The Road to Immortality: An Arche Seleukeia AAR

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 13: The King of Seleucia
Summer 260 BC

"A dying man needs to die, as a sleepy man needs to sleep, and there comes a time when it is wrong, as well as useless, to resist"

The Funerary procession was over a mile long. The body of Antiochus I Soter was carried in a 4 horsed chariot, his face unveiled so his people may see him again one last time. At the head of the column was Theodoros and beside him Alexander. The news had arrived while both brothers were celebrating their completed conquest of Egypt. Their ancient enemy the Ptolemies had been destroyed but the brothers were no mood to celebrate after they heard. Instead they quickly traveled back to Antioch to insure Theodoros was crowned King.

The body was taken into a great Mausoleum and the Tomb was sealed. The body of Antiochus I Soter, the saviour of Asia Minor and the 2nd founder of The Seleucid empire would lay undisturbed for all eternity.

The procession went back into the city and the funerary feast began. Stories of Antiochus' courage and life were shared between his acquaintances and songs were sung about him. At the end of the night the sadness had lessened for the friends of Antiochus. The next morning all of the lords gathered in the palace hall to see the crowning of the new King. Theodoros approached the throne with his brother at his side. Next to the throne was the high Councillor, The Priest of Seleucus and The Lord commander of the Kings Silvershields. Theodoros sat down on the throne. The Priest of Seleucus began to speak the customary words

"Theodoros, son of Antiochus do you accept this responsibly. To be King of Seleucia. To protect her people and sacrifice health for your Kingdom until your dying breath?"
"I do"
The Priest placed the crown of the Seleucid Kings on Theodoros' head. Suddenly Theodoros felt a great weight pressing down on him
"I present to you your new King. Antiochus II Theos King of the Seleucid Empire!"
The Lords all bowed down. The High Councillor spoke," My King i served your father and I hope to be as equally useful to you."
"Thank you High Counciller. Your services are greatly appreciated"
The Lord Commander of the Silvershields spoke next
"My King. You have the Loyalty of the Silvershields."
"Thank you lord commander. You are as true as you are loyal."

After Antiochus had spoken to the important lords he had walked to the palace steps with the Royal procession where he had been proclaimed the new King to the public who cheered for their former and popular prince. Afterwards Antiochus went into his personal chambers and ordered his guards to leave him alone. He took the crown off. But the feeling of a weight pressing down on him remained..


End of Act I

[seleucid empire]

Intermission


In 260 BC Antiochus I Soter the second King of the Arche Seleukeia died at the age of 63. He is compared by many to Cyrus the Great who turned his weak and unstable Kingdom to a large and powerful empire. In the latter years of his life he concocted a master plan to rebuild Alexander the Great's empire. His plan was very successful and their arch rivals the Ptolemaic empire was wiped out in 15 years. Also the Seleucid possessions in Asia Minor has been extended greatly. In the Far east, the situation was very stable. When the Parthians had began to get the upper hand and conquered Asaak, Antiochus responded by capturing Nisa, the Parthian Capital. Due to illness he was unable to reconquer Asaak but the conquest of Nisa effectively surrounded the Parthians reducing their threat. The borders have since become very stable.

His three sons have been campaigning for the last 12 years conquering huge swathes of land and destroying many enemies. Theodoros the conquereing of Egypt is currently the highest ranking general in the Arche Seleukeia followed by Sarpedon the conquerer of Asia Minor. Alexander is the third who conquered Nubia and is currently in Ethiopia
The three Great Brothers






After the destruction of Egypt the Empire of Alexander the Great had nearly been reunited. Pergamon and Rhodes, two of the most powerful hostile cities in Asia Minor fell to Sarpedon within 2 years of each other. The only remaining threat in the west was Pontus. The young Pontic prince declared war on the Arche raising a huge army of Mercenaries from within Seleucid lands including rebels and former Pergamese troops. Meanwhile, Theodoros was subjugating the Northern Arabian tribes around Palmyra and Bostra while Alexander was laying siege to the last great Nubia city of Meroe.

However in the same year that Antiochus I Soter died. The Epirotes declared war by allying themselves with Pontus, setting the stage for a bloody war and the winner would rule all of Asia Minor and Greece.

[seleucid empire]

Act II: Blood

Prologue: Blood Moon


“Whether we fall by ambition, blood, or lust, like diamonds we are cut with our own dust.”

The city was under a curtain of red light. It was as if blood was pouring from every wall and every building in the city. It looked like the palace of Hades himself. The blood moon had appeared 3 nights ago and returned each night after. It was a sign. There was no doubt about that. Whether it was a good or bad omen Theodoros couldn't tell but he knew one thing: Blood would soon be spilled. Theodoros suddenly realized he was not alone. His hand moved down to his kopis.

"Who's there? Show youself"

"You really shouldn't go off by yourself my King. Especially on a night like this."
Out of the shadows Demetrius emerged. He was now 60 years old but he still walked and fought like a man many years younger.

"Oh it's you," Theodoros sheathed his sword and replied,"I can defend myself."
"Nonetheless, I swore an oath to protect you. Why are you here again my King. You have been here every night looking at the moon ever since it appeared"
"Yes, I've been pondering its meaning."
"Do you wish to hear my opinion my King? They are merely warnings from the Gods to signal a great event but they are not meant be deciphered by men."
"You may be right. I have a terrible feeling about the future. Ever since this...omen...appeared, I have been struck with a sense of dread which I cannot explain."
"Well then it is even more important you get some rest my King. If your intuition is right then something big is coming and you will need your full strength to face it."

My intuition has never failed me Demetrius. If it had, we would not be standing here and our bones would be littered across the sands of Egypt. Brace yourself my friend. Darker days are coming.

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 1: The Visitor
Summer 257 BC

The ship was old and dingy. In many places there were signs of rot and the once white sails were grey with old age. Five men stepped onto the docks of Seleucia Pieria, the great port of the Syrian Tetrapolis. They wore hooded cloaks covered in dust which hid suits of fine armor underneath. Approaching the nearest stables they procured some horses before riding to Antioch. At the gates of the royal palace they were stopped by the guards but after a few words from the leader of the group the guards quickly moved aside. The men seemed to know their way around the palace well and they quickly arrived at his destination. The leader pushed the two great doors aside and entered the war chamber. The King and his generals looked up from their maps startled.

"What is the meaning of this? Who are you?", asked Theodoros
"Its been a long time...brother"
"Sarpedon?"
"Yes..I thought you would recognize me, but then again, it has been 15 years. Can we talk in private?"

The two men walked to Theodoros' chambers. Theodoros spoke first.
"Your visit is most unexpected brother. The last letter I received from you told me that you were marching on Pontic lands."
"Yes I marched to Pontus and conquered their cities very quickly. But even with his Kingdom destroyed Mithridates Kianos stubbornly refused to surrender. He found support from the King of Nikaia so he had supplies to continue campaigning in our lands."
"So you had no choice but to fight him directly?"
"Yes. We fought about 7 months ago north of Ipsos."


"He had the advantage in more professional troops and heavier mercenaries but I had a secret weapon. I had been testing out scythed chariots and I perfected their usage. In that battle I sent them around the side and used them directly against Mithridates Kianos' personal guard. Mithridates was cut down almost straight away allowing my troops to gain the upper hand. I then went on to conquer Nikaia"



"But brother I did not return to tell you about my victories. I returned to tell you what is about to come. You see, I captured several of Kiano's highest ranking officers in the final battle. They revealed to me a terrible plot against us. I had began to wonder why the Pontics were so daring to attack us with such a high chance of failure. Well I discovered why. The nations surrounding our borders made a secret alliance to invade our lands. This alliance consists of Epirus, The Parthians, The Sabaens, Carthage and Pontus."
"Thats troubling indeed"
"But thats not even the worst part. You see, our allies the Macedonians and the Hayasdan were part of it too."
"What?"
"Yes when I heard they were involved I was shocked. Their original plan was to send their armies into our land all at once to overwhelm us. Luckily for us things didn't go according to plan for them. The Hayasdan were attacked by the Horse lords of the north while the Macedonians delayed their plans due to a military build-up at Sparta."
"I see.."
"Brother I came to ask you for permission to attack Macedonia. They must pay for their betrayal even if they haven't acted yet. I also urge you to attack the Hayasdan before they attack us. Although It might not seem like it brother we are in dire straights. If we do not rid ourselves of some of our enemies before they all mobilize I fear we will be overrun"
Theodoros was silent for a moment trying to come to terms with the news. Then he said, "Ok brother It shall be done."

Theodoros felt the same sense of dread return. The events heralded by the blood moon were coming to pass. Little did he know the worst was yet to come

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 2: Oh How the Mighty have fallen!
Winter 251 BC


"Thy glory, O Israel, is slain upon thy high places! How are the mighty fallen!" (King David)

The cold winds of the Greek winter bypassed his cloak completely, biting into his skin.. But Sarpedon did not feel it. All his attention was fixed on what came ahead. The last 6 years of his life had lead to this moment. Before him lay all the might of Sparta, the once glorious city unmatched in military strength and valor. He had 20 000 men to their 14 000 but he knew better than to underestimate them for among them there were 2 000 Spartiates. The true Spartan warriors. If Sarpedon overcame these Spartans he would be the first man since the time of Phillip and Alexander to unit Greece. Sarpedon had not asked for this battle. His goal had been to destroy the Macedonians. This he had succeeded, but no sooner had he captured the last city of Corinth, he had received news that the Spartans were now marching against him.

Both the Agiad King Akrotatos and the Eurypontid King Eudamidas were present as well as a contingent of elite greek cavalry. The sight of the heavy cavalry surprised Sarepedon

"They're learning Areus" he muttered to his favorite companion.
"Yes my lord their cavalry numbers 1000 as do ours."
"They are lacking quality and experience though. They shouldn't be too much trouble for our veteran cavalry to handle."

The Spartans began to march at double the pace. Sarepedon was amazed how quickly they could move in their heavy armor

"Phalanx lower sarissas!"

His veteran Phalangites lowered their sarissas and braced for the impact. The Spartan charge was overwhelming. Sarpedon saw spear tips breaking and heard the cry of men dying. Amazingly the phalanx held against the Spartan hoplites but Sarpedon knew he only had a limited amount of time before the more heavily armed Spartans broke through the formation and began to slaughter his lightly armored phalangites.



"Cavalry with me!" cried Sarpedon

The cavalry contingents began to move behind Sarpedon's Companions and they moved to engage the inexperienced spartan cavalry which routed after minimal resistance. Sarpedon turned around and saw to his horror that the center of his phalanx had been broken and his phalangites were now engaging the Spartans with their small hand axes. The Spartan Kings had sent all 2 000 Spartans to the weak point and now his phalaghites were being overwhelmed despite their brave efforts. Sarpedon wheeled his horsemen around and ordered them to charge into the backs of the Spartans. The horsemen gained speed. They lowered their lances and thundered straight into the backs of the Spartan warriors. Sarpedon's first charge killed many Spartans but to his dismay they didn't flee and simply turned a part of their line around to face them halting the cavalry charge.

Sarpedon decided to pull out his cavalry and he reached for his horn. He then realized to his horror that Areus was nowhere to be seen. he desperately scanned the battlefield looking for his friend and at last he saw him. Areus was engaged with the Spartan King Akrotatos in single combat. He had picked up a hoplon shield and was exchanging blows with the Spartan King. Areus ducked and parried the King's spear while slashing with his kopis. Sarpedon gathered the nearest horsemen and rode in the direction of the Spartan King. He then saw Akrotatos bash Areus down with his shield and lift his spear.
"Nooo!" cried Sarepdon
The spear came down entering Areus' chest. Blood spurted out and his friend began to jerk violently before laying still. Fueled by his anger Sarpedon charged at Akrotatos who noticed too late. Sarpedon rode past severing his head from his body. Seeing this, much of the Greek army began to flee except the Spartans who rallied around the second King Eumamidas. The Seleucid army surrounded the 2 000 Spartans and the massacre began. At the end of the day no Spartiates remained alive and only 300 surviving allied greeks arrived in Sparta. Over 5 000 Seleucids lay dead aswell and Sarpedon lost a quarter of his army strength. However the battle for Hellas was over and he had won. There would be no more resistance here and once he had conquered Sparta, all of Greece would be his.




That night Sarpedon buried his fallen and gave Areus a heroes' funeral. The war was far from over he knew that. The Epirotes would attack him soon, threatening his new holdings and he would have to fight them...Without his friend at his side

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 3: A Family Reunion
Winter 249 BC
“Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though t'were his own."

In the highest tower of the Palace of Antioch there is a room. It was a forgotten room that had not been used since it's creation. But today that would change. A dozen men walked up the winding staircase. At the top of the tower three men from the group entered while the rest stood outside guarding the room. The three men were brothers, famous throughout the land for their innumerable victories. They were of course Antiochus II Theos, Sarpedon, and Alexandros, the three Great Brothers. It had been Alexandro's idea to meet here in secret. After all they didn't want their enemies to know their armies were leaderless. After a servant had brought in wine and left Antiochus began to speak.

"Brothers it has been a long time since we all stood in the same room together"
"Yes around nine years?" replied Sarpedon
"Well I would like to say I am very glad to see you both here. Unfortunately I have not brought you here to make up for lost time, although we have plenty of time to do that tonight. I have brought you here to discuss the next phase of our plan. Alexandros I trust Ethiopia is pacified enough that you can permanently leave the region?"
"Well there is some trouble with the Axumites but it is stable enough."
'What about you Sarpedon, how goes the war in the west?"
"It is nearly done brother, as soon as i finish off the Kingdom of Tylis and destroy the last remnants of the Epirote Kingdom in Illyria my work in the west will be done. There is a troubling note though. I had originally planned to take Serdike to secure the northern border of Macedonia but the Getia Federation has beaten me to it."
"Well when you return to the west evaluate their strength. If they seem weak attack Serdike and take it. It is vital we secure Macedonia."
"Of course. But what is our next move Theodoros?"
"I have finished my conquest of the Hayasdan Kingdom. Now all that remains is the East and Southern Arabia."
"Arabia?", asked Alexandros
"Yes, as you know we have recently been attacked by the Sabaen Federation who are getting stronger as we speak. I want you Alexandros to invade their lands and subdue them."
"Why do we need to subdue Southern Arabia. We are perfectly capable of defending our lands from their raids and their isolation would make any invasion very difficult."
"If we conquer arabia we will have secure our southern borders freeing our forces for other fronts. I understand it is a difficult task but I will put all the resources of Egypt at your disposal. As for you Sarpedon I want you to continue your campaigns. Destroy any threat to Macedonia and Greece and then begin conquering the ports of the black sea. I will place all the resources of Asia Minor at your disposal. I will go east personally to deal with the Parthian Menace."

"Oh and one more thing. As you know 15 years ago I visited the oasis of Siwa. I asked two questions and received 3 answers for them. One of the questions I will not reveal to you now but the second question I asked was whether we would reunite the Empire of Alexander the Great. The oracle told me these two things: First he said, It will take three mortals to unite the empire of a God, and then he told me, If the three mortals fail then all Greeks will be consumed by a red tide"
"I understand the first part," replied Sarpedon,"The three mortals clearly refer to us. But what of the second part?"
"It means," replied Theodoros,"That we must not fail..."

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 4: Darkness Ascending
Winter 246 BC

Antiochus II Theos slowly unfolded the letter but already knew it contained ill tidings. The state of the message bearer was enough to tell him that. He had stumbled into the throne room tired and dirty. He looked like a man who had not slept in days. After handing the message to the King he had collapsed from exhaustion. Antiochus slowly began to read.

My King were it not for my ill health and advanced age I would have personally came to you to tell you of this news. However the years are not kind to me and I have been forced to send my son Parmenion instead. What I tell you will be troubling. Many years ago you told me of the prophecy you had been told at the Oasis of Siwa. The red tide that would consume the Greeks. I believe it has arrived. Weeks ago troubling news came to me of strange and horrifying occurrences at the outskirts of the empire. Travelers told stories of burning villages empty of life and piles of skulls strewn along the landscape of the east. I went to investigate and arrived in Alexandria Ariana just as a huge horde of horsemen descended upon the city. I saw their banners. Red as blood.

I saw nothing I could do for the city so I retreated. Days later a large group of refugees from Bactria arrived in the village I was staying at. They told me terrible news. These invaders were the Sakae, horsemen from the far east. They had began to migrate months ago overwhelming many peoples and conquering the entire north-east. They arrived at Bactra about a month ago. The so called King of Bactra lead his impressive hosts out to meet the nomads. That was the last anyone ever saw those men. They simply vanished. Bactra itself fell. It is a terrible enemy that can destroy a Kingdom such as Bactra so quickly.


I urge you my King to come to the east as soon as possible. The Red Tide is upon us.
Your loyal and faithful servant Demetrius

Theodoros turned to Lycus
"Lycus that was a message from Demetrius. It seems we must push our plans ahead. Ready the men, we are marching east!"