Baktrian Independence
Baktrian Independence
Pantaleon Bandobeneios, son-in-law of Theodotos Baktrios, was not a particularly intelligent nor energetic man. He did, however, possess a certain charisma that endeared him to people, even though he believed he was above the normal rules of society. In his service to Theodotos, he helped repel ambushing dahae on the trail to Gava-Haomavarga, and in the process became a rugged outdoorsman, prone to superstitious beliefs.
After the capture of Kophen, he was sent south into the mountains to hunt down brigands and other barbarians. With success came a thirst for more. He'd always been a bit unscrupulous, but now he had his sights set on acquiring a city of his own to govern as a satrap. In his optimism, he thought Alexandropolis would be an easy target.
He petitioned Theodotos for more funds to hire some mercenaries, and convinced his brother-in-law Diodotos to send him more Arshtbara from Baktra, versatile archers who are also handy with a spear. Theodotos approved of the mission. Perhaps it would sate the man's desire for conquest, and get him away from the ever-present Seleukid diplomats, who could easily turn his head with their mnai.
After crossing the Amu Dar'ya, the situation of the defenders became more clear. Pantaleon asked for more funds, but dahae ("robbers") were probing the passes near Gava-Haomavarga, and had even captured Antiocheia-Margiane from Seleukeia!
Mnai was tight, with Theodotos trying to develop Kophen, Diodotos building a temple to Dios-Ahura Mazda, and his brother-in-law Krateros Termitaios building farms in Gava-Haomavarga. No further funds could be spared for the expedition; upkeep for Baktria's armies was increasing rapidly already.
Pantaleon decided to starve out the defenders, and hoped the reinforcements coming from Baktra would help in the event of a sally. He noticed Seleukid forces nearby, and urged his men forward to lay siege before they could get there. Alexandropolis would be his, not Syriakos'!
But Seleukid desire was stronger than he thought; they demanded he support their seige of the town. He refused, claiming the right to lead the seige was his, by the ancient law of being there first. Besides, he was more experienced with command than the young Seleukid officer, Dionysios.
This argument did not sway the officer. He said, "My orders come from the Basileus himself, and you are nothing but a barbarian, with a barbarian for a mother!"
It almost came to blows there, but Pantaleon's loyal aide restrained him. Dionysios ordered his men to Pantaleon's rear, cutting off the supply route to Kophen.
Faced with enemies now on both sides, forced to put his men on half-rations, and his honour and that of his mother insulted, Pantaleon could not back down. He had his men take some high ground in view of the city. The garrison at Alexandropolis watched from the walls as Dionysios marched against him.
Outnumbered two to one, Pantaleon knew his strength lay in his Arshtbara, Thanvabara, and Daha horse archers. If they could do enough damage to Dionysios before he reached the summit, it would only be a matter of mopping up the remnants.
Five hundred horse archers kept two thousand heavy cavalry occupied, sending showers of arrows and retreating out of lance range, again and again. The Seleukid pantadapoi suffered heavy casualties, as well, from Baktrian bows. But they all pressed on up the hill, forcing the Arshtbara and Thanvabara into hand-to-hand combat. Pantaleon stayed in the thick of battle, charging again and again, into cavalry and phalanx both. His steady presence kept the men at their positions until the last desperate charge by Dionysios was repulsed, and he rode away at top speed, with only one quarter of his army intact. Pantaleon had lost almost half his men in this heroic victory!
He had no time to savor the victory, however, as word soon reached him of a mass of cavalry destroying his expected reinforcements from Baktria.
Though the situation was grim, he still held out hope that Alexandropolis would be his. He had the men continue to prepare for an assault or starving out the enemy, but the Haravautish sallied instead.
Though outnumbered more than two to one, and facing the rested, well-fed, well led garrison, Pantaleon believed he could repel the attackers, and perhaps even seize the walls in the confusion. He prepared a defense before the main gate, but was flanked by Skuda Baexdzhyntae firing their bows as they charged. Sheer numbers played their part, and one by one, his men fell. His phalanx flanked, his army almost destroyed, Pantaleon decided he wanted to live to fight another day, and with only a handful of his guard, rode his battered horse away from the city.
But it was too late. His worn mount couldn't outrun the skirmisher's ponies, and he was cut down in the prime of his life.
His men had given a good account of themselves, but it was not enough.
And so the Baktrian war for independence began.
To be continued...
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Even if the rebel or general ones are visible - I don't think it's going to be a big deal - it'll just make folks interested more in it. I personally don't have an issue with doing that.
Originally Posted by Malrubius
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