Ptolemaic Supremacy: An Egypt AAR

[Bramborough]

What are these 2 lights? ^^

Actually, this may not be a glitch at all. I think those lights are hovering over two selected units, and appeared when the interface was minimized to take the screenie. Apparently they only show up from a distance; most of the time the camera view is too close to see them.

During recent battle I saw one of these, and quickly brought the UI up to deselect a highlighted unit, then minimized the UI again. The floating halo disappeared.

It may still be a bit of a glitch, I'm not 100% sure it always shows up or is always over the correct unit. But there's definitely some sort of connection. At the very least, for screenshot purposes, I've learned to ensure all units are unselected before I minimize the UI.

[Bramborough]

Egypt Part IX

The Italian Campaign continues

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Egyptian offensive crosses to mainland Italy. Cyniscus’ Courage quickly captures Cosentia, its small garrison offering mere token resistance. The Discipline cross the Messana Strait from Sicily, while Bravado sails from Carthago to Syracusae. Half of Egypt’s military power is now committed to this campaign, while the remainder (Audacity, Endurance, and Fortitude) operate in Nabataea and Aegyptus against the Seleucids and other enemies.

Troubles in the East

Indeed, the Seleucids continue to prove troublesome on the eastern frontier. Their armies have not repeated an invasion attempt, but Seleucid spies and other agents swarm throughout Nabataea. Egypt’s eastern province is a troubled land. Buildings burn in all of her cities, and poisoned wells are a feature of daily life. I chafe at the rampant sabotage, and order my intelligence ministry to reallocate agents from Italy to Nabataea.

Egypt has few allies and friends. Westward, the Arevaci and Celtiberian Confederation are quite friendly and share some common foes with Egypt. Both nations, however, refrain from full military alliance, the Arevaci contenting themselves with a mere non-aggression pact. Celtiberia agrees to a defensive accord, but no further. Egypt can count only steadfast Knossos as a full ally…and indeed Knossos’ strategic position has done much to help protect the Egyptian coastline during this war. Sadly, news arrives that the Rhodans have finally overcome our compatriot; Knossos is defeated. This increases the threat to our shores.


This faction wasn't huge...but still sucks to lose my ONLY ally.

One of Pergamon’s armies makes a landing on the Aegyptus coast. Aleaus moves quickly to intercept this force, but the Pergaman commander proves adept at avoiding battle. The Endurance finally destroy this force, but not before the raiding army temporarily captures Memphis for a season. Memphis is not damaged in the see-saw fighting, but its temporary loss brings to crisis a problem which has been growing for some time: food.

Egypt’s rich grain surplus of old has dwindled during recent years, primarily as a result of maritime commercial development in Africa and Seleucid depredations in Nabataea. The temporary loss of Memphis’ rich Nile fields actually throws Egypt into a food deficit for the first time in history…not just the Ptolemaic era of the past two centuries, but ALL Egyptian history, stretching back well over 3000 years. This is unsustainable; public unrest grows, and our armies are reduced to half-rations.

Memphis’ quick recapture solves the immediate problem, but the episode is a stark warning. Our food supply resilience is unacceptably precarious. I order an increase in agricultural development, pushing for greater productivity and efficiency. This will inevitably cause some distress as some farm labor will be displaced off the land. So be it; the empire’s food supply takes greater priority. Better for some Egyptians to be unhappy than for all Egyptians to go hungry.

The struggle for Brundisium

Royal spies report that Macedonian-held Brundisium, walled capital of Magna Graecia, is lightly defended. The city’s garrison is robust, but no Macedonian field army operates nearby. Cyniscus does not let this opportunity pass; the Courage rapidly march north and assault Brundisium. Cyniscus does not wait to build engines, but moves from the march directly into the attack. He pauses only long enough for his men to quickly nail together a few siege ladders.

The south wall is weakly configured. It boasts a strong gatehouse, but no additional missile towers such as defend other approaches to the city. Cyniscus makes his attack here, and proceeds very methodically. First his ballistae neutralize the gatehouse towers. Then his Galatian sword infantry deploy ladders and wrest control of the walls from Macedonian archers. They do not descend into the town for a pitched battle. Instead, Nubian bowmen scale the ladders and take position on the walls. The garrison, now bereft of the missile support lost in the short wall struggle, is helpless under the Nubians’ arrows and renewed artillery bombardment. Company by company, defending Macedonian infantry (much of it mere mobs) are routed.

Galatian swords cautiously descend into the interior; not to attack, but to provide cover for better archery positions. Our bowmen are now able to bring fire to bear upon the last hoplite company defending the gatehouse itself. This valiant band stoically endures the hail. Quivers running low, the Nubians expend a burst of energy in firing flaming arrows as quickly as possible, nearly exhausting themselves in the effort. The increased rate of fire prevails; the defending hoplites break and flee.

The Galatian swordsmen now take possession of the abandoned gatehouse, and throw the city open. Cyniscus’ main body has simply to walk in and take possession of the town. Macedonian losses have been horrific; nearly 9000 corpses are strewn in the open plaza behind the gatehouse, nearly all of them dispatched by ballista and archer fire. Egyptian casualties are negligible; less than 300 have fallen. The Galatians run through the city to take control of key areas, while Cyniscus leads the Courage’s main body in triumphant procession to the center of Brundisium.


Egyptian ladders approach Brundisium's walls. Note destroyed gatehouse arrow towers in background.


Galatian Swordsmen gain control of the wall.


Nubian bowmen take up position on the newly-won ramparts. Lacking missile troops of their own, the Macedonian garrison force below is largely helpless.


Cyniscus' archers reposition to fire upon remaining garrison companies which were previously protected by the gatehouse overhang.


Positioned for a last-stand defense against a gate assault which does not come, Macedonian infantry continue to endure unanswered missile fire.


The final garrison company breaks and flees.


Courage infantry calmly walk into the city via the now-uncontested gate.


Brundisium captured: Cyniscus leads the victory procession.

Macedon, however, does not cede Brundisium for long. Soon a strong Macedonian army, the Terror of Phobos, crosses the Mare Adriaticum and besieges the city. Respecting Courage’s strength, they do not assault. The Terror is one of the strongest armies ever faced by Ptolemaic Egypt, boasting many companies of valorous hoplites and a robust cavalry contingent. The armies are relatively equal in strength; neither commander would enjoy advantage in a pitched battle.

Initially, Cyniscus intends to wait out the siege. The port remains open, and the Terror will be worn down as the investment continues. Perhaps Discipline or Bravado will be able to come north and assist in lifting the siege. Royal spies, however, detect additional enemy forces – Macedonian and others – converging on Brundisium. A Macedonian fleet blockades the port; the enemy squadron is small, but sufficient to close the flow of supplies. Cyniscus’ logistic problems are now much more acute; he will soon run short of stored food. More ominously, an enemy spy wrecks the Discipline’s baggage train, while Bravado has yet to cross the Messana Strait. No help will be forthcoming for at least a season.

The altered situation drives Cyniscus to change plans. Courage must lift this siege on its own, and must do it before the enemy bring overwhelming force to bear. The general now accepts a pitched battle with the Terror of Phobos, and sallies out from Brundisium to confront the Macedonian host.

Luck is with Cyniscus. The armies meet on opposite sides of a small valley, each host occupying a large hillside, with excellent defensive positions. Cyniscus’ advantage, however, is that the Courage field two ballista contingents, while the Macedonian commander has no artillery. The enemy is compelled to attack across the valley, making an uphill charge against the Courage.

Cyniscus’ phalanxes easily hold on the advantageous ground against a strong frontal attack. The Macedonian center quickly stalls, impotent against the sarissae. The Terror’s strongest effort, however, falls upon the Egyptian left flank; four hoplite companies attempt to turn Cyniscus’ line here. The general, however, has foreseen from the Macedonian line of advance that the brunt of their effort would fall here; he has placed the bulk of his Galatians at this end of the line. These Galatian swords and Nubian spears hold the left, and themselves soon outflank the Macedonian attack in turn. The hoplites are repulsed.

With both of the Terror’s attacks repelled, the grassy plain below Cyniscus’ hill position now devolves into a mass of routed hoplites and unprotected light missile infantry. The phalanxes advance. Swordsmen abandon shieldwall formation and go over to the pursuit. Citizen cavalry are loosed upon unprotected mounted javelineers. Carnage ensues, and the Terror are utterly broken. Routers stream from the battlefield, many of them cut down by pursuing Egyptian horse. The siege of Brundisium is lifted, while a tattered Terror of Phobos retreats from Magna Graecia altogether. Egyptian losses have not been insignificant; 2500 have fallen, mostly on the hard-pressed left flank. Meanwhile, however, over 12,000 Macedonian corpses litter the field, and another 2000 leave the valley in chains.


Hmm...the pre-battle prediction isn't very optimistic....


Cyniscus' defensive position outside Brundisium.


The Terror of Phobos advances toward Courage. Already they leave a strewn trail of ballista-inflicted casualties behind them.


Pike phalanxes easily hold a hoplite attack at bay in the Egyptian center.


Cyniscus' Galatian Swords and Nubian Spears in a hard-fought struggle for the left flank. They succeed.


Citizen cavalry chase down routers below the hill position.


Pre-battle "experts" proven wrong. Again.

Magna Graecia is now completely lost to the enemy; Egypt and its allies hold this province from Lilybaeum to Brundisium. Egyptian agents have established a strong presence here, blunting enemy sabotage. Royal spies and dignitaries now flow further north into Italia itself, assaying the strength of Macedon’s Veneti allies. A few agents, as previously mentioned, are diverted to unhappy Nabataea.

Neapolis

Macedon’s lone remaining settlement on the Italian peninsula is the port town of Neapolis. After their reverses at Brundisium (as well as a similarly failed struggle against our Arevaci friends in Provincia), Macedonian forces essentially leave Neapolis to its fate, undefended by any field army or fleet. The garrison itself is fairly strong, but no match for an Egyptian field army. Sophus’ Discipline, after mopping up a small Macedonian remnant near Brundisium, crosses the Apennines against Neapolis.

Sophus easily takes the town. The garrison commander splits his forces, placing mobs and missile infantry on the southern outskirts while his pike levies face Sophus’ infantry advance from the east. Citizen cavalry easily dispose of the light southern force, and then loop through the town to approach its center from the waterfront. The Discipline’s compact infantry column – mixed pike and melee infantry – proceeds into the town. The garrison, beaten down by artillery fire, does not stand for long. Neapolis falls to Egypt. Macedon is expelled from Italy.


Southern outskirts of Neapolis: Citizen cavalry cut light infantry to pieces.


The Discipline infantry column advances into the town.

Overall, Egypt’s position remains unenviable against our sea of enemies. Nabataea’s turmoil renders that province nearly 100% unproductive. The Memphis episode highlights the vulnerability of Egypt’s long coastline; even now, a Bithynian host alights in the Nile delta near Alexandria, while a resurgent Rhodos threatens Cyrene from the sea. The defeat of allied Knossos is sorely felt.

Yet our still-disadvantaged situation slowly improves. Macedon is being slowly pushed back in the West, and the Veneti will soon feel the force of Egyptian arms. Our intelligence network steadily grows, and hopefully will soon improve conditions in Nabataea. Raiding forces threatening Aegyptus, Libya, and Africa are worrisome, but cannot stand against an Egyptian army; it will take time, but they will be hunted down and destroyed. This Great War will continue. With the gods’ blessings, may Egypt continue to enjoy more successes than defeats…and eventually prevail.

[Bramborough]

Part X

Disaster befalls Egypt

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

In the final years of Pharaoh Demonax’ reign, Ptolemaic Egypt came under increasing pressure from its many enemies. Egyptian armies remained superior to any foe on the battlefield…but the armies and fleets of well over 20 enemy nations simply could not all be stopped. In a development which had been inevitable since the beginning of the Great War, myriad enemies landed upon Egypt’s shores, avoided its armies, and captured lightly defended towns and cities.

The six main Egyptian field armies, several of them committed to Sicily/Italy, could not stem the incursion; they were stretched too thin.

Italy was abandoned; the Bravado, Courage, and Discipline departed Magna Grecia, briefly recapturing Syracusae from the Ardiaei only to loot the town. Further east, Endurance retained a precarious presence in Nabataea while Fortitude and Audacity withdrew into Aegyptus to counter Bithynian and Rhodan expeditions.

Individual Egyptian armies continued to meet success…within the limits of their own marching speed. Towns were recaptured, but at a slower rate than others are lost. Enemy hosts were destroyed…but for every defeated army, another two would avoid contact to continue their depredations.

Carthago and Cyrene were lost; these capitals were recaptured within a year or two, but in deteriorated state. The imperial economy suffers greatly, struggling with repeated bankruptcy crises and food shortages. Without the ability to consistently support its armies, Egypt reduced their size…and then reduced again.

This state of affairs continued into the reign of the next Pharaoh, Alexon. Each year, Egypt would win some local successes, but its overall position continued to deteriorate. Successive economic shortfalls had reduced several armies to pale shadows of their former selves, compounded by ceaseless campaigning in the frantic attempts to stem the tide.


Heh, this is becoming a very common pop-up at the beginning of each turn....

Alexon saw the writing on the wall. He believed that Egypt could possibly stabilize the situation after a few more years, and perhaps retain a contracted territory in Aegyptus, Aethiopia, Libya, and Africa. These few provinces contained sufficient wealth to support existing armies. Yet the Pharaoh foresaw no way to reverse the tide back toward expansion…and no way to end the endless state of ruinous war. As Chariton had foreseen, Egypt was easily strong enough to defeat any one of its enemies individually, but hopelessly isolated against an implacable alliance consisting of most of the known world.

Before Egypt faces total collapse and foreign conquest, Alexon seeks to end the war. He knows he cannot achieve peace on equal terms and retain Egyptian independence. He must submit. Egyptian envoys travel to Antioch and meet with the Seleucid Emperor. They have often been rebuffed before…but on this occasion they make an unprecedented concession: satrapy.

The Seleucid ruler accepts…and Ptolemaic Egypt as an independent entity ceases to exist.

This pretty much tells the tale. I've recaptured a few of these, but not at the rate that I'm losing them.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

So, I’ve decided to end the campaign and AAR here, for several reasons.

First, as Alexon sees, the writing is on the wall. I can probably stabilize this and fend off attacks perhaps indefinitely with my 6 armies. But the existing provinces won’t support any more forces; I can’t expand. I tried to do this in Italy and was doing well there…but that left 3 armies trying to cover everything from Carthage to Petra.

I’ve considered enduring this stalemate for however many turns it takes to fully research the civil trees and develop these provinces to Level IV structures. This would probably enable supporting a couple more armies, and perhaps slowly expand again with more success.

I am, however, already almost 200 turns into this campaign. At this point, I’m looking at an eventual win (maybe) sometime after AD 100 at earliest. The simple fact is, I don’t want to play this campaign that long.

Which brings me to second reason: I’d like to start a new campaign anyway with Patch 7. I know many folks make it normal practice to restart a new campaign with a patch; I haven’t been one of them. Previously, I haven’t had any problems with continuing an existing campaign…nor am I running into any difficulties now with the new patch.

The Imperium changes, however, seem to introduce a different dynamic to the game, particularly in the earlier stages. I want to see how this plays out, and I don’t really want to pound away with Egypt for however many more weeks it takes.

Egypt has been fun to play, it’s a good faction. The unit choices are quite versatile. I’ve gone the pike-centric route, but one could just as easily go a very different path. Perhaps using hoplite armies early, and later developing melee-intensive compositions. Cavalry is plentiful earlier than some other factions. Elephants are available (although I didn’t use any). The no-desert-attrition ability is pretty awesome…it extends to all Egyptian troops, not just the obvious desert types.

I think I failed this campaign in two ways:

First, I simply didn’t expand quickly enough. I really wanted to build a fully-developed military system early, before I built most of my armies. Egypt didn’t do much for many turns while doing so. I had multiple 30+ turn periods of peace. This in itself meant it would be a long campaign, but wasn’t necessarily fatal.

Second, I completely gooned up diplomatically. I pursued trade with anybody and everybody, but ignored alliances. This worked fine as long as I was beating up local desert factions to consolidate on the African continent. When that was complete, however, I was hemmed in on one side by Seleucids, and on the other by expanded Greek factions. All these factions were interconnected with strong military alliances. I had allowed myself to be boxed in.

In retrospect, I should have planned ahead and fostered an alliance bloc from early on. As it was, I did enter into the alliance framework, but as a latecomer. When AI factions had to choose, they went with the higher friend status of longer-standing allies.

As far as Hard difficulty, it was not overly challenging as far as battles and province economy/development. The biggest change, however, was the agent threat. Seleucid agents pretty much took Nabataea out of the game…the place was a disaster of wrecked buildings, unrest, etc.

Anyhoo, so that’s it for the Egypt AAR. Hope folks have enjoyed it. I will certainly continue AAR writing in the future, I enjoy it. But I don’t think I’m going to do an AAR on this next campaign…just want to play more, write less for a while.