From Basileion to Arche - An interactive Makedonian campaign/AAR

[Maion Maroneios]

Thanks Olaf As for the pic, don't worry I don't really care about votes and such. I just want your advise, I merely take part in the competition as to 'promote' my AAR in a way. Now that I think about it, I'll probably go with your choise (no offense here, machinor).

Thanks again guys, I'll write the next chapter soon.

Maion

[Tyrfingr]

Updatos! Pronto!

[Maion Maroneios]

Yeah sorry guys I've been enjoying my vacations this past week so no updates. I have prepared a good 3 already, so be expecting them today or tomorrow

Maion

[Maion Maroneios]

The Pergamon War – Part III

“Has he sent a messenger yet?”, Alkyoneus asked Antigonos.

“No Sir, no response from Eumenes whatsoever. Our last messenger was not allowed entrance to the polis either,” came the man’s reply.

It had already been 1 month since Alkyoneus and his army had been besieging Pergamon, but oddly enough Eumenes, the Basileus of Pergamon, seemed reluctant to have any kind of discussion with the Makedonian Basileus. This only filled Alkyoneus’ head with more unanswered questions.

(Picture of an ancient Pergamese coin depicting King Eumenes I of Pergamon)

The weather was quite sunny, with not many signs of bad weather, even though Cheimon (Winter) was close. There where, of course, the occasional drizzles and the chill in the atmosphere seemed to become intenser with every passing day.

(Picture of the surroundings of the polis of Pergamon)

As the days passed, Alkyoneus grew more impatient with the siege. He wanted to waste no time, though he knew that if he waited for much longer, he would have to postpone the assault until next year.

The reason of his reluctance to assault the polis, was because Eumenes didn’t make any moves to negotiate with Alkyoneus. As such, Alkyoneus waited for Eumenes to negotiate with him. If he attacked without negotiating, Alkyoneus would be called a barbaros and amoral.

While Eumenes seemed to buy time for his polis, Alkyoneus was discussing his next move with his lochagoi. After many hours of discussions and debates, the Makedones decided to give Eumenes a final warning: Negotiate or face obliteration.

A final messenger was sent, but he was, yet again, refused council with Eumenes or any of his representatives. As such, Alkyoneus ordered his men to take up arms and prepare to assault the polis.

The polis of Pergamon itself was governed by a man named Pyrrichos, due to Eumenes’ inability because of his age and health state. Pyrrichos was a very young man, though as Alkyoneus found out, brilliant and intelligent.


When both Makedonian armies where prepared and formed for battle, the air was filled with sounds of battle drums, auloi and trumpets. In Pergamon there was utter chaos: The streets where filled with paniced citizens and slaves, who where trying to get to safe places. Some philo-Makedones even started riots against Pergamon rule, which forced Pyrrichos to use his soldiers to keep order.

It seemed as if mighty Pan himself had unleashed his wrath upon the whole polis, with Alkyoneus observing the unfolding events from afar. He seemed satisfied with the effect of fear he caused, it fed the very depths of his soul.

When the order was given for the Makedonian armies to approach the polis, the tension from within Pergamon only grew by the minute as panic turned into desperation.

Upon coming within a few hundred feet from the polis, both armies came to a dead stop and remained silent for several minutes. Surprised, Eumenes observed from the balcony of his palace with interest.

At some point and to the north of the polis, Alkyoneus came forward on his steed. Accompanied by only his spear carrier, he came within spear-range of the polis and halted. He then unmounted his horse and took a few steps towards the polis. Every single man was holding his breath.

The silence was that heavy, that suddenly Alkyoneus’ booming voice caused many to flinch.

“Pergamioi! Since your Basileus had been such a coward as to not even face me on the table of negotiations, I decided to take things in my hand instead. From this day, there will be no Basileion Pergamou anymore. Your pathetic independency will end with the life of your Basileus, a coward that is better dead than alive.”

He then went over to his spear carrier, grabbed his dory and assumed throwing position. With a fluid and powerful movement and a mighty yell, he threw the dory towards the polis. The dory soared through the air and landed perfectly inside the polis, going over the reinforced wooden walls. The symbolic act was clear to everyone: Alkyoneus had claimed Pergamon with his dory, as Megas Alexandros himself had thrown his and claimed Asia.

When Alkyoneus rode back, the assault begun. The Basileus himself took all the cavalry from his army and rode around the polis towards Demetrios, while the rest seemed to retreat to a greater distance.


Alkyoneus ordered his Hypaspistai to hide in a nearby forest though, planning to use them for a quick assault.


When Alkyoneus reached Demetrios, the army to the south of Pergamon marched forward and the psiloi where ordered to shower the defenders with projectiles.



With most of the defenders gathering at the southern gates, Alkyoneus ordered several toxotai to fire flaming missiles at a heap of withered and covered with oil and naphtha grass. The heap quickly caught fire, with the thick black smoke indicating the northern army to launch an assault.

Climbing the walls with small ladders, the Hypaspistai entered the polis from an undefended part. Storming the polis, the Makedonian elites under Antigonos prepared to face the oncoming defenders. Antigonos had been bestowed with yet another dangerous task of delaying the defenders until main reinforcements would arrive.


The first answer of the defenders was a hoplitai regiment, which was met with an organized formation of interlocked shields and longswords.


The hoplitai where soon reinforced by a small unit of hippakontistai. The professional Makedonian soldiers found no trouble to keep the defenders at bay, swinging and stabbing with their longswords with deadly efficiency.


Another wave of defenders arrived, this time a considerable number of Asiatikoi Hippeis. Antigonos ordered his men to switch to their dorys, without breaking formation. With their spears, they stabbed against the newly arrived defenders.


Unnoticed by the Makedones, another force of Pergamon hippakontistai came from behind the Hypaspistai. As such, Antigonos was forced to order his men to break formation and switch to their longswords yet again.


The pressure that was applied on the Hypaspistai was so great, that many of them where secluded from the main battleground.

One of those men was Antigonos himself, who was pressed towards the walls of the polis by an asiatikos. The horseman stabbed repeatedly at the tired Dioiketes, who just managed to parry the blows. At one point though, Antigonos threw all his weight on his aspis, bashing on the horse’s neck and plunging his sword deep within it’s left leg.


Blood spilled from the wound, while the horse whinnied and the horseman fell with a surprised yell. When he fell on the ground, Antigonos jumped onto him and plunged his sword in his ribcage before he could react.

Fortunately for the exhausted Hypaspistai, a regiment of Makedonian sphendonetai arrived who drove away the last of the Pergamioi with a hail of stones. When the fighting was over, the battlefield was filled with hundreds of corpses, Makedonian and Pergamon ones alike.



On the other side of the polis, the Makedones had broken the southern gate and where pouring inside. Pyrrichos sent his light hoplitai at first, but they where broken by the mighty Makedonian phalangitai.




Upon wiping out the hoplitai, Alkyoneus ordered his phalangitai to advance towards the interior of the polis. Pyrrichos sent his own phalangitai next, though he very well knew they would have no better future than their predecessors.




The Makedonian pikemen where better trained and fiercer, though it was Alkyoneus and his somatophylakes that made the difference by hammering the Pergamioi. Not able to withstand such a formidable force, the phalangitai of Pergamon where quickly broken and cut down.



Alkyoneus and his phalangitai where now very close to the Agora of Pergamon, where Pyrrichos and the remaining defenders where stationed. Deciding it was time to act himself, Pyrrichos charged at the Makedones with his somatophylakes.

(Statue of Apollon, located near the Agora of Pergamon)


While this seemed a foolish move, it was really the best the Pergamon Strategos could do. His army was almost broken and Pergamon was about to fall. He could only hope to inspire the remaining Pergamioi to fight with valor for this polis.

The charge of the Strategos was fierce, many of them breaking through the sarissai upon coming in contact with the Makedonian phalangitai. Soon enough, Alkyoneus had arrived behind Pyrrichos and was charging his back.


The Pergamioi fought valiantly, sending many Makedones over to Hades. At some point, Alkyoneus came very close to Pyrrichos, the latter not seeming to have realized that. That would cost him his life, as Alkyoneus was soon right behind him. He slashed against the Strategos’ horse toppling it, after which Pyrrichos fell with a loud thud on the ground.


Once their Strategos was on the ground, the Pergamioi started routing back to the Agora. Pyrrichos was now surrounded by cheering Makedones, lying helpless and unarmed. Alkyoneus then unmounted and grabbed the Strategos from behind by his hair after removing his helmet. He then raised his kopis and slashed his throat, blood gushing freely from the wound. Another uproar of cheers on the Makedonian side, while Alkyoneus was wiping the blood off his kopis with his cape.


The last of the Pergamioi where quickly cut down to the last man, surrounded by all sides. In the end, there was no defender standing.


(Philadelphios delivering a fatal blow to a Pergamon psilos)


Alkyoneus’ victory was total and decisive, just as he had hoped it would be.

[Maion Maroneios]

The Fulfillment of the Prophecy

It wasn’t long before Alkyoneus and his somatophylakes stormed Eumenes’ palace, with the Basileus himself rushing forward on foot in search of his enemy. The few guards that where present within the palace charged at Alkyoneus, but he merely bashed them away with his aspis, after which they where cut down by his following somatophylakes.

Finally reaching the Royal Chambers, Alkyoneus kicked the door to Eumenes’ resting room, only to find the old man sitting on a throne-like chair facing the balcony. The room was empty whatsoever, so Alkyoneus entered and upon pointing the old man with his kopis, he boomed:

“Eumenes! I’ve been looking for you, old fool! Thought you could hide from me in this pathetic residence of yours? PAH! Surrender or die Eumenes!”

Eumenes slowly stood up (with some difficulty, Alkyoneus noticed) and turned to face Alkyoneus. His face was shallow, his skin grown pale and he had a very tired, almost deathly expression on his face. What Alkyoneus immediately noticed, was that he was holding an empty cup in his right hand.

“Ah, so we finally meet Alkyoneus,” the old Basileus mumbled.

“Indeed,” Alkyoneus said. “I decided to pay you a little visit, after you where so reluctant, or afraid one could say, to discuss with me.”

“Hmmm,” Eumenes said gazing at the floor. He then glanced up at him and Alkyoneus couldn’t but notice a faint spark in his eyes, pressumably a glint of his old authority and power.

“Alkyoneus, there is something I must tell you. I do not have much time left though, so try and listen to me carefully without interrupting me,” he continued while let out a series of light coughs.

Alkyoneus remained silent for some time, waiting for the old man to speak even though he knew what he was about to tell him. The prophecy that involved him seemed to linger in his dreams every night, filling his thought and blurring his mind. He needed to know the truth, he had to hear it from the man who was standing before him.

“As I said, there is something you need to know,” Eumenes went on. “Some time ago, I went over to Delphoi to consult the Oracle for reasons of my own. What I found out deeply troubled me, though I am a mortal man and must bow my head to the will of the gods.”

“I know, Eumenes. Your Strategos, Klaudios, told me all about it... Is it true?”, Alkyoneus interrupted the old man.

Eumenes nodded and started coughing more loudly, while his breathing seemed to grow heavier.

“Yes, it is true... I now know it is you who incarnates the Makedon of the prophecy, that you are the one who will spread Hellenism to the world anew. I do not expect you to believe me, just know that I wouldn’t have much to win by doing what I did. I virtually sacrificed my whole Basileion to fulfill this prophecy, I hope you can at least respect that...”

Alkyoneus remained silent, when something finally struck him, observing the man before him break in another outburst of loud coughs. The empty cup in his hand also fell on the floor.

“It’s konion, isn’t it? You’ve poisoned yourself, old man? You chose a painful and slow death over a quick an honorable one? Why, old man? Why all this mysticism? WHY?”, the Makedonian Basileus said.

Eumenes now started shaking violently, holding onto his chair in order to remain standing. His voice was now muffled and barely audible, as he replied for one last time:

“One day Alkyoneus... One day you will understand... In the meantime remember this... Never forget where you come from...”

He tried to say something else as well, but Alkyoneus couldn’t make any of it anymore. He just watched the old man wriggle and spasm as he fell on the floor, grasping his throat with his hands. He was slowly chocking to death and nothing could be done to save him now.

As if waiting for that exact moment, 3 of Alkyoneus’ somatophylakes entered with bloodied kopeis. The sight of the dead Basileus seemed to bother them little to no at all, accustomed to death in general. One of them went over to Alkyoneus and spoke:

“My Basileus, we where met with unexpected opposition. No casualties though Sire, just some injuries which our physicians will be able to heal.”

He then took a glance at Eumenes who was still grasping his throat.

“Konion, I assume...”, he remarked.

“Yes,” Alkyoneus said without taking his eyes away from Eumenes’ dead body. “He seemed to have drunk it when we stormed his palace...”

“I see,” the somatophylakas replied. “Sir, the polis is yours. What would you have us do?”

Alkyoneus seemed thoughtful for a moment, but after a while he turned and faced the man.

“Do the usual stuff, calm the population and declare the new state of things publicly. Send a letter to Pella and the nobles as well. I want things to go as smoothly as possible. As for the barbaroi...”

“I know Sir, raid their homes and expell them,” the somatophylakas replied and made to turn away and give out his master’s orders.

“No,” Alkyoneus said, making the man stop dead in his tracks. “Let them be, treat them the same as the rest.”

The somatophylakas turned around and seemed puzzled for a moment, but he quickly dismissed anything he had in mind. He merely nodded and turned out of the chamber, followed by the other 2 somatophylakes waiting outside.

'You’re growing soft, Alkyoneus,' the Basileus thought after a while. He smiled at that comment, shaking away the thought.

[Maion Maroneios]

Beginning of the Synedrion, Winter 254BC

With the beginning of Cheimon (Winter) of the same year, Alkyoneus traveled to Pella and called upon the Synedrion. It had already been 2 ears since the last meeting of the highest of Makedonian councils, and Alkyoneus believed it was time to discuss the future of the Basileion with the nobles.

Upon reaching the port of Thessalonike, Alkyoneus and his Hypaspistai where welcomed as heroes, praised by the locals and welcomed heartily. Alkyoneus went from Thessalonike over to Pella within half a few hours, where he was met with the warmest of all welcomes yet.

Everyone was execting Alkyoneus, their beloved Basileus, with impatience. Even many Synedroi where present at the gates when Alkyoneus came to greet him. After a few days of rest from the journey, the Basileus formally declared the beginning of the Synedrion for the year.

***

Everyone was excited about this meeting, as the Synedroi where entering the marble chambers of the Synedrion, chatting merrily with their fellow sympatriotai. Alkyoneus himself was in the front entrance, greeting every Synedros with a firm handshake and a smile as they entered the chambers.

When everyone was present, Alkyoneus went over to his throne and sat. The first to speak was Diophantos, who seemed serious as always.

“Synedroi, please be quiet for a moment. As you all know, our wise Basileus has called upon the highest of councils, the Synedrion, to discuss with you the affairs of the state.”

He took a small pause to eye the Synedroi from one side of the Synedrion to the other.

“As you know, our Basileion has managed to climb new heights from the last time we where gathered here sympatriotai. Not only did we dynamically enter the Anatolian affairs, but managed to bring down a great power, the mighty polis of Pergamon. Further details will be told to us by the protagonist of these events himself, our Basileus, Alkyoneus Argeades.”

Diophantos stepped aside, as Alkyoneus came forward to the pedestal by a wave of applause from the Synedrioi. Upon reaching the pedestal, Alkyoneus smiled and addressed the Synedroi with a casual, yet serious voice:

“Chairete, noble Synedroi! Our Basileion is now in a most favorable position, and from this position I have decided it would be best to have our meeting.”

“As you know, our forces have recently brought down the might of the polis of Pergamon herself, a major power in Anatolia and the reason for the uprise in the region as well. Not only did we win, but we wiped away any remnants of their old glimmer within less than a year.”

“With Pergamon down, our humble Basileion has reached new heights, as wise Diophantos correctly remarked. We took a major step from a regional power to one with international ambitions and a power to be recogned with. Our recent conquests have vastly increased our incomes and it is up to us to make good use of them.”

“First of all, I’d like to present you with the current state of our Basileion in the outside world. In our northern borders, the Thraikian tribes seem to move as we speak. They even went as far as calling upon a pan-Thraikian war council, deciding to punish Makedonia for treating barbaroi as they should be treated, meaning earthworms. Further details will be described to us by Rhemaxos.”


Some approving yells where heard by several Synedroi, but Alkyoneus was quick to stop them by raising his hand and waving, demanding silence.

“As I said, there are many Thraikian tribes who still have ambitions in our northern borders and who knows how much southern afterwards. I opposed them with help of our great Strategos in the making, Neikostratos, who currently resides in Nikaia for pacification reasons.”

“In the West, things seem to remain the same. There is an ever-present struggle between the forces of Rome and Karchedon, with the former seeming to prevail on land and the latter in the sea. Most notably is the fact that we got informed by our spies in the region that Sikelia, a land with a substantial Hellenic population, is threatened by the forces of Rome. The Romaioi have even gone as far as to oppose the ancient and mighty polis of Syrakousai as I have been informed, though their attempt was futile so far.”


“In the East and with the power of Pergamon gone, we have made ourselves new enemies. Word is for the Pontioi, who decided to foolishly invade our lands. With the help of a great Seleukid Strategos, Sarpdeon Syriakos, we managed to drive the Pontioi out of our lands and further cement our already strong alliance with the Seleukeidai. The Ptolemaioi seem to be more hostile towards us than usual as well, which may as well prophecise a future war against them.”


“In the South, things seem quiet. The remnants of the Koinon Hellenon still are present in a few islands as well as Krete and Rhodos, the latter remaining their capital polis and main base of operations. Due to a lack of funds though, the southern Hellenes have yet to make any moves outside of their already restricted borders.”


Alkyoneus took a short pause to catch his breath and recollect his thought. He then went on:

“Secondly, I would like to present you with our current economical as well as military status.”

“Regarding our economy, what I can say is that days are brighter than ever since many, many years. Controlling the mines of the northern barbarian regions and Anatolia as well as the trading ports of the shores of Ionia, has given us a huge boost of income.”

“While all this sounds good and positive, there are still dangers. Wealth gives birth to greed, mostly from our enemies, but there also is another great question that arises: How are we going to properly manifest these new resources to benefit our growing Basileion? That is what I’m willing to discuss with you today, Synedroi.”

“But let me get on to the next topic, mainly our military status. Our main forces are divided in a total of 2 armies, both currently stationed in the regions of Bithynia and Mysia respectively. They are our only standing forces, and are composed of highly drilled and experienced soldiers.”

“The rest of our forces are located in the various satrapeiai and garrisoned states of our Basielion as guard forces, as well as the north for protection against the barbarian hordes.”

After taking another pause, Alkyoneus waved to a nearby slave who gave him a small cup of water and took a few gulps before he spoke again.

“Now that I have told you what our situation is like as well as our economical and military status, I believe it is time for us to discuss our future moves. But before we get on with the discussions and debates, let me present you with a small list I have prepared myself. I am waiting for opinions and suggestions, as well as any other ideas that are are not within my list.”

“My proposals are the following:”

1. Further fortification of our northern borders with forces of your own choice, for a better defense against a future attack from Thraikian hordes
2. Placement of border guarding forces in the regions of Bithynia and Mysia of your choise, as to protect the regions from enemies
3. Increase of our naval might by ordering a building project of 1 or 2 units of ships in Athenai and/or Pergamon
4. Reformation of our main forces by including better equipped hoplitai and phalangitai, as well as capable cavalry units
5. Placement of a sizeable garrison army in southern Hellas to prevent future rebellion
6. Improve our infrastructure by spending thousands of mnai on building projects throughout the whole Basileion
7. Placement of a proper governor in the region of Aitolia, which is currently a garrisoned state governed by Makedonian soldiers under command of Thorax, the former Dioiketes of the Hypaspistai of the Royal Guard, and turn the region into a proper Makedonike Satrapeia.

“So basically, Synedroi, what I propose are several years dedicated in the progress of our Basileion and ceasement of every military activity. If this works, our Basileion will be even more sophisticated and able to answer to any threat henceforth.”

“So, Synedroi, I have told you all I wanted. Now is the turn for your voice to be heard, I’m eager to listen to your ideas, proposals and criticism.”

Alkyoneus then turned and sat back on his throne, observing the Synedroi and waiting for them to speak.

Here is a map of the current AI situation in my campaign, note this is off-character stuff:


For clarification reasons, I can tell you the guys in Illyria are (yet again, I'm beginning to feel sorry for them) the Epeirotai and will represent the Taulantioi that have (unified most of) the Illyrioi tribes. Reference of them will come later on, so don't take this information as given in your in-character speeches.