Basileion Bosphorou: a Tale of the Pontos Euxeinos

[Βελισάριος]

The thing about chapter length... if this were a book or any other such piece of literature, the length would be fine, maybe even short.

But you have to keep in mind this is a forum... attention span does tend to fall dramatically online. You could try splitting your chapters into sub-chapters and post them maybe two days apart. You shouldn't reduce the amount of information conveyed, just divide it.

[Mjolnir]

Chapter 7: Calm Before the Storm

Spring, 258 BC

The next 5 years were quite enjoyable for me. Most of the army was disbanded and allowed to return home. I turned my attention from war to building the infrastructure of the Basileion. My experiences in the various campaigns of the last decade has shown me that relying on levies and light infantry has weaknesses and a more professionally army will be needed if our Basileion is to defend itself. Therefore new and larger barracks were constructed, many more training grounds were prepared, and our stocks of armor and weapons were upgraded and increased.

I put Lysandros in charge of the recruitment and training of the new permanent army. The new heavier soldiers require better weapons and I hired blacksmiths to handle the military’s demand.

The Pantikapaion market was enlarged to handle the ever increasing trade.

One of my dreams is to make Pantikapaion into one of the great Hellenic cities of the world; towards this end, I have built and sponsored a school for the young men of the city to study in.

Roads and sewers have been built across the Basileion and the ports in Sinope, Trapevous, and Chersonesos have been expanded.

My two younger brothers have grown up. Nikanor has taken after me and our father in the love of armies and battles, although only 19 he has already led two successful military operations; one against rebellious Caucasian tribes south of Trapevous and one against Sarmatian raiders north of Tanais. He is very popular with the soldiers, he will be a great general one day.

Phrixos is 16 and has taken a different path. He is the star of the school I had built and excels in his classes in rhetoric, mathematics, and language. Synedros Brentisinos had taken him under his wing, he says Phrixos has the makings of a great politician.

In Chersonesos, Mytileaios is doing quite well. He has brought their Synedrion under his control and now that the period of higher taxes is over they have become a loyal and integral part of the Basileion. Mytileaios has two children, a 2 year old girl named Maiandria and a newborn boy named Pylaimenes. Unfortunately the gods have not yet given myself and Antheia any children.

But while we have lived in relative peace the last few years, others have continued to fight. The Ptolemaioi and Seleukids still struggle with one another with neither gaining an advantage. The Romani have finally succeeded in driving the Gauls north of the Alps. And in a one conflict more important to us has come to a worrisome resolution. Makedonia and Epeiros have been locked in struggle since before the fall of Athenai and Sparte, however two years ago Makedonia finally gained the upper hand and seized all of Epeiros’ Illyrian territory. Many Epeiros nobles, soldiers, and civilians fleeing the Makedonian conquest landed in Megale Hellas and promptly seized Taras from the Romani. They are now allied with Rhegion and Syrakousai and waging war with the Romani troops transferred south from the Gallic war. Makedonia turned its attention to Thrace and over the last year has conquered all of the Thracian tribes south of the Getai except only for the territory around Byzantion. Fearing that we would need to take action to protect our only trade route out of the Pontos Euxeinos, I ordered our army to begin mobilizing in preparation for action in the spring. However the first few spring trade ships arriving at our port during the last week have brought news of the fall of Byzantion to the Basileion Pontikos. The Basileus of Makedonia has given an ultimatum to Pontikos ordering them to surrender Byzantion to him and has dispatched an army from Pella to back it up.

Whoever controls the Chrysokeros controls the trade between the Pontos Euxeinos and the Aigaio Pelagos, this trade is our lifeblood and we cannot allow it to be controlled by someone hostile to us.

We must drive Pontikos out of the city and then defeat any Makedonian forces sent to do the same.

This is why I am here in one of the new barracks inspecting part of my new army; we’re leaving as soon as enough ships can be assembled. We must beat Makedonia to Byzantion.

“Lysandros, I am pleased with our progress. These men most definitely look superior to the levies we had been using”

“Yes” he replies, “these regular hoplites will prove much more formidable than the light hoplites we used before and you will need every advantage you can get if you are going to challenge Makedonia. They have swept aside every opponent they have faced so far”

“Well I intend to end that streak. Will you be accompanying us?” I ask.

“No my lord, I am too old for another campaign, I will be remaining here to continue the overseeing of training. I will be putting your bodyguard under the command of my nephew, Akadios, he fought with us in the Kallatis-Buridava campaign and is a fine and loyal soldier”

“I will miss you on the battlefield, old friend, you have served me and the Basileion well” I say, my voice cracking a little with emotion. "I sure that Akadios will live up to his uncle's name, and I will make sure he returns to you safely"

Lysandros bows gratefully.

**********

Summer, 258 BC

We land just north of Byzantion as spring is ending and quickly move to surround the town. I have 19,000 men with me; 6,000 of the new professional hoplites, 3,000 classical hoplites, 3,000 Hellenic spearman, 3,000 Bosporan heavy archer, 1,000 Hellenic medium cavalry, and Nikanor and my elite hoplites commanded by Akadios.

An impressive army, they only lack battle experience. Pontikos is not expecting our arrival and the town is defended by only a small garrison. My scouts tell the Makedonian army is but several weeks march to the west, we must be quick.

The battle is short and Akadios and Nikanor perform admirably. 5,000 enemy dead and only 700 of ours, the new hoplites are most satisfactory. Byzantion is ours, for now.

The Makedonians it seems are just as surprised by our appearance as the Pontikos were, they have halted their advance on the town.

**********

Autumn, 258 BC

The Makedonian army has received reinforcements and is once again on its way to Byzantion, apparently Makedonia intends to force the issue. Preferring to meet them on open ground since the wooden palisade of Byzantion will afford little protection, I meet the Makedonian army about a day’s march from the town. I outnumber them 3 to 2, but their army includes well over 5,000 of the dreaded Makedonian pikemen. These are the men that took Megos Alexandros to the Indus.

The first snow of winter is falling as I begin maneuvering towards the enemy line. I halt within bow shot for my Bosporan heavy archers, but out of range of their Peltasts. Their skirmish line advances on my right flank and Nikanor engages them with his elites and a unit of Thureophoroi.

The Makedonian skirmish line breaks and I order the hoplites forward in their wake. We hit the first line of Phalangitai and our stopped dead. My hoplites spears are shorter than their Makedonian opponents and simply won’t reach through the wall of pikes. I quickly swing my elites and a unit of hoplites around behind the Makedonians, but even then it takes much effort to break them.

We advance on the second line of Makedonian pikes and I order the hoplites to pin them down while Nikanor takes his elites to the right and I take mine to the left. My cavalry then charges in from behind and we have them surrounded, but yet again they refuse to rout and fight stubbornly on.

Finally the Makedonian commander orders a withdrawal and I allow a third of their army to retreat unengaged. They fall back towards Pella and I return to Byzantion to lick my wounds. I have lost almost 4,000 men in what was basically a draw and most of my losses were from my hoplite ranks and will take time to replace.

These Makedonians are not the Getai or Scythian barbarians or Hellenic militias I have faced before, I will have to readjust my tactics if I hope to hold my own in the coming struggle.

**********

The Known World in 258

[SwissBarbar]

BEAUTIFUL !!!! Great! Looking forward to more Makedonian battles and new strategies and tactics

Where is the next chapter? Where? Where? Where??? ^^

[Mjolnir]

BEAUTIFUL !!!! Great! Looking forward to more Makedonian battles and new strategies and tactics

Where is the next chapter? Where? Where? Where??? ^^

Thank you. I was really surprised how ineffective my troops were against the Makedonian pikes. We shall see what I can come up with. I should have another chapter out this weekend.

[Ruepelheinz]

This AAR ist very entertaining, I keep checking every day for an update. Thx



Why did you remove the slingers from your army?

[Potocello]

Aww too bad Lysandros isn't fighting anymore, I liked him. Great update though!

[Mjolnir]

This AAR ist very entertaining, I keep checking every day for an update. Thx



Why did you remove the slingers from your army?

Well thanks. I was shooting for a more "professional" army after I upgraded my barracks, but considering how badly I fared, I'll probably be reworking my army composition and they may make a comeback.

Aww too bad Lysandros isn't fighting anymore, I liked him. Great update though!

Don't worry, I hear Akadios is quite similar to his uncle. ;)

[the man with no name]

If you aren't already, ally with the ptolies so you won't have a potential threat from them. Good chapter man.

I agree with Potocello. I liked Lysandros alot alot and alot.

[Potocello]

Don't worry, I hear Akadios is quite similar to his uncle. ;)

Good to hear can't wait for the next chapter.

[Mjolnir]

Chapter 8: Hatching a Plan

Spring, 257 BC

I feel as a man who stands alone with his back to a precipice and an entire army in front of him. I now hold a beachhead in Byzantion, but on the other side of the straight the Basileion Pontikos is already raising an army to retake the town and to the west the full strength of Makedonia will eventually be turned to us. And we must hold this town and the Chrysokeros, should we lose our access to the Aigaio Pelagos and the Mesogeios our Basileion may very well whither and all my and my father’s gains will be for nothing. I fear nothing but bold action can save us.

I have called a meeting to discuss our future course of action. Myself, Nikanor, Akadios, Synedros Kresios commander of the cavalry, and a number of infantry commanders are present. Akadios had received a nasty wound on his shoulder where a Makedonian pike glanced off his shield and missed his throat by inches and his shoulder is still bandaged although it is no longer in a sling.

“Akadios, I see your shoulder is getting better, but you’ll have a nice scar there”

Akadios grunts, “Blood is the price of glory”

I laugh, Nikanor chuckles.

“Will you be able to carry a shield?”

“If there’s a battle I’ll be there shield or no”

I nod. “Well then done down to business”

After I lay out our situation Nikanor whistles, “If you can’t go back, and you can’t stand still, the only way to go is forward”

Three hours and many arguments later, we have a plan.

Orders are immediately sent to Mytileaios to have the shipwrights in Chersonesos begin the construction of a fleet of Triereis class galleys and to Phrixos in Pantikapaion to send replacements for the hoplites losses.

**********

Summer, 257 BC

We send the time waiting for the reinforcements by upgrading the defenses of Byzantion and convincing some of the local Thraikian tribes to supply soldiers for a garrison. As summer grows towards its peak we received an embassy from the Makedonians led by a man named Kyphios. I receive them in the meeting room of the house I am staying at.

“Welcome to Byzantion” I greet them.

“Thank you for your gracious welcome” Kyphios says was a bow, “I am royal ambassador for the Basileus of Makedonia. I am afraid that it is my duty to bring you a decree from my Basileus”

“Well?”

“His highness, commands you to hand Byzantion and Kallatis over to him as rightfully belonging to the Basileion Makedonia by right of Megos Alexandros's lineage. If you do so and pay an annual sum to the Basileus he will not lay claim to any of your other territories and will consider you under his protection”

I cock an eyebrow, “And if I refuse?”

“Makedonia’s armies are currently engaged in Illyria, but they will not always be so. Byzantion and Kallatis will be ours whether you agree to this or not, my king simply wishes to give you the easy way out”

“Perhaps he has forgotten how the last army he sent for me fared”

“With all due respect, that was but a small expedition sent against the Pontikos garrison before we realized you had taken the town, our main armies are much more formidable” He takes a piece of parchment from one of his aides and hands it to Nikanor who steps forward to take it, “Here is a treaty along the lines I have laid out already signed by my king, it awaits only your signature.

You will want some time to consider it no doubt, so I-”

“Ambassador Kyphios, the Basileion Bosphorou will be signing no such treaty” I interrupt as he turns to leave, “I will hold on to this treaty though, and give it back to your king as I am burning Pella to the ground around him” I motion for the guards to take Kyphios and his party from the room.

“Are you sure that that was wise, taunting him like that? Makedonia will surely send an army now after their ambassador has been threaten and mocked” Nikanor asks after they have left.

“Our course has already been set even if those terms were acceptable, and if Makedonia does send troops to Byzantion – well that plays right into our plan, doesn’t it?” I smile.

Nikanor nods.

**********

Spring, 256 BC

At winters end the fleet of a dozen Triereis galleys carrying 3,000 hoplites and 3,000 slingers arrive in Byzantion. The ships are quite a sight to behold, massive ships built to inflict destruction.

I load my army on to the ships for the short journey across the straight and then send the fleet south to blockade Nikaia’s port.

Accompanying us is a man named Damastor Kamarinaios. He is a noble from the area east of Nikaia. He was driven from his lands by the Pontikos when they took the city almost 10 years ago and has been fighting a little private war with them ever since. He has sworn loyalty to me in exchange for the promise that he will be granted governorship of Nikaia after I take it. He will act as our guide.

We land 22,000 strong and march east and then south following the eastern bank of the Sakarya River. We reach the fords due east of Nikaia and camp on the eastern side.

The next day the main Pontikos army of 27,000 men moves to engage us.

The enemy general foolishly doesn’t wait until we cross, but throws his own army across the ford at us. I set up my hoplites three rows deep blocking the exit of the ford with the archers and slingers in the rear.

As they splash across the ford towards our waiting spears my ranged units unleash volley after volley of missiles.

Like an oncoming wave they smash into my line...

And like a wave on rocks they break on my wall of spear and shields.

Synedros Kresios orders his cavalry forward and the Pontikos army routs. The river runs red.

**********

Summer, 256 BC

Having crushed the Pontikos field army, I move to besiege the town itself and its sizeable garrison.

I, Nikanor, and Kamarinaios elite hoplites lead the attack. Punching through the walls we engage the garrison.

The outcome was never in doubt even with the Pontikos Basileus’ son leading several valiant charges against Kamarinaios’ column.

Nikaia is ours and the Pontikos royal line is without hiers. Later that month we received news that Amaseia had fallen to the Seleukids and the Pontikos Basileus slain. The Celtic Galati tribes wasted no time in slaughtering the Pontikos garrison and restoring their own tribal governments. The Basileion Pontikos is dead.

Leaving Kamarinaios in charge of the garrison at Nikaia, I lead the army to the port to load back on to our fleet. Step one in our plan is complete our rear is secured and our hold on the Chrysokeros solidified, time to begin step two.

**********

The Known World in 256 BC

[SwissBarbar]

Yeah, show those wannabe alexanders who's boss Looking forward to the Makedonian armies coming

[Hotseat_User]

hehe, I don't want to spoil but I expect a ... ... on ...! But we'll see whats going to happen soon.
Nice chapter!

[the man with no name]

Glad 2 hear that those damn pontics are fucked up!!!!! No offense to pontic lovers but, ...PONTUS SUCKS!!! And also, who are the yellow guys on italia, The green-blue guys?

[Mjolnir]

Yeah, show those wannabe alexanders who's boss Looking forward to the Makedonian armies coming

hehe, I don't want to spoil but I expect a ... ... on ...! But we'll see whats going to happen soon.
Nice chapter!

Thank you all.

[Chirurgeon]

This needs an update!

[Chirurgeon]

Glad 2 hear that those damn pontics are fucked up!!!!! No offense to pontic lovers but, ...PONTUS SUCKS!!! And also, who are the yellow guys on italia, The green-blue guys?

Those yellow guys on Italia are soldiers of Syracuse :)

[A Very Super Market]

Oh my, are those Kyrenians I see?

[Mjolnir]

This needs an update!

Mid-terms are a b*tch, but I should have an update sometime this week.

Those yellow guys on Italia are soldiers of Syracuse :)

Indeed, and they're doing rather well to. They've taken Capua from the Romani and are threatening Arpi, although you can't tell since I haven't sent a spy over there in awhile.

Oh my, are those Kyrenians I see?

Indeed it is, decided I would move Pontos down there after I "killed" them just see if anything interesting would happen.

[Βελισάριος]

So, wait... you created Syracuse as a separate faction in-game?
How do you do that?

Great chapter, by the way!
And damn those eyes are hypnotising!

[A Very Super Market]

I think they are Epeirotes... with a different color

[the man with no name]

I think they are Epeirotes... with a different color

Interesting.

[Mjolnir]

Great chapter, by the way!
And damn those eyes are hypnotising!

Thank you, I think it's pretty cool too - I entered that screenshot into this month's screenshot competition just for the heck of it.

I think they are Epeirotes... with a different color

This.

[the man with no name]

1.What eyes?
2.This what?
3.What happened?

[Chirurgeon]

What is the status of this AAR?

[the man with no name]

I is vewy vewy vewy sad. scept i'm not sorry i just the sad bit. Anyhow what happened to make you quit?

[the man with no name]

He probaly died in a car crash. If u still there dude sry.

[the man with no name]

Definately dead, how i do not know. Lets hope he was given a proper burial.

[Maion Maroneios]

Dude, chill a bit. He's probably very busy, no need of multi-posting.

Maion

[the man with no name]

Dude, chill a bit. He's probably very busy, no need of multi-posting.

Maion

To busy to even post once on any thread? Not 2 be mean.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Perhaps something happened in real life. Perhaps he found a new game to play. Most people who frequent these forums just disappear one day without giving a reason. It is a shame that a nice AAR died, but I don't think he's coming back.