Amplifying reports have arrived. The revolting nobles, led by Alexarchos, have established their base at Pulpudeva. Six armies of Pontic troops have been raised there (very quickly, I must say). Luckily, landlocked Pulpudeva does not support fleets...otherwise the nobles may have had sea forces as well. I am deeply gratified that none of my non-Mithridatic aristocratic generals have defected to the rebellion. It has long been known that they are all staunch imperialists, especially Anytios, Amompharetos, and Glaukos. I had feared, however, that family and class loyalties would nevertheless prove stronger than imperialist convictions. No doubt they would, but even deeper in these worthy stalwarts runs the most fundamental trait of all: loyalty to one's King.


Civil War: Monarchist nobles' start at Pupuldeva.

Antiphus' foresight in re-positioning Pontic armies towards the interior is amply vindicated. Alexarchos' of Pulpudeva as his capital, by contrast, is not so wise. Loyal Pontic forces are well-placed to block any potential advance towards Amaseia or the major cities of the Anatolian peninsula. The geography, moreover, enables a vital role for Pontus' powerful fleets, as the nobles must necessarily cross water - either the Euxine, Aegean, or Pontic strait near Nicomedia - to enter the Pontic homeland.

These nobles profess to fight for a strong Pontic monarchy...how strange that they seek to achieve their aims by rebelling against that very kingship. What they really seek, obviously, is an emasculated, non-expansionist monarchy firmly under their own control. They fight not so much for monarchy as they do against monarchical power and imperialism. Nevertheless, for sake of simplicity and clarity, I will refer to these rebel forces as "monarchist", while I will term our own forces "imperialist". I believe these terms will be clearer than "nobles"...since many loyal nobles of course remain with us, or "Pontic"...we are all Pontics, after all.

Indeed, that is what troubles me so about this schism. By necessity, many good Pontics on both sides will die in this war....the vast majority of them, undeservedly so. I am pained most of all by the superb Pontic soldiers whom we must fight...and kill. The rank and file of the monarchist armies, after all, are doing what we have trained them to do all their lives; provide unquestioning support and follow the orders of their generals. It is their misfortune that they march under leaders who seek to abuse their rank and privilege in a reckless bid for power. So be it...it cannot be undone.

Before turning to an account of this Pontic civil war, however, I will convey events of our continuing campaign in southern sands...which takes on an increasingly curious character.

War in the South: Final Gerrhaean mop-up, Aegyptus unified, Aethiopia



Let us now turn north from this imperial sideshow to the main events of the Civil War.

Civil War: Pontic vs Pontic in Thracia

The Civil War is over, and the nobles in revolt have been utterly crushed. And so now the central question of that war...in fact, the central question throughout the realm for the preceding three generations...is decided. Pontus is formally proclaimed an Empire. I, Arrybas, eighth King of Pontus, am also first Emperor of Pontus. Rightfully, such a title should have gone first to Charidemos, but that is not how the gods have willed it. Henceforth, the Pontic Emperor is Mithridatic. Perhaps not direct-male-line descendant, but without question Mithridates' blood must run in his veins. Our family is supreme in Pontus...and by virtue of the expanding Empire, by extension Mithridates' descendants also will be supreme throughout the world.

Enough such grand posturing...to matters at hand. Following the end of the civil war, we enter a period of relative peace. Some campaigning continues on the far frontiers (about which, more soon), but in general, Pontus remains content within her borders, and enjoys a well-deserved tranquillity. Cynics would say that such a lull reflects only that the internecine war has drawn our forces towards the home provinces, and the Imperial Throne needs time to march them back towards the object of our ambitions. But why would one listen to the cynics? They are, after all, such a...cynical...lot.

Indeed, we do find many of our armies close to home...closer than they have been in decades. Meanwhile Bosporus workshops have grown ever more artful and advanced in their capabilities. Yet our faraway soldiers have long marched with arms unimproved by these new capabilities. Pontic armies now march from Thracia to Bosporus and Caucasia, for a complete refitting of arms, armor, and equipment.

Speaking of Bosporus...Charidemos decreed long ago that in the future Nabatea would become the "mother of Pontic arms". Antiphus subscribed to this policy, and sought to implement it as well. We had only been waiting, it seems, for this province to sufficiently develop. I am of a different mind. Pontic armies already abound throughout the realm...how many more hosts would I and my successors build in the future, however large the Empire may grow? Truly, northern Bosporus is a far march from many of our frontiers...a newly raised host may spend years before reaching our enemies. But is it not also true that many such years would be needed to build such infrastructure in desert Nabatea? Pontus has spend much coin on the development of Bosporus' barracks, workshops, and training fields. I intend to retain them. Nabatea's fields produce much grain for the Empire. I would retain them as well.

The Noble War lasted eight years...and many of our most august commanders were not young men when it began. Death and infirmity have carried many of them away, and threaten others. Younger men, well schooled by their example, begin to take command of Pontic forces. Aristaios now commands Poseidon's Justice in southern waters...while we grieve the passing of Anchilaus, "Cyncus of the South". Demades has likewise gone to cross the Styx; Chrysanthos now commands Ares' Fury. Paranomos relieves old Artemios at the helm of the Heralds of Triton. Antymnius takes command of Mithridates' Chosen from venerated Amompharetos. My cousin Diokles succeeds to command of the Wrath of Zeus following the death of his father Dmetor. Aged Hippolytos transfers command of the Defenders of Trapezon to my nephew Agathon. Finally, the Empire mourns the passing of naval hero Anytios; Aristoboulos now commands Scylla's Terror. The old guard have served Pontus well, building the empire under Charidemos, then defending it against the traitorous Nobles. The formal establishment of the Pontic Empire is their triumph; they certainly deserved their glory, and now deserve their peaceful rest.

With Empire will come new ambitions, the current Peace notwithstanding. I use this interlude to strengthen the Pontic military for future travails, not just by refitting, but by establishing new forces as well. Sokrates' Judgment, named in honor of the King who won Armenia and who truly began Pontus' transition to Empire, begins recruiting in Bosporus. The Judgment will be commanded by Peithon. Named for perhaps Pontus' most legendary King, the Heroes of Prokopios are likewise formed, under the command of my own son Prince Azeus. The Empire will need not only more armies but fleets as well; Asteropaeus is commissioned to form the Guardians of the Pontos at Hieraptyna.

Meanwhile, peace does not reign quite everywhere. Even during the Noble War, Alcides of Aethiopia with his motley desert mercenaries opened up that region to Pontus. Quick to take the opportunity, Mithridates' Chosen and the Scions of Sinope marched from Aegyptus. These armies (along with Alcides' irrepressible Champions of Amasis, of course) now cross the border into Meroe territory, and war ensues. Mithridates' Chosen besiege the capital city of Meroe (Amompharetos' last action; he will die of natural causes during the siege). Alcides raids toward Aksum, while the Scions maintain order in Ptolemais Theron. Meroean desert armies bypass them in the sandy wastes, headed towards Aegyptus, but Pontic spies bedevil their progress. Meroe city falls to the siege, surrendering without a battle. Alcides falls upon Aksum with his camels and elephants...the defending garrison sallies out and are overwhelmed. The Pontic province of Aethiopia is unified and formally proclaimed. Throughout its cities, desert facilities are torn down, and proper Hellenic structures developed in their stead.

Despite Meroean territory vanquished, Meroean armies remain in the field...and threaten Ptolemais. Atymnius immediately marches from Meroe and ambushes one of these hosts in the desert, utterly destroying it. Alcides likewises countermarches back from Aksum to ride down another Meroean force north of Ptolemais. The Meroean Merchants of Death line up for battle and advance towards Alcides' camel-mounted archers and cavalry. They seek to destroy or force back our mounted troops with their spear-armed troops before our own infantry can engage. It is a vain attempt...the Champions of Amasis' elephants flank and charge the Merchants, while camel archers adroitly avoid melee and continuously shower arrows upon the hapless Meroean spearmen. The camel melee cavalry finish them off. This second enemy force too is destroyed.


Aksum: Alcides' camels in action


Aksum: Champion elephants ride down Meroean routers


Ptolemais: Alcides' desert mercenaries victorious...in what will prove to be their final battle

With Aethiopia conquered and now secure, I must finally bow to the treasury's indignant demands. Alcides' Champions have proven worthy, and have served as an epic example of imperial might. However much the desert mercenaries may have captured the imagination of the Pontic populace, however, the hard unavoidable fact is that they simply cost too much. Our newest armies, large hosts of the most effective and professional troops in Pontus' history, cost less than half the yearly upkeep of these camel-mounted fortune-seekers. And for all their renown, my advisors continue to point out that this colorful rabble simply doesn't possess the hard combat strength of a much cheaper conventional army. The desert-mercenary version of the Champions of Amasis has served its purpose, and now it must go.

Ten years before, Alcides eluded my father's earlier disbandment order...now I send him a second, in the most unequivocal terms. He is ordered to immediately discharge the mercenaries, on the very day he receives the imperial message. Alcides will then proceed to the Bosporus to recruit a stronger (and cheaper) army. If he does not comply, then I will formally disband the Champions of Amasis entirely...and rescind his command. Alcides is surprisingly amenable to the order. He evaded Antiphus to seek reputation among the sands, but now Alcides of Aethiopia has won his glory. The desert nomads have served out his own purpose as well as that of Pontus'. However fond he may be of his camels, Alcides at heart is a conservative Pontic general, and now relishes opportunity to command a proper army bristling with Pontic pikes. The camels and elephants are disbanded...for good this time.

Meanwhile, other opportunities arise in these hot southern lands. As ever, Seleucid satrapies continue to experience public disorder. A number of their cities have rebelled...creating an opening for Pontic mastery. Near Pontic Harmozia, neighboring Persepolis and Pura are under rebel sway, as well as the old Persian town of Susa. How could their former Seleucid masters possibly argue against Pontic armies re-establishing order? The Lykoi and Wrath of Zeus, brandishing upgraded arms from Bosporan workshops, have arrived back in the desert south, and they now cross the Sinus Persis towards these rebel lairs. The Lykoi besiege Pura, while the Wrath do the same at Persepolis. The Scions of Sinope, having marched back across Arabia Felix, march upon and encircle Susa. All three cities surrender after a brief time, despite the presence of large rebel armies within. Pontic power grows in the region; no full provinces yet controlled, but Pura and Persepolis, like Harmozia taken during Charidemos' reign, are large walled cities, and are the key to military dominance of the area.

During this same time, Poseidon's Justice has pursued Meroe's last remaining army, which fled Aethiopia by embarking upon the Mare Indicum. Aristaios finally brings this afloat remnant to battle near Harmozia. As is now becoming commonplace, all Meroean ships are sunk without the loss of a single Pontic sailor. Meroe is destroyed. The Pontic Empire is now fully at peace, without even minor desert factions or rebels opposing them. Where shall I focus the efforts of these splendidly re-armed hosts?


Mare Indicum: Meroe's final force destroyed at sea by Poseidon's Justice

For nearly 60 years, since Charidemos became King, Pontic diplomatic policy towards the western Greeks has been "satrapy or conquest". While Pontus has held firm on entering into no other diplomatic agreements (Ardiaei excepted), other priorities have long postponed our push to fully establish supremacy in the Greek world. Now the Civil War is over, the Pontic Empire is formally established, and southern desert campaigns have concluded (for now). It is time to make good our longstanding objective regarding the Greeks.

The most obvious course is to subjugate the remaining regions of Hellas, Macedon, and Thracia. We have, however, another alternative. Prior to his death, Anytios had proposed to me a rather audacious plan; the conquest of Africa using primarily naval power. The genesis of this idea was the admiral's startling successes at Apollonia and Syracusae, in which he was able to vanquish these cities' garrisons using only the artillery of Scylla's Terror. Every settlement in Africa is a Mediterranean port...only Carthago itself a walled capital. Anytios believed that the Pontic Navy, largely on its own, could subdue Africa within the span of only a year.

The lure of Africa is those very ports...no other province offers such a rich prospect of seaborne commerce. Frankly, the Empire's economy needs it. My predecessors and I have for decades focused our philosphers' and engineers' attentions on new methods and capabilities in warfare. I must confess now that economic and civil progress has lagged in our realm. Our treasury is robust enough and yearly revenues adequate...but I know that an empire this size should be far richer. I encourage our wise men to consider civil progress...this will take time. Meanwhile, to Africa we go.

The rich coastal province is held mainly by Syracuse, the city of Lepcis alone having been under rebel control for some years. Syracuse also holds the coastal regions of Libya, bordering on Pontic Aegyptus. We will execute this war in four phases (some of which will be simultaneous). First, an army (Mithridates' Chosen) will march overland from Aegyptus and take Paraitonion in conventional assault. Second, Pontic fleets will strike from the sea at Thapsus, Lepcis, and Macomades. Thapsus and Lepcis will be overcome by naval power alone, while the Macomades assault will be supported by a second army (in order to guard against Syracusae counterattack from Cyrene). Third, a combined land/naval force will besiege/blockade Carthago itself. Fourth and finally, after Syracusae forces in the field are neutralized, Pontic armies and navies will converge on Cyrene in Libya.

Paraitonion: Mithridates' Chosen (army)
Macomades: Guardians of the Pontos (fleet), Sentinels of Hyperion (army)
Lepcis (rebel): Argonauts of Cyncus (fleet)
Thapus: Heralds of Triton (fleet)
Carthago: Ares' Fury (army), Scylla's Terror (fleet)

My envoys journey to place the ultimatum before Syracuse: satrapy or conquest. As expected, the Syracusae reject satrapy. War is declared. The armies and fleets move into action.

Antymnius crosses the Libyan border and assaults Paraitonion. The port town is defended by a fairly robust garrison, but cannot withstand the assault of a full-sized Pontic army such as Mithridates' Chosen. In traditional Pontic fashion, Paraitonion's defenders are subjected to a hail of artillery and missile fire before having to face the standard 3-phalanx-abreast hoplite column entering the town. Decimated by arrows and stones, confronted by the ranks of some of the best soldiers in the world, the garrison breaks. Paraitonion is ours, and the first phase of the campaign is complete.


Paraitonion: Mithridates' Chosen archers raining fire on the town's defenders


Paraitonion: Antymnius' hoplite column advances into the city

The Guardians of the Pontos and Sentinels of Hyperion assault Macomades from the sea. Macomades' garrison is augmented by a small army. The intent is for the fleet to clear the city, with the Sentinels needing only to land and occupy. The naval bombardment begins well. As taught by Anytios, the Guardian archer vessels close the shore while artillery ships bombard from farther out. Initial results are encouraging, as several defending units are routed near the waterfront. At Macomades, however, the city center is uphill, some distance from the wharves. Roughly half the defenders remain in the upper town, some hidden by buildings. The Guardians' bombardment is relentless and effective...but they cannot fire at what they cannot see.

The commanders confer, and decide to land some of the Sentinels to enter the town. Dexios puts ashore a force of six hoplite phalanxes, led by his own Bronze Shield guard. This force is charged primarily with locating remaining garrison units so that the naval bombardment can be completed. Dexios forms his phalanxes on the eastern beach, and begins advancing into the city. He does not make contact. The combination of the naval bombardment and the appearance of a strong land force causes the remaining defenders to lose heart and flee. Macomades is taken.


Macomades: Naval archers in action


Macomades: Dexios' hoplites advance toward the town

I, Arybbas, Emperor of Pontus, myself lead the Argonauts of Cyncus for the naval bombardment at rebel-held Lepcis. This town is most problematic, as it is held not by a typical garrison but by a full-size Punic field army. The rebel troop quality is rather worrisome. Many phalanxes of Carthaginian hoplites guard the city, led by a contingent of elephants in the rebel general's guard. This host heavily outnumbers the Argonauts, and the soothsayers tell me the omens are unfavorable. I am not concerned that the Argonauts are in any great danger themselves, but am troubled by the prospect that we may run out of ammunition before breaking these troops. I also worry that many of the rebels may remain out of sight, as at Macomades...and I do not have any hoplites to put ashore to locate them. Nevertheless, we close the harbor to begin the bombardment.

At Lepcis, however, the town center, while not directly on the wharf itself, is closer to the waterfront than at Macomades. I decide to threaten the harborfront itself, in addition to stationing ships outside the harbor mole. The proximity of vessels to the interior harbor beach compels the rebel commander to station many units on the exposed harbor mole to repulse a landing attempt there (an attempt, of course, which I have no intention of making). These superb troops are thus caught in an intense crossfire from my archers and onagers. The rebel hoplites fall in droves, while their generals' elephants are impotent and mowed down themselves. When the mole is cleared, the artillery easily clear the town's center of defenders already shaken by witnessing the harbor slaughter. The heralds proclaim a "Heroic Victory" for the Argonauts for overcoming such seemingly heavy odds...I myself regard the affair as a regrettable massacre. So be it...Lepcis is ours.


Lepcis: Rebel hoplites massacred on the exposed harbor mole


Lepcis: Rebel commander's elephants panicked and slain

Thapsus is defended by only a small garrison, wholly unable to resist the Heralds of Triton bombardment for even a short while. Barely do Paranormos' ships appear and begin to open fire, than the garrison breaks entirely. The Heralds' action is little more than simply sailing into the harbor and taking possession of the city.

At Carthago, Chrysanthos and Ares' Fury land and immediately besiege the capital, while Scylla's Terror blockades the port. The garrison is not very robust, but Chrysanthos and Aristaios are content to wait. They are content to delay the city's capture after so many other African cities have yielded, if only to allow public unrest to subside a bit before flaring anew at the capital's fall. In any case, the combined siege/blockade disheartens the defenders, who soon surrender the capital without a fight. Africa is ours, and the Pontic province of the same name is formally proclaimed.



Some Syracusae forces remain at large in the coastal and desert hinterlands of Africa and Libya. Their agents, moreover, remain active and prove rather meddlesome during the assimilation of the newly-won ports. Our conquest of so many cities in the same year heightens the population's resistance...however rapid the initial conquest has been, the triumphant Pontic forces are now mired for some years in quelling this unrest. Nevertheless, Africa is assimilated. The coveted ports are all converted to commercial usage, while fields are planted anew. I order the establishment of Temples of Poseidon in every city, for both food production and public order. Our own agents work tirelessly against the Syracusae, with some success. Dexios' Sentinels are able to ambush and destroy two Syracusae forces outside Macomades, while Anymtius and Mithridates' Chosen advance from Paraitonion to besiege the final Syracuse bastion at Cyrene.

Syracuse had sent used the bulk of its remaining forces to raid into recently-lost Africa and threaten retaking Macomades from us. These armies, harried by our Ears of the King, were the forces defeated by the Sentinels of Hyperion. Few troops remain at Cyrene itself, and the walled capital soon surrenders to Dexios. The entire coastline between Alexandria and Carthago, dotted by many excellent ports, is Pontic. Only the small remnant of a Syracusae fleet remains; the Guardians of Pontos pursues. This fleet, the Tridents of Poseidon, however, makes a futile attempt to blockade Alexandria itself...our garrison fleet easily destroys the Tridents. Syracuse is eliminated.



Word is received from Bosporus; renowned Alcides of Aethiopia has passed over the Styx. He will be mourned, and missed. Alcides, with his famous desert force of camels and elephants, personified the ideal of Pontic Empire at a time when such imperialism was under attack in the Civil War. He captured the minds of Pontus' people with his desert trek after the Gerrha disaster. He then won their hearts with his exploits during the renewed campaign against Gerrhaea. Alcides triumphed in his daring capture of Ptolemais Theron, and led the Pontic conquest of Aethiopia. The iconoclastic desert general has won his place in the immortal pantheon of Pontic military tradition. His name is enshrined there alongside those of such men as Prokopios, Ariobarzanes, Cyncus, and Glaukos. The storied Champions of Amasis, host of Charidemos and Alcides, will be led now by Amiantos...the young noble has some big shoes to fill.

The Poseidon temple initiative is proving effective in Africa. My senior priests urge me to replicate this success throughout the Empire. Throughout Pontus history, many Temples of Poseidon have been built in various settlements...but never in a systematic way. Most of our local governors have promoted agriculture and livestock. The wheatfields are productive enough, but my advisors and I are ambivalent about the cattle. The pens produce much squalor throughout the empire, and only modest food and revenue. I order the cessation of commercial livestock ranching throughout the Empire, and the erection instead of a Temple to Poseidon in every settlement. We are not sure what effect this may have, with the loss of cattle revenue. Some disjointment does occur during this conversion process....our imperial food surplus does not disappear into deficit, but does drop dangerously low. Nevertheless, the initiative does prove a resounding success. Once the temples are completed, food surplus and revenue are higher than ever.

I am in my 74th year. I have weathered the storm of Civil War. The "imperial question" has been resolved, and the Pontic Empire formally established. Aethiopia and rich Africa have come under Pontic rule, as well as several other settlements in Thracia, Salamis, and the far East. Today Pontus is stronger and richer than ever in its history...with its victorious forces poised for future triumphs. Pontus will soon bring the remainder of the Greek world under its sway. I am content.

------------------------

I am Azeus, son of Arybbas. Ninth King of Pontus, and second Emperor of the Pontic Empire. Arybbas, after a long reign of trial and triumph, has passed of natural causes. He remained at the helm of his beloved Argonauts of Cyncus to the last, his greatest personal victory the capture of Lepcis in Africa. It falls to me to continue his vision. Greece...and then perhaps the East...await. Onward Pontus!

Following our defeat of Syracuse and Arybbas' death, my main priority is to consolidate the Greek provinces of Hellas, Macedonia, and Thracia under Pontic rule. The non-Pontic settlements, which include the walled capitals of Athenai and Pella, are under Macedon and Triballi control. It will take some time, however, to reposition our armies and fleets from the recent war along the Africa/Libya coastline, and subsequent assimilation of Africa. In particular, nautical engineers have completed the expansion of our military port at Ephesus, and our Mediterranean fleets all return to the Mare Carpathium for hull strengthening (Poseidon's Justice is likewise undergoing upgrade near Harmozia). During this interlude, I decide to complete the unification of Libya province.

Pontus already holds the coastal settlements including walled Cyrene, but the nation of Cyrenaica holds the interior towns of Ammonium and Aguila. The Cyrenes field two respectably large armies, the Wings of Pegasus and Helene's Faithful, and employ a large number of agents active throughout Libya and Africa. Dexios passed away of natural causes following the capture of Macomades; Heliodoros now commands the Sentinels of Hyperion. Antymnius commands Mithridates' Chosen at Cyrene. I command these two generals to defeat the Cyrenaican armies and unify Libya. I also charge my Eyes and Ears of the King to relentlessly pursue Cyrenaican agents, and prevent them from interfering with the Sentinels and Chosen.

Both armies march inland from the coast. Antymnius assaults Ammonium, the easternmost of the two Cyrenaican towns. Mithridates' Chosen easily sweep aside the garrison, and the town is taken. Meanwhile, the Sentinels of Hyperion approach western Aguila over the desert road. As Heliodoros crosses the border, however, he decides to proceed further west and bring the Cyrenaican Helene's Faithful to battle. The man foolishly sets out across the desert to shorten his march. The unforgiving sun exacts its heavy price...baking Heliodoros' column and taking far more soldiers than Helene's Faithful are likely to.

Heliodoros' weakened Sentinels catch up to the Faithful, and indeed ambush them near the border with Seleucid Garama. They are still excessively stronger than the ambushed Cyrenaicans, and kill hundreds of the desert soldiers before the Faithful withdraw, at little cost in Pontic blood. One of the fallen, however, is reckless Heliodoros himself....upon taking command of the Sentinels, the general chose a chariot detachment as his guard rather than the typical Bronze Shields. Despite the one-sided massacre, a Cyrenaican spear unit still managed to catch the chariots standing still while Heliodoros was observing the progress of a cavalry charge. No doubt Bronze Shields would easily have protected the general. Heliodoros is fallen, and I do not mourn the loss of this witless man. We will render full military honors at his burial...and silently breathe relief that a more capable man (my cousin Aristarchus, son of Agathon) now marches at the head of the Sentinels of Hyperion.

Antymnius proceeds from Ammonium to attack Aguila itself (the imbecilic Heliodoros having failed to do so). Mithridates' Chosen array themselves before the desert town in typical array. The hoplite 3-phalanx column is formed, while missileers take station on either flank to wear down the defenders. The ballistae are set in place just behind the archers. Aguila's garrison is large but low-quality. There are a few units of Egyptian infantry, but most of the defenders are a mere mob. Antymnius' hoplites advance, but do not need to come to blows. The ballistae, archers, and peltasts mercilessly shower the defenders with deadly effect. The garrison breaks entirely under the bombardment. Aguila is taken without the loss of a single Pontic soldier.


Aguila: Antymnius' archers open the barrage


Aguila: Mithridates' Chosen peltasts attacking the garrison

Libya is now unified under Pontic rule; the Pontic province of Libya is formally established. Helene's Faithful and the Wings of Pegasus, however, still remain at large in the desert. The Faithful, in fact, march through the sands and threaten Macomades. The Seleucids are also at war with Cyrenaica, and several of their forces and agents are in the area...yet none act to hinder the Faithful' movements (a curious inactivity which will not be forgotten in Amaseia...). Aristarchus marches to intercept with the Sentinels of Hyperion (already nicely recovered once back on the main road in Pontic territory). While Helene's Faithful threaten Macomades, the Wings of Pegasus have appeared out of the desert near Aguila itself. Antymnius prepares to meet this desert host.

Meanwhile, our Eyes and Ears have been productive indeed. My spies have not only prevented Cyrenaican agents from doing much mischief, but have used their wiles to convert several. As the Cyrenaican ship sinks, the rats abandon. Two Cyrenaican aristocrats, Dakka and Neferu, defect to Pontus. Perhaps these desert nobles may prove of use in our newly won provinces; I find them administrative positions in Africa and Libya. The Cyrenaican hero Naqy has also entered Pontic service; Aristarchus puts the man to work training his Sentinels.

Mithridates' Chosen ambush the Wings of Pegasus in the desert just north of Aguila's eastern oases. Antymnius approaches the marching Wings from behind a large dune...the Chosen crest the dune and surprise is complete. Hoplites advance down the dune's slope toward the Cyrenaican column, while archers rain fire from the crest. Caught unaware, the Wings are disheartened and do not fight long. Only a short melee ensues before they break and flee...but the majority are destroyed. Aguila is secure.


Ambush: Chosen archers firing from the dune crest


Ambush: Wings of Pegasus put up a short melee struggle before morale is broken

Meanwhile, Aristarchus is led on a bit of a chase. Helene's Faithful (fortunately) do not press toward Macomades, but instead continue north toward Cyrene. The Sentinels bring this force to battle along the coastal grassland some distance south of the walled capital. The Faithful are not surprised in ambush, but are no less disheartened for it. The Cyrenaicans resignedly align themselves on the field and make a valorous attack against the Sentinel hoplites. Their infantry are soon bested and flee. Some courageous javelineers stand their ground for a bit longer, but are also routed. Aristarchus' Noble Blood cavalry mercilessly cut down the Cyrenaican routers. With the destruction of Helene's Faithful, Cyrenaica is vanquished.


Cyrenaican javelineers make a brave last stand


Noble Blood cavalry ride down Cyrenaica's last few troops



Antymnius and Aristarchus have done well (in contrast to Heliodoros). Libya is unified and secure. Mithridates' Chosen in particular has shown its usual excellence...and is in need of a rest. This army was formed in the time of Ameinas, and first blooded in Sokrates' Armenian War. Since that time, the Chosen have marched continuously in Pontus' desert campaigns; Syria, Nabatea, Aegyptus, Arabia, far Harmozia, Aethiopia, and now Libya. This host has never returned to the Pontic homeland; alone among our armies, Mithridates' Chosen still operates with only one siege artillery unit, and its troops fight with weapons and armor unimproved by Bosporus' superb workshops. The Chosen were materially Pontus' best-equipped army when first formed so many decades ago...now it is among the weakest. I order Antymnius to march the Chosen home, and re-equip his veterans with arms worthy of their hard-won experience.

Meanwhile, the Pontic fleets have been suitably reinforced. The Heralds, Terror, Argonauts, and Guardians now boast the strongest naval hulls in the Mediterranean. Macedon will be next to feel the fury of Pontic arms.

Hellas, Macedonia, and Thracia remain fragmented. The Greek peninsula must be unified at last under Pontic hegemony. Macedon and the Celtic Triballi stand in our way; Macedon controls the great cities of Pella and Athenai, while the Triballi hold lesser towns Larissa and Navissos.

Pontic envoys journey to Pella, in one final attempt to avoid Hellenic bloodshed. Macedon is offered satrapy. They refuse...regrettable, but expected. My conscience is clear. My ambassadors depart Pella having left a declaration of war in the Macedonian king's hands. The non-Greek Triballi merit no such diplomatic formalities...they will receive notification of hostilities upon hearing the tramp of our armies' march.

The campaign against Macedon

The war opens at sea, in the Mare Aegeum. Several Macedonian fleets ply the area, while a few embarked armies are afloat as well. The concentrated Pontic fleets - Heralds, Terror, Argonauts, and Guardians - sweep into the Aegean from the Mare Carpathium. A large Macedonian army, Bite of the Basilisk, supported by their fleet Pytheos' Navigators, are caught between Scylla's Terror and the Argonauts of Cyncus. Aristoboulas and Aeolus press forward and bombard the hapless Macedonian vessels from ahead and astern. The Bite is utterly destroyed, while few Navigators manage to withdraw after losing heart. I must confess the admirals might have made a neater job of it...before their destruction the Macedonians did manage to close in melee, and a few screening vessels were lost. Scylla's Terror will need to return to the Mare Carpathium for replacements. Even so, I cannot complain. Macedon's largest field army is destroyed at the outset of hostilities. The Argonauts of Cyncus pursue and soon dispose of the remnant Pytheos' navigators.


War against Macedon begins: Bite of the Basilisk destroyed in the Mare Aegeum

Ashore, Sokrates' Judgment marches a short distance from Sparta to besiege Athenai. My memory may be faulty; I do not recall any minor actions which Peithon's host may have performed...but I do know that this will be the first major battle in which the Judgment engage. Asteropaeus' Guardians of the Pontos support the siege with naval blockade. Pontic generals have been rather reticent to assault walled capitals, ever since Amompharetos' difficulty at Harmozia, followed by the catastrophe at Gerrha. Athenai is a robustly defended city, with one of the largest garrisons in the known world - nearly as large as Sokrates' Judgment itself. It has been five decades since Gerrha, however, and I want to re-establish throughout the Mediterranean that no walls can stand before a Pontic army. I order Peithon not to wait out surrender, but to assault Athenai as soon as his siege engines are prepared.

Peithon complies, but is (appropriately) deliberate in his assault. The general wisely chooses a wall section near the shoreline, to avail himself support of naval bombardment. Before Sokrates' Judgment moves forward, the Guardian naval onagers reduce several arrow towers, while Peithon's own onagers subdue two more outside the ships' range. The entire western wall is deprived of missile towers. Only then does Peithon's tortoise advance to open a breach....which is soon completed without undue delay or casualties. Alongside the tortoise, Peithon also advances siege ladders manned by Pontic Swords, to clear the wall of garrison missile units before the main column enters the breach. The swordsmen take some casualties on the approach, but once up the ladder, they slaughter the hapless Macedonian missileers. The wall is cleared.

Peithon's phalanx column now enters the city, unharried by missile fire. These are not the steady Pontic hoplites of tradition, but Bronze Shield Pike phalanxes. As they enter the city, the main body of the garrison is revealed, standing ready in an open agora below the Acropolis. The Guardians' naval artillery begins to relentlessly pound these massed defenders. The Bronze Shields advance, bristling with long sarissae. Pontic Swords, their duty on the wall complete, flank via alternate route, as do our Royal Cavalry. Two phalanxes abreast in the narrow city street sweep all before them. The Bronze Shields do not inflict many casualties directly, but are themselves virtually invulnerable with protected flanks. Indeed, they do not even attempt to directly engage the Macedonian spear and melee infantry before them, but simply keep marching forward as if on parade...letting the sarissae do the work, irresistibly herding the Macedonians before the pike points. Our swordsmen advance from flanking streets and assail enemy javelineers, while Royal cavalry begin causing light troops to rout merely by their appearance. Some sharp melee finally ensues in the open agora, where the Bronze Shields must maneuver and protect their flanks. Even so, they steadily advance with few losses. Ere long the entire garrison is disheartened and flees the city. Athenai, jewel of the Aegean, is ours. Hellas province is unified.


Athenai: Pontic swordsmen clear the wall of missile troops


Athenai: Bronze Shield pike phalanxes advance toward the central agora


Athenai: Victorious Pontic Royal Cavalry before the Acropolis

Meanwhile, the Champions of Amasis cross into Macedonia itself from Pontic Thracia. Amiantos' object is the capital of Pella. The Macedonians, however, are also at war with the Gaetuli, and Pella is currently under Gaetuli naval blockade. Pontus would have to make war upon the Gaetuli to break this blockade and besiege the city. We certainly have the power to do this...but Gaetuli fleets and armies range throughout the seas, small but numerous. As our forces have lately marched away from Africa and other western possessions, Gaetuli involvement could be complicated. Amiantos restrains himself for now to raiding the Macedonian countryside near Pella, and waiting for an opportunity.

Such opportunity materializes when a small, previously undetected Macedonian fleet attacks the Gaetuli blockade force. Amiantos wisely refrains from involving the Champions, and the Gaetuli are beaten off. With the way open, Amiantos promptly besieges Pella. With the supremacy of Pontic assault capability reestablished at Athenai, I am content to allow Amiantos to wait for the city's surrender. Lately released from Athenai, the Guardians of the Pontos proceed north to support the siege with blockade. The Macedonian garrison holds out for a time, but it is not long before they bow to the inevitable. Pella surrenders.

Cities captured, fleets and armies swept away, only a tiny Macedonian remnant remains in the field. Hounded by our forces, these Odysseus' Wanderers are brought to bay on the Hellespont peninsula near Antheia...by none other than Mithridates' Chosen led by Antymnius. The Chosen had been enroute to Bosporus for rest and refit after the Cyrenaican War...the Fates ordained, however, that Antymnius' army would be our closest host to the Macedonian holdouts. Antymnius lands his army and marches upon the Macedonian encampment. However in need of updated equipment they may be, the Chosen are among Pontus' most stalwart veterans, and quickly vanquish the Wanderers, slaughtering them in their makeshift fort. The Chosen then continue on their way toward Bosporus...while Macedon is destroyed.



War against the Triballi

Meanwhile Pontus is not idle against the other holder of Greek peninsular territory...the Triballi. Pontic armies have long become accustomed to warfare against Hellenic and various Eastern/Nomad opponents in arid climates. Not since the long-ago Galatian War of Prokopios and Ariobarzanes nearly two centuries ago, however, have we faced a Celtic foe. These Triballi are...different. Wild-looking folk, perhaps a bit undisciplined, but valorous. They fight with spear as we do...but not in phalanx. The Triballi possess ballistae every bit as deadly as our own. Most mysterious, we have heard tales of Celtic warriors called Oathsworn. It is unknown precisely what these are, we have never encountered such; they are believed to be uncommonly steady and merciless sword infantry. I do not know how challenging or easy the coming battles will be...but I strongly suspect it will be an altogether different affair than dispersing a rabble of starving desert ruffians as so often the case in Libya or Arabia.

This portion of the Greece campaign opens satisfactorily enough. Just after capturing Athenai, Peithon and Sokrates' Judgment march the short distance north to Larissa. The town is held by a respectably-sized garrison, but no Triballi field army lurks nearby. Peithon begins a standard Pontic assault on the town, using Bronze Shields in column, preceded by missile bombardment, with cavalry searching a flanking route. The Celtic garrison troops, however strangely equipped and trained they may be, react familiarly enough to the relentless missile fire and the sight of our phalanxes. They are decimated, shaken, then broken. Larissa is taken. The province of Macedonia is unified within the Pontic Empire, and formally proclaimed.


Larissa: Bronze Shield phalanxes advancing toward the town

Ares' Fury now takes the battle further north, toward Triballi-held Navissos in western Thracia...wooded, hilly terrain. Cleisthenes marches his army overland from Apollonia, and then proceeds north from Pella (at this point still under Amiantos' siege). Ares' Fury ascends the wooded mountain pass leading into Thracia. The Ears of the King report a Triballi army in the mountains ahead, and Cleisthenes takes appropriate care, not pressing his men to march with undue speed. It is well that he takes this precaution, for it soon becomes clear that not one but two Triballi hosts stand before him. Together, the Triballi Mountain Men and Warmongers substantially outnumber Ares' Fury...and they move to attack. Just before the battle, moreover, a Triballi spy attempts to assasinate Cleisthenes in camp. The attempt fails, but the general is wounded. My young kinsman Apelles must take charge of Ares' Fury for the battle.

The Triballi armies descend along the pass towards Apelles in an early morning fog. The young general arrays his hoplites in the main battle line, and posts Thureos Spears on the flanks protecting peltasts. The spears and missileers' task is to flank enemies held fast by the hoplite phalanxes. Noble blood cavalry are posted in a small grove to the far left, hoping for opportunity to attack the Triballi rear once the melee lines are engaged. Apelles' onagers are stationed behind the hoplites some distance...but in the fog they may not be able to make full use of their long reach.

The Triballi do not immediately rush pell-mell, but instead wait to combine both their hosts into one combined horde...it appears they will seek to overcome Ares' Fury through sheer weight of numbers. Their primary infantry force are spear warriors, backed by javelin skirmishers. Rather ominously, the Triballi field three ballistae contingents. The Mountain Men and Warmongers carefully co-join their forces in line, and only then advance through the mist.

Apelles' onagers take their toll on the rapidly advancing Celts, but the speed of the advance and the fog reduce their typical effectiveness. In any case, they are soon compelled to shift their aim to the Triballi ballistae. Celtic cavalry materializes on Apelles' right in a flanking maneuver; Thureos Spears adjust to meet them. The main lines close to melee, and a rather long struggle ensues. The hoplites stand their ground firmly...but the pressing Triballi hordes fight harder and deadlier in close combat than any foe Pontus has seen for generations. Many Celts fall in the clash...but so do many Pontics. Oathsworn do indeed appear among the assaulting infantry, apparently their generals' personal guards. These swordsmen prove worthy of the tales; they fight ferociously and with deadly effect, showing not the slightest sign of wavering heart.

The Thureos on the right succeed in repulsing the Triballi horse. Peltasts maneuver to deliver flanking fire as they can, with some effect. The hoplites fight grimly and do not lose ground...but, their lines anchored on Oathsworn, neither do the Celts. Apelles is not (yet) worried about his lines' integrity, and the hoplites show no sign of breaking...but he begins to become concerned about the casualty rates. It becomes increasingly evident that the hoplites may run out of men before the Triballi.

It is the Noble Blood cavalry who break the impasse. They charge from concealment on the far left, towards now-exposed ranks of Celtic skirmishers behind the melee. First one, then two, missile units waver...and then chain-rout. The appearance of horsemen in their rear finally shakes the resolve of the Celtic spear warriors; they begin to waver, and fall back. Only the Oathsworn remain steadfast, continuing to exact a fearful toll with their blades. Rock-like as they may be, however, they are soon isolated. Once beset from flanks and threatened from rear, even these stalwart foes are compelled to give way. The Triballi armies retreat back up the pass toward Navissos.


Pella: Thureos Spears repulse Triballi cavalry (rather inexplicably, with their swords...did I miss a formation setting perhaps?)



Pella: Ares' Fury hoplites in close combat with the Celtic horde


Pella: Noble Blood cavalry break the deadlock with a flank attack into the Triballi rear

Apelles has done well, winning a victory against the numerically superior and valiant Celts. The Mountain Men and Warmongers are decimated, and in no shape to further campaign. Ares' Fury, however, has lost heavily as well. Siege of Gerrha aside, more Pontic soldiers have fallen here than in any open-field battle in living memory. Several hoplite phalanxes are badly mauled, having lost well over half their men. Thureos Spears and peltasts have suffered substantial losses as well. The Triballi armies may have lost the field and rendered themselves incapable of further combat. But they have achieved their objective, at least temporarily. Prudence dictates that Apelles abandon his progress toward Navissos for now. He is confident that the weakened army is still strong enough to take the town...but potentially at the total loss of some units. He would then be obliged to leave the Greek peninsula entirely and take Ares' Fury to Bosporus. Better to replenish in safely Pontic southern Thracia for a season or two before resuming the march.

It soon becomes clear that the mountain defeat, however, has totally broken the spine of Triballi military strength. The Eyes and Ears report that Mountain Men and Warmongers have both retreated all the way to their capital at Singidun. The spies add, moreover, that no other enemy armies other than typical garrison forces remain in Triballi territory. They begin to harass the stricken Triballi armies, particularly the Warmongers...continously attacking provisions and train, keeping this host immobilized and weak. The Triballi economy appears too weak to quickly reconstitute their forces.

Ares' Fury, by contrast, are quickly replenished. Apelles advances once more towards Navissos, this time approaching via Pulpudeva. The town's garrison sallies out to meet Ares' Fury, who meet the attack on the crest of a hill outside Navissos. The Celtic attack, lacking numbers, ballistae, or Oathsworn, is readily repulsed. The Triballi withdraw from the field, and Navissos is taken. Thracia province is unified...and with it, the entire Greek peninsula...under Pontic imperial rule.


Pontic peltasts at Navissos


Navissos: Ares' Fury meets the rather thin Triballi attack

The territorial objectives of the war have been attained. It only remains to finish off these Triballi, so that they may not again emerge as a threat in the future. The majority of stable Thracia has been Pontic territory since the Civil War, and the typical public-unrest concerns do not pertain after the capture of Navissos. Apelles immediately marches north to besiege the Triballi walled capital at Singidun, in Pannonia. The weakened Mountain Men remain inside the walls, while nearby Warmongers are utterly neutralized by continued sabotage. The Triballi are in no condition to resist, and the city quickly surrenders without a fight. The Pontic Empire frontier extends forward once more.

In a vain attempt to reverse fortune, the general of the Warmongers spends his remaining treasure on hiring every mercenary in the region to bolster his nearly-eradicated army for a last attempt at resistance. Futility. The mercenaries are hampered by our Eyes and Ears just as the Triballi native troops were. Apelles marches a short distance from the gates and destroys this remnant without trouble. Methinks these soldiers of fortune charged far too modest a price...

This is not quite the end of the Triballi. Heretofore unknown, a third army, Sons of Smertios, has apparently been campaigning well to the northwest...perhaps Raetia or Cisalpina. They have appeared on the Mare Adriaticum, apparently in a belated attempt to reach home and assist. The Sons have been unable to do so, blocked by Ardiaei territory, and remain afloat. Scylla's Terror enters the Adriatic, but the Sons lead them on a chase, up and down that sea. Archippos (now in command of the Terror following the death of Aristoboulos) cannot quite bring them to battle. The Defenders of Trapezos embark in transports at Apollonia...not to run down the Triballi force themselves, but to help block and trap the Sons among the islands of the Illyrian coast.

Archippos finally succeeds, and brings the elusive Triballi transport fleet to battle. The outcome is so predictable as to be foreordained. The artillery of Scylla's Terror shatter the Sons of Smertios' transports; every last one is sunk, at the cost of not one Pontic. The last vestige of Triballi hopes lies at the bottom of the Mare Adriaticum. This war is concluded.


Triballi eradicated: The Sons of Smertios destroyed upon the Mare Adriaticum



Latin footnote: Cosentia

These wars on the Greek peninsula command our attention, of course, during these years. In the midst of the campaign, however, a side-theater opportunity arises. The town of Cosentia, in Magna Graecia, had long been held by the Iberian Cessetani. It has, however, recently lapsed into revolt, and is now controlled by an army of Latin rebels. The way is open to expand Pontic holdings in mainland Italy without confounding allies or neighbors. The Sentinels of Hyperion, idle since the Cyrenaican War, sail north from Lepcis and soon land in Pontic Syracusae. From there it is a quick march across the Messana Strait to Cosentia. Aristarchus promptly assaults the town. The Latin army sallies out to meet the Sentinels.

The brief struggle is notable in that it is the first time a Pontic army faces a Latin opponent. These folk don heavy armor and fight as swordsmen, eschewing spear or pike (although not thrown javelins). We have certainly met sword infantry before...but not an entire army of them. These rebel Italian swords predictably break after a time...but beforehand the melee is quite vicious. It does give one pause to consider what higher-quality versions of this troop type may be able to achieve. In particular, our Roman neighbors at Brundisium and Lilybaeum are said to possess the best sword-armed melee infantry in the world. I should perhaps commission one of my Eyes to snoop around Brundisium and report back. In any case, Cosentia is won; the Pontic frontier edges forward.


Cosentia: Sentinel hoplites clash with rebel Italian sword infantry

War Council

With Macedonia and Thrace consolidated within the Empire, nearly all the Greek world is under Pontic dominion. Only the Hellenic Ardiaei and Seluecids remain outside our formal borders (each for particular unique reasons). The long-term objective of Pontic imperial policy, established at the outset of King Charidemos' reign, is fulfilled. The Empire, moreover, is at peace on all frontiers. No nagging border troubles annoy, no hostile empires threatening war. Many might say it is time to enjoy the peace. The Pontic Empire is the largest, wealthiest, most powerful in the known world. None would dare infringe.

This may be so, but I am Charidemos' descendant in every respect, and firmly believe in Empire for Empire's own sake...an expanding Empire. There is no steady status quo; the day Pontus stops to rise is the day that Pontus begins to decline. We will continue to march; on this I am steadfast. On the question of where to march, however, I remain open.

I call a Council of War among the senior generals. The decision is mine, of course, but I would hear what these men counsel. Several men urge that the alliances with the Ardiaei and Seleucids have long outlived useful purpose, and that it is time to bring these last Greek factions within the Pontic fold. Others eye the rich lands of Italia and Magna Grecia. Some seem to prefer hot sand, advocating yet more desert campaigns (have we not had enough of these?).

In the main, the various proposals can be categorized into two general trends: the West strategy and the East. Aeolus and Apelles are the two most senior and respected leaders, and the disparate views coalesce around these two men. Aeolus (as would be natural for an admiral) advocates Pontus expanding west, spearheaded by the powerful fleet. He argues, validly enough, that the Mediterranean offers richer commerce, with its many as-yet-unconquered ports. The admirals all support him, of course. The East school, centered on Apelles and numbering the majority of generals, is more traditionally or conservatively oriented. They argue that Pontus is fundamentally an Eastern power, our aristocracy having originated in Persia; we should march further east and consolidate that entire half of the known world.

Both arguments have merits...but of course the articulated positions conceal true motives. The army leaders want a long-term strategy which will marginalize the hugely popular navy for generations; they've heard enough of such names as Cyncus and Anytios. The admirals, naturally, desire the opposite, seeing the Mediterranean as not only rich in potential for Pontic glory, but for Pontic naval glory.

For the time being, it pleases me to support the generals...after all, there are simply more of them. In any case, after decades of more pressing priorities, Pontus finally has opportunity to pursue a secondary but nevertheless long-cherished goal. Ever since the Cimmerian War nearly two centuries ago, kings and emperors have eyed the steppe north of the Bosporus. This province is the "mother of Pontic armies"...yet the hinterlands upon its very borders remain under the sway of such barbarians as the Aorsi, Massagatae, and other such ilk. In addition, the conquest of Singidun and Navissos opens inroads into the rich province of Dacia, home of the Eravisci.

So we will march north. Dacia and Ponto-Caspia will be my final legacy to the Pontic Empire. It will take some number of years to reposition our armies...meanwhile let Pontus indeed enjoy a well-deserved peace. Advances in agriculture and construction have enabled new techniques, and I order a major program of theater construction and landed estates throughout all unified provinces within the empire. The vast estates will provide such bounty that cities across the empire will double or even triple in size and wealth. The massive new theaters will serve the larger populations. The Pontic Empire today is rich...within in a generation, it will be doubly so.


Dacia: The Eravisci War

After eleven years' peace, the armies are ready to march. They cross the frontier from Pannonia to the Caspian Sea. By far the majority of combat occurs in and near Dacia, against the Celtic Eravisci. These folk live and fight much as their cousins the Triballi, a previous foe. Indeed, I believe they are really the same people, much as we Greeks are.

The war is opened by Sokrates' Judgment, led by Alkibiades. The Judgment cross the wide Danube north of Pulpudeva, and come upon the grain town of Malva. The Eravisci garrison is robustly-sized for such a town, and sallies out to meet Alkibiades. They are valiant, but I wonder if they have ever met pike phalanxes and onagers before. The Celtic infantry and skirmishers attack Alkibiades' Bronze Shield line, and are quickly stymied by bristling sarissae, and unnerved by our archers' whistling shot overhead. They find themselves unable to effectively engage in combat, their short weapons impotent. Able to do nothing but stand and die at pike-point, they turn and flee back into the town. Malva is taken, at virtually no cost.


Malva: Eravisci warriors fleeing from Sokrates' Judgment phalanxes

The largest battle of this war occurs further northeast. Agathon and Amiantos have marched their armies north of Singidun in order to threaten both Eravisci Akink in Pannonia and the Dacian capital of Zarmizegetusa. In this wooded border region, the Champions of Amasis come upon the Spear Men, their greatest army. With two Pontic hosts before him, however, the Eravisci general withdraws north toward Akink, enabling his reinforcement from the large garrison there. Amiantos and Agathon pursue, and bring the Spear Men to battle a few miles from the Pannonian town.

Agathon's Defenders of Trapezon, primarily a hoplite army, makes first contact with the Eravisci on the open plain just south of Akink. He aligns his hoplites defensively, and bombards the Spear Men with his ballistae while waiting for Amiantos' Champions of Amasis to reach the field. The Spear Men themselves await reinforcements, who soon arrive from the northwest. Amiantos' Champions, based on Bronze Shield pike phalanxes, arrive. He advances to place the Champions on the right of the Pontic host. Agathon intends to meet the Eravisci and engage, while the Champions will perform a massive left-wheel maneuver to entrap the Celtic host in a vise.

Such is the cleanly-expressed intent. Reality, as usual, proves much more muddled. The Eravisci horde does indeed charge the Defenders' lines. The hoplites prove more than equal to most of the opposing Celtic infantry, particularly on the flanks. The Eravisci center, however, is anchored on a contingent of the dreaded Celtic Oathsworn. These powerful swordsmen outmatch the hoplites in front of them, and nearly annihilate one unit. Neighboring hoplites are obliged to turn and enter this melee...but they do little against the Oathsworn, while their own local flanks are now exposed to other Eravisci infantry and missile fire. The Defenders' hoplite line loses integrity, and Agathon's center devolves into a large formless brawl. The Pontic archer line behind is now vulnerable as well.

Amiantos' Bronze Shields make their wheel maneuver, and the Pontic lines are soon perpendicular, enclosing much of the Eravisci army within a shrinking kill-zone. Pontic Royal cavalry appear on our far right, and charge towards the Eravisci rear, shredding their javelin units. Pontic sword infantry, meanwhile, have marched fast to the Defenders' left, and making a flanking attack from that direction, alongside Agathon's Bronze Shield guard itself. Pontic advances from both flanks break the morale of the majority of Eravisci infantry. Soon only the redoubtable Oathsworn - still inflicting horrendous casualties - remain in contact. Finally they are surrounded on all sides by Pontic infantry. Exhausted by their long struggle, they finally give way, and the Battle of Akink is won. There is nothing left but for Pontic royal and noble cavalry to ride down the the streaming routers. The town falls to Pontus...and more importantly, the back of Eravisci military strength is broken. It has come at cost: several hoplite units have suffered terribly at the hands of the Oathsworn, one nearly annihilated.


Akink: Melee in the center


Akink: Pontic Royal Cavalry charge in a flank attack


Akink: Eravisci Oathsworn finally surrounded on all sides

The remainder of the Eravisci War is largely anticlimactic. The Champions of Amasis, bolstered by Apelles' Ares' Fury, besiege Zarmizegetusa immediately after the Battle of Akink. The capital is held by the largest city garrison ever seen by Pontic forces; fully as large as the Champions themselves. Even so, the presence of two Pontic armies keeps them at bay, and soon Zarmizegetusa surrenders, after a futile sally attempt. Meanwhile Alkibiades has marched Sokrates' Judgment north from Malva. The town of Petrodava, recently Eravisci but now held by rebels, is the last remaining town in Dacia. Alkibiades easily captures. Dacia is unified...albeit restless. I proclaim Bread and Games in this new province to help hasten its assimiliation.

Now landless, the lone remaining Eravisci force is the Fury of Sabazios. Not quite as large as the Spear Men, it is nevertheless a respectably-sized host. The Eravisci general marches toward Akink in an attempt to regain that city. In the wooded border region west of Zarmizegetusa, Ares' Fury ambushes the Fury in twilight fog. Apelles' hoplites and Thureos Spears rush the marching Celtic column out of forest on both roadsides. The Fury are annihilated, and the Eravisci War is concluded.


End of the Eravisci War: Ares' Fury ambush the Fury of Sabazios at dusk





Ponto-Caspia: War against the Aorsi and Massagetae

Much further east, Prokopios' Heroes and Mithridates' Chosen have marched north from long-Pontic Caucasia into the Ponto-Caspia. These lands are held by the Aorsi and Massagetae. Truthfully, there is little worth relating of these actions. My son Prince Perdiccas leads the Chosen in assaulting the Aorsi town of Samandar. These steppe folk are known for their extensive cavalry, but he finds few here. Perdiccas advances upon the town in time-tested Pontic fashion, and meets success. The town's defenders cannot stand up to the Chosen's archer and onager fire; they break before the hoplites make contact. Samandar falls...rather uneventfully.

My own Prokopios' Heroes advance toward Massagetae Siracene...and encounter the main Aorsi field army. This force does indeed mainfest the vaunted steppe horsemen...but I catch these Steppe Wolves in ambush. The nomadic cavalry are as vulnerable as any other force when surprised in such fashion. The Steppe Wolves are decimated and routed as easily as the Eravisci had been in Dacia. Rather than pursue their remnant, I elect to proceed to the town. Siracena falls even more easily than Samadar. Half of Ponto-Caspia is already taken with little effort.


Mithridates' Chosen advance upon Samandar: "Standard" Pontic settlement-battle formation

-------------------------

I am Perdiccas, son of Azeus. I am tenth King and third Emperor of Pontus. Azeus, 68 years of age, has died of natural causes at Siracena, having just won a victory over the Aorsi. I am happy that Azeus won this battle and captured Siracena before old age took him. My father was placed in command of Prokopios' Heroes during his youth, widely hailed for his authority, zeal, and cunning. Antiphus, Arybbas, and indeed Azeus himself then proceeded for decades to use Prokopios' Heroes largely in frontier watch and garrison duties. I may be mistaken, but I believe the Aorsi battle and capture of Siracena were the first military actions Prokopios' Heroes - and my father (as a commander) - ever fought.

This does not diminish the achievements of a great and wise emperor. I am simply happy that Azeus found battlefield glory before passing from this world. He guided the Empire steadily throughout his reign. He was a great unifier. Long-fragmented Pontic territories in Libya, Macedonia, and Hellas were consolidated by Azeus; he then went on to add the whole of Dacia. Azeus did as much as any Pontic King or Emperor to further political consolidation of the Greek world. Nor did he neglect civil concerns, conceiving and initiating currently ongoing agricultural reforms. I am proud to succeed Azeus, his name worthy of honor alongside those of all other Pontic Kings. I will finish this Ponto-Caspia campaign for him...and then we will consider further this great question of "West or East?".

My first order of business is to complete Azeus' planned conquest of the Ponto-Caspia. This means declaring war on the Celtic Bastarnae. Somewhat regrettable, as they have been quite friendly towards Pontus. Such, however, are the imperatives of the Empire. Our armies prepare to march upon Olbia and Solokha.

The Bastarnae are joined by their allies the Anartes from neighboring Sarmatia. My economic advisors point out that the Sarmatian region of Galic is rich in leather, while to its far north is a port on a foreign northern sea. I have reservations about Azeus' relatively modest northern objectives cascading, but am lured by these lucrative prospects; we will carry the war beyond Ponto-Caspia itself.

Meanwhile, the conquest of Dacis has sufficiently enlarged the Empire to support additional forces. New armies begin recruitment in the Bosporus during this period. The Centaurs will be led by Aristarchos, the Sons of Rhea by Antinomous. Later on, I myself, Emperor Perdiccas, will leave Mithridates' Chosen to raise The Ravaging Chimeras....but that's getting a bit ahead of our story.

Azeus' agricultural reforms bear prodigious fruit. Large estates throughout the Empire now produce an unprecendented surplus of food. My father's intent had been to use this bounty to feed the populations of great new cities, and support massive temples and theaters. Indeed, provincial capitals and resource towns now begin to grow rapidly. Tax revenues from these expanded cities grow as well...and soon our yearly revenues have doubled in size. It is a Golden Age in the Pontic Empire.


Wow, that worked out even better than I'd expected. A few turns later, nearly every provincial capital and resource town is Level IV, producing over 40,000 income per turn. Level IV temples and theaters keep Public Order comfortably in the green. Food surplus still remains over 200.

The war begins with some small but important fleet actions in the western Euxine Sea. Bastarnae fleets and embarked armies there are not very large, but could be troublesome if left unchecked. The Guardians of the Pontos and Heralds of Triton rapidly bring these forces afloat to battle and destroy them. One small Bastarnae fleet eludes for a time, remaining just out of reach of our fleets...but then is destroyed during a rather dubious attempt to blockade Antheia. Our supremacy upon the Euxine is reestablished.

Apelles leads Ares' Fury out of Dacia and attacks the Bastarnae port town of Olbia. Standard tactics prove successful once more. The hoplites do not need to engage; onagers and peltasts destroy the garrison on their own. Olbia is easily taken. Worth noting; every port on the entire Euxine coast is now Pontic.


Olbia: Onagers open the bombardment


Olbia: Ares' Fury peltasts in action

At the same time, Cinyras' Sons of Troy march north from Panticipaeum and besiege the walled capital of Solokha. In addition to the garrison, two Bastarnae field armies are in the area, but the Eyes and Ears of the King keep them weakened and immobilized. Ares' Fury soon makes a foray from Olbia to destroy one of these hosts. After a time, Solokha surrenders without battle. The province of Ponto-Caspia is unified.



Further west, rebel forces in Hercynia invade Pontic territory in Pannonia. Athenaeus had not seen the rebel army as a direct threat, fully expecting them to remain stationary near the rebel town of Istros. He had marched the Defenders of Trapezos towards Zarmizegetusa to support the war effort, trusting that Akink and Singidun would remain unmolested. Obviously a mistake in hindsight, but I find it hard to fault the man, as his assessment of rebel intentions mirrored my own.

The rebel army overwhelms Akink's small garrison and takes the town. Rather embarrasing to Athenaeus...and myself. The general countermarches the Defenders of Trapezos and defeats the rebel host. Akink is retaken. Luckily, the rebels' rule had been so short that construction initiatives in the town had not been disrupted...but the battles have flared up public unrest in Pontic Pannonia. Rather annoying. Athenaeus seeks permanent resolution to this rebel problem, and continues north to assault rebel-held Istros. Bereft of its army, Istros is virtually undefended and surrenders. Rebel rule there is quashed. The Pontic imperial frontier, unplanned or not, now extends well into Hercynia.

At the opposite end of the Empire in far-off Harmozia, old Diokles, commander of the Wrath of Zeus, dies of natural causes. My son and heir, Prince Deinokrates, takes command. The Wrath have been essentially on garrison duty in the trans-Sinus south for decades, along with the Scions of Sinope. My predecessors had felt compelled to keep armies in that region because of the distances involved, and as a hedge against potential breakup of the Seleucid satrapies. Such fears have proven groundless, however, and so Pontic armies have lain fallow in that arid backwater. I chafe at their inactivity, and ponder whether or not to bring the Wrath and Scions home, as we had previously done with the Lykoi.

Meanwhile in eastern Ponto-Caspia, an Aorsi cavalry army appears. Prokopios' Heroes, led by Antagoras, forays south from Siracena and defeats this host near the Caucasian border. While the threat is easily disposed of, it is an ominous reminder that a state of war still exists with the Aorsi, who hold lands beyond the Caspian Sea. With order becoming better established in Ponto-Caspia, I order the Heroes as well as Mithridates' Chosen to move to the northeast border, near Scythia. At some point in the near future, we will need to resolve this Aorsi threat by taking the war further east. As with Sarmatia, I feel the "limited" northern campaign slowly turning into a generations-long major effort. I wonder if my ancestor Sokrates felt the same so long ago in Syria....he began with limited objectives near Antioch, but Pontic armies did not stop marching through desert sand until reaching Libya, Aethiopia, and Gedrosia. Are we to repeat this now in the freezing north?

The Aorsi make further trouble. Just after Antagoras' victory, an Aorsi assassin attempts to poison me, in the Mithridates' Chosen camp north of Samandar. They strike not only at the fringes of the Pontic frontier, but at the imperial establishment itself. I survive, but the effects of the poison linger. I cannot continue at the head of the Chosen. I turn command over to the aristocrat Theron. Once recovered, I elect to leave Theron in command there, while I myself will lead the new Ravaging Chimeras, as previously mentioned.

The final Bastarnae army, the Warmongers, marches between Solokha and Olbia, near the river Borysthenes (Dnieper). Cinryas' Sons of Troy brings the Warmongers to battle near the river's northern bank. The Celtic infantry charge and put up a ferocious fight for a time. The Warmongers, however, have been severely weakened by losing their logistic support following the fall of their cities. They are simply too few, and soon give way. The Warmongers are destroyed, and with them the Bastarnae nation.


Battle on the Borysthenes: Pontic and Bastarnae clash



It is time to press forward against the Anartes in Samartia. North of the Ponto-Caspia border, the unforgiving terrain is snowy and icebound much of the year. Archesilaus' Champions of Amasis march from Dacia and easily capture the leather-producing town of Galic from German rebels. The main Pontic effort proceeds from Ponto-Caspia towards the Anartes capital of Tur. Daetor and the Lykoi march in the van, supported by the Sons of Troy. Meanwhile Sokrates' Judgment move north past Galic toward Tur along a different road. Daetor has requested such support because of the terrain. Even when strictly maintaining the road, the cold takes its toll, snows claiming any foraging party or patrol wandering even a few hundred yards from the roadside. All three armies arrive before Tur's walls reduced in numbers. [pretty annoying how cold attrition still hits a marching army sticking close to a road. Seems to be worse than desert attrition.]

Tur is defended by a large garrison, as well as the Anartes field army, the Glory of Epona. The Glory include several units of Oathsworn infantry. These Celtic warriors have given us trouble in the past...and then they appeared only an an opposing general's guard. Daetor does not relish the idea of meeting an entire battalion of them...he elects to besiege Tur rather than assault. Despite the strength of their infantry, the Anartes are cowed by the presence of three Pontic armies outside the city. The Sons and the Judgment raid the environs just beyond the walls. After a time, Tur surrenders without battle.

The Bastarnae-Anartes War is essentially over. A small Anartes army remains at large further north, but it will soon be dealt with. The northern port, Mons Regius, is under the control of the Gutones tribe...Sokrates' Judgment will march hither as soon as recovered from the cold attrition suffered thus far.

Alarming news arrives from eastern Ponto-Caspia once more. Not one but three Aorsi armies have crossed the Caspian Sea and landed on our shore. Not only recently-conquered Samandar but also long-Pontic Gabala in Caucasia are threatened. Charidemos' Vengeance is dispatched from Ephesus to meet these invaders, but will not arrive in time to prevent their capture of Gabala. The newly-raised Centaurs are also sent towards Samandar, but again it appears the Aorsi will beat us to that city. We have another war confronting us. Clearly, we must continue east to deal with these confounded Aorsi permanently.


Don't expect this to become "standard". Just got a bit carried away with Powerpoint. Geeked out.

Much as I'd foreseen, Pontus is indeed drawn further and further east, dealing with these pesky horsemen. Whether planned or not, the Empire's frontier expands east over the trackless expanses of grass. The war has actually been ongoing already for years, ever since Azeus captured Samandar from the Aorsi. Our attentions turned westwards toward the Bastarnae and Anartes afterward, but the Aorsi conflict simmered on unresolved.

No sooner have the Bastarnae and Anartes been bested, than this dormant Aorsi war flares anew. Three Aorsi horse armies appear out of the Caspian Sea, threatening Samandar and Gabala. Two Pontic armies move to meet this threat, but it appears that Gabala at least will fall to the Aorsi before they arrive. I have every confidence that we will deal with the Aorsi and win back Gabala. Meanwhile, I order other armies to cross into Roxolani territory and bring war to the Aorsi and other such steppe folk as may be friendly or allied with them. I want this situation resolved permanently.

This offensive has a pleasantly unexpected effect. With their capital at Sarai now threatened by Mithridates' Chosen, the Aorsi cavalry reembark upon the Caspian and depart our territory. Gabala is saved. We press on into Scythia.

The war opens in the far north against the Roxolani settlement of Gelonus. It is a long march through snowy lands to reach this remote village, and both Prokopios' Heroes and Ares' Fury have suffered attritional losses enroute. Prokopios' Heroes, led by Antagoras, take the lead in the assault, with Ares' Fury supporting. The town is defended by a surprisingly large garrison, as well as a Roxolani field army, the Burners of Yurts. The high preponderance of horse archers and other mounted troops is not unexpected, but nevertheless unfamiliar to the Pontic rank and file. We find that cavalry-heavy opponents react little differently than their earth-bound colleagues in response to massed missile fire and heavy onager bombardment. The garrison is decimated. Antagoras' pikemen then advance into the town in phalanx formation. There is little the garrison can do in the confined quarters. Between merciless bombardment and the prospect of unflankable pike points, they break. Gelonus is taken.


Gelonus: Prokopios' Heroes phalanxes advance into the town over carnage wrought by onagers and archers.

Mithridates' Chosen, commanded by Theron, comes upon the Aorsi capital of Sarai, and puts the place under siege. Theron decides to assault rather than wait out the defenders. With the peculiar configuration of earthen walls, however, he cannot use the siege engines so effective against more conventional fortresses. Sarai's defenses, moreover, are built upon a high bluff, rendering scaling ladders ineffective as well. There is nothing for it but to assault the ramped gate leading into the city. Theron repeats Amompharetos' long ago mistake at Harmozia; he orders his siege artillery to target arrow towers before turning attention to the gate itself. The towers are neutralized, but as at Harmozia, the onagers are depleted of ammunition before the gatehouse is destroyed. Peltasts and archers must finish the work with fire...at potentially ruinous losses.

Happily, however, the Aorsi missile troops are not effective; our archers and javelineers are able to fire the gate without taking casualties. Once the gate is burned, moreover, the archers are able to rain fire on the shorter-ranged Aorsi bowmen above them and break their morale. The gate is not only open, but cleared of defensive missile fire. Theron's hoplites now advance unhindered into Sarai. They must climb first a steep approach and then the interior ramp before reaching level ground inside the walls. There they find massed cavalry and foot defenders. The initial combat is intense for a time, and the first few hoplite units take some casualties. More and more phalanxes, however, feed through the gate, and are able to extend the Pontic frontage to either side of the gate melee. The defenders are eventually enveloped, then routed. Sarai falls to the Pontic Empire.


Sarai: Archers firing the city gate


Sarai: Initial combat at top of the gate ramp


Sarai: Mithridates' Chosen cheer in triumph

The Roxolani and Aorsi are deprived now of their territory...but I'm not sure this means as much to these nomads as it does to us. In any event, large Roxolani and Aorsi horse armies remain in the field. In particular, we have not seen those Aorsi hosts reappear from the sea...they are still out there somewhere. Apelles and Ares' Fury are able to ambush a Roxolani cavalry force in open steppe southwest of Gelonus. It is a trickier affair than an ambush of pedestrian troops, and some unarmored archers are mauled. Nevertheless, the morale advantage of surprise is unsurmountable, and the Roxolani force is vanquished. With it, the Roxolani tribe is no more.


Apelles with his Bronze Shields during the ambush of the Roxolani. He doesn't look so brave here, but I guess it makes sense, as the real purpose of the unit is to keep him alive...

The Sons of Rhea and Charidemos' Vengeance had originally marched to Caucasia in response to the now-vanished Aorsi threat. Now these armies cross the Caspian themselves, and land on its eastern shore near the settlement of Aktau. This town is held by the grandly-named Horde of the Steppe. My advisors tell me that this is a confederation of the Khorasmii and other steppe folk. Amphinomous leads the Sons of Rhea towards the city. The garrison sallies out to meet the Sons. The Steppe defenders are surprisingly light in mounted troops; consisting mostly of foot spears and archers. Only their commandant's guard rides. On the plain before the town, the armies meet among some isolated farm buildings. Amphinomous is able to align his phalanxes between two such structures, creating an unflankable pike front. His archers station behind this impenetrable wall, while Pontic Swords stand ready to meet any potential flanking attempt around the far sides of the buildings (none such materializes). The Steppe garrison attack, but are impotent against the bristling sarissae; they are unable to engage the Bronze Shields in melee, while taking archer fire. The long reach of the pikes keeps the Steppe foot separated far enough from our pikemen that the archers' fire trajectory passes over, without errant arrows striking our troops' backs. The Steppe men are utterly disheartened and retreat. Aktau is taken. With it, the province of Scythia is unified under Pontic domain.


Aktau: The Sons of Rhea brace for the Steppe advance


Aktau: The town's defenders are impotent against Bronze Shield phalanxes

Meanwhile, the Aorsi hordes appear once more from the sea, apparently undetected during the Sons' and Vengeance's crossing. They disembark once more near Samandar and Gabala, as before. The nearest army at hand is the veteran Lykoi; not only is this Pontus' oldest army, but its fastest as well, with a long tradition of hard marching. The Lykoi are followed by Aristarchos' newly-raised Centaurs, as well as my own Ravaging Chimera, whose recruitment completes just as the Aorsi appear. These three armies meet the Aorsi in the Caucasian and Ponto-Caspian plains, and are able to ambush the horsemen as the Aorsi attempt to march quickly toward Siraces, Samandar, and Gabala. In a series of battles, the Aorsi cavalry forces are destroyed. The Aorsi faction, moreover, is eliminated. Pontic armies, oldest and newest, have done well.


Aorsi cavalry, caught by surprise, attempt to engage pike phalanx frontally. It doesn't work very well...


I don't know why this particular Bronze Shield unit popped out of phalanx formation. In any case, they still did a fine job with their short swords.


Pontic Swordsmen advance to the aid of some Bronze Shields. This fight was pretty messy due to the wooded hilly terrain; the phalanxes could not keep unbroken line.


Pontic cavalry in action vs Aorsi foot. I think this is a Royal unit, vice Noble, but I don't quite remember. The two units look very similar.

It remains now only to complete the subjugation of the Horde of the Steppe. Apelles and Ares' Fury march south to beseige their walled capital at Kath. Apelles is content to wait out the defenders, who soon bow to the inevitable. Despite its robust defense of garrison plus the Horde army Children of the Larch, Kath surrenders without battle. The final Horde settlement of Amul is defended by the Horde Blood Riders. Charidemos' Vengeance, led by Eirenaois, marches south and attacks the town. As at Gelonus, the steppe folk cannot withstand the bombardment of proper siege artillery, and are routed. Amul is taken. The Horde of the Steppe are destroyed. The province of Chorasmia is unified.

With the capture of Amul, the Steppe War is at an end. The horse factions Roxolani, Aorsi, and Horde have been exterminated. Newly Pontic Chorasmia now borders only the very friendly Seleucid satrapy of Aria. The eastern frontier of the Pontic Empire is wholly secure....at least, as long as strong relations with the Seleucids endure, as they have for centuries now.



All has not been totally quiet in the Pontic west during this eastern conflict...but that is an account for another time.

Ever since Azeus' war council years ago, the admirals have grumbled. The Pontic navy have had little role to play in the conquests of Dacia, Ponto-Caspia, and Sarmatia, relegated only to some small Euxine Sea actions during the Bastarnae War. With the opening of our major effort in east, crossing into Scythia, Aeolus virtually revolts. The senior admiral jealously guards the reputation of the Imperial Navy, and demands opportunity for seaborne glory. He is joined not only by fellow admirals, but also by a few of our western generals who likewise feel sidelined while their colleagues march to the east.

Absolute imperial power or not, I cannot ignore the respect, popularity...and political power...of the Pontic fleet. I articulate a new "western policy" to remain in effect throughout the Steppe War. I give Aeolus authority to direct Pontic military forces west of the Aegean-Thracia-PontoCaspia line...which means he has control of all four Mediterranean fleets plus the Sentinels of Hyperion. I tell the admiral that he cannot expect additional forces beyond these, there can be no reinforcements while the majority of our forces are engaged so far east. He is authorized to make war on rebel regions, picking up new Pontic possessions where opportunity arises. I am also open to considering small wars against isolated single-region factions where there is little possibility of being drawn into a larger conflict...but Aeolus must first gain imperial permission before embarking on any such action. Aeolus is content with the restraints; he is, after all, not a stupid man, merely an ambitious one. Rebels will offer his fleets glory enough for now.

Before turning to these expeditions, however, there remains the uncompleted conquest far north in Sarmatia. After the Anartes' defeat, Sokrates' Judgment, commanded by Alkibiades, marches through icy woodland to the far north port of Mons Regium, held by the Gutones. The Judgment are supported by the Sons of Troy. The Cimbri and Frisii make war upon the Gutones, and these factions blockade the port. Alkibiades cannot attack the town without enlarging the war...an unappetizing prospect with so many Pontic armies far to the east. The Judgment and the Sons content themselves with merely raiding Gutones territory while awaiting opportunity. It is a miserable business...the remote backwater is completely icebound and snow-covered. Pontic troops, accustomed to temperate home climates and desert campaigns, do not take well to the frigid environment.

Nevertheless, the sought-after opening soon arises. The Cimbri are emboldened by the Pontic armies' appearance...they apparently expect help. The Cimbri admiral decides to assault Mons Regium from the sea, presumably relying upon the Judgment to do the actual fighting. Alkibiades is joyously content to remain a spectator, and watches the Gutones easily repulse the Cimbri ships. Before the Cimbri have even disappeared over the horizon, Sokrates' Judgment promptly assaults the town.

The Gutone garrison is robust, but cannot stand up to the might of a Pontic field army. Onagers and archers do their usual work, and Bronze Shield phalanxes advance into Mons Regium on two different axes, supported by Pontic Swordsmen. The Celtic defenders make a valiant attempt to resist, but cannot do so for long. Decimated and disheartened, the Gutones break. Mons Regium is taken. Samartia is now unified within the Empire, and Pontus has a trade outlet on frigid northern sea. Alkibiades loses little time in marching back south; the Judgment are happy to depart the cold.


Mons Regium: Bronze Shield phalanxes advance toward the town


Mons Regium: Short melee near the waterfront

Aeolus surveys the western Mediterranean, looking for easy pickings. Genua, the port of Cisalpina province, has lately gone over to rebellion....a perfect opportunity. The town is defended by a large rebel field army, and Aeolus sends a large enough force to ensure sufficient ammunition for bombardment. Scylla's Terror and the Heralds of Triton, with Archippos in overall command. The Pontic armada indeed possesses enough power to overwhelm the defenders...but encounter the same problem which Arybbas' fleets had suffered at Macomades during the African war. Genua's city center is uphill from the waterfront, hidden by buildings. Many of the garrison are hidden from view. Archippos does not have an ammunition problem, but a sighting problem.

The seaborne onagers destroy every garrison unit which comes into sight, but others remain hidden. At length, Archippos decides to risk a few troops ashore, hopefully to draw defenders into sight. He has only archers. He disembarks one ship directly onto the waterfront, trusting that any rebel forces drawn down to the waterfront will be annihilated by the massed archer penteres crowded near the wharves. The plan only half-works. A rebel cavalry unit is indeed destroyed this way...but not before inflicting severe casualties and routing the Pontic naval archers. Still, Archippos has little option...he puts another archer crew on the wharf. This time three rebel horse units are showered and routed...but yet another archer contingent is maimed. Now, however, the rebel cavalry is eliminated...no sudden charge can emanate so quickly from among the town. Archippos lands one more unit, which now faces only foot troops. The archers carefully maneuver, staying close to the wharf. The final rebel defenders and sighted and destroyed. Genua is taken. [Wish I'd gotten some more screenshots of this back-and-forth...]


Genua: Scylla's Terror approaches the waterfront while Heralds of Triton stand off to sea

After Genua, Aeolus takes an action which perhaps should have been implemented in the wake of the Macomades experience. It is the first major change to Pontic naval organization since Cyncus' reforms over a century ago. Aeolus decreases the number of archer penteres in the fleet structure, to be replaced by a contingent of assault ships. Pontic Swords are the troops of choice for this new "marine" capability, but these are limited in supply. Some fleets make do with Thureos Spears...adequate enough in themselves. Aeolus' intent is not to provide the fleets with a robust land combat capability, but rather to provide a capable contingent to land ashore and draw defenders into naval fire...without undue risk to getting annihilated themselves. This change should enhance the fleets' capacity for taking ports at low cost, while not unduly weakening their screening forces for true sea battles.

Across the Mediterranean, opportunity beckons in the desert. The Mauretanian landlocked town of Dimmidi has gone over to rebellion, as has the walled port capital of Tingis just outside the Pillars of Hercules. Aeolus decides to take the inland town first, and then proceed to Tingis for combined land/naval assault. The Sentinels of Hyperion, led by Aristarchus (not to be confused with the Centaurs' commander Aristarchos), march overland from Africa towards Dimmidi. The rebel garrison, mostly African spearmen, sally out from the town to meet the Sentinels on desert plain. It is an unequal and short contest against a superb professional army, veterans of many desert campaigns. The garrison troops are easily routed, and Aristarchus takes possession of Dimmidi. He will remain here for a time to restore public order, and then march to the coast through Seleucid Iol for his land advance upon Tingis.


Dimmidi: Sentinels of Hyperion in action

Phocas' Heralds of Triton, just having received its marine component of Thureos Spears, sails westward to support the upcoming effort against Tingis. As it happens, the island town of Ibossim is found under Punic rebel control. Another opportunity. Phocas alters course and steers for the port. Ibossim is defended by a full rebel army, spearheaded by an elephant unit, and possessing a large number of quality Carthaginian units. This host also greatly outnumbers Phocas' fleet, but Anytios' formula of seaborne artillery and archer fire proves the great equalizer. The town's topography, moreover, favors Phocas; proximity of the city center to the wharves compels the garrison to defend close to shore. The Heralds' spearmen are not compelled to land and face the elephants. The rebel army proves difficult to break quickly, but the relentless fire eventually has its effect. After a great waterfront slaughter, the garrison finally succumbs. Ibossim is Pontic.


Ibossim: Herald archer penteres fire upon the waterfront defenders


Ibossim: The garrison is finally broken; its remnants flee the wharves

The capture of Ibossim coincides with the end of the Steppe War. With the exception of rebel Tingis, the Pontic Empire is...temporarily, at least...once more at peace. Perhaps it is time for another council.

After the Steppe War, the Pontic Empire enters another period of relative peace. The western policy of opportunistic actions against rebels, however, continues. I pull back on the reins of our expansion for several reasons. First, I have seen enough of war in my lifetime. Second, I increasingly see the inevitability of war with the Seleucids and their satrapies, and desire to spend my remaining years ensuring that Pontus is prepared for this. The Seleucids are not strong so much as they are pervasive. Their few disjointed holdings are far apart and easily taken. But the spread nature of Seleucid possessions means their armies and fleets are spread throughout the Mediterranean, complicating defense of the many Pontic holdings. The satrapies, moreover, are much stronger, especially Aria. Singly, Seleucos and its satrapies would be no great concern for Pontic might...but taken together, it is a challenging proposition. The fifteen Pontic armies are the greatest military in the known world...but will nevertheless be spread thin.

Meanwhile, the Seleucid satrapies war upon Media, which also borders our own realm. Media will clearly be destroyed by Parthavan and Arian armies in any case...I decide to extend Pontic domain in Mesopotamia. My Ravaging Chimeras cross into Median territory and ambush one of their hosts, the Manticore Claws. The location is a small oasis called Athura. The surprise is complete. The Chimera phalanx line emerges from an oasis grove along the entire length of the Median column. Disheartened, the Medes try to resist, but can do nothing against the wall of sarissae. Meanwhile Pontic Royal Cavalry slaughter their light missile troops in the rear of the column, and Pontic Swordsmen advance from the flanks. The affair does not last long, and the Manticore Claws are utterly destroyed. From here it is a short march to the Mede town of Hatra, which has no garrison. With not even token opposition before us, the Chimeras simply march into Hatra and take possession. Parthava gobbles up the remaining Mede territory before we have opportunity to gain further. Media is destroyed.


Athura: Ravaging Chimerae advance upon hapless Mede column


Athura: Mede infantry helpless before the sarissae

Our Mediterranean forces continue to take advantage of opportunites offered by rebelling regions. Tingis, besieged just as the Steppe War ended, falls without battle...a bloodless victory marred only by the natural death of Admiral Aeolus on the eve of rebel surrender. Across the Pillars of Hercules, the Iberian port of Gadira also falls into rebellion. Philandros' Guardians of the Pontos crosses the strait and takes the town under bombardment. A large rebel field army defends, but are helpless against the weight of onager fire. Compelled by topography to defend close to the wharves, the rebels are massacred, and Gadira easily taken. A few short years later, the rich dye-producing town of Migdol in Mauretania goes over to rebellion. This is a lucrative prize indeed. Once more the Guardians sail. The terrain at Migdol's port is very similar to that of Gadira, and a nearly identical scene unfolds on the harbor mole: wholesale slaughter. Migdol falls to Pontus.


Gadira: Defenders taking fire on the harbor mole. This particular Med minor port map is by far easiest for an unsupported missile-heavy fleet to capture. The AI garrison has to defend close to water and are sitting ducks.


Migdol: Guardians of the Pontos aligned for bombardment


Migdol: Gratuitous blood-pack slaughter scene

Around this period, a rather odd conversation takes place in the Council, when I inquire into research projects.

"Tell me, what grand designs are our engineers and philosophers pursuing?"
"None, Sire."
"What? Why not?"
"Well, Sire....um...we know everything."
"What do you mean, you 'know everything'?!?"
"Pontic knowledge encompasses all things in heavens and earth; all is discovered. Even the gods themselves know nothing which we do not."
"Well, I'm still shaving every morning with only one blade. Why don't you work on THAT?"
"Indeed, Sire, and that is the apogee of razor technology. Two millenia hence, men will still be shaving with only one blade."
"I find that hard to believe. Heck, I already came up with that idea for you, just now. All you have to do is figure it out."
"Sire, it is impossible."
"You guys suck."

I refuse to believe that these cretins have discovered everything, but there is little I can do, Emperor or not. I can have them all executed in disgustingly horrific ways, of course, and am tempted to do so. But there are no others to take their place in the libraries. At least, no others who would do anything more than what these fat cats are doing right now....occasionally dusting off the bookshelves and otherwise lolling about drawing an imperial salary. Well, if I can't make them work, I can at least stop paying them. I decide to disestablish all libraries, to be replaced in some cases by wine or grain markets, in other cities some sort of temple or perhaps an industrial brickworks. Relatively marginal structures...but anything is better than a bunch of lazy philosophers who've now decided that they're "smart enough" not to work any more.

My soothsayers tell me that the Empire will gain untold wealth and be established forever as the richest, most powerful state in the world...if we can take the port of Oraea in Gedrosia. I don't quite see what's so critical about this fringe backwater port in a remote arid province...but one does not argue with soothsayers. The port, however, is held by the Drangiana, a Seleucid satrapy. Not desiring war with the Seleucid bloc, I charge my Eyes and Ears to incite unrest, arson, and other nefarious action in and near this town. My hope is that these agents may drive Oraea into rebellion...thereby opening the door for Pontus to put down such rebellion and gain possession.

[note: Oraea is last town needed for eco-victory; all other conditions met. But Seleucid war means losing 5 trade partners, and not enough other factions to make up difference for the 20 required. Hence trying to make Oraea rebel rather than directly war with Drangiana. This situation, btw, is why I've put the brakes on most military action, fighting only rebels; can't afford for any more factions to die. I count them all up and realize this just after helping kill off the Medes...but they were going to die anyway, Parthava was flooding them.]

More cities in the Iberian interior fall under rebel rule. Olympiodoros leads the Sentinels of Hyperion across the Pillars to besiege the Baetican capital of Kartuba; despite its strong defense, the city quickly surrenders. Lusitanian Ebora is likewise in revolt; Olympiodoros will march there next.

Meanwhile, the Eyes and Ears have been intensively sabotaging Oraea. Their efforts meet some success, and the town is deeply troubled. Several times rebel forces begin to form outside the port. Each time this occurs, however, Drangiana forces manage to destroy them, despite our agents' best efforts to prevent. I fear this subversion campaign will ultimately meet with failure...even if it does eventually succeed, I do not believe I will live to see it, having just passed into my 74th year.



I am Deinokrates, eleventh King of Pontus and fourth Pontic Emperor. My father Perdiccas, having reached advanced age, has passed over the Styx. His was an imperial reign of much success. Perdiccas incorporated vast areas into the Pontic Empire, vanquishing northern barbarians and eastern nomads. Pontic interests advanced in the more civilized Mediterranean world as well.



I have chafed, however, at these last years of inactivity. I believe my father received poor counsel in pursuing this shadow war against the Drangiana while so many Pontic armies lay idle. Perdiccas vigorously pursued war against frontier folk, but shrank from engaging other nations. Why do such rich regions as Italy and Iberia remain largly outside the Empire? Why do we persist in maintaining this Seleucid alliance which outlived its purpose so long ago? One may ask the same question of our accord for the Ardiaei. They waltz into a city ahead of our hoplites, kill a few garrison troops, and this gives them a free hand to expand without Pontic interference for over a century?

Enough of avoiding rich lands. Enough of the Seluecids. Enough of the Ardiaei. I am not so rash as to confront all of these simultaneously...but rest assured that the Reign of Deinokrates will see a new direction in Pontic imperial policy.

[Bottom line: all three victory conditions require full possession of a province which currently has a Seleucid satrapy sitting in it. Gedrosia (economic), Persis (culture), or Bactria (military). There's really no way to avoid a major war with these guys. Certainly strong enough to win it, but Seleucids are so spread out, their little armies and fleets are freaking everywhere...it'll be a big game of whack-a-mole. Will probably lose a few settlements here and there temporarily. Was trying for a while to finesse the eco-win, but the spy attacks on Oraea just aren't working. Rebels form, but can't take the city. Time for Plan B.]

I am Gallus, twelfth King of Pontus and fifth Pontic Emperor. I succeed Deinokrates, who was King and Emperor for less than a month; he fell ill and died near Harmozia only a few weeks after the death of my grandfather, the Emperor Perdiccas. Deinokrates was uncommonly young to die of natural causes...at least for an emperor. He had not yet reached his 60th year. The only notable event of Deinokrates' brief reign was the fall of rebel Ebora in Lusitania. That capital surrendered to Olympiodoros' Sentinels of Hyperion less than a week after Perdiccas' death; at the far opposite end of the Empire, Deinokrates had not even received word of the victory before his own demise.

However short his imperium, Deinokrates laid out a clear departure from Perdiccas' less-than-successful subterfuge policy. I intend to move forward with my father's vision. Attempts to undermine Drangiana have failed; we will proceed now with overt force, even though it will mean war with the Seleucids and all their satrapies. Possibly the Ardiaei as well, who will have to choose between their two major allies.

Imperial envoys go forth, and war is formally declared upon Drangiana. A pleasant diplomatic surprise transpires; the Seleucids forsake their satrapy and join the Pontic side against their former minion. The other Seleucid satrapies follow suit. We had expected to find ourselves pitted against the entire Seleucid alliance network...instead it is Drangiana which finds itself isolated against many enemies.

The main priority is capture of Oraea...the port town in Gedrosia which had been the object of Perdiccas' spies for so many years. The Centaurs attack the town, supported from the sea by Charybdis' Terror, a fleet recently raised in the Sinus Persis in anticipation of war against multiple eastern foes. The Centaurs align outside Oraea and prepare for assault, but only their onagers actually fire in anger. The land attack is preceded by this siege artillery as well as naval bombardment by the Terror. Our fleet arrays itself near the harbor mole, threatening to land. The garrison is forced to guard against this potential amphibious attack, and defend on the mole itself. They are easy prey for both land-bound and ship-borne onagers, receiving fire from front and rear. Closer-range scorpion penteres join the bombardment. The slaughter is terrible. Oraea's garrison is nearly obliterated; the few survivors soon rout, and flee for the outskirts. The port town is taken, and Gedrosia province is unified. This victory is accompanied by the successful capture of Bam by the Scions of Sinope; Carmania province is also consolidated under Pontic imperial rule.


Oraea: Charybdis' Terror scorpion penteres raining fire on the Drangiana garrison


Oraea: Defending troops taking fire from Centaur onagers


Oraea: Garrison troops slaughtered near the harbor

Drangiana is now virtually eliminated; a lone remnant remains among the desert hills. The conquest of Bam, however, opens a previously unavailable trade route to the capital of Parthava. In the west, realignment among Celtic nations has opened a similar new route to the Insubres faction. Trade is initiated with both of these nations, more than overcoming the commercial revenue previously lost from Drangiana.

With our military might, vast territory, advanced technology, newly expanded trade, and consolidation of Gedrosia, the Pontic Empire reaches a new threshold of supremacy. The name of Pontus will live forever as the greatest empire of our time...perhaps of all time. Mithridates would be proud.


Snap from the victory video. Probably common to all Hellenistic factions? Didn't see anything Pontus-specific in it.