Re: To Synedrion (The Royal Council)
Opening of the Synedrion, 12th Decembre 272 BCE.
This is a normal session.
Re: To Synedrion (The Royal Council)
"Members, we have gathered here once again to determine what the next course of action will be for our kingdom. The main problem of the last emergency session was the arrival of Pyrrhos, but with him going off elsewhere - for the gods know what reason - the situation has changed completely.
Instead of having to face of an Epeirotai siege of Pella, we are now faced with a Greek siege of Korinthos instead. Antigonos cannot make it there in time, and according to the reports from Krateros himself, it is questionable whether Alexandros' army is strong enough to counter it. Antigonos have already agreed to send the Thessalian cavalry over to Alexandros, but if they can make it in time and if they then can make enough of a difference remains to be seen. He also sends what what footsoldiers he can spare, which is nigh 2400* men. To replace these, he would call for the phalanx in Pella's garrison to, by ship, be transported up to Thessalia.
Unless a new threat enters our northern lands before that is done, Antigonos Gonatas wish to make a bold move. Since he cannot reach Korinthos in time, he would like to restart his previous campaign to take Athens. If done swiftly enough, it will bring in new income and put us with one less threat to worry about. If he succeeds, we can then decide whether he should move back to safeguard our northern borders again, or if we should risk pushing even further and taking Sparta as well, with Korinthos first of course, if the gods wills it to be lost first.
The last thing that needs to be decided is the economy. We cannot sustain the cost of such a large military that we have right now, and yet we will face great risks if we scale down. Getting deep into debt is ever a threat, and if we do nothing, that is what will happen. We must do something to change this.
This is what you have to debate."
Agathangelos bows.
Re: To Synedrion (The Royal Council)
Theophilus Diokletes stands.
I thank the members of the Synedrion for their courage and calmness in the face of a very demanding and worrying situation, of which now seems to have been diverted. I of course speak of the Molloson. I do not, however, presume to understand his reasons for pulling out so quickly. I would suggest that Antipatros Lamiakos be sent to determine Pyrrhus' actions.
Meanwhile, I have here a letter of instructions from the Strategos Alexandros Argeades. It follows:
Quote:
Sirs, it is with anguish and urgency that I write the news that Korinthos has been blockaded by the combined forces of Athens and Sparta, trapping my father, Krateros, the Basileus Grammatikus, inside. My forces, even when combined with my father's Companions, are unlikely to be enough to defeat or even dissuade the Greeks from their task.
I therefore wish to emphasise the need for reinforcements as soon as possible, and in as much numbers as can be accomplished, that the Greek army may be easily defeated while losing as few Makedonians as possible. With so few defenders, I highly doubt the Greeks will waste much time with building the minimal equipment required to storm the walls and do away with our Basileus Grammatikus.
I also hear of Antigonos' plans to repursue the siege of Athens. I, however, wish to place another offer on the table. Perhaps it would be more prudent to wait until we have the information confirmed concerning the whereabouts of the Epirites, lest once again we settle down to a long siege only to find Makedonia is once again up in flames. If the Epirites are nowhere to be seen, then I would agree Athens should be taken. However, if Makedonia is still in trouble, perhaps the Basileus needs to return to defend our homes. Once the Greek army is defeated, as is surely only a matter of time, then Alexandros will be well placed to finish the work Antigonos started. The Athenian garrison is small and incomplete.
I leave it to you, members of the Synedrion.
Theophilus finished the letter, and stood, looking around at the Synedrion for an answer.
Re: To Synedrion (The Royal Council)
Alkyoneus swept into the Synedrion, ignored most of the nobles present and directed himself straight to the respresentee of his father.
"Agathangelos. Tell my father he should take Athens now, not later. Corinth can fend for itself, and if not.. We will recapture it, since possession of Athens will cut off the peloponessos from the mainland.
We should even increase our military power, despite our financial worries. If we move in force now, we can sweep via Athens past Corinth to Sparta.
Hit them hard and fast, before they can gather their strength. Until now, we have let others take the initiative...
First Phyrros, who tramped up and down our countryside and made us hop whenever he made a move.
Now, we are hopping on the tune of some band of greeks.
It is time we take matters into OUR hands, and make others hop to the tunes of our flute.
If necessary, I am willing to loan the treasury from my own purse it it would see us through.
I don't believe in half measures, we should go all out against the southern Greeks without dallying.
Then we can turn around and keep Phyrros out of our lands, until our new acquirements in the peleponessos give us the strength to do more."
He looked to one of his servants, trying to remember his name.
"You. Sit here and listen. And you, stand by until the other needs you to run messages to me"
Leaving his two servants flabbergasted, he departed from the Synedrion again. The 2 men left behind looked upon eachother bewildered. What were they to listen to? What should be reported? Where would their master be for that matter.
Re: To Synedrion (The Royal Council)
Antisthenes Pellinios stands up and addresses the Synedrion
Synedroi! Remember what we have discussed in our last meeting. The people count on us, we cannot let them down. We have to handle things unbashed.
I have recently decided to take long walks in our Agora, trying to listen to the people's oppinions, ideas and suggestions. Do you know what I got for an answer? Nothing. Utter silence. The people were confused, are confused, afraid, dissapointed. They expect us to save them, though we seem to berely be able to act on our own.
As Alkyoneus correctly stated, we are dancing to the beat of our enemies. They are playing with us; pulling our strings and making us play a game of hide and seek. First Pyrrhos threatens Pella, we march north to counter him, then he leaves to Epeiros and next thing me know the perfumed fops from the south are knocking on the gates of Korinthos.
Obviously, we cannot sustain any more losses. The loss of Korinthos may not prove fatal for our Basileion, but it will probably leave us in a pretty bad shape nonetheless. Our economy is already pretty bad. As far as I know, we do not have the ability to train or build anything more. As such, yet again, I will agree with noble Alkyoneus we have to take loans.
It is about time we take things in our hands for a change. It has been too long that we, the once most powerful people on the Kosmos, have been battered repeatedly by Usurpers and Pretenders. I know this is hasty talk and my tongue is probably running way ahead of my head, but aren't you all sick of watching our little Basileion crumble in the face of all those enemies, while doing nothing but trying to protect her lands? I say we launch a full-offensive. Take loans, train more soldiers even if this means giving farmers knives and pointy sticks to fight, and throw a full-offensive against the Southrons.
Attacking Athenai should not take too much time. Assault the polis as soon as possible. The Athenaioi, with their silver tongues, will probably persuade the Spartiatai into abandoning the siege of Korinthos to come to their aid. Gonatas, I believe, will be more than happy to give them a good old beating like the old days. Take Athenai and her surrounding poleis, then go for Lakedaimonia. When Southern Hellas falls to our hands, we can face north-west with renewed funds and enough manpower to launch a large offensive.
The days of gory are not gone, sympatriotai. If it is the gods' willing, we can and shall be great again.
All Hail Makedonia!
Antisthenes sits again with a wave of applause of some of the Synedroi
Re: To Synedrion (The Royal Council)
A young man walks into the grand hall, he is calm and poised without a single expression on his face. He thanks the guards, subtly slipping a few coins in their hands. He walks around slowly, taking in the faces of the people around him. Gradually he moves towards an empty chair and with slight indignation takes a seat. Without standing, he rises his voice but without shouting he calls,
'I am Karpos Aiginios, Archiproxenos. I have finally come to speak my mind on the matters that this nation has found itself in. The war against the league in the south must be ended quickly. Once the siege of Korinthos has finished, whatever way it may go, I wish to move to the great city of Athenai and conduct a mutual meeting to agree to terms of peace. I feel this would be the best way to stabilise our country instead of going into countless sieges of the southern states gradually decreasing our coffers. I believe that peace should be once again, be talked about with the Epirites and also with the Ptolomics. We can also try and settle for trade rights, the sea being of great importance once more.
Leaving the statement standing Karpos bows his head and takes a sip of wine.
Re: To Synedrion (The Royal Council)
The tall person, seen with Antipatros Lamiakos last time, enters the synedron. With slow steps and like impending, the person enters the middle.
Synedroi, I come with a message from my master Antipatros Lamiakos.
He's currently searching for some shipment to Peiraieus in Byzanthion. Time will tell, if he can find a merchant soon.
He may excuses his absence, researching for informations about next targets of the Getai-tribe.
I think, that he will travel to Epeiros next, as our basileus wishs. Furthermore, he informed me, that he wants to spend his budget for employing a young friend of us. With this, we may can observe more movements from our neighbours.
Antipatros sends you his regards.
Slow, the tall shadow leaves middle of the synedron, opting for the agora.
Re: To Synedrion (The Royal Council)
A small man, filthy from a long ride enters.
Lords of Makedon, a message from the Basileus Grammateus.
Friends, by the time this message gets to you you will probably be well aware of my dilemma. My spies were able to get a look at the Athenian/Spartan army before they arrived, I had the opportunity to leave but decided to stay to prevent the locals turning to the enemy. The force comprises of approximately 2500 Spartans, over 3000 ally hoplites of varying ability, 2500 phalanx, 1600 Cretan mercenaries, 1600 heavy peltasts and 3500 psiloi. It would be suicide for Alexandros to engage such a force, we need the Basileus to help. I wonder if the idea to attack Athens and force the enemy to drop the seige and leave has entered your thoughts, if so it's a bad idea they are unlikely to do so as Alexandros blocks their way. May the Gods be with you all.
