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I too would have not attacked the Ptlolemies. However they attacked Kyrene and the damage was done. Also remember that the Shophet at the time was against invading Iberia so the senate was still indecisive about an expansion north. I'm letting game conditions dictate my tactics and it makes for a more realistic, IMO, albeit unhistorical outcome. Thats the beauty of this game :) Thanks for following and Ill check your screenies out Mega :)
I guess ill just plop this tidbit here. I just finished reading "The Sword of Attilla" by Michael Ford. What a great read. Great story and really good action. I highly reccomend it :)
I usually don't comment on AAR's, even though I read them occasionally, but here I just have to say 'Thank you Chirurgeon!'.
Thank you Thaatu, I hope to continue to draw your support
Once again another great update. Keep 'em coming!
Alright I will do that. Should have another update today or tomorrow :)
Wow, that was a vicious Ptolemaic army. EB2 will be nicer to you in that respect...
I suppose thats good. I think I could have beaten them had I used different troop placements. I needed a good smackdown for my overconfidenceQuote:
Originally Posted by paullus
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...imsonSands.jpg
Winter, 230 BC - Besieging Paratoinin
Earlier in the year while enroute to attempt a second siege of this Citadel the Ptolemies sent a substantial army after us. Similiar to the one that defeated us two years ago. This time we were supreme and the men have now regained confidence. We again lay before the walls of this fortress and await its fall. The army they sent was designed to slow us down and the new battle plan worked to perfection.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...stalEgypt2.jpg
Winter, 229 BC - Continuing the Siege
A dark development to the north has all of Karthadastim in an uproar. Rome is again Beseiging Messana. The city will fall once more to their forces. This time it is not due to a rogue general. Rome is hell-bent on conquest and they have us squarely in their sights. They are allied with the Ptolemies and they vow to cut up our Republic like a plate of fine beef, feeding each other off of our own flesh until they cant eat any more. The council of 12 elders who set the agenda for the Senate have met with me in an ad-hoc meeting off the coast with our powerful fleet.
Romes forces are substantial and they will overrun sicily if we cant stop them. We cannot afford another army. The conquering army I command has to have constant infusions of fresh troops which are merged with depleted units. The Ptolemies are reeling from the war and have lost territory. The Selucids continue to collapse the hopes of the Ptolemies east of the Nile. The loss of the territories so far has cost them income and land. One more victory and Alexandria will be before me. The very capital of the Egyptian empire! But what of Sicily? Do we abandon our campaign here and come home so close to destroying the Egyptian betrayers?
The debate raged for hours but it came down to one thing...our fleet. The Karthadastim fleet is more powerful than the Romans can dream of. If Rome tried to invade Africa the fleet would destroy them before enough men could arrive to seriously threaten us.
As Sophet I made the decision to continue the campaign here. Rome would not dare come to Africa. When the Nile is ours I will return to Sicily and exact revenge upon the Romans.
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Winter, 228 BC - Paraoitonion
Alas we have captured this city.
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So many have died. The sand is now red with their blood. The Ptolemic armies were good but with my new Libyan heavy infantry that are more heavily armored they were able to easily turn the multitudes of lighter troops that the Ptolemies have sent at us. The general that commanded these men has escaped after he know the fight was lost. It is likely he escaped to Alexandria. I hope to see him again...
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I have gathered the men left a garrison and now we march in force to Alexandria. Time is critical. The Romans are moving faster than I anticipated. Messana fell a mere month after being seiged and the Syracuse and Libybaeum garrisons were bribed.
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Our Fleet has destroyed several of their own vessels, sending the men to a watery grave.
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Winter, 226 BC - Alexandrea
We left in the spring after capturing Paratonion. We trekked across a unique terrain. We largely followed the coast and our guides would plan each day so that we would find water. It seems everything here revolves around water. As we marched relentlessly into the east we were not harrased and slowly the terrain changed. We came upon some mountains, the first we had seen after leaving Kyrene. The guides became visibly anxious as we marched through the mountains. Finally we camped on the last ridge that would descend back into the desert. When the dawn broke I saw a magnificent sight before me. As far as the eye could see the sand of the desert was crimson. A sea of red stretched to the horizon. Apparantly the guides were unwillingly to proceed and I met with them to discuss why they were so nervous.
"My lord we cannot procede. It is forbidden." They calmly stated.
Not so calmly I asked them why we could not move east.
"You cannot cross the Crimson Sand without a blessing from the great gods of Egypt. Crossing the sands is a defilement of the gods!" They exclaimed.
I allowed them to explain.
"The sand has been stained red by the blood of so may mortals who would dare challenge the right of the gods. A dire warning to those that do not appease the old gods. It is said that when the gods grew angry by invaders or not enough respect from Egyptians the mortals were cast into a sandy abyss. After countless generations the sands before us has become stained with their blood! It is written that crossing the sand is a bad omen and those that dare risk annilation. Those that do not have the blessing from the gods are cursed."
"what must we do to appease the gods to cross?" I asked fascinated.
"You must get a high priest that represents each god and make an offering to them individually."
I left the guides and talked to my quartermaster and geographer who both said that going around the sand on land would take nearly two weeks.
"Two weeks! Can you imagine what the morale of the men will be after marching around a patch of sand?"
"What about the fleet?" I asked hopefully.
"The fleet has returned to Karthadastim for repairs and new supplies. It could take a month to get them here."
I made up my mind. I would march across the sand and straight to Alexandria. "Damn the gods". The guides took fishing vessels down the coast and rejoined the army on the other side of the ominous red sand.
I had to convince the men that crossing the sand would not bring us suffering and death. It was a gamble I hoped to pull off and the men would believe. I could not have them waver before the real fight for the Egyptian homeland began. After the guides left I addressed the men:
"Men of Carthage before us stands a great Omen. Our guides have told me that the great red sea of sand that lies before you was never here before. Our arrival has caused the very sand of this country to turn crimson! This is a good Omen. If the sand of the enemy has turned red, Imagine the damage you will do to their flesh. The enemy bleeds before we even get to the hard fighting. The advantage is ours! Will you take it? To not fight would upset the gods and endanger the brothers around you. Marching across the sand will give us added strength. The gods have painted us a path stained with our enemies own blood that leads to heart of their empire!! Will you join me brothers and fight Egypt with the gods will in our favor?"
A huge applause and yelling erupted from the men. The mood was ecstatic. Never had I seen such a sight. The men desperately wanted to conquer something. Each one of them felt kissed by the gods and for that they felt a touch of immortality.
So we marched and arrived at the gates of the great city. A strapping Greek general T. Memphites came out of the gates to discuss terms.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...pterVII-II.jpg
"So Hamlicar the Brave has made it to Alexandria. That is quite an accomplishment. You have recovered from defeat and changed your army." He squinted at the battle lines of my men and turned back to look at me.
"I fought you at Paratonion...although we were never formally introduced." He stated.
Nodding, "you looked familiar".
"I see you have chain mail on your Libyan infantry. Finally your men may actually give us a worthy fight. I also know that you passed across the Crimson Desert without proper etiquette for the gods. Did you tell your men of the defilement? Trudging across that sacred soil will only bring about their own demise. You will suffer greatly for your hubris, Carthaginian. Fortune does not favor you, Hamilcar of Karthadastim."
Changing the subject I spoke frankly "Surrender now and your lives will be spared. If you do not do this you too will suffer greatly."
"I have the favor of the gods on my side. You have angered them. My defiance is my strength and your arrogance is your downfall." And with that he left to go back into the city.
We have cut them off and already the Ptolemies try to pry us from their capital. I have told the men to put yourself in their shoes. What if Kart-Hadastim was being seiged? How would you react? I guarantee these men will fight hard to regain their lost land. My men are so brave it makes me proud to speak of their deeds. The largest contingency of the army, the Libyans, fight oh so well. The youngest recruits are placed in the front of the Liby-Phonecians and they have made a name for themselves defending the rest of the army and shocking the enemy with their reliency. Despite their lesser armor and lower quality spears they perform admirably. They resist being pulled from battle even after suffering shocking casualties. The remaining men want to retain their pride. I have been rewarding the bravest of these men with promotions to the Libyan Heavy Infantry. Armed with the best spears, shields and the new chainmail armor, it is every one of these young Libyan's dream to serve in that beautiful formation. More Liby-Phonecians come from the west each week to further bolster my forces. Kart-hadastim has informed me they are making chain mail and better shields and spears for the Liby-Phonecians. It would seem the effectiveness of this armor has convinced the Senate to fund the Massive rearming process. It will take years before enough armor has been pain-stakingly crafted for each man in the army.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...pterVII-23.jpg
Spring, 224 BC -Alexandrea
The magnificent city has fallen. The battle for the city was intense. Thousands of Ptolemic troops poured down upon us.
Led by T. Memphites himself they made a hell of a fight. Their phalynx against ours. Their heavy infantry against mine. Their cavalry against my own. For some time the lines of battle were static. From above it must have looked frozen in time, with only the occasional man falling down and another replacing him. I watched from behind as my light troops held for some time before being withdrawn. The Liby-Phoenicians stood as they always do...an anchor. However even their lines began to become disjointed. Several times during the fight I would have them withdraw, in order, several yards and reform in line. The Egyptian Phalynx was not quick enough and they were able to reform without much harrasment from the Ptolemic troops. A fierce cavalry battle took place off the left flank. Finally our heavy infantry Libyans who were stopping the flanking of the Phonecian troops managed to rout the famed Ethiopian Guard. T. Memphites died while trying to save his city from capture.
Scenes from the Primary battle of Alexandria:
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https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...pterVII-11.jpg
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https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...pterVII-14.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...pterVII-15.jpg
Video Summary of The Battle To Capture Alexandria:
http://s67.photobucket.com/albums/h3...oTheNile-2.flv
A last effort was made by a Ptolemic army scrapped together into a desperate force. With so many of their Hellenic generals slain by the spears of my men, we faced an army that was leaderless. Wave after wave of attackers crashed onto the face of my men. Like giant boulders they stood firm against the relentless tide of Ptolemic troops.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...pterVII-19.jpg
Never did they falter or rout. So many died this day. We spend a day just burning the bodies and offering prayers to the gods. When that gruesome work was finished we moved into the city.
There are many wonders here. Alexander the Great lies entombed here.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ertheGreat.jpg
I have yet to visit the site but I will at some point. A great library full of scrolls waits to be investigated. Much of it is in Greek.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...riaLibrary.jpg
At night you can see the magnificent lighthouse unlike anything I have ever seen. Using glass, mirrors, and flame it is a guiding beacon for the ships in this wondrous port.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...Lighthouse.jpg
In the mean time our army is preparing to march south. Another great city with its own hallowed relics of greatness will need to be conquered.
We have lost Corsica to the Romans. They slaughtered the garrison and put the populace to the sword...Bastards. The money that city brought in was substantial. The treasury struggles to keep up with all the expenses we have. The Epirotes have negotiated a ceasefire with us and they have stopped their blockades. I am unable to wage war in two locations simultaneously. Our losses in Sicily will be repaid by Egypt.
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Another excellent installment.:2thumbsup:
Thank you rundownloser...I dont think I've seen you post before. Thanks for following the story :)
Yeah, I only joined recently, though I've been playing since 0.74.
Up until now, I had just been lurking. I even read your Roman AAR: another great one (I rank it up there with the World According To The Koinon).
Keep up the great work.
The world according to Koinon was awesome!! Alot of comedy built in there...a nice and refreshing approach to AARs.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rundownloser
The continued updates concerning Corpulentus [sic] and his ultimately untrustworthy german chef were a nice touch.
:yes:Quote:
Originally Posted by Rundownloser
Yes that was a nice touch with TWAK! Great update Chirurgeon!
Thank you gentlemen...update later today!
Yay, this is an great story - alot better than my required reading for school.
haha thanks Bobolicious. Well if your required reading was anything like mine it wouldnt take much for something to be more interesting. I had to read some boring stuff. Anywayz thanks for following the AAR.
Ok I lied i guess the update will be on Tuesday
Keeping us in suspense huh?
:D
Been busy with real life unfortunately. I should have the update tomorrow.
Title of the next chapter : LOST IN THE DESERT:clown: :clown: :clown:
Anyway Chirurgeon is one of the very few that updates his post frequently i'm sure his next chapter would be a good one ...again
Funny you should say that...I'm working on the next chapter now...Its huge. LOL it took me a while to come up with a title for this chapter. But yours works :)
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Winter, 222 BC - Marching south of Memphis
After a bitter struggle we fought two significant battles to gain the city of Memphis. In one battle we fought in the great shadow of the Pyramids. Khufu's old tomb stared down upon us eternally present in its magnificence. The battles we fought seemed insignificant compared to the marvels of the Giza Plateau. I could not tell if the men were inspired or intimidated.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ica/sphinx.jpg
Regardless they were a strategic advantage as we used the walls of the complex to protect our flanks. The history of this place humbles any living soul who comes here. I did not know that man could built such things.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...rica/Giza3.jpg
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...rica/Giza2.jpg
As we moved south along the Roads that paralled this great river you realize that the only reason Egypt exists is because of this great river. Its life giving floods allow huge tracts of land to be planted with all sorts of crops. There is so much grain swaying in the breeze one can almost see the wind as it gently
rustles the great husks of the wheat.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...rica/nile2.jpg
I am told the water level is low. In a few months, great mountains to our south will release the snow they captured over the winter and the water will push the river over its banks and dump life giving nutrients into the soil. In the last two battles we are fighting less and less quality troops. Most of the men are light spearmen, raised in haste, to protect their lands. The further we move south the darker the skin of these people become. A fascinating land indeed.
Scenes from the battle of Memphis:
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Winter 220 BC - Thebes
We continue to follow this great river to the south. In the winter the ships move south against the flow of the river using the winter winds from the north to fight the current. After dropping their cargo they lower their sails and let the current take them back to the mouth of the river. It is truly remarkable how an entire civilization is dependent on one river. The fact that there is a great river in a sandy abyss is truly impressive. It is like a childs mother who through her breasts provides the life necessary for their survival. Should her milk ever dry up, this place would be just another desert.
Earlier there was a battle for the city of Thebes.
The enemy fields more farmers than soldiers I'm afraid. The crimson sands before we arrived in Alexandrea were not the only red sands to be had. So much blood has spilt we have created our own river that runs next to the Nile.
Yet another ancient city had to be subdued. Again I have been careful not to disrupt the rituals of these ancient people. The fight from the natives has been minimal. the quality of their troops is more primitive. Elaborate chain mail has given way to padded linen. At 54 I feel as old as some of these monuments we pass. One of my generals is with me should something happen to me. Although these men that accompany me are better traders than fighters. A new general from Kart-Hadastim is on his way to take over command. Having put down several rebelious Numidian tribes along the Atlas Mountains he is likely a good choice. I yearn to return to the city of Alexandrea with all its beauty and wonders.
Battle of Thebes:
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Winter 218 BC - Enroute to Alexandria
At the age of 56 I have entrusted the forces to my protege.
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He was chosen after the last one was deemed not up to the task of running the military. The divorce from my forces was bittersweet. Many cried and moaned when i announced I was leaving. It is time i settle in to a more relaxed routine. I am feeling my age and although the men are inspired by my presence I do not have the same vigor as when I was younger. M. Castulo is in charge of the military now. He is a capable commander. The war for the Nile will soon be at a close. There are a few holdout cities further up the great river and then the Ptolemic influence is gone so therefore we will not need to progress further.
My last battle was for the city of Hiffa, came about due to the fact that the leader of the Ptolemies was holed up in this oasis called Hiffa. He had fled there when the war started as a precaution and now he was trapped.
Our lines drew themselves up against each other. Two parallel lines facing each other. L. Thraikikos and myself rode out and met about halfway between the lines.
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...terVIII-20.jpg
He was old and feeble. He scarcely seemed to be able to hold himself up on his own horse. Hunched over he and I sat on our steeds staring at each other and the men behind us. He spoke first.
"I somehow knew we would meet before I died."
"It does not have to be this way...I can grant you safe passage to Syria. Surrender the city and you shall live." I replied politely.
I really did not like the idea of killing the king of the Ptolemies. Especially a brittle old man.
"Ha! For me to surrender now would only delay my death by the hands of my own people." he stated stoicly.
He continued, "I have spent the last fifty years of my life building what you have destroyed. It is an appropriate fate that I at the end of my life, the king of my people, die by the sword of the man that ruined me. It is a fitting end I should think. I am dying and my empire will join me in the grave. Life, it would seem, has come full circle."
He paused and scanned my men standing in the early morning sun. The fresh dew still on the ground. A light mist hovered amongst the palms.
"This will be your last battle Hamalcar?"
Surprised by the question I answered as best I could. "Yes I will be travelling north to Alexandrea to become governor."
"Ah Alexandrea...a beautiful city and one I feel is appropriate for you."
"Why do you say that?" I asked.
"Ride with me would you?" He asked
I obliged following him as he rode between the drawn up armies. My forces seemingly looking forward to the battle and his looking like they would rather be harvesting crops. "My men are going to die today not for me, son, but rather for you." He said thoughtfully.
I could not comprehend what he was saying. I let him go on.
"You see since your march down the coast at Kyrenia and your recovery at Paratonion, nothing stopped you. Our armies could not stop you, the desert could not stop you, and the gods could not stop you. This makes you the most powerful mortal possible. How can one cross a boundary laid down by the gods themselves and you just walk across with no regard for consequence?" He gestured broadly as he said this.
"Then when you conquered the great Nile that is when my men began to whisper 'Hamalcar the great'. You had beaten the people whose ancestors fought for Alexander the Great!"
He proceeded to tell me that no one has ever done what I have done. "Name one conquerer, general, or empereror who has united Africa under one flag. One standard for all men to fight under. It was your destiny to rule this land and my men are willing to die knowing they faced the most honorable of all generals. Some would say they died by an army of a god! They know when they die they will pass into the annals of history. Their offspring will speak of these men as their ancestors that fought and died against Hamalcar the Great."
I tried to speak but he held up his unsteady hand.
"Remember that all empires must come to an end, Hamalcar. Some of us are just unfortunate enough to actually see the end."
He turned his horse and gently told me "May you always drink from the Nile" Then he trotted back to his lines.
I have never told anyone of our conversation. But to this day I am perplexed.
He led his men bravely but against my seasoned men he did not have the numbers to carry the day. He died with several of his bodyguards as he tried to rally his men. Outnumbered and untested in battle most of the men died easily enough. Through out the fighting I still could not shake what he told me. How could someone die for an enemy? I suppose I would never know the motives. By the midday there were no more enemies left.
Battle for Helfa:
https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...terVIII-21.jpg
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https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h...ica/Ramses.jpg
Video Compilation(awesome snapshots of something i call "infantry bowling" :)
http://s67.photobucket.com/albums/h3...leCampaign.flv
Winter 216 BC - Alexandrea
I have arrived in this great city once again. I have taken up residence in the palace and have fallen into a comfortable routine. Sleeping in the same place each night is a welcome change from what I have done in the past. M. Castulo has sent word that he has pressed as far as Kush. I have told him that when he is finished there he needs to return to Alexandrea. It would seem our old allies the Lusitanns have betrayed us. Far away in Iberia our trading colony of Mastia has become a victim of their aggression. First the city was beset with plague and then the damn Iberians tried to besiege the city. Thankfully the Aeudi have been giving them a go at it in the north around the Pyranees. Rome continues her expansion and the damn Selucids are not capturing Ptolemic territory as they were supposed to as per our agreement. Alas I am too old to be frustrated by things. I will do my best to maintain the image of Kart-Hadastim. Younger men will have to continue the fight.
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Winter 213 BC - Alexandrea
All of North Africa is under our control. After countless years of fighting we have finally achieved what no one else had done. One banner flies over each city of North Africa. Just as L. Thraikikos said so. It is good this is finished. We will need to refocus our efforts. Rome has attacked our Allies the Aeudi. The Lusitanns have also attacked them. While the Lusitanns are focused in the northern part of Iberia I will send Castulo to Iberia to claim the resources for Kart-Hadastim. The senate has agreed that we cannot stand by while the Romans continue their expansion. It is time to bring Iberia into the fold so that we have the necessary resources to go up against the Romans. The senate will be commissioning funds to support several armies for Castulo to use. The fleet is here in Alexandrea and waits to sail back to Kart-Hadastim at once. I will rest here far away from the fighting.
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that was quite an end to an interesting campaign. I cant wait for the next update.
Ha, I had a similiar idea when my Seleucid king will fight the ptolemaic king in the AAR I want to do when the new version of EB is out. I think that this character calls for some apathic resignation:laugh4:
This is surely the best chapter of this story. You are amazing, "Chirurgeon the Great (Storyteller)" :laugh4:
Agreed. Can't wait to see what happens next.Quote:
Originally Posted by Basileus Seleukeia
This inspires me to go take on the Ptolemies in my Makedonian campaign. I'm just too involved with the Seluecids right now though... Guess I'll just have to knock them out and swing back to Egypt.
I want another update now. I don't care if you just wrote one. That's no excuse. Now, now, now. :P
Ehm, Chirurgeon, how did you chaneg the layout of the battle screen? so that the buttons for run, fire at will etc pop up at teh top of the screen when you scroll to there. I have seen that in many AARs, but never found out how to do it.