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Prologue
The lands of the Ferghana valley were inhabited by Greeks for centuries. Most of them descended from the Ionians of Mikra Asia. They were banished from their homes by the Persians after a failed uprising. In Ferghana however they continued their practices of trade and colonization.
The Makedonian conquest of Ferghana, marked a new era for the Greeks in the region. The new administrative center became Alexandreia “the Furthest”. The new rulers became engaged in a neverending conflict with the Saka confederation, north of Ferghana. Before the Ionian colonies where independent enough to stay out of war with their nomadic neighbours, although it took them lots of trade and tribute. But now they were dragged into a long-lasting, destructive war.
The Makedonians may have succesfully protected their regional capital Alexandreia, just south of the great Syr Darya river, they couldn’t control the whole region. Some Greek colonies north of the river needed to provide their own defences. The Saka conquest of Kangha posed a new threat to these cities. Scouts already reported some raiding parties were on their way to the Ferghana valley. Therefore a joint council was called to unite against the danger. One of the prominent speakers was a young man, aged twenty-eight, who went by the name of Theseus.
“I know we were called together here to discuss our answer to this
new military threat from the north. I wil adress this later on. Let us
first watch things from another point of view.
My grandfather, his father and his father’s father, all of them were
delegates from my town to this council. But they were never called
to unite against this kind of invasions or raids. Quite the contrary!
Their cities grew and prospered thanks to the trade with their
nomadic neighbours. Our nomadic neighbours!
Back then, these councils were called to unite against the Persian
king, against their own sovereign! They assembled to protect their
autonomy within the great Persian empire.
So my father, when he succeeded his father, defended in this same
council a stand-offish policy against the new monarchs of Babylon
and Persepolis: the Makedonians. But the majority of this assembly
voted in favor of a rapprochement to the heirs of Alexandros. So
my father sticked to their decision. He sticked to their decision until
he was slain last year battling an invading Saka army.
My father fell in a war he never voted for. He sacrifised himself for a
king he never truly respected. What for? For the unity of this council!
The Sacred Unity of our League! So when this council has reached a
decision, I will do like my father and stick to it. I'll lead my army
wherever we require it to be.
But now, within these walls, I will vote against another war with the
Sakas. I will vote for this council to denounce Makedonian claims to
this land, for subjection to the Saka king. I will even vote for joining
the Saka armies against the Makedonians - we can give them the fine
infantrymen they require.
This war we’re fighting now is not our war. It’s not even the war of
the Makedonian king, nor that of his satraps of Baktria and Sogdiane.
No, my honourable friends, most noble gentlemen: we are fighting
nobody’s war.”
But again the council voted in favor of the king; the loyal Theseus assembled an army to march up north.
A new Saka war was to be fought.
Contents:
Book 1: Haomavarga wars and Baktrian secession
The lands of the Ferghana valley were inhabited by Greeks for centuries. Most of them descended from the Ionians of Mikra Asia. They were banished from their homes by the Persians after a failed uprising. In Ferghana however they continued their practices of trade and colonization.
The Makedonian conquest of Ferghana, marked a new era for the Greeks in the region. The new administrative center became Alexandreia “the Furthest”. The new rulers became engaged in a neverending conflict with the Saka confederation, north of Ferghana. Before the Ionian colonies where independent enough to stay out of war with their nomadic neighbours, although it took them lots of trade and tribute. But now they were dragged into a long-lasting, destructive war.
The Makedonians may have succesfully protected their regional capital Alexandreia, just south of the great Syr Darya river, they couldn’t control the whole region. Some Greek colonies north of the river needed to provide their own defences. The Saka conquest of Kangha posed a new threat to these cities. Scouts already reported some raiding parties were on their way to the Ferghana valley. Therefore a joint council was called to unite against the danger. One of the prominent speakers was a young man, aged twenty-eight, who went by the name of Theseus.
“I know we were called together here to discuss our answer to this
new military threat from the north. I wil adress this later on. Let us
first watch things from another point of view.
My grandfather, his father and his father’s father, all of them were
delegates from my town to this council. But they were never called
to unite against this kind of invasions or raids. Quite the contrary!
Their cities grew and prospered thanks to the trade with their
nomadic neighbours. Our nomadic neighbours!
Back then, these councils were called to unite against the Persian
king, against their own sovereign! They assembled to protect their
autonomy within the great Persian empire.
So my father, when he succeeded his father, defended in this same
council a stand-offish policy against the new monarchs of Babylon
and Persepolis: the Makedonians. But the majority of this assembly
voted in favor of a rapprochement to the heirs of Alexandros. So
my father sticked to their decision. He sticked to their decision until
he was slain last year battling an invading Saka army.
My father fell in a war he never voted for. He sacrifised himself for a
king he never truly respected. What for? For the unity of this council!
The Sacred Unity of our League! So when this council has reached a
decision, I will do like my father and stick to it. I'll lead my army
wherever we require it to be.
But now, within these walls, I will vote against another war with the
Sakas. I will vote for this council to denounce Makedonian claims to
this land, for subjection to the Saka king. I will even vote for joining
the Saka armies against the Makedonians - we can give them the fine
infantrymen they require.
This war we’re fighting now is not our war. It’s not even the war of
the Makedonian king, nor that of his satraps of Baktria and Sogdiane.
No, my honourable friends, most noble gentlemen: we are fighting
nobody’s war.”
But again the council voted in favor of the king; the loyal Theseus assembled an army to march up north.
A new Saka war was to be fought.
Contents:
Book 1: Haomavarga wars and Baktrian secession
Chapter 1: Deposition
Chapter 2: Nostalgia
Chapter 3: Baktrian Affairs (Part I)
Chapter 4: Baktrian Affairs (Part II) - Coming up
Chapter 2: Nostalgia
Chapter 3: Baktrian Affairs (Part I)
Chapter 4: Baktrian Affairs (Part II) - Coming up
Looks interesting, I like it. As far as images go imageshack can be very unreliable, in my experience photobucket is better.
Images are on photobucket now.
Thanks for the advice. It's my first AAR, so I'm still learning these things.
Thanks for the advice. It's my first AAR, so I'm still learning these things.
I didn't start playing yet, I'm still thinking about the houserules and probably some extra modding.
I also have to learn to work with screenshots properly, I can't seem to get them right for the first post. I should learn to edit them properly as well.
So, if people got some tips for houserules, feel free to post, but I've already found quite a lot of topics with such information.
Also some advice on the images is always welcome.
Anyway, this is what I have at the moment:
EDIT: Replaced the houserules to the first post.
I also have to learn to work with screenshots properly, I can't seem to get them right for the first post. I should learn to edit them properly as well.
So, if people got some tips for houserules, feel free to post, but I've already found quite a lot of topics with such information.
Also some advice on the images is always welcome.
Anyway, this is what I have at the moment:
EDIT: Replaced the houserules to the first post.
General camera might be obstructive to take good battle-screenshots.
Some interestings housrules may be:
- certain rules for armies (no phalangitai or horsearcher - stacks, make balanced armies)
- certain rules for warfare: no mass-conquering. Destroy no factions , except if they REALLY make something terrible (f.e. mass attacking you for decades, assasinate an important FM or stuff). Better sack their capital, kill their Faction leader and then roleplay them becoming subordinates (by forcing them to be allies or a protectorate)
Some interestings housrules may be:
- certain rules for armies (no phalangitai or horsearcher - stacks, make balanced armies)
- certain rules for warfare: no mass-conquering. Destroy no factions , except if they REALLY make something terrible (f.e. mass attacking you for decades, assasinate an important FM or stuff). Better sack their capital, kill their Faction leader and then roleplay them becoming subordinates (by forcing them to be allies or a protectorate)
Originally Posted by SwissBarbar:
General camera might be obstructive to take good battle-screenshots.
Good point, abandonned that rule.General camera might be obstructive to take good battle-screenshots.
EDIT: The next update will be in about a week, when I have time to play. So those of you who saw any promise in the first post don't have to worry: it's not prematurely dead.
Chapter 1: Deposition
It has been some years since Patrokles was appointed Satrap by the Syrian king. He was sent to Sogdiane, a border region ever under threat from Saka raiders. Determined to secure the borders, determined to win prestige holding off barbarians, determined to launch his career from this easternmost wilderness, he accepted. The city of Marakanda excelled his expectations. It was quite developed, for it lay on some major trade routes from the east. He lived there in great luxury.
It was springtime, some fifty years after the death of Alexandros. Patrokles of Marakanda had long abandonned his early ideals, his former ambitions. Unable to stop Saka raiding in northern Sogdiane, he was forced to look for allies. He allowed some other peoples, most notably the Alans and the Massagetae, to dwell the steppes of northern Sogdiane. Their warriors would now defend these lands. That way he would only have to spill Greek blood in defense of southern Sogdiane. But this clearly wasnʼt the way of the Syrian king.
Patrokles was up north, meeting with the most important Alan leaders, planning a possible joint counteroffensive against some Saka tribes, when an envoy of the king arrived to say he was Satrap of Sogdiane no more. A replacement had already settled in Marakanda, with the city garrison on his side. Patrokles' Hetaroi were disbanded and returned to serve the usurper, Molon of Marakanda.
Patrokles' meeting with the Alan Nobles
But Patrokles decided quickly...
Firstly, he sent an envoy to his father-in-law, Theodotos Baktrios, Satrap of Baktria, informing him of his recent sacking. It is said that for Theodotos this massive loss of influence for his family was a breaking point in his relation with the Syrian king; that it was the prime cause of the Baktrian secession a few years later.
Secondly, he still spoke to the Alan leaders, told them about the Seleucid intentions to rehellenize northern Sogdiane. Most of them immediately returned to their tribes and furiously started to raid Seleucid Sogdiane. Exactly what he wanted. But a few of them were convinced to join Patrokles himself. A mix of Greek colonists and Alan nobles would form his new bodyguard. Fighting in fine Greek equipment, but using nomadic tactics, the Hetaroi Hippotoxotai were born.
Lastly, he sent his respected diplomat and life-long friend, Dion Nysaios, eastward. His goal was to make peace with the Sakas in his name, and in the name of the Satrapy of Baktria. This would clear their hands for an effective anti-Seleucid policy.
Patrokles himself would go to Baktria, where his father-in-law would give him a temporary office. From there he would just wait for an opportunity. This wasnʼt the end of his carreer, it was a glorious new chance.
It has been some years since Patrokles was appointed Satrap by the Syrian king. He was sent to Sogdiane, a border region ever under threat from Saka raiders. Determined to secure the borders, determined to win prestige holding off barbarians, determined to launch his career from this easternmost wilderness, he accepted. The city of Marakanda excelled his expectations. It was quite developed, for it lay on some major trade routes from the east. He lived there in great luxury.
It was springtime, some fifty years after the death of Alexandros. Patrokles of Marakanda had long abandonned his early ideals, his former ambitions. Unable to stop Saka raiding in northern Sogdiane, he was forced to look for allies. He allowed some other peoples, most notably the Alans and the Massagetae, to dwell the steppes of northern Sogdiane. Their warriors would now defend these lands. That way he would only have to spill Greek blood in defense of southern Sogdiane. But this clearly wasnʼt the way of the Syrian king.
Patrokles was up north, meeting with the most important Alan leaders, planning a possible joint counteroffensive against some Saka tribes, when an envoy of the king arrived to say he was Satrap of Sogdiane no more. A replacement had already settled in Marakanda, with the city garrison on his side. Patrokles' Hetaroi were disbanded and returned to serve the usurper, Molon of Marakanda.
Patrokles' meeting with the Alan Nobles
But Patrokles decided quickly...
Firstly, he sent an envoy to his father-in-law, Theodotos Baktrios, Satrap of Baktria, informing him of his recent sacking. It is said that for Theodotos this massive loss of influence for his family was a breaking point in his relation with the Syrian king; that it was the prime cause of the Baktrian secession a few years later.
Secondly, he still spoke to the Alan leaders, told them about the Seleucid intentions to rehellenize northern Sogdiane. Most of them immediately returned to their tribes and furiously started to raid Seleucid Sogdiane. Exactly what he wanted. But a few of them were convinced to join Patrokles himself. A mix of Greek colonists and Alan nobles would form his new bodyguard. Fighting in fine Greek equipment, but using nomadic tactics, the Hetaroi Hippotoxotai were born.
Lastly, he sent his respected diplomat and life-long friend, Dion Nysaios, eastward. His goal was to make peace with the Sakas in his name, and in the name of the Satrapy of Baktria. This would clear their hands for an effective anti-Seleucid policy.
Patrokles himself would go to Baktria, where his father-in-law would give him a temporary office. From there he would just wait for an opportunity. This wasnʼt the end of his carreer, it was a glorious new chance.
Chapter 2: Nostalgia
The journey across the steppes seemed endless. They were about halfway to Marakanda. But Patrokles didnʼt want to stop there. They would travel straight to Baktra, where his brother-in-law was expecting him. Message had come to him that his father-in-law had left on campaign. A campaign against some Saka intruders that threatened the access to a rich precious stone deposit. Patrokles didnʼt particularly like his brother-in-law, but that wasnʼt what bothered him.
In his mind he returned to Theodosia, a subject city of the Bosporan Kingdom. The place were he grew up. Patrokles descended from a Miletan merchant family. His ancestors fled to Theodosia - back then a Miletan colony - after they had actively supported the Ionian Revolt [499-493 BCE]. While Milete was ruled by a Persian tyrant, they could live free in Theodosia. But this freedom did not last forever. Some 120 years later the city was taken by a Thracian tyrant: the Spartocid king of Pantikápaion, Leucon [around 385 BCE]. The family stayed, but the memories of freedom were passed on from father to son.
When Patrokles turned sixteen [288 BCE] he decided to leave Theodosia. He left for Milete, the town of his ancestors. Milete hadnʼt been free ever since they left, but at least it was ruled by a Macedon king [Lysimachus]. Although he regarded the Macedonians still as barbarians, they werenʼt as bad as a the Thracians. Also the city of Milete had earned itʼs fame as a centre of knowledge. For an ambitious young student like him it was a good place to go to.
One barbarian king was replaced by another [281 BCE], but for the ambitious Patrokles new opportunities arose. Not only was he a clever and charismatic young man. Growing up in Theodosia he also knew a lot about Scythian culture, for these peoples often dwelled the lands of the Cimmerian Bosporos. The new king - Seleucos Nikator - needed men like him, because of his never ending wars with the far eastern Sakas, who were closely related to the Scythians. Full of confidence Patrokles travelled to Seleucosʼ western capital, Antiocheia. From then on things went fast. After three years [278 BCE] he was summoned by Seleucosʼ successor Antiochos. He became his adviser on Saka affairs. After five years [276 BCE] he succeeded in marrying into the family of Theodotos, satrap of Baktria. After seven years [274 BCE], thanks to the efforts of his father-in-law, he was appointed satrap of Sogdiane himself.
Patrokles of Marakanda
But donʼt be mistaken by this appointment: Patrokles and Antiochos didnʼt get along. He was merely made Satrap for his competence and his relations. Antiochos quickly noticed that Patrokles was unsoundly ambitious. Morover he disrespected his monarchy in particular and all authority in general. In short, Antiochos never really trusted him. Patroklesʼ oncoming policy towards the Sakas and the emerging poleis of Sogdiane only proved him right.
So in the end Patroklesʼ deposition wasnʼt a surprise at all. But it did strengthen Patrokles in his resentment against what he regarded as tyranny. And while the Syrian king lost his respect, he started to appreciate his nomadic enemies more and more. Off course this didnʼt just happen at once. Already in his youth, on the estates of his family near Theodosia, he gained some respect for the Scythian traders that came by. For the ruthless taxation of the Bosporan king on the other hand, he never felt any appreciation. But only after his deposition these feelings took the upper hand, partly because his growing respect for some of the Alan nobles. Also he began to more actively propagate the democratic visions his father taught him.
From then on Patrokles regarded a good barbarian as a Greek and a bad Greek as a barbarian - just like Alexandros. Only to him Alexandros himself and his tyrannic successors were barbarians. His Alan hetaroi or the Scythian traders of his youth on the other hand became Greeks.
The journey across the steppes seemed endless. They were about halfway to Marakanda. But Patrokles didnʼt want to stop there. They would travel straight to Baktra, where his brother-in-law was expecting him. Message had come to him that his father-in-law had left on campaign. A campaign against some Saka intruders that threatened the access to a rich precious stone deposit. Patrokles didnʼt particularly like his brother-in-law, but that wasnʼt what bothered him.
In his mind he returned to Theodosia, a subject city of the Bosporan Kingdom. The place were he grew up. Patrokles descended from a Miletan merchant family. His ancestors fled to Theodosia - back then a Miletan colony - after they had actively supported the Ionian Revolt [499-493 BCE]. While Milete was ruled by a Persian tyrant, they could live free in Theodosia. But this freedom did not last forever. Some 120 years later the city was taken by a Thracian tyrant: the Spartocid king of Pantikápaion, Leucon [around 385 BCE]. The family stayed, but the memories of freedom were passed on from father to son.
When Patrokles turned sixteen [288 BCE] he decided to leave Theodosia. He left for Milete, the town of his ancestors. Milete hadnʼt been free ever since they left, but at least it was ruled by a Macedon king [Lysimachus]. Although he regarded the Macedonians still as barbarians, they werenʼt as bad as a the Thracians. Also the city of Milete had earned itʼs fame as a centre of knowledge. For an ambitious young student like him it was a good place to go to.
One barbarian king was replaced by another [281 BCE], but for the ambitious Patrokles new opportunities arose. Not only was he a clever and charismatic young man. Growing up in Theodosia he also knew a lot about Scythian culture, for these peoples often dwelled the lands of the Cimmerian Bosporos. The new king - Seleucos Nikator - needed men like him, because of his never ending wars with the far eastern Sakas, who were closely related to the Scythians. Full of confidence Patrokles travelled to Seleucosʼ western capital, Antiocheia. From then on things went fast. After three years [278 BCE] he was summoned by Seleucosʼ successor Antiochos. He became his adviser on Saka affairs. After five years [276 BCE] he succeeded in marrying into the family of Theodotos, satrap of Baktria. After seven years [274 BCE], thanks to the efforts of his father-in-law, he was appointed satrap of Sogdiane himself.
Patrokles of Marakanda
But donʼt be mistaken by this appointment: Patrokles and Antiochos didnʼt get along. He was merely made Satrap for his competence and his relations. Antiochos quickly noticed that Patrokles was unsoundly ambitious. Morover he disrespected his monarchy in particular and all authority in general. In short, Antiochos never really trusted him. Patroklesʼ oncoming policy towards the Sakas and the emerging poleis of Sogdiane only proved him right.
So in the end Patroklesʼ deposition wasnʼt a surprise at all. But it did strengthen Patrokles in his resentment against what he regarded as tyranny. And while the Syrian king lost his respect, he started to appreciate his nomadic enemies more and more. Off course this didnʼt just happen at once. Already in his youth, on the estates of his family near Theodosia, he gained some respect for the Scythian traders that came by. For the ruthless taxation of the Bosporan king on the other hand, he never felt any appreciation. But only after his deposition these feelings took the upper hand, partly because his growing respect for some of the Alan nobles. Also he began to more actively propagate the democratic visions his father taught him.
From then on Patrokles regarded a good barbarian as a Greek and a bad Greek as a barbarian - just like Alexandros. Only to him Alexandros himself and his tyrannic successors were barbarians. His Alan hetaroi or the Scythian traders of his youth on the other hand became Greeks.
Those were excellent chapters, I'll be following this!
A good start and promising AAR, watching this... 
Very nice. I liked the story of how the Hetaroi Hippotoxotai came to be.
Thanks for the encouragements, guys!
The next three weeks I'll be busy making exams.
Seen the amount of modding I still need to do, it's not likely that I'll finish an update in those weeks.
So the next chapter will probably materialize towards the beginning of february.
The next three weeks I'll be busy making exams.
Seen the amount of modding I still need to do, it's not likely that I'll finish an update in those weeks.
So the next chapter will probably materialize towards the beginning of february.
...
Proceed.
Proceed.
I have started playing the campaign at last.
I've already got material for the next two and a half chapters; the images for the next one are already cropped.
Also I requested a change of name with the mods. So don't be surprised when the title of this thread changes into "The Ferghana Chronicles".
I've already got material for the next two and a half chapters; the images for the next one are already cropped.
Also I requested a change of name with the mods. So don't be surprised when the title of this thread changes into "The Ferghana Chronicles".
I'm looking forward to you next chapter.
As an author of three abortive AARs I am the last one who should be prodding anybody and I know all too well how much effort it takes to make one and how much real life interferes with such a project. But this one looks so promising that I just hope it is not dead already and I wish you best luck in making it endure!!! 
Originally Posted by V.T. Marvin:
As an author of three abortive AARs I am the last one who should be prodding anybody and I know all too well how much effort it takes to make one and how much real life interferes with such a project. But this one looks so promising that I just hope it is not dead already and I wish you best luck in making it endure!!!
I'm for that.As an author of three abortive AARs I am the last one who should be prodding anybody and I know all too well how much effort it takes to make one and how much real life interferes with such a project. But this one looks so promising that I just hope it is not dead already and I wish you best luck in making it endure!!!
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