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Thread: The history of Baktria: an AAR
ok, heres my first AAR.....
it will be a somewhat general AAR, and i will only cover the large battles, and just skim the small ones (display the outcome). it will be updated in small amounts, since i dont have much time for playing.... feedback is welcomed!
so here goes.......
Chapter 1- Beginnings
Welcome child, what is it that you seek?
Ah, you want to know the history of our glorious nation? Let me get my scrolls….
Well, come in, take something to eat and sit down- this may take a while.
A long time ago, there was a man named Alexander the Great. He conquered from Greece all the way to the Indies. When he died, his empire split up into many smaller empires. That’s where we come from, along from elsewhere. For many years, we were a small nation- just 3 large towns and just 3 provinces.
We were at the heel of one of his successor’s empires, the evil Arche Seleukia. Not much happened until the summer of 272 BC….
We got a savior- the ambitious Theodotos Baktrios.
He pledged to rid Baktria of the grip of the Arche Seleukia. He promised us that under his watch, and his descendants watch, Baktria would become a great empire!
He started to raise an army- but not to attack Arche Seleukia – we were too weak to do that! - But to attack those dammed Persians to the west of us. They were always a threat, but Theodotos would try to eradicate them from the earth before it was too late, and they would be a threat no more.
Our army was weak, and vulnerable, and we did not have many funds to pay for one, but we established alliances with our soon-to-be enemies, so we got some money.
The army wasn’t large, and we will soon be raising another one to back up our main army from the Arche Seleukia and the Persian horde.
Then, in 271 BC, we got word that our Greek allies in the west, the Koinon Hellenon, decided to break alliance with us, because of our support of Pontos, their sworn enemies. But our leader did not pay heed- they dwell far away, and are of not concern right now- but they both will feel the wrath of Baktria in the end!
In summer 270 BC, 2 years after he got in power, Theodotos leaves our capital, Baktra, under the command his son, Diodotos Baktrios.
Theodotos Baktrios turns his army, which isn’t very large, towards some wayward rebels in the south, with the inept, but older and blooded, general Patrokles Marakandaios, hoping to turn Patrokles into a suitable general to lead his second army into Persia, while the second army was being trained. What would happen, nobody would know.
it will be a somewhat general AAR, and i will only cover the large battles, and just skim the small ones (display the outcome). it will be updated in small amounts, since i dont have much time for playing.... feedback is welcomed!
so here goes.......
Chapter 1- Beginnings
Welcome child, what is it that you seek?
Ah, you want to know the history of our glorious nation? Let me get my scrolls….
Well, come in, take something to eat and sit down- this may take a while.
A long time ago, there was a man named Alexander the Great. He conquered from Greece all the way to the Indies. When he died, his empire split up into many smaller empires. That’s where we come from, along from elsewhere. For many years, we were a small nation- just 3 large towns and just 3 provinces.
We were at the heel of one of his successor’s empires, the evil Arche Seleukia. Not much happened until the summer of 272 BC….
We got a savior- the ambitious Theodotos Baktrios.
He pledged to rid Baktria of the grip of the Arche Seleukia. He promised us that under his watch, and his descendants watch, Baktria would become a great empire!
He started to raise an army- but not to attack Arche Seleukia – we were too weak to do that! - But to attack those dammed Persians to the west of us. They were always a threat, but Theodotos would try to eradicate them from the earth before it was too late, and they would be a threat no more.
Our army was weak, and vulnerable, and we did not have many funds to pay for one, but we established alliances with our soon-to-be enemies, so we got some money.
The army wasn’t large, and we will soon be raising another one to back up our main army from the Arche Seleukia and the Persian horde.
Then, in 271 BC, we got word that our Greek allies in the west, the Koinon Hellenon, decided to break alliance with us, because of our support of Pontos, their sworn enemies. But our leader did not pay heed- they dwell far away, and are of not concern right now- but they both will feel the wrath of Baktria in the end!
In summer 270 BC, 2 years after he got in power, Theodotos leaves our capital, Baktra, under the command his son, Diodotos Baktrios.
Theodotos Baktrios turns his army, which isn’t very large, towards some wayward rebels in the south, with the inept, but older and blooded, general Patrokles Marakandaios, hoping to turn Patrokles into a suitable general to lead his second army into Persia, while the second army was being trained. What would happen, nobody would know.
a decent start, now write some more i want to see where this goes 
Chapter 2- First Blood
The Battle of Margiana Hills- Fall 270 BC
Our leader, Theodotos Baktrios, along with Patrokles, encounter some wayward Persian rebels near a bridge crossing, in the hills of Margiana, which was then belonging to the Arche Selukia .
Our leader told his Peltastai to engage the rebels first.
When they withdrew, the archers came in, firing on the rebels. When they were out, the phalanxes advanced, and the Indo-Iranian Light Cavalry rushed to put pressure on the enemy.
Unfortunately, they got bogged down in the Persian spears while trying to retreat to make another charge, and many were lost. The same happened to the Successor Medium Cavalry.
But in the end, those Persian rebels were running from our army, as usual.
The performance of our army after the Battle of Margiana Hills was mediocre. Military analysts say we should have sustained only a few casualties, but what happened had happened, and there is no changing that. We could only pray that we did better next time.
In summer 269, disaster struck. A massive earthquake in Baktria killed 3,646 citizens of Baktra, and damaging many buildings, but luckily the heir to the throne wasn’t harmed.
But what was worse, an army which was assembling in that area, over 1,500 trained men, was reduced to a little over 150 soldiers. Thank the gods that no generals were in that army, and our leader was in the province over, so he and his army were unharmed.
And what was more, in that same season, the province of Margiana, which used to be Arche Seleukia territory, rebelled, and Theodotos Baktrios is deciding whether to take that province, or march on Nisa, the Persian capital. It would be a hard decision- capture a city which may invoke the wrath of the Arche Seluekia, or take a city and definitely invoke the wrath of the Persians?
What will become in the coming years was prayed that they wouldn’t be as harmful as the summer of 269.
The Battle of Margiana Hills- Fall 270 BC
Our leader, Theodotos Baktrios, along with Patrokles, encounter some wayward Persian rebels near a bridge crossing, in the hills of Margiana, which was then belonging to the Arche Selukia .
Our leader told his Peltastai to engage the rebels first.
When they withdrew, the archers came in, firing on the rebels. When they were out, the phalanxes advanced, and the Indo-Iranian Light Cavalry rushed to put pressure on the enemy.
Unfortunately, they got bogged down in the Persian spears while trying to retreat to make another charge, and many were lost. The same happened to the Successor Medium Cavalry.
But in the end, those Persian rebels were running from our army, as usual.
The performance of our army after the Battle of Margiana Hills was mediocre. Military analysts say we should have sustained only a few casualties, but what happened had happened, and there is no changing that. We could only pray that we did better next time.
In summer 269, disaster struck. A massive earthquake in Baktria killed 3,646 citizens of Baktra, and damaging many buildings, but luckily the heir to the throne wasn’t harmed.
But what was worse, an army which was assembling in that area, over 1,500 trained men, was reduced to a little over 150 soldiers. Thank the gods that no generals were in that army, and our leader was in the province over, so he and his army were unharmed.
And what was more, in that same season, the province of Margiana, which used to be Arche Seleukia territory, rebelled, and Theodotos Baktrios is deciding whether to take that province, or march on Nisa, the Persian capital. It would be a hard decision- capture a city which may invoke the wrath of the Arche Seluekia, or take a city and definitely invoke the wrath of the Persians?
What will become in the coming years was prayed that they wouldn’t be as harmful as the summer of 269.
I like it. Please continue. 
of course- i have a half-day of school today and wendsday......
disclaimer: i have never fought against an enemy with such abundance of archers, so if casualties are unusually high, so now you know why......
The Persian-Baktrian War- Part 1
The Battle for Nisa- Fall, 268 BC
Our leader decided to turn his army towards Nisa, the Persian capital. This would be the start of the Persian–Baktrian War.
Seeing that the enemy had many horse archers, Theodotos Baktrios decided to send in his own horse archers and horse skirmishers. Unbeknownst to us, the Persians had long range bows, so they inflicted some casualties on us which should have been avoided.
He then sent in his Pantodapoi Phalangitai, or Hellenic Native Phalanx, to block off the entrance to the city with their spears. Big mistake. As the Pantodapoi Phalangitai were reforming to block it off, the Persian heavy cavalry bodyguards charged, inflicting very heavy casualties. They would have broken if it wasn’t for a heroic charge by Theodotos Baktrios and his bodyguards, along with a unit of Indo-Iranian Light Cavalry and some Median Medium Cavalry. What resulted was a huge cavalry melee.
They were joined by some archers giving them support, and some Thureophoroi.
But the turning point was when Successor Medium Cavalry went around and hit the Persians from the back- hard.
Finally, every Persian was dead- along with their faction leader and their faction heir.
Now Theodotos Baktrios and his army are recuperating, and contemplating his next move. Take another Persian city, or link up the provinces with the homeland?
Would the Persians throw everything they had against Theodotos Baktrios? Or would they sit back and let Theodotos Baktrios take over, or beg for peace?
No one knew the answer, but everyone knew it would come soon.
The Battle for Nisa- Fall, 268 BC
Our leader decided to turn his army towards Nisa, the Persian capital. This would be the start of the Persian–Baktrian War.
Seeing that the enemy had many horse archers, Theodotos Baktrios decided to send in his own horse archers and horse skirmishers. Unbeknownst to us, the Persians had long range bows, so they inflicted some casualties on us which should have been avoided.
He then sent in his Pantodapoi Phalangitai, or Hellenic Native Phalanx, to block off the entrance to the city with their spears. Big mistake. As the Pantodapoi Phalangitai were reforming to block it off, the Persian heavy cavalry bodyguards charged, inflicting very heavy casualties. They would have broken if it wasn’t for a heroic charge by Theodotos Baktrios and his bodyguards, along with a unit of Indo-Iranian Light Cavalry and some Median Medium Cavalry. What resulted was a huge cavalry melee.
They were joined by some archers giving them support, and some Thureophoroi.
But the turning point was when Successor Medium Cavalry went around and hit the Persians from the back- hard.
Finally, every Persian was dead- along with their faction leader and their faction heir.
Now Theodotos Baktrios and his army are recuperating, and contemplating his next move. Take another Persian city, or link up the provinces with the homeland?
Would the Persians throw everything they had against Theodotos Baktrios? Or would they sit back and let Theodotos Baktrios take over, or beg for peace?
No one knew the answer, but everyone knew it would come soon.
The Persian-Baktrian War- Part 2
The Battle for Khiva- Summer 267 BC
Our leader makes a bold move towards the new Persian capital, Khiva. It is defended by a few withered down Persian armored horse archers, along with some heavy cataphracts.
To Theodotos Baktrios’s surprise, the Persians charged, offering open battle, so he immediately sent his Thureophoroi to the front and told his Persian archer spearmen to get their spears ready. Needless to say, they repulsed the attack with some ease.
At one point in the battle, our left flank was dangerously exposed, and the Thureophoroi rushed forward to defend it- and just as the enemy were rounding the corner to attack us!
All who remained was some armored horse archers and the two enemy generals. Our cavalry charged, and after a long struggle, routed them- all but a couple of units of armored horse archers. Those units fought heroically, taking down many brave Baktrians, but it was hopeless for them to resist against our inevitable victory.
Of course, supporting our troops were hundreds of archers and horse archers. The battle wouldn’t have been won without them, and many were slain by Persian arrows.
Eventually, when there was only a few Persians left, the Baktrian Medium Cavalry pressed home, inflicting heavy casualties.
The Persians retreated, and made a gallant, but futile, last stand at their city center.
The city was captured, many Persians killed, along with another two members of Persian royalty. But our army suffered horribly. We lost many to the cataphracts and to enemy arrows. Nevertheless, we were victorious all the same, and that is what counts.
Now where would Theodotos Baktrios go next? On to the rebel city in the east (from Khiva), or go north to eradicate the Persians once and for all? But for now, the army would be recuperating and being brought back to full strength for the next battle.
The Battle for Khiva- Summer 267 BC
Our leader makes a bold move towards the new Persian capital, Khiva. It is defended by a few withered down Persian armored horse archers, along with some heavy cataphracts.
To Theodotos Baktrios’s surprise, the Persians charged, offering open battle, so he immediately sent his Thureophoroi to the front and told his Persian archer spearmen to get their spears ready. Needless to say, they repulsed the attack with some ease.
At one point in the battle, our left flank was dangerously exposed, and the Thureophoroi rushed forward to defend it- and just as the enemy were rounding the corner to attack us!
All who remained was some armored horse archers and the two enemy generals. Our cavalry charged, and after a long struggle, routed them- all but a couple of units of armored horse archers. Those units fought heroically, taking down many brave Baktrians, but it was hopeless for them to resist against our inevitable victory.
Of course, supporting our troops were hundreds of archers and horse archers. The battle wouldn’t have been won without them, and many were slain by Persian arrows.
Eventually, when there was only a few Persians left, the Baktrian Medium Cavalry pressed home, inflicting heavy casualties.
The Persians retreated, and made a gallant, but futile, last stand at their city center.
The city was captured, many Persians killed, along with another two members of Persian royalty. But our army suffered horribly. We lost many to the cataphracts and to enemy arrows. Nevertheless, we were victorious all the same, and that is what counts.
Now where would Theodotos Baktrios go next? On to the rebel city in the east (from Khiva), or go north to eradicate the Persians once and for all? But for now, the army would be recuperating and being brought back to full strength for the next battle.
breaking news!!!!!!!!
we have found an Arche Seleukia spy in our capital, and executed him!
Could this mean war in a short time? Or something much worse?
Our leader has withdrawn all of our main forces to the border, and leaves a substantial garrison in Khiva.
The nation is holding their breath- with the "Grey Death" be upon us?
we have found an Arche Seleukia spy in our capital, and executed him!
Could this mean war in a short time? Or something much worse?
Our leader has withdrawn all of our main forces to the border, and leaves a substantial garrison in Khiva.
The nation is holding their breath- with the "Grey Death" be upon us?
btw, i changed my avatar to mirror my faction leaders portriat. ;-)
That's a great AAR I am reading... WELL DONE!
Nice to see the Kambojas at work (That would be the IndoIranian Light cav).
Hippotoxotai are right up there. I hope that AS doesn't attack, but if they do...
Stone forts, Lots of sphendonetai on its walls, sally each turn with them on the ramparts, watch the enemy number dwindle then after they run out of ammo, either sally or end the battle. You will be awarded a draw, but with a big part of the enemy slain, it really is a victory. Rinse and repeat until AS will either flee or be destroyed by your forces.
Just make sure that your border cities with AS have stonewalls, and plenty of sphendonetai/anatolian slingers in them.
When you have enough money to assault them, use hippotoxotai, and a lot of them. They shoot very far and their armor (both on the horse and on themselves ) means they are no slouches when it comes close and personal. They may be expensive but they are well worth it.
Build mines on Kophen, and Taxila. They bring in a lot of money.
Taxilan agema (the heavy IndoIranian horsemen) is also ONLY recruited on Taxila, so bear that in mind. Those guys are wild. First they pepper the enemy with spears, then they charge! Expensive but well worth it.
A lot of good things await a Baktrian player in India! But the no. 1 danger you must face are the Seleukeides. Only when you contain them in Messopotamia can you consider yourself safe from them.
BTW, it is great that you use Baktrioi hippeis and Kambojas. Historically Baktrians used them extensively. In fact some have suggested that the conquest of India is due to the big number of those horsemen in the Baktrian army.
A small explanation is in order... In bold the unit name used in game.
English------------------Greek transliterated--------Indian (Pali/Sanskrit)
Baktrian horsemen-------Baktrioi hippeis-------------Bahlika asvaka
IndoIranian horsemen----Kambusioi hippeis-----------Kamboja asvaka ksatriya
(Kambojan horsemen)-----------------------------------------------Ksatriya (warrior caste figthing almost exclusively on horseback or chariot) because they are mentioned as such in Hindu texts.
Nice to see the Kambojas at work (That would be the IndoIranian Light cav).
Hippotoxotai are right up there. I hope that AS doesn't attack, but if they do...
Stone forts, Lots of sphendonetai on its walls, sally each turn with them on the ramparts, watch the enemy number dwindle then after they run out of ammo, either sally or end the battle. You will be awarded a draw, but with a big part of the enemy slain, it really is a victory. Rinse and repeat until AS will either flee or be destroyed by your forces.
Just make sure that your border cities with AS have stonewalls, and plenty of sphendonetai/anatolian slingers in them.
When you have enough money to assault them, use hippotoxotai, and a lot of them. They shoot very far and their armor (both on the horse and on themselves ) means they are no slouches when it comes close and personal. They may be expensive but they are well worth it.
Build mines on Kophen, and Taxila. They bring in a lot of money.
Taxilan agema (the heavy IndoIranian horsemen) is also ONLY recruited on Taxila, so bear that in mind. Those guys are wild. First they pepper the enemy with spears, then they charge! Expensive but well worth it.
A lot of good things await a Baktrian player in India! But the no. 1 danger you must face are the Seleukeides. Only when you contain them in Messopotamia can you consider yourself safe from them.
BTW, it is great that you use Baktrioi hippeis and Kambojas. Historically Baktrians used them extensively. In fact some have suggested that the conquest of India is due to the big number of those horsemen in the Baktrian army.
A small explanation is in order... In bold the unit name used in game.
English------------------Greek transliterated--------Indian (Pali/Sanskrit)
Baktrian horsemen-------Baktrioi hippeis-------------Bahlika asvaka
IndoIranian horsemen----Kambusioi hippeis-----------Kamboja asvaka ksatriya
(Kambojan horsemen)-----------------------------------------------Ksatriya (warrior caste figthing almost exclusively on horseback or chariot) because they are mentioned as such in Hindu texts.
Hey buddy,
This is an excellent AAR ... Please continue :)
Prince
This is an excellent AAR ... Please continue :)
Prince
sorry for the delay in posting another chapter, but ive so much in my life, its been hard to balance everything and still find time to play EB..... but there will be another chapter up soon.....
Attention!- 
i am now using TWFanatic’s First Cohort/Phalanx/Elephant/Chariot minimod, just to let everyone know.
(and to tell you the truth, im very happy with it!)
i am now using TWFanatic’s First Cohort/Phalanx/Elephant/Chariot minimod, just to let everyone know.
(and to tell you the truth, im very happy with it!
)Chapter 9- The battle of Paropamisadai- Summer 261
Our leader, Theodotos Baktrios, was getting older. In the spring of 261, he celebrated his 50th Birthday.
He was also gathering his army of ten units of Thureophoroi, a unit of Baktrian Medium Cavalry, four units of Persian Archer-Spearmen, two units of slingers, and two units of archers. He decided to not use the Pezhetairoi, because he realized it would take time to get them unto place and were very clumsy units to assault a town with, and replaced them with more Thureophoroi.
Meanwhile, our spies found a rebel army to the south of Kophen, full of archers and skirmishers, along with some light infantry.
So he sent his grandson, Zoilos Marakandaios, to destroy this army, with a large army of mercenaries, before it could do any serious harm.
The armies met in the summer of 261 in the hills of Paropamisadai.
The battle started on a bright, sunny day.
[I had no idea the modesty patch covered this too- honest!]
Due to the customs of many of our mercenaries with regard to modesty, and with the protest of the mothers of our great nation, when our generals went on parade, Theodotos Baktrios issued an order that all generals must cover their shields, in battle and on parade.
The battle started with Zoilos Marakandaios ordering all his mercenary horse archers to ride forward and engage the enemy with arrows and javelins.
When the arrows and javelins were depleted, the horse archers drew their swords and spears and charged. Soon, they ran into trouble as the enemy unexpectedly switched from their bows to their spears, to the dismay of the horse archers.
Seeing trouble, Zoilos Marakandaios charged to the scene and rallied his troops.
He was just in time.
The army was wavering, seeing that their horses couldn’t beat the enemy spears. But Zoilos Marakandaios charged all over the place, inflicting great casualties upon the enemy, and eventually winning the day for Baktria.
[Sorry for the lack of pictures- the battle went so fast, I didn't have much time to take many!]
In the end, great casualties were suffered on both sides.
But it was a day of victory nonetheless.
Unfortunately, a unit of the mercenaries were full of soldiers who knew the rebels, so they were somewhat reluctant to kill them. Thus, 325 rebels escaped that battle, and the unit who was responsible was punished accordingly.
The battle of Paropamisadai showed Zoilos Marakandaios, Theodotos Baktrios, and the other generals that you just can’t solely rely on mercenaries to do a Baktrians job.
Our leader, Theodotos Baktrios, was getting older. In the spring of 261, he celebrated his 50th Birthday.
He was also gathering his army of ten units of Thureophoroi, a unit of Baktrian Medium Cavalry, four units of Persian Archer-Spearmen, two units of slingers, and two units of archers. He decided to not use the Pezhetairoi, because he realized it would take time to get them unto place and were very clumsy units to assault a town with, and replaced them with more Thureophoroi.
Meanwhile, our spies found a rebel army to the south of Kophen, full of archers and skirmishers, along with some light infantry.
So he sent his grandson, Zoilos Marakandaios, to destroy this army, with a large army of mercenaries, before it could do any serious harm.
The armies met in the summer of 261 in the hills of Paropamisadai.
The battle started on a bright, sunny day.
[I had no idea the modesty patch covered this too- honest!]
Due to the customs of many of our mercenaries with regard to modesty, and with the protest of the mothers of our great nation, when our generals went on parade, Theodotos Baktrios issued an order that all generals must cover their shields, in battle and on parade.
The battle started with Zoilos Marakandaios ordering all his mercenary horse archers to ride forward and engage the enemy with arrows and javelins.
When the arrows and javelins were depleted, the horse archers drew their swords and spears and charged. Soon, they ran into trouble as the enemy unexpectedly switched from their bows to their spears, to the dismay of the horse archers.
Seeing trouble, Zoilos Marakandaios charged to the scene and rallied his troops.
He was just in time.
The army was wavering, seeing that their horses couldn’t beat the enemy spears. But Zoilos Marakandaios charged all over the place, inflicting great casualties upon the enemy, and eventually winning the day for Baktria.
[Sorry for the lack of pictures- the battle went so fast, I didn't have much time to take many!]
In the end, great casualties were suffered on both sides.
But it was a day of victory nonetheless.
Unfortunately, a unit of the mercenaries were full of soldiers who knew the rebels, so they were somewhat reluctant to kill them. Thus, 325 rebels escaped that battle, and the unit who was responsible was punished accordingly.
The battle of Paropamisadai showed Zoilos Marakandaios, Theodotos Baktrios, and the other generals that you just can’t solely rely on mercenaries to do a Baktrians job.
So what does the minimod do that you downloaded? Are those Cataphracts? Im dealing with those in my AAR. Very nasty
the minimod..... just check it out in the unofficial mod section- its there.
as for the cataphracts, i dont know which picture your talking about.
as for the cataphracts, i dont know which picture your talking about.
Originally Posted by hooahguy14:
the minimod..... just check it out in the unofficial mod section- its there.
as for the cataphracts, i dont know which picture your talking about.
The one with the modesty patch over the shieldthe minimod..... just check it out in the unofficial mod section- its there.
as for the cataphracts, i dont know which picture your talking about.
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