cavalry:
https://img165.imageshack.us/img165/3163/maa2628em0.png

Almost like magic, as the Arevaci king falls, so does his army. Leaving the dead bloody body of the king laying in the field, Philippos charges his cavalry in one last time at the enemy and the entire army breaks:
https://img165.imageshack.us/img165/1827/maa2630pt2.png

Chasing them from the field, Philippos makes sure no enemy makes it back to the city to defend it:
https://img165.imageshack.us/img165/8928/maa2631oz6.jpg

Philippos learns much, both from his experience and from witnessing the great enemy general. For future conflicts, Philippos knows how to lead his men better:
https://img229.imageshack.us/img229/6710/maa2633ju7.jpg

One thing Philippos learns from this battle is the weakness of the Thorakitai soldier. In order to better meet varied enemies, Philippos devides the Thorakitai class into two types, creating a class that uses only a straight shortsword and no spear:
https://img441.imageshack.us/img441/4512/maa2670rf9.png

After seeing to his wounded and resting his men, Philippos marches west and takes the enemy city. With no Iberian army for many miles, a huge chuck of land falls into the hands of the Arche Makedonia:
https://img229.imageshack.us/img229/8080/maa2634vv8.png

In the city, Philippos captures the treasury of the Arevaci king and gains a small furtune for himself. With it comes respect as well as jealousy:
https://img165.imageshack.us/img165/3725/maa2635gb0.jpg


The known world in 176BC:
https://img229.imageshack.us/img229/3743/hxmak1762nq4.png
[You'll notice some heavy FD there.]

Next: Chapter 51 : The Race for Pella
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4000th post ! ! !

[hrrypttrbst]

Intresting chapter:2thumbsup: .good work:2thumbsup: !!

[Reality=Chaos]

congrats on your 4000th post mate. Can't wait to see who wins the race for Pella

[Chirurgeon]

Painful chapter for me. Good to see the Iberians putting up a good fight though :) Congrats on your 4000 post. Is that Iberian brown in Ireland? How did the AI manage to do that?

[Reverend Joe]

Whoa, damn, what happened to Baktria?! I thought they were supposed to be the most advanced faction... were they just a paper tiger, or did the Saka get lucky?

[General Appo]

Come on guys, read the freaking AAR! Or didn&#180;t anyone notice the "You&#180;ll notice some heavy FD there". Obviously he has been using Force Diplomacy to give away those regions.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Yes, the rebirth of Media, Iberian in Ireland, the destruction of Baktria, and the gain for all of her neighbors were all done through forced diplomacy.

Well, first I went in and defeated every single Baktrian army and conquered all but one of their cities using cheats (so they wouldn't just retake everything I FD'd away from them the next turn). Then I tore down some buildings and created some other ones that would suit the new owners using cheats. Finally, I gave the towns to whoever I wanted.

I also made a small script that spawned L3 MICs for the Median towns (I hated fighing purely Pantodapoi armies when fighting Hayasdan/Media).

I have an ultimate plan to my meddling, not just the destruction of a faction that annoys me (Baktria).

Chirurgeon, those Iberians are tough. Between my new army that lacks sarrisa and the strength of the Iberians, I took way more losses then I'm used to.

I'm surprised nobody commented on my new unit...

[Chirurgeon]

Not familiar enough with Macedonian troops to know...I guess the ones with the new swords?

[chairman]

It's kinda hard to tell by the picture, but I'm gonna guess that you canabilized the now-irrelevant Pontikoi Thorakitai skin.

"MAA once again makes every other EB player jealous by creating a new unit for the Great Arche Makedonia!"

Chairman

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

Very interesting and makes me curious for the upcoming civil war. Yes, what unit did you create?


"MAA once again makes every other EB player jealous by creating a new unit for the Great Arche Makedonia!"
So true!

[Chirurgeon]

No offense to MAA and his AAR, but I am glad there is a new page! It takes a long time to load all those pics!!

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

You can adjust the number of posts per page. Personally I put it to 10, that's fine for me.

[Kuningaz]

Wow I'm really surprised that after all this time is still so awasome. I actually have to admit that you just inspired me for going on with my Makedonian campaign for the 3rd time^^.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thanks for the comments. :bow:

The unit showed was the "Pontikoi Thorakitai". I was thinking of deviding the Thorakitai corps into "Thorakitai Hoplitai", "Thorakitai Phalangitai", and "Thorakitai Sworditai" :sweatdrop: using a couple units from defeated factions. I'm not sure I'll do it or not since I haven't played this campaign since the v1.1 release. I wish there was a unit I could use to make a "Thorakitai Toxotai", though...

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Chapter 51 : The Race for Pella

The year of 176BC starts and the great plague finally begins to fade away. In Makedonia and Hellas, the plague almost completely disappears. Only in distant trade cities, where the plague had quitely spread at later times, does the dying continue:
https://img72.imageshack.us/img72/5046/maa2637dd2.jpg

With the Era of Disaster finally drawing to a close, a new era begins, an era of internal conflict. Three men claim the throne, Pyrrhos in Africa, Bykoli in Babylonia, and Herakleon in Bosphoria. All men head for the capital city of Pella, to get the endorsement of the council of nobles and get crowned as Basileus of the Arche Makedonia.

The key to claiming the throne lies in military strength. A man with a loyal army can get the nobles endorsement even if the nobles dislike him, and none of the three men are universally liked. At this time in the Arche Makedonia, only four professional Makedonike armies stand. In the west, there is Pyrrhos' army of Pezhetairoi backed up by Italians and Illyrians. There is also the army of Philippos, a Thorakitai army. Pyrrhos does not call to his son and his army for assistance, however. To the east, there is only one standing Makedonike army. With the disbanding of Aristotelis' army, only the Syrian army of Bykoli remains. The final professional army is in Pella. The royal army of Neokles stations itself in the capital itself, under temperary command of the nobles.

Other than the professional armies, there are small armies dispersed around the Arche. Major armies of Klerouchoi or conscripts are all across the Arche: one in Nabataia, one in Nubia, two in Africa, one in Babylonia, one in Chersonesos, and Lysippos' army in Egrisi. There are also armies of regional recruits in Pannonia, southern Gaul, Iberia, Lysippos' second army in Egrisi, and many on the eastern front. And of course there are the allied client states. Joudaia lacks an army, but both Roma and Galatia have a large standing force.

Herakleon, son of Euboulides, grandson of Antigonos Gontanas, is leader of his small branch of the family in Bosphoria. With him, he has only his two brothers and Lysippos in Egrisi. Other than Bykoli, Herakleon has the most legitimate claim to the throne as the second closest direct male descendant of the royal line, but with a small army and few supporters, he has the smallest chance of success. As he prepares his army and his navy (one of his few strengths), envoys from Bykoli arrive and attempt to convince him to join the side of Bykoli. Herakleon quickly refuses, believing Bykoli to be the least likely candidate and returns to his preparations. A few days later, Herakleon falls ill and quickly dies:
https://img167.imageshack.us/img167/4586/maa2638km3.jpg

Although it seems like natural causes, the previous "mysterious deaths" in the past when in the presence of envoys from Bykoli leads only to one logical conclusion. Although assassination is obvious, none of Herakleon's brothers are willing to claim the throne while his sons and nephews are all too young to do so. Thus, Bykoli is successful in removing one competitor.

Although one man's journey is cut short, the other two men who claim the throne must travel to the capital, but not forget to gain support as they go. Bykoli, having already set up friendly leaders in Babylonia, moves to Assyria but has a difficult time crossing the deserts with his large army. Pyrrhos, having access to the best port in the world has quick access to travel via the sea.

Pyrrhos sends word ahead of him to Syrakousai, to gather the nobles of the island. Once his army is ready and the loyalty of Africa is ensured, Pyrrhos sails for Syrakousai. Pyrrhos has long had strong contacts in Sikilia and their loyalty is almost ensured, but Pyrrhos meets with the leaders of the island and southern Italia and guarantees their support.

Once the loyalty of the polis of Sikilia is sworn, Pyrrhos sails to the city of Roma. Pyrrhos may have defeated the armies of Roma and conquered the city, but he had not harmed the people when he marched into the city. In the years after the conquest, Pyrrhos had even restored large amounts of autonomy to Roma under her rebuilt Senate, and many of those new Senators owned their position to Pyrrhos. Stopping in Roma for a short time, the Senate and Roman army pledges their loyalty to the man they call "Pyrrhus Magnus".

Northern Italia, southern Gaul, and all Iberian territories are all controlled by close family members of Pyrrhos and their loyalty is ensured. With everything west of Illyria loyal to him, Pyrrhos heads to Pannonia, Illyria, and Epieros, where distant members of his branch of the family rule. Loyalty in this region is quickly received as soon as he arrives. With the death of Neikolaos, his family recognizes him as head of the Alexandros branch. Pyrrhos is forced to make a quick stop in this region, however, to replenish and replace his Illyrian cavalry force, many of which are long overdue for retirement:
https://img167.imageshack.us/img167/8476/maa2639di5.png

To the east, the Sab'yn forces once again strike the Klerouchoi army in the colony at Bostra:
https://img167.imageshack.us/img167/6900/maa2640jz3.png

With troubles brewing Eulandros Delphikos had called his sons to join him at Bostra, where they discussed what they would do if civil war did in fact break out. As they discussed what they would do with the forces that the family now controls, forces of Sab'yn attack and Eulandros' son Chrysoloras takes command of the army to defend the city.

Once again the Klerouchoi forces hold their ground against a massive Arab charge:
https://img167.imageshack.us/img167/8770/maa2641um5.png

Losses are taken by the Bostra army, but more are dealt out against the enemy:
https://img504.imageshack.us/img504/1352/maa2650za8.jpg

On the far side of the great desert, the army of the city of Babylon, under the command of Isidoros Oresteus marches across the desert and attacks the small oasis city of Gerrha. Ignoring the internal conflicts and continuing with preplanned tactics, Isidoros refused to choose any side and instead fights an enemy he knows is an enemy:
https://img504.imageshack.us/img504/9711/maa2651lh0.png

Despite wars still raging, all that concerned the leaders of the Arche was who would be the next Basileus. Bykoli and Pefkolaos had been in Iran when Neokles died and were left far behind in the race to Pella, but they gained some ground by already ensuring the loyalty of those in Babylonia. From Babylonia, Bykoli takes his to Assyria and southern Armenia, where he won over the majority of the peoples, leaders, and armies. The Thraikoi of Armenia (see end of Armenian War) and those loyal to Lysippos, however, are not impressed by him. Instead of travelling all the way into Armenia, out of fear of those who do not support him, Bykoli and Pefkolaos then move toward the city of Demetreia:
https://img167.imageshack.us/img167/6130/maa2653ei2.png

From Demetriea, Bykoli had planned to travel through Anatolia and gain the support of those there, but is forced to stop in Demetreia. With the earth shaking and smoke coming from the mountains, Bykoli's priests warn him against travelling northwest just yet. Delayed, Bykoli retrains and replenishes his army in Demetreia and assembles a fleet, in case he is forced to make the journey by sea.

With every major army rushing for the capital or preoccupied debating which man they will side with, the borders of the Arche Makedonia are weaken and open to attack. Even in Iberia, the strongest border and the only place with a professional army still stationed on it, the situation is weakened. When one of the border forts is besieged, no armies can come to their rescue and it is unable to hold out for long on its own:
https://img504.imageshack.us/img504/2220/maa2655fp7.png

The Gallic mercenaries hired to defend the border of the Arche do thier best to hold the Iberians at the walls:
https://img504.imageshack.us/img504/6008/maa2658eu0.png

In the end, overwhelming force pushes through and the Gallic mercenaries are forced to surrender:
https://img167.imageshack.us/img167/9494/maa2659iw4.png

The fort is surrendered and the inland regions of northern Iberia fall completely into Iberian hands:
https://img504.imageshack.us/img504/2073/maa2660xo6.jpg

With the borders breached, the Iberians are able to push all the way to Emporion:
https://img504.imageshack.us/img504/6189/maa2663bv8.png

The Iberians are no match for the Hellenic city defenders, and they retreat quickly. With the open front, however, moral is lost amongst the civilians living on the Iberian front:
https://img72.imageshack.us/img72/446/maa2664kn3.jpg

Delayed in Demetreia, Bykoli and Pefkolaos make little progress. They then move into Anatolia and begin to gain support in this core area of the Arche Makedonia:
https://img504.imageshack.us/img504/742/maa2662cw9.png

Bykoli is too slow, though. As Bykoli is crossing into Anatolia, Pyrrhos and two of his sons enter Pella with their army:
https://img72.imageshack.us/img72/714/maa2661sv9.png

Pyrrhos, his sons, and his army march into the city of Pella and are greeted as triumphant saviors. The people of Makedonia come out to greet him and offer him gifts. The city erupts into celebration, like it has never seen before. This the first time the people crown a popular leader since Demetrios. Marching to the center of the city, Pyrrhos is welcomed by the nobles. On the same spot where Perseus had embraced his uncle and declared he accepted Demetrios as Basileus, nearly fifty years prior, the nobles of all of Makedonia show their reverence to Pyrrhos. After meeting with the council of nobles, Pyrrhos emerges and gives a speach to the people of Pella, declaring that he has been made Basileus of all the Arche Makedonia and that he will name is son Philippos as his heir.

The people of Makedonia are overjoyed. Demetrios had been a great leader, but when he died the Arche Makedonia had begun a turn downward. The reign of Aristotelis had begun with an unwanted war and had ended with madness. The reign of his son, Neokles had been short and a general failure in all aspects and people attributed all the ills of the Arche to him, even natural disasters. Now the people have a strong Basileus as well as a competant heir:
https://img147.imageshack.us/img147/8048/maa2605ua9.png

When word reaches Bykoli and Pefkolaos that Pyrrhos has arrived in Pella, been crowned Basileus, and gained the loyalty of the royal army, Bykoli halts his army. At first, Bykoli is unsure what to do. Bykoli was never a wise man, and situations without an obvious choice had always been hard for him. His first thought is to fall back to Babylonia, where he is ensured of the loyalty of the people and the armies, and from there set up a separate Arche, negotiate peace with Pyrrhos, and live his days relatively peacefully. Pefkolaos quickly convinces him otherwise. Always being the mind of Bykoli, Pefkolaos decides the best course of action is to march west and confront Pyrrhos on the battlefield. Reluctantly, Bykoli agrees.

Bykoli and Pefkolaos reach an area south of Galatia, when trajety strikes them. While walking amongst his men, as he often had done, a random soldier rushes forward and thrusts his sword into Bykoli's stomach. Nobody ever learns why the man does it, for a swarm of men quickly surround the man and stab him many many times. Bleeding profusely, Bykoli realizes his death is near. Surrounded my his loyal men and grabbing the wrist of one of his generals, he looks into the sky and says, "It's not worth war," and then he fades into darkness.

With two men dead and one left standing, it appears that a civil war is averted and Pyrrhos shall be the undisputed Basileus. Pefkolaos will not have this, though. Rallying the army to him (they had always been more loyal to him than Bykoli, anyways), Pefkolaos declares that his two year old son is the true heir to the line of Demetrios and rallies his army to move forward. Declaring himself regent for his son, Pefkolaos takes complete control of all of Bykoli's powers. Declaring themselves the Demetrids, Pefkolaos and his followers say that only descendants of Megas Demetrios are fit to rule the Arche Makedonia. Giving moving speaches to the people of Anatolia, Pefkolaos wins over the people with his promise to avenge the deaths of both Neokles and Bykoli.

By the spring of 175BC, everyone is choosing sides. Iberia, southern Gaul, northern Italia, Pannonia, Illyria, and Epeiros fall in with Pyrrhos because of his family connections. Sikilia and Africa also side with Pyrrhos because of his involvement in those areas in the past. Roma sides with their very conqueror and join Pyrrhos. Makedonia, Thraikia, and by default Hellas fall into Pyrrhos' hands when he is declared Basileus, but most of Hellas never official claims loyalty to either side. Babylonia, Assyria, Armenia, and Syria all side with Pefkolaos because of their loyalty to Aristotelis. Pontos, Anatolia, and Ionia join Pefkolaos because of his direct contact with them and his promises, but it is a weak bond.

With that, the general line is drawn straight through the Bosphoros, but then there are some areas that could go either way. Eygpt is mostly neutral, but eventually decides to join Pefkolaos because of the weak ties to the family of Megas Demetrios. Both Galatia and Ioudaia side with Pyrrhos because of their direct ties to Makedonia and not direct ties to any man. Only one city in Hellas officially joins either side, and that is the city of Sparte, declaring their loyalty to Pefkolaos.

None of the family of Alexandros turn on Pyrrhos, but there are those amongth the families of Antigonos who believe strongly enough in Pyrrhos that they openly turn on Pefkolaos. First amongst them is Antisthenes Gortynios, son-in-law of Demetrios. Antisthenes Gortynios had defended the city of Kyrene from attacks from Kart-Hadast for decades and had lead an attack against them in Neokles' invasion of Africa. Antisthenes Gortynios hates Phoenicians and follows Pyrrhos because of his great victories against Kart-Hadast. With Antisthenes Gortynios, Pyrrhos doesn't only gain the loyalty of his army and the coasts near Lepki, but Kyrenaia and Lybia as well, for they are still strongly loyal to Antisthenes Gortynios. Other than Antisthenes Gortynios, there is the Delphikos family in Bostra. They side with Pyrrhos as well, but don't hope to stand too long, cut off from supplies and surrounded by Pefkolaos supporters. There is also, Isidoros Oresteus on the far side of Arabia, who continues to ignore the issues and remains besieging the city of Gerrha.

Finally, there is the issue of the family of Euboulides. Having lost their leader at the hands of an agent of Bykoli and not having anyone left to challenge Pyrrhos' claim, the family of Euboulides sides with Pyrrhos. With the family, comes to old tired hero Lysippos and his two great armies. Bosphoria, Egrisi, and parts of Pontos then swear their loyalty to the Euboulides branch and therefore to Pyrrhos as the new Basileus.

Hearing that Pyrrhos is not doing well, Pefkolaos crosses the Bosphoros and moves into Thraikia to claim Makedonia. Though tired from marching, tired from politics, and extremely sick, Pyrrhos assembles his army and moves to counter the attack:
https://img72.imageshack.us/img72/6664/maa2665pl3.png

So there, in southern Thraikia, two great Makedonike armies meet. This battle will mark either the begginning or the end of a civil war. Depending on the outcome, it will be determined what the fate of the entire Arche Makedonia and thus the entire world:
[One of the oracles predictions to Demetrios...]
https://img72.imageshack.us/img72/1584/maa2666dq4.png


The known world in the spring of175BC, at the beginning of the Makedonian Civil War:
https://img72.imageshack.us/img72/4193/hxmak1763editqh5.png

Next: Civil War?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Pyrrhos (blue) in the west is "Makedonia", and Pefkolaos (red) in the east is "Baktria". Baktria still owns the city of Baktra but I editted the map so that it keeps its original color and looks like a separate kingdom. Baktria is the perfect faction to use for a Makedonian civil war since they share MICs. The "Demetrids" (Baktria) spawned in the FD and will be able to recruit Hellenistic units, but not regionals, making for a good Makedonian civil war.

That is as far as I've played. I got to that battle and though, "This will take an hour, I'll play it later." Then EB v1.1 came out a couple days later. While I haven't been playing v1.1, I haven't had a lot of time to play any computer games. Plus, I finally bought Kingdoms. So, what do you think, should I keep playing and making this AAR or let it die?

[Chirurgeon]

OMG this is AMAZING. Wow. I am speechless MAA. What a cliffhanger. My hat off to you in combining excellent writing and your technical prowess to do this. Truly remarkable. You need to play this. This AAR has been building up to something like this. I cannot wait to see what happens. All AARS are now judged by the MAA standard. After the war however it should really come to a close. Civil war is the ultimate climax to an empire if you ask me.

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

:jawdrop: :jawdrop: :jawdrop: :jawdrop: :jawdrop: :jawdrop: :jawdrop: :jawdrop: :jawdrop: :jawdrop: OMG. I just peed my pants. This is the one single best chapter ever.

If you should continue your AAR? Are you kidding or what... Yes you should definitely play out this civil war! I want pictures from that battle in Thraikia. And I want you to explain me please how you made Baktria split into two factions. And how you assign provinces, troops and characters etc. to another faction. Pleeeaaase!

[Chaotix]

Wow, this is insane, MAA! You have to play this. You can't stop now, this is the best part! I'll be looking forward to this... and if (when) you post the next chapter, I'll have a balloon waiting for you! :balloon3:

[Ower]

I agre with the others, You have to continue this MAA, the Civil war is the best cloasure, When one comes on top, and the strife ends that is the best point where to end it. You dont even have to play it ti the end but till the Winer is clear.
But yeah this chapter just blown my mind it was awesom.

[General Appo]

You...Must...Play...Final....Battle!!! It will be the epic end to an era.

[Reality=Chaos]

:dizzy2: :dizzy2: :dizzy2: :dizzy2: Will you never stop blowing us away, with your awesome AAR? WOW this was simply amazing. Can't wait for the civil War.

[White_eyes:D]

You MUST finish the final battle for this Civil war as its too good to waste:yes: .
BTW Love the Civil war theme wish we could freely have those, like it was back then......:skull:

[Lysimachos]

OMG this is AMAZING. Wow. I am speechless MAA. What a cliffhanger. My hat off to you in combining excellent writing and your technical prowess to do this. Truly remarkable. You need to play this. This AAR has been building up to something like this. I cannot wait to see what happens. All AARS are now judged by the MAA standard. After the war however it should really come to a close. Civil war is the ultimate climax to an empire if you ask me.

Seconded! ~:thumb:

[Frodge]

MORTAL KOMBAT!!!!!!!!!! :laugh4: :laugh4: :2thumbsup:
You know what you should do, fight the war and have it being so destructive that Makedon ends up as a much smaller kingdom. Ends where it began, you know. Very poetic.

[hrrypttrbst]

Oh my God, this is the best AAR ever!!!!!! And how you create the civil war is just amazing.And i will love to see this AAR going further, but you must make your own choise, and wich kindom are you now?

[MerlinusCDXX]

Wow, a great way to close an awesome AAR. I henceforth declare my official support of Megas Pyrrhos Basileos ton Arkhe Makedonike.

[CaesarAugustus]

Absolutely amazing! Please play out the civil war, and explain in a little more detail how you created the Demetrids, and assigned the FMs etc.

All hail Pyrrhus Magnus!

[Respenus]

This...is...killer...

May the Gods and any and all Forces ever created curse you if you don't finish this. Even it is means your last breath, it will be worth it and worthy of the great Arche!

Just for the sake of it MAA, any chance you might torrent this version of yours and seed it? I'd give my right hand right now for your skills in editing, or just to play the battle. The Holy Grail of all AARs is in your hand MAA. Do not let is slip. Drink from it and we shall forwever praise you as the one and only AAR God (no offense meant to all other AAR writters).

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thanks for the comments, compliments, and enthusiasism everybody. :bow:

How I created the "Baktria" side of the civil war was destroying Baktria and remaking them. I sent armies over to Baktria's territories (with 'move_character' and 'character_reset') and used 'auto_win' to defeat everything I could find. (The armies I sent had the 30-40 family members that I wanted to kill off because they were joining Pefkoloas.) I destroyed everything Baktrian except a small military in Baktra, the faction leader, the faction heir, and a guy that looked like Pefkoloas. I exterminated all the towns that I took then gave them to the three factions around Baktria. Then I disbanded all of my military in the towns I wanted to give to "the Demetrids" and, using forced diplomacy, I gave all of the towns to Baktria, spawning tons of regional units for them. I used 'create_unit' to replace some armies that I had disbanded but wanted the Demetrids to have, but for the most part my plan is to let them mobilize on their own. I didn't create any family members for them, but having a shortage of generals and a ton of new towns, the AI should be magically spawning new generals all over the place. I guy that looks like Pefkolaos, I'll call Pefkolaos and every other new general will just be new in the story since none of the guys I killed off were important or mentioned previously in the AAR. They did move their capital to Tarsos, though I wish they had chosen Demetreia.

I'm hoping that the three factions around the east (Nubia, Media, & Saba) will be able to take some territory from the Demetrids and make an interesting situation there, but Pyrrhos is not stupid enough to let his side fall apart. He left is son and an entire army in Iberia because he need to ensure the income of the mines there and keep his Arche from falling apart.

I'll see if I can get some time to play again on Tuesday. Until then I have a ton of University work I need to do.

Just for the sake of it MAA, any chance you might torrent this version of yours and seed it?
I'd have to upload every last file, since my version is pre-1.0. Plus, my ISP sent me an email saying that I need to cut the amount of bandwidth I'm using, so I've stopped using Torrents, or else I'll risk getting my internet cut.

[Lysimachos]

and a guy that looked like Pefkoloas.

Ah, i've been wondering how you got him on the other side :applause:

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

Thank you for the explanations MAA. What does "character_reset" do? Do you have to use some kind of internal names to move the characters or are the in-game names sufficient?

[hrrypttrbst]

Suddenly everything is clear!

[Mordrorru]

I'm afraid there is only one option to end the ARR. Dissolve the empire.

As far as I can tell, here's how the situation could play out.

Pyrrhos defeats Pefkolaos in this battle, but Pefkolaos escapes back into his Eastern provinces. Pyrrhos however will claim victory and lay claim to the entire eastern portion of the Macedonian Empire. But with Pefkolaos still living, he will need to reconquer the Eastern provinces to reunite the empire, a process which could take years if not decades, time that Pyrrhos doesn't have. Peace negotiations begin. Perhaps there will be two Macedonian Empires. One East, one West. But before the negotiations are completed, Pyrrhos dies from old age and illness. Pefkolaos immediately seizes the opprotunity, again laying claim to the Western Portion of the Macedonian Empire and marches his army towards Pella. The city falls and Macedonia proper falls under Pefkolaos' control and Pyrrhos' sons flee to Italy. The army under Pyrrhos' son in Spain is recalled to Italy.

However, the entire Western Empire does not fall under Pefkolaos' sway. Seizing the opprotunity, several dissident Greek cities declare independance and northern Greece is in rebellion, soon followed suit by Southern Greece. Pefkolaos will have to deal with this before moving on into Italy to destroy the heirs of Pyrrhos, thereby cementing his claim to all of the Macedonian Empire. He marches south to quell the Greek states.

However, all is not well with the Western Empire either.
The Western Empire's power is weakened. Pyrrhos' sons having milder support than Pyrrhos did, and portions of the empire begin to fall away.
The far-flung territories in Spain either claim independance or are overcome by barbarians, lacking military support from the Western Empire, whose attention is to the east. North Africa also rebels with the death of Pyrrhos, and Carthage is declared reborn.

The Eastern Empire fairs little better. With the might of Macedonia turned inward, the heirs of the Ptolomies from the south, the old hated enemy, gain support and reconquer portions of Egypt. The furthest territories in the East fall to invasion, and several territories around the Black Sea rebel or fall away as well.


Pefkolaos manages to subdue the rebellious Greek states but now must turn his attention to problems in the East. Again, the Western Empire will have to wait.

Neither Pefkolaos nor the heirs of Pyrrhos have the resources or support to send armies to all corners of the Empire to deal with these problems, and the Macedonian Empire shrinks. The Eastern Empire now consists of Anatolia, Macedonia, Greece, the Levant and Northern Egypt. The Western Empire consists of Italy, Sicily, Libya, and Yugoslavia.


But soon the Western Empire no longer exists. The Roman Senate no longer sees the good in remaining loyal to Macedonia that the sons of Pyrrhos claim they are, and Pyrrhos' sons are either murdered or forced to flee into exile. The Roman Senate declares independance and Sicily and Libya soon follow suit. Yugoslavia joins with the Eastern Empire.

That's all I got. :sweatdrop: I'm saying you've got to dissolve the Empire because if one sides emerges strong and victorious there is no reason that the game should end, as there is still reason to continue.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thank you for the explanations MAA. What does "character_reset" do? Do you have to use some kind of internal names to move the characters or are the in-game names sufficient?
No problem. "character_reset" restores all of the movepoint an army had at the beginning of the turn, but you have to know the internal name of the character the same way as "give_trait" or "move_character" requires. For the Greeks, though, getting the name right is pretty easy as it is usually just the same as the visible name.

Mordrorru,
Interesting chain of events. I've thought of similar, how the empire could crumble because of the civil war. The thing is, though, that the west is extremely strong. Both the Numidians and the Iberian Confederacy have been crippled and both in Gaul is allied to me. If Philippos can secure Iberia, the western front can be secured and the entire west can focus on the civil war. The east on the other hand is surrounded by powers. Saba, Media, and Ptolemaioi are sort of strong, and knowing the AI, they will leave openings for these powers to carve out a chunk of the eastern part.

Also, there is Philippos. He is probably the best family member I've had since Demetrios. Other than being uncharasmatic, he has no negative traits. I'm planning on using him as a strong heir to fill Pyrrhos' big shoes.

You are right, though. If I reunite the Arche and one power is born again, that really isn't an end... I guess I'll just play for a while and see what direction the game takes me...

[Subedei]

Amazing work....CANNOT WAIT FOR THE BATTLE!!!!!:2thumbsup:

[Reverend Joe]

Well, there are two (somewhat arbitrary) ways to end it all, either with the end of the civil war or the end of Pyrrhos's or Phillipos's reign. Either way, it would effectively be the foundation of a new dynasty. Nobody would think of the new line of Makedonian kings as "Antigonids" anymore, after a rupture as severe as the one you have displayed. More likely, the line would be more closely associated with Pyrrhos and Phillipos than with the long-lost Antigonos or Demetrios. Hence, it would be the end of the Antigonids, the founders of the Arche Makedonia, and the beginning of the Pyrrhid line.

[General Appo]

Or just FD everything to the Casse and say that you were unexpectedly invaded by some barbarians.

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

Thank you for your explanations MAA. A few days ago I looked for two hours through the whole AAR and copied all the explanations on the technical side you gave to us into a .txt on my harddrive. :2thumbsup:


Or just FD everything to the Casse and say that you were unexpectedly invaded by some barbarians.
Way to cheap for such an obra cumbre of all AARs, General Appo.

[Tyrfingr]

Hence, it would be the end of the Antigonids, the founders of the Arche Makedonia, and the beginning of the Pyrrhid line.

The new line, if Pyrrhos is victorious, will be Cripploidos then? (Pyrrhos the Crippled, get it?) :laugh4:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Well, Pyrrhos and Philippos are descendants of Antigonos Monophthalmos, so they can claim to remain part of the Antigonid Dynasty. I was thinking of starting a whole new thread called "The Pyrrhic Dynasty : A Makedonian AAR", though. I don't know how long I'll keep playing, though and if a new thread would be worth it.

Thank you for your explanations MAA. A few days ago I looked for two hours through the whole AAR and copied all the explanations on the technical side you gave to us into a .txt on my harddrive. :2thumbsup:
My next trick will be adding Polybian Romani units to the Makedonike roster. :clown:
(I need an allied Roman legion.)

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Oi! I just played that battle and it sucked. I killed everything but two units of Syrian archers who I couldn't catch up with and circled the map chasing. The timer ran out and since I attacked I got a "Close Defeat". Which meant that none of my causualties were recovered and 80% of their causualties were. That and the fact that the elephants are way too strong the way I altered them, I'm going to have to play the battle again... Too mad at it to even roleplay my way out of that disaster.

But the good new is this:
https://img149.imageshack.us/img149/2249/maa2675nl3.png
Pyrrhos' Romani allies are ready to assist him in his war. (Client ruler who I call "The Senate" and a legion ready for war.)

[chairman]

MAA, that Polybian Legion is TIGHT! That is such a cool move. Just makes the rest of us jealous. Question: where did you enable Polybian recruitment? Same as if you were Rome, more or less?

Hah! LOL! I just realized that's the first time since vanilla that I've seen a blue stack of Romans! :laugh4:

BTW, I think that they should give you the title of Resident AAR Genius, in recognition of your incredible achievements in editing, programming and story plot!

Also, you mentioned a little while ago that you were working on new forms of thorakitai. What did you end up doing along those lines?

Still loving this epic story!

Chairman

Edit: do you plan on raising any other "allied" factional armies? Like an elite gallic army or something.

[Reverend Joe]

Well, Pyrrhos and Philippos are descendants of Antigonos Monophthalmos, so they can claim to remain part of the Antigonid Dynasty. I was thinking of starting a whole new thread called "The Pyrrhic Dynasty : A Makedonian AAR", though. I don't know how long I'll keep playing, though and if a new thread would be worth it.
Well, of course they would call themselves Antigonids; it would be silly to try to uproot oneself from history like that. But from a historical perspective, this would almost certainly mark a division between two dynasties. It's kind of like the Caesars; they all nominally considered themselves to be continuing the line of Augustus, but modern historians separate them into various dynasties, nt one long reign of the Caesars.

Of course, you probably knew what I meant, but I have a habit of talking out of my ass.

And if I may cast my vote, I say end this with the end of the Antigonids, or maybe with the death of Phillipos, the man who (along with his father) would bridge the two eras.

But, on the other hand, if you feel you want to create a complete fictional history of Makedonia (which I, personally would love) you COULD try creating an entire minimod for 1.1, based around the AAR, recreating the political situation at the end of this AAR, and them pick it up from there. But without some help, the amount of work involved in such an endeavour would be absurd, and probably not worth it, even for the greatest AAR in EB history.

Finally, I have to congratulate you for everything you have done, once again. Especially the civil war, but also all the work you put into editing the game around the AAR, like the new units, the recruitment changes, the forced diplomacy to keep things interesting... you have done a mind-blowing job.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

chairman,
I gave Romani recruitment to the five center cities in Italy, which I gave Type3 governments to to represent that they are under Roma's Type4. Roma, however, is the only city with a high enough regional MIC to recruit them, though.

This is my current Thorakitai concept, which I have yet to thoroughly test out:
https://img153.imageshack.us/img153/4909/maa2677sa1.png
Thorakitai Phalangitai in the front to hold down the enemy, Thorakitai spearmen guarding the flanks, and Thorakitai swordsmen in the second row to fill gaps and do the actual striking.

My only other allied army is the Galatians, which I plan to add a couple more units to and train a recruitable general to lead, since the Galatian king (client ruler) has to remain in Galatia:
https://img172.imageshack.us/img172/1737/maa2678nc9.png

Reverend Gonzo,
Yeah, I know what you mean. Historically, Pyrrhos would definately be a different dynasty, especially since the old dynasty is still around when his starts. Pyrrhos would consider himself an Antigonid, but is starting a whole new royal family. The Pyrrhic Dynasty is born...

I think modding EB v1.1 to the extent of recreating what I have now is just out of my abilities. Plus I don't have that kind of patience. I'm far too lazy. :egypt:

EDIT:
OK, now I've just added Pantodapoi (since my game is pre-1.0 I didn't have them) and Jewish Spearmen for Makedonia so that I can raise something in Ioudaia.

[chairman]

This just gets sweater and sweater! So for your new all-thorakitai army you have Thorakitai Phalangitai and * regular Thorakitai stolen from the KH, Pontikoi Thorakitai from Pontus, and I'm not sure if those just regular Toxotai Syriakoi or if you actually used them for Thorakitai Toxotai.

Galatians, very nice. I assume you will be training Kluddolon, but are going to train any celtic troop types like gaeroas and leuce epos, or just stick to the pure galatians aside from the archers? And are you planning on training a celtic or hellenic recruitable general (I would think celtic lesser king)?

Chairman


*Edit: excuse me; Basilikon Agema from the Ptolemies

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

It is the "Basilikon Agema" skin, but I'm using KH's "Thorakitai Hoplitai" (greek infantry epikletoi hoplitai) for the unit slot and stats for my "Thorakitai Phalangitai". The archers are just Syrian, I guess I'll stick with local archers for my Thorakitai armies.

I might just stick with the elite spearmen for the Galatians. I don't have much to choose from. I have lugoae and kluddolon (both levies), Gaeroas (which aren't too impressive), celtic hoplites (a hellenized unit), and those elite spearmen. I'll definately have a celtic general lead them.

EDIT: Actually, I changed my mind. I can't afford anything elite. I went with a couple Kluddolon to reinforce the spearmen...

[chairman]

So where is the Thorakitai army posted? And if it's not in the Levent, Egypt or Asia Minor, was it a real pain to transport the Syriakoi?

So what was the need to use a different unit slot for the skin?

Chairman

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Actually that Thorakitai army is one I cheated to create and then didn't save.

The "Thorakitai Hoplitai" and the "Basilikon Agema" use the same model (but different unit slots) so using the skin of one on the other unit is quite easy.

[gamegeek2]

This deserves to be stickied. Undeniably. A legend. WHO'S WITH ME?

:whip: :smash: :smash: :smash: :smash: :smash:

[Reality=Chaos]

I AM:rtwyes:

[Strategos Alexandros]

Count me in!:yes:

[Wolfman]

Man I had alot of catching up to do. Amazing! I'm nearly speechless. You are a very creative person MAA and you thought of ways to represent events in your AAR that i wouldn't have dreamed possible. This AAR should be given the honor of being the first EB AAR to be stickied. I hereby support gamegeek2. Sticky it!!!
:yes:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Thanks guys, for the compliments, but I don't amagine any AAR ever getting stickied.

[Detlef]

Thanks guys, for the compliments, but I don't amagine any AAR ever getting stickied.

Why don't people use the 'private sticky'thing? I did with both this AAR and The Pyrrhic Dynasty