From the Ionian to the Indos: A Seleukid AAR

[QuintusSertorius]

I didn't. I play on huge unit size (if that's your question, you can change that in your graphics options menu), but for role-playing, I multiply them by ten when telling about it.

Because Huge unit size is a good 1:10 scale approximation. At least as good as you'll get in the RTW engine.

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

That was a cool battle Swordmaster! I like it how you help the Makedones.

[Swordmaster]

That was a cool battle Swordmaster! I like it how you help the Makedones.

Reinstalling Antigonos in Pella was little more than a cosmetic operation for Theodoros. More importantly, Byzantion was a show of force, a display of Seleukid might not merely before the western powers, but before his own subjects in the first place. It cemented Theodoros' position towards his satraps and allies, with exception of the easternmost (Baktria).

That said, ending Epeiros' golden era did allow Makedonia to focus on subjugating the south of the peninsula. A venture that would turn both allies against each other, eventually.

[Swordmaster]

6. Alexandros goes to Parthia


The map in 249 BC, right after Byzantion.

During the years Theodoros was away, Alexandros raised a new army for himself in Syria and Babylonia. Both natives and Hellenes enlisted in his service, compelled by his many victories, enthusiastic about the prospect of driving the Parthians back into the steppes. Of the phalangitai, there were 6,800 Syrians, 2,800 Persians, and 4,800 Greeks, with an auxiliary force of 5,000 Persian archers, some 9,000 light infantry, and about 4,000 cavalry. A young, talented general named Anaxambritos was chosen to join the campaign.


Alexandros at the end of 249 BC, before his Parthian campaign.

As the veteran set out for Media, the skies looked very bright for the Seleukid realm. Antigonos Gonatas died in late spring, and was succeeded by his weak nephew Alexandros. Being in the region, Theodoros made use of the opportunity to visit Pella, and was quickly ascertained of the fact that the new Makedonian basileus would never even question the existing alliance, let alone break it.

Secondly, and more importantly, Ptolemaios II Philadelphos died a few months later. His second son and only heir, Lysimachos, had made himself impopular with a number of strategoi, who had their own candidate for the throne in Leontiskos, married to Ptolemaios' daughter. Soon after Ptolemaios' death, Leontiskos secured Alexandreia and the rest of the Neilos delta, while Lysimachos built up a support base in the south. Civil war would tear up Aigyptos during the following decade, and though Theodoros had nominally granted his support to Lysimachos, he left them to their own affairs for the time being.


versus


With both the Aegean and Aigyptos in his pocket, Theodoros returned to Seleukeia, having left a considerable garrison in Byzantion, and started raising a new army with which he would reinforce Alexandros in his Parthian campaign. The latter had spent winter in Ekbatana, and had explored the region as far north as Atropatene, looking for a trace of the Parthians.

Feeling confident about his strength, he crossed from Media into Khoarene as soon as the new season had started. Before too long, he met one of Parthia's royal armies, under command of Arsaces, son of the king (also named Arsaces).


Although the Parthians were outnumbered, they accepted the fight.


Alexandros lined up as if he was facing a band of Gauls.


But even before the slingers had sighted the enemy, arrows started raining down on them.


These were no Gauls!


It didn't take long for Alexandros to realize he had brought too few archers.


They came from all sides.


Alexandros was still confident in his cavalry's abilities and attacked those pesky horse archers.


On the left, Anaxambritos followed his example.


The fight was too fierce for Alexandros' few companions.


The prodromoi were vastly outnumbered and fled.


This time it didn't matter what happened in the centre...


...as they were being charged in the flanks.


Not being a complete idiot, Alexandros ordered the retreat.


The wounded were left behind.

===

Next: Alexandros changes his tactics.

[QuintusSertorius]

Brilliant, deploying tactics you used and won with before against a different enemy, with predictable results. So that you can go back with a "reformed" army and "new" tactics to try again. I respect your adherence to versimilitude there in not just recruiting a new army specifically designed to defeat horse-archers. I may do something similar in my Bosporan campaign.

[Swordmaster]

Yeah, Alexandros (and me, too, honestly) was taken aback by the toughness of the Parthian nobles and armoured horse archers. He will adapt his tactics, but so will his enemies. It'll get fiercer with every battle.

[Subedei]

Good to see an AAR in which the author/ General actually looses sometimes...thrilling campaign you got there!

[Swordmaster]

Good to see an AAR in which the author/ General actually looses sometimes...thrilling campaign you got there!

A Seleukid game without losses just doesn't feel right. Even though I'm gonna win in the end

[Swordmaster]

7. Alexandros adapts his tactics

Back in Media, after his defeat at the hands of Arsaces junior, Alexandros faced a confidence crisis among his soldiers and the natives. The only ones willing to replenish his depleted forces were a handful of garrison troops from Ekbatana, but skirmishers and light infantry were of no use to the disillusioned general. Cavalry and archers was what he needed, especially cavalry. Returning to Babylonia was not an option, however, as even this very year Arsaces invaded Susiana from the north, and could barely be withheld by the local garrisons.

Alexandros wintered south of the Median capital and then turned south towards Susa. Along his way, he recruited what archers he could find, most of them mercenaries. When he reached the fortified city, there were 8,000 of them: 5,000 heavy Persian archers and 3,000 Mardians. This in addition to what was left of his regular Persian archers, some 3,000, making a combined total of 11,000 archers. This he deemed enough to confront Arsaces, but now the Parthians were reluctant to fight. It took until summer 245 BC before both parties were assured of their strategic advantage over the other, and committed their men to battle.


The Parthians were outnumbered again, which meant virtually nothing at all.


Alexandros made full use of the terrain, and lined up somewhat inelegantly with all mercenaries up front and slingers on the left flank.


His right would be covered by a massive rock party further up hill.


Alexandros didn't really trust these mercenaries and found it hard laying the fate of his men into their hands.


Atop the hill, their barrage started.


Arsaces sent his son to examine the changes in Alexandros' army.


The Persian mercenaries stood their ground, to Alexandros' amazement.


Anaxambritos intervened.


In a move no one foresaw, Karmasb was slain.


A little later, Arsaces' brother was hit by arrow fire.


His archers' quivers empty, Alexandros ordered his phalanxes forward across the sloped terrain.


The lines closed.


Arsaces tried to avert a dishonourable fate with a last charge.


Alexandros made it a personal cause.


The Parthian heir soon lay dead in the fields.


His army was completely routed.

Only a few days later, Alexandros was rewarded with another chance to improve his tactics. A Parthian army had entered Susiana, but it was far weaker than that of the late Arsaces. Alexandros rode out to defeat them.


He positioned himself in a narrow pass to gain strategic advantage on top of his numerical one.


It was almost an exact copy of his previous victory, but twice as easy.

While his men celebrated, Alexandros stared into the distance, the mountains of Elymais gleaming in the evening sun. There was nothing honourable about victories such as these, and gloom overcame the veteran. He had looked forward to returning to his place of birth, here in Susiana, but now he was more keen than ever on feeling the heat of the Syrian sand again.

When he heard the news that the Galatians had revolted in autumn 245 BC, he sent a request to Theodoros to travel to Asia minor to put things back in order there. But it was denied, and the basileus would soon meet him in Susiana to organize the next phase of the campaign.

===

Next: An end to Alexandros' campaign.

[QuintusSertorius]

There was some proper root and branch family-tree-surgery going on there for the poor Parthians!

On that topic, how do you manage that large stable you must have of Seleukid FMs? Are a lot stuck with just being governors?

[Swordmaster]

There was some proper root and branch family-tree-surgery going on there for the poor Parthians!

On that topic, how do you manage that large stable you must have of Seleukid FMs? Are a lot stuck with just being governors?

Yeah, I think there were some troubles between the old Arsaces and his descendants. They preferred an honourable death, I guess . I needed to kill the young Arsaces anyway to prevent history from repeating itself, much like Ptolemaios Euergetes got killed. Sort of legitimizes my alternate history.

The Seleukids start out with only a few FMs, but there are far too many now. I don't really know what to do with them. I don't want to keep them in their birthplaces because that's going to make little dynasties emerge locally, so most youngsters I send either to Antioch or Seleukeia, depending on what's nearest. Many of them just sit around idly. I only have time to come up with tasks for the royal family itself plus some very good generals. But the problem is that there are actually about thirty FMs now with more than two command stars, which should be a rarity instead. For role-playing's sake, there should be a shortage of capable commanders, so I just ignore them.

[Chaotix]

Keep it up! I like this AAR.
Seriously, there seem to be so many good, interesting AARs around lately. Yours, Quintus's Pergamon AAR, Centurio's Makedonian one, divulse's Roman AAR... there's always MAA's AAR. I'm just wondering what's up with Chirurgeon- he hasn't posted in forever!

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

Keep it up! I like this AAR.
Seriously, there seem to be so many good, interesting AARs around lately. Yours, Quintus's Pergamon AAR, Centurio's Makedonian one, divulse's Roman AAR... there's always MAA's AAR. I'm just wondering what's up with Chirurgeon- he hasn't posted in forever!

Thank you for the mention.

Yes, Swordmaster should definitely keep it up. What is quite funny is that in my Mak campaign, the Seleukids just recently conquered most Parthian lands. That must be an omen!




Maybe I should also mention that they lost whole of Syria and Babylonia to the Ptolemies?

[Swordmaster]

Keep it up! I like this AAR.
Seriously, there seem to be so many good, interesting AARs around lately. Yours, Quintus's Pergamon AAR, Centurio's Makedonian one, divulse's Roman AAR... there's always MAA's AAR. I'm just wondering what's up with Chirurgeon- he hasn't posted in forever!

Thank you! Yes, quite some AARs going. Exams are over for me, as they must be for others, too.

[Swordmaster]

Thank you for the mention.

Yes, Swordmaster should definitely keep it up. What is quite funny is that in my Mak campaign, the Seleukids just recently conquered most Parthian lands. That must be an omen!




Maybe I should also mention that they lost whole of Syria and Babylonia to the Ptolemies?

An omen indeed! But Theodoros is slightly better at handling the Ptolemaioi. Asia Minor, however, will remain problematic for quite some time.

Thanks everyone for the comments so far, it's good to see all these encouragements.

[Swordmaster]

8. A general is lost

The winter of 245-244 BC had been a particularly mild one, and had brought little snow to the plateau. Alexandros' men had been in good shape since last year's victories, and even the otherwise taciturn Anaxambritos was full about repeating the success of that season. He urged Alexandros to make full use of the strategic and moral advantage they had gained last year, and not to let their foe recover. On top of that, Theodoros had not been completely clear with his orders, and so it was that Alexandros decided not to wait for his reinforcements and commence the new campaign season.

They broke winter camp shortly before spring, a fine layer of frost covering the grassy plains. From Susa they marched eastwards and then turned north to advance through the mountain passes into Khoarene. The mountains were bleak and bare, and as soon as they had left Susiana behind, icy winds started pestering the marching column. Once across the passes, a large Parthian force was scouted, heading towards them. Alexandros decided to wait for them among the hills.


The Parthians, led by Ariyavand, had known all the time about his advance. Aware of Alexandros' continuing lack of cavalry, King Arsakes had sent a force of his most cherished veteran kataphraktoi and horse archers to supplement Ariyavand's infantry.


Alexandros' archer line was weaker than before. Some of the mercenaries had left, not wanting to leave Susiana.


The Parthians came marching through the hills.


Many well-armoured horse archers.


More than 5,000 kataphraktoi.


The Syrians had to watch how they were outflanked. The archers were powerless against the Parthians' armour.


Alexandros' tactic was to keep the cavalry busy while his phalanxes manoeuvred into position. So vastly outnumbered, it was a brave and honourable idea.


Most of the phalangites had to abandon their immobile formation and fight with swords. Strength through number and valour could grant them victory.


As long as Alexandros' and Anaxambritos' bodyguards held against the kataphraktoi, the Syrians were winning.


But even the spearmen were unable to overcome their opponents as quickly as they should have.


Neither were the pezhetairoi.


The Parthian infantry was torn limb from limb.


Some kataphraktoi were routed; Alexandros chased them down.


Roughly at this moment, the balance swung towards the Parthians' advantage.


Alexandros disappeared from his soldiers' sight at some point, and deeming their general fallen, a general rout ensued.


Alexandros returned instantly, but lost trace of his men in the woods.


Anaxambritos had lost all his companions.


The Parthians were able to give due treatment to their wounded, and many recovered.

While Anaxambritos caught up with most of the routers and led them back towards their previous encampment, Alexandros remained missing. The general had fled northwards, and came out of the woods onto the plains of Khoarene, where he was sighted by the Parthians. They captured him and brought him to their capital Hekatompylos, where he remained a prisoner at Arsakes' court.

===

Next: The basileus himself comes for the Parthians.

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

Another forced loss?

[Swordmaster]

Another forced loss?

It was going well for quite a while, much to my amazement. But in the end there were too many of them. So, no, I really lost that one, unlike the other one where I ordered a retreat while there was still a possibility to win. Try winning against 5 units of kataphraktoi and 5 of armoured horse archers without decent cavalry. Of course, I had to encourage Arsakes a bit to send these towards Alexandros .

I'm actually trying to get the Seleukid reforms, to no avail so far.

[General Appo]

That might be because 2 different generals have to lose against a Cata-faction before you can get the reforms.

[Swordmaster]

That might be because 2 different generals have to lose against a Cata-faction before you can get the reforms.

Hehe, I'm not gonna spoil whether or not I'm losing a battle again in the coming years, nosy parker.

[Swordmaster]

9. Second stage of the Parthian War: Theodoros' campaign


A little map of Alexandros' ill-fated campaign.

When Anaxambritos got back in Susa with the remainder of the troops, some 4,000 men, Theodoros had already arrived. The basileus had assembled an army that was far better prepared for the task of taking on Parthia. His phalanx was smaller by one third, and instead he had brought a reliable detachment of 6,500 archers and a cavalry wing of 2,000 in addition to his own massive 4,000-strong body of companions. Together they made a 30,000-strong army, ready to encounter the Parthian threat with efficiency and impression.

Theodoros had been quite successful persuading proper men of arms to join his cause. His force of companions was exceptional, however. Never again would a Seleukid king find so many men willing to fight for him.

Anaxambritos recounted Alexandros' tribulations of late, not eschewing the occasional exaggeration, and Theodoros was slightly worried about the loss of his most loyal general. Not out of compassion, of course, but the basileus knew that there were few men - if any at all - he would have trusted with such a large army at their command as he had trusted Alexandros. Now he would have to put his power-hungry son in charge of a second army should he need one, a feat he decided to postpone as long as possible.

Aware of his somewhat precarious situation, Theodoros made haste and left Susiana before winter. He had sent Anaxambritos and his men back to Babylon, avoiding the circulation of hairy tales through his army, and tried to keep his men's spirits up despite the long march through desolate and inhospitable lands. His route went through Media and then north towards the Hyrkanian sea, avoiding Khoarene. An entire season passed without action, and it took until summer and Theodoros crossing into Khoarene from the north that a Parthian force would show up.


At last the king got to see those terrible nomads.


But the only terrible thing on the battlefield was his own superiority.


The fight was extremely short.


The basileus had but little chance to test his men.



If these were really those fearsome Parthians, their end was near. But it was obvious to him that they had been mere levies, bereft of any proper cavalry support. Indeed, that very summer he received the news that an army of cataphracts and horse archers had entered Margiana and Aria, and that the once loyal provinces had deposed their Seleukid governors and sought protection from Diodotos of Baktria.



But however repulsed Theodoros had been when his father had allowed Sogdiana and the splendid city of Alexandreia-Eschata to do exactly the same thirty years ago, he now realized that little could be done against the growing power of the Baktrians, until he showed up in person at Diodotos' doorstep. Yet there was no formal war between him and the rebellious satrap, and until the Parthians were contained, Diodotos had to wait.

===

Next: Theodoros versus Shapourvaraz and his kataphraktoi.

[Timoleon]

Just a question: Why did you prefer Lonchophoroi Hippeis? I would think that Prodromoi or something "lighter" would be better against these horse-archers.

[Subedei]

Thrilling! Again....me like Katas..... Good luck to you!

[Happy balroae]

great aar and good to see the parthians in battle.
also like that it doesnt always go your way and what has happened to alexandros when you said he was captured has he died or is he still alive and your role playing him being captured

[Swordmaster]

Just a question: Why did you prefer Lonchophoroi Hippeis? I would think that Prodromoi or something "lighter" would be better against these horse-archers.

Actually, you need quite heavy cavalry if you don't want to be eaten by cataphracts. The Lonchophoroi haven't really disappointed me, I must say. They may be the awesomest unit in my armies nowadays.

[Swordmaster]

great aar and good to see the parthians in battle.
also like that it doesnt always go your way and what has happened to alexandros when you said he was captured has he died or is he still alive and your role playing him being captured

Alexandros is alive, but I haven't a clue as to why the Parthians didn't kill him. Perhaps they mistook him for Theodoros' son or something.

[QuintusSertorius]

Actually, you need quite heavy cavalry if you don't want to be eaten by cataphracts. The Lonchophoroi haven't really disappointed me, I must say. They may be the awesomest unit in my armies nowadays.

They're the bodyguard unit for Hellenistic Mercenary Generals, and I have to agree that they don't disappoint. While I do love my Thrakian Prodromoi, when something a little heavier is required they fit the bill adequately.

[Swordmaster]

10. Intermezzo: Intervention in Aigyptos

While Theodoros was having fun in Parthia, the civil war in Aigyptos ran out of hand. Lysimachos had been suffering loss after loss, and Leontiskos was on the brink of landing the final blow. The latter's army had grown into an impressive force including war elephants and a large contingent of elite phalangitai, while most of Lysimachos' troops had been dispersed and decimated.

The Seleukid king had no choice but to come to Lysimachos' aid, unless he wished a powerful man to gain the Aigyptian throne and make a united realm march against their eastern neighbour. He struck a deal with Lysimachos and sent his son Seleukos in charge of a well-equipped army, accompanied by one of his close trustees, Nikolaos Apameas. The idea was to set back Leontiskos, annul his recent gains, but retreat before he was decisively defeated in order to leave the civil war undecided and the country divided.

Seleukos set out from Antiocheia early in 242 BC. Among his forces were some of the best-trained men of the country, most of which would become attached to him personally for decades to come. The heir had a phalanx of 15,000 Greeks, of which half were drawn from the kleruchoi ranks. The other half were pezhetairoi, of which one third were elite veterans from former campaigns. The phalanx was augmented by some 7,600 spearmen, of which 4,400 were Greeks and 3,200 were Babylonians. Of the Greeks, a good 1,000 were drawn from the heavily-armed royal elite which Theodoros had started training. Then there were 2,800 peltasts, of which 1,200 were Makedonians, a gift from Alexandros Argeades to strengthen the bonds across the Aegean. This main army was supported by 1,600 Persian archers and a cavalry wing of 4,700 Greeks.


Seleukos met his foe on a spring evening on the east bank of the Neilos, not far from Memphis.


He lined up conservatively, even though he knew Leontiskos had elephants.


Except, his phalanx was the other way round: elites on the left.


Kings will be kings, even when they're princes still, and Seleukos wanted to make a big impression on the Aigyptians with his elite thorakitai.


Leontiskos arrived, his phalanx instilling anxiety to some of the green troops.


The elephants were on the Ptolemaic right, much to Seleukos' anger. It seemed that Leontiskos had foreseen his lining up the argyraspidai on the left.


As the enormous beasts charged, the elite phalangitai were faced with a tough choice; both holding and breaking the formation carried a serious risk.


Their commander chose the latter.


The elephants continued rolling up Seleukos' phalanx, forcing two more units to break.


Meanwhile on the other end of the scene, Seleukos himself was caught in a drawn out confrontation with Leontiskos' elite cavalry.


But when the elephants had deemed the elite thorakitai a better chase than the phalanx, the battle turned to the Seleukids' advantage.


The phalangitai on the left could rearrange as Nikolaos kept the Galatians busy.


When he came to appreciate his plight, Leontiskos decided to take the honourable way out.


Those already wavering now routed.


Thus ended the fighting.


Those who had witnessed the confrontation acclaimed Seleukos a hero.

With Leontiskos dead, Seleukos had to be creative and draw advantage out of the situtation. Having a victorious army in the heart of Aigyptos could have enabled the Arche Seleukeia to subdue the whole of the Neilos a second time in less than twenty years, but its borders in an already overly precarious state, that would not have been a wise move. Instead, Seleukos was content to install Lysimachos on the Aigyptian throne in exchange for possession of Kyrene and Kypros, a deal the soon-to-be pharaoh was glad to accept.

It was a dismal time for the Ptolemaioi.

===

Next: Parthian Wars continued, as promised.

[Swordmaster]

I should add here that any suggestions towards the campaign or the AAR are always welcome. There's going to be a few more years focus on Parthia, and then all hell will break lose in the west, again. I think I'm gonna need to finish off a faction one day or the next if I ever want to keep my gains.

[QuintusSertorius]

I think you should push Baktria into their historical position in the far south-east of the map.