Manifest Destiny: A Massalian AAR

Prologue

Pyrrhos' death at Argos was, both for his family and the Epirote people as a whole, unfortunate. The subsequent civil strife was disastrous as the Molossian royal family was hunted down like dogs by the Chaonian aristocracy in a violent bid for power. Pyrrhos' last surviving son, Ptolemaios, was the only royal left, fleeing to Syracuse with the last remnants of the family. The Chaonian dominion was short-lived, however; with the newly-formed republican Epirote League brought to its knees by the Aetolian League and the Makedonians, Epirus as a sovoreign state ceased to exist. By that point, though, the fate of Epirus was severed from the old Molossian royal family.

For Ptolemaios knew that his beautiful home was forever barred from him. With the Hellenistic world locked in conflict from Syracuse to Baktria, Ptolemaios became merely another war refugee and, like the Phocians before him during the time of the Persian Wars, he elected to flee to the very edge of the Hellenistic world: Massalia. His wife was horrified at the decision, as was his daughter, sister-in-law, and niece. They had already escaped from Epirus with enough wealth to live rather comfortably in Syracuse, after all. But Ptolemaios knew this polis was far too much under the sway of the tyrant Hiero to allow him the satisfaction in achieving his ambitions. No, Syracuse was not enough.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...2/Massalia.jpg

But at the frontier-lands in Massalia, where life was rough and short, land sold cheaply and soldiers were in high demand. As a wealthy strategos, Ptolemaios rose quickly within the Massalian hierarchy; a true son of Pyrrhus, Ptolemaios' adventuring spirit showed no hesitation in leading a coup to overthrow the Massalian Senate and Directory of Fifteen. By the time he was 40 years old, Ptolemaios was firmly entrenced on the throne of Massalia. He was a prince happily accepted by the common Massalian citizens as a military victor and Hellenic hero, having brought back the island of Corsica and its ancient Hellenic colonies to liberty and an "alliance" with Massalia. His victories against the Carthaginians on land and sea were celebrated amongst the citizens throughout the city, and served to attract the remaining Molossos aristocrats seeking refuge from the disasters in Epirus. One of the most significant of them was a noble Molossian named Galaithos, who had served under Ptolemaios in the navy battles against Carthage. His loyalty during the coup's upheaval was instrumental in its success.


https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...Aiakides43.jpg https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...sMolosos31.jpg


As Basileus of Massalia, Ptolemaios was concerned with the state's security. To ensure the loyalty of the newly-liberated Greek poleis, rather than annex them as Massalian possessions, he accepted the city-states into the so-called Massalian League. Although it kept the Hellenes content, it was a clever ruse; this "federation" of Hellenic colonies and poleis was strongly dominated by Massalia itself. Like the Delian League of past years, this was no league of equality, but something close to an empire.

Theoretically, Ptolemaios' position as basileus was supported by the Senate and the Directory of Fifteen, but in practice, everything depended on the military and his popularity amongst the people. Ptolemaios knew this, and he was not blind, for he could see the embittered glances of the senators and directors. For his family's survival in the long-term, he arranged his daughter's marriage to the son of one of Massalia's three executive directors. A young boy at the time of the marriage, Dorieus was a loyal, intelligent, and popular Massalian Hellen. He would one day inherit his father's position in the senate, and was the key to Ptolemaios' plan in further cementing the monarchy in Massalia's aristocratic republican politics. This political marriage, meant to tie the Senate to its new overlords, would serve as the base for Ptolemaios future plans: the acceptance of aristocratic Hellenes into the highest ruling class.


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With Massalia and its sister-colonies firmly held within Ptolemaios' fist, the Hellenistic world may begin seeing some change. What Megas Alexandros had done with the east, Ptolemaios Aiakides may well do with the west. This is his dream, after all. But together with the many Hellenistic monarchs of his age, be it his blood relative Ptolemy Philadelphos, Kassandros, Pharnakes, or even Hiero, one must not forget that Ptolemaios is getting old. People will always dream, but they will not always live.

Nevertheless, the Aiakide name refuses to die. In spite of the suffering and casualties, Ptolemaios did indeed escape from Epirus, and his wife gave birth to a fine son. One day, perhaps he will outshadow his father as Alexandros outshadowed Phillip.


https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...amilytree1.jpg







NOTE: Well, here's the new prologue. Too bad I lost my first savegame, but this one is good enough. Be on the watch for the first chapter! :crowngrin:

Great start! :bow:
The Vortigern incident is really a great luck, looking forward how it will come out. In my campaigns bribed/adopted FMs never had any children, but maybe that was just bad luck on my part. I am curious how your celto-molossian dynasty would fare.
BTW it might be nice to change your faction color a bit - there is lot of green shades in that area!
Anyway, good lucj with your campaign and story - I will be following it! :thumbsup:

I like it! Did you change the edu at all to gain more access to Celtic troops?

I didn't realize bribed generals could end up marrying into the family like that either.

Thanks for the comments, guys! This kind of support is always essential for an AAR. :smile:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by V.T. Marvin

The Vortigern incident is really a great luck, looking forward how it will come out. In my campaigns bribed/adopted FMs never had any children, but maybe that was just bad luck on my part. I am curious how your celto-molossian dynasty would fare.

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Bribed FM's (or, in this case, married ones) can have children. It's more difficult for some reason than normal family members, but with proper fertility traits and ancillaries, it will happen. The primary problem will be with the missing surname of Vortigern's children, but I've got plans.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WinsingtonIII

I like it! Did you change the edu at all to gain more access to Celtic troops?

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Yeah, I have, actually, for a few units. :yes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WinsingtonIII

I didn't realize bribed generals could end up marrying into the family like that either.

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It was because there was no space for him to be adopted into the family. Alexandros was my only male family member, but he had four children, so he couldn't adopt. Out of those four children, only one was an adult, and that was his eldest daughter. She was the only way Vortigern could get into the family. The RTW engine can be bizarre in the greatest ways sometimes.

Nice title.

If I'm remembering correctly, the kids of bribed FMs are given a random surname. If this is true, you should be able to easily fake a continuation of the FM's name. Simply go to the 'names.txt' file within the 'text' folder in your EB directory, then search for the random name assigned to the kids and replace the non-bracketed text with the surname of the original FM. As long as you don't touch any of the bracketed text, I'm certain it will be save game compatible.

Of course, if it turns out I'm wrong and the kids oif bribed FMs DON'T get assigned any surname, then all bets are off.

...And I was right about the bribed FMs and their sons. Here's a fellow I bribed in a Ptolemy campaign, and his strangely named heir...

https://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a...edFMandson.jpg

Due to a series of unfortunate events with my installation of EB, this savegame is no longer compatible and CTD's with my current version.

Luckily, though, I didn't get too far in, and I've already started over. When I have some free time, I'll edit the prologue suitably for my current campaign, and give you guys the first chapter! :crowngrin:

That is karma getting you back for stealing my AAR idea, I have been planning a Massalian one for a while (I've done everything else).:laugh4:

Seriously though why did you use Epiros? I have played a few Massalian migration campaigns, but used KH. Do Epiros have better recruitment opportunities in the area, I guess they would be a better choice if conquering Italy is on your radar. Well good luck with the retry.:thumbsup:

Actually, I have an EB Massalian AAR from 2007 (or 2008? I forget) that is in this forum. That old savegame is lost now, but this is just as fun. As for the KH, I feel their current existence is essential to the campaign.

I. Conflict and Unrest

By all the Gods above, the Second Carthaginian War is almost over. Although Ptolemaios Aiakides and Galaithos Orestes Molosos rampaged across Italy with the rag-tag armies of Massalia, and brought the Carthaginian allies at Rome to their knees, the Senate at Carthage has already voted to fight on. The Tyrrhenians and the Kelts of the Po River Basin have been garrisoned with Massalian troops and brought under martial law. The war has been costly for all sides thus far, and Massalia itself had seen Roman troops parading along the Rhone river, encamping outside its walls in a bold attempt to storm the city. Although they were driven back across the Alps, Ptolemaios had seen enough. Having organized whatever soldiers and militia he could out of his Hellenic, Keltic, and Iberian subjects, the old Molossian king marched across the Alps and took to the offensive.

Liguria was the start of this bloody business. Both the Romans and the Carthaginians were continuously horrified at the prospect of further Massalian expansion. After all, the Massalian Senate and Directory of Fifteen, led by their Molossian basileus, had already taken significant ground in Iberia and Corsica during the First Carthaginian War. The expansion into the land of the Ligurians, old allies of Massalia, was seen as dangerous. Although the Carthaginian attack by land in Iberia was easily repulsed, their Roman allies were much more of a challenge. Moreover, the Massalians had been spending so much money on the army, that the Massalian navy had been left on its own with skeleton crews.

Thus, the Carthaginians had been able to use their superior naval power to blockage Massalian trade and make coastal raids, whilst the Romans fought viciously with the Massalians over Liguria.

But their death cries were not going unnoticed. The Makedonian basileus and pharoah in Aigyptus, Philadelphos Ptolemaios, was concerned over the the rising might of its western neighbour, Carthage. Making an alliance with Ptolemaios Aiakides, his blood relative through the Molossian's mother, Philadelphus sent military ships and funds to continue the bloody war.


https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AAR2/fleet.jpg


Moreover, as a lasting promise of his loyalty to his Molossian relatives in Massalia, Philadelphos Ptolemaios sent his grand-son, Pauron Ptolemaios, to marry into the Molossian royal house and serve the polis of Massalia. This was a great honour, for such a powerful empire to give up a young prince to the royal house of a rather obscure collection of Hellenic colonies on the western fringes of the known world. But Philadelphos, a wise old man, saw the benefits of a close ally against Carthage, and so saw this as a win-win situation.


https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...olemaios61.jpg https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...olemaios16.jpg


With the Ptolemaic aid, Ptolemaios Aiakides withdrew to Massalia to begin the levying of a new army. Galaithos Orestes Molosos finished the breaking of Roman power, and reduced them to a client state. And to punish the Po River Kelts for interfering in the war as Roman mercenaries, he gathered his remaining men and went north to break the whelps to the will of Massalia. His crack force included a core of Keltic veterans of the Roman campaign, supported by a large contingent of loyal Lugian volounteers and Italic auxiliaries. Since the founding of Massalia, the Lugians have always been close friends. Indeed, many Lugians inhabit Massalia, and Massalia's founder, Protis of Phocea, married a local Lugian woman.


https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...atPatavium.jpg


By the 352nd year after the founding of Massalia (248 BC), Ptolemaios Aiakides took his nephew, Pauron Ptolemaios, and conquered the Balearic Islands. Carthage was slowly losing ground. However, the Molossian king felt this blow was not enough to convince the Carthaginians into peace, and it was not. Bringing in levies from Iberia's native tribes to supplement the army's core of experienced Kelto-Hellenic and Keltic troops, Ptolemaios and Pauron boarded Massalia's new navy, and headed to one of Carthage's most heavily defended and treasured colonies...


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The Aiakides Family Tree, in the 352nd year after the founding of the city:


https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...amilytree2.jpg


Note: I apologize for skipping over the battles and so forth, but the AAR is now caught up to the campaign. I will take Ptolemaios Aiakides and Pauron Ptolemaios on a bloody adventure, and soon come back to visit you with another, even better, chapter. :crowngrin:

Btw, in case you're wondering, I bribed the young royal Makedon Ptolemaic into my faction. He ended up marrying into the family because there was no space for adoption. And yes, the Epeirote royal house was related to the Ptolemaic royal house. During his stay in Egypt as a young man, Pyrrhos charmed the queen of Egypt (I think it was Berenice), who gave him her daughter (Antigone) as a bride. Thus, the Epeirote royals in my game are related to that old pharoah, Ptolemy II Philadelphus; even though Antigone was the daughter of Berenice from a previous marriage, Antigone was still Philadelphus' half-sister through Berenice their mother, which means Philadelphos is thus related to Ptolemaois Aiakides, who is Antigone's son. I suppose you could say Philadelphos Ptolemaios is Ptolemaios Aiakides' half-uncle, whilst Pauron Ptolemaios is both Philadelphos Ptolemaios' grandson and Ptolemaios Aiakides' newphew-in-law or something. But whatever, introducing the incestuous Ptolemies back into the family is neat and exciting!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Megas Methuselah

Btw, in case you're wondering, I bribed the young royal Makedon Ptolemaic into my faction. He ended up marrying into the family because there was no space for adoption. And yes, the Epeirote royal house was related to the Ptolemaic royal house. During his stay in Egypt as a young man, Pyrrhos charmed the queen of Egypt (I think it was Berenice), who gave him her daughter (Antigone) as a bride. Thus, the Epeirote royals in my game are related to that old pharoah, Ptolemy II Philadelphus; even though Antigone was the daughter of Berenice from a previous marriage, Antigone was still Philadelphus' half-sister through Berenice their mother, which means Philadelphos is thus related to Ptolemaois Aiakides, who is Antigone's son. I suppose you could say Philadelphos Ptolemaios is Ptolemaios Aiakides' half-uncle, whilst Pauron Ptolemaios is both Philadelphos Ptolemaios' grandson and Ptolemaios Aiakides' newphew-in-law or something. But whatever, introducing the incestuous Ptolemies back into the family is neat and exciting!

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Somebody would have a tough family reunion rollcall....

Great AAR Meth.... :thumbsup:

Hmm.... made me think that the best way to get someone married into your family is through sufficient "suicide" of useless male FM's :devil:

Thanks, guys. Lemur banned me, so I wasn't able to update my AAR for a while; as a matter of fact, banning me seems to be one of Lemur's favourite pastimes these days... :laugh4:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cute Wolf

Hmm.... made me think that the best way to get someone married into your family is through sufficient "suicide" of useless male FM's :devil:

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Haha, yeah.

II. The Levy of Massalia

In the 355th year since the founding of Massalia (245 BC), a Hellenistic army landed in northeastern Sicily to relieve Messene, which was besieged by a large Carthaginian army at the time. At the head of the relief force was the basileus Ptolemaios Aiakides himself. His Massalian army was something of a rag-tag force, with several of his subjects having sent troops for his Second Carthaginian War.

With funding, including a force of military ships, from his uncle, the basileus and pharoah Philadelphus II Ptolemaios of Aigyptos, Ptolemaios Aiakides quickly levied numerous militias from his Iberian vassals to supplement his small core of Kelto-Hellenic and Keltic troops. His Kelto-Hellenic hoplites, in particular, were a group of battle-hardened warriors, having seen action against the Roman Republic in the Italian theatre of the war.


https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...icveterans.jpg


With this precarious force of soldiers and militias, Ptolemaios boarded his army onto his newly-gifted fleet off the coast of the Balearic Islands and headed straight for one of Carthage's most important colonies: their holdings in Sicily. To better fund the fight against Massalia in Iberia, Carthage had been attempting to annex their enemies in Sicily, in order to better combat the Massalians through a single front. Before Ptolemaios Aiakides left Iberia and the Baleares, he made sure to leave his trusted step-son in charge of the defence of the Massalian holdings in Iberia. A son of one of Massalia's three executive directors in the Senate and Directory of Fifteen, Dorieus was an aristocratic Massalian Hellen, tied to his step-father the Molossian basileus through marriage to his daughter. To give the young Hellen a political position suitable to his new place in Massalian society, Ptolemaios Aiakides had granted him the kingship of Zakynthos, a free Hellenic polis that was supposedly a member of the Massalian League, but was really nothing more than a client state.


https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...entRuler23.jpg


This promotion would ensure the loyalty of Dorieus and, by extension, would establish a more firm defence in Iberia against the Carthaginian threat.

But to the matter at hand, Ptolemaios Aiakides knew that a mortal strike at Sicily would end Carthaginian expansion in the Mediterranean Sea, and would probably bring about a bloody, yet decisive, finale to the conflict on foreign ground far from Massalian homes and civilians. His confidence in his newly-levied Iberian militias wasn't entirely high, but they stood more of a chance against the inexperienced Carthaginian troops in Sicily than the battle-hardened fighters in Iberia.

With these thoughts in mind, Ptolemaios Aiakides, together with Pauron Ptolemaios, his nephew through marriage-alliance with the Ptolemies in Aigyptos, landed in Sicily to relieve Messene. The Carthaginian armies, in reaction to this sudden appearance of a large Massalian army, withdrew into the central Sicilian hills. Grimacing at their refusal to fight against both the Massalians and Messenes together, Ptolemaios Aiakides instead advanced directly towards the Carthaginian-settled part of Sicily in the west. This action proved too much for the Carthaginian generals, who advanced to attack.


https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...iosAiakide.jpg


The Carthaginian force, though led by a strong and capable general in the shape of Hamalcar, was composed almost entirely of levies and home guards. A small core of Iberian mercenaries and Liby-Phoenian hoplites were supported by a mass of Liby-Phoenician levy spearmen and Phoenician militia hoplites.


https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...sAiakidesv.jpg


Against this sort of force, Ptolemaios Aiakides knew he stood a good chance.

On relatively flat ground, the great Molossian basileus arranged his troops in a long line, with skirmishers arranged in front, cavalry on the flanks, and a few units of held in reserve.


https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...4ch2battle.jpg


His Kelto-Hellenic and Keltic warriors held the middle, whilst the specialized Iberian caetrati would be ready for a flanking meaneuover. These men, with their javelins and falcata swords, were a devastating force, in spite of their lack of armour.


https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...anCaetrati.jpg


Against this basic formation the Carthaginians steadily advanced. Their formation was just as simple; with the vast majority of combatants on both sides fresh levies of militias and conscripts, it should be no surprise that any more complicated of a formation was practically impossible.


https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...5ch2battle.jpg


Against the relentless advance of the Carthaginian troops, the Massalians were ordered to let loose their javelins. Skirmishers and line infantry alike gripped their ranged weapons and let loose a hail of wood and iron that served to almost break the Carthaginian charge completely.


https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...6ch2battle.jpg


The Carthaginians nevertheless recovered their strength, gripped their spears and shields, and charged forward in a surprising display of renewed vigour. The charge but have indeed been a terrifying prospect to the Iberian levies fighting for Massalia; nonethess, those militias must be credited for returning the charge by tossing aside their fears in screams of hate, pleas to the eternal gods, and loosened bowels.


https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...7ch2battle.jpg


The Iberians on the left flank managed to hold their ground well. In the center, the Kelto-Hellenic hoplites were on the offensive. These were not the kind of men to stand back and let mere Liby-Phoenician levies meakly charge at them.


https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...8ch2battle.jpg


When Ptolemaios Aiakides saw the Massalian line steadily holding and absorbing the Carthaginian charge, he smiled in triumph. No merchant or money-lenders were a match for some of the bravest warriors of the known world.

With a wave of his arm, the Iberian Caetrati on the right flank loose their javelins into the enemy with screams of challenge and self-encouragement.


https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...9ch2battle.jpg


Following this, they quickly wheeled around the enemy's flank and, with terrible cries of anger that would make even a god flinch, charged into the enemy's rear on the Massalian right flank.


https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...1ch2battle.jpg


Almost immediately, the terrified Carthagianian flank broke. The whelps were routed like alley dogs, men underserving to be called "men." The Caetrati lust for blood drove them after the Carthaginian cowards as if they were possessed by Deimos himself, the god of dread, so frightening were their attitudes in those terrible moments of death and destruction.


https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...2ch2battle.jpg


With the entire Carthaginian left flank gone, the Massalians were free to break down on the core of the Carthaginian army in the center who, as of yet, have not fled.


https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...3ch2battle.jpg

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The brutish noises of battle could be heard from afar. Men were screaming, dying, and spilling blood. Some of the warriors say, to this day, that above the battle they could see Ares, the god of bloodlust and slaughter, snarling and embracing the killing in triumph. Whatever the case may be, Hades had welcomed many new shades by the day's end, as the whole of the Carthaginian centre was mercilessly annihilated to the last man. No quarter was given.


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Ptolemaios Aiakides had won a great battle in Sicily. With the main Carthaginian force routed, his army was free to take the Carthaginian colony of Lilibeo itself.

All will be continued.

Awesome!

This AAR is leading to some interesting army compositions, which makes it all the more fun to see.

Cool AAR. Good work.

Thanks, guys. The lack of comments sort of made me continue the campaign without an AAR, so if I do make another chapter, you may notice a slightly different date, haha.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Megas Methuselah

Thanks, guys. The lack of comments sort of made me continue the campaign without an AAR, so if I do make another chapter, you may notice a slightly different date, haha.

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I think many more people are reading than commenting. I feel like that's true of almost any AAR. However, I understand that it's frustrating to put in so much work and have no one comment.

Which is why I'm commenting right now :beam: Keep it up! :2thumbsup:

D0nt w0rry M3th, 1'll 4lw4ys watch your 4AR, 45 that wa5 r34lly 1nt3r35tin6.... :clown:

I'll comment on anything you do, Meth.

Just caught up with this. I think it's very interesting AAR, I would like to read more.
Is there any chance you could show an expansion map in the next chapter?

I rather like this concept. be sure ill keep track of its progress if there is going to be any in the future.

Hope Lemur don't ban Meth again... or this AAR will be deserted..... (coughing and look to the frontroom)

Doubtful, given what some of other people said in that thread

Please update, oh Mighty MegaMeth!

I think I can safely promise a new chapter sometime within the next 5 days. Some pretty strange things have happened since the 355th year after the founding of Massalia (245 BC).

Btw, I don't know why I'm still able to go around posting. I should be banned right now, but Tosa likes me. This forum is a benevolent dictatorship, I guess.

III. A Neighbour's Blood

By the 385th after the founding of Massalia (215 BC), the Massalian League had finally risen as Pyrrhic victors, true to their basileus' Epeirote roots, from decades of bloody conflict and unrest. Following the successful conclusion of the Second Carthaginian War in the 360th year after the founding of the city (240 BC), Ptolemaios Aiakides died an old man on his deathbed without naming an heir.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...2/Ch3Start.jpg

Although most would accept that the basileus' eldest son, Nikanor Aiakides, should succeed his father, he was little more than a boy, inexperienced and unqualified. As a result, Galaithos Orestos Molosos, Ptolemaios' old friend and loyal strategos, rose up from his position as Satrap of Gallia on the Italian side of the Alps to march on Massalia and claim the throne for himself. With him, he had two large armies of Gauls, Gallo-Hellenes, and Lugians. Nikanor was quick to retreat to Iberia and his loyal subjects in the poleis of Emporion and Zakynthos, Hellenic members of the Massalian League, where the two basileioi Pauron Ptolemaios and Dorieus Charadros gathered together whatever troops they could muster to smash aside the rebellious Galaithos. Most of the Massalian forces were utterly destroyed in this conflict, but Nikanor, with his armies commanded by the veteran strategos, Pauron Ptolemaios, emerged as the victor and new basileus of Massalia. Almost the entire family of Galaithos Orestos Molosos was killed in the conflict, save for one of his grandsons, a child who was not yet 2 years of age.

During this internal conflict, Carthage was quick to attack and retake its possessions in Sicily. After a long and brutal war in the form of the Third Carthaginian War, Carthage was completely destroyed, its people were scattered and enslaved, and new puppet states were established in its wake. This included the Syracusans in Sicily and southern Italy, as well as the Puno-Hellenic Kingdom in North Africa, ruled by an aristocratic class of Hellenic settlers from the east, where the old Seleukid empire was recently completely overrun by nomads and barbarians.

By the end of the conflict, a strategos of the Massalian League had finally returned home to his home, the Hellenic polis of Emporion, in Iberia to enjoy nearly a decade of peace. This was Seimias Ptolemaios, the eldest son of Pauron Ptolemaios, and he had won great victories for Massalia in Africa against the Carthaginian fighters. It was a brutal war of enslavement, eradication, and displacement. Pauron Ptolemaios had finally gotten the chance to see his son and enjoy some number of years with him before dying as an old man himself, in the 395th year since the founding of Massalia (205 BC). As basileos of Emporion, Pauron left his position to his eldest son, Seimias.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...uronsdeath.jpg

Thus, by the 402nd year after the founding of Massalia (198 BC), Seimias Ptolemaios found himself not only as a popular veteran strategos, but also as the well-established basileos of Emporion. The Massalian basileos himself, Nikanor Aiakides, sent gifts and congratulations on behalf of Massalia's Senate and Directory of Fifteen. The first seven years of his reign were a peaceful and prosperous time not only for Emporion, but for the Massalian League and Empire as a whole.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...olemaios44.jpg

He was not, however, to enjoy the fifteen years of peace his father enjoyed before his death as basileos. To the north, the massive Gallic confederacy led by the Aedui Vergobret was nearly completely overrun by an incursion of Germanic tribes in a mere matter of two years. Although Nikanor Aiakides summoned two armies to guard Massalia's northern frontier against any Germanic raids, the Satrapy of Tolosa and Polis of Emporion were quite exposed. This worried Seimias greatly, and as a direct result, he took the liberty of raising a modest militia of concerned Hellenic citizens from Emporion to better protect both Emporion itself, as well as Tolosa.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...ionMilitia.jpg

This sudden change of events excited Seimias' brother, Hagesias Ptolemaios, who returned home after serving ten years of mandatory military service in southern Iberia. Hagesias, though, had absolutely no military experience due to the fact that the last 15 years had been relatively peaceful. He was, however, very well educated from his time spent at the Massalian academy from the ages 16 to 20. It was his hope to finally see some military service, and to prove himself both to his brother and Nikanor, the Massalian basileos, after having wasted the past 10 years of his life in a squalid Iberian military encampment. At this rate, and with most important political offices taken by other aristocrats, the best that Hagesias could hope for was a position in the Massalian Senate.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...olemaios31.jpg

As for Massalia itself, its citizens must consider themselves lucky that their basileos ruled in a time of peace. Though a great administrator, Nikanor Aiakides was a militarily weak man, a sad fate for a grandson of Pyrrhos Aiakides himself. As a basileon himself, Seimias Ptolemaios felt that he had the authority to act of his own accord for the greater good of the Massalian League, in spite of the facts that both Emporion was subservient to Massalia's domination and he owed his position as basileon to Nikanor's own authority.

Be that as it may, the topic of the Aedui Condeferation was the prime news with the Hellenes of the Massalian League. Gergovia, just to the north of Massalia and Tolosa, had recently fallen to the Germanic invaders. The top leaders of the Aedui Confederacy were fortified in the woods just to the north of the Massalian border, attempting to command the last remnants of their confederacy. Even the Aedui Vergobret himself could barely keep his vassals in line, mostly due to the repeated attacks of the Germanic warriors on his forest fort.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...ergobret61.jpg

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...ronsdeath2.jpg

When the location of the hiding Vergobret reached Seimias, he finally decided that this was enough. He saw before him the opportunity to take the whole of Germanic-controlled Gaul while it was still weak from the fighting. It was only a matter of pulling the right moves, and if done properly, one would not even require a large, Massalian-sponsored army. Not only would Seimias gain security for the Massalian League, but through the conquest of Gaul, he would gain much political power for both him and his futureless brother.

They were Makedones and Ptolemaioi after all, and Seimias felt they deserved more than the positions of a minor basileos or a position on Massalia's Senate. Through his father, Seimias could claim descent from Ptolemaios I Soter, and through his mother, Pyrrhos Aiakides. His destiny should be more than this, especially since he was the primary strategos that brought about the defeat of the hated Carthaginians in the Third Carthaginian War.

And so, Seimias gathered his small militia of Hellenic citizens from Emporion, whose loyalty were much more commendable than Gauls and Iberians, the other people residing in his small kingdom. With this, he marched north to the hidden Aedui forest fort in an attempt to shape his destiny and the destiny of Massalia itself.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...eoffensive.jpg

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...ttleattack.jpg

Nikanor was horrified at the prospect of war, and decided to avoid letting Seimias drag him into it. This entire incident was completely wrong, after all. As a vassal of Massalia, the basileon of Emporion had no right to interfere with foreign political entities; rather, Emporion's foreign policy was decided by Massalia. And so, Nikanor decided to keep his armies on the defensive and let Seimias wear himself down in Gaul; in the meantime, he stripped Seimias of his title as basileon of Emporion and ordered him to return to Massalia's Senate with his troops.

Instead, Seimias attacked the battered remnants of the Aedui leadership's headquarters and utterly killed them all, effectively shattering the leftovers of the Aedui Confederacy into several tribal entities.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...tlevictory.jpg

The common Hellenes amongst the Massalian League saw this not as an offensive against the Aedui, but against that of the Germans. This was what Seimias was preaching, and Hellenes were joining his private citizen army to bring about the destruction of the Germanic invaders to liberate their Aedui trading partners.

This would serve to be a rather strange sort of liberation, though. Upon the death of Vertico, the old Aedui Vergobret, Seimias Ptolemaios declared himself to be the Gobre, the high magistrate and organizer of Gaul's various tribes and kingdoms. By doing this, Seimias established himself as the man that the Gauls should look to for liberation and re-unification; in spite of this, he was a foreign Makedonian, though, and most Gallic tribes hated him for slaughtering their Vergobret. It did, however, serve to legitimize his illegal invasion in a twisted sort of way.

A strange liberation indeed, yet to his Hellenic recruits, it was the promise of security and the restoration of trade with inland Gaul.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...2/Ch3NewHQ.jpg

By the 403rd year after the founding of Massalia, Seimias Ptolemaios, self-declared Gobre of Gaul, was established in a fortified encampment in Germanic territory south of Gergovia, and just to the north of the Massalian border. It was here where he truly began formulating his plans and ambitions following the abandonment of the Massalian basileos, Nikanor Aiakides.




The Known World, including the Massalian League and Empire, 403 years after the founding of Massalia (197 BC).

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...salia198BC.jpg


Author's note: Well, there's the summary of the past 45 years. Comments of all creeds and colours are welcome.

Where is Casse? and who are those black people in the western part of the black sea?

A good read, keep it up! :2thumbsup:
And yeah what faction is the grey one?

I put the Casse in Tylis and Thracia, re-naming them the Gallathrakioi, with their capital at Tylis. The green guys in Asia Minor are the Galatikoi, formerly the Arverni. And the grey buggers are the Seleukids with their capital at Atiqa in North Africa, re-named the Punohellenikoi.

The Carthaginians are destroyed; they were too much of a pain in the ass to let live, so I annihilated them. :laugh4:

How exotic. I suppose this is why all are in despair over the lack of Massalia in EBII

Nice work! Always nice to see "new" factions.

Seems the KH are doing pretty well in Southern Italy :)

IV. The Spears Strike

The Aedui Confederacy was torn asunder nuder the lightning assaults of the Germanic invaders, with only small pockets of Gallic resistance in the backwater tribal entities of what was once a great confederated state.

However, the Germans, united under the iron will of the Sweboz military aristocracy, were alarmed at the assault on a small, southern Aedui fort by the Macedonian strategos, Seimias Ptolemaios. This Macedonian, formerly the basileus of Emporion, a polis under the protection of Massalia through its membership in the Massalian League, was now encamped on Germanic territory. This was something they could not stand, and thus marched an army to attack Tolosa, a satrapy under the direct rule of Massalia. The Massalian basileus, Nikanor Aiakides, decided to dispatch a force to counter this threat under the command of a lesser Hellenic strategos. Though a descendant of the Molossian Pyrrhos Aiakides himself, Nikanor's ability as a general is poor; besides, he is much too old for field combat.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...des61197BC.jpg https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...sabesieged.jpg

Meanwhile, Seimias Ptolemaios, being at such close proximity to Massalia itself, heard of this grave news; in retaliation, he decided to immediately attack the Germanic-held city of Gergovia. Gergovia was once a prime trading partner with Massalia, but ever since its sack by the Germans, its position declined considerably into insignificance. Ever since his capture of the Aedui fort in Germanic-controlled territory, Hellenes have been volountarily flocking to his cause. His fight to liberate the Gauls from savage domination and to spread Hellenism to the furthest reaches of the known world was a romantic legend in the the Mediterranean. As a result, Seimias Ptolemaios' small militia from Emporion was expanded with numerous new recruits, many of which were veterans that had served under him in the Third Carthaginian War. With his accumulated wealth from the time spent as basileus of Emporion and as looter of Carthaginian cities, Seimias was able to both pay the upkeep of his private army and purchase expensive siege machines with which to assault the walls and settlements to the north.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...cedArmych4.jpg

And so, in the summer of the 403rd year since the founding of Massalia (197 BC), Seimias ordered his troops to pack their equipment, and lead them in the march north.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...edGergovia.jpg

The city of Gergovia itself was held by a Germanic occupation force of strongmen and levies, supported by various Gallic concripts and mercenaries.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...viaArmych4.jpg

The Germans, though, were quite confident that they'd be able to hold the city against even an assault by the Gods themselves. Although the loyalty of the local Gauls wasn't very strong, their homes were being invaded not by their liberating Aedui brothers, but by a power-hungry and imperialistic Macedonian strategos. As a result, the position of the common Gallic citizen of Gergovia in the coming fight was predictable: they would fight to protect their homes against an invader that might just as well sack and pillage the city yet again, just as the Germans had done two years before.

Gallic loyalty aside, Gergovia was also a heavily defended and fortified settlement. It was once the capital of the Arverni confederacy and was thus equipped with the proper fortifications that were necessary to defend the royal seat of the Arverni Rix. Combining these high walls with his strong warriors, the Germanic aelderman of Gergovia, Athawulfaz, was fully confident that he'd be able to survive any foolish Hellenic assault.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...0AAR2/0008.jpg

Imagine his surprise, then, when the Macedonian strategos marched directly towards the heavy fortifications at the head of his army. Seimias Ptolemaios himself was at ease; never before had he fought at the head of such a heavily-armed and experienced army. Together marching with him were not only free Hellenic citizens volounteering from Emporion and Massalia with an eager spirit and high morale, but also proud veterans that had fought in the streets of Carthage and plains of Numidia. Most of these men were middle-class, patriotic citizens who could afford their own battle equipment, but who couldn't afford to lose their landed estates in a possible Germanic conquest of the Massalian League and Empire.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...0AAR2/0009.jpg

As for the problematic fortifications themselves, Seimias felt that they were actually no problem at all. In fact, he was inwardly laughing at Germanic ignorance of Hellenic ingenuity, strength, and sheer superiority. His siege machines would break down the high walls just as easily as he once spread women's legs in his younger days.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...0AAR2/0010.jpg

Soon enough, his expectations proved to be true. When the walls came coming down, Athawulfaz felt a small bit of fear deep inside his hard and steeled heart.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...0AAR2/0011.jpg

Smiling, Seimias Ptolemaios ordered some units of thureophorioi to storm the opening and establish a head in the streets of Gergovia with which to direct the street fighting. Singing praises to the Gods and battle chants from the time when their Phocian Hellenic ancestors fought the mighty Persians, the Hellenic volounteers charged in to smash aside the Germanic host. Athawulfaz himself defended the breach with his housecarls. In desperation, he sent a runner for reinforcements.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...0AAR2/0012.jpg

In a panic, a horde of warriors ran down the streets to defend the breach. If only they were not not too late, the Hellenic invaders may have been easily pushed back outside the city's limits.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...0AAR2/0013.jpg

But alas, Seimias had already ordered his brother, Hagesias Ptolemaios, to lead a large number of hoplites to run in and cover the rear of the Thureophoroi that continued the assault. These hoplites formed a strong classical phalanx against the Germanic and Gallic defenders, the very same phalanx their ancestors used in the heroic wars against Persia. Against this iron shield and spear wall, the enemy could not win.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...0AAR2/0015.jpg

As a result, Athawulfaz was forced to hold the line with what survived of his housecarls. However, he was outnumbered and outmatched. Slowly, his men kept falling until the Hellenes were able to sorround the Germanic aeldorman himself and send him directly to his barbaric gods.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...0AAR2/0016.jpg

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...0AAR2/0017.jpg

With his death, the thureophoroi reinforced the hoplites and routed the city's defenders. The bitter fighting, however, exhausted them. Hagesias decided to use the hoplites under his command to steadily advance down the city's streets to drive back the defenders. In the narrow streets, with their flanks protected, the hoplites did this very well. Not even the bravest of the Germanic warriors could stand before the determined assault of the Hellenic phalanx.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...0AAR2/0018.jpg

As the day wore on, the rest of the Hellenic army entered the city and scoured the streets. Hagesias continued advancing to the city square with his massed hoplites whilst Seimias sent troops around to sorround the remaining defenders.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...0AAR2/0020.jpg

The last defenders bravely stood their ground when their Hellenic enemies assaulted their position in the city square, but their hope for victory was gone. The Hellenic capture of Gergovia was, as Seimias Ptolemaios himself predicted, inexorable.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...0AAR2/0022.jpg

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...0AAR2/0023.jpg

However, Seimias felt it was important that this victory be symbolic. There was only minor looting; the population was largely unharmed as the Hellenes made their best attempt to appear as liberators.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...0AAR2/0024.jpg

As self-declared Gobre of Gaul, Seimias felt that these people were his, and only his, natural subjects. With his position of basileus of Emporion stripped by Nikanor Aiakides, Seimias would be forced to use Gergovia as his primary headquarters in his conquest of Gaul. But he's a true Macedonian, a great strategos beloved by his soldiers. Although he already proved his greatness in the fight against Carthage, Seimias feels that the gods themselves have an even greater destiny ready for him in the future.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...ios45197BC.jpg







The Known World in the summer of the 403rd Year Since the Founding of Massalia (197BC).

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...salia197BC.jpg

Author's Note: Since the Seleukids (now called the Punohellenikoi) failed to take the Mauretanian provinces in Western Africa (they keep rebelling), I decided to move Hayasdan there and rename them the Maurisioi. The Ptolemies basically killed them off anyways, so it's all good. I'm anxious to see how the political situation in Northwestern Africa turns out.

Great work, keep it up!

How did Seimias get the Gobre trait?

Cool thread, Megas.

But, how did you start in Messalia?

Awesome Galatia is very awesome.

Thanks for the comments, guys! Unless you've written an AAR yourself, you wouldn't believe how much your posts mean to me! :yes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Biowulf

How did Seimias get the Gobre trait?

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give_trait "Seimias Ptolemaios" GaulArra 4(or 3? I can't remember, either 4 or 3)

I suppose you can call me a cheater if you want, but I use this to roleplay my characters. Remember when I keep saying he was the basileus (king) of Emporion? Well, Emporion is a type 4 government, but it doesn't have a normal client ruler. I gave the governorship of Emporion to Pauron Ptolemaios (he's in Chapter I) and his descendants, but since they couldn't govern it like normal governors (they become interlopers), I gave them the traits "Type4Governor." I roleplay that my Type 4 governments are independant poleis that are part of the Massalian League, dominated by Massalia, but still autonomous. So being a governor of one of these poleis means you're an independant king, which is much superior to being a satrapal governor of a type2 or type3 government. (I modded Epeiros' governments so that type2's and 3's are satrapies like the Macedonians)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Madoushi

But, how did you start in Messalia?

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I just migrated my faction there at the start, switched the name from Epeiros to Epeirote-Massalia, killed off some unwanted FM's in the war against Macedon, and... ta-daaa!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hax

Galatia is very awesome.

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I know, eh?! They're currently having an epic struggle against Pontus right now. I though they would roll right over Pontus, but somehow Pontus decided it was strong enough to fight back. I like Galatia's unit roster though, they're using bataros, gaeroas, lugoae, celto-hellenic spearmen, thureophoroi, hoplites, and thracians of all sorts. They're so cool! They even fought a war against the Gallathraikioi (formerly the Casse) and made them a protectorate after taking Byzantion! :shocked:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Megas Methuselah

Thanks for the comments, guys! Unless you've written an AAR yourself, you wouldn't believe how much your posts mean to me! :yes:



give_trait "Seimias Ptolemaios" GaulArra 4(or 3? I can't remember, either 4 or 3)

I suppose you can call me a cheater if you want, but I use this to roleplay my characters. Remember when I keep saying he was the basileus (king) of Emporion? Well, Emporion is a type 4 government, but it doesn't have a normal client ruler. I gave the governorship of Emporion to Pauron Ptolemaios (he's in Chapter I) and his descendants, but since they couldn't govern it like normal governors (they become interlopers), I gave them the traits "Type4Governor." I roleplay that my Type 4 governments are independant poleis that are part of the Massalian League, dominated by Massalia, but still autonomous. So being a governor of one of these poleis means you're an independant king, which is much superior to being a satrapal governor of a type2 or type3 government. (I modded Epeiros' governments so that type2's and 3's are satrapies like the Macedonians)



I just migrated my faction there at the start, switched the name from Epeiros to Epeirote-Massalia, killed off some unwanted FM's in the war against Macedon, and... ta-daaa!



I know, eh?! They're currently having an epic struggle against Pontus right now. I though they would roll right over Pontus, but somehow Pontus decided it was strong enough to fight back. I like Galatia's unit roster though, they're using bataros, gaeroas, lugoae, celto-hellenic spearmen, thureophoroi, hoplites, and thracians of all sorts. They're so cool! They even fought a war against the Gallathraikioi (formerly the Casse) and made them a protectorate after taking Byzantion! :shocked:

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Ho...ly... ****, isn't this all confusing, 3 lines into that post and i felt like was going to fall down my chair, how do you keep up with all this? do you have a log or something to remember things by?

~Jirisys (:confused:<---- Me! :smile:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jirisys

do you have a log or something to remember things by?

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I'm smawt. :laugh4:

Wow, seen the elephant and only 45. Good job on the AAR.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Unintended BM

Wow, seen the elephant and only 45. Good job on the AAR.

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Yeah, he fought ALOT of battles during his mandatory military service from the ages 16 to 30. Since then, I've changed it to 20-30 for the next generations so the kids can study at academies for 4 years first and get an education of some sort. For that purpose, I'm expanding the academy building in Massalia to its highest possible level at the moment. :laugh4:

Because of that, I guess you could say Nikanor Aiakides is actually a good basileos. His focus, after taking the throne upon his father's death (who fought all his life, including 3 wars with Carthage), was on governing Massalia, hellenizing the newly-conquered satrapies, cementing the empire together, and essentially focusing on things other than the military (such as education, lol). A great ruler, indeed, who happened to rule in a time of peace. Too bad he has to deal with this power-hungry Macedonian.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Megas Methuselah

I'm smawt. :laugh4:

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not quite smart, not quite keeping a log, just smawt

what i meant is, do you remember all the changes you've done to the game?

~Jirisys (not so :confused: <--------- Me :happy:)

wish I could do something as complicated as changing the name of a faction lol
But that's a lot of work (in my eyes) for an AAR, so keep up the good work!

It's just a matter of making a few changes to a few .txt files... changing names is not nearly as difficult as adding new units with appropriate recruitment areas.

Oh, thank you soooo much for the comments! Warms my little black heart!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Teucer

It's just a matter of making a few changes to a few .txt files... changing names is not nearly as difficult as adding new units with appropriate recruitment areas.

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Yeah, I have to completely agree. In fact, you only need to change one text file (as far as I know, anyways...?) to change names, and that's expanded_bi.txt in the data/text folder; you just open that text file and change all entries with your chosen faction to its new name. Pretty easy, as you say.

Adding new units is a bit more difficult, though. I've given some Hellenic units a wider area of recruitment for Epeiros in the Hellenic colonies of the western Mediterranean, and it's a bit of a headache going through the EDB file. But it isn't too bad if you have all your rare resources ready at hand...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jirisys

what i meant is, do you remember all the changes you've done to the game?

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Maybe? Lol. I guess. Yeah. But... Yeah, sure. No? Uh... yeaaaahnooo... (thank God I made backups)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Megas Methuselah

Maybe? Lol. I guess. Yeah. But... Yeah, sure. No? Uh... yeaaaahnooo... (thank God I made backups)

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Ok, i have no friggin idea what the hell that means

~Jirisys (back to :confused:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Megas Methuselah

Yeah, I have to completely agree. In fact, you only need to change one text file (as far as I know, anyways...?) to change names, and that's expanded_bi.txt in the data/text folder; you just open that text file and change all entries with your chosen faction to its new name. Pretty easy, as you say.

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Would this be Save-game compatible? I want to rename a few of the factions since they've grown a bit since the beginning of my current game.

Wow, so many alternate factions!

Just out of curiosity, do the Galathraikes still have the Casse chariot bodyguards/do the Mauretanians still have Kinsmen heavy cavalry bodyguards?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Biowulf

Would this be Save-game compatible? I want to rename a few of the factions since they've grown a bit since the beginning of my current game.

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Yep, completely save-game compatible.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WinsingtonIII

Just out of curiosity, do the Galathraikes still have the Casse chariot bodyguards/do the Mauretanians still have Kinsmen heavy cavalry bodyguards?

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The Casse still have their chariots, but at the particular moment when I was re-naming the Maurisioi, I felt invigorated enough to go into the EDU file and change their bodyguards to Libyan nobles.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Megas Methuselah

The Casse still have their chariots, but at the particular moment when I was re-naming the Maurisioi, I felt invigorated enough to go into the EDU file and change their bodyguards to Libyan nobles.

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Good call, I was just thinking how it would be a waste to have a non-Punic North African faction and not make use of those Libyan bodyguards. As for the Galathraikes, I'm not even sure what you would use for a Celto-Thracian faction anyways. I guess it would be either Brihentin or Phylakes Daoi. Or maybe the "Celtic Lesser King" units.

A good start has progressed into a really uite excellent AAR. Keep it up Meth.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Megas Methuselah

I just migrated my faction there at the start, switched the name from Epeiros to Epeirote-Massalia, killed off some unwanted FM's in the war against Macedon, and... ta-daaa!

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But how did you get rid of your unwanted cities?? I tried some campaigns but i never managed to loose all of my "old" cities. They never seemed to rebel or my enemies were very reluctant to capture them.

force diplomacy I guess.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dutchhoplite

But how did you get rid of your unwanted cities?? I tried some campaigns but i never managed to loose all of my "old" cities. They never seemed to rebel or my enemies were very reluctant to capture them.

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Capital in Massalia = people unhappy cuz of distance to capital penalty
very high taxes = people unhappy cuz im pimpin' them out
no garrison = people unhappy cuz im not protecting them like a pimp should be doin
public order buildings razed = people unhappy cuz there be no temple to the gods or any sewers to contain their piss

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Megas Methuselah

Capital in Massalia = people unhappy cuz of distance to capital penalty
very high taxes = people unhappy cuz im pimpin' them out
no garrison = people unhappy cuz im not protecting them like a pimp should be doin
public order buildings razed = people unhappy cuz there be no temple to the gods or any sewers to contain their piss

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don't forget that yo take al ze hookzs to the captal my man

~Jirisys (Yo!)

Just give the cities to another faction by force diplomacy... no problem there

V. The King is Dead

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...ikanordies.jpg

Nikanor Aiakides, Basileos of Massalia, Hegemon of the Massalian League, Architect for the People, and grandson and heir of Pyrrhos of Epirus, is dead. His reign was largely one of peace and prosperity, with the primary focus shifted from expanding the lands of Massalia to that of repairing and advancing not only the economy, but also the well-being of the common Hellenic citizens of both the city-state of Massalia and the League as a whole. An influential basileos with great management skills, Nikanor managed to keep the peace between not only the city-state of Massalia and its vassal-partners in the Massalian League, but also with the Hellenic overlords in the Puno-Hellenic Kingdom, Syracuse, the Italoi tribes, and the Iberian tribes.

He ruled since the 360th Year After the Founding of Massalia (240 B.C.) until the 405th Year (195 B.C.). Although his reign began with great internal conflict and a third war with Carthage, the final 25 years of his rule saw great economic and social advancements made for the Hellenes of the league in relative peace and harmony, save for the border conflicts with the Getai and the illegal war between the Gauls to the north and the Ptolemaic family.

However, just as Nikanor secured his kingdom through violent civil conflict with the Orestos Molosos family, so too would his successors enact bloody combat for that very same prize. Why? Only one year before Nikanor's death, his eldest son Gyras Aiakides died whilst fighting the Getai in Illyria, his army ambushed and routed back to northern Italia, the campaign a failure. With no clear heir, Nikanor's third son occupied Massalia with an army of veterans guarding the Alpine passes against Gallic marauders, declaring himself the Basileos.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...deMassalia.jpg https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...chosasking.jpg

His name was Antarchos Aiakides and, though certainly no military genius, he was an influential and cunning man. He knew that Massalia's Senate and Directory of Fifteen would have likely chosen his elder brother and, Nikanor's second son, Nikadas Aiakides, to suceed his father. Sadly, he was far away across the mountains waging a war of destruction agains the Getic and Illyrian tribes. This allowed Antarchos to assume command of the nearest Massalian army, composed of veterans from previous Iberian conflicts, and realize his ambitions.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...tarchos195.jpg

However, in so doing, Antarchos was bitterly opposed by his younger brother, Kephalos Aiakides. Kephalos was sent by the Senate and Directory of Fifteen to guard the Satrapy of Tolosa from any Gallic incursions. Though not technically at war with the Gauls and Germanic factions to the north, the actions of the Ptolemaic family in waging illegal warefare against those barbarians had terrible and negative consequences in their relations.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...aliaTolosa.jpg

The two greatest armies of Massalia, veterans from campaigns in Iberia, Africa, and Italy, were now about to face off against one another in a civil war. Antarchos boasted warriors from Italy, Gaul, Iberia, Africa, and even Massalia itself. But his troops from Liguria were the only true veterans. Through Massalia's history under its Epeirote kings, Ligurians had played the primary role in the city-state's rise to power, acting as the primary main-line soldiers. This tradition continues until now, throughout the Massalia's realm.

Which is why Ligurians were also a main component in Kephalos' army at Tolosa:

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...ephalos195.jpg

Kephalos Aiakides had soldiers from Iberia, Gaul, and Liguria, and almost every single one of them were hardened veterans that had seen and experienced combat in almost every theatre of war Massalia had fought. And it was with these men that Kephalos marched with to Massalia, to oppose Antarchos Aiakides' wrongful succession and to give the Senate and Directory of Fifteen its theoretical right to choose the next basileos.




Author's note: Well, this was totally unexpected. Nikanor had to die almost right after his son was slaughtered by the Getai. Sucks ass. And now my RP rules say that a civil war is gonna happen, and that's what's going on. MY ******* VETERAN ARMIES THAT FOUGHT IN AFRICA, IBERIA, ITALY, AND ILLYRIA ARE GOING TO ******* KILL EACH OTHER BECAUSE I WAS STUPID ENOUGH TO LET EACH AIAKIDES BROTHER COMMAND AN ARMY. ****!!!

And I'll tell you guys this right now: my money is on Kephalos. I mean, look at his troops: They're all freakin silver & gold chevrons, I marched them all over the western mediteranean. Even if I command Antarchos' army, which I probably will because they're suckier in spite of their veteran Ligurians, I still think Kephalos will win. Ah well. Life sucks sometimes. At least the battles will be fun and challenging.

have a nice civil war meth! what now? faction control console command, got the ptolies, and bribe back their Ptolie-blooded lad?

Nice! A picture of the campaign map is the only thing missing really.

VI. The Shields Advance

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...0AAR2/0005.jpg

Gallic and Ligurian warriors march towards danger in defence of Massalia. Their enemy: Kephalos Aiakides and his veteran army of Ligurians, Gauls, and Iberians. Men who fought together, side by side, against the Carthaginian menace in Africa, against the Lusotannan Dominion in Iberia, against the Roman Republic in Italy, men who had marched all across the Western Mediterranean shores victoriously representing the Massalian League, were now marching against each other in what would appear to be a bloody civil war for the throne of the city-state of Massalia and position of Hegemon of the League.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...iakides195.jpg

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...tarchos195.jpg

Antarchos Aiakides, third son of the late basileos Nikanor Aiakides, was the first candidate to occupy Massalia itself. Having broken the Senate and Directory of Fifteen to his will, Antarchos declared himself basileos and hegemon, thereby invoking the anger of his royal brothers.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...iakides195.jpg

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...ephalos195.jpg

Kephalos Aiakides, stationed in the Satrapy of Tolosa to guard the frontier from Gallic incursions, immediately ordered his army to march upon the news of his brother's actions. Telling his men that they were on campaign to liberate Massalia's citizens from his brother the power-hungry tyrant, Kephalos set a route directly to his polis.

Antarchos, wanting to win over the populace of Massalia, set out with his army to confront his brother away from Massalian soil. Thus began the greatest battle both brothers ever witnessed, where the champions of the western Mediterranean slew each other under warm sunlight and over the dewy grass, which was soon destined to become soaked with the blood of the bravest soldiers Massalia had ever seen.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...0AAR2/0006.jpg

The initial skirmish was one of hesitation as both sides considered their actions of combatting their own people, yet the conflict of Massalia was greater than their own opinions. Good soldiers to the last, the men on both sides unleashed their javelins and stones upon their own kin.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...0AAR2/0007.jpg

The first warriors to charge in, under Kephalos' command, were told to devoid their mind of thoughts and focus on their duty to smash aside Antarchos' army. Releasing their concerns through shattering screams of hatred and frustration, Kephalos' Ligurians charged ahead directly against the very same men they sacked Carthage with.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0008-1.jpg

As the shield walls collided, Antarchos ordered his Gallic and Iberian swordsmen to wheel around the right flank and smash Kephalos' troops from the flank and behind.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0009-1.jpg

This order was carried out with great speed, efficiency, and terror. The armour-piercing falcatas wielded by the Iberian Caetrati was invaluable in cutting apart Kephalos' veteran warriors.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0010-1.jpg

Following the swordsmen was Antarchos' Ligurian cavalry arm, which was succesful in dispersing Kephalos' cavalry. With next to no opposition, they were quick to ride around the main battle line in order to repeatedly strike the invaders from behind.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0012-1.jpg

One can only imagine the thoughts that went through their minds as they rode over their own brave kinfolk.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0013-1.jpg

Proud and fierce warriors that they were, Kephalos' Ligurians fought to the very last man, resigned to the fact that the gods chose as their fate to be slaughtered by their own brothers.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0015-1.jpg

The Ligurian cavalry threw their weapons in the air and cried to the gods in both mourning and triumph. Kephalos' men, the bravest warriors of the western Mediterranean, had fallen victim to the shieldwall and swords of their own brothers.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0016-1.jpg

As Antarchos stared at the dead, he wondered on the meaning of life. For Massalia's champions to have their honoured lives ended in such a situation would surely cause even the most hard-minded men to question life.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0017-1.jpg

Had they been under the command of a greater general than the young and inexperienced Kephalos, the men marching for the liberation of Massalia would likely have fared better. They never deserved the fate they got, by all the gods.

Antarchos ordered the proper burial of all men on the field, followed by mourning. As men searched and honoured their fallen family members, the body of Kephalos was found. As with his men, he was given a burial, that of a soldier and a prince. He was, after all, a member of the Aiakides family and a descent of Pyrrhos of Epeiros. Antarchos had mixed feelings.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...phalosdead.jpg

holy **** how could you done that?!?!?
nice one meth!!! very nice one!!!! (consider these 3 balloons as my rep :balloon: :balloon2: :balloon3:

Cute Wolf, I'm flattered.

But what about the rest of you? I'm sad over the lack of comments. :sad:

I started reading this one yesterday, and I'm on page 3. (Not that I read that slowly, but I've been working on my own AAR!) I think it's really interesting so far, and I like that you did crazy things with the factions! Nice work! I'll pipe up with more thoughts when I get a chance to finish!

Thanks for the comments!!! Any and all comments/suggestions/weird, perverted posts are very welcome, and especially invaluable to keep any sort of writer motivated.

Btw, those balloons are going in my sig. :laugh4:

VII. Nikadas

With Kephalos Aiakides buried with his army in the lands of the Volcarra to the west of Massalia, Antarchos returned home to lick his wounds. His veteran army lost 2/3 of its strength in the battle against their brothers and Kephalos' veteran troops, and Antarchos was pressured into finding replacements for the inevitable clash that was to come.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...iakides195.jpg

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...ikadasArmy.jpg

To the east, across the Alps in Illyria, Nikadas Aiakides, Antarchos' elder brother and the late basileos Nikanor's second son, gathered together his forces from campaigns against the Getic holdings in the area. His army consisted mainly of Po River Celts, villagers levied for the Getic offensive. It was with these men that Nikadas intended to use in order to defeat Antarchos.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...dasArrives.jpg

Seeking vengeance for his Kephalos' death, Nikadas ordered the army onwards to Massalia. By the time they got there, though, Nikadas was surprised by what he saw. The citizens of Massalia were terrified of the advancing army composed of barbarians, and Antarchos Aiakides, as the supposed Basileos of Massalia, sent a call for volounteers. Supported by Massalia's Senate and Directory of Fifteen, a general levy of volounteers was put together. The Massalian Hellenes, descendants of Phocian Hellenes that stood their ground against Persia, gathered together to fight in the same fashion as their ancestors once did.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...archosArmy.jpg

As a result, by the time Nikadas arrived in Massalia, Antarchos' withered army was supplemented by a phalanx of citizen soldiers. Because many of Massalia's middle-class were already volounteering for the illegal war in Gaul, most of the hoplites Antarchos could muster were poor, albeit desperately brave, men. There were, however, a couple units of solid, well-equipped, and patriotic hoplites who were willing to fight and die beside their kin on their land, and for their land. It was unusual for a Massalian army under its Epeirote kings to be composed mostly of... Massalians.

Ever since the time of Alexandros Aiakides, the Massalian forces were composed mainly of Ligurians, Celts, and Iberians. There were a few Italians, and even fewer Hellenes, let alone Massalian Hellenes. Massalia's Epeirote kings simply couldn't be bothered with having to trust their own subjects. However, it has been a couple generations since Alexandros' coup and the subsequent Epeirote domination of Massalia. Having witnessed their polis being brought to the top of the western Mediterranean world, perhaps the Massalians began to feel more loyalty towards their "foreign" overlords.

Whatever the case may be, Antarchos Aiakides, together with his new phalanx, marched out to meet his brother in the open field.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...0AAR2/0000.jpg

He entrusted his left flank to the Massalian hoplites, ensuring that they be given a screen of skirmishers against the barbarians from the east.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...0AAR2/0001.jpg

As Nikadas began ordering his warriors forward, the skirmishers were invaluable for slowing down the charge.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...0AAR2/0002.jpg

A phalanx, when properly motivated, can prove to be a great anvil against what would otherwise be a powerful enemy.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...0AAR2/0003.jpg

While holding their own on the left flank, the Ligurian veterans on the right fought back their barbaric enemies with ease. Though outnumbered, these men were certainly not outmatched. They had fought all breeds of enemies from Italians to Carthaginians; a levy of shirtless Celts were nothing to these great men.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...0AAR2/0004.jpg

With a quick flanking maneouver by light infantry, the enemy fled in a horde to be chased into the sea.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0005-1.jpg

It was an easy victory against so numerically superior a foe, yet it was not a victory to be greatly celebrated.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...kadasDeath.jpg

Nikadas and two great Molossian Epeirote nobles had fallen on the field against the Massalian phalanx. They were all from great aristocratic families that once owned landed estates in Epeiros itself, before serving the Epeirote royal family of Massalia for generations. Although it was a great loss on the part of Massalia as a whole, Antarchos was finally the last remaining royal contender to the throne. As such, the city-state and league of Massalia all aknowledged him as Basileos and Hegemon.

All, that is, except for the Macedonian Ptolemaic family to the north, under the leadership of the famous crusader for Hellenism against the barbarian hordes: Seimias Ptolemaios.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...iniseimias.jpg





Author's Note: Well, the Civil War drags on. At least there are no more brothers that will stand up against Antarchos, the saviour of Massalia. Just the Macedonian family members. Just in case you guys happened to miss out on a few earlier chapters, the Ptolemaic family was bribed over from the Ptolemies. One young Ptolemaic was bribed and married Pyrrhos's daughter or grand-daughter in an RP marriage alliance. I love the Ptolemies, they're so talented. Seimias is my third-generation Ptolemy, a great-great-grandson of Ptolemy I Soter, and great-grandson of Pyrrhos Aiakides of Epeiros.

Pretty sweet, huh? ALL COMMENTS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED. Every writer loves feedback, so give it to me!

VIII. Gobre of Gaul

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...northnorth.jpg

On the northern frontier, Seimias Ptolemaios, descendant of Ptolemy I Soter & Pyrrhos of Epeiros, Basileos of Emporion, Arverni Rix, and Gobre of Gaul, surveys his situation. It is now the 409th Year After the Founding of Massalia (191 BC), and Seimias has been directing the "illegal" war in Gaul for 7 years, crushing all who opposed his self-declared position as Gobre, the High Magistrate, of Gaul. With military resources coming mainly from his Arverni subjects, who supported his position as their liberator and king, Seimias Ptolemaios spent much of the past years pushing back the Germanic tribesmen out of Gallic lands.

Torn apart by decades of non-stop conflict in the forms of the Arverni and Aedui War, the Germanic incursions, and the Massalian invasion, many of the Gallic inhabitants were doing what they could simply to get through to the next day alive. Their warrior class? Those brave Gallic men of past legends had been largely buried under conflict after conflict, dead and forgotten. The only troops left were villagers levied into a militia to protect against outside threats. It was with these exact militias that Seimias was forced to muster in order to replenish his manpower.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0002-1.jpg

Hagesias Ptolemaios, Seimias' younger brother, was left in northern Gaul with the Massalian troops to combat the Sweboz. This left Seimias himself with the Arverni levies to focus on his next target: the Gallic tribes on the west coast. Though once a part of the Aedui confederation, they were shattered apart following the Sweboz incursions. The west coast of Gaul was largely a backwater of Gallic civilization, desolate, lowly-populated, and behind the times.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0003-1.jpg

Though having suffered no direct Germanic raids, the Lemorisae of the west coast did not have any warrior class to call up, so obselete was their lifestyle. Rather, they had urban militias and urban irregulars levied to defend against outsiders, be they Sweboz, Hellenes, or other Celts.

Why was the army mustered? They didn't believe in a Hellenic domination of their tribe. Seeing as they haven't even been touched in any outside conflict except for having to send young men out to fight when they were one a part of the Aedui Confederacy, the Lemorisae were unafraid of standing against an enemy. They, together with all the Gallic tribes of the west coast, refused to recognize Seimias Ptolemaios' position as Gobre of Gaul.

This left Seimias with two choices:

1) Ignore them, and beat back the Germans instead. This would result in the independent-minded beliefs of the Lemorisae spreading to the inland tribes which had already submitted to Seimias' domination, provoking a rebellions and even further conflicts in this already-ravaged land. Seimias had little enough troops to spare as it was, and could not afford such a possible situation from occuring.

2) Muster a militia-force of Gallic villagers loyal to his position, and march against the west coast tribes. By defeating and shattering the armies, sacking and burning the towns, and enslaving and murdering the people, Seimias would spread fear to the other Gallic tribes, hopefully invoking a stronger sense of loyalty to him. He would send a strong message for what happens to those who disrespect Ptolemaic power.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0001-1.jpg

And so, Seimias went with option 2 and marched against the Lemorisae in the beginning of his west coast campaign. As Gobre of Gaul, Seimias felt he must enforce his dominion over all Gallic tribes. Up until now, his campaign in Gaul was largely one of liberation from the Sweboz. But in this particular case, it was a campaign of massacre and terror, of burning and pillaging, against independent Gallic tribes as his primary foe.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0004-1.jpg

The Lemorisae arranged themselves in a double line, together with a screen of skirmishers. It was a relatively ordinary formation, filled with ordinary villagers.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0005-2.jpg

Against them, Seimias organized his Arverni levies in the formation of a boar's tusk. He figured the enemy was light enough to be shattered in one charge, yet his own men were too light and inexperienced to do it as the Massalian Thureophoroi would. As a result, Seimias decided to count on the sheer weight of a deep formation to break through the center of the enemy's line.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0006-1.jpg

The Lemorisae skirmishers were quick to take advantage of the deep and tight formation, raining javelins down upon the invading Arverni.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0007-1.jpg

In response, Seimias ordered the Hellenic artillerymen to unleash their weapons upon the Gallic warriors of the west coast. Such machines were a rare sight in field battles, even amongst the Hellenes themselves.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0008-2.jpg

Both sides were, as was expected by Seimias, awed by the killing power of the war machines. The Lemorisae were demoralized and somewhat shaken, whilst the Arverni were filled with confidence that they were on the winning side of the battle.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0009-2.jpg

This confidence of victory gave the Arverni levies a new strength, and the bravest ran forward towards the enemy as the boar's tusk went first. Thus is how it is amongst levies. The bravest lead, and the cowardly follow.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0010-2.jpg

The air was filled with battle-cries and pleas to the gods as the shield-walls smashed together in one fell swoop. The crackling of wood on wood, and of iron on iron, rang clear, loud, and terrifying like thunder.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0011-2.jpg

With the levies of both sides occupied in the hand-to-hand combat, Seimias brought the Massalian and Arverni cavalry, the lone horsemen on the field, wheeling around the right flank.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0012-2.jpg

The result? A solid charge into the rear of the Lemorisae line, much to the fear and surprise of the poor Gallic levies.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0013-2.jpg

In spite of this major setback on the part of the Lemorisae, those men continually fought on against the invaders. A levy of citizen-militia will often fight as if divinely inspired when their families and property rest on the fate of the battle. The Arverni invaders were hesitant to advance across the clearing of fallen comrades who had already fallen victim to the Lemorisae shieldwall.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0015-2.jpg

But their bravery was not to last. Nearly sorrounded, the Lemorisae could only fght for so long...

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0016-2.jpg

... before a complete rout would took place. Such a result was, as Seimias very well knew, inevitable.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0018-1.jpg

Seimias ordered for the cowardly to be ridden down like dogs.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...0AAR2/0021.jpg

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...0AAR2/0019.jpg

Though a great victory, the price was high. The field of battle of strewn heavily with the bodies of friend and foe alike.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0022-1.jpg

The fate of the Lemorisae, which would mirror the fate of all of west-coast Gaul, stood as an example: any tribe that resisted Seimias Ptolemaios' position as Gobre would be put down with brute force and prejudice.





Author's Note: WOOO0000oooooh, the best is yet to come! PLEASE, PLEASE COMMENT!!! I like the number of views, but I need feedback damnit!

I love Antarchos' stat development. Mediocre management and never held a sword for a true fight in his life, but one of, if not the most influential man of his time.

I'm definitely going to be re-reading this AAR. I'd love to gather some ideas off of your AAR. Here's hoping you read mine when it gets going, too.

*Shameless plug. Whatever.*

If that's not the best, then I can't wait to read the rest. Keep it going good sir!

IX. Aquitae

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...eimiasArmy.jpg

The fortified settlement of Burdigala fell to the levies of Ptolemaic Arvernia in the fall of the 409th Year Since the Founding of Massalia (191 BC). In the spring of the following year, Seimias Ptolemaios called for the Hellenic forces under his younger brother, Hagesias Ptolemaios, to gather under his banner from their position in northern Gaul. Though the conquest of Gaul was not yet fully accomplished, and though Germanic incursions and tribal uprisings were an ever-constant fear of the Massalian Hellenes who occupied most of Gaul, Seimias felt the sudden urge to gather together his forces in one large army.

He was not without a reason to do so.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...ontheMarch.jpg

Across the Pyrenees to the south, word has arrived from the Celt-Iberian tribes: A large army of a mixed-composition was marching north. It was flying the banners of Massalia. The old, scarred veteran of the Third Carthaginian War, Archias Sybotios, had been ordered to break camp from his position in the Satrapy of Outer Iberia to subdue the Ptolemaic family once and for all. Rather than traverse across the Massalian highways on the coast, Archias chose to trek across the wild terrain of tribal territories in an attempt to catch Seimias by surprise.

His ruse did not work. Not only did the news of his march spread like wildfire amongst the Iberian tribes, alerting nearly everyone of his whereabouts, but the trail across Iberian lands was a slow and tedious journey. By the time winter arrived, Archias found himself trapped in the snows of the Pyrenees.

He must have been cursing the basileos, Antarchos Aiakides, for sending him on such a mission. Antarchos himself almost felt secure in his palace at Massalia, finally having his ass seated comfortably on the throne. The only little bit of fear the man might have had, Archias figured, was the Ptolemaic family.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...asSybotios.jpg

But Archias was never a military genius. Though a deeply respected and experienced old veteran, it was because of his common descent and Illyrian heritage that the Epeirote royal house of Massalia had never gave him command of any Massalian army. If Nikanor Aiakides had still been alive, he would never have let a common-born barbarian assume command of a Massalian army. He was thus a poor commander, unschooled in the arts of tactics and strategy. This command was his first command, and only because most of the trusted Hellenic and Epeirote generals had already fallen victim to Antarchos' Civil War.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/ambush.jpg

It should not have surprised anyone, then, when Sybotios had finally emerged frustrated from the melting snows of the Pyrenees in the spring of the 410th Year Since the Founding of Massalia (190 BC), he found himself a victim of a tactic commonly used by Celt-Iberian tribes: an ambush.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0000-1.jpg

Taking advantage of the heavily-forested terrain of southern Aquitae, Seimias Ptolemaios set his combined army of Hellenic veterans and Gallic auxiliaries ready to take Archias' army by surprise.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0001-2.jpg

Archias had marched the Massalian-sworn troops straight into the trap, nearly sorrounding both himself and his army without even realizing it.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...rchiasArmy.jpg

But Seimias was a patient man. He was not about to jepaordize the outcome of the battle by pre-maturely setting loose his warriors on Archias' men in an instant. He would wait until the right moment to set the lions loose so as to take full advantage of the intended ambush.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AAR2/00022.jpg

The hoplites came out of hiding first, with the Hellenic skirmishers drawing the enemy towards them. This had the planned effect of much of Archias' troops charging towards them without orders.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0005-3.jpg

Shortly thereafter, Seimias' troops on the flanks jumped up and ran screaming towards the enemy.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0003-2.jpg

By the time Archias tried to restore order and command amongst his soldiers, it was too late. Men everywhere were dying and falling victim to Seimias' ambush.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0009-3.jpg

As Archias Sybotios himself would tell you, the rigours of battle care not if you're a noble or a commoner, a skirmisher or a general. The ensueing melee was quick to catch the old man in its net of victims, and his was not the only death wasted in this poorly-planned attempt to crush the Ptolemies. Much of the Massalian army fell in one quick swoop, yet many were still able to get away.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0006-2.jpg

A young Hellenic cavalry commander, having only just started his 15 years of mandatory military service before Archias' march north, was able to escape the battle's bloodshed with a sizeable portion of the army.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...enikeus190.jpg

The young man was from the Hellenic Berenikeus family, and he was the son of the Satrap of Outer Iberia. The family had settled Iberia upon its conquest, and were originally from Massalia. The boy's name was Klaudios, and under his leadership, the survivors were able to regroup following the slaughter.

But he was no fool. As the Massalians and Celts under Seimias were celebrating their easy victory, Klaudios rode into their camp and dropped his sword at the feet of the great general. Klaudios' men were incorporated into Seimias' army, and Klaudios himself was treated with the leniency his Hellenic descent demanded.

Seimias Ptolemaios, descendant of Ptolemy I Soter and Pyrrhos of Epeiros, would let the young Hellen continue his position as a cavalry captain. But only under the banner of the Ptolemies.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...AR2/0010-3.jpg

There was no shame in this. And so, Klaudios resigned to his fate, which he considered would most likely be execution as a traitor to the Basileos of Massalia, and wintered with Seimias in Burdigala.









Author's Note: I hate killing off my own armies like this, but this is a civil war. More to come. Please comment, brothers!

awsome as always. nice seeing this updated.

X. The March East

By the summer of the 412th Year Since the Founding of Massalia (188 BC), the army in Burdigala was restless. They had spent the winter and spring recuperating from their losses and aquainting themselves with the contingent of soldiers that Klaudios Berenikeus had brought into their fold. "What now?" they thought. They had just been attacked by a Massalian army. Perhaps even worse, they completely routed the troops and killed their commander, before assimilating the survivors into their own ranks. Those men they slaughtered in the forests of Aquitae were the soldiers and representatives of Massalia's might.

The Hellenes under Seimias were frightful. Though their primary loyalty lay with their famous general himself, the gnawing fear in their stomachs could not be put to rest. They were... rebels, were they not? Had they not defied and spat on the authority of their basileos by openly defeating his military forces on the field of battle? Shifty-eyed, the "rebel" Hellenes gazed at those whom with they marched: Arverni Celts, Iberians, Ligurians. Foreign savages, all of them, were their homoi, their equals and comrades-in-arms. Their dreams of spreading Hellenism to the far corners of the barbaric world were crumbling before their very eyes. What was their great general doing?

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/...R2/Seimias.jpg

Well, Seimias was hesitant. He had not expected Antarchos Aiakides to send the Army in Iberia after him. The conquest of Gaul was not yet complete, and the Massalian Hellenes under his command were driving themselves crazy with second thoughts about their holy mission in these barbaric lands. It would take many more years for the independent tribes of Gaul to be forcefully submitted to his authority as Gobre, and even further time to drive the last remnants of the Germanic overlords back across the Rhine.

Yes, Seimias knew there was only one option. If he was to continue his conquest of Gaul, the combined armies of Celts, Germans, and Massalians would wither him down to nothing. He would be utterly crushed and vanquished, and the past decade spent subjugating the tribes would all have been for nothing.

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No, he must march on Massalia. Immediately. His only chance at survival was victory against Antarchos. There was no other way, and his hope was lying in the possibility that Antarchos' armies were utterly wasted and broken in the past battles of this civil war. So, with these thoughts in mind, Seimias left the Gallic levies to fend for themselves in Gaul. He would bring the creme of his forces with him in what was likely his final march. His army of veterans were brave and numerous.

But he worried that it may not be enough.

______________________________________________________________________________


By the fall of the same year, the Ptolemaic army arrived in Massalia. It was surprising to see what they found: nothing.

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The citizens of Massalia were discontent. Their basileos had abandoned the great city and capital of a de-facto empire to a wild, violent Macedonian who have already proven how far he would go to slake his lust for power. If that was not bad enough, the Macedonian came with an army that had sacked and raped much of Gaul in what was constantly being condemned by their Epeirote kings as an "illegal war."

But Seimias Ptolemaios, descendant of Ptolemy I Soter and Pyrrhos of Epeiros, the Basileon of Emporion, Arverni Rix, and Gobre of Gaul, arrived in Massalia as a liberator. He sent heralds running through the streets of Massalia, calling for the start of athletic games and feasts. When he himself came through the gates of the city, he came sorrounded by his Massalian thureophoroi who freely threw the spoils of Gaul to their fellow citizens. He announced that he would have Gallic land organized and distributed to those who would seek to colonize the northern frontier.

And, perhaps most relieving of all, he called for an end to civil wars. For too long, Massalians had been engaged in civil conflict over the Aiakides. When they were not destroying one another, the huge armies of foreign auxiliaries had been rampaging across the countryside burning and pillaging at will.

As Seimias wintered in Massalia, the Senators who did not flee with Antarchos informed him that the basileos set sail to Italy, to meet up with the loyal Epeirote Satrap of the Po River lands, Philandros Molosseios. Lukewarm in the conflict, they did nothing else to help. Seimias himself began raising a phalanx of Massalian and Celto-Hellenic hoplites to reinforce his current army for the upcoming conflict.

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As the games and feasting continued, the young Klaudios Berenikeus addressed what remained of the Senate, and granted Seimias a new name: Galloneitos. "Conqueror of the Foreign Gauls," in the Celtic tongue. This accouncement was made without critisicism. Either the Senators supported Seimias, or they feared him. Whatever the case may be, many of the Massalian citizens cheered for their new champion.

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By the spring of the 413th Year Since the Founding of Massalia (187 BC), Seimias sent emisaries to all corners of the Hellenistic World. The games he started on his arrival in the city was be upgraded into a great Panhellenic event.

This was his final action before gathering his troops and departing Massalia, leaving a garrison of Hellenic and Celtic veterans to ensure the city remains within his hands.

All that was left was for him to hunt his prey.






Author's Note: This is gonna be fun!!!

XI. Etruria

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In the summer of the 413th Year Since the Founding of Massalia (187 BC), Seimias Ptolemaios Galloneitas found himself, together with his army, occupying a trading port on the Ligurian coast, near Segesta. Exhausted from their trek across the Alps, the Ptolemaic troops were grateful for any sort of rest within a peaceful and civilized settlement. The local Ligurians opened their doors in welcome to the advancing enemy, even if it was only out of fear. Even in the great Ligurian city of Segesta, the small policing garrison did nothing to resist Seimias' advance.

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It was not an entirely surprising response from these people. Ever since the founding of Massalia, Ligurians had played a large role in Massalia's existence as a polis. Nowadays, this role was largely restricted to that of a satrapy fiercely loyal to Massalia, providing a huge amount of skilled warriors to the military. As a result, in this continuing civil war, both divided militaries found a large number of Ligurians filling their ranks. In fact, this civil war is Liguria's conflict just as much as it is Massalia's; after all, on average, Ligurians serve in the Massalian military in greater numbers than the Massalian Hellenes themselves!

This may perhaps not be the case in the Ptolemaic army, but one of the most common enemies Seimias combats on the field are Ligurians. A strong people, no doubt.

Whatever the case may be, following a quick rest and recovery in the summer, Seimias' army continued its advancement deep into Italian soil in the fall. What they found to the south was shocking:

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Antarchos Aiakides, de jure Basileos of Massalia and Hegemon of the League, was leading the largest Massalian force ever gathered together in one place. The cat was now barking at the dog, and Seimias Ptolemaios found himself on the defensive.

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Antarchos Aiakides, Basileos of Massalia and Hegemon of the League. Descendant of Pyrrhos Aiakides of Epeiros, he is an Epeirote of the Molossos tribe who killed his brothers in battle to attain his crown.

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Antarchos' army. Composed largely of Celts and Ligurians, as well as a few Hellenes, Italians, and Iberians.

Over the past years, Antarchos Aiakides had been conscripting together a large army in Northern Italy to replace the forces lost in the civil war. Together with the troops, Antarchos had summoned whichever loyal aristocrats he could to fight by his side for the liberation of Massalia. Though rather incompetent as both a general and governor, Antarchos was nonetheless raised in the fiery politics of Massalia and its Senate. Now the basileos, he was no doubt the most influential man in the entire league. Getting the Epeirote and Hellenic aristocrats to join his side was, thus, no difficulty.

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Philandros Molosseios, Satrap of the Po River and loyal strategos. Descendant of noble Epeirote families of the Molossos tribe.

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Arybbas Aiakides, a young aristocratic student called to military service. Antarchos' nephew and a descendant of Pyrrhos, Arybbas is an Epeirote of the Molossos tribe.

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Euphranor Kotylaios, following his decade of military service, was ordered by Antarchos to take Seimias' old position as Basileos of Emporion. A Massalian Hellen by birth, he fears retribution from the Ptolemaic forces.

Seimias Ptolemaios, though, felt somewhat relieved. Arranged before him were all his enemies of the league in one army. Though ridiculously large in numbers, most of them were relatively fresh levies. Perhaps even more importantly, none of the fine aristocrats leading those troops possessed any modest amount of knowledge on commanding soldiers. In other words, they were pathetic generals. These weaknesses filled Seimias with hope.

The real men who fought against Carthage, Rome, and Lusitania were all in Nikanor Aiakides's generation, the basileos who preceeded Antarchos. Seimias, no doubt the youngest among them, is one of the surviving men from that old generation. By contrast, the generals who opposed this battle-hardened Macedonian had spent their time killing Epeirote and Hellenic aristocrats who were as poor generals as they in this selfish civil conflict.

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Seimias Ptolemaios, called Galloneitas. From the Ptolemaic royal house, he is a Macedonian, the great-great-grandson of Ptolemy I Soter and great-grandson of Pyrrhos Aiakides of Epeiros.

Selfish? It seems rather strange to condemn the Aiakides family as selfish. At least Antarchos had the right by blood and inheritance to claim the throne of Massalia. Seimias, on the other hand, was himself a power-hungry Macedonian who had spent the past decade fighting solely for the position as Basileos of Massalia and Hegemon of the League. His right to the throne? Through conquest.

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Hagesias Ptolemaios, brother of Seimias. Unsatisfied with his previous position in the League's hierarchy, he stood by his brother for a better future.

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Klaudios Berenikeus, previously a student, was dragged into the conflict against his will on Antarchos' side. An aristocratic Massalian Hellen by birth, he was since shanghai'd into Seimias' forces.

On the other side of the Mediterranean, the Ptolemies were the leaders of an empire. On this side, the same thing might turn out to be the same soon enough.

But Antarchos Aiakides will never let that happen.




Author's Note: Next chapter will be here very soon.

nice update as always..... Meth... you are among the best AAR writer outta here...

OUW.... Who ban Meth?

XII. The Plains of Etruria

Outnumbered 2 to 1, the renowned Seimias Ptolemaios Galloneitas was no longer on the offensive. For the past decade, Seimias had been subduing the Gallic tribes to the north of Massalia's border in an effort to expand and consolidate his power within the Massalian League. This largely had the effect of dragging him into Antarchos' civil war.

Seimias' veteran army had marched directly to Massalia to depose the Epeirote basileos, who fled to Italy in the nick of time. Having followed the basileos across the Alps, Simias at last found his prey lying in wait for him on the Plains of Etruria, with a large army that had been rallied for the sole purpose of defeating this great Macedonian general on the field of battle.

With his troops already somewhat tired from their marching, Seimias knew he could not outrun his foe. His only hope for victory was in the relative inexperience and poor skill of Antarchos and his generals in commanding an army, as well as the inexperience of their troops, who were largely fresh levies.

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Seimias, on the other hand, had been fighting since he was 20 years old. Now 55, the power-hungry Macedonian had already led Massalian troops in Africa, Iberia, and Gaul. Considered the greatest general in the western Hellenic world, Seimias was certainly not nervous in leading men to a bloodbath. And what men! Most of the troops he commanded had been fighting for 10 years in the Gallic Wars. Some of them had even fought with Seimias in Africa, and were deadly fighters unafraid of whatever encountered them on the field.

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And so, rolling the dice, Seimias Ptolemaios Galloneitas halted his troops before the advancing Massalian army and ordered his men to formation. Ever so slowly, the enemy advanced.

But civil wars are never an easy feat. Brothers were forced to kill brothers, and soldiers ravaged their own country. For the men under Antarchos Aiakides' command, their motivation was found in the belief that they fought for the rightful basileos and the liberation of the League's greatest polis: Massalia.

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So they charged. Ligurian and Celtic warriors ran towards their enemies, screaming away their doubt in the killing that was to come. Their ancestors left them a legacy of glorious conquests, and these young soldiers dared not to cast shame on their bloodline.

Antarchos Aiakides was leading the first wave of attackers, determined to take full credit for what he believed was Seimias' inpending defeat.

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But not even his highly-motivated Massalian hoplites couldn't break through the Ptolemaic line, where a long phalanx of Hellenes and a formation of armoured Arverni swordsmen managed to hold back the assault of their basileos.

Hagesias, Seimias' brother, was in command of the far right flank. There, he took the cavalry (along with Klaudios Berenikeus, a cavalry commander) and several units of infantry to wheel around the flank and smash the enemy from the rear.

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Much to Hagesias' credit, this was done with astounding success. Much of the basileos' line of attackers fled in confusion.

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With Antarchos' entire left flank fleeing in disorder, Hagesias sent some troops to cause further disruption in the center. The Hellenic thureophoroi did this with deadly efficiency.

However, the day was not yet done. Though half of Antarchos' line had routed in terror, Philandros Molosseios arrived in command of the second wave of attackers.

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With him came two full lines of troops to bear down upon the Ptolemaic forces. Hagesias' flankers and Antarchos and his routers were caught in the thick of it. The no-man's-land between the basileos' troops and the Ptolemaic troops were filled with men from both armies slaughtering anyone who opposed them. It was a confusion of blood as men died relentlessly under the hot Italian sun. Hagesias Ptolemaios and Klaudios Berenikeus, together with the cavalry and infantry flankers, were run down with impunity. Nearly the entire flanking force was completely destroyed, with the few survivors running back behind the slowly-advancing Ptolemaic line.

In spite of that gain, Antarchos and his fleeing troops were still unable to get away.

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With the Ptolemaic line advancing slowly but inexorably, the influential Massalian Basileos and Hegemon of the League was run down in the onslaught.

From that point on, it became a bloody struggle between two exhausted lines, a war of pushing and shoving.

Philandros Molosseios soldiered on with Arybbas Aiakides and Euphranor Kotylaios. Arybbas himself became the heir apparent, as one of the last surviving Aiakides. Philandros feared a Macedonian domination of the League and fought to ensure Epeirote supremacy. As for Euphranor, he gritted his teeth and held his position against Seimias' onslaught out of sheer fear for having stolen Seimias' position as Basileos of Emporion.

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As the day wore on, the ground became slick with blood. Seimias' line, though much thinner than Philandros', had managed to advance and stand their ground against the enemy.

By the end of the day, the ground was littered with corpses and many of the survivors had fled the field. Antarchos' 3 generals had fought to the end against the Ptolemaic forces, though the same could not be said for the soldiers they commanded.

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Largely through bloody and costly attrition, Seimias' line managed to grab victory from the jaws of defeat. There were, as seen from the field of battle, truly countless bodies.

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Though the victory was total and conclusive for both the battle and the civil war itself, it was not without its price. The largest Massalian army ever to gather in one place was nearly completely destroyed. Countless lives were wasted and an ocean of blood was spilled. Good men who could have gloriously expanded the frontiers of Hellenism instead were focused on slaughtering their own countrymen.

But Seimias was victorious.




Author's Note: Well, I thought I was gonna lose that battle at first. When Hagesias, Klaudios, and the flankers were run down and annihilated like dogs, I was like, "Aw hell."

I owe my victory to the hoplites and the Celtic Neitos (those swordsmen armoured in chainmail). The hoplites, including the regular ones and the Massalian ones, are superbly reliable line-holders when placed in the center with guard mode on. This was only another victory almost entirely attributed to them in this campaign so far. As for the Neitos, they were remarkable. When Philandros smashed against my line, they were able to hold a huge stretch of line by virtue of their defensive capabilities alone. I love them so much, this victory is almost entirely because of them, hahaha.

But damn. The civil war is over... I wish I took more pictures of the battle, as this is a rather short chapter, but I was panicking and focusing primarily on winning the battle rather than recording it.

Holy :daisy: that looked awesome. Where are you going next though? And how do you get these armies to fight each other?
Keep it up!