Here is the Kingdom of Macedon Description (long)

In this new age, man has replaced the Gods and Heroes of previous times. Now, only a few men are descended from those great beings. It is therefore the birthright of those few to rule over all others. The Great Kings Phillip and Alexander did this. However, with their deaths came the decline in Macedonian power and the rise of other empires. Will you shame Macedon, or will you claim what is rightfully yours!

Humans have occupied the region of Macedon since 7000 BC, making it one of the oldest in Europe. The settlements here would be vastly different to that of the Classic Macedonia. Early Macedonia was composed of various independent and warring settlements, like the Greek City of many centuries later. The early Macedonians were still a unique race though as they were related to the Greeks, but were barbaric as the neighbouring Illyrians.

The Greeks inspired classical Macedonia. Greek religion, mythology, language and architecture became more common the more they interacted with each other. Macedonian language was different from the Greek language, as Alexander's Macedonian commanders need translators for his Greek troops. Of course, native culture and behaviour was also practised. For example, King Phillip II got drunk several times and his wife's religion was Northern Macedonian.

In 800 BC, Canarus was the first King of Macedon, but ruled little more than the city of Argive. Macedon became a local power in the late or mid 600’s. By about early 500 BC, the Kingdom of Macedon conquered the Lower and parts of the Upper Macedonian region. It had then become a vassal to the expanding Persian Empire, and would remain that way for several decades. When Maradonius was defeated at Plataea, the Persians retreated.

After that, Macedon started to conquer other areas in Upper Macedon, and the Athenians realised Macedon’s increasing power. Of course, Both Athens and Macedon tried to destabilize each other, with Athens coming on top. By 400 BC, civil wars and pretenders to the throne were common. This stopped with Phillip II, who reformed the Macedon, culturally, socially, and militarily.

Militarily, Macedonia became a more efficient fighting force. Phillip was inspired by the Theban Hoplites at Leuctra to implement efficient equipment, training, and tactics for the soldiers. This meant the Macedonian soldiers fought in a variation of the phalanx formation. The soldiers had 5-metre Sarissa spears, with a small shield, along with light armour. This was opposed to the Greek Hoplite that had heavy bronze armour, greaves, a large shield, and a smaller spear. Phillip also understood the importance of tactics such as combined arms and flanking. All this combined meant that Phillip could now turn Macedonia into a great Empire.

He subjugated neighbouring areas such as the Illyrians, the Thracians and allied himself with Epirus. He also started by taking over Greek cities by trickery and force. Thessaly was taken before he embarked on his quest to conquer Greece, in 340 BC. This was done by taking over an important trade route. He fought the alliance of Thebans and Athenians at the Battle of Chaeronea, which proved the Macedonian army superiority over the Greek army.

Greece -except Sparta- was under Phillip’s control, and he prepared to take on the Persians. Unfortunately, Phillip was assassinated in 336 BC, and his son Alexander, inherited the Kingdom.

Alexander set out by subduing the Illyrians, Thracians and the nearby Greek City States. This meant Alexander could start his campaign to conquer the known world, in 334 BC. He won several victories against superior odds, liberated Egypt, conquered Babylon, and even penetrated central Asia and India. The death of Alexander in 323 BC brought the fall of his empire, as it was divided between his Generals. In Europe, Macedon and Greek region was ruled by King Cassander, but Thrace was ruled by King Lysimachus.

Under Alexander’s reign, the Greeks were subdued twice. Under King Cassander, the Greek cities managed to break away, and threaten Macedon. Cassander managed to keep Macedon together, but his successors did not. In the following years, the Greeks and Galatians threatened Macedon. Pyrrhus and Lysimachus even invaded the Kingdom, ruling it for a few years. Finally, Antigonus II Gonatus, descendants of the rulers of the Antigonus Empire, managed to free the Kingdom.

The Kingdom of Macedon has made its mark on the world. You have been shaped from lowly tribesmen to world conquerors. However, you have devolved into a regional power, but only because Zeus wants you to conquer the world again. You shall fulfill this task and you shall conquer all others!

The collapse of Alexander’s empire has been more disastrous than beneficial. The first thing you need to do is to gather your forces and build two armies, one in the north, one in the south. They will subdue the northern frontiers and Greek cities respectively. The armies will initially consist of lightly armoured Militia Hoplites, skirmishing peltasts and light cavalry. Your various spearmen are not as effective as they once were, but will still hold the enemy. Your elite army will consist of Royal Pikemen, Companion cavalry, and peltasts. Your foes will mostly contain similar pikemen, phalanxes, and heavy cavalry.

To the immediate south and east lay areas once part of Alexander’s empire. Your Phalangites should engage the opponent’s centre, while peltasts weaken their flanks. Heavy cavalry should rout the flanks, allowing ours to envelop and crush their Phalangites. Due to the lack of effective cavalry in the Greek Cities, your cavalry will not need to be reinforced. In the Ptolemaic and Seleucid Empires, the cavalry is more substantial. Both spearmen and cavalry may be needed in order to envelop and rout their powerful flanks. The Seleucid Chariots and Elephants can be dispersed with missile and reserve pikemen. With the subjugation of these states, Macedon will have reunified Alexander’s empire!

In the west and north lay the Illyrians and Thracians. They have semi-civilised cultures, from your rule. This is reflected in their armies, as they have ferocious warriors who will win in single combat, but also your pikemen. Thracian and Illyrian cavalry are also more formidable than that of the Greeks Cities so you may need to reinforce your flanks. Also in the north lie the Dacians. They are one of the more barbaric tribes out there. Their warriors can cut down many men, but your organization, discipline, training and skill will break these warriors. The Dacian army will also be enveloped by your superior cavalry and annihilated.

Also in the east lie the faction who use mounted archers along with shock cavalry to harass then break a foe. Therefore, large amount of horse archers, foot archers and cavalry are recommended.
Lands further west are inhabited by the Barbarians and Romans. The Barbarians will be defeated just as the Dacians were, while the Romans may be the biggest challenge yet. Cavalry are their biggest weakness and should be exploited as such. They should only be conquered after you defeat the east.

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