The Antigonids : A Makedonian AAR

Chapter 8 : Kyrenaia

As time went by, events in the Makedonian Empire began to return to normal. The reign of Demetrios was not that different then when Alkyoneus and he had shared the throne. The war with the Ptolemaioi continued, troubles to the west with the Romanoi and Punics conquering Hellenic colonies and defeating Gallic allies remained, and the Hellens still continued to complain. To the East, Pontos and Kappadocia were integrated into the Makedonian Empire, and Euboulides began to build a defensive border against the growing power in Armenia. In Rhodos, the great port was upgraded to provide more advanced ships then have ever been available to the Makedonians:
https://img152.imageshack.us/img152/4262/maa422cb7.jpghttps://img152.imageshack.us/img152/9944/maa423xm1.jpg

In Syria, Aristotelis, son of Demetrios, and now the presumed heir, defended the growing city of Antiocheia. The city had suffered greatly during the Syrian Wars, but since Demetrios and Aristotelis had taken over, the city had begun to grow, dispite the near constant invasions. As fate would have it, the Ptolemaioi were once again attacking the city:
https://img240.imageshack.us/img240/4232/maa449cc6.png

With a quick sally, and a flanking maneuver by the Thracians, the battle was won and the Ptolemaioi fled the region:
https://img223.imageshack.us/img223/2807/maa451oe9.jpg

As Aristotelis surveyed the damage to the region and began to make repairs on that which the Ptolemaioi had looted and destroyed outside the city, he received word from his Dacio-Thracian army in Sophene:
https://img240.imageshack.us/img240/38/maa453er0.jpg

Though, before Aristotelis could even think upon the matter, he receive another messages saying that the local ruler had lifted the seige on his own. [I had some mercenaries hiding near by to initiate the battle, since the client ruler couldn't.] Even outnumbered, the combination of the locals, the depleted Dacio-Thracian army, and some Hellenistic mercenaries, the battle was won and the region defended.

In Makedonia, the Alkyoneus' army had managed to return home from Pontos. Demetrios quickly supplemented, retrained, and re-equiped the army at the military facilities of Demetrias. Once the army was reassembed, Demetrios took it on a march. When there is a transfer of power, the Hellens often seek to betray their Makedonian protectors. To avoid this, Demetrios made a grand show of strength by marching through the Hellenic city states with his army, all the way down to Lakonike. South of Sparte, Demetrios met up with the Makedonian fleet, which had been hunting pirates in the Aegean, and sailed south:
https://img223.imageshack.us/img223/6464/maa454xk4.png

To the east, the city of Trapezous had once again thrown off their foreign oppressors. Now the city was left with little defenses and a damaged infrastructure. The city could no longer hold off the enemy on their own. Trapezous was thus forced to turn to the Makedonian Empire to ensure they would not be conquered by a foreign culture. Believing in his brother's (Alkyoneus') idea of assisting all Hellenic people who desired assistance, Euboulides sent an army, including some veterans from the battles of Nikaia, to garrison the city of Trapezous against any further attack:
https://img240.imageshack.us/img240/1336/maa455rz7.png

From late spring to late summer, Demetrios sailed from Lakonike, to Krete, to Kyrenaia. In Kyrenaia, Demetrios set out to liberate other Hellenic colonies being oppressed:
https://img443.imageshack.us/img443/9320/maa456ik0.png

Though he wanted to assist Kyrene and the surrounding colonies, the real reasons behind Demetrios' attack on Kyrenaia were much more political. There were now only three great successors to Alexandros: the family of Antigonos, the family of Seleukos, and the family of Ptolemai. For decades, the Antigonids and the Seleukids had been allied by their hatred of the Ptolemaioi, whose territory had always been situated between the two. In Syria, Demetrios had purposely stalled his expansion, fearing what would happen if his Makedonian Empire was now in between the other two. If the Seleukids were no longer fighting off the Ptolemaioi, then they would begin to demand the return of territories that had once been theirs but had now ended up in the hands of the Antigonids. To weaken the Ptolemaioi and ensure a continued alliance with the Seleukid dynasy, Demetrios decided he would force the Ptolemaioi to fight on two fronts and he would conquer Egypt from the west.

In Syria, Aristotelis found himself once again attacked by a Ptolemaic army:
https://img443.imageshack.us/img443/2333/maa457ia9.png

As Aristotelis marched his army out, the Ptolemaioi began to retreat. The Thracians chased them from the field, cutting down the stragglers:
https://img443.imageshack.us/img443/8444/maa459ce4.png

By the next spring, another army, this time from Assyria, approached the city of Antiocheia:
https://img443.imageshack.us/img443/8101/maa460wl4.png

Once again, with the assistance of the Thracians, the Ptolemaioi were chased off:
https://img223.imageshack.us/img223/2432/maa461vp9.jpg

Aristotelis once again received word that the city of Karkathiokerta was under siege by the Ptolemaioi. At the same time, a second army had moved into Sophene and was was attacking the Dacio-Thracians which had been stationed just outside of the town. Refusing to fall back, the Dacians and Thracians held their ground against the first army. The Ptolemaioi were taken by surprise by the skill of the army. Soon the Ptolemaioi fled the field, but now the second army which had besieged the city approached:
https://img240.imageshack.us/img240/4539/maa463ic0.png

By the end of the day, a messenger was riding to Syria to inform Aristotelis that the mix of heavy cavalry and cavalry archers had won the day against the superior forces:
https://img240.imageshack.us/img240/6329/maa464hd7.png

Even on the uneven terrain, the Thracians Prodromoi and Steppe cavalry had managed to wipe out the forces thrown against them, even without assistance from the garrison of locals and their 'king':
https://img223.imageshack.us/img223/8054/maa465wh1.jpg

In Asia, the sons and the in-laws of Kalos, continue to administer the region. With the recent fall of Pontos, the territory manages to grow in size and gain a level of security never seen before. With the Hellen cities liberated, the locals subdued, and the Galatians allied, the region was beginning to prosper. Under the new found peace, the family of Kalos begins to set up colonies and estates for soldiers, both for veteran soldiers to retire and to ensure military families that may be needed in the future. With the establishment of these estates, the regions started to gain even more stability:
https://img443.imageshack.us/img443/4092/maa466yq4.jpg

By the summer of 255BC, the Ptolemaioi manage to march an army across the Libyan desert and into Kyrenaia to face the army of Demetrios:
https://img240.imageshack.us/img240/9194/maa467dp3.png

Soon after the battle begins, the forces from the city of Kyrene attack the Makedonian flank and engage the Basilikon Agema:
https://img240.imageshack.us/img240/504/maa468wf8.png

As the Basilikon Agema is preoccupied with the Ptolemaioi infantry, the general Mikikos Theadelpheus and his cavalry manages to hit the flank of the Makedonian pike line. The flank breaks formation and confronts the enemy, as Demetrios moves his Hetairoi around and hits the rear of the engaged Ptolemaic cavalry:
https://img443.imageshack.us/img443/3225/maa469kv9.png

Mikikos Theadelpheus attempts to flee, but is chased down by the Makedonian Hetairoi:
https://img240.imageshack.us/img240/2207/maa470gl2.jpg

As Demetrios turns back to look at his own line, he sees that the Ptolemaic army from Egypt has already engaged the Pezhetairoi:
https://img223.imageshack.us/img223/7294/maa471ba6.png

The battle continues for some time, but the Ptolemaioi continue to break, regroup, and attack over and over again :
https://img223.imageshack.us/img223/6965/maa472fa7.png

Taking initiative, the Makedonians' right flank Basilikon Agema move forward and chase off a small flanking party and chase them back toward the Ptolemaic center:
https://img240.imageshack.us/img240/8168/maa473qs4.png

While much of the Ptolemaioi flee, both flanks of Basilikon Agema manage to circle around the rear of the Ptolemaioi. Seeing their oppertunity, they charge the rear of an elite Ptolemaic phalanx unit, while they are already engaged:
https://img443.imageshack.us/img443/9986/maa474ut1.png

While the Basilikon Agema and returning Hetairoi break the last units, the Ptolemaic army flees the field. Though, in order to prevent them from fleeing back to the city and hiding behind the walls, Demetrios has his Hetairoi chase them down and capture or kill as many as possible. With their effort, the day is won and the city of Kyrene is taken:
https://img223.imageshack.us/img223/3388/maa476mq6.jpg

As winter arrives, Aristotelis once again faces an enemy army in Syria:
https://img443.imageshack.us/img443/4963/maa477am3.png

With effort from the Thracians, the battle is won, once more:
https://img223.imageshack.us/img223/1913/maa478bc0.jpg

Though tedious, Aristotelis soon realizes that these battles have at least taught him something new about the ways of war:
https://img223.imageshack.us/img223/8041/maa479ht7.jpg

As Aristotelis thinks back to the battles he has faced defending Antiocheia, it is clear that the majority of these army's core units of Klerouchoi are the same as the previous army's. Every year, Aristotelis kills the support troops of the army and the Klerouchoi return to Ptolemaic territory, where they recruit more support troops and attack Antiocheia again. Unless Aristotelis can kill this core and damage the power of the Ptolemaioi in the region, he will have to face this same battles, every other season. After sending a spy, to locate the Ptolemaic army, Aristotelis assembes his men and marches south, to destroy the Ptolemaic forces in the open field, once and for all.

The known world in the winter of 225BC:
https://img443.imageshack.us/img443/...xmak225rm5.png

Next: Chapter 9: The Desert Storm

Sweet. I like the way you get some roleplay out of decisions that actually are the best in terms of gameplay anyway. Ie. avoiding a border with AS and moving your general through mainland Greece to go south for the attack.

But will you ever need those ships you can build now? In my games it seems like one unit of triremes buys you eternal control on the waves.

A real Basileus need a really Basilike ship of course!:yes: But I wonder how you keep track of the family relations. I always have severe trouble with it, once the initial family has passed.:stupido2:

I always try to make a justification for things that the game does (or just cheat when I really disagree - forced diplomacy :yes:). I figured if this situation was real, the Seleukids would start demanding their old territory back after the war was over, so I didn't invade Judaea.

I doubt I will ever need those ships, but I may build some (probably just one) for roleplaying purposes when I can afford them.

One of the main things I try to do for roleplaying is to keep track of my family lines. It is kind of easy since I always send relatives to work near eachother. Antigonos' elder brother conquered Illyria, so now his family governs Illyria and Epeiros. Antigonos' younger brother (Kalos) followed him into Asia, so now his relatives govern that region. And Antigonos' decendants (which seems to be my smallest branch of the family) is fighting the wars and guarding the borders.

Brilliant as usual Marcus. :2thumbsup:

Some of the best (if not THE BEST) of AARs I have ever read (perhaps because it is makedonian). Go on!

Thanks, guys. :bow:

Actually you inspired me to play my own Makedonia campaign. :)

Such a great job with the Makedonians....Keep up the great work :) They are a wonderful civilization

Wow...just finished reading through your whole story...amazing AAR, Marcus! As with many other readers here, you're getting me fired up to start a Makedonian campaign (although I'm at only 246BC with my Romani campaign...!). A really great read...the diversity of units you have included is killer!

As with one of the earlier posts, I'm also amazed at how much money your core settlements are pulling in...those mines are incredible sources of income...

Keep it up!!!

Thanks for the support. Good to see that I'm converting people over to the Makedonian ways.

No matter how much money I'm making, it isn't enough. Before I started training the elite army that invaded Pontos, I had nearly 300,000 mnai (part of the reason I built the army - to waste my excess income). However, once the army was built I lost money quite quickly. After disbanding excess mercenaries and the 'defeat' at Amaseia, I started being able to afford more. Now that I've retrained the army, I am having problems again. :wall:

Here is my boom/bust cycle for this game:
https://img206.imageshack.us/img206/6461/maa495kb2.jpg

Isn't it risky to have that much cash? AFAIK it can give your FMs bad traits if your treasury is over a certain limit. I usually just queue up a ton of buildings in my capital and the nearest cities around it, to soak up the dough.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tarkus

As with one of the earlier posts, I'm also amazed at how much money your core settlements are pulling in...those mines are incredible sources of income...

---

Lol, I just noticed: Serdike, 5681 ~:eek:

Yeah, it's pretty crazy. I'm making something of 8 k per turn in Pella, while maintaining a pretty good, large army, just by mining. Another 2 k by tax rates and trade.

Marcus, I must say I really like your AAR, it's awesome. I never really liked Makedonia myself, but I think the way you write has placed a perfect balance between role-playing and gameplay.

~:eek:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sakkura

Lol, I just noticed: Serdike, 5681 ~:eek:

---

Yeah...that's exactly what made MY eyes pop out too!!! ~:eek:~:eek:
My own mines in Rhegion and Karali are smelly mudholes by comparison...I gotta start movin' my legions eastward...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Elphir

Yeah, it's pretty crazy. I'm making something of 8 k per turn in Pella, while maintaining a pretty good, large army, just by mining. Another 2 k by tax rates and trade.

Marcus, I must say I really like your AAR, it's awesome. I never really liked Makedonia myself, but I think the way you write has placed a perfect balance between role-playing and gameplay.

---

Yup, it's got everything...giant bankrolls, lots of huge-unit full stacks, great rows of sarissas that extend for what seems like miles in either direction, good narrative...a fun one for sure!

I don't mind the negative traits. They really aren't that bad and having money when you really need it is a nice trade off. Besides, for role-playing, a kingdom with tons of money would have leaders that act differently from a kingdom with little money. If a town turns out bad because of a bad general, you have the money to 'throw money at the problem'.

My mines sure do save the day. When I had my first depression, I built as many L2 mines I could (which increased the speed of the depression). When the L2 mines all started finishing around the same time, my money shot up faster then I could think of ways to spend it. This new depression is going to be harder to get out of, as all of my mines have been fully upgraded.

It is good to hear that people like this AAR. A couple chapters ago, I was thinking about stopping. Since people are enjoying it, and due to an interesting turn-of-events in the campaign, I guess I'll continue for a while. Though, after the next chapter, which I'm planning on posting today or tommorrow, I'm out of stuff since I haven't had the time to play the game recently.

Thanks again for reading.

Chapter 9 : The Desert Storm

Before the winter of 225BC could turn to the spring of 224BC, Aristotelis marched his army out from Antiocheia. To the south lay two Ptolemaic armies, one proceeding toward Antiocheia and one recently repulsed from Antiocheia, in the cycle all of Syria was becoming accustomed to. In order to secure Syria, Aristotelis sought to destroy both armies:
https://img206.imageshack.us/img206/6638/maa480bj4.png

Aristotelis marched south until he reached a plain near the sea, which the now abandoned Syria-Phoinike trade road passed through. There he met the Ptolemaioi. Aristotelis formed up his ranks and slowly marched forward:
https://img216.imageshack.us/img216/2029/maa481vb3.png

As the Ptolemaic units came into sight, the Makedonians took note of the Klerouchoi they had come to destroy, formed up in the center of the enemy line:
https://img216.imageshack.us/img216/4818/maa482to1.png

As the Makedonian line approached and possitioned itself parallel to the Ptolemaioi, the Makedonian slingers and Cretan reserves prepared themselves. On Aristotelis' order, the open fire on the units possitioned behind the Ptolemaic line:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/5016/maa484tn7.png

With the Ptolemaic slightly distressed, the Makedonian phalanx line slowly moved forward to confront them. As the two lines clashed, the Ptolemaic reserves rush in and attempted to break through the Makedonian formation. Soon the bulk of both armies are in combat. Breaking from the fighting, the Thracians along both flanks make an attempt to circle around the rear of the Ptolemaioi and attack them from behind. Noticing the flanking move, Stasioikos Arrhidaeos, the Ptolemaic general, charges his cavalry in to counter the flankers. Unprepared to fight the Thracian weapons, Stasioikos soon finds his cavalry cut to pieces:
https://img216.imageshack.us/img216/3540/maa485xc3.png

Stasioikos Arrhidaeos is quickly cut down. Though, before they can even regroup, the same flank of Thracians are once again charged by a Ptolemaic general. Theoxenos Soknopaiou Nesou charges in quickly from the hills to reinforce the Ptolemaic line:
https://img206.imageshack.us/img206/4738/maa486nh4.png

After a short battle, Theoxenos falls dead, as well. With both flanks now secured, both flanks of Thracians met up behind the engaged Ptolemaioi and charge their rear, risking being surrounded themselves, by the approaching Ptolemaic reinforcements:
https://img216.imageshack.us/img216/6149/maa487ys2.png

With the first army routed, the exhausted Thracians fall back through the wall of sarrisas as the Pezhetairoi attempt to regroup. As they regroup, the approaching Ptolemaic reinforcements force the Pezhetairoi to make a hasty stairstep formation, as they prepare to counter the new line of Klerouchoi:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/858/maa489gp9.png

With the Thracians exhausted and displaced and the cavalry chasing down the remains of the first army, the Makedonian flanks are left open. Seeing the vulnerability, Ptolemaic Thorakitai rush to the flanks and began to pepper the Makedonian phalanx with javelin. But the Thorakitai hesitate to attack and loose their advantage as Aristotelis and his cavalry return to crush the unit from behind:
https://img206.imageshack.us/img206/8382/maa490wk4.png

With the loss of the majority of the reinforcements, the remaining enemy begin to fall back and attempt to regroup. Before they can, the Makedonian line breaks formation and charges them, winning the day:
https://img206.imageshack.us/img206/6286/maa493fw1.jpg

Aristotelis takes the battle as a learning experience and his command skills improve from what he has learned this day:
https://img216.imageshack.us/img216/2900/maa494ni9.jpg

In Kyrenaia, with a semi-rebuilt economy, African goods are quickly shipped out and to Greece, where greatly welcomed. Not since the early days of Antigonos, when there was peace with the Ptolemaic Dynasty, did African and Egyptian goods easily make their way to Greece and Makedon. Rare goods from the south had had to come through other nations, like the city of Kart-Hadast. But Kart-Hadast's distance and agression against Hellens had always complicated the matter. Now, however, the Makedonian Empire had a foothold in the Africa and the African market:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/3213/maa497qh1.png
[In case you're wondering, I tore down the port and rebuilt it to the same level using process_cq so that it would look Greek instead of Eastern.]

With Syria momentarily secured, Aristotelis arranged for an diplomatic and scientific expedition to the east. Very little was known by the Makedonians, about the current state of Persia and beyond. The Seleukids did not share their exact conditions and trade had been nearly completely been cut off by the Ptolemaioi in Assyria. Seeking to learn more of the east, Aristotelis hired several diplomats, scouts, and envoys to head east and report on the state of nations, economy, geography, technology, and foreign knowledge. One group headed across northern Persia, first through Media, while they other group headed through Babylonia and into Persis. As the scouts passed through Persis, the came to the rebuilt city of Persepolis. The Seleukid Dynasty had unexpectedly managed to rebuild the city, nearly to the greatness that it had held when it was the capital of the old Persian Empire:
https://img216.imageshack.us/img216/8233/maa498io2.png

With the Ptolemaioi distracted with a loosing war in the east, Demetrios assumed that Kyrenaia was safe from large scale attack, for the time being. Demetrios, however, did not take into account the treachery of the Poeni people. To the west was the insignifigant city state of Kart-Hadast, once a colony of the Phoenicians, now the last of an outdated way of life. Hellens had long traded with them (they were infact, current trade partners of the Makedonian Empire) and had interactions with them. To the various Hellens, Kart-Hadast had been both friend and foe. Though, for most Hellens that interacted with them, they were only ever seen on the battlefield. For centuries, this city state had attempted to make an empire in the west but had always been defeated by the Hellenic colonists in their way.

Unable to hold the single Hellenic city of Syrakousai, they now marched across the deserts to confront the united Hellenic and Makedonian Empire in Kyrenaia. Without even a declaration of war or any form of warning, they sneaked across the deserts from one oasis to another, as they made their way into Makedonian territory. Their suprise failed, though. Demetrios had set up outposts across Kyrenaia to spot desert raiders and send advanced warning of attack. These outposts had spotted the forces of Kart-Hadast and had given Demetrios enough warning to send his army out and counter the threat:
https://img216.imageshack.us/img216/8625/maa499ng5.png

The forces of Kart-Hadast were divided into two main groups. Demetrios moved quickly to wipe them out separately and not have to deal with a huge battle against a superior number of enemies. As he approached, he lined up his men in formation:
https://img206.imageshack.us/img206/2636/maa500kz0.png

Seeing the Makedonians, the enemy moved forward. Demetrios halted his line and and prepared for defense, waiting for the over anxious enemy to come to him.

As the enemy approached, Demetrios surveyed the new type of enemy. Their ranks were a mix of many different unit types. They ranged from the savage barbarian:
https://img206.imageshack.us/img206/7225/maa501iq9.png

...to the elite pikeman, trained in the Makedonian style:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/5161/maa502xl9.png

...but most of their army was medium infantry similar to the Hoplitai, Peltastai, or Thorakitai.

As they army approached, the Kart-Hadast general and heavy cavalry possitioned itself on the flank. Seeing this isolated unit, Demetrios moves his Hetairoi around to the same flank and orders a charge of the enemy:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/4958/maa503si1.png

As Demetrios eliminates the cavalry and kills the enemy captain, the rest of the Makedonians hold their ground against the onslaught. The Kart-Hadast army fails to find any holes in the Makedonian line and soon looses their nerve as they throw themselves against the pikes. Fearing defeat, they turn and slowly move away from the battle, leaving two groups of elite pikemen:
https://img216.imageshack.us/img216/1149/maa504np1.png

With the Kart-Hadast pikemen before them, the Makedonian phalanx doesn't dare break formation and charge after the fleeing enemy. Already chasing after the retreating enemy, Demetrios signalled to the Basilikon Agema on the flanks to join the pursuit. Upon seeing the pursuing units, the Kart-Hadast split off a few groups to turn back and intercept both flanks of Basilikon Agema. As the selected Kart-Hadast units fight to the death, those units Demetrios couldn't finish off with cavalry alone, flee the battle:
https://img206.imageshack.us/img206/332/maa505hs9.png

After finishing off the units sent to hold them down and unable to catch any more units, the Basilikon Agema turns back to attack the Kart-Hadast pikemen. As they approach, the Kart-Hadastism pikemen turn to confront the would-be flankers, turning their backs on the Makedonian line. Seeing a chance to win, the Basilikon Agema hold down the enemy as the main battle line ironically attacks them from behind:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/3927/maa506vf1.png

With the enemy broken and fleeing, Demetrios organizes his army for another battle:
https://img216.imageshack.us/img216/4231/maa509zj1.jpg

After dealing with the dead and wounded and replenishing his supplies, Demetrios heads further south to face the remaining Kart-Hadastism army:
https://img206.imageshack.us/img206/2015/maa511fo4.png

The battlefield, chosen by Kart-Hadast, is on a small plateau, already occupied by the Kart-Hadast forces. As the battle begins, Demetrios rushes his forces up the edge of the plateau and onto the flat high ground:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/4484/maa512qr2.png

As the two lines converge, the Kart-Hadastism test the Makedonian line with skirmishers and light infantry:
https://img216.imageshack.us/img216/6623/maa513iy1.png

Not wanting to make the same mistake as the last army, the Kart-Hadastism move their forces to both flanks and attempt to attack the Makedonians from the sides. On the Makedonian right flank, the Pheraspides hold down the flankers as the Hypaspistai outflank the flankers:
https://img206.imageshack.us/img206/835/maa516bq5.png

On the Makedonian left flank, a large force, including general Melqartpilles Gisgo's cavalry charge the Basilikon Agema:
https://img206.imageshack.us/img206/5430/maa514xn8.png

As the Basilikon Agema hold down the enemy, quite successfully, Demetrios flanks his Hetairoi and charges in at the mass of enemies from the rear, eventually killing the general:
https://img216.imageshack.us/img216/2580/maa515jh8.png

As both flanking groups are defeated, the mass of men holding down the Makedonian center break and flee back into the desert:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/6751/maa518xn5.png

Demetrios chases the enemy into the hills and kills as many as he can:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/2007/maa520he0.jpg

Kyrenaia is saved and the forces of Kart-Hadast are completely crushed. As Demetrios marches his army back to the city of Kyrene, he takes note of the battles and realises that, even though easily won, they have taught him something new of war. Even at his age and level of experience, he continues to improve his battle tactics:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/968/maa510ce5.jpg

In Syria, Aristotelis receives two messages that he wasn't expecting. First, his scouts in Persia relay back that Arche Seleukeia has completely rebuilt since their massive defeats in the Syrian Wars and is now in a possition superior to both the Ptolemaioi and the Antigonids:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/1069/maa521yz5.jpg

The second event in Syria is even more suprising to Aristotelis. The Ptolemaioi have marched an army across the Syrian border and are once more planning an attack Antiocheia. As it turns out, the battle Aristotelis fought near Sidon only provided him with a year of peace in Syria. So, Aristotelis prepares for war once more. To the north, however, another surprise awaits the Makedonian Empire.

Next: Chapter 10 : The People of the Mountains
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Sorry if there are a bunch of spelling/grammar errors. It is late and I can't manage to thouroughly proofread it right now, but wanted to post it before going to sleep. Finally proofread and fixed errors.

Lovely update! :)

Wow those were some impressive battles. The way you described them it sounded almost like you were evenly matched. Then I looked at the battle results. Man you hardly have any casualties! That last battle you only had 48 casualties. Very impressive indeed. I like how you got a foothold in Kyrene. Can you recruit home units there? Anyway keep it up!

Oh oh, looks like now the Getai want a piece of the pie, too^^
You have done marvelous work with this AAR, MAA. You have even inspired me to start my own Makedonian campaign. But I'll use more Agrianikoi Pelekuphoroi, I think they are just too sexy not to use:laugh4:

this AAR is beautifully composed Marcus. Your AAR's are always entertaining and informative at the same time good work! :2thumbsup:

3000th post!

Thanks for the comments.

I try to make my battles dramatic, even if they really aren't. Though, when I saw those two huge Carthaginian armies marching towards me, I thought I was in trouble. As it turned out, they really didn't stand a chance against that army and tactics. Maybe if I fought a Carthaginian general with more stats it would at least keep them from breaking too early, but right now it seems I could easily conquer Kart-Hadast.

Kyrene gives most of the basic Hellenic units, and I think they even get the reformed Pezhetairoi.

Yeah, I was suprised at how well the Getai are doing, and even more suprised that they haven't attacked me. Even though they were allies of Ptolemai, they have always been my friends, trusting me (they will only leave 1 or 2 units in their border towns). Recently, their alliance with Ptolemai broke and I allied to them quite easily. They've run up against the Boii and Lugia, though, and will soon run out of places to expand except towards me...

I didn't end up using any Agrian units. Their recruitment was so high up in the MIC. By the time I got them (I took a while to upgrade Pella's MICs) my fighting armies were already so far away from Makedonia.

The Getai seem to be a powerhouse in 1.0, at least in my campaigns so far. They definitely got fixed compared to 0.81 when they usually stayed at 1 province forever.

You better put down the Ptolies quick, before you end up in a 3-front war against Kart Hadast, Ptolies and Getai. That could be a bit of a nasty situation.

I'm lucky, Getai is throwing themselves at the Boii right now and don't care about me... yet. Though I am faced with a three front war (see 'next chapter' hint) that is quite draining right now.

While I'm posting I'd just like to complain a little. I was playing this campaign today and I got to one turn where I fight two epic battles in the enemies turn, then I fight a tiny little battle just before my turn. As the little battle ended, CTD. :wall: I lost more than an hour of gameplay. :wall: [/COMPLAIN] I've got some nice pictures of the battles, though. :sweatdrop:

Great update, MAA. Ahh, the good ol' Makedonians...

Chapter 10 : The People of the Mountains

In Kyrenaia, war was now being faced on two fronts, but in the rest of the Makedonian Empire, little had changed since the fall of Pontos. In Athenai, Karpophoros, tyrant of the city, dies peacefully in bed:
https://img216.imageshack.us/img216/4156/maa522zu1.jpg

The old tyrant had ruled Attike for decades, ever since Antigonos had defeated the anti-Makedonian tyrant in 271BC. With the city now leaderless, Perseus in Pella contimplated the fate of the city which had long been, in name-only, an 'ally' of Makedon.

To the Northeast of the Makedonian Empire, in the mountians, hid the Kingdom of Hayasdan. Once a protectorate of Arche Seleukeia, the tiny kingdom grew into a relatively large power with a powerful line of kings. Since the Syrian Wars and the decline of Seleukid power, the Hai people had managed to gain a base of power. They then began to expand in their region, conquering all of their neighbors, including the Iberians.

After conquering all of the Caucasus area, they spread northward onto the plains. This act, however, pushed steppe nomads westward, threatening Hellenic colonies. These colonies and Hellenic peoples began appealling to Makedonia for help, which they received. Alkyoneus quickly sent diplomats north to make an alliance with the steppe people. Gaining their friendship, through promising the return of their lost lands. Alkyoneus then sent envoys to the Hai and exchanged Makedonian silver (which was abundant in the Makedonian treasury at the time) for the steppe territories. In the process, Alkyoneus had thought he had made two friends. The loose alliance of steppe peoples were happy to have their land back and the Hai were happy to have a large portion of silver, not very concerned about the loss of worthless land.

[I just want to say that I didn't cheat or use forced diplomacy with any of that. It cost me a great deal (probably around 50,000) to give the Sauromatae back two provinces.]

The Kingdome of Hayasdan didn't just sit quitely in the mountians, though. As the Kingdom of Pontos collapsed under Makedonian assault, Hai forces headed westward to grab a piece of the decaying kingdom. With acquistions in Kappadocia, the Hai attempted to grab a piece of the Pontic coast but failed to hold the Hellenic city of Trapezous for very long. Desparately needing help, Euboulides sent a garrison to hold Trapezous and defend the town, as an allied city. And with that, it seemed Hayasdan gave up on the area and went back into their moutains.

Nearly all Armenian peoples were now members of the Kingdom of Hayasdan. Only in one territory outside the Kingdom of Hayasdan were the Armenian people the majority. This area had been part of the conquest of Alexandros and had been traded off several times in the wars of his successors. Now, this territory, the land of Sophene, was in the hands of a Makedonian-friendly tyrant. It is unknown whether the the Hayasdan simply wanted the territory, the people of Sophene requested help from their Hai cousins, or if the tyrant of Sophene had betrayed the Makedonians and requested help, himself. The end result was the same, though. One autumn morning, an Hai army marched down from the mountains, crossed the Tigris, and besieged the garrison of Karkathiokerta.

Unable, or perhaps unwilling, the tyrant of Sophene did not sally to meet the enemy. Aristotelis quickly sent word to his loyal Dacio-Thracian army in the area, who attacked the Hai forces. Fearing the combined forces of the Dacio-Thracians and the city garrison, the Hai retreated. The Dacio-Thracian pursued and attacked them again a few weeks later:
https://img408.imageshack.us/img408/1187/maa523zz9.png

As the battle began, the steppe horsemen quickly flanked the enemy and showered them with arrows:
https://img522.imageshack.us/img522/6136/maa524mo6.png

Between the steppe horses and the Thracian weapons, the little Hai army couldn't stand up against the forces of Makedonia. As they fled northward, the steppe cavalry gave chase and killed the majority:
https://img523.imageshack.us/img523/5656/maa525bh7.jpg

Aristotelis quickly sent word to his father that the Hai had attacked, but his uncle Euboulides, did not wait for an answer to escalated the war. Euboulides took this chance to crush the Hai forces which had been slowly encroaching on territories in Pontos. To the east of Trapezous, was territory claimed by both the Makedonian Empire and the Kingdom of Hayasdan. Seeing as there were Hellenic settlers in the area, Euboulides ordered the garrison of Trapezous to expel the Hai from the area and free its people:
https://img523.imageshack.us/img523/1675/maa526uw2.png

On a cold and rainy day, the garrison lined up as they met up with the local Hai forces:
https://img523.imageshack.us/img523/83/maa527ak9.png

Slowly marching forward into a forested area, the Hellenistic forces met the Hai battle line:
https://img102.imageshack.us/img102/5404/maa529ao1.png

With the line held in place, the Peltastai flanked the enemy and threw their javelin. The untrained Hai levies soon broke and fled:
https://img522.imageshack.us/img522/8607/maa530nj3.png

After throwing all their javelin, the Peltastai found that only one group of Hai soldiers stood their ground. Completely outnumbering them, the Peltastai charged in:
https://img128.imageshack.us/img128/4456/maa531vg7.png

The remaining Hai soldiers stood their ground for a good amount of time but eventually broke and fled with the rest of their people. With the victory, the Hai pulled out of a long stretch of land along the coast, east of Trapezous:
https://img216.imageshack.us/img216/4408/maa533an2.jpg

Euboulides himself quickly assembled an army from the Amaseia garrison and of the Kappadocians (veterans of the Mazaka seiges). With his army, he marched north to confront armies of the Hai who had clearly transgressed on Makedonian territory:
https://img128.imageshack.us/img128/6167/maa534vf9.png

As the battle begins, Euboulides marches his strangley mismatched army forward to confront the enemy on the flat high ground:
https://img115.imageshack.us/img115/4949/maa535dy4.png

As the armies meet on the top of the hill, overlooking the sea, the archers on both sides open fire. While the armies are occupied, Euboulides moves his Kappadocians to the flanks:
https://img522.imageshack.us/img522/1613/maa536dl7.png

Marching forward once more, the Helleinc phalangitai are charged by Hai elites, halting their progress:
https://img522.imageshack.us/img522/5049/maa537va6.png

On the Makedonian left flank, the Kappadocians move forward, only to be engaged by Hai cavalry:
https://img522.imageshack.us/img522/1692/maa538pr3.png

As the left flankers are held down, the reinforcing Hai army arrives and charges in. As a select few hold down the pikemen, the rest of the Hai attack the separated left flank of Kappadocians, but fail to break them:
https://img267.imageshack.us/img267/3366/maa539rn3.png

On the right flank, the remaining Kappadocians attempt to circle around the rear of the enemies holding down the pikemen, while the Peltastai hold the flank. Before too long, Yervand of Artzruni charges in at the depleted right flank and clashes with the Peltastai:
https://img267.imageshack.us/img267/924/maa540wx5.png

The Kappadocian flanking on the right quickly return and surround the Hai general and slays him. With the general dead, the Hai forces begin to retreat. What remains of both flanks of Kappadocians and Peltastai charge the fleeing units and surround the last man as he fights to the death:
https://img267.imageshack.us/img267/6624/maa541pu7.png

A few skirmishes is one thing, but with the death of a relative to the King of Hayasdan and the destruction of a large army, an all out war seems all but unavoidable:
https://img267.imageshack.us/img267/3388/maa542cy8.jpg

The following year, with consent of his brother Demetrios, Euboulides invades Hayasdan territory and besieges the fort at Ani-Kamah. To the south, the Dacio-Thracian defend the Tigris River crossing from further attack from the Van Lake region:
https://img522.imageshack.us/img522/9623/maa552wu5.png

In Syria, Aristotelis continued to rule the secondary capital of the Makedonian Empire, Antiocheia. Over the last decade, the city had flurished under Makedonian rule and had expanded greatly. As the city grew, it came to look more like a Hellenic city and less like eastern Hellenistic city, founded by Seleukids and built by Syrians. Even though Aristotelis had hoped he had crushed Ptolemaic power and provided peace to the region, an army of the Ptolemaioi once again marched into Makedonian territory. Aristotelis marched out of Antiocheia and confronted the enemy on the open field:
https://img20.imageshack.us/img20/2774/maa543qo9.png

As Aristotelis approached, the Ptolemaioi marched down from the high ground, to confront the Makedonians on level terrain:
https://img251.imageshack.us/img251/7987/maa544yp6.png

To the east of the battle was a great outcropping of granite, and to the west a great storm was building out at sea:
https://img251.imageshack.us/img251/897/maa545np8.png

As the Makedonian line made its way up the gentle slope, the Ptolemaioi moved to counter. As the Klerouchoi moved toward the Makedonian Pezhetairoi, a large contingent of Jewish spearmen attacked the Thracians on the Makedonian right flank:
https://img522.imageshack.us/img522/3838/maa546wh8.png

As they continued to be confonted with more attackers and continued to wipe them out, the Thracians slowly move forward. Soon, they found themselves up against the Ptolemaic reserves, fighting far from their own line. Depleted of arrows, the Kretans move to the right flank to take the place of the Thracians:
https://img259.imageshack.us/img259/8274/maa547tn5.png

In the center of the line, a group of Klerouchoi some how manages to decimate a section of the Makedonian line. Nearly wiped out, the section of Pezhetairoi breaks and flees. The Kretans quickly rush back to the center to fill the newly made hole:
https://img528.imageshack.us/img528/795/maa548wg0.png
This was one of those game bugs, where sometimes when two phalanxes fight, the defending unit just stands there and doesn't fight back, eventually dying. I should have watched closer and told them to attack.

As the Kretans hold down the Klerouchoi, Aristotelis hits the phalangitai in the rear, breaking the whole Ptolemaic army. Filled with anger over the loss of his men, Aristotelis ignores the Ptolemaic signal of surrender and kills as many of the routing men as possible:
https://img528.imageshack.us/img528/9329/maa550fx0.jpg

To the west, the Makedonian fleet arrives in the Aegean, returning from Kyrenaia. As they pass Krete, they are ambushed by an army of pirate ships, who had been enjoying raiding the Aegean with the lack of any navy in the area, for the last few years. Even though outnumbered, the experienced Makedonian admiral manages to pull out a victory, only loosing one small fleet:
http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/2197/maa551bz6.jpg

After about a half a year of sieging the fort city of Ani-Kamah, reinforcements from Armenia arrive to attempt to lift the Makedonian siege. The small army of elites attack the Makedonians, attempting to save the Hayasdan faction heir, isolated in the city:
https://img522.imageshack.us/img522/2996/maa553er6.png

Euboulides assembles his awkward army on the awkward terrain and awaits the Hayasdan army:
https://img440.imageshack.us/img440/1456/maa554yo5.png

The Hayasdan elites slowly approach the Makedonian line, then charge into the center of the sarrisa spears, trying to make a hole:
https://img522.imageshack.us/img522/9483/maa555rq8.png

As the pikemen try their best to prevent a hole from forming in their line, Euboulides circles around back and charges the Hai elites, breaking them:
https://img528.imageshack.us/img528/5189/maa556qi0.png

As Euboulides attempts to chase down the fleeing Hai elites, he is suddenly confronted by a huge unit of cataphracts. Vahagn Yervanduni and his bodyguard had managed to arrive from the city and suprise Euboulides' Hetairoi by crashing into them. Completely outnumbered and outmatched Euboulides breaks from the combat and attempts to escape the cataphracts. But nothing Euboulides does can shake the cataphracts as they continue to draw closer to him. After circling the field of battle, Euboulides turns and heads for his own battle line. Slowing just enough to prevent massive losses on his own side, Euboulides and his Hetairoi go through their own line and draw the cataphracts into battle with the Kappadocians:
https://img522.imageshack.us/img522/58/maa557bk3.png

As the cataphracts are tied down, Euboulides circles around the battle and charges the Hai heir from behind:
https://img528.imageshack.us/img528/7032/maa559ac8.png

Outmanuevered, the Hai heir attempts to flee, but doesn't manage to escape:
https://img148.imageshack.us/img148/3213/maa560fr1.jpg

As his army chases the enemy from the battlefield, Euboulides is finally able to relax. The next day, they march into Ani-Kamah and claim the entire region for the Empire of Makedonia:
https://img528.imageshack.us/img528/1991/maa561lq5.jpg

Suffering defeat after defeat, the Hai turn to the one surviving people in the region who have hatred for the Antigonids, the Ptolemaioi. Though, even with an alliance of these powers, Makedon does not fear. Both kingdoms have had their backs broken and it is simply a matter of time before they both fade away.

Around the same time, in the east, the traitorous people of Baktria repel an invasion from the steppes. After loosing several territories, the steppe invaders promise an subseviant alliance to the Baktrian king:
https://img528.imageshack.us/img528/4303/maa562fg3.jpg

In Greece, two armies of Greek allies is assembled (reducing the number of fighting men in Greece). The armies make a quick stop in Sparte to train, then head over to meet up with the Makedonian fleet, to sail south to Kyrenaia:
https://img522.imageshack.us/img522/7924/maa563ka4.png

In Illyria, Nepos gathers the Illyrian army and prepares for his own invasion of foreign territory (sanctioned by Demetrios):
https://img251.imageshack.us/img251/9840/maa564ff4.png

Illyria had been conquered by Krateros, elder brother of Antigonos. It was then governed by Alexandros, son of Krateros. But recently, Alexandros had died, leaving control of the region his son, the well educated but violent Nepos. To the north of Illyria lay fertile lands, controlled by hostile tribes. But war with the Getic Confederation and northern tribes had left the area weaken. Nepos knew if he attacked the region, the northern allies of the region's tribes would come to their aid, but if he could take the territory, their northern allies wouldn't risk their lives to liberate them. So Nepos sent spies and diplomats to the fort city of Vindobona, to prepare the region for conquest. Then Nepos and his son, Neikolas, gathered the army and headed north.

In Thermon, the Makedonian-friendly tyrant, Kalas dies quietly. Perseus makes plans...
https://img522.imageshack.us/img522/5341/maa565nu4.jpg

The known world in the winter of 223BC:
https://img522.imageshack.us/img522/...xmak223im8.png

Next: Chapter 11 : War on Every Front

Awexome update, Marcus! A 3 front war... must be rough. Don't you think the Getai might join the fight if you take Vindobona, though? And you always have to worry about those Romani...

Awesome, really enjoying this and overjoyed of the update.
Thank god I don't have work tomorrow! :)

Great update as usual :yes:

I think I might have used my spare troops to arrest the growing Roman danger instead though. Pyrrhus showed well that the city of Kart Hadast can be defeated by good Greek warfare without too much trouble, but these Roman upstarts fight in strange ways. Their tyrannic grip on Megale Hellas should be broken as soon as possible. The good Greeks there would surely welcome the Macedonians as liberators, and accept their protection. :idea2:

Thanks. :bow:

At least I still have enough power to continue attacking. At least with Hayasdan, if I loose the initiative, I may get stuck in a defensive war against cata-tanks. My complete lack of money makes reinforcing all fronts difficult, too.

My attack on Vindobona and a war with the Romanoi are actually one in the same. My plan is to take Pannonia and the Alpine territories, then attack the Romans from the north. In every other campaign where I fought the Romans, they have always put up little challenge and just retreated northward, where they become essentially a bad version of a Celtic nation. In order to prevent them from retreating north, I'm going to cut them off (which doesn't actaully seem necessary with the Boii script).

I'm just suprised that the Romans haven't attacked me again. We had one battle near the start of the game over Segestica, then we made peace, which has lasted. I'm allied with the Aedui though, for anti-Roman support.

I'm upgrading about four mines in Anatolia. Hopefully when they are completed and Egypt falls, I will be able to afford things again.

Finally Im seeing some pitched battles. I was tired of only seeing 40 or 50 dead Makedonians....just kidding. Keep up the good work. Im surprised Rome hasnt attacked your holding in Epirus. You have territory right next to them. I am sure they will. As a fellow AAR writer I can attest that you must have spent alot of time on the editing of screenshots. Thats incredible how many screenshots you have in there :) I hope to see some upcoming battle with Phalynx versus Phalynx. Jewish spearmen are cannon fodder. Have you lost a battle yet? I remember fighting the Ptolemies as Carthage and getting my ass handed to me by those Galatian Swordsmen. The Ethiopian axemen are brutal as well. Perhaps as you get into the larger Ptolemic holdings they will field an army comprable to your own. Good job and keep it up. I'm enjoying this :)

If you like seeing me loose, you'll like the next chapter. Though I don't actually loose the battle. I don't really take many risks in war, if I'm not sure I'll win, I wait until I have more forces. Though, I'll occationally loose when I do something stupid or the AI 'magically' suprises me. And sometimes I'll take little, unimportant, easily replaceable forces to war and end up getting them wiped out.

I'm surprised that peace has lasted with Roma, too. I have a fort on the Illyria - Cisalpine Gallia border, and I think that has detered them.

About the screenshots, thanks. My last AAR was really lacking in screenshots, so I went with a lot for this one.

Nice update, MAA.

It's surprising how much your campaign resembles my own. I too "liberated" the southern steppe from the Hai to give it to the Sarmatae... they weren't very thankful though but betrayed me instead.

I also conquered the alpine regions, liberating them from the Getai. Suddenly I was attacked by Sweboz Giant Empire and Roman Tiny Empire. I was not able to hold the territories up there, as reinforcements could never arrive speedy and were always needed elsewhere (Persia, Caucasus, Egypt). I gathered a mercenary Celt army though and rampaged through northern Italy, taking the Roman levies by surprise, pillaging and sacking every northern city. As I had finally assembled another army, a attacked them from the south at Taras, totally rolling them up from south to north.

I'm really looking forward how things will go in your campaign. Good luck!

Thanks, Centurio.
I don't think I have anything to fear from the Sweboz, in this campaign. They have just been sitting around for half a century. I have used the "give_money germans, 40000" code several times and I think they are finally out of debt. They just conquered their second town. I think both me and Sweboz will have to start worring about the Aedui, though.

I finally finished a paper I was working on, so even though it is nearly 1:00 in the morning, I'm uploading my pics right now. I'll plan on making an update for this AAR over the weekend...

waits for another update :)

Chapter 11 : War on Every Front (Part I)

In the year between 223BC and 219BC, the Makedonian Empire found itself at war with nearly everyone they bordered. The Ptolemaioi knew they could no longer stand alone against the combined forces of Arche Seleukeia and the Makedonian Empire. They had, thus, enlisted the help of their allies: the city of Kart-Hadast and the Kingdom of Hayasdan. Makedonia now faced the threat of these three powers as well as smaller nations and peoples in the southern deserts and in the northern forests.

In Kyrenaia, Demetrios, king of Makedonia, faced the forces of Kart-Hadast as well as the threat of the Ptolemaic Egypt to the east, on the far side of the desert. In Armenia, Euboulides, uncle of King Demetrios, faced the forces of the Kingdom of Hayasdan. In Syria, Aristotelis, son of King Demetrios, defended the territory from constant Ptolemaic attack, unable to move his forces southward to invade, fearing the armies of Assyria. And in Illyria, Nepos, decendant of Antigonos' brother, sought new territory to expand into with his family, choosing to face the celtic tribes of the north. In Pella, Perseus, nephew of King Demetrios, attended to the adminstration of Makedonia, Thrakia, and the Hellenes.

The African Front

In Kyrenaia, Demetrios was once again forced to devert his army to counter a threat from the city of Hart-Hadast. This time Admetos, supreme leader of the combined forces of Kart-Hadast, personally lead an army, supported by artillery, into Kyrenaia. About a month behind the Kart-Hadast army was another army, planning to join up once they reach Kyrenaia, where the fertile land, unlike the desert, could support two large armies. Not wanting to fight two large armies, Demetrios moved to attack Admetos before his reinforcements could cross the desert:
https://img110.imageshack.us/img110/2233/maa572od7.png

As Demetrios engaged the Kart-Hadast army, they stood their ground, forcing Demetrios to take the offensive and move his army forward:
https://img68.imageshack.us/img68/8183/maa573dq1.png

As the Makedones approached the enemy, they noticed a group of Kart-Hadast elite spearmen, the acclaimed Sacred Band of Kart-Hadast that was well known from their wars with Syrakousai:
https://img151.imageshack.us/img151/4517/maa574wi2.png

Even with their elites, the forces of Kart-Hadast took note of Demetrios' forces and choose to flee. As the enemy turned to head back into the desert, Demetrios gave chase with his Hetairoi. As he charged, the Sacred Band (and some other spearmen) turned to face him:
https://img518.imageshack.us/img518/673/maa575wm9.png

As the Hetairoi fought with the elite spearmen, hoping they would break and flee, they began to take losses. Too pridefull to let they escape, Demetrios kept up fight, eventually breaking the enemy as planned.

Even though they enemy had fled Makedonian territory and Demetrios had wiped out an entire devision of Kart-Hadast Sacred Band spearmen, the battle had cost Demetrios more than a tenth of his cavalry:
https://img518.imageshack.us/img518/2064/maa576ub4.jpg

Following the battle, Admetos retreated back into the desert, to be reinforced by his second army. At this time, a Makedonian reinforcement of Hellene soldiers landed in Kyrenaia and garrisoned the city of Kyrene. With the province defended, Demetrios decided to give chase to the Kart-Hadast army and head south as well. Along the way, he came upon a Ptolemaic army, that had been wandering the deserts since before Demetrios had taken Kyrenaia. Wishing to remove this force from what was now Makedonian territory, Demetrios engaged them:
https://img68.imageshack.us/img68/5890/maa577sl7.png

With a flanking manuever from the Basilikon Agema units, Demetrios wiped out every last man along the shores of a desert lake:
https://img518.imageshack.us/img518/3667/maa579yq2.jpg

Near the Kyrenaia - Hart-Hadast border, the Makedonian navy managed to move in and deploy a Hellenic army, which moved to assualt the desert dwellers in the southern regions. The navy then moved along the coast as Demetrios marched, ensure he and his army was well supplied. As Demetrios entered Hart-Hadast territory, the second army enemy army retreated. It seemd that the Hart-Hadast had given up on their invasion. Though, before Admetos and his army could get away, as well, Demetrios attacked them:
https://img68.imageshack.us/img68/8706/maa581fa7.png

As the two armies lined up to face eachother along a surprisingly well built desert road, Demetrios was once agian force to take the initiative:
https://img68.imageshack.us/img68/2995/maa582xq4.png

As the Makedonian line approached, the well possitioned Kart-Hadast artillery open fire on the line:
https://img68.imageshack.us/img68/6361/maa583rk4.png

Due to the large bolts, the Makedonian army took considerable causalities. The bolts came crashing through line of men, ignoring defensive the wall of sarrisas, and killing several Makedonians at a time. Only by the charisma of Demetrios was the army able to maintain its slow march forward, without panicing or tiring itself by charging.

The Makedonian line finally came within range of missile fire and halted. The Bosphorians and slingers let fly on the Kart-Hadast line, eventually goading them into charging the Makedonian pike line:
https://img209.imageshack.us/img209/1826/maa584hj6.png

On the Makedonian left flank, Admetos himself charged the line. He and his cavalry quickly pushed through the spears and began tearing a hole in the Makedonian line:
https://img209.imageshack.us/img209/4618/maa585vo9.png

As the line began to suffer, the left flank Basilikon Agema managed to move behind the enemy general. The pikemen tried their best to hold the general, as the Basilikon Agema charged in from behind:
https://img68.imageshack.us/img68/7645/maa586nn8.png

In the center of the Makedonian line, the Kart-Hadast elite pikemen had managed to force a hole in the line, killing many Pezhetairoi. With the Basilikon Agema tied down on both flanks and the Hetairoi occupied, the Bosphorians reluctantly moved in to fill the hole. But just then, they caught glimpes of Demetrios and the Hetairoi coming over the hill, completely suprising the enemy reserves from behind:
https://img68.imageshack.us/img68/6261/maa587um5.png
[Same stupid bug where the guys just stand there and die without fighting back.]

As Demetrios wiped out the Kart-Hadast reserves and their artillery, the Basilikon Agema managed to kill the enemy general, Admetos:
https://img518.imageshack.us/img518/4937/maa588dy8.jpg

Realizing they were surrounded and leaderless, the Hart-Hadast army turned and fled. Angry over their losses, the Makedonian pike line broke formation and charged after them, intending to wipe out the fleeing enemy:
https://img517.imageshack.us/img517/3903/maa590gp7.jpg

With the Kart-Hadast defeated and retreating, Demetrios turned and took his slightly weakened army eastward, assisted by the navy. A year later, he was besieging the city of Paraitonion, along the Libye coast. The Makedonian navy always followed Demetrios staying off the coast from his camp to ensure resupply, to disrupt enemy resupply, and to prevent any seaborn reinforcement:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/4263/maa600pe6.png

Next : Chapter 12 : War on Every Front (Part II) - The Armenian Front
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I decided to split these few year up a bit and make an entry for each different war so I wouldn't have one giant update (and have to cut out pictures).

Nice to see a fresh update somewhere among all the great AARs we got around now! :)

Great update as usual, Marcus!

I enjoy reading every passage of this awesome story!

Well, I have been lurking this AAR (almost) from the beginning and I've to say:

"Splendid work!" And even more, if one considers that you have family, a job/college/university, eb-team- & moderator-duties.

Yours,
Treverer

:thumbsdown: You killed Admetos.

:whip:

Thanks, everyone. :bow:

Treverer; actually writting is kind of a stress release for me. When I write I don't think about anything else. So the more real world crap I'm having to deal with, the more I feel like writting. So, given the fact I'm going to have to deal with relatives during the next week (Thanksgiving), I may write a whole lot. :egypt:

Admetos; yes, I killed Admetos. But it is a silly name anyways...
:clown:
...jk... At least he was a challenge. He actually managed to get through the line to my Pezhetairoi. It is rare for anything less than a cataphract to do that.

CURSE YOU MARCUS!!!!! You and your Machiavellian schemes have turned my two favourite faction against each other(Kart-Hadast and Makedonia):laugh4:! Cool Update:2thumbsup:

Truly a great AAR, Marcus well done and keep it up

Thanks.

Wolfman; you mean the Makedon-KartHadast war? I don't really want to be at war with them, really. (They just won't give up on Kyrene.) But if they want war, they shall have war!

Chapter 11 : War on Every Front (Part II)

The Armenian Front

Along the Kappadokia - Armenia border, Euboulides had captured the Hayasdan fort-city of Ani-Kamah and was defending it with an army of mostly Kappadokians while he established military control of the region. Because of the military possition and the chance of rebellion, Euboulides didn't risk setting up a client kingdom as the Makedonian Empire had done to the south in Sophene, instead he planned to incorporate the area into the Makedonian Empire under firm control. Because of the war, Euboulides had also sent his young son to Trapezous, at first to command the garrison. However, in Trapezous, it soon became clear that the Makedonians were going to stay. Euboulides quickly ordered the incorporation of Trapezous into the Makedonian Empire, as well. The war ravaged city did not protest, though. The security and prosperity provided by becoming part of the Makedonian Empire was enough insentive to give up their local sovereignty.

As Euboulides establishes Makedonian order in the border provinces, the Hai moved to retake their lost territory. Euboulides answered them and moves out of the city to meet them in the field:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/6506/maa591kr8.png

Euboulides takes up possition on a hill, preparing to attack, but the Hai do not wait and instead attack first, uphill:
https://img518.imageshack.us/img518/5421/maa592rg2.png

The Hai send up their cataphracts first, running them up the hill. As some charge straight into the pikemen, others come around to the flanks, where they are countered by the Kappadokians. The Hai general, Aram Hayasdanits, charges in on one of the flanks but is countered by Kappadokian Hillmen. As they are tied down, Euboulides charges them from the rear, inflicting heavy losses on the Hai, eventually killing the general:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/7694/maa593cf6.png

The poorly armored Hai infantry, on the other hand, were mostly killed before they could even get up the hill. Euboulides' Kappadokian archers and slingers fire over the battle and do away with most of the Hai levies.

The cataphracts are enough of a challenge by themselves, though. After pushing for some time, the Hai cataphracts manage to completely scatter the pike formation and break through it. Euboulides had been expecting this, though. With a signal, the reserve spearmen rushed in and filled all the holes in the line, attacking the enemy cataphracts:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/9150/maa594ti1.png

Only costing them their cavalry, the Hai reinforcing army turned and flee Makedonian territory:
https://img510.imageshack.us/img510/9050/maa595ue2.jpg

After Returning his army to Ani-Kamah, Euboulides quickly marches north. Upon arriving in Trapezous, Euboulides greets the people. Having been the one who sent the garrison to rescue the city, he is greeted a somewhat of a hero, though hesitantly due to more recent events. Promising the people security, he takes the bulk of the garrison and heads eastward to take the fight into Hai territory, hiring some steppe cavalry mercenaries along the way:
https://img510.imageshack.us/img510/5304/maa596ih0.png

As Euboulides was to the north, moving into Egrisi, the Hai once again attack the fort-city of Ani-Kamah. The garrison of the city quickly moves to counter the besieging army:
https://img510.imageshack.us/img510/9025/maa602rm7.png

As the Kappadokian army moved out to counter the Hai, the Hai continued to avoid conflict with the army, constantly reforming their line. Finally, the Kappadokians move into possition perpendicular to the city and decide to make their attack:
https://img510.imageshack.us/img510/7361/maa603fl7.png

The battle only lasts only a short time before the whold Hai army decides to give up the attack and retreat:
https://img510.imageshack.us/img510/2787/maa604lu8.jpg

To the south, the Hai once again attempted to cross the Tigris and attack the land of Sophene. Captain Aristokles and the Dacio-Thracian army once again counter the threat, this time as they attempt to cross a bridge:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/4447/maa606ka2.png

With the steppe horsemen, the Dacio-Thracian army is able to counter the enemy before they cross the bridge, firing on the Hai army still in Hai territory. After taking losses, the Hai gave up on crossing and decided to stand their ground in their own territory:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/9029/maa607rg6.png
[I had to set the timer to triple speed and leave.]

Eventually the Hai give up attempting to cross the river and go home:
https://img518.imageshack.us/img518/6141/maa608mn9.jpg

In Kappadokia, the Hai once again attacked the city of Ani-Kamah:
https://img510.imageshack.us/img510/7851/maa609ap2.png

However, this time, when they come near the walls, the Kappadokian archers and slingers opened fire. After only a few losses, the Hai retreat, before the Kappadokian infantry could even sally out of the walls:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/8269/maa610jm8.jpg

After about a year and a half of besieging the small city of Kotais, Euboulides is finally confronted by a reinforcement force from Hayasdan:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/8991/maa627eq9.png

With early notice of the attack, Euboulides moves his cavalry into the forest and orders them to hold their possition until they can ambush the enemy. As the Hai approach, Euboulides sets up his pikemen along the top of a hill, with the archers just behind them. The Hai approach from the valley and make their way up the hill:
https://img510.imageshack.us/img510/8130/maa628ov9.png

As the Hai approach, the archers hold their fire. Then, once the entire army is within range, Euboulides orders them to fire at will. Massive amounts of arrows and lead shot rain down on the Hai:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/1995/maa629ab7.png

As the Hai approach the Makedonian line, Euboulides charges his cavalry in from the flank breaking the remaining Hai soldiers.

Meanwhile, the garrison of the city and general Aram Yervanduni moves against the Makedonian possition:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/3858/maa630tu8.png

Nearly out of arrows, Euboulides orders the archers to reserve their arrows for an emergency. As the Hai charge forward toward the Makedonian line, the steppe cavalry charge out from the woods and toward the rear of the Hai forces. All Hai forces, including the general, charge into the pike formation:
https://img518.imageshack.us/img518/4885/maa631uj5.png

The general's heavy cataphracts quickly push a hole through the line and start slaying the Makedonian soldiers:
https://img510.imageshack.us/img510/8229/maa632am9.png

The steppe cavalry quickly disposes of the Hai infantry with a rain of arrow fire from behind. Without fear of spearmen, Euboulides and his personal cavalry guard flank the Hai general and charge him from the rear:
https://img510.imageshack.us/img510/8079/maa633gd4.png

Breaking from the battle, the Hai general attempt to make a run back to the city. Euboulides quickly disengages his cavalry and motions to the archers. And so, Aram Yervanduni falls dead at the base of the hill under a rain of arrows:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/6573/maa636lo3.jpg

The next day, Euboulides enters the city and makes claim to the whole of Egrisi in the name of the Makedonian Empire. With the fall of this western city, Makedonian forces push the front forward into Hai territory and make claims to large portions of land. The next spring, however, Euboulides finds himself besieged in Kotais with the bulk of the Hai forces waiting outside.

The Armenian front line in 219BC:
https://img510.imageshack.us/img510/...9edit01ej7.png
[I know, I should have put more time into that picture.]
-Showing the borders of Makedonian and Hayasdan control.
-With Seleukeia and Ptolemai in the south, plains to the north.
-The gray represents the Makedonian-friendly protectorate of Sophene.
-Areas in between are claimed by both factions, but controlled by neither. Namely the Van Lake basin, occupied by the Dacio-Thracian army of Makedonia.

Next: Chapter 13 : War on Every Front (Part III) - The Egyptian Front
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Like I said, I might get a lot done this week...

Neat update. Those Hai cataphracts look beautiful, especially in the third pic from the top, and against the pike line in the third pic from the bottom. Too bad the AI likes to get them charged from behind by hetairoi :laugh4:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sakkura

Neat update. Those Hai cataphracts look beautiful, especially in the third pic from the top, and against the pike line in the third pic from the bottom. Too bad the AI likes to get them charged from behind by hetairoi :laugh4:

---

They're not even the real deal, wait until the Armenians have their late bodyguard:smash:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Basileus Seleukeia

They're not even the real deal, wait until the Armenians have their late bodyguard:smash:

---

Getting them charged from behind is still sad :no:

I'll probably end up seeing the late bodyguards. I don't plan on completely wiping out the Hai and a spy in Italy saw that one of the towns there has 25,000 and should be upgraded soon.

This is an impressive AAR. I love the Maks so see them so far into the game is always enjoyable. I would love to see more maps though. My favourite part of an AAR is looking at the interesting ways a faction has expanded.

wow it looks really good. Now I just need to get my AAR updated. Damn holidays :)

Those are some nice massacres you conducted there, MAA. :2thumbsup: The picture with the front lines is a good idea.

Thanks, fellas.

Since the last two and the next two updates are happening at the same time, I haven't posted a map yet, but plan to have one in a couple chapters.

Chapter 13 : War on Every Front (Part III)

The Egyptian Front

As Demetrios fought the armies of Kart-Hadast, he son spent a quiet year in Antiocheia. The city continued to grow and become more advanced. Even though Syria was invaded often, the walls of the city of Antiocheia had not been breached by a foreign army since Demetrios had taken the town. Since then, Demetrios and Aristotelis had managed to keep the town safe and prosperous. Over the last decade, they had built up the infrastructure of the city and developed a moderatly advanced military system. The Makedonians who had settled in the region after the conquest of Alexandros were quite willing to fight for the Makedonian Empire, and now they could. The local Makedonian population was able to be trained to replace any losses in Aristotelis' professional Pezhetairoi army. Besides the Makedonians, there was also some good local soldiers. One of the most renouned soldiers of Syria was their archers, which were some of the best on the Mediterranean:
https://img510.imageshack.us/img510/4619/maa638jp4.jpg
[I moved this unit one level down for this one town. I wanted Syrian archers but I didn't want to have to build a Type3, upgrade the MICs, then build a Type2 (which was the government I wanted), so I just changed the file.]

Demetrios had, years earlier, attempted to established a unique system to Antiocheia. The Seleukids had established an elephant stables and breeding facility in Antiocheia, but it had been taken out of commision by the Ptolemaioi. Upon taking the town, Demetrios took note of the old facilities in the city and made sure to have them repaired. After several years, Demetrios conviced the Seleukids to sell him some elephants they imported from India. Now, under the control of Aristotelis, the long promised elephants had finally arrived. Aristotelis immediately reestablished the elephant stables and hired a good deal of Indian breeders and handlers, who had travelled with the elephants. The Makedonian Empire would never be able to train any sort of advanced elephant devision, but they now had some beast of their own, to one day use in the simplest sense:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/6691/maa580oy3.jpg
[I cheated add these guys too. I wanted the possibility to have elephants, without going to Baktria, even if I would never use them.]

Eventually the peace in Syria was broken by an invasion of a sizable Ptolemaic army of levies:
https://img510.imageshack.us/img510/402/maa597aw3.png

Aristotelis moved out to counter the threat, but after a little bit of fire from the Kretans, the Ptolemaioi withdrew from Syria:
https://img510.imageshack.us/img510/1047/maa598ol1.jpg

In Libye, Demetrios continued his seige on Paraitonion. After about a year, the Ptolemaioi had managed to get an army across the desert to counter him. So, on a dark autumn day, the Ptolemaioi marched against the army of Demetrios:
https://img518.imageshack.us/img518/4863/maa611rx9.png

Just before the battle began, a dust storm from from inland came blowing across the parched earth.

With enemies attacking from both sides, Demetrios ordered his Hetairoi and Basilikon Agema to attack the smaller army to the rear. Meanwhile, the main battle group lined up, with a large stone outcropping to one side, to counter the main enemy force:
https://img510.imageshack.us/img510/3351/maa612su5.png

Through the storm, the Makedonian line finally saw the Ptolemaic main force. Fearing an attack on the exposed flank, the Pezhetairoi repositioned themselves, using the stone outcropping to their advantage:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/344/maa613zn0.png

With the other flank exposed, the pikemen at the edge of the line broke formation to defend the flank, themselves. The Basilikon Agema rushed to the flank as well, but were already exhausted from the tough fighting they had endured in the storm. On the other flank, Demetrios attempted to guide his men around the rocks and circle the enemy, but soon his Hetairoi were exhausted, too. Meanwhile, the Ptolemaioi began their attack on the Makedonian line:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/4051/maa614up4.png

Seeing the disorganized flank, the secondary general of the Ptolemaioi army moves his cavalry around the flank and attempts to attack the rear of the Makedonian line. Out of desperation, the Bosphorians rush in to counter the cavalry. While the Bosphorians hold down the general, the exhausted Basilikon Agema move in and attack:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/567/maa615uq0.png

Soon, the general died, but the Makedonian line began to faulter. A huge Ptolemaic force crashed into the exposed flank, while another, lead by the general Stephanos Anemurionios, pushed through the middle of the Makedonian line. The Basilikon Agema rushed to the flank, hoping to keep the men from breaking. The Makedonian line was in chaos, though. Soon, the pikemen were breaking formation and resorting to their sword to keep the Ptolemaioi from completely out fighting them. Just as things started looking bleak and the losses started to compond, Demetrios came over the hill charging into the heart of the fight at the center of the line, killing Stephanos. Later Demetrios explained, he had gotten stuck fighting on the far side of the stone outcropping. He had left his army not only without cavalry support but without a general.
https://img510.imageshack.us/img510/5729/maa616vm0.png

Fortunately, upon Stephanos Anemurionios' death, the Ptolemaic soldiers in the center broke and fled, including Epikles Ptolemaios, relative to the pharaoh and governor of Paraitonion. Freed from fighting, all Makedonian forces turned toward fighting on the flank, which had turned into a disorganized mob, and finally defeated the Ptolemaioi.

As Demetrios left the field he took stock of the battle. Even though his army had clearly won the battle, he had lost more men than he had ever before, many of which being his mobile forces: the Hetairoi, the Basilikon Agema, and the Bosphorians:
https://img518.imageshack.us/img518/5030/maa618th7.png

Before Demetrios could even rest, the Ptolemaioi attacked once more:
https://img518.imageshack.us/img518/5387/maa620ti4.png

As the first force approached, they were greeted with a hail of arrows and lead shot:
https://img510.imageshack.us/img510/3315/maa621iu1.png

Weakened from the missile fire, the Ptolemaic forces were quick to break and flee when Demetrios flanked them with the Hetairoi.

Epikles Ptolemaios then approached from the city. Holding their fire, the Bosphorians waited until he came close. Thinking he was in no danger, he did just that. Finally, Epikles came just close enough and the Bosphorians opened fire, killing him:
https://img518.imageshack.us/img518/5548/maa622ka4.jpg

Part of the army was already repossitioning, but upon the defeat of the remaining Ptolemaic forces to the east, the entire Makedonian line moved to counter the next Ptolemaic force to the south:
https://img510.imageshack.us/img510/9589/maa623ij1.png

As the two armies clashed, the Hypaspistai filled in the gaps in the line and pushed the enemy back:
https://img510.imageshack.us/img510/9387/maa625xz0.png

Having circled around the stone outcropping, much easier this time, Demetrios hit the enemy from behind, breaking them and causing them to flee:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/7631/maa626ix6.jpg

Demetrios marched into the city of Paraitonion and had his men sack the city. The population was not slaughtered, but many were sold into slavery.

Demetrios settled down and prepared for a long stay, as he sent word back Makedonia that he required reinforcements.

Next: Chapter 14 : War on Every Front (Part IV) - Illyria and the Home Front

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MarcusAureliusAntoninus

[I moved this unit one level down for this one town. I wanted Syrian archers but I didn't want to have to build a Type3, upgrade the MICs, then build a Type2 (which was the government I wanted), so I just changed the file.]

[I cheated add these guys too. I wanted the possibility to have elephants, without going to Baktria, even if I would never use them.]

---

Dirty cheater :shame:


Nah, it's understandable. I doubt the Makedons would have been any less willing to use elephants, and alliance with the Seleukids provides a fair explanation for adding a small contingent of them.

By the way, in the first battle your forces are the one on the right, right?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sakkura

By the way, in the first battle your forces are the one on the right, right?

---

This one:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/4051/maa614up4.png
?

Yes, Makedonia (me) on the right and Ptolemaioi on the left.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MarcusAureliusAntoninus

https://img518.imageshack.us/img518/5030/maa618th7.png

---

what a coincidence you had 2007 men left......
keep it up.. i love this AAR! :2thumbsup:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MarcusAureliusAntoninus

This one?

Yes, Makedonia (me) on the right and Ptolemaioi on the left.

---

Yep, thanks. :yes:

Would have been rare for AI to line up the forces so neatly, but then again one of the phalangite units was moving backwards on one of the pics so I wasn't quite sure :sweatdrop:

Chapter 14 : War on Every Front (Part IV)

Illyria and the Home Front

While Demetrios was still marching south to confront the armies of Kart-Hadast, Nepos and his son Neikolas attacked the celtic city of Vindobona. The people of the region were very hostile, but not too smart. The combined armies of the celtic tribes of the region had moved north, to fend off attacks from the Getic Confederation and Germanic tribes, leaving the town all but defenseless:
https://img68.imageshack.us/img68/2434/maa566kz0.png

Before the battle, Nepos' agents had sneaked into the town and managed to bribe the gatemen into sabataging their own gates. As Nepos' army arrived, they entered the city with ease, taking control of the walls. With the walls secured, the army moved into the center of town, where they surrounded the small but elite defenders:
https://img518.imageshack.us/img518/402/maa568qf5.png

The Makedonian slingers opened fire on the enemy, causing them to charge the Makedonian pikemen. After a short battle, the town was taken:
https://img518.imageshack.us/img518/5495/maa570ub1.jpg

In Pella, Perseus still adminstered the region. After his father Alkyoneus had died, he had simply accepted the job of governor of the homeland, rather than risk rebellion against his extremely popular uncle, Demetrios.

Perseus wasn't the brightest man in the world, nor a very good governor, but he had done quite well at his job, thus far. When they were young, his brother Chrysoloras and he had accompanied their father in his rescue of the city of Kallatis. Though, Perseus had not seen any war, as his father had expected. After his father returned to Pella, Perseus and his brother were left to governed Kallatis, where Perseus assembled an army. When Alkyoneus went to war, taking some of his son's army, Perseus was left in charge of Makedonia. After Alkyoneus had died, Demetrios allowed Perseus to keep his possition in Makedon.

Now Perseus spent his time dealing with the internal troubles of the homeland. One of the main problems that had troubled the Makedonians since the time of Philip was, of course, the Hellenes. Over time, Perseus had come to grow quite annoyed by the complaints and demands of all the Hellenic tyrants of the various city states to the south.

To compound his troubles, nature itself turned against Perseus, as he now had to deal with the deaths and destruction caused by a flood in the city of Thermon:
https://img68.imageshack.us/img68/1964/maa571ga5.png
[I thought these were disabled... Maybe they were only disable at the last minute before the release...]

Around the time Perseus received word of Demetrios' victories over Kart-Hadast, King Iolaos of the Kingdom of Tylis died. With no hier, Perseus left the town to military control and considered its future:
https://img518.imageshack.us/img518/1641/maa599lh1.jpg

With the control of Vindobona and the surrounding area ensured, Perseus decided it was time for some diplomacy. Perseus sent envoys north to the Getic Confederation, a long time friend and recent ally to the Makedonian Empire. Perseus sought to ensure that the great river Danube, to the north, would be the edge of the Makedonian Empire. With a well defined border to ensure peace, the Getic Confederation was willing to consider selling their territorial possesions to Perseus. After some negotiation, it was finally decided that Perseus was to award the Getic Alliance with just under half the current treasury of Makedon, for the territory:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/181/maa601rc9.jpg

Securing new territories, a vision of the Makedonian Empire became clear. With victories and conquests on all fronts, to was once again obvious that the Empire of Makedonia was the greatest kingdom known to man:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/9501/maa605sx4.jpg

To the north, the city of Kallatis had been governed, jointly the alone, by Chrysoloras, son of Alkyoneus, for years:
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/9851/maa637ng6.jpg

As fate would have it, both Perseus and Chrysoloras were unlucky and their wives had failed to give either of them a son. With only sisters and daughters, the brothers were forced to pass on their knowlege, wealth, and titles to men who married into their family. With two son-in-laws in Kallatis, Chrysoloras gathered his belonging and moved back to Pella, where he had grown up. Whether he was order to Pella by Demetrios, by Perseus, or whether he had simply wanted to go home, was not known. Though, upon his arrival, the two brothers once again ruled jointly. Rumors went about the common people. They ranged from, "Perseus and Chrysoloras were joining forces to appose Demetrios," to, "The smarter Chrysoloras had come to take power from the dull Perseus," and even that "Demetrios had sent the loyal Chrysoloras to watch over his brother for signs of betrayal." Whatever the reason, two brothers now dealt with all the homeland administration.

Receiving word, the brothers were quick to gather an army of reinforcements for Demetrios. Gathering the men in Thessaly, they waited for the returning fleet to take them back to Libye.

The known world in the spring of 219BC:
https://img510.imageshack.us/img510/...xmak220kk6.jpg

Next: Chapter 15 : Quiet Before the Storm
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I thus conclude my Thanksgiving update spree.
Thanks to those who have read and commented.
Hopefully I'll be able to invade Egypt soon and crush the Ptolemaioi once and for all.

Great update. I love to imagine "real" reasons behind normal gameplay moves. :2thumbsup:

Yeah, great update. What's that guy Chrysoloras looking at? ~:eek:

Thanks.

I think Chrysoloras' portait painter was a Gaesatae or something. It was hard for him to not look shocked.

Damn Marcus that was a marathon! Some nice battles. Looks like your squeezing the Ptolemies on two sides. Well done. Seems like everyday you had an update. Even with a fast connection it took nearly five minutes to get all the pictures up! Must have taken alot of work. I am concerned that your army in Paratonion will lose through attrition, unless you can reinforce them from Kyrene or something. Anyway it seems things are quite busy with your Makedonian "reconquista" of the old empire.

Yep, I made an update every day, but I haven't even editted my photos for the next update.

Sorry about the slowdown. :clown:
My AAR must be unviewable with dailup. :shame:

And about the Libyan Front, that isn't even the low point. It gets worse.

oh jeez. Things seem to be going so well.

what did u change to edit recruitment of the elephants and the syrian archers MAA?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Spoofa

what did u change to edit recruitment of the elephants and the syrian archers MAA?

---

I added this to Makedonian/Baktrian MIC in the levels that Baktria could get elephants at:

Code:

---

                recruit "indian elephant standard" 0 requires factions { macedon, } and hidden_resource EA and hidden_resource C and hidden_resource y1 and hidden_resource n2 and hidden_resource n4 and hidden_resource y8

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(That is the only elephant that Mak has ownership for, but it doesn't have any recruitment for them.)

And added this to the level just above the level you are supposed to get Syrian Archers at:

Code:

---

                recruit "eastern missile syrian archers" 0 requires factions { thrace, greek_cities, macedon, } and hidden_resource EA and hidden_resource C and hidden_resource y1 and hidden_resource n2 and hidden_resource n4 and hidden_resource y8

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alrighty, thanks.

just one thing, what files respectively am i editting here?

P.S. great AAR, For some reason even though the Mak's are my alltime Fav faction all i can ever do is conquer greece, and maybe half of asia minor, then I get bored, because the Seleucid's or the Ptolemies end up being huge monsters so I switch to a faction that in no way will EVER Have to deal with either of them..... lol :clown:

That would be in the export_descr_buildings.txt. You'll have the find the Makedonia/Baktria factional MIC and the Makedonia/Epeiros/Koinon Hellenon regional MIC to make the same changes. I don't remember what letter they were...

I'll usually loose interest in a campaign after getting my first goal too. This campaign has been kind of tough, though. I've had a whole lot of fun since my Pontic war due to lack of funds. Usually I'll have tons of money and won't ever have to worry. I can have huge garrison and big armies, and even if I loose an army or town I can easily replace the losses. Every since my Pontic war in this campaign, though, I've had no money and I can't just overwelm the enemy and take chances with my forces.

Very nice AAR, have been enjoying it a lot so far. The multitude of pictures has maked it very easy to immerse oneself to the battles and the campaign.

*Thumbs up*

Thanks. :bow:

I've got 151 more pictures since the last posted update to the this AAR. I'm contimplating making several updates (it would take at least 4 to put all my pics in) or just give general overview and throw out more than a hundred pictures. I'm really having fun with the campaign right now, though. Last night was one of those "just one more turn" nights.

But, my internet died at my place so I can't even upload an update if I wanted to (at uni with my laptop).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MarcusAureliusAntoninus

Thanks. :bow:

I've got 151 more pictures since the last posted update to the this AAR. I'm contimplating making several updates (it would take at least 4 to put all my pics in) or just give general overview and throw out more than a hundred pictures. I'm really having fun with the campaign right now, though. Last night was one of those "just one more turn" nights.

But, my internet died at my place so I can't even upload an update if I wanted to (at uni with my laptop).

---

I can relate to the "one more turn" syndrome :) Last night happened to me too. It was 11:30 and I was like damn I need to go to bed...gotta be up at 6 Im having alot of fun with the campaign as well. Its cool discovering the new units and mercenaries that are out there. What a great game!

Chapter 15 : The Quiet Before the Storm

The reign of Demetrios had gradually come to be known as the "Era of Warfare". When Demetrios had assumed the throne, alone, Pontos had just been defeated and the the only warfare Makedonians experienced was a Syrian border dispute with Ptolemai. Now, the Makedonian Empire was at war with several neighbors and was at risk on all borders. With war with three nations and alliances with only the Seleukid Dynasty and the most powerful barbarians of Europe, Makedonia was short on friends nearby:
https://img252.imageshack.us/img252/9752/maa670qx9.jpg

In Kyrenaia, the armies of Kart-Hadast had turned back and fled back across the desert after their last defeat against Demetrios, so the area was fortunately quiet for the time being. In Libye, an army of Hellenic allies marched toward the oasis of Ammonion, and along the coast Demetrios was awaiting reinforcements from Makedonia. To the east, Euboulides had camped his army in Egrisi, without any current plans of expansion. The Hai, however wheren't simply going to let Makedonia occupy territory they claimed.

With an army of the Hai waiting outside, Euboulides marched out to confront them:
https://img508.imageshack.us/img508/9734/maa640ry1.png

The Hai lined up in distance and waited for the Makedonian forces to the exit the city:
https://img252.imageshack.us/img252/5570/maa641py9.png

With the Makedonian battle line formed up along a ridge, Euboulides ordered his archers to open fire from behind the line. Meanwhile, the steppe mercenaries moved around the Hai and attacked their right flank:
https://img182.imageshack.us/img182/466/maa642gs1.png

Under a rain of arrows from multiple directions, the Hai turned to move away. Expecting a false retreat, Euboulides waited. However, when it became clear that the Hai army was actually running, he gave chase. Euboulides and his bodyguard were alone at first but were quickly joined by the steppe cavalry. Thanks to the cavalry, many Hai fell before they could retreat and regroup for another attack:
https://img252.imageshack.us/img252/4686/maa643fr0.png

With the Hai retreating, Euboulides took note of the Hai causualties. The act of retreating had cost them more than a third of their army, killing only a handfull of Makedonians:
https://img508.imageshack.us/img508/9845/maa644al9.jpg

On the far side of the Makedonian Empire, an army of Hellenic allies, attempting to capture the oasis of Ammonion from the Ptolemaioi, were attacked:
https://img182.imageshack.us/img182/1322/maa645ph8.png
[Weird error where I can't select the enemy army, so I couldn't show the AI forces for this one.]

The army of Hoplitai, fighting in the old Hellene style, lined up on the parched terrain and awaited the Ptolemaic forces:
https://img508.imageshack.us/img508/528/maa646es8.png

The small Ptolemaic army, survivors of the battles with Demetrios, attacked first:
https://img252.imageshack.us/img252/6708/maa647ql8.png

As the Hoplitai battle line confronted the small forces, the forces from the settlement were quick to join in the fight. Confronted with Galatians, the Hoplitai line soon became disorganized. As the battle became fierce, the idle Hoplitai quickly rushed in to assist their bretheren:
https://img508.imageshack.us/img508/4165/maa648nx4.png

Soon, the battle became an unorganized mass of fighting, without battle lines or flanks. The Galatian forces began to falter, but soon the Ptolemaic pikemen joined in the fight:
https://img252.imageshack.us/img252/3461/maa649gd8.png

As the Thureophoroi engaged a flanking group of Galatians, the Hellenic Hoplitai attempted to break through the pikemen's ranks:
https://img182.imageshack.us/img182/6950/maa650ut8.png

Fighting hard, the exhausted Hoplitai soon found themselves surrounded by Ptolemaic pikemen and loosing men rapidly:
https://img508.imageshack.us/img508/7527/maa651ig4.png

Soon, it was apparent to the Hellenes that the battle was moving out of their favour. Seeing defeat approaching, half the remaining Hoplitai turned and started to flee. However, they soon regrouped and turned back to face their pursuers. Lookin back, they saw pursuing them was only one group of Egyptian levy pikemen. The group Hoplitai now outnumbered their enemy and had the advantage. As one group charged the center, two others circled around the flanks and attacked the Egyptians from the rear:
https://img182.imageshack.us/img182/4594/maa652do1.png

Meanwhile, at the main battle, the Thureophoroi had chased off the Galatians and charged in to assist those Hoplitai which hadn't broken:
https://img508.imageshack.us/img508/5879/maa653jk1.png

Even outnumbered and surrounded, the Ptolemaic elite phalangitai were holding their ground defeating the Hellenes. Seeing the bravery of their betters, the retreating Ptolemaic forces stopped their retreat. Turning back, they crushed the Toxotai who had been chasing them from the field and charged the battle. The Hoplitai were quickly surrounded by returning forces. Paniced, they broke:
https://img252.imageshack.us/img252/2425/maa654tf1.png

Not only did the loss destroy a Makedonian army and leave a battle front undefended, but it proved a fact that many within the Makedonian Empire had long believed. The Hellenes and their city-states were outdated. Their government, their military, and their culture had failed to change through the years since Philipos and Alexandros. It was clear that change was necessary amoungst the city-states, and if they wouldn't change themselves, someone would have to change them...

To the north of Libye, there was good news, at least. The reinforcements from Makedonia were underway and had recently left Krete on their way south:
https://img182.imageshack.us/img182/8179/maa655eu7.png

As time passed, the Hai once again made an attempt to recover the Van Lake basin. Prepared for the attack, the Dacio-Thracian army, under Captain Aristokles, set up defense along a river crossing:
https://img182.imageshack.us/img182/6668/maa656ai3.png

As soon as the Hai forces approached the crossing, the rushed across the bridge and into the Dacian spearmen waiting on the other side:
https://img508.imageshack.us/img508/8665/maa657ck9.png

The Hai plan seemed to work, though. The Hai cavalry were quick to push through the pike line and start tearing the line to pieces. Seeing the trouble, the Thracians rushed in to attack the enemy:
https://img508.imageshack.us/img508/6282/maa658fo4.png

Realizing their spears were not enough, the Dacian spearmen dropped their weapons and pulled out their unique blades to continue the fight. Soon, the Dacio-Thracians were pushing the Hai back to the bridge:
https://img182.imageshack.us/img182/9980/maa659to4.png

As the battle moved to the bridge, the Dacio-Thracians fell back to regroup. The Hai forces insisted on continuing the fight and pored across. With a sizable Hai force across, the Dacio-Thracians charged in once more. As they wiped out or pushed the Hai forces back onto the bridge, they fell back and repeated the same tactic again.

Meanwhile, the Thracian cavalry had found a crossing down stream and circled around the rear of the enemy. As the Hai pikemen attempted to push their way across the bridge, they were hit from behind:
https://img182.imageshack.us/img182/7188/maa662vy0.png

Falling back for the third time, the Dacio-Thracians allowed the remaining Hai forces to cross, where they surrounded them:
https://img508.imageshack.us/img508/7947/maa663hn7.png

Successfully luring the entire Hai force across the bridge, Captain Aristokles won a great victory for the Makedonian Empire that day:
https://img508.imageshack.us/img508/9692/maa664gw6.jpg

In Syria, Aristotelis once again faced a poorly assembled Ptolemaic army:
https://img182.imageshack.us/img182/3336/maa665df8.png

Once again, they retreated as soon as taking losses under missile fire. Aristotelis then chased them down with the Thessalian cavalry and attempted to kill as many men as possible:
https://img182.imageshack.us/img182/8031/maa667hr9.jpg

In Libye, Demetrios finally reinforced his army with new men from Makedonia. The newly resupplied army was not a full strength but was clearly at battle strength:
https://img508.imageshack.us/img508/7445/maa668bh1.png

As Demetrios assmebled his army, preparing the leave the town in the hands of mercenaries and the excess reserves from Makedonia, he received bad new. The elite reserves stationed outside the city had taken Kart-Hadast gold and defected against the Makedonian Empire. Demetrios was outraged and forced to delay his attack until reserves from Kyrene could arrive in Libye. The longer Demetrios had to wait, the more men the Ptolemaioi could raise and the sooner they would realize that they could take Kyrene without difficulty.

The defectors quickly choose money over loyalty to their homeland. In a way, it was not all that suprising. The reign of Demetrios was not only the "Era of War" but also the "Era of Debt". The wars had cost a great deal of money. Ever since just before the Pontic War, the Makedonian Empire had been running low on money. The Empire had enough to pay it soldiers and continue infrastructure throughout the Empire, but there was little to no excess money to go around:
https://img252.imageshack.us/img252/7223/maa669qc4.jpg

Meanwhile, in Hayasdan, Captain Aristokles found himself defending Makedonian claims, once more:
https://img182.imageshack.us/img182/2214/maa671wx0.png

The Hai forces refused to cross the bridge this time, though. They attempted to trick Captain Aristokles into crossing, but he did not fall for the trap. As soon as the steppe horsemen wiped out their light infantry, the Hai retreated:
https://img252.imageshack.us/img252/2125/maa672sl5.png

The only casualties on either side fell to arrow fire:
https://img252.imageshack.us/img252/5782/maa673fz4.jpg

To the south, an army of Hayasdan had managed to go around the Lake Van region and cross through Seleukid territory, attacking Sophene. With assistance from some mercenaries, the local king decided to stand for Makedonian this time and attacked the Hai army:
https://img505.imageshack.us/img505/1760/maa677em4.png

The Hai took up possition atop a hill as the mercenaries moved in, with the forces in the city not too far behind:
https://img152.imageshack.us/img152/4962/maa678ze2.png

The mercenaries moved into a forested area to protect themselves from missile fire as they waited for the main force from the city garrison:
https://img516.imageshack.us/img516/1716/maa679ua7.png

As the city garrison approached, however, the Hai forces lost their nerve and fled. The army of Sophene gave chase and attacked the fleeing Hai:
https://img505.imageshack.us/img505/507/maa680bw2.png

Managing to take out a third of the Hai army, the king of Sophene returned to the city:
https://img516.imageshack.us/img516/5232/maa681mn6.jpg

The garrison, on the other hand, moved south to counter Ptolemaic forces in the area and chase the Hai army, who had retreated into Assyria:
https://img516.imageshack.us/img516/836/maa682rg0.png

The Ptolemaic family member attempted to flee, but was eventually caught, as he took up possition on a hill and prepared to defend himself:
https://img152.imageshack.us/img152/6773/maa683ph4.png

With an overwhelming number of archers, the Ptolemaic forces were decimated:
https://img152.imageshack.us/img152/4509/maa685ff4.png

Once the archers were out of arrows, the Sophene spearmen moved in and attacked the exhausted Ptolemaic cavalry:
https://img152.imageshack.us/img152/2029/maa686my8.png

Although, the relative of Pharaoh escaped, he knew not to violate Makedonian territory again:
https://img152.imageshack.us/img152/1111/maa687gg4.jpg

The garrison of Sophene then confronted the Hai army that had besieged them:
https://img505.imageshack.us/img505/7037/maa688md4.png

As the two armies approached, both went on the offensive, charging into eachother in the middle of the battlefield:
https://img505.imageshack.us/img505/5512/maa689lj6.png

With superior archer numbers to counter the weak infantry and spearmen to counter the cavalry, the army of Sophene won an easy victory and wiped out the army of Hayasdan:
https://img505.imageshack.us/img505/5985/maa690wd1.jpg

Finally with reinforcements from Kyrene, Demetrios headed eastward and attacked the great capital of the Ptolemaic Empire, the great city of Alexandreia. The attack was quite the risk. To the west, Kyrenaia and Libye had nearly no forces defending it. If Kart-Hadast or the Ptolemaioi took advantage of the weakness and could successfully repulse the siege of Alexandreia, then the Makedonian experience in Africa would be cut short:
https://img252.imageshack.us/img252/6148/maa674hw6.png

As Demetrios prepared to attack the ancient land of Egypt, the north of Makedonia territory had its own problems. In Italy, the Romanoi were gathering forces along the Makedonian border. It seemed war may come sooner than expected to Nepos, in Pannonia and Illyria:
https://img508.imageshack.us/img508/10/maa675kj9.png

Though, in Pannonia, Nepos had another problem. The celtic armies of the region began to resent Nepos and his occupying forces. Armies of celts wandered Makedonian land and threatened its borders:
https://img182.imageshack.us/img182/1/maa676gj8.png

The known world in 219BC:
https://img182.imageshack.us/img182/...xmak219rv8.png

Next: Chapter 16 : Land of Ancient Wonder

Wow, awesome update! I'm amazed by how huge your battles are! Keep it up!

PS. and avenge the death of my AAR for me! wipe out those ptolmies!

Great update :2thumbsup:

"the Hoplitai line soon became disorganized"
You have to set them to defensive stance to keep them in formation.

Keep it up man a fantastic updat as usual. Hell now the Romans look to throw in their lot to the mix.

Very nice!

*Starts waiting for an update, again*

8D

Please update soon this is such a cool AAR

Thanks everyone. Hopefully, I'll be able to update regularly now, since all I have left is finals...

BerkeleyBoi; I'll definately make those dirty Egyptian scum pay for what they have done to both of us. :egypt:

Folgore; I had them in defensive formation, but when they started to get poked by pikemen, they just stood there and died. While I attacked the few units of pikemen, the Galatians surrounded them before I could regroup. Though, I wondered how much better I would have faired if I had just kept them in line and in defensive formation. :shrug: