The Line of Ptolemy

[Roka]

Why would you give them Phalanx mode...

because otherwise they lose all cohesion when they engage an enemy, instead of the solid block of men that they should be, plus makes it harder defeat them

Because its his game and he wants them?

Anyways, ive been lurking here too. I like your progression Roka. Especially the linage you do of your family, I havent seen it before. Good to see that this AAR isnt dead.

thanks, i've got my next chapter on paper all that is left to do is to type it up, improve it and add in screenshots, maybe later tonight or early tomorrow

[vartan]

because otherwise they lose all cohesion when they engage an enemy, instead of the solid block of men that they should be, plus makes it harder defeat them

It's hard enough as is. Guard off, and attack is the way to go with hoplites as they are. Phalanx attribute will require guard on, phalanx on, and will be so slow, more of a liability than an asset.

See here as hoplites guard off attack and envelop (as that's what guard off results in) the Roman imperial center. Rome gets lucky here.

[Roka]

It's hard enough as is. Guard off, and attack is the way to go with hoplites as they are. Phalanx attribute will require guard on, phalanx on, and will be so slow, more of a liability than an asset.

See here as hoplites guard off attack and envelop (as that's what guard off results in) the Roman imperial center. Rome gets lucky here.

its not phalanx mode, they just form a phalanx automatically and march at their normal pace instead of marching with spears dragging in the ground they also form a solid block of men to fight the enemy AFAIK this is accurate with regards to hoplites

[Roka]

Chapter VI
The Second Syrian War (part I)

254-250 BC

The 28th year of Ptolemaios II reign was an unusually quiet year for the period. The only event of any real note in the realm of Ptolemaios was the birth of his son Lysimachos' daughter Nation.

The next year (253 BC) Terpnos, son of Meleagros and nephew of Ptolemaios II left Alexandria and joined the army of Pyrrhos. Also Ptolemaios gave his son Euergetes permission to recruit and equip an army. Euergetes would pioneer the use of the Thorakitai (a heavier variety of the Thureophoroi).



His 30th year in power was anything but dull however. Following a border dispute with the city-state of Halikanarssos and the Ptolemaic state of Pamphylia, ruled by Philanor Syrakousates from his administrative capital of Side, Ptolemaios sent his brother Meleagros to negotiate. A month or so later a wicker basket containing the head of Meleagros was delivered to Philanor Syrakousates. Infuriated Ptolemaios ordered Pyrrhos to prepare an attack on Halikanarssos. Pyrrhos' army wintered in Pamphylia and was ready to invade as soon as the campaigning season began. Around this time also a peace conference was held in Side between Pyrrhos and representatives of the Makedon king.

Early the next year Pyrrhos invade Karia and after small skirmishes advanced on Halikanarssos. Realising that the enemy garrison was too vast and that an assault would be highly costly Pyrrhos settled down to besiege the city. Almost at the same time a Seleukid army marching south from Kappadokia surrounded Tarsos, Euergetes' base of operations. Euergetes had supplied his brother-in-law almost 4000 of his Thorakitai for the campaign to Halikanarssos and now he found himself surrounded by an army inferior in number but vastly superior in quality. A man of actions rather than words all his life Euergetes refused to be “caged like an animal” and almost immediately he attacked the Seleukid force winning a decisive victory. The first battle of the Second Syrian War was won by the Ptolemaioi.



With renewed hostilities between the Seleukids and the Ptolemaioi, Euergetes realised that he would have the opportunity to test his new army much sooner than he anticipated and ordered all his regiments to converge upon Antiocheia. His plans are hampered however when 5000 of his troops are ambushed by a Seleukid force nearly 4 times larger. Around half the Ptolemaioi troops perished in this battle before breaking through and reaching Antiocheia. As winter fell news reached Ptolemaios II that Damaskos was besieged by the Seleukids. He immediately sent a despatch to Pyrrhos in Karia ordering him to lift the siege of Halikanarssos and return to Syria.



Spring of 250 BC saw Euergetes march south at the head of his newly formed army to face Seleukid forces in the south of Syria. Outnumbered and facing a very experienced opponent the new army of the Ptolemaioi were in for a baptism of fire.



Writing later Ptolemaios III (Euergetes) recalled the battle.

“My army was lined up with the Phalangitai in the centre, the Thorakitai protecting their flanks with Ioudaioi Taxeis on the extreme left and right of the battle line. When peace negotiations were successful with the Basileus of Makedon my father had recruited 1000 Hippeis Thessalikoi these were then given to me for service in my army. I left these men concealed in the forest to the right of my army. However the enemy general ordered a probing attack on my right flank and I had to use them much sooner than I anticipated in order to prevent my flank being turned. Eventually this attack was dealt with and I reformed my battle line ready to engage the main enemy force.



Soon the two lines were in close combat and I had to move my Ioudaioi Taxeis from the left to reinforce the centre. I then moved my bodyguard regiment out to the left to compensate. The battle ground to a stalemate as phalanx fought phalanx and the new Thorakitai were giving a good account of themselves everywhere except on the left flank were they were yet to be engaged by an enemy.



I received word that the enemy Strategos had attempted to turn the right flank of my army but had been stopped by a combination of the Hippeis Thessalikoi and the Asiatikoi Hippeis, however the commander of the Thessalikoi doubted he could hold much longer. Leaving a small contingent of cavalry on the left I raced across the battlefield hoping that I would arrive in time. Killing the enemy Strategos could knock the wind from the enemy army and dishearten them greatly. I arrived on the right flank to find my cavalry there close to breaking many of the Thessalikoi were dead or wounded and they were reforming while the Asiatikoi held the enemy. Spurring my mount on my regiment charged. With the added weight provided by my troops the enemy were being beaten back.



The enemy Strategos was wounded and fled the scene. Giving the Asiatikoi orders to pursue him and the handful of bodyguards he had with him. They found him a few hours later sheltering in a farm to the south of the battlefield. They gave no quarter to him or his bodyguards as they avenged the men that had died in the ambush the previous year.




As news of the withdrawal of the enemy Strategos spread, groups of Seleukid soldiers began to retreat, however the Phalangitai in the centre held firm. Eventually all but one group had fled and these men refused to surrender their arms. I ordered the Pezhetairoi to pin them while I led my cavalry round to the rear and charged. For the stubbornness they showed none were spared.”



Euergetes had just one the biggest battle of his life thus far yet he had little time to celebrate as he made towards Damaskos. His scouts began to run into refugees and the word was passed to Euergetes that the city had fallen. Not content with controlling the city the Seleukid general had let his men loot the city and many of the citizens had been expelled. Worse for Euergetes was the news that his close friend, Serapion Mariou Kypriakou had died in the fighting.




Euergetes spent the rest of the year in Syria preparing for the invasion of Koile-Syria.

Timeline of this Period:~


254 BC

Spring ~

• Stasikrates Philpterios comes of age

Winter~

• Nation, daughter of Lysimachos born

253 BC

Summer~

• Terpnos joins Pyrrhos' army
• Pyrrhos' army leaves Sinai

Winter~

• Euergetes starts recruiting his army

252 BC

Spring~

• Sophanes Soter and Hermias son of Meleagros come of age

Summer~

• Meleagros killed in Halikanarssos
• Peace Treaty signed with Makedon

Winter~

• Pyrrhos' army arrives in Pamphylia and prepares to invade Karia

251 BC

Spring~

• Tarsos attacked by Seleukid forces
• Second Syrian War begins

Summer~

• Euergetes defeats Seleukid army outside Tarsos

Autumn~

• 5000 men heading for Antiocheia are ambushed

Winter~

• Damaskos besieged by Seleukid army under Aribazos Lampsakou Troikes
• Pyrrhos recalled to Syria

250 BC

Spring~

• Kalippos, son of Meleagros comes of age
• Euergetes defeats large Seleukid army
• Damaskos falls

Summer~

• A syrian named Anthenor Theraios marries Hedeia

[Vasiliyi]

Good update, I like those quite times where you can rebuild and restore your kingdom.

[johnhughthom]

Nice, been waiting for you to update this. I remember in my one and only Ptolie campaign the Thorikatai became an integral part of my armies.

[vartan]

Nice, been waiting for you to update this. I remember in my one and only Ptolie campaign the Thorikatai became an integral part of my armies.

Aren't they just like TABs, even if not as strong? and theurophoroi are weaker thorakitai?

[Roka]

Good update, I like those quite times where you can rebuild and restore your kingdom.

yeah they are important to me as I don't want to blitz the map

Nice, been waiting for you to update this. I remember in my one and only Ptolie campaign the Thorikatai became an integral part of my armies.

I've been able to produce them ever since I took Antiocheia fairly early in my campaign but I was wanted to roleplay a sort of mini-reform with them and also with using Galatikoi instead of Ioudaioi

@ everyone thanks for reading and remember constructive criticism is more than welcome