Interactive History III: 'Antiochus' Dilemma'

[Marshal Murat]

If you would attack Macedon and Thrace, there may be a popular uprising. However, Kraxis pointed out that the mountains would hinder your army. If the historical battle of Thermoplaye gave any indication, your army wouldn't stand a chance. And if your defeated, then the Thracians can cut your lines, and you would soon whittle away to nothing.

The Egyptians could launch an assault. However, about ten years ago, boy-king took the throne. He could attack northward. However, the lands of the Jordan stand between him. But recent events would not be mangled. aka, he would be allied to Rome, and the armies in Selucia could help the rebels, but the king was tyranical about supressing them.

[The Wizard]

The Thracians were divided into tribal confederations under kings. The most powerful being the Odrysians. Play them against each other, get some as allies and then invade Makedonia and you have a great campaign ahead of you...



~Wiz

[Steppe Merc]

Perhaps you could inlist some Thracian cavalry... For if the Romans have a weakness, it's that they suck when it comes to cavalry. I assume that you'd have Heratoi and other such heavy horse, but every bit helps. (Which is why I'd want to get some more Eastern horse...)

[Marquis of Roland]

Attack Thrace.

I'm thinking a large reason why Pontus is thinking about allying with Rome is because they're right at their doorstep. Drive the Romans away from Pontus and they will once more be isolated in Asia Minor. Without the chance of Roman support, they will not attack, as they did not attack before the Romans got there. In fact eventually they can be convinced to send supporting troops.

Attacking Pontus gives the Romans time to build up men and at the same time reduce "high-quality" Seleucid troops trapped in Greece. It will also drain the strength of your main army while the Romans will not suffer any significant casualties starving out the garrisons.

If Egypt is anything like they are in the game, they're way too powerful for a half-hearted merc army to attack. They'll only take advantage of this and attempt to conquer some Seleucid provinces as "self-defense".

Landing an army in Thrace may also get you new allies and resources to build up your navy. If Thrace does not bow in the face of the army, taking Byzantium will give you a natural river barrier against Tylis in the north. The phalanx formations can follow the coast where it is not as mountainous to Macedonia next. The coast can also be used to protect at least one flank of your army. Marching towards Thessalonika will definitely draw the Roman army out to battle on a ground of your choosing (with the ocean guarding your left flank, of course).

Once a foothold in Greece has been established, a great fleet must be gathered to land a strong, independent army in Italy, which should draw the Roman forces in Greece back to Italy to defend Rome.

[Kraxis]

Invasion of Pontus

Having listened to lengthy debate by your three advisors you finally hush them down. "Attacking Egypt is simply not good right now. We have recently won a war with them, we need not have another strong enemy in addition to the Romans. A war on two fronts is dangerous! Not only that but the campaigning season is getting late, we are in the middle of summer, any campaign into Egypt would have to last until next year. So we can't get Pontus in line that way. Should we attack across the Hellespont we would open up to Pontus. The army in place would be certain to be out for a good while, our flank would be open to even very weak attacks. A dangerous situation... And we wouldn't even have certainty of victory in Thrace and Macedonia. No, an attack on Pontus is the best we can hope for. With the army we have now we should be able to defeat them easily and all the while we would be able to collect our troops for the showdown with Rome. These troops would also serve as a backup in case of trouble. Paphlagonia and Kappadokia are nice grounds for cavalry, even Bithynia have good tribal troops. In the event of a quick victory Pontus would be forced to supply us with troops and money."

So the matter was settled by your own arguments. You will take the current army of 30,000 troops into Pontus along with the siegetrain you have assembled in Sardis. This army consist of a good collection. All 10,000 argyraspids form the core with the 8,000 settlerphalangites, supporting them you have 1,000 Galatian infantry, fighting in the normal and fierce celtic way, 3,000 Thracian peltasts, 1,000 Cretan archers and 3,000 light hillmen armed with slings and javelins. The 5,000 cavalry consist of 1,000 Agema (formerly Companions), 1,000 eastern cataphracts, 2,000 light cavalry (javelin cavalry from the parthian tribe the Dahae), 500 Galatian cavalry (light melee cavalry) and 500 Mysian light calvary (also javelins). Together with this you have 22 elephants and 120 chariots.
An army of great quality if not of size, the only true problem you might face is a lack of light infantry compared to the Pontic forces.

You know that the Pontic army includes plenty of light cavalry and some chariots, a core of hellenized infantry drawn from the Greek coastal cities and their local neighbours, both formed up in a similar fashion as your phalangites. The actual sizes are unknown, but as with so many other eastern kingdoms tere is a tendency to pull out many thousands of low quality infantry to bolster the army, so even if you knew it would not help much in giving a proper view of it's strength.

You set out north from Sardis towards the more or less independant cities and regions. As you go you collect the troops. At Abydos you strengthen the garrison so it would be able to resist a siege and then move off again. But soon you are once again beset by your advisors.

Hannibal clearly favours a coastal advance towards Sinope to take most advantage of the Thracian tribes of Asia Minor and the Greek cities. Hopefully they will not resist you and lay open the advance on the Pontic capital. A quick decapitation should provide you with a peace before the end of campaigning season.
Lysias, supported by Kassandros, favours an advance through Galatia towards Mazaka, and from there head towards Sinope. That route would provide you with more Galatians hopefully a well as grant you better battlefields. The Greek cities would certainly look favourably at this is the hope.

What do you do? This time there are only two choices.

1) Follow Hannibal's advise and move up along the coast towards Sinope. Thracian and Greeks should support your advance. This is by far the fastest route, but as the trek of Xenophon and the Ten Thousand proved, it can be very problematic with logistics. Eventhough the Pontic navy is hardly anything to fear your own navy is occupied and so can create problems. Further the area is not good for battles, generally too narrow on the coast and in the nearby valleys.

2) Go through the central highlands towards Mazaka. This brings you into Galatia where you are already recruiting. The sight of the army should put both fear and awe into the celts, making them join the army in greater numbers. Though the route in general provides you with better battlefields it also has more dangerous passes and valleys you wouldn't need to go through along the coast.
Though Lysias and Kassandros believes the Greek cities along the coast would be greatly pleased by this you are not certain about it. Seldomly have cities surrendered without an army nearby.

[Kagemusha]

I would go with the number 1.Pontic light infantry couldnt stop you on those narrow passes and valleys.In matter of fact that would favor your superior troops against their superior numbers.Strike fast and strike hard,strike straight to the heart of Pontus.

[Steppe Merc]

2,000 light cavalry (javelin cavalry from the parthian tribe the Dahae),

Hate to nit pick but the Dahae weren't a Parthian tribe. They were related to the Parni, but a more accurate term would be "the Iranian tribe the Dahae". They probably would have been horse archers, but they also had javilen skirmishers.
edit: Just looked at the time period, and they might have been controlled by the Parthians at this time.

I would also have followed the coast. It is the fastest, and once you strike Pontus, you can then take inlist their cavalry and light troops which would be perfect against the Romans.

[discovery1]

Hmmm. Since their navy isn't very big, I suppose they couldn't hope to land a sufficient force in your rear to quickly reduce garrisons. And hopefully the independent Greek cities will not present a united front, thus making victory relatively easy, if they don't support you from the start that is. And Pontus hopefully won't be expecting an attack from the free cities.

So yeah, move along the coast.

[Marshal Murat]

I agree to go #1
Light infantry will hold your men in the passes, with your lack of light soldiers. However, the prospect of good phalanx terrain could have worked towards your advantage. Your elephants could inspire fear among the troop.

However, I fear that if forced to battle, on a beach, then numbers and the soft sand would destroy your men.

I would go and gain the support of the Greeks, secure your western flank, and cut the head off the Pontus, and then march down to Mazaka, and secure local support from the Galatians. If you succeed, then Egypt will be to your south, and the the Romans to your Greek bulwark. The Egyptians will no doubt see the threat of your nation with Pontus allied to you. They will no doubt use the rebellion suppression forces against your new found power. An alliance will no doubt be formed between the Romans and the Ptolmeys.
Your Antioch army will bolster your troops in a drive to Tyre, or Sidon, or Jerusalem. Then with your ancient enemies delt with, you can amass a fleet for another assault of Greece.

[Marquis of Roland]

#1.

Going through Mazaka will send your army inland and not able to respond to any Roman or Greek movements on the coast. Keeping your army near the Hellespont will at the least keep the Romans guessing as to whether or not you're going to land in western Propontis or continue east to Sinope. Even when you reach Sinope, the Hellespont is still a manageable distance away from you, so this fact should make the Romans think twice about landing any force in Asia Minor anytime soon.

[Marshal Murat]

This move may force Egypt to wait and speculate.
As you move north, you could cross into Thrace, or head to Sinope. If you move to Thrace, Egypt would attack northward to hit you while your far away from Antioch.
If you move to Sinope, they could still attack, but you would be closer. However, you would have to cross Mazaka, and the Pontus kings know it. They may not be friendly to your cause since you tried to assault their capital.

[Kraxis]

Battle with Pontus

As you advance along the coast the Greek cities submits even before you get near them. The tribes in the surrounding area and the local cities needs a show of force first but they too submit. Thracian peltasts join your army as mercenaries, and you get an influx of 2,000 of these.
The closer you get to Sinope the more distressing news you get about the state of Pontus' army. It appears that Mithridates III, the old king of Pontus, has in fact already begun his mobilization of the army. While this means the Pontic army is larger than anticipated it also proves that the attack was the right course of action as Mithidrates apparently had intentions of attacking you while you were occupied elsewhere. To your dismay, though, the Greek cities have already supplied their troops, giving the Pontic army a potent infantryforce of pikemen in addition to the royal contingents.
Rumours speak of an army of no less than 45,000, but of this you don't know the amount of low quality levies. Hopefully it is a rather substantial part, or else you can be in for serious trouble.

Realizing that Mithridates would now be marching towards you, you speed up the pace, and city after city submits. Within two weeks you are in control of the entire region of Bithynia and rather close to Sinope. It become apparent that the Pontic army was positioned inlands for a strike towards KiliKia and Tarsos.
You begin to wonder about taking Sinope before the Pontic army can respond, but before you can put that into action you are halted at a small river, only some 300 stades from Sinope.

Arrayed in front of you is the Pontic army in the narrows between the sea and the foothills of the nearby mountains. In their center is a compact force of phalangites with a sprinkle of light infantry, seemingly Thracians. On their right flank is a large force of cavalry, light by the appearances of them, mixed with light infantry, again Thracians. On the left of the phalangites is another force of infantry, spearmen and other closecombat troops. On the far left flank is a force of heavier cavalry, not too big but certainly in a commanding position on the slopes of the nearest hill, the hill itself seems to be occupied by slingers. Behind this force you can't see what is going on, but you expect there to be more troops.

The river is probed for crossings and it appears to be completely fordable.

You summon your advisors for a counsil.

Lysias, as seasoned general he does not like the look of the enemy army. It is big, compact and in a good position. He wants to play an annoying game, where he will setup the army a short distance from the river in classical formation, with the elephants in the rear. Then use the Cretans and sligers to harrass the enemy heavy cavalry into charging or repositioning. Then respond to the enemy movements in kind. He will also use the Thracian peltasts and Galatian infantry to clear the hill and get the commanding position there. The Pontic would then be forced to act, upon which he would strike.

Hannibal is more bold. Having experienced basically all kinds of battlefields he is confident you will win easily in a mor conventional attack.
He proposes that you mirror the Pontic army. Phalangites in center, heavy cavalry on your right and light cavalry on your left. But as a support for the heavy cavlary he wants to take 15 elephants and have them lead the attack on the cavalry, and take the brunt of missiles in the river, behind them would come 3,000 Thracians. The remaining 7 elephants he will position among the light cavalry to repel any Pontic attacks there, possibly even charge across after the initial engagement had been opened up on the right. This would need the support of the Galtatians and the rest odf the Thracians. Meanwhile the Cretans and slingers would occupy the enemy on the hill.
This way you protect your attack, while denuding the enemy of his strongest forces.

You yourself is a bit more sneaky. You are not as confident as Hannibal, but you are politically aware. You will position your army a good distance back fro mthe river to allow the enemy to cross should he want to. But the main reason would be to allow the enemy to be more lax. Then at night contact the Greek troops and try to get them to abandon the Pontic king, and mask this by coming to discuss terms of peace.
Meanwhile you would have the Dahae, Thracians and hillmen raid and skirmish protected by the Galatian cavalry. Especially against the hill.

So, who has the best idea?

1) Lysias with his defensive counterstroke. This is not very risky, but you might suffer great losses among the Cretans and Thracians. Especially if the Pontic forces on the hill are stronger than anticipated (you don't know what might be behind the hill) or if the cavalry responds too fast for you. Also it might not have an impact at all on the enemy who might just stand firm in face of all this and send infantry to clear you off the hill. The positive points are that the troops you would loses are expendable, if a bit hard to recruit at times. Also, given the expected undisciplined status of the Pontic army, this might very well be a successful tactic. At the same time though, any victory like this would not result in a decisive victory as most of the enemy would get away.

2) Follow the offensive Hannibal. Hannibal is brilliant, you know this, and ig he beleives you can win like this, then that is likely. But is he perhaps too bold? You risk the elephants stampeding your flanks, but luckily they are rather few, and cavalry and light infantry can evade them. This just opens up enemy counterattacks. But your armoured elephants should be able to resist the javelins and bullets.
In general you risk more critical troops, but a victory here would likely destroy the core of the Pontic army.

3) Hold on to your own convictions. The Greeks have lost their homes to you, and you have treated them nicely, even let them join you with a lot of benefits. They shouldn't be too loyal to Mithridates. Also, your Thracians are perfect nightraiders, night raids are quite normal in both Thrace and Bithynia. So they can move stealthily, hide in the darkness and are better at melee than the enemy light troops.

[King Henry V]

I like number three, Antiochus' plan. The underdog's best way is to fight sneaky.

[Marshal Murat]

Talk about odd, eh?
Anyway, from your lack of enemy disposition, I would agrue that
If you followed Hannibals advice, and charged the elephants and cavalry against the heavy cavalry, while taking missiles, the elephants will run amok!

Withdrawing sounds like something. The enemy has chosen the ground. You should try to move back and chose your own ground. However, this game of attrition will not be good for you. So I would suggest moving up from Antioch. However, I am far ahead of myself.

Withdrawing the Greeks from camp, that sounds like it might work. However, Mithridates III will notice if his men leave. I would like to have his army whittled down. Also the reinforcements could be better troops, even scythe chariots.
Scythe chariots are doomed to failure if they hit veterans who head for the horse.

Your lighter troops should be deployed to the fore and flanks. Cavalry in blocks behind the skrimishers on the flanks. Elephants distributed among the cavalry. Don't go with Raphia again and lead a charge to blow apart the enemy then follow up.

Lead the charge if required. But withdraw before your drawn in. The Pontus might overlap your flanks. You your first hit should be
A)Elite troops and cavalry, rout the best the enemy has, and see if their willin g to talk.
B)Flanks and light/untested troops. If they break, then they will expose gaps along the lines for your spearmen to exploit, or your elephants. (Remember the fun of seeing that dense phalanx go up into the air when three elephants careen through?)

[Kraxis]

Sneaky Antiochus

You dismiss the advise of the two seasoned generals, this would be your show.

You fall back some 3 stades towards a slight hill to make camp for the night. Pickets are posted in secrecy, and when the night falls the Thracians file out in silence. From the slightly higher positioned camp you can see them edge closer to the river like water slowly flowing down a hill. Then you call for Lysias and Hannibal.
When they arrive you order them to take a small following and head directly for Mithridates, Lysias sneaking into the Greek camp.

You wait for hours, while the Thracians edge closer, some have even corssed the river in silence, just waiting for the signal to attack. Then the diplomatic mission comes back.
Hannibal starts out, "Sire, they simply want you to leave. There will be no discussions until this is settled. Everything I tried failed, basically I only go one word, and that was 'no'. It is rather hard to keep time flowing when one side doesn't want to discuss." Lysias nods, then gives his report. "My mission is a failure. The Greek soldiers will not change sides, for as they say 'why exchange one despot for another? We will pick the one we know.' Basically they have no reference for you. They don't know they can trust you. And I doubt we can achieve victory without battle."

Meanwhile the Thracians had recieved the signal for attack, and all kinds of trouble was stirred on the other side of the river. The Dahae and Galatian cavalry pour out of the camp and rush towards the hill while the hillmen rush towards the river. The Pontic forces try to respond by seemingly the Thracians are everywhere and they get ambushed all over the place.
The fight is soon called off as Pontic cavalry begins to form up for a fight, but in the confusion the slingers and light infantry on the hill moves down to help out at the river. The Dahae quickly occupies it and the hillmen soon change course to head for it too.
Finally the Thracians fall back pursued by small groups of light cavalry. In the night it is confusing and very deadly. But to the surprise of the Pontic troops the Galatian cavalry suddenly attacks them. Opposed by melee cavalry they break and are chased back to camp.

The Thracians find their way into the camp again to get a deserved rest. Their leaders inform you that it had not been either Greeks or other linetroops that had been on guard but basically peasants with spears and shields. This confirms your suspicion that there is a large force of infantry behind the first line. So in effect the Thracians didn't gain much for you, but the confusion led to loss of the hill for the Pontic army, which is now firmly in your hands.

The next day you lead your army out to do battle, and just in time as the Pontic heavy cavalry is leading some light infantry to attack the hill. The Dahae have met them far down the slope to slow down the advance while your slingers are pelting them from above. Despite superior strength and heavier troops these attacks and the rugged terrain makes it hard for the Pontic troops to advance. But this can't last and you take the Agema and Galatians with you on a headlong rush, while the army gets into formation at the river.

Occupied with the hill the Pontic troops slowly revolve around it so that finally they can't see across the river. You force your cavalry on at best speed, delegating the Galatians to attack th infantry while your own Agema takes care of the cavalry. Though the Galatians will be very heavily outnumbers and could get wiped out you expect the hillmen and Dahae to help them out once you have engaged the heavy cavalry.

As Mithridates see your army form up he has been busy forming his own army up, so again luck is with you and you are not noticed by the commanders. Before your army is fully deployed the Pontic light cavalry charge across the river to disperse your 500 Mysian cavalry. Against this they fall back with speed and the Pontic horses halt to reform for the attack on the infantry flanks, composed of the Galatian infantry (you haven't had time for proper deployment so the units just file in as they enter the field).

You cross the river uncontested but for a few light infantry quickly dealt with by the Galatians. You force the cavalry round the edge of the hill and suddenly the enemy cavalry comes into view. They are not exactly disrupted but their flanks are exposed and before they can react you charge hard at them. Both units are tired, your cavalry from the dash across the river and the Pontic cavalry from the swirling fight with the Dahae. The first contact brings instant disruption in the enemy and a deadly melee ensues.
Meanwhile the Galatians have taken the enemy light troops in the rear and the hillmen in the front.

Back on the left the Pontic lights begin their charge. First they close to throw their javelins and head back. The small unit of Galatian infantry is hard pressed, but they stand firm. As the javelinattack doesn't seem to dislodge the infantry the cavalry tried a sweep around them for a charge. Just then the elephants charge from behind the infantryline. They have moved the entire length of the line to help the Galatians, and now they rush in. The Pontic lights fall back before this enemy and are at once beset by the Mysian cavalry and Galatian infantry, breaking and dispersing them.

Your fight with the enemy heavy cavalry is still bogged down as their superior numbers makes up for the surprise and charge. But the Galatians with the help of the hillmen and Dahae have finally broken the enemy light troops, which turned out to be part of the Thracian peltasts. The Galatians lets the others cahse the enemy while they get into the fight they really yearn for, a fight wheer they can take heads of nobles. This is too much for the Pontic heavies and they break, chased by the wild Galatians.

So, both flanks are won, and now your infantry, in a mottled formation granted, begins it attack acorss the river. The Greeks and royal troops oppose them with great gusto and bravery, and manage to hold them back, but the spearmen and other linetroops can't hold back the cataphracts and break. You have now reformed the Agema and charge at the household cavalry of Mithridates. Another brutal engagement ensues where you manage to get close to the king himself. You throw your xyston at him, and strike him in the leg. Apparently his armour takes it but this is too much for the older man and he flees, leaving the household calvary to cover him.
Seeing this the levies flee as well and your cavalry now has plenty of targets to chase.
When you have dealt with the remianing household cavalry you turn towards the royal infantry and their local compatriots. The cataphracts also join in on the attack the combined charge cause the Pontic troops to break and flee.
You send half the Agema to chase them with the cataphracts while you now have the infantry press the Greeks. After a while you tell your troops to halt and send in a diplomat. The Greeks surrender, but won't fight for you, they want to go home, but they agree to defend their cities for you.

During the day the cavalry returns to celebrate the victory. It was a stunning victory, and especially your irregular forces did well, the Galatian cavalry is especially pleased with the chance to take noble heads, a chance they did not misuse.
While it was stunning it was not as bloody as expected, and most of the royal troops and other line troops managed to get away with the cavalry. Their route was towards Mazaka and the central provinces. Basically you can expect to fight them another day.
Your own losses have been quite light, centered around the Agema, the Thracians, Galatians and hillmen.
The capture of the royal camp produced 4,000 talents of silver, enough to pay off the pay accumulated for the army, but otherwise it was a rather dull experience as the king had brounght no family or concubines.

After proper celebrations and reperations to the army you finally hve to decide what to do.

1) Chase Mithridates towards Mazaka, and only leave a watching/raiding-force at Sinope. This ensures that he will have trouble recruiting more quality troops, but you do not get control of Sinope, and you might have to go into the mountains if he flees there.

2) Lay siege to Sinope. Taking this potent symbol would be a powerful blow to Mithridates, in itself it is not that important as the treasury is in Mazaka. But you then give him time to recover, perhaps setting the stage for an extended campaign where you have to root out garrisons from mountain strongholds.

[Kraxis]

Remember I set the stage, you choose which option...

Complicated maneuvers are out of the question for the simple reason that they were almost impossible to carry out in battle. It will be simple plans with twists in general.
This is not a perfect scenario of command like TW.

This was an infomertial. Now back to the show.

[Kagemusha]

Again number 1.Chase Mithridates.If you kill the shephard the sheeps are yours.Carry on your plan and dont mislead yourself with secondary targets.The Army of Mithridates hasnt got the Creeks anymore and their morale is low after recent defeat.I wouldnt be suprised if his allies are abandoning him as we speak.

[Steppe Merc]

I would have chased him. Land itself isn't important, the enemy is. While you wait and besiege, he could have time to regroup. Chase him, and kill him.

[Marshal Murat]

Sorry Kraxis about the deployment.
The treasury is important. If you take the money, what use is the army? you cannot pay it, and the mercenaries he hires will soon leave without the money to back the king up.
If you can cut off the treasury from the king, then only his personal charisma will hold together an army.

[Kraxis]

Don't feel sorry, just don't get ahead of yourself.

The Chase

As you move out from the camp with the army you detach 2,000 Thracians, the 500 Mysians and the Galatian forces. These are to lay an open siege to Sinope, intercepting troops and caravans, and keep you informed.

With the main army you begin the trek into the interior, following the Pontic forces. For weeks you chase Mithridates about in the highlands, never getting close to Mazaka.
After fighting Pontic delayforces and light troops in the passes you have suffered losses, but you have at the same time removed the confidence from the Pontic leaders and their troops. The fruits of this finally materialize one evening near the frontier with Galatia, a Pontic force of some hundred cavalry enter your camp, at the head of it is a young noble.
Naturally he is brought before you.

"King Antiochus, I am prince Mithridates, son of our late king. Yes, my father has died, no, not because of the wound you gave him in the battle. He was an old and he came to the throne late in his life. It was time for him to leave this world."
As the news sink in you realize what is going on, a dynastic despute, and now one sid is appealing to you. This is promising indeed.
"So, you can guess what I ask for now..."
"Yes, you want an alliance against a usurper to the throne."
"That is right... Am I that transparent? Well, my father's brother, Pharnaces, took the throne in a coup in the last days of my father's life, a disgrace. I have to revenge my father's honour and slay that damn outback farmer. I know your war with Rome isn't going as you hoped, and that the final showdown must come at some point, I pledge to send troops to your efforts."
"I can't give you my answer just yet, young prince, but you may stay in the camp until I have made up my mind."
The prince leaves your tent and you set about looking at what else is going on.

It is now early October, the weather is getting colder, but you believe you have enough time to settle this matter before the winterlull.
In the west the Romans are slowly reducing your garrisons in Greece, it seems likely that any action will save them now. Also the Romans have gotten significant reinforcements, your spies talk about at least another 10,000 troops, but likely more.
On the sea you have had another stroke of luck. Polyxenidas thought about bringing you the Aetolian troops as reinforcements for your depleted light troops. On the way he stumbled upon the Pontic fleet chasing a supply convoy, his 18 Sidonian ships had little trouble in running them down and defeating the 15 Pontic triremes and biremes, sinking 4 and capturing 10, he was thus forced to use the Aetolians to sail the ships back to the Hellespont. On the other hand the Roman fleet has been reinforced to 70 strong.
The Ptolomies have been silent, both on the diplomatic scene and on the borders. It seems they are afraid of your successful campaign in Pontus.
Your mobilization is progressing well, and thousands of phalangites have converged in Sardis and plenty of irregulars are now garrisoned in Antioch, ready to be deployed to the west for the coming fighting with Rome. You have even been reinforced with Galatian and Kappadokian troops directly into the army in Pontus.

None of your advisors see any problem in helping young Mithridates onto the throne, but Kassandros goes even further in that he want to grant Mithridates several thousand troops, and then leave the Pontic campaign in his hands.
Hannibal, deliberate was he is, wants to carry this war out, even into winter if it should be so. While Lysias wants to move up to Mazaka to remove the basis for Pharnaces' power, while helping yourself to the Pontic treasury.

So what to do?

1) Give Mithridates 10,000 troops, including 5,000 phalangites and 1,000 cataphracts. Then leave the fight in his hands while you head for Sardis to organize the growing army, and deal with the revitalized Roman navy. But you do not know how good this Mithridates is at commanding troops. A disaster could make the dual war significantly more problematic.

2) Pursue Pharnaces to the end of the world. It is imperative that Pontus is made stable soon, so that she can supply you with plenty of troops. It might be overkill to do this yourself, and the Romans are massing in the west, and you have no proper general out here.

3) Help Mithdridates in his war, but rather than going after Pharnaces you deal with his powerbase in Mazaka and 'liberate' the Pontic treasury. You risk that Pharnaces just head into the mountains and can become impossible to root out.

[Uesugi Kenshin]

I would say option one.

The Romans are the greatest threat and if Antiochus loses his Greek provinces he will lose a valuable source of men and will have a much more difficult time controlling the Agean.

Would it be possible to send an adept general with Mithridates to ensure that he doesn't totally screw the pooch? If so I would send a trusted and competent general to serve as an advisor and if need be take control of the gifted troops.

[SwordsMaster]

3) Help Mithridates and liberate the treasury.

With the money, the moral of the troops will be higher and a prize on Pharnace's head can be set high enough to keep him from finding a safe place. At the same time war needs money and mercenaries and pirates can be recruited to join the Mithridates' army or keep the roman navy entertained. Thirdly my own troops would not be so prone to sacking the local population if they are paid and fed regularly thus helping mantain the order and discipline. After all how long can one march hungry chasing a bandit through the mountains?

[Kraxis]

Alliance and Return

The prince enters your tent after you had sent for him.
"So prince Mithridates, it seems you are about to become king. I have chosen to support your claim on the throne, but we need to stipulate the alliance with the terms, after all I have control with half your country. That will not be surrendered freely."
The negotiations end up with Mithridates granting you control of the Greek coastal cities in Bithynia and a share in the income of rest of Bithynia. An indemnity of 3000 talents is agreed, in 6 payments of 500, as well as 500 heavy cavalry and 1000 cavalry annually to serve in your army, 300 horses each year and the remianing ships in the navy. In return you agree to protect Pontus in any defensive wars, and to support the dynasty in civil wars. But most importantly you hand over control of 12,000 infantry and 1,500 cavalry. In this there are 6,000 phalangites and the hillmen as well as 1,000 cataphracts and 500 Dahae lights. Obviously you both have good skills at negotiations. You didn't expect to basically make Pontus a protectorate, but you had expected to keep more troops. That young prince is certainly intriguing and of a gentle behaviour, very likeable.

You march back to Sardis through Galatia where even more warriors join up. On the road in southern Galatia you meet up with the eastern army from Antioch.
Even before you are back in Sardis you get the news that Mithidates forced Mazaka to submit and that your screening force at Sinope is heading for Sardis as well, since Sinope has declared herself on the side of the young prince.

You get back to Sardis safely with your now great army. There you pay off the regulars what you owe them (not much though since you managed to pay a lot of it with the silver captured after the battle). The mercenaries are kept enrolled during the winter.
Your army for the coming warseason (190BC) is vast. 59,000 troops in all. 10,000 argyraspids, 15,000 settlerphalangites, 2,000 Cretans, 3,000 Galatian infantry, 6,000 Thracian peltasts, 6,000 Arab warriors, 1,000 Greek heavy peltasts (from the cities), 1,000 Agema cavalry, 4,000 Cataphracts, 1,500 Galatian cavalry, 1,000 heavy Kappadokian cavalry, 4,000 Dahae light cavalry, mostly horse archers, 700 Paphlagonian light cavalry and 800 Mysian light cavalry, not to forget your 22 elephants and 120 scythed chariots. You can't expect Mithridates is able to support you with troops or money just yet, especially considering that Pharnaces had been able to remove the treasury from Mazaka.
Your fleet has been equipped, refitted (mostly the captured ships) and reinforced to 87 ships. You are at sea basically back to square one.

One night, during the darkest hours you fly to your feet. You can't wait for the spring, something has to be done right away. You order food and the presence of Polyxenides and Hannibal.

"Gentlemen, I have a plan! Since we are planning to attack Greece in the spring we need to have bases for our fleet so that it can easier protect the army. So I want us to launch an attack on the Aegean islands, Ikaria and Tenos with Thracian and Galatian troops. Perhaps they will welcome us..."

Hannibal frowns, "Sire, I doubt they will like it. Barbarian troops, a foreign power, a despo... a strong monarch. Well, since I would still prefer the Macedonian approach to teh matter I think the navy would do better protecting the Hellspont and intercepting raiders."

Polyxenides is vivid, "Great idea king of kings! But it is risky. The weather in winter is bad and the Roman fleet is still out there. I think it would be better to simply seek them out and deal with them before landing troops. That would possibly also make the islanders more friendly."

What will it be?

1) Follow your own intuition and strike swiftly at the islands. They might not like it, but so what, they are weak and they have the strong position in the Aegean. Also since it would still be before the normal campaigning season you would have ample time to prove how benevolent you really are. It would be a great combination of of strength and softness. You would show the Greeks you are strong and at the same time a fair ruler, they should flock to you. The risk is that you might get stuck with it while the Romans ranged far and wide.

2) Listen to Hannibal and drop the sea entirely. The navy should not get itself into battle. You wait for spring to attack through Thrace and Macedonia. The risk is that you open up the coast of Asia Minor to attack from the Romans.

3) Let Polyxenides ride the waves and seek out the Roman fleet in a decisive engagement. A fairly conservative choice, you risk the fleet, but your gains would also be small in that the Romans would likely be able to respond in time before you could take advantage of the situation.

[Steppe Merc]

I would use Hannibal's advice. Heck to the sea, use your soldiers to crush the Romans.
You can't afford the islands to be angry at you, and it will take to long to take control of each one. Your forces can defeat the Romans through sheer strength, and the navy battles gain little. Even if you win on the sea, you still have to defeat them on land.

[SwordsMaster]

Damn! Uesugi Kenshin you are faster than I am...

I would use Hannibal's advice. Heck to the sea, use your soldiers to crush the Romans.

Well, yes, but the expedition would give you some credit and get the Roman fleet to a different part of the sea...

I would send some greek and newly recruited troops to the islands to prove them in battle and set off to the north with the main force. Theoretically if the main army has about 45,000 men the Romans shouldnt be too much of a problem....

And it is always good to have a strong naval base to refit, train and build new ships faster.... And they might provide some plundering too....

Congrats Kraxis! Great idea

[Steppe Merc]

Perhaps. But the islands would have little gain, while with the mainland you can win far more.

[Uesugi Kenshin]

Also the Romans have very good soldiers, and having a decisive victory could prove your strength, dishearten the Romans, cause your enemies to fear for themselves even more (and possibly act upon this by becoming protectorates/allies) and of course the mainland is a far greater prize!

Ah well Swordmaster I porbably won't be able to get it again for quite some time, never usually get on until 10:00pm...

[Kagemusha]

I would take the Islands.If you look at your previous engagement with Roman Navy,You see that the most capable part of it are the Creeks.If you deny The Romans that and even better get those sailors on your side.You can clear the Sea from Romans.Once you have the superioty at Sea you can cut of the Roman army in Creek,by attacking their supply train.That could also make the Inland Creeks to have a another thought on which side to choose.

[Marshal Murat]

1) is the best option to me given that is you guard the Hellespont, then your coast will be open.
I saw secure your hold on the city states (Magnesia is an example of what will happen to a upstart local and the Romans)

Also, just as some battle info (no formations lol)
Elephants from Rome will be African, yours Indian.
Phalanx is to be held stationary, cause the Romans will try to open holes in the phalanx to use hand to hand.
Antiochus should lead a charge, but learn when to turn around.
Heavy cavalry should be ready to hit hard.
Never put elephants between your phalanx (Magnesia)

[The Wizard]

I would have chosen for 1. It will bring you important bases for invasion into Greece, and if you pull the PR-campaign off quickly and correctly, the Greeks will rise up throughout Hellas against the Romans, which will make it far easier for you to take care of the Romans, who will be away from home with no local support.



~Wiz