Anabasis Alkyoneos (246 – 230 BC)
Introduction – A Momentous Treaty
In the winter of 246 BC, Alkyoneus was campaigning in Mysia. He had set up camp within sight of the palace of Pergamon, the residence of the thriving Attalid rulers of the old and beautiful polis, when one day a messenger arrived. The following passage gives a good account on how it most likely happened, although the author might have exaggerated a bit.
Excerpt from Phylarchos of Athenai: Historiai, Book 12:
(16) The brave but unhappy Alkyoneus was in a melancholic mood when he laid siege to Pergamon. He felt this not to be his war. After all wasn’t it Antiochos who wanted to see the polis fall? On behalf of his old father, whom he hoped to follow soon on the throne in Pella, he fought this war instead of fighting his own. Against the polis of the twin wolves he wanted to march, that was his urge and that was what burnt in his heart. (17) Then one cold day a messenger arrived: “What dost thou want, herald?” the Prince asked. “Ο Βασιλευ,” responded he. “It is your father that hath died. I bow before you, Basileus Makedonias, and present you the compliments of the noble Synedrioi of Lower and Upper Makedonia.” (18) Upon hearing the news, Alkyoneus’ officers gathered at the King’s tent. “All hail to the Basileus! All hail Makedonia!” shouted they, and upon hearing the shouting, the Pezhetairoi and all the other soldiers gathered at the camp’s agora. Alkyoneus left his tent and mounted a wooden stand to address his troops: “Φιλοι! Εταιροι! Πολεμισται! [1] I stand before you as your Basileus. My father Antigonos hath died, and a greater Herakles hath yet to follow. But I shall continue my father’s work. Tomorrow, with daylight’s advent, we will storm the city of the Attalides!” And the soldiers greeted their king’s bravery with cheering and chanting, not knowing how many lives the day would cost.
[1] Friends! Companions! Warriors!
In traditional Makedonia, the question of royal succession was often solved with violence, and not seldom with civil war. The Diadochoi serve as a prime example. Alkyoneus knew this too, and his decision to storm Pergamon is best understood bearing this in mind. From a pure military point of view, his decision is bravado at best, but politically, it makes perfect sense. Underlining his newly gained kingship with a victory, and coming home ahead of twenty thousand loyal soldiers would leave no room for questions about Antigonos’ succession. However, the King’s decision would cost 5,000 Greeks and Makedones their lives, among them 3,000 Pezhetairoi at the least.
Alkyoneus’ plan was it to attack the city from two sides. One half of the Pezhetairoi, assisted by Thureophoroi, would attack the northern gate, whereas the other half would attack the western gate above the sea, within line of sight to the Makedonian island-stronghold of Lesbos. They were supported by ιππεις ταραντινοι (Hippeis Tarantinoi) with their javelins and Hoplitai. The Makedones at the northern gate were confronted by militia hoplites and εκδρομοι οπλιται (Ekdromoi Hoplitai). The ones at the western gate also had to fight these light hoplites, but additionally Thraikioi Peltastai that Ennomos had hired. The Thraikioi, as mercenaries in general, did not have to expect any mercy from the victors and fought determined. So many Pezhetairoi, who could only use their swords against the falxes, were killed, that Alkyoneus sent the Greek Hoplites in. Only through overwhelming odds did they manage to win against the Thraikioi.
The Greek Hoplites march unto Pergamon, the Makedonian fleet in the background.
The Tarantine Cavalry supports the assault with javelins.
In the north, the hoplites are no match for the Makedones.
At the western gate, the Pergamenoi put up fierce resistance.
However, it should get even worse when the Makedones had once overcome the initial resistance at the gates and advanced into the streets. Mercenary Phalangitai and Ennomos’ experienced personal cavalry managed to attack the phalanx at their vulnerable flanks and kill many. Eventually Ennomos’ horse was stabbed. The τυραννος (tyrannos, the tyrant) fell to the ground, where a Makedon took care of him and cut off his head. By midday, the battle was over. Seven thousand Makedones and Greeks were laying in the streets of Pergamon, and five thousand would not recover from their wounds. Alkyoneus had his triumph.
The phalanx advances towards the agora.
Many good Makedones meet their ancestors this day.
As soon as the favourable winds of spring blew, Alkyoneus set sail for Thessalonike, accompanied by a good deal of his army. Cheered by the masses, they marched into the Makedonian capital Pella. All members of the Argeades and all the nobles from all parts of the country gathered and honoured Alkyoneus. The last respects were paid to Antigonos, whose cremated remains rested in a golden λαρναξ (larnax, a small sarcophagus) proudly bearing the Vergina Sun. Then he was brought to Aigai, the old capital of Makedonia, most holy site and spiritual centre of the country, where he was finally buried in a traditional Makedonian tumulus, just beside Philippos’ one. Back in Pella, the Κοινον Μακεδονων (Koinon Makedonon, the general assembly) was held and Alkyoneus formally acclaimed as Basileus Makedonias.
Though Phylarchos states that Alkyoneus heart longed for revenge against the Romans, the historical evidence can neither support nor deny this. The assembly had not yet parted again when an envoy of Antiochos reached Pella. They too honoured the new King, but now urged for more direct support against Ptolemaios. Alkyoneus lamely responded that he would need a land border with the holdings of the Pharaoh in Asia to act effectively. The Seleukides instead offered free access to Lydia. Phrygia was unfortunately under the control of the Kingdom of Pontos that had increased his might at the expense of Antiochos and the Galatians. Their standing army threatened the lands of the Seleukides from the north. Alkyoneus knew this well and offered his allies a deal: he would go to war against Ptolemaios and against the Pontikoi and relieve Antiochos from the pressure of two fronts. Additionally, he would support him with more than 800 Talents of silver [50,000 Mnai or 21 tons]. In return, the Seleukides would cede Lydia and its capital Sardis to the Antigonids. Further, every territory acquired by the Makedones would stay in their hands – nothing would be returned to Antiochos.
It is not known to us what the King in Seleukeia actually thought of that proposal, whether he really accepted it, or whether he planned to strike back once the tides of war would have turned in his favour once more. One could well see Alkyoneus’ proposal as blackmailing, but in the end Antiochos accepted the proposal. His coffers were empty. His troops were fighting Parthoi, Pontikoi and Ptolemaioi alike, whereas the satrapies on the far banks of the Oxos river were either separating or being overrun by steppe peoples. After a brief year in Makedonia, Alkyoneus returned to Mikra Asia with fresh troops and set up administration for Lydia as a Makedonian satrapy.
A map of the Central Mediterranean in 244 BC. Capital letters indicate independant subjects. B. = Basileion (Kingdom).
In the end of 244 BC, Alkyoneus had already recruited two ταξεις (taxeis, regiments) of militia hoplites in the city. Additionally, twelve thousand former slaves and other urban rabble were at his disposal. They were useful in keeping the population in check and should soon be replaced by real soldiers. The King’s son and inheritor Perseus was only a week’s journey north with fresh forces, among them γαλαθραικες (Galathraikes) and κελτοελληνικοι οπλιται (Keltohellenikoi Hoplitai), recruited amongst the recently subdued peoples of eastern Thraikia. The allied general Alexandros Syriakos, the former Seleukid governor of Sardis, had set up camp just a few miles south of the city – with 6,600 Gallic and Hellenic mercenaries under his command – when he was attacked by a 25,000 strong army of the Ptolemaioi.
The enemy had recognised the good opportunity. His troops consisted of more than 17,000 Phalangitai, κληρουχοι (Klerouchoi) mostly, but also Pezhetairoi and the élite κληρουχικων αγημα (Klerouchikon Agema). They were supplemented by Galatian mercenaries, Toxotai and troops native to Karia which were called Uazali. Alkyoneus was first reluctant to enter the fight, since his troops were so humble, but he surely couldn’t afford not to. The urban rabble occupied the Egyptian élite for a while, whereas Alkyoneus and his σωματοφυλακες (Somatophylakes, the bodyguards) proved their bravery and managed to kill many of the lower ranked enemies. He brought more than 15,000 to the field, but only 4,000 returned to Sardis. From Alexandros’ 6,500, few more than 500 survived. But although the Ptolemaioi could hold the field and win the battle, in truth they were the losers. Only 13,000 troops were left, and laying siege to Sardis was rendered impossible. So began the Ptolemaic War, and it should last for 29 years.
AW: Re: The Anabaseis of the Kings of Makedonia
Originally Posted by Africanvs
Thank you very much. Yes, I think I have found a good way of adding a little flavour to it, but not inundating or disrupting the text too much. But Maion is the one who provides me with the correct words!
7x
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