Regime change in Kappadokia, 208BC
Patron Byllideus was still acting as commander of Pergamon's army, and was told to help change the balance of power in Kappadokia. The native people had been under the Seleukid bootheel for some time, and a faction in Mazaka proposed allying themselves with Hayasdan. Willing to help anyone who was the enemy of the Syrian empire, the Basilieu Amantieus lent Pergamene aid to the movement in the form of military intervention.
However other parties in Mazaka with a vested interest in continued Seleukid occupation had alerted the garrison commander. He dispatched a large part of the garrison to stop the Pergamenes before they reached Kappadokia.
Surprise was not on their side, and Byllideus was ready for them. He took a strong position on the heights and let the Seleukids come to him. The battle was a brief affair, with little mercy shown to fleeing Seleukids.
The actions of the garrison had merely made Byllideus' job of investing Mazaka that much easier. However, the march to Mazaka was hindered by the general suddenly succumbing to illness, which prevented the army moving for a time. Men feared the general might even die. He recovered enough to be moved, and the Pergamenes laid siege to Mazaka.
The much-depleted garrison didn't put up much of a fight, and surrendered. Government was passed over to the pro-Hayasdan faction and the Pergamenes, true to their word, left.
Editorial Note
Another instance of silly AI behaviour, which wasn't worth a battle report. Once again their centre really didn't engage properly.
I think I've really hit those mid-game blues where you don't really know where to go next without making a complete break from how you've been playing. Perhaps with the gift of Mazaka to Hayasdan my wars with the Seleukids will be over. Or maybe I need to launch one last raid to cause them some real pain before peace?
May also be time to think about Kyrene and more generally warring with the Ptolemies, which I've avoided for a long time. Possibly Makedonia for a bit, since they've suddenly got their act together and nearly wiped out KH.
Perhaps I should be thinking about a war with the Sauromatae for some variety, however what I don't want to do is make Hayasdan's northward progress even easier. War with the Saka? Get a general with good logistical skill and send him far east? Or perhaps Baktria, since they're constantly annoying me by taking Parthian lands?
Really is halfway now, I'm 65 years in with about 75-ish to go. Certainly is harder to maintain your energy without a grand plan.
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