[Epeiros/Pergamon AAR] Heirs to Lysimachos

[QuintusSertorius]

Nice AAR you've got here Quintus, as was the case with the Romani one. have you considered renaming your faction and changing the colour to actually "make" the Pergamenes, so it doesnt jus appear to be Epirus in Asia Minor?

Well I have changed their name, just not the colour. I'm not sure what colour I would use in place of that green, to be honest. In EB2 they're a light blue, but that wouldn't contrast well with the sea on the campaign map.

Lol, "friendly pirates"? Quite convenient.

Well, they are Lembioi. I've got just one fleet which has been busy killing pirates when not transporting my armies to the islands.

Feeling a little guilty about what you said earlier, I've taken 42k off my treasury this turn, which is equivalent to the amount spent on mines for Byzanion, Nikaia and Tylis. I haven't "refunded" the money for Pergamon's mines since it's my capital and I gave up Epidamnos which had mines. So I figure that's a fair swap.

I've got loads of money all of a sudden, now I've got Rhodos and Mytilene. Just got richest faction last turn!

[QuintusSertorius]

Rhodes

Alexandros proceeded with the invasion of Rhodes, assured by a delegation of disaffected aristocrats from the city that it would be easy to find a place to land. His arrival brought out the local militia.



The battle began with a race for the high ground outside the city.



Alexandros got there first and waited to rest his men.



As the lines met, some of the enemy levies were routed immediately. Alexandros moved his hetairoi to loop around the flank.



The battle separated into several individual fights.



For his part, Alexandros routed those facing him.



Meanwhile one of his young officers duelled with the garrison commander.



Soon the whole force had been put to flight.



The garrison commander fled.



Most of his men who could had already escaped.



And Rhodes was taken.



Envoys were sent to the Koinon Hellenon, and the league accepted the new state of affairs. At least for now until a time emerged when there might be advantage in ousting the new rulers of Rhodos.

Mytilene

Taking advantage of Makedonia's pre-occupation in the Peloponnesus, Pergamon sent an army to kick out the Antigonid ruler of Lesbos.



After a swift assault, the garrison was overwhelmed. Once again ambassadors were dispatched and a peace treaty recognising the city's capture signed.

260BC:



My profitable little empire. I even had enough to pay back some of the "debt" from the start, 42,000 that I spent on mines early on. I got Richest Faction this turn, with a surplus of about 60k before I took the money off.

Time is near when I attack Sardis, but first I need to build an army. I have the core of it sitting in Mytilene, but it's going to be a multi-settlement effort to recruit all the parts I need.

I've just about stalled the Romans in Patavium, they've already taken Massalia. They seem to be struggling with Messana, though.

[Swordmaster]

Well, they are Lembioi. I've got just one fleet which has been busy killing pirates when not transporting my armies to the islands.

Right, haven't been playing hellenic factions for a long time (since 0.81 actually), so I didn't remember their fleet types. I thought you had role-played moving your armies with the move_character command.

[QuintusSertorius]

Right, haven't been playing hellenic factions for a long time (since 0.81 actually), so I didn't remember their fleet types. I thought you had role-played moving your armies with the move_character command.

Until the invasion of Krete, I had been. After that I decided it was about time I built some ships, so used them to attack both Rhodos and Mytilene. Plus I didn't want to hit that landbridge bug in Mytilene.

[Swordmaster]

Until the invasion of Krete, I had been. After that I decided it was about time I built some ships, so used them to attack both Rhodos and Mytilene. Plus I didn't want to hit that landbridge bug in Mytilene.

Is there a landbridge bug in Mytilene?

[QuintusSertorius]

Is there a landbridge bug in Mytilene?

I don't know if it's strictly a bug, but in my old game when attacking across it, reinforcements caused it to freeze on starting the battle, probably because there as nowhere for them to actually enter the battle.

[QuintusSertorius]

Galatian Raids

The countryside around Nikaia had been ravaged by a band of Galatians out for plunder and slaves. Responding with the newly-raised Army of Anatolia, Alexandros Aidakides caught up with them not far from the settlement.



They were even in numbers, but Alexandros' superiority in cavalry and his men's good spirits carried the day. With relatively few losses, the Galatians were decisively beaten.



257BC:



Fighting those Galatians was a nice bit of practice for the army that's going to take Sardis. They're actually over-spill from Ankyra after I had my useless FM Pyrrhicos attack them. They came out and followed. Still haven't managed to kill the bastard off, he's Dull/Uncharismatic/Langorous and Disloyal to boot. I could recruit a general who's more use than he is.

I think my policy of stealing one settlement at a time from factions who are too busy to respond is entirely in keeping with the way a small, but aggressive kingdom might behave. Next target, which I'm training my army for is Sardis, which is apparently very rich. Course that'll also start things with the Seleukids, who won't be impressed. But it's necessary to link my lands up, and start creating a boundary between me and them. Ipsos might quickly follow, depending on how the campaign goes.

They're already trying to provoke me, leaving units blocking access to Halikarnassos. Gits.

Rome is already starting a conquest of Gaul, I had to boost the garrison of Gergovia to stop them steamrollering the Arverni. They seem to have given up on Sicily, and not even moving an army to Corsica would make them take the settlement.

[QuintusSertorius]

255BC:



Sardis and Salamis are now mine! The former wasn't well-defended, the latter they shipped the garrison away to fight in Syria. Amazingly the Seleukids accepted a ceasefire (with no conditions) without FD. The Ptolemies on the other hand needed some FD action to accept it. Hopefully the loss of Salamis should impact their income some; major port with mines.

Ipsos and Side are next possible targets, but not for a while. I think I need to spend some time digesting all these new holdings before rolling on any further.

[||Lz3||]

Quintus I have a question


I'm trying to use add_money to help the AI but I'm nut sure if I'm doing it right, this Is what I write
add_money "Koinon Hellenon" -40000

[QuintusSertorius]

Quintus I have a question


I'm trying to use add_money to help the AI but I'm nut sure if I'm doing it right, this Is what I write
add_money "Koinon Hellenon" -40000

You need to use their rtw faction names (have a look at the bottom of the descr_strat.txt - it tells you what every faction is called.

Syntax is thus: add_money greek_cities, [amount of money up to 40000, with a minus if you want to take it away]

[QuintusSertorius]

252BC:



The sharper-eyed amongst you might notice two things that are different. Firstly, my faction colour is now a rather fetching purplish-blue. No more confusion whenever I fight Gallic rebels, as happened in that last battle so half the time I couldn't tell which were my units and which the enemy's.

Second, Roma have taken Alalia and Messana. Not on their own, I'm afraid, they're still trying to expand into Gaul. Combination of FD and a move_character'd raid, then gifting them sorted it out. I've also moved some of their armies to Sicily, I'm hoping when I reload the "new" AI will use them to attack Syrakousai or Lilibeo, not march back into Italy.

Otherwise I'm just quietly building up my economy and defenses. Nearly all my settlements now have stone walls, and most blacksmiths. When I kick into war mode again, I'll be ready to churn out lots of troops.

Just bribed a Greek army to join me; mostly to weaken them so they don't wipe out Makedonia, but it handily gave me some troops I'd actually use. Not cheap at 26k, but still worth it.

The only faction I see a need to hurt right now are the rampant Ptolemies. Perhaps it's time to mount an assault on Side? Or perhaps just a raid (ie capture, destroy all buildings, leave) on Side and Tarsos? Possibly follow that with spies once it revolts back to the Ptolemies (or I give them back) to make them go rebel?

Starting to get thoughts of taking some distant locations while I'm chilling in my main location. Like Syrakousai, or Kyrene, or the Bosphorous. Would they be too hard to hold, given the distance?

[Lysimachos]

I assume, you are using rtw.exe like you did in the romani campaign after you tried BI? Perhaps it would be beneficial to use BI this time, so the romans could start oversea operations on their own and you would perhaps have a bit of a challenge to defend your islands (which would be non-existant with rtw.exe)?

[QuintusSertorius]

I assume, you are using rtw.exe like you did in the romani campaign after you tried BI? Perhaps it would be beneficial to use BI this time, so the romans could start oversea operations on their own and you would perhaps have a bit of a challenge to defend your islands (which would be non-existant with rtw.exe)?

Yep, rtw.exe, I was less than impressed with BI in my other game, so went back to the original. Same goes here, I'd much rather port AI armies about with move_character than rely on them to have a clue where they should be attacking. Besides if I do use BI, they'll often undo the moves I make for them by simply shipping troops back out again.

I'm more than open to ideas from people as to who might invade my islands and contest for control of them. I'm tempted to snatch some rebel stacks to simulate unrest amongst the local peoples anyway.

[Swordmaster]

Only the Ptolemaioi would attack your islands, if they needed. But we're not so far yet, I think.

Actually, I was also thinking about the Bosporan region for expansion, colony-style or something. You might have some fun fighting the Sarmatians should they dare attack you. Sounds like a good relief from fighting Hellenic-style troops all the time. Kyrene sounds like too much Ptolies-backyard, and Syrakousai should be the Roman/Carthaginian playground for now.

[QuintusSertorius]

Capture of Pamphylia

The kingdom of the Ptolemies had the audacity to send an assassin to Sardis, in an attempt to kill Alexandros. Moving quickly to avenge this insult, he gathered the army and marched to invest Side.



It was swiftly taken and more Greeks added to the confederation.



Now Alexandros pondered on something bigger. Perhaps a raid against Aigyptos itself, or Syria. Something to send the message that Pergamon was not to be trifled with, no matter how mighty you may be.

250BC:



So I took Side. I've started making for Naissos, if only to have something to do, maybe I'll start a war with the Getai and eventually take Kallatis? Besides it's about time I had an army on that side of the Hellespont, and doing something with it. Makedonia are too weak to attack, I could intervene in their war with Greece, but that might tip the balance too far over the other side.

Alternatively I could scour up some stacks from Egypt and let them combine so I can actually fight them. Or go to Syria and start pillaging there. All this consolidating leaves you feeling like you're sitting on your hands, and I think rushing the diplomats in after I've taken something doesn't give the AI a chance to respond.

What you see there is my standard army; a core of classical hoplites, Celto-hellenics on their flanks, peltasts on the wings and lots of cavalry.

Only the Ptolemaioi would attack your islands, if they needed. But we're not so far yet, I think.

Actually, I was also thinking about the Bosporan region for expansion, colony-style or something. You might have some fun fighting the Sarmatians should they dare attack you. Sounds like a good relief from fighting Hellenic-style troops all the time. Kyrene sounds like too much Ptolies-backyard, and Syrakousai should be the Roman/Carthaginian playground for now.

Not a bad idea, attack it, stick some type IV governments in and as you say try fighting horse-archers.

I'd be glad of some battles though, to be honest. Both the Ptolemies and Seleukids are so busy fighting each other in Syria that I'm all but ignored, apart from the odd assassin.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

From my understanding, Pergamon wanted to conquer Anatolia but not necessarily Kilikia and Syria. If I were you, I'd go after AS and Pontos before invading Europe.

By the way, quite the unique AAR here. Keep it up!

[QuintusSertorius]

From my understanding, Pergamon wanted to conquer Anatolia but not necessarily Kilikia and Syria. If I were you, I'd go after AS and Pontos before invading Europe.

By the way, quite the unique AAR here. Keep it up!

I must admit, I am starting to feel that Side should be the limit of my eastward expansion. I don't think Kilikia was part of the old Kingdom of Thrace. Thinking I might send spies to Kilikia just to add some more rebel buffer between me and AS, along with weakening Egypt some more. I'm liking Galatia as a buffer between me and Pontos - at least until they get their act together and beef up some.

That's really my justification for going west - Naissos and Kallatis were in that old kingdom before it fragmented. Wouldn't want to take anything else in Europe, and I'm deliberately leaving the Makedonians unmolested. They're suffering enough at the hands of Koinon Hellenon as it is.

Right now I'm trying to weaken the Ptolemies in Syria, rather than undermine AS any further. If I do too much harm to AS, they won't be much of a fight later on when they've lost land to Parthia and Baktria.

Glad you're enjoying it, wish I had some more battles to report on. That's another reason I'm trying not to expand too fast, I need the AI factions to be able to pose some real opposition.

[QuintusSertorius]

Raids in Syria and Judea

Kestrinos continued on the mission the Basileus had set him of punishing the temerity of the Ptolemies. Having raided Sidon, he landed on the coast of Ioudea. There he was met by a hastily thrown-together collection of Ptolemaic troops.



The battle was a desultory affair, Kestrinos' men lining up to await the attack from the natives.



As soon as the lines engaged, Kestrinos and his cavalry surged around the flanks and charged to the rear, breaking the enemy and putting them to flight.



Kestrinos continued the march to Hierosolyma, scouts out ahead wary for the first sign of a serious response.

249BC:



Bit annoyed with the Ptolemaic AI. Not only did I leave Sidon completely undefended, which they ignored and marched past to attack my much larger force, but I moved a bigger stack close by to merge with some of the other units, and they wandered off!

So now I'll have a rather easy siege, followed by a pitifully easy battle, then hop back onto the ships. So far the Ptolemies have proven to be paper tigers, even more flimsy than the Seleukids.

I took Naissos, but not convinced I'll keep it. I may be a little too far north, even though it's part of Thracia. Perhaps give it to the Getai to strengthen them when I try for Kallatis to get a proper war going.

[QuintusSertorius]

Still 249BC:



Mostly because I've just spent the past three hours re-playing from 253BC down, because my two saves in 247BC were corrupted. Not fun.

Anyway, that's my army to collect up the Bosporan cities, complete with lots of horse archers. Anyone have any clue how I use them? I'm well up on light cavalry, but I never fight with horse archers. Get the feeling they're going to be critical to winning that region.

Sidon revolted to the Eleutheroi, Heirosolyma is under siege moments after I gave it to the Seleukids. I'm thinking resupply the army then attack Antiocheia, then give that to the Seleukids relatively unmolested.

Makedonia finally did something right and took Ambrakia. Even if they seem incapable of defending what they already have.

In this replay, Pontos managed to grab Sinope, finally. Romans are sitting outside Lilibeo doing nothing after one siege attempt. Maybe on reloading they'll do something.

[QuintusSertorius]

A vision of future glory

As Kestrinos Aiakidies slept, he dreamed of leading armies to victory, something that was entirely proper and right for a young Pergamene noble. He dreamed that there was an uprising, a charismatic man had risen among the Greeks of Pamphylia and gathered many disaffected men to his banner. This Termon Herakleios claimed descent from Herakles himself, and his followers numbered in their thousands. At the head of an army, Kestrinos marched to put the rebellion down.



The two armies met on a gently sloping plain.



As the skirmishers traded fire, Herakleios sent some of his cavalry to disperse Kestrinos' slingers.



They were chased off, and the slingers got back to work whittling down the rebel light troops.



The skirmishers missiles exhausted, the Pergamenes advanced to meet the enemy battle line.



On the right, Kestrinos drove away clouds of rebel skirmishers. He had arranged his men in a single line, the enemy held some reserves in a second line, but as a result shortened their frontage significantly.



On the left, more skirmishers were driven off.



Wary at first, the rebels threw themselves into combat.



The Pergamene wings closed in.



Fighting was fiercest in the centre, with rebel cavalry making a frontal assault.



Kestrinos' hoplites held their ground, though.



Kestrinos himself led the charge to the rear.



Meanwhile his Karian contingent charged into the back of the rebel line.



Kestrinos charged again.



Many rebels were now in flight.



Fighting on foot with his line infantry, Herakleios was not spared.



Some pockets of resistance fought on for a time, but were overcome.



Kestrinos had done great service for the kingdom. He smiled as he slumbered, dreaming of yet more future glories.



Editorial note

This is a "lost" battle from my corrupted save. It had originally been a pitifully small rebel stack, so given that it had a rebel FM with it, I boosted it up to a nearly-full one by mimicking what was already there. Basically a load of levy hoplites, akontistai, some toxotai and a few hippeis. Not a stellar army in terms of quality, but big numbers. Made for a more interesting battle than it would have done, and I was desparate to do something.

I thought given I'd gone to the effort of capturing it, it was a story worth telling.

[QuintusSertorius]

Campaigning in the Bosphorous

Waking from his dreams of conquest, Kestrinos had more pressing concerns. He'd been tasked by the Basilieu to bring the Greeks of the Bosphorous into the confederation. Sailing from Byzantion with an army of Thracians, Gauls, Scythians and many other peoples, he arrived on the shores of the Black Sea some months later.

His ships had been spotted by the tyrant ruling over these people, and he dispatched an army to stop the invaders.



Kestrinos deployed in a defensive formation, taking the right wing himself, and sending Ambrax Orraitas to command the left.



The battle began with volley after volley of arrows being traded by the horse archers on both sides.



Orraitas charged a Scythian noble and his bodyguard.



Meanwhile horse archers and light cavalry tried to circle around the back of the enemy.



The leader of the Bosphoran army was caught in the throat by an arrow, and died choking on his own blood.



Kestrinos was merciless in pursuing those who fled.



Many of the injured were able to recover thanks to the relatively shallow wounds caused by the arrows.



246BC:



That was a nightmarishly difficult battle to follow, or convey any sense of what was going on. There were about four different conflicts all happening at once. Still taking Chersonesus has made conquest of Pantikapaion easy, because it has almost fully-developed barracks which produce troops I use. I can replace those puny Gallic archers with some Bosphoran heavy ones, too. Might ship some of those home if they're a lot better than Kretans.

Makedonia took Ambrakia and are now trying for Epidamnos, but failing. Romans are still contained. Baktria are on the rise. Pahlava are starting to move. Hayasdan finally moved out of one province.

I've shipped Skepas and his army to Kyrene - he's been "banished" from Pergamon. Not long now before the client ruler in Pergamon dies off so I can claim my captial as a factional region and a type II government.

[QuintusSertorius]

The Seleukid War

It was in 245 that a cowardly Seleukid surprise attack on our glorious capital resulted in war.



Wasting no time, Kallistratos Horreonios gathered what troops he could and marched to relief of the government. The Seleukid raiders slipped away on hearing a Pergamene army was coming, and so Horreonios followed them to Ipsos.

One of their nobles was foolishly outside the city travelling along when the Pergamene army arrived. He sent a runner back to the city, and hoped to evade capture.



Horreonios and Seleukos Syriakos fought in personal combat, the latter hoping to kill the Pergamene general and cause his army to lose heart.



The garrison from Ipsos, led by Vahuberz Alloudas Lydikes, were only able to watch the fight. As the advance cavalry came, one Pergamene officer charged out to stop them interfering with the fight.



Syriakos was slain before their eyes.



Lydikes sent his cavalry to attack. Meanwhile as the lines closed, the slingers and Kretan archers took a horrendous toll on the Seleukid light troops.



Lydikes charged the Pergamene left, it was down to the Greek officer commanding the left wing to stop him.



The Galatians held of hundreds of Anatolian hillmen while the Greek officer struggled against Lydikes' bodyguard.



They ignored the arrival of a Seleukid phalanx, madded with battle lust.



The entire Pergamene cavalry, led by Horreonios, charged Lydikes.



He was cut down as he tried to flee.





His men in the centre quailed in fear.



Soon the whole army was in flight.



Pergamon was victorious!



245BC:



Winning that battle killed the garrison of Ipsos, so now the old Persian capital is mine. Which leaves the Seleukids with a very narrow front on which to attack, via Mazaka. Which is likely to be under threat from Pontos and possibly the Hai in short order.

I took Kyrene recently as well. I'm starting to think building up a Pan-Hellenic Empire of all the scattered Greek colonies might be a goal for this game. Syrakousai and Emporion are other possible targets. They'd also give me touch-points in a number of areas and new potential enemies.

Disappointed with the pathetic attack by the Seleukids really, a half-stack army when I've got garrisons the equivalent of about three stacks hanging around? I wonder if peace with them for a time would encourage them to build up some proper armies to attack me? Same goes the Ptolemies, they've done nothing to respond. Now this might partly be because I'm on Medium campaign difficulty, but even so. May have to start creating armies for them to fight me.

I've discovered a rather powerful recruiting combination in some of my settlements. Blacksmith for upgraded kit, type II goverment gives a bonus level of experience, and so does the Gymnasium. So now a lot of my troops can start with two experience as well as upgraded gear!

[Reverend Joe]

I took Kyrene recently as well. I'm starting to think building up a Pan-Hellenic Empire of all the scattered Greek colonies might be a goal for this game. Syrakousai and Emporion are other possible targets. They'd also give me touch-points in a number of areas and new potential enemies.

That's not a bad idea. This is one of my favorite AAR's at the moment; I especially like how you just let it evolve organically rather than trying to artificially impose the history of Pergamon onto the situation. I mean, I can understand the interest in recreating historical events, but after a while it gets really boring for the reader, because it degenerates into an FD-fest and it just feels really artificial.

Also, if/when you (re)conquer Epeiros, will you take advantage of the Elites, or just treat it as another regular colony?

[QuintusSertorius]

241BC:



Rather ironically, Rome and Qarthadast have just declared a ceasefire, almost exactly at the right time. They did have peace, but then the idiotic Roman AI pulled the garrison out of Lilibeo and it revolted. They've still not taken Syrakousai, so I've still got that avenue open to me to grab it.

I wonder if the Roman AI will get it's Polybian reform now?

In Anatolia the Seleukids were gathering forces, I hoped for an invasion of Pergamene territory, but it turned out they had their sights on Galatia. So of course I have to march to the relief of my "allies" there. I like it rebel, gives me a nice buffer between everyone else and me.

I was rather amazed to see the Seleukids and Ptolemies sign a ceasefire; maybe they want to focus on me. Not doing a very good job of it in any case, the Ptolemies haven't attacked Kyrene, or even moved some forces to mount an attack there.

I'm on the move in the Bosphorous again, after a few years settling Chersonesos, Panta-whatsit is under siege. Not sure where I'll go once that's been taken, but again it'll take some time to pacify.

I think I might start helping the Hai militarily against the Seleukids.

That's not a bad idea. This is one of my favorite AAR's at the moment; I especially like how you just let it evolve organically rather than trying to artificially impose the history of Pergamon onto the situation. I mean, I can understand the interest in recreating historical events, but after a while it gets really boring for the reader, because it degenerates into an FD-fest and it just feels really artificial.

I have had to intervene in a few places, just not often. The Arverni were almost wiped out recently, down to just one province so I teleported a diplomat over to rescue them. Looks like the Romans have stopped trying to conquer Gaul for the moment, though given they've got few places to go but Syrakousai and Patavium (latter of which I keep boosting the garrison of to stop them going that way for a while) I don't think it'll last long.

And I have been nerfing Baktria who keep annoying me by trying to conquer the steppe. I recently took some settlements from them in favour of Pahlava and Saka. They've got all that rebel territory to themselves, they should conquer it.

Also, if/when you (re)conquer Epeiros, will you take advantage of the Elites, or just treat it as another regular colony?

I don't plan to retake it at all. To be honest I'm not that impressed with Eperios' roster anyway, I chose them because they could be removed and not really change a lot.

[QuintusSertorius]

Diplomatic maneuvering

Alarming news came in 241 when it was heard that the two remaining Diadochi superpowers, Ptolemaic Egypt and the Arche Seleukeia had not only ended their incessant warfare, but had combined their strength. It could only be a temporary move to deal with the "upstart" in their midst, the resurgent Pergamon.



While the Basilieu was interested in this development, it did nothing to deter him from the course of raising Pergamon. He had the armies and the commanders to defeat anything they threw at him, and should they come, the Pergamenes were ready.

However, being a canny ruler, he also made moves of his own. To strengthen position of Pergamon in the region, he made overtures towards the smaller powers. Pontos were non-commital in an offer of co-operation, but the newly-united tribes of Galatia were welcoming to the Pergemene embassage.

Mutual defense and co-operation were agreed, hostages exchanged and bonds made.



239BC:



Some interesting developments with Galatia, which the Seleukids conquered, only to have it rebel right out from under them. Courtesy of one of my spies, of course. The new owners were amenable to me and one diplomat later I have an ally in the region.

The Seleukids have finally responded, sending something like an army. I think I need to add three units to that stack to fill it out before attacking. Some phalanxes? Never a good thing when the (only) two powers you're at war with not only declare a ceasefire, but ally. Maybe I'll have some serious hurt coming my way?

Sweboz have suddenly exploded, either that or I wasn't paying attention. Rome has made the Aedui their protectorate, so hopefully they won't be steamrollering them any time soon. There's been a Seleukid fightback in Parthia. Baktria lost one of their provinces to rebels. Still a stalemate in Greece.

[Tyrfingr]

You are using FD, right? Couldn't you give all the arverni settlements in Gaul to the Aedui and rename the Arverni to "Galatia"? Just for the fun of it?

[Aaldaemon]

241BC:
I don't plan to retake it at all. To be honest I'm not that impressed with Eperios' roster anyway, I chose them because they could be removed and not really change a lot.

I would say that the Chaonion Agema are quite good... and quite beautiful to behold. Pity you're not going to use them. Other than that I pretty much agree... both the hypaspystai and the macedonian peltasts (their other elite units) perform quite badly - you can kill those with principes.

[QuintusSertorius]

You are using FD, right? Couldn't you give all the arverni settlements in Gaul to the Aedui and rename the Arverni to "Galatia"? Just for the fun of it?

Perhaps, but I don't think they'd do very well as a one-province faction. Plus where would they go? Mazaka is a possibility, I think the Galatians raided Kappodokia a fair bit, but it's going to be more competition for Pontos who are already struggling to get off the starting block. Plus the Aedui would have no competition and might rampage across Spain and Germany.

I would say that the Chaonion Agema are quite good... and quite beautiful to behold. Pity you're not going to use them. Other than that I pretty much agree... both the hypaspystai and the macedonian peltasts (their other elite units) perform quite badly - you can kill those with principes.

They phalangites, though, aren't they? And I won't by choice use a phalanx. Plus Pergamon didn't anyway. I have no plans to take my faction back to the Greek mainland, we're staying put. Not sure I've got much interest in further expansion, besides perhaps Syrakousai, for a while either.

[QuintusSertorius]

The Seleukid War

In 239 a Seleukid army invaded Phrygia. Horreonios was no longer in command of the Pergamene army, having been called to act as governor of Byzantion after the death of the ruler there. The Greek Dexamenos Drytes was left with the reformed army. Reformed because there had been calls from the various Greek communites to lessen the burden they carried in serving in the army. Thus Galatians trained in a Greek manner, and more modern-styled units were drafted in to replace the hoplites of old.

The two forces were about evenly matched in numbers, although Noumenios Gazarinos' force was heavy in light Arabian skirmishers.



The two armies met in a hilly area of the Phrygian countryside. There was an initial race to get into a good position on the crest of a hill.



The Pergamenes, with their lighter line troops, got there first. Archers and slingers began to harrass the Arabians.



Gazarinos tried to break the skirmishing deadlock with a charge from his cavalry.



They were driven off with some casualties.



They charged again, and this time were badly handled.



With them dealt with, Drytes ordered the advance of the main line.



The Seleukids phalanxes presented a formiddable obstacle as the Pergamene centre closed.



But then the pike blocks withdrew ten paces. The Pergamenes followed, beginning flanking movements.



As the phalangites tried to withdraw again, the Galatian hoplites charged and the battle proper began.



On the left flank, Drytes and some thureophoroi charged Gazarinos and his bodyguard.



On the right, Parthian spearmen and Scythian axemen halted the flanking movement. They proved doughty fighters.



Gazarinos fought on.



The Galatian centre was suffering at the hands of the phalangites. They struggled to infiltrate their way past the long pikes.



On the right, some of the Galatian hoplites broke, leaving the Pergamene line open to being enveloped.



But rather than take advantage of this opportunity, the phalangites turned around and marched away, perhaps trying to escape the battle in good order. They were harrassed as they withdrew by fire from the Kretan archers.



His bodyguard slain, Gazarinos tried to flee the battle.



But his horse was tired and one of Drytes' men killed the enemy general.



The collapse of his army quickly followed.



And despite some nervous moments, Drytes had prevented the Seleukid invasion.





Editorial note

I added a couple of regular phalanx units and some cavalry to the army you could see pictured in the update for 239, made a much better fight than it might otherwise have been. Until the enemy general died, the result was actually in doubt, even though I killed swathes of those Arabian skirmishers. My new army composition is certainly less durable than the old one with all those Classical Hoplites able to hold the centre til the end of time.

The kill/casualty stats, which I don't usually show, make some interesting reading. The Kretans killed silly numbers of the enemy, mostly because they lacked much by way of armour. The Keltohellenikoi, even though they were fighting phalanxes, and even though one of them broke, still managed to get in a lot of kills. Most of course when they broke after the general died, but they endured.

Asian light cavalry as always killed a lot of routers.

[QuintusSertorius]

238BC:



The Ptolemies might finally be getting their act together. They're attacking my outpost in Kyrene, had to hire some mercs to fill out what was left of that force. As in the previous battle, I think I'll have to round out that stack with some more troops to make more of a battle of it. I think it needs skirmishers/missile troops and some more cavarly.

Lusotanii are on the move, Pahlava have recovered that province from the Seleukids.