Great as ever mate, playing a Ptoly campaign of my own atm, wish I hadn't now it's so drab in comparison, or that's probably just me :laugh4:
Cheers
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Great as ever mate, playing a Ptoly campaign of my own atm, wish I hadn't now it's so drab in comparison, or that's probably just me :laugh4:
Cheers
To be honest I had never seen a Ptolemaic AAR on here and with their diverse troops and great potential I gave it a whirl. Plus I love Egyptian history so anything with Egypt is intriguing for me. I was a little hesitant but its been fun tracing the history of my Ptolemic Kings. Thanks for following Ninja
I'm not saying there's anything drab about the Ptolies, it's a great change from the other Hellenes I usually play, I'm just showing some appreciation for the storytelling element ;)
Go Ptollies!
Cheers
Yes the storytelling is very poignant part of the overall AAR. I like the human dynamics. Afterall history is about people.
I just got around to reading the last update. Good update and writting, Chirurgeon.
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Winter, 232 BC, Besieging Nikea
I think I will believe the King of Pontus when he says his men fight for family and home. Earlier before the first snow, four members of the royal family each with many heavily armored horsemen attacked us while we lay siege.
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The terrain was not befitting a grand battle, but it had to do. I expected the horses to attack us in the flanks and send their lighter troops to the front of the phalanx. Alas they did not. Unbelievably they charged our lines. Even greater to my astonishment was their near breaking of our lines with their well disciplined and virtually impenatrable horses. The phalanx began to sag in several places. I had to send in the Galatians and Therokai. Even these heavy infantry took some time to deal with the situation.
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Our own cavalry was busy on the right flank countering the royal family member that tried to flank us there. It took what seemed an eternity to bring the horses down. After the battle the landscape was littered with corpses of both man and beast. Should the King had sent a larger army I am not sure our lines would have held.
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I have contacted my youngest brother in Antiochae and he is training more heavily armored and better disciplined Phalanx. Alas the men of Pontus succombed to our numbers and spears and once my son could turn the cavalry on the right flank was able to rear charge cavalry that was trying to break our lines. The end result was the death of four members of the king's family. No doubt his pain is great. I do not regret the death of his relatives. All I have to do is remember what he did to my garrison.
Spring, 230 BC, on the Gediz River
We have camped on the West bank of the Gediz river after our struggle to capture Nikiea. I have moved up a garrison and fresh troops from Ipsos and are preparing to attack Ankyra. It is a risky venture however. The Selucids have allied with Pontos and now have me in an uncomfortable situation. Small armies, no doubt dispatched by King Artaxerxes. Are moving along the Northern Anatolia coast. Although none are large enough to pose a real threat, and are not in Mysia, they could attempt to steal the city back. The Selucids are putting more men in and around Galatia in an attempt to halt progress there. I must make a choice. Attack Ankara and expose myself to the Pontic forces no doubt wishing to regain Nikea or follow the Black sea to Sinope and pull the forces of Pontus to me there. Geographically it would be easier and faster to get to Ankyra. And in fact that is what I intend to do. I have recieved word that Tarsus is again under siege. I have told my youngest brother, Epigenes, to assemble an army to defend our interests in Syria. We cannot afford to lose any cities.
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Winter, 228 BC - Ankyra
Ankyra was a thriving barbarian town. Now we will have to rebuild it. Again I used primarily mercenaries to capture the town.
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Before our arrivial the Selucid rulers stripped her of most of her population to a shadow of her former glory. All the men had been used to swell the Selucid armies that now rove around Anatolia. I captured it using my light troops and skirmishers. Most of whom were mercenaries. My core army is still intact. Demosthenes Lissaious is commanding our forces that recaptured Tarsus. Now the Arabs, or Saba are molesting our holdings in Syria. With the fall of Ankyra It is time to turn our attention north to Pontus. King Artaxerxes has been preparing for our inevitable assault. I believe he thinks I am a man of my word. He commands a vast number of men for the size of his kingdom. His cavalry is strong. I have ordered Demosthenes Lissaious to move his forces to Galatia to defend our interests here. The king has moved his court from Amaseia to Sinope. The vast majority of his forces are in and around the city of Amaseia or in the region inbetween. It will be a hard fight as his warriors will not relent easily. One of my nephews, Antigenes Ptolemais has defected to the Selucids and I have sent my son and the rest of the cavalry to deal with his betrayel.
At the age of 57 I am getting much older but I still feel good enough to fight and command. In the Spring I hope to head north. With Demosthenes keeping the Selucids busy I hope to deal with Pontus.
Winter, 227 BC - Ankyra
Earlier I had a very important conversation with Agiselios.
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I have just turned 58 and recently been ill. I needed him to act in my stead. Inviting him to my chambers for dinner he came in with confidence and compassion. We talked briefly about the betrayer and how he had pursued him across the plains of Galatia. Finally pinning him down against a river he was run through with the spears of his men. We both shook our heads at how a member of our family could betray us. After a moment Agiselios changed the subject.
(I had screenshots of the betrayer and the battle but I could not find them)
"Father how are you?" I remember him asking me.
"I am well my dear son. Come in come in there is much we need to discuss" I waved him into the room. A table had been prepared with fresh fruits, wine, and bread. Smoked fish from the coast of Nikea was to be the main course along with some wild tubers.
"Father I trust you are feeling better?" He asked me. "Ah yes I am feeling better...but not good enough" I motioned him to sit down and we did and began putting food on our plates. A man servant poured wine from locally grown grapes. "There is grave news from Ipsos." I sighed. Tired of war I was but happy of my accomplishments I grew frustrated at the persistance of the Selucids. "It would seem that the Selucids have marched an army to Ipsos and laid siege."
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Agiselios looked at me alarmingly. "We should depart immediately!" I motioned for him to stay seated and I continued. "You can leave in the morning. I have already alerted the men. They are preparing to break camp at dawn." Ageselios seemed upset by this. "You are upset at my decison to alert the men?" Looking at me with soft eyes Agesilios continued. "Father I had hoped you would have told me. After all you have wanted me to learn the organization and planning of the armies." I smiled and leaned back in my chair. I was so proud of my son. He would make a great Pharoh. "Agesilios you are absolutely correct. The cavalry commander traditionally takes care of the day to day happenings and movement of the army. However that is not your responsibility anymore..." For a long moment Agesilios had a look of perplexion on his face. Slowly he began to realize what I was telling him. "You wish me to command the men don't you? Thats why you called me in here before we left for campaign." I nodded slowly. "Son I have commanded for so long I can scarcely remember what its like to sleep in the same place. It is time for you to assume your duties as Pharaoh. One of those is commanding our forces in battle." My son's mind began to race. The reality of the situation hitting him. I knew his first concern so I broached it. "And who will you choose to lead the cavalry into battle?"
He looked up to me. "You read my mind father." I should think Onesilos should command my cavalry.
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He demonstrated himself well at Nikea" I nodded in agreement and pulled some grapes off of the vine on the plate in front of me. I savored their sweetness. I swallowed the crimson wine and let the dryness of it permeate my palate.
In the morning I saw my son off. We talked about everything except war. I told him to return to me when Ipsos was in our hands again. He nodded and mounted his horse. Heading out the gates he met up with the rest of the Cavalry. He was to meet up with Onesilos in the next few days. Winter's grip was still surrounding the lands. The trees were barren. It was cold. But my heart was warm with love for my son.
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Winter, 226 BC - Ankyra
I recieved a most anticipated letter from Agisilos. I had hoped he was victorious:
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As excited as I was about my son's victory it delayed our efforts to secure ourselves against more Selucid attacks.
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In Tarsus Demosthenes Lissaious was involved with a pitched battle for control of the city from a Selucid army. I am losing count of how many times the city has been lost and regained again. I hope that if we capture Kappodacia, as my son suggests and I agree with, this will bring some relief to the other cities in Anatolia. The Caucaus mountains to our East are wild and untamed. The Selucids have no influence in those lands. The real battle lay ahead. This business in Anatolia is just a taste of what is to come.
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Summer 223 BC - Ankyra
For the last three years or so, Agisilos has been pursuing the Selucids into Kappodacia. He had several small engagements in which he won with minimal losses. This culminated in a siege of Mazakas the capital of Kappodacia.
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Demosthenes Lissaious has proven himself a capable commander. Having retrained his men in Syria he headed over the Coastal mountains and joined Agisilios. Just yesterday I recieved another letter from Agisilios. He has placed Demosthenes in command of Mazakas and ordered him to prevent Selucid forces from crossing the Halys river. He needs to be sure that his rear is secure. For my son is taking on a tremendous task. He is laying siege to Amasea, the Pontic capital.
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King Artaxerxes, is ailing and has placed most duties on his son, Pelopidas.
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However Agisilios has trapped him in the capital. If the heir to the Pontus throne is to survive, they will have to offer battle to Agisilios. I am sure he will take them up on the offer. I have seen the ferocity in which the Pontic men fight. I should hope our discipline and experience carry the day. I anxiously await the results of the battle.
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Winter 222 BC - Alexandreia
I left Ankyra to travel back to Alexandeia. It was a rough voyage. Apparently there is trouble with the native Arabs that inhabit the deserts to our east. Their migrations over the years have put our cultures into closer proximity. They have absorbed much of the independent kingdoms of Arabia and are threatening to spill over into Syria, Sidon, and Hierosylama. Our entire Eastern border now sits adjacent to enemy territory. To make matters worse the wretched Selucids have forged an alliance with the Saba. This is most troubling indeed.
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As I sit in the palace I realize its been many years since a Ptolemy has lived here. I should hope my son will choose this as his residence. I have known nothing but war. It has consumed my life. The bigger our expanse becomes the more problems develop. I cannot afford any more armies. Our two armies in Anatolia are necessary to prevent the vile Selucids from reclaiming their lands and to simultaneously deal with the Pontus problem. My son wrote me another letter which I was able to read on our journey back to Alexandreia:
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Struggle for Amasea:
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It pleases me greatly to hear of the success of my son. I however have a pressing concern. That is of succession. My son's wife is quickly losing her fertility and although they seek each others warmth night after a night nothing more than a daughter has been produced. Onesilios the son of my brother Lysimachos has a son as well. it would seem our line of rule might shift to my brothers side of the family.
*Historians Note*
Ptolemy III Euergetes made substantial gains in Anatolia. He was able to take advantage of a power vacuum. With the collapse of Macedonian influence and so many independent cities like Helikarnassus the Ptolemic kingdom firmly established itself in the region. Control of Anatolia was uncertain after the Selucid-Pontic alliance shattered during his reign. Ptolemy III took advantage of the situation and Captured the heart of Anatolia. Everything west of the Caucaus mountains fell into possesion of the king. The only exception being Sinope. Which at the time of his death was under siege by his son Agisilios. With the neutral Hai kingdom in the Caucaus mountains and the Selucids reeling from their territorial losses a new threat emerged. Across the deserts of Arabia a migration had occured. The native peoples of that land came into direct contact with Ptolemaic controlled areas causing many problems. Eventually subjugation of these people would be necessary if there is to be peace on the Eastern border of the Ptolemaic Kingdom. Another note from these journal entries is the interesting topic of succession. Most Kings would like to pass their kingship onto their son. However Euergetes did not have a son and chose Lysimachos his younger brother as his heir. The refusal of this is unprecedented. His son is now the Pharaoh and without a male heir to the throne his current cavalry commander, Onisilos, is the likely recipient to be the next Pharaoh. It is interesting to note that at the end of Euergetes rule that Onisilos is the only Ptolemaic family member that has a son. At the time of his death the boy is 14.
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[QUOTE=MarcusAureliusAntoninus]I just got around to reading the last update. Good update and writting, Chirurgeon.[/QUOTE
Thank you MAA it has been quite difficult to read all the AARs on this forum. I know you have been working diligently on your own AAR so I appreciate you taking time to look at mine. Unfortunately I have not had the opportunity to update nearly as often as you, but with the winter break approaching I should have more time to provide the viewers of the AARs more reading material :)
You posted right as I was updating. Looks like you missed the update by about 40 minutes!
I've caught up again! :sweatdrop:
I like the part about Ptolemai wanting his son to live in the palace. I just recently thought the same thing about my AAR campaign. Demetrios hasn't ever spent any large amount of time simply ruling from Pella.
Keep going, Chirurgeon! Finish off Pontos and smash the Seleucids. Awesome AAR.
Thanks for following :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Chaotix27
Nice one...
And just one question. Why don't you have this AAR in your signature along with your other AAR's?
Hmmm. Good point I will fix that. Thanks for reading! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Detlef
:applause:
Thanks dear Caesar. I am not sure why I havent gotten the same enthusiasm as my last AAR. Perhaps its because there are so many AARs. How many AARs are going currently? Like 15 or something?
maybe its b/c you are playing as the hated yellow fever?
anyhow, i really like this- dont stop because of lack of enthusiasm!
Don't worry I wont stop. I guess I have to keep telling myself that people are reading it (nearly 4000 views) but just not leaving comments. Same way in my Carthage AAR. Something like 5% of all viewers leave comments. Also you need alot of time to digest all the reading material in this forum! This place is turning into a Barnes and Noble of AARs. All we need now is a coffee shop!Quote:
Originally Posted by hooahguy14
ya, i have to tell myself that too......
i have almost 2,000 views, but then again, my updates arent nearly as exciting as they will be in the coming months (teaser).....
but i must admit, the number of replies help much more than the number of views, IMO.
Sorry for having a major lurking phase in the last weeks, I should have posted more often. I have still read this adventures of the (hated, but kind of cute:laugh4: ) Ptolemaioi and I think they are totally equal to your "older" AARs. Keep up the work man, I believe in you:2thumbsup:
Thanks man I appreciate your imput. I should have more frequent updates as the holidays get going here. I have several weeks off coming upQuote:
Originally Posted by Basileus Seleukeia
And I'll have 2 weeks of christmas holidays up for reading those new chapters:laugh4:
Hello,
I'm a long time lurker and I just decided to get up from my lazy behind and start posting. Your AAR's are flat out amazing man. Please don't judge your popularity by replies, definitely look at the # of views. I should know, I contributed a lot to them.
My computer can't actually handle EB, only RTR and I remember reading somewhere that EB doesn't have assasin's, but if it does I highly recommend them!
Especially on huge unit scales, a low level general can have as many as 40 bodyguards! A properly trained assasin has a 50-50 chance of taking them out.
I recommend spies in the neighboring Silver Death cities and anywhere you find a low level general, ASSASSINATE THEM!
Please ignore my rant if EB doesn't have assassins. :oops:
In case your wondering about the assassin thing, I remember that one of the last great Silver Death kings was assassinated after leading the AS into disaster.
And again, amazing job with your 3 AAR's.
Good to hear from you Wasabi_ko, Its posts like yours that keep me going. I know there are lurkers out there... but sometimes seeing them makes it all worthwhile. I havent really used assasins. The generals seem to do a good job of killing themselves in battle! I do however use spies extensively. I have one in every neighboring province just to keep an eye on things. Again thanks so much for the support:beam:Quote:
Originally Posted by wasabi_ko
Hate to ask this but what is an AAR?
After Action Reports. It used to be where you just talked about how your game was going. It has evolved into epic storytelling as you can tell from the number of excellent AARs on the forums currently! Welcome to the forumQuote:
Originally Posted by blado
Marvelous work Chirurgeon as always. If there was an academy award for EB AARs, than yours would surely be continually nominated (and would probably win!).
Sorry I don't post much, but I do read all of your chapters and I think it's awesome! The letters between family members, the awesome screenshots, the photographs... it really is a great read. Keep it up!
Though I must admit I still hold a certain disdain towards the Ptolemies...
Im hoping for an update this weekend so stay tuned!
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220 BC, Winter - Sinope
This has been some of the hardest days of my life. My father passed on to join the gods while I was besieging the last city of Pontic resistance, Sinope. Deep down I knew that I would want my father to have seen the final end to the Pontic realm. Or perhaps he wouldnt. Although he had an undying love for me he had grown weary of war. Perhaps as Pharoh he could have a greater insight into what it means to rule. Perhaps he could sympathize with the King that has barred himself in Sinope. I ran my hands over the staff that my father carried into battle and everywhere he went. I could almost feel his energy passing from the staff into my hands. I hoped he would guide me into the future of our kingdom. Would I have the same ability to lead as he?I have ordered Demosthemes to Antiochus where a new army is to be trained. My father's army, although quite potent, has reached the end of their agreements. Military colonies have been set up in many of the lands I have traveled over the last several years. I remember seeing the men for the last time. I travelled to Antioch with his men for the last time. It has become tradition for the army to be disbanded when their true leader has passed on. Although I commanded his army on his behalf it was still his army. With the loss of their forces in Anatolia the Selucids will likely find new targets to press...and so shall we. But for now it is time I organize a royal army worthy of a pharoah.
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Winter, 219 BC - East of Damascus
I have spent the better part of a year dealing with incursions from the Selucids and the Saba. These Saba are not the warriors of great that the Selucids are but having them adjacent to our holdings in Syria is unacceptable. I feel that it is time to deal with these Saba hordes and put these people under our control. The problem of course is that our treasury will not permit two armies and enough reinforcements to replace our losses while on campaign. Instead I have bulked up the garrisons of Damascos and Hierosylama. This should hold off the Saba until we can better deal with the Selucids. Earlier we had a large engagement with the Selucids.
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One in which Onisilos was greatly opposed. He felt that charging up hill to dig out the Selucids was unwise. I on the other thand felt it was prudent to take care of the mess the Selucids had created on our eastern frontier. We took more losses than I expected but we carried the day. More importantly we killed 4 members of the Selucid family.
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Finally the lands between the Mediteranean and the Euphrates River are vacant of the Selucid Menace. The loss of their generals will resound painfully in Persia. Now is the time to strike. Demosthemes has retired from duty and I have placed Tanites under commmand of the second army. I will use him to guard our rear and provide additional troops should I need them. I aim to march East from Syria and head towards the Selucid Heartland. Edessa the capital of ancient Assyria will be our first target. I hope to find the river unguarded.
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Winter, 218 BC - Assyria
Leaving the comfort of our lands we marched for several days before the great Euphrates river came into sight. It was as beautiful as I had imagined. Not quite as large as the Nile but nonetheless formidable. A small garrison had been placed on the main bridge that led into Assyria. The sight of our army must have caused their resolve to vaporize. They fled into the lands beyond the river. I sent the cavalry ahead. Their hooves hammering across the bridge and they secured the other side while our infantry passed across. I stood on the side of the road in my saddle and watched my infantry parade across the bridge. The spring thaw from the Caucus mountains caused the river to run with a great torrent. My geographer, Emesthenes, road up beside me. "My lord do you have a moment?" I smiled at the man and nodded. He neatly pressed out a map his cartographer had carefully crafted and showed me a dotted line that ran in the same direction as ours. "Is that our path? And the line that continues east to the Tigris?" He shook his head in response. "That my lord was the path of Alexander. We are nearly following his route." I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. I opened them and gazed beyond the seemingly endless stream of Sarissas that flowed over the Euphrates. To our north in the haze of the distance laid the still snow covered Caucaus mountains. I watched in admiration as my army marched relentlessly. "Thank you friend. This is good fortune indeed." Later that afternoon I crossed over the Euphrates and into Mesopotamia. I looked behind me and realized I would never return to my home. On the West bank of the Euphrates I had the men make a crude shrine to Zeus-ammon in honor of the Great Alexander.
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A week later we found ourselves in front of the great walls of Edessa. We began our siege that would last all of the rest of the Spring and into the summer. Two tepid attempts were made to dislodge us. Both of them were utter failures for the Selucids.
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No doubt the loss of five of their great Strategos over the last year or two has eroded their ability to defend their lands. As the harvest was ready to be cut in these lush lands the city relented and despite heavy resistance the citizenry welcomed us. I placed Timosthenes Tinates in command with his troops that crossed the Euphrates about a week after we did and my army made camp on the plains east of the city. A decision had to be made and I met with my staff to procure the best route forward. The region of Sophene lay to our north. It was in the hands of the Selucids and had a capable force. Clearly a relief army could be raised and then sent against us. Emesthenes and Diadorus, my geographer and most trusted officer respectfully, agreed that we could reach the city before summer of this year. Emesthenes showed me the Persian royal road as it ran just north of us. This would give us great speed. It was settled. As soon as it was feasable we would march north into the foothills of the Caucaus mountains and take this Selucid stronghold.
Winter, 217 BC - Sophene
After several months of laying seige to the city we repelled the Selucids at Karkathiokarta, the capital of Sophene. The city fell as the first snows began to fall in the foothills of the Caucaus mountains.
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Encamped in the plains below the city the army was incredibly euphoric. The men had found out that our route followed Alexander's route nearly a hundred years before. The army was confident, resilient, and disciplined. The experience and tenacity of the men would be needed as I prepared for an invasion of Mesopotamia proper. At any moment I was awaiting an attack by the Selucids. Some sort of decisive battle. So many of their commanders had fallen in recent months and over the last few years, no doubt they were reeling from lack of leadership. Would the Selucids offer me a Guagemala like Darius III offered? Only time would tell.
Winter, 216 BC -Crossing the Tigris
Crossing the northern tier of Mesopotamia we encountered a beautiful and fertile land .
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We had several skirmishes in which the Selucids failed to dissuade us. In an act of desperation they put together a rather disjointed force with no real leader to command them. Their goal was to stop us from crossing over the Tigris river. This river is very similiar to the Euphrates.
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As we approached the river it was clear that we would not get across that bridge without a fight. I obliged and aligned my phalanx and mercenaries on our side of the bridge and the Selucids poured across. As the first army attacked and subsequently failed to dislodge us they broke and a second force of arms appeared. From my vantage point I could see the great Zagros mountains that followed the Tigris and marked the edge of the Mesopotamian plain. The smoke from the city of Arbela could be seen as well. It was but a few miles on the other side of the river. That city was our goal. I sent Onisilios downstream to look for a ford in the river. He found a shallow sandbar and crossed still in view of the bridge. The cavalry thundered through the shallow water and turned north. Crossing the bridge from behind the Selucid forces were trapped. Panic set in and only a small number survived.
Battle of the Tigris:
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With the Tigris firmly in our control the men began to move across this great river. Upon my own crossing I offered a sacrifice to Zeus-Ammon and built a crude alter to show our appreciation to the gods. Alexander I hope is watching.
Winter, 215 BC Sieging Arbella
Having seen the city of Arbella from miles away I sent the Cavalry ahead under Onisilos to investigate the defenses of the city. The garrison was large and would no doubt fight hard. The walls of native stone would take a tremendous effort to breach. I made the decision to lay siege and wait for a Selucid response. Finally a grand battle was to be had on the plains between the Tigris and the city. With the snow-capped Zagros mountains in the distance the Selucids sent several armies. I found the highest spot on the plain and offered battle. I drew up my lines. The Pezherotai as my anchor I placed the Theorokai and Babylonian mercenaries on my flanks. The Galatian swordsmen behind my left flank and the heavy Theorokai on my right backing up the rest of my mercenaries. The cavalry, under Onisilos, took position on my left to provide support if the left flank wavered. With three groups of Selucids coming from three different directions I had to be prudent as to where I faced my battle lines. Knowing that a large force under command of a Selucid family member by the name of A.T. Alikou was force marching his way here, this battle would have to be about timing. The two smaller armies arrived simultaneously and Immediately went for the left flank. The mercenaries were the focus of the enemies wrath and soon their numbers were eroding under the onslaught. The Galatians provided support and occupied the flanking effort. I told Onisilos to run around the left and crush the rear of the attackers. It worked well. The lines of the small force on the left collapsed. However on my right a warning bugle sounded followed by flag signals of another army approaching. A.T. Alikou had made it. He streched his line out longer than my own and worse yet my army's right flank was vulnerable due to the angle of their approach. I had to redeploy the men so that the two armies were parallel. I shouted my orders with members of my bodyguard running in all different dirrections. As the last of the lines redeployed they charged the phalanx with lighter Parthian troops. The phalanx had little trouble with this but their own phalanx highly armored and wearing the bright capes that signified their elite status, moved in and began to engage my own phalanx. Given enough time their superior armor and weapons would start to tear holes in my phalanx. The mercenaries were also pinned down by phalanx of the enemy. I acted as quickly as possible. The left flank was again taking the brunt of the attack. The Galatians again had to prevent the mercenaries from being surrounded. Their cavalry charged into Onisilos and after a pitched cavalry battle the companions and bodyguards of A.T. Alikou perished. Alikou perished as well which cause a route of their men on the left. On the right the heavily armored Theorokai charged into the rear of some elite Phalanx trying to break through our right flank. After what seemed like an eternity the enemy units began to rout and flee south along the Tigris. Exhausted we had carried the day but many had died. I had ordered a fort built the year before in upper Mesopotamia which was now full of fresh recruits. I sent Onisilos to get more men to replace who had died. The city of Arbella still resisted and might take another year to relent.
After the battle was over and the business of burning the dead was over I asked Onisilos to see me.
Battle of Arbella:
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I was resting comfortably in my tent with my attendants busily working around me. Onisilos came in his uniform dusty but acceptable. "Are you hungry?" I asked. "Absolutely I am" I watched him as he sat down and attendants began supplying him some of the local fauna that had been trapped. As I watched him eat I realized that the fate of the Kingdom would fall upon a cousin. This man, in line to rule, was the son of my father's brother. Would he be able to rule? I had hoped so. I had brought him hear to talk about his own son, Philthemis. After he had eaten I talked with him of the challenges we faced.
"Agisilos I have completed the journey from the fort in Mesopotamia and I think you will agree the men are fit for battle." he said enthusiastically. "Indeed I trust your judgement." I got up and walked around the elaborate Pharonic campaign tent looking at the various artifacts. "I should think we will need their services for the road ahead." I continued to pace the room and looked at the intricately embroidered rugs on the floor. "Our situation is rather delicate at the moment Onisilos." I stated bluntly. I continued. "To our north the Hai have tried to raid our holdings that border the Caucaus mountains, The Saba are again attacking, and the Selucids are determined to continue resistance." I sighed and walked over to the map that lay on an easel in the corner of the tent. "How is your son doing Onisilos?" I turned around with a questioned look on my face. "He is well i should say. He has become quite the administrator of the city of Antiochus." I smiled and slowly walked around the room. Onisilos following me with his eyes. "As you know he is likely to be the third in line for the Ptolemaic dynasty. It is time that he take on more than just administrative duties. It is time he be given a command." I watched as Onisilos nodded. "Would you like him to join us?" he asked expectantly. I shook my head. "No I have a different task for him. I want him to control a small mobile force that suppress these damned Saba incursions. I dont want him to invade their lands, however we must keep them in check. The situation around Damaskos and other areas is tumultuous and I want to be sure that their progress is stopped." I walked over to a small desk and pulled out a scroll with my royal stamp at the bottom. I handed it to Onisilos who opened it. As he looked at it I continued. "I have authorized the raising of forces for his cause. Due to the demands of our military on the treasury I cannot afford a larger army but this should be sufficient. If he is a wise commander he will be able to utilize our professional soldiers and fight off these Saba." Onisilos nodded as he read the allotments of troops. "Indeed this is but a third of the men we have here on campaign but I understand your reasoning. I too will be watching his progress." I nodded and I dismissed him so that he could attend to making sure his son had an army that would be a force to reckon with against the Sabaen invaders.
Winter, 214 BC, Winter Camp on the Tigris
After yet another attempt to break the siege of Arbella we finally were able to gain access to the city.
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The remaining garrison, who had been severely depleted due to multiple sallies, surrendered the town after it was evident that we were not going to leave. I have moved troops from our fort in Upper Mesopatamia into the city and placed it under control of my general, Tanites. As we await the spring thaw the Selucids are on their heels in the latest of defeats. The last one pitted several armies against us but the largest of these seeing that we had routed the smaller armies retreated. Philthemis Ptolemaios wrote Onisilos telling of how he bested the Sabaen forces that tried to attack Hierosylama. My Uncle Epigenes who is in his 50s has been having children left and right. There are now two more Ptolemaic potentials for heirs to the throne. I suppose his younger wife has reinvigorated him. Sokrates Ptolemaios is now a year old and Philthemis is 20. Although I am sure that Philthemis will name his own son when he has one.
Winter, 213 BC, Upper Mesopotamia
Just as winter began to descend upon the lands in the north I recieved a disturbing report. Three of our cities had been attacked by the Hai. I called a meeting of my advisors. Philthemis had successfully routed the Saba from their attacks on our lands bordering the Eastern Mediterreanian. The Hai had been relentless and Sinope and Mazaka were both at risk. Their garrisons could only hold out for so long.
Inside my campaign tent I had myself present, Onisilos, Emesthenes my geographer, and Diodorus my most trusted officer and vauted veteran.
I began to lay out the situation for the men present. A large map lay before me with our lands lightly shaded to seperate them from lands we have not conquered. "Gentlemen thank you for coming so quickly there is much we need to discuss. Before we begin I would like to congratulate Onisilos's son, Philthemis, on his successful defenses of the cities of Damaskos and Hierosylama." Everyone nodded towards Onisilos and he nodded back in appreciation. I knew that Onisilos would be my greatest opponent to my plan. I would have to try to win him over. I continued with my assessment. "As you know from the morning dispatch that the Hai are testing our borders. We have nearly lost three cities as a result. We are faced with a dificult choice. Do we stay here and capture the heart of the Selucid empire and cripple them? Or do we attack the Hai kingdom deep in the Caucaus mountains? These are the choices we have to make." Onisilos spoke first. "Agislios we are so close to completely cutting off the Selucids. I feel that once the great symbolic city of Babylon falls to our forces then we will prevail. Babylon is the key. They will be so despaired I should think they will not fight!" He looked at everyone as if he was on a mission. I noticed that Onisilos had gathered everything known to man about Babylon. From its history to its gods he devoured any and all information he could obtain. I fear his passion to get to Babylon might be clouding his judgement. Nonetheless I had to let him speak. "Babylon is a symbol to these people. Should it fall we would have an edge. We are so close. Agisilos lets not throw away all our gains thus far." I looked at Onisilos with as neautral of a face as possible. However I think he knows that I will not take that action.
I looked at my geographer who stood in front of the map with his various tools that measured distances. "Emesthenes how long would it take to break the siege and move our men back to Anatolia?" As I asked i heard a sigh from Onisilos who no doubt was frustrated that no one was listening to his demands. My geographer rubbed his chin and wrote some numbers down on a slate panel. "Well sir if we leave in the winter it will be slightly faster but it could take a year or more." I looked at the map and continued. "What if we just headed due north out of Mesopotamia in into the Hayasdan heartland. Could we make it to their capital?" This time Emesthenes went to a small chest that had other maps and pulled one out that had the Caucaus mountains on it. He strapped it to the easel on top of the map of Mesopotamia. "The Caucaus mountains are known for their brutal winters and biting winds. It would be unwise to be trapped in those mountain passes around the onset of winter. The climate is only amiable about half the year." He looked at me and I nodded. "With that said there is a fine road that leads north out of Mesopotamia past Sophene and into the great mountains. That will enable us to transit very quickly to their capital. Assuming of course the road has been well maintained and there are no....surprises." I patted him on the back and looked back at the other gathered in the room. Diodorus raised his hand. I allowed him to speak. "I realize that there is a great temptation to further pursue the Selucids. They are a formidable foe. Looking at what Emesthenes has pointed out it would appear that the Hai are a small kingdom. If we can bolster the garrison at Arbella under command of Tanites then I think we could effectively halt any efforts for them to regain the Tigris basin and Mesopotamia." The men in the room nodded except of course Onisilos. I realized the heir to the crowns was not going to be dissuaded. Diodorus continued. "I think the important question comes down to offense and defense. Its apparent that we can only choose one or the other. I think its imperative that we defend our cities in Anatolia. And Pharaoh as you have pointed out taking the fight to the heart of Haydastam will no doubt get their attention. Unless they are fools they would redeploy their troops to counter our brazen attack.
In the end everyone agreed that we should move north and subjucate the wild lands of the Caucaus mountains. Except of course Onisilos. He withdrew to his own tent and for the rest of the journey north he was in a bitter and dour mood. Having laid siege to Selukia only to retreat especially seemed to have affected him.
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I could not speak to the man but I sent a dispatch to have Philthemis, his son, relocate his army to Sophene. Perhaps his presense will improve his mood. He will be offering support for our campaign. I was depending on him to raise reinforcements in Assyria and Syria proper.
Another marvelous chapter, Chirurgeon!:2thumbsup: You make those three-toed sister-lovers look quite cute:laugh4:
I,also are lurker to read you excellent AAR.I kept thinking about writing AAR myself,but didn't yet.This is guide for my to-be AAR/