The Royal Council

[johnhughthom]

A small girl walks into the chambers beside an older man. She looks apprehensively around her, before smiling shily at the Basileus and waving to Alexandros. The man with coughs nervously, then speaks.

"Uh, a message from Leontiskos Thraikikos my Lords. Ahem."

He reads.

"I have sent my eldest daughter, Archetime, to court to be my representative whilst I am away. I am sure some of you may think a two year old girl unsuited to the position. However, in the few days I had back home recently, I noticed she had displayed behaviour that made her a perfect candidate for the Council, she likes to stamp her foot on the ground and demand what she wants. When she doesn't get it she whines about how unfair life is and sulks for days..."

The little girls grabs the parchment and pouts.

"I do not sulk for days, who said I do? I'm going to tell daddy to cut his head off!"

Pouting, the girl storms out of the hall, closely followed by the man.

[Ashurnasirpal II]

The doors to the Council Chambers open wide as Meleagros Ptolemaios, Chancellor for the past few years, arrives to submit his report. The man walks with his characteristic limp, his wooden cast sending sharp echoes through the shaded halls. He is followed by a small Egyptian native that scurries after him carrying bundles of scrolls and flanked by a richly adorned priest of Zeus-Ammon. Clearing his throat Meleagros begins:

"Fellow councilors, I am pleased to finally meet you again after three very successful years for our Kingdom. When I first took office, we were beset on all sides by enemies, but today, I am proud to say that by your actions we have managed to pull through a difficult storm.

First of all, our Basileos and his son have reconquered Damaskos and Tarsos and are now putting siege before the Seleukid's western capital that should fall within a season's time.

Secondly, we have beaten back their fleet through generous personal contributions, especially from Leontiskos Thraikikos.

Leontiskos Thraikikos has also been capital retaking the city of Paraitonion.

Finally, though we had to deal with some very minor rebellion and the loss of Side through Seleukid gold and treachery, our conquests and my efforts to upgrade our economic structures and to sign economic treaties has seen our treasury return to profitability.

As we now prepare to discuss the future of our Kingdom, I shall set down a few ideas to orient our deliberations:

1- Polyxenos Salaminios, our diplomat who has been traveling east, should continue in this direction and reach the Kingdom of Bactria who could prove a valuable ally against the sons of Seleukos;
2- Aiglanor Karanites, our new spy, currently in Edessa, should continue to train on easy assignments to sharpen his skills;
3- Our current Kerkuroi fleet should be either reinforced or disbanded, potentially, scrapped to permit the creation of stronger ships.

As for overall strategy, our position, though stronger, is still not secure. Two paths lay before us: either we push further into Seleukid territory in an attempt to quickly topple them or we try to sign peace with the Arche Seleukia and consolidate our base, namely, Numidia and Kyrenaia.

Personally, I suggest the second option. Though an all out race for Seleukid land might be tempting and quite rewarding, we risk spreading our forces quite thin. On the other hand, a slower approach would permit us to then assault the Seleukids with more armies and on more fronts, from a solid base in Egypt.

For that reason, I propose:

Law 2.1: That a Nomarchy be created in the Kyrenaica, first based on Paraitonion, but with the ultimate goal of including Kyrene and Ammonion, with Kyrene as capital. This Nomarchy would be headed by Leontiskos Thraikikos should he accept, or should he refuse, by a strategos named by our Basileos. The new Nomarch would be charged with completing the Nomarchy's conquest using the 1st Syrian Army.

Edict 2.1: That the first Syrian Army be retrained and reinforced to a total of 8 units.

Law 2.2: That the Nomarch of Upper Egypt be charged with the conquest of the southern settlements and that an army of 6 to 8 units be created for that purpose. The conquered settlements could be initially added to the Nomarchy, with the goal of eventually creating a separate Nomarchy in the south.*
*As Nomarch of Upper Egypt, I would most likely name another councilor strategos for this mission.

Finally, I would represent myself for the position of Chancellor, but would prefer if other councilors dedicated themselves to the more military positions of Trierarchos and Polemarchos, for I do not intend to command armies in the field.


This is my report and these are my propositions for the Kingdom. May Zeus-Ammon, blessed be his name, inspire our deliberations!"

[johnhughthom]

Leontiskos stands.

"Well said uncle, though I feel you overstate my role in our successes and forget my brother's. He may well have annoyed most of us with his demands, but none if us can deny the brilliance and bravery he showed defeating that rebel, Aigyptios, who threatened the heart of our growing domain."

[Paul D]

"Uncle, why do you desire for us to conquer the Kingdoms of Kush and Meroe? These states have lately been on quite reasonable terms with us, we have no reason to make war upon them. Nor do we have the resources to do so.

In addition, if we stop to consolidate our efforts against the Seleukids, we will lose the initiative. The Seleukids will not sit by and wait for us to regroup, they will attack us relentlessly when we stop our offensive campaign against them. Someone should lead an expedition into Babylonia and capture the Seleukid heartland, so we can force them to surrender and finally end this feud."

[johnhughthom]

Leontiskos stands once more.

"Hi coz, good to see you here. You are quite correct to worry about our resources, especially if we are going to be fighting on three fronts, as Meleagros wishes. Therefore I propose a slightly different strategy to Law 2.1. I had already planned to attack the region in question, and have permission from the Basileus. However, I feel I can conquer the potential Nomarchy without the use of state troops. If, that is, my brother wishes to help me. I have no wish to be a Nomarch, Alexandros would be a better choice. I suggest then, that the 1st Syrian become the army specified in Law 2.2 and Alexandros and myself be given free reign to create the Nomarchy of Kyrenaica, with a joint command and Alexandros to become Nomarch when the job is complete. This would be a lot cheaper than the strategy suggested by our Chancellor, though it would require Alexandros approval. I don't think there is any need to faff about with laws and edicts for it, just declare the 1st Syrian the Army of the Nomarchy of Upper Egypt and let the Thraikikos family do the rest."

[Ashurnasirpal II]

Meleagros laughs:

"Haha! That could be an idea. The Thraikikos are certainly a capable family! And headstrong! I am willing to reformulate my proposals to match this is Alexandros approves."

[LeoCordis]

I believe that no money and troops should be wasted on foolish pursuits in Africa. First of all the Royal Armies should be completely combat ready, as they are the most capable forces of finishing the war in a timely manner. I myself will be using personal funds to upgrade the abilities of my army.

I then suggest that my father marches for the Seleukid heartland to capture the profitable and grand cities of Seleukeia and Babylon. My Royal Army could head in a westerly direction and clear out the Seleukid strongholds in Anatolia. If both of these thrusts are successful it will be a big blow to the enemies economy and territorial possessions and would enable us to continue the war in anyway we see fit or demand a profitable peace.

As for the 1st Syrian, I'm sure it could be put to better uses. If the Thraikikos family wishes to use personal troops and funds to conquer provinces then so be it. I would not wish to see our own troops used in such a fashion with such a formidable foe on our northern border.