From robbers to royalty, a Pahlav AAR.

**Maion Maroneios** · 10-21-2008, 03:03

Good start, john! I hope this will turn out into a very good AAR!

Maion

**Tristuskhan** · 10-21-2008, 03:04

Clean victories you had there, keep on going.

**gamegeek2** · 10-21-2008, 04:05

not more competition :)

**Tristuskhan** · 10-21-2008, 06:26

Originally Posted by gamegeek2

not more competition :)

There's room for two in the Wasteland

**Subedei** · 10-21-2008, 08:38

Ride on Parthia!

**johnhughthom** · 10-21-2008, 16:51

Chapter Two:The Empire Strikes Back (weakly)

Extract:

"I suppose my readers will be curious as to who I actually am, well, I was simply a messenger for a minor Satrap of the Seleukid Empire. After the rebellion I suddenly found myself an "Emissary" bringing messages to Kings, Emperors and despots. My first audience was with the governor of a Ptolemaic city in Asia Minor, I was able to gain cordial relations with the rulers of Egypt but unfortunately the alliance our King hoped for was beyond my ability to bring about, due to our differing relations with Baktria."

Keyarash gives us an small insight into the Royal family at this point of his story.

The King is a man by the name of Phrapates of the Dahae tribe (translated as "robbers"), it is assumed he is the Satrap who overthrew Seleukid rule in the previous year but Keyarash doesn't confirm this. He has a son, Arshak, and Harasp is either his son or son in law, again Keyarash is unclear. His grandson follows him in battle, but we are unsure of his name. Harasps' daughter is married to a man from a different tribe, the Zand, by the name of Hiyeramanesh.

Extract:
"The King had sought to punish Harasp for his unsanctioned actions, if he didn't others may use it as an excuse to pillage at will. However Harasp had become hugely popular, his victories in the previous year and heroic defense against the Seleukid attempt to retake Hekatompylos also showed him to be a gifted general. Pharasp spread a rumour that he had secretly ordered Harasp to attack Zadrakata to precipitate the rebellion, this meant he could leave Harasps actions unpunished and also made him look to be a cunning strategist. Harasp was strongly reprimanded in private, though, and told in no uncertain terms what would happen if he showed too much "initiative" again"

"Year two" as Keyarash called it was no less violent than the previous, a Seleukid army came toward Hekatompylos before being repelled by Harasp.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

The king and his grandson took an army north and conquered Marakanda and Alexandria-Eschate, though the king is not mentioned in the account of the taking of the latter city and may have stayed in Marakanda.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Hiyeramanesh then defeated an army just outside Zadrakata, it may well just have been a group of brigands as Keyarash spends little time on the battle.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

A Seleukid effort at retaking Hekatompylos was crushed by Harasp. Keyarash seems to mix up accounts of more than one battle here and it may be that Harasp actually had to defend two attempts to regain the town.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Extract:
"The Royal Family were divided at this stage, some thought the Kings taking of the cities to the north foolhardy. They would bring us into conflict with Baktria or the Saka horsemen, or even both. Leaving those cities for our allies to take would have left us able to concentrate on the Seleukids to the south. The King, though, felt we should destroy the Seleukid presence to our east and north, it would be easier to defend a smaller border against them. He felt the Baktrian alliance was strong and the Saka had plenty to occupy them before their attentions were drawn to us."