The Road to Immortality: An Arche Seleukeia AAR

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 4: Sleight of Hand
Summer 271 BC


"By the breaking in of enraged merciless armies, flourishing countries have been laid waste, great numbers of people have perished in a short time, and many more have been pressed with poverty and grief"

"Impressive sight isn't it brother?" Theodoros whispered. Alexandros did not reply but stood there fixed on the sight below him. The sight of 30 000 men marching under the silver banners. A beautiful sight
The brother's mission became clear as soon as they arrived in Antioch. An enormous camp with countless soldiers awaited them at the great city. This was not another squabble over Cole Syria. This army had one purpose, To drive into the the heart of Egypt itself

Alexandros and Theodoros both knew that if they marched down the coastal road, the Ptolemies would immediately send aid to Sidon. Instead they would do the unexpected. The marched their army into Cole Syria intending to march on Sidon from the desert, an extremely risky move considering how close it brought them to the hostile city of Palmyra

They would arrive in 2 weeks. The Ptolemies dont stand a chance against this army, thought Theodoros. What nation could?

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 5: The Fate of Merchants
Summer 270 BC


"Money is the ultimate form of power, said the old man. After a minute of thought the boy asked. Then why do generals command men?"

Attalos and Sarepedon sat on their horses side by side watching the Greek army slowly approach
"That's a big army" muttered Attalos
"You put too much stock in numbers lord Attalos, as do those merchants we are facing now."
The Greeks began to increase their pace, shouting their war cries.

"Men brace yourselves!" ordered Attalos. The shields of the Karians and Celts locked together. Chaos erupted as the two lines clashed
"Sarepedon, with me!" commanded Attalos and the 800 elite cavalry moved to flank the enemy. Their charge was overwhelming and an entire battalion of enemy hoplites routed. They gave chase for a few hundred metres and then turned around for a second charge. This time the entire Greek army ran for the safety of their walls. The Seleucids gave chase all the way up to the gates of the city. When they arrived they found open gates. The Greeks had surrendered. Rhodes, the prize of Asia minor was now theirs

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 6: Enemy at the Gates

So much had happened in the last year thought Theodoros. The attack on Sidon had been an overwhelming Success. The siege of Jerusalem was also a quick but bloody affair. Now came the hard part. As Theodoro's army set foot on the soil of Egypt they all began to fear. What did the Pharaoh have in store for them? They would face fierce resistance. After all they were going for the jewel of the Mediterranean. They were going to capture Alexandria itself.
"No matter" thought Theodoros,"Let all of the hosts of the Nile come. They will all fall..one by one"

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 7:The Burning City
Winter 269 BC

“The most shocking fact about war is that its victims and its instruments are individual human beings, and that these individual beings are condemned by the monstrous conventions of politics to murder or be murdered in quarrels not their own”

The fires had subsided but the air still smelt of burnt flesh and death. Theodoros stood on the walls of the great palace of Alexandria, overlooking the city he had just destroyed. It had been Alexandros' reasoning which had lead them down this path. If they wanted to destroy the Ptolemies, he argued, then they must break their spirits and instill as much fear as possible. This led to over a week of slaughter in which 100 000 citizens were killed. Surprisingly the Pharaoh himself wasn't in the city which meant the war wasn't over. They would have to drive deeper into Egypt.

"Can't sleep?" a voice behind Theodoros startled him. He turned around to see his companion Demetrius standing behind him
"I keep seeing the faces of all those we slaughtered. The young girl, The butcher, The farmer and his wife.."
"My lord, it was a necessary action. I have fought many wars with your father before I served you and I assure you that there was nothing pleasant or noble done by either side. It is a burden which all Kings have to face. Your father spared many cities but only to win favor with his mercy."
"But all those innocent people..."
"I'm afraid my lord that in a war like this, you must see those innocent people as potential soldiers and recruits for the Ptolemies. Alexandria is the Key to controlling Egypt. If we had not massacred the population, they may have revolted. Now even if they retake Alexandria, they will never be as strong as they once were."
"You're right Demetrius. I suppose I will have much more blood on my hands in future.."
"You look tired my Lord. You should sleep. Tomorrow we need to begin reorganizing the city's government and to raise a strong garrison before we leave the city."
"Yes your right."
Theodoros began walking to the palace quarters. He paused and looked back at the city one more time. Then he continued walking. The thoughts which had assaulted him earlier had all but vanished from his mind

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 8: The City that dreamed of being a Kingdom
Summer 267 BC

"War is the continuation of politics by other means"

"Magnificent walls aren't they?" Sarpedon asked his companion Areus
"Yes my lord. Although it's a shame we're the ones who have to scale that thing"

The two men sat on their horses observing the walls of Pergamon, and old enemy of the Seleucids. The defiant Pergamese under the rule of Philetaerus had dared to break away from the empire when it seemed weak. No matter thought Sarpedon. In a few months they would cease to exist. Antiochus had sent Sarepdon the message while he was in Rhodes asking Sarpedon to gather a force and crush Pergamon. Antiochus had also explained that the Macedonian fortress of Mytenile was under siege by the Pergamese general Alkibiades. By attacking Pergamon they would both increase their influence in Asia Minor and gain the good graces of their Macedonian allies.

"We wont need to scale those walls, they will come out to fight."
"How do you know that my lord?"
"Because i've planned it this way"
Areus looked puzzled so Sarpedon explained further.
"The Pergamese have the most professional, flexible and diverse army in Asia Minor while i've gathered a force of levies"
"So you think they will attack thinking we are weak?"
"Precisely. But we are not weak. After our recent victories the fire of Seleucus and Alexander has been rekindled in our troops. The Pergamese will find a tougher adversary than they expected. Soon my friend they will come out to meet us. And we can destroy them in one fell swoop."

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 9: The Gift of Magas
“So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth."

Theodoros and his guards walk into the Palace of Cyrene. There sitting of the throne, his brother in Law Magas, King of Cyrene greets him.

"Welcome Prince Theodoros. We are honored to have you in our city."
"I am honored to be here" replied Theodoros
"Your attack on Egypt came in the nick of time. A few more months and the Ptolemies would have overrun us."
"I am glad to be of service. But I am here to renew our alliance treaty."
"Ah alliance...Perhaps that is something better discussed in a more private setting"

Magas lead Theodoros to his private chambers. Theodoros started to speak
"It is in our best interests to secure another military alliance with your Kingdom. We will fight the Ptolemies together and split their lands accordingly"
"My prince...What is an alliance tell me."
"Well..Its a mutual treaty between two nations that states aid should be exchanged between the two."
"Yes. Precisely. Two nations. Would an alliance between two Kingdoms be stronger than a single Kingdom with the strength equal to both of these Kingdoms combined?"
"No i suppose not. If it were a lone Kingdom it would be more organised and the entire Kingdoms' resources would be directed in its best interests whereas in an alliance, support is not always guaranteed."
"Exactly right. My Prince. For too long my Kingdom has been isolated. A lone city between the powerful nations of Egypt and Carthage. It has been like this since the founding of Cyrene. I do not want my people to be isolated anymore. You offer me an alliance? I offer you the Kingdom of Cyrene. We wish to join your empire so in the future, if any enemies attack us we will not have to face them alone."

Theodoros was speechless
"You would give up your sovereignty to us?"
"Yes I would. My son Philon died attacking the Ptolemies. I have no other sons and i am nearly 60 years old. When I die a civil war will begin which will further cause suffering to my people. It is best if i bequeath the Kingdom to you."
"Well in that case Magas. We will accept. From this day on to the end of all days the Seleucid empire will protect your people and your country. Any nation that has ill intentions towards your people will face the full wrath of the Seleucid Empire."

A single tear slid down Maga's face.
"Thank you", the old man replied

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 10: Call of the Desert
Summer 265 BC

“You should not see the desert simply as some faraway place of little rain. There are many forms of thirst.”

The troops gathered around their prince as he began to speak
"My men, you may be wondering why i have brought you to the edge of this great wasteland. Simple. We are going to cross it."
The troops began to murmur.
"We are going to cross because on the other side we will find the oasis of Siwa, The oracle of the Gods. After all Megas Alexander crossed the desert with his army. We are his descendants. Why shouldn't we?"
His troops cheered and Thedoros smiled. He now knew he had full support of his men. They would follow him into death