The Road to Immortality: An Arche Seleukeia AAR

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 10: Blood and Steel
Summer 240 BC


Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.

Antiochus waited patiently for his enemy to approach. His face showed no worry. He had prepared for this.

The Sakae reinforcements had arrived three days ago only to find the Seleucid siege lines abandoned. Antiochus had hidden his army in the forest near the city and after the Sakae had arrived he ordered his army to attack. The horde had lost thousands of horsemen in a skirmish with the Seleucid archers before they withdrew into the city. A second force had arrived challenging the Seleucids to battle and the garrison of Bactra saw this as an opportunity to sally out. Antiochus found himself facing 20 000 horsemen.

He smiled. Arrayed against him were all of his enemies. He could end this right now and here.

Antiochus would face the best of the horde in this battle: armored cataphracts and horse archers whose armor gleamed in the sunlight and whose war cries would make most men shake with fear. But not the men of the Seleucid army. These men had had been fighting with Antiochus Theodoros for years. They had been through Egypt, Libya, Arabia, and Armenia. The Sakae would not find their foe so easy to intimidate. As they approached, Antiochus gave the order to his archers to advance. At his signal 6 500 archers emerged and marched to the front of the Phalanx.


The Sakae horde began to approach more quickly. Theodoros gave the order to fire and 6 500 arrows were unleashed upon the horde. Many of the light Sakae horsemen were struck down immediately. They began to return fire. Arsakes and his heavy Cataphracts moved towards the left flank of the Seleucid phalanx. Spears were lowered and they prepared to charge...only to have a shower of javelins rain upon them causing mass confusion. They panicked as 4 000 hykranian axemen charged from the nearby forests where they were hiding. When the Cataphracts tried to withdraw, Diomedon and Apolloniketes lead their cavalry around trapping the Sakae horsemen. The brother's cavalry fell onto the backs of the Saka elite wiping them out. Their King Arsakes was among the fallen.


Seeing this the Saka horde began an organised retreat while firing arrows back at the Seleucids who were following. Theodoros would not let them leave with their army intact. He initiated the final phase of his plan. Prior to battle he had instructed his Hetairoi to don lighter armor similar to the prodomoi. This was risky as the arrows of the Saka could have devastated them however it gave them extra speed. Theodoros' Hetairoi burst out of their hiding place and into a mass of Saka horsemen. From the other side of the battlefield his prodomoi emerged and mimicked the companions. The Sakae retreat became a full rout and the Seleucid cavalry gave chase. At the end of the day the Saka horde was completely destroyed and the Gates of Bactra were thrown open by the Greeks inside.

As they entered the city Diomedon asked the King,"What should we do with the Sakae who have settled in the city?"
"Do nothing to them. The Greeks of Bactra have always been a rebellious people. They will thank us for liberating them today but tomorrow they could turn on us. Keep the Sakae in the city so they remember that they need our protection."


At the end of the day Antiochus retreated to his temporary room in the palace of Bactra. The Sakae still controlled the north so he knew it wasn't over yet but the east was safe for now and the King lapsed into a well earned sleep

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 11: The Houses of Seleucia Part 2 - The Ioudaikes
Summer 238 BC


"To know the pains of power, we must go to those who have it; to know its pleasures, we must go to those who are seeking it."

Ballaros Ioudaikes, Satrap of Babylonia watched the festival proceed below him. But he took no joy in the festive mood nor did he wish to celebrate, for something troubling was on his mind. As Satrap of Babylonia he had control of the core provinces and was undoubtedly one of the most important and powerful men in the empire. But the news he had received from the east and west still caused him great concern. The Syriakes had sent an army to Crete and the Isaurikes had been gaining favor with the King. This would bode ill for his house in the future. That much was for certain. A noise distracted him from his thoughts. He turned around and saw his son Pherekles standing behind him with a grim expression.

"What news?" asked Ballaros
"I'm afraid only bad news. It appears that all four of the Isaurikes brothers have come of age and are now actively gaining influence and power. Two are in the east as you know and one is gaining influence with the royal princes as well as sons of Sarpedon and Alexandros."
"So basically the entire royal family."
"Yes what is even more troubling is that our spies could not locate their fourth brother. There are rumors saying he has gone east."
"Damn it! They must be planning on gaining control of the east after the conquests."
"Yes I think so too father...There is one more piece of news. Do you recall Megasthenes Syriakos?"
"The youngest son of Antiochus I Soter and the youngest brother of our current King Antiochus II Theodoros?"

"Yes. Well It appears he is not content sitting around while his three great brothers are amassing glory."
"Why? He has fought many battles"
"Yes but he isn't as famous as his three older brothers. Barely any one outside of Syria has heard of him or even knows there is a fourth brother"
"That was because he was 2 years old when the Great brothers were off fighting their famous wars."
"Well yes but he has began to raise his own army. The word is he is heading west."

Ballaros was silent coming to terms with the news. Megasthenes was not doing this for glory alone he thought. Power was on his mind. The world would soon be in flames and Babylon as the center of the empire would be right in the middle of all of it. He turned to Pherekles.
"My son, I think its time to raise a few men of our own..."

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 12: Bold Moves
Winter 235 BC

"My lord there is a lone horseman approaching us. Looks like an Sabaen messenger"
Alexandros turned to look at where his companion was pointing. The rider was dressed in desert robes but there was something not quite right. Then he realized the man was riding on a Nisean charger instead of the Arabian ponies which the desert tribes used. The rider saluted Alexandros and began speaking in Greek

"Hail lord Alexandros, conquerer of Nubia and Arabia. I have been sent by Antiochos to inform you that he is on his way to the Sabaen fortress of Carna with 15 000 men to start a second front against the Saba'
"My brother is here? How is that possible? He is fighting in the east"
"No my lord not King Antiochus. I am referring to your son Antiochos. He is marching down the desert of M'ain hoping to surprise the Saba"



"What? The desert of M'ain. That fool. The desert will destroy him."
"He asks that you have faith in him my lord."

Alexandros became worried. Antiochos was his only son. Knowing his son was a very headstrong boy and that he would not agree to return to Antioch, Alexandros resigned himself to the fact that Antiochos had put himself in grave danger and there was nothing he could do about it.

"Very well he replied. Tell my son I will meet him in the middle.."

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 13: The Lion of the West
Summer 233 BC



"I'm tired of old men dreaming up wars for young men to die in."

Sitalces quickly marched over to the general and bowed.
"Good day Sitalces."
"My lord. I have a message from Singidunum"
"Yes?"
"A small Epirote-Illyrian Army has laid siege to it sir. What are your orders"
"Leave them."
"What?"
"I have left 6 000 of my professional gallic mercenaries there and my client ruler has raised 1 000 heavily armored elites. They will hold against a small army."
"But my I lord thought we returned to Pella so we could gather more troops for an offensive against the Epirotes."
"Yes but i'm afraid I've changed my plans. We have already conquered all of Dacia and exiled the Dacians to some foreign land."
"But they are still a threat my lord."
"Yes, a threat that younger men can repel"

Sitalces was puzzled by this. Seeing his confusion, Sarpedon continued

"Sitalces my friend tell me, what do you think I have achieved in my life?"
"Sir your achievements have been extraordinary. You have conquered all of Asia Minor, Macedonia, Greece, Epirus, Thrace and Dacia by yourself. You have defeated the strongest of our enemies, the Pontics, Ptolemies, Epirotes, Galatians, Pergamese, Rhodians, Macedonians, Spartans and Dacians. Men who speak your name speak it in awe and you are called by many the 'Lion of the West'. Your achievements mean you will be remembered always as one of the greatest generals who ever lived alongside your brothers."

"So you think my brothers and I will be immortal?"
"Immortal?"
"Yes, Megas Alexandros knew the key to immortality. It is not about living forever. No, a mortal man will only become immortal if he is remembered by history. If his achievements are remembered throughout the ages until the end of time. You know Sitalces, all my life I have been obsessed with immortality as Megas Alexander was. But over the years I've come to realize that my life, however glorious it may seem to others, was a complete waste for me."
"I do not understand my lord"
"You say I will be immortal, remembered through the ages but all men of flesh must die. And here I am, 56 years old. I have been fighting for 40 years without rest and for what? The glory? The Empire? What good will glory do for me now? And I know that however great my conquests have been, no empire lasts forever. My life would have been better spent looking after my sons and wife. My family. I wish to spend the last few years I have on this earth doing the things I should have been doing. I have fought enough wars for this Kingdom and for my Brothers. I need not give anymore. Tomorrow my friend, the lion of the west returns to the east. And I leave you with this one piece of advice. When I leave for Syria tomorrow, go home, make love to your wife, have children and begin a family. You are still young Sitalces. Don't spend your life fighting like me.."

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 14: Maryab
Winter 230 BC

(This picture was taken after the battle so pretend Maryab is still under the control of the Saba)


"Four men who do not know each other will hesitate to face a lion, but once they know and trust each other they will do so without fear"

This was it, thought Alexandros. After all these years, the fighting would end. Not two miles away from where he was standing were the last of the Saba. There was just one obstacle in his way: The Great walls of Maryab. From its roots deep in the ground it rose up into the sky like a range of mountains. Towers lined the walls like sinister peaks which housed dangerous devices within them. Alexandros could see that his men were nervous. He was too. In none of his previous battles had he ever scaled walls like these. But he hid his emotions. He must not show worry around his men.

As dawn broke, his men began to rise and eat their breakfast. The camp was silent as it always was before battle. The men grabbed their weapons and donned their armor, forming up into ranks. The ranks turned into battalions and the army began to take shape. When all was ready, the siege engines were pushed to the front lines. Alexandros and his companions rode to the front of the army. He turned around to face his men.

"Men, glorious soldiers of the Seleucid Empire! Today, we face the last of those Sabaen cowards. For ten years we have hunted our enemy deeper and deeper into the desert. Now they have no where left to run. They hide behind their large walls but know this! Before the day is done their walls will have fallen and their city will be burning!"

A loud cheer came from the army. Alexandros continued

"I know many of you are nervous, for their walls are high and their archers are numerous. But remember who you are. You are men who have fought in Egypt and Nubia. You are fighting under my command. And I have conquered the deserts of Arabia itself! The Gods themselves support our cause. My son marched through the desert of M'ain, an impossible task. But he made it and he took Carna against all odds. Who now can doubt that the Gods are with us? Fight well this day and I promise you this: When the sands of time take their toll and our spirits have journeyed to underworld, you will still be remembered!"

The cheering was deafening. Alexandros gave the order to advance and the lumbering siege towers began to move. The Sabaens on the walls lit their arrows and rained them down upon the Seleucid army. Alexandros saw several of his Arabian mercenaries catch on fire, screaming in agony. The siege towers met with the walls and his Ethiopian mercenaries charged out engaging with the Sabaen spearmen. Several of Alexandros' towers had not reached the walls before the Sabaen archers lit them on fire with the troops inside. Despite all of the horrors he had witnessed in his life the noises coming from the burning towers still sent a chill down Alexandro's spine. The fields beneath the walls were littered with hundreds of the dead but more and more Seleucid towers reached the walls. Soon the walls were overrun.

The Sabaens retreated from the walls and blocked the streets leading to the palace. Alexandros ordered his slingers to climb the walls and rain lead upon the Saba. Volley after volley met with flesh and the Sabaens had no choice but to retreat further into the city. The gates were opened and the rest of the army poured in. There was heavy fighting in the streets and eventually the Saba retreated to the Center of the city. Alexandros gave his men time to rest. Finally at noon the Seleucids once again began to advance. They slowly marched to the center of the city and they found not more than 1 000 defenders left, commanded by the King. These were the elite warrior priests and they would not go down without a fight. They were surrounded by the skirmishers who rained javelins down upon them. However the fine armor of the elites meant little damage was done... So Alexandros ordered all of his infantry to charge. Surrounded, the Sabaen elites fought furiously. They took down three men for every one of theirs. By afternoon they all lay still.

Alexandros entered the conquered city at the front of his companions and his troops cheered for him at every street corner and turn. Their great general had led them to victory once again. The war was over. They could finally go home

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 15: The Curse of Mortals
Summer 229 BC

"All men must die"

Inside the dimly lit room a small group of men formed a circle around the bed. On the bed lay Alexandros Syriakos, the great conqueror of Nubia and Arabia. The white sheets of the bed were dotted with traces of the blood he had been coughing up all day. He spoke in a quiet voice bidding each of the men around him farewell. Even the veteran companions, hard men who had seen much death shed tears for their great general. He beckoned for his son and Antiochos stepped out from the crowd. He motioned for the other men to leave the room. Alone with his son, Alexandros began to speak.

"My son."
"Father..."
"I do not have long. I can hear Hades beckoning to me. Listen my son, there are many things I have achieved in my life but I consider my greatest achievement of all to be you. You have made me proud over the last few months. You have shown me that you are a true son of Seleukos, worthy of your royal blood. I know I have been a harsh father but know this: I have always loved you and now I am the proudest father in the realm..."

The father and son talked for an hour. Finally Antiochos emerged from the room, having been forced out by the surgeon. As he came out tears were streaming down his face. The men waiting outside tried to console him as best they could. Eventually he stopped and waited with the others outside the room. Not an hour later, Alexandros, eldest of the three great brothers, passed from this world

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 16: A Simple Bargain
Summer 229 BC

The King was sitting on the bed, with a letter in his hand. His face was completely emotionless. As Diomedon and Apolloniketes approached he acknowledged them with a slight nod.

"My King you summoned us?" asked Diomedon
"Yes.. This was a letter from Antioch...My brother Alexandros is dead."
"I am sorry for your loss my King."
"It is not only my loss. He has done great things for the empire and its people. His death will be mourned by many. But that is not the reason I've summoned you. The death of my brother has made me realize that I do not have many years left either. When I die I do not wish my Kingdom to fall into civil war. I am asking you for your help to make sure this doesn't happen."
"But my Lord there are slim chances of civil war. Kallinikos is the heir and no one disputes him."
"Kallinikos is not the heir."
"What?" asked both brothers in unison
"He believes he is the heir but in my will, I have not chosen him to succeed me."

"Forgive my boldness my King but you cannot do that! He is the eldest."
"Ahh but have you forgotten my story? My brother Alexandros was the eldest of us yet my father chose me to inherit the throne because I was more capable and Alexandros had no wish to be King."
"But why refuse Kallinikos the throne?"

The King's eyes darkened.

"Because he is incapable of ruling this empire I leave behind. He is now more than 40 yet he spends time drinking, whoring and abusing peasants! It is the same for all of my sons!"

"Not Antipatros my lord, we were his closest friends and..."
"No, it has been 16 years since you've seen him. He has changed. I have been receiving letters from my wife, the grand councillor and one of my former companions named Lycus. They all tell me the same things...My sons are wasted men. The oracle of Siwa warned me of this years ago. I'm sure you've been talking to my companions and been told of the prophecy of the Red Tide. Well what they don't know is the second question I asked the Oracle. I asked if my descendants would rule this empire forever and they told me this:The sons will undo the deeds of the father. I didn't know what those words meant until now. If I pass the throne to Kallinikos or any of my sons, they will bring ruin to this empire."

"Then who did you chose?"



"I have picked Phillipos, son of Kallinikos a very young yet incredibly competent man. He is my eldest grandson and thus of royal blood. Now as I said, because I have made this decision, there could be civil war. Yet if i do not make this decision my empire will decay. Now do you see the position I'm in?"
"What will you do?"
"Well I know as soon as my will is read out, all the contenders will make their move. There are many who covet the throne. My youngest brother Megasthenes will believe he has more right to the throne than my grandson. My son Kallinikos might be angry enough to raise an army to claim the throne. There is only one thing that can prevent this disaster and ensure Phillipos ascends the throne without blood and that is the will of the army. This army."

"So you want us to lead the army and give our support to Phillipos?"
"Yes once I am dead, the two of you, Megasthenes and Sarpedon will be the most experienced generals in the Empire. Sarpedon will support whoever I ask him to but he has retired and has no army. If Megasthenes decides to raise an army then Phillipos will be crushed. However If you bring the royal army back to Antioch and vouch support for Phillipos then no one would dare to make a move...I know that you feel a sense of loyalty to Antipatros and you might chose to support him as he is your friend. I am asking you to abandon your friendship. In exchange I offer your family the seat of Bactria. You will be satraps of Bactria and Warden of the entire east. Your second youngest brother Ophelandros is already in Bactra at my orders, to create a new government. If you accept my offer and support Phillipos when I am dead then I will make Ophelandros the Satrap permanently. Your family will govern Bactra from now on till the end of days."



Both of the brothers kneeled.

"My King, we accept. It shall be done."