Ασια των βαρβαρων - Asia Ton Barbaron

[jirisys]

Ασια των βαρβαρων - Asia ton Barbaron

ΑΝΔΡΩΝ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΩΝ ΠΑΣΑ Η ΓΗ ΤΑΦΟΣ - The grave of great men is the whole Earth.

-Thucydides

Greetings.
Rome: Total War Fans. We bring you our second preview in two months. We have been working hard in order to keep you interested and of course, to keep ourselves from slacking and leaving work undone.
We hope you enjoy it and you keep supporting our work alongside us.
Also, since the preview is here, demagogos nicator won't have access to the development section anymore until we finish the units. We don't want him revealing the details for our next previews.
Also, since this is monday, obviously the newsletter will be delayed until the next scheduled day.
Also again; to our fans in Fiji; this has come very early. For our hawaiian fans. Well, sorry.

Arche Seleukeia

Seleucid Empire

Hail basileu ton basileon!

I am afraid news are not so good for your reign; I bring forth grave matters to you. It seems your armies cannot keep fear in your satraps and allies, they have become fearless to our mighty armies.

Your friendship and acceptance of those eastern barbaroi's customs may have saved the lives of thousands, fighting in wars on the opposite sides of your lands. Yet it has not stopped the Baktrian satrap Diodotos from rebelling, without any shame or fear. He is actively plotting against you and he must be crushed inmediately.

His schemes have; sadly, not failed as Andragoras; satrap of Parthia, has followed in the path and advice of Diodotos, and has rebelled and proclaimed your lands, as his. Yet he alone will not be able to hold off the Skythioi and Parthoi hordes, he will surely die and his lands will claim your name and ask your rule.

But yet, the wars with the laguids have ceased, they have imposed their might because of our many envious enemies. Too many fronts we have; it was needed for you to stop this war with Ptolemaios. Now he is old, and weak; and his daughter your wife.

Yet, my king, it would anger much her brother, that you go to Laodice, a women who it is said you repudiate; and leave your other wife Berenice. I do not want a laguid as a king either. But I am afraid many lives would have to be sacrificed because of wars with those usurpers, those thiefs.

And on your west, the ruler of Pergamon; Eumenes, has expanded much more, claiming you as your enemy. Trying to usurp your lands and renounceto your rule and help. While the laguids aided and supported that revolt.

The kingdom of Pontos and Hayastan are still your allies, and I think you should hope to mantain it that way. We do not need any more enemies.

Our armies are not as large as they were under Seleukos, yet our soldiers are more and more powerful and mighty than those of Alexandros.

Only he can rule over such vast lands as was his empire, he united all men from the vast reaches of the world. It is your turn, to equal his empire, and unite all those who oppose you, under the same banner.

For you are the basileos of the Arche Seleukeia; the largest empire of the world today. For you are the basileu ton basileon!

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Historically.
The Arche Seleukeia has been going downhill for decades by 247 BCE. It had been just 6 years since the end of the the second syrian war; it was a small temporary victory for the king Antiochos. but then, starting with the Pergamean revolt of the 260's BCE; the seleucid satrapies and allies began to proclaim themselves his enemies. Following by the independence of the satrapies of Baktria and Parthia. The loss of comunication with the easternmost regions of the empire, and the soon to come instability of internal affairs were going to be precarious to the rule of the seleucid kings.

Seleukos had returned to his former wife, Laodice. Leaving Berenice alone. That preocupied her, as she liked her son to be the heir. Ptolemy was also concerned about her and her son. But things were soon to become much worse. And the empire was eager to fight many other suicidal wars.

Government.
The Seleucid government was not very different with the Achaemenid Empire. Taxes were collected by local Satraps and merchants. The central authority, however, was at the hands of the Emperor (who named himself King; Basileos) himself. He was the highest Strategos of the army with the assistance of the nobles, princes and generals. The role of the Emperor was exactly the same as his Achaemenid predecessors.

The great and only difference was that the most important positions (Satraps, counselors and generals) were usually given to Macedonians or greeks.
Many Greeks, mostly retired soldiers were creating new settlements throughout the land (the Klerouchoi). The Greek language and religion were the pillars of the Kingdom. So they had a big hellenization of the empire but some important roles from the former Achaemenid Empire remained (mostly because of Alexander's imposition and maintaining of those same roles).

State of Diplomacy.
Seleucids and Ptolemies were in constant turmoil for almost three centuries by many syrian wars (already two at 247 BCE.). But, in 247 BCE. Ptolemaios Philadelphos was at peace and expecting his half-grandson to occupy the throne of the seleucid empire. But things will not go as planned for him.

The war between Seleukos and Chandragupta was not very well documented. The only thing known is that Chandragupta won, and they forged a peace treaty. Seleukos ceded the lands "east of the Hindus" and many satrapies were given to Chandragupta. In return he was given war elephants. By 247 BCE. The buddhist religion and many other customs from the indians were being spread by emissaries and they had prosper trade. Most of the elephants of Antiochos came from the indians.

Parthia (satrapy) and Baktria declared their independence from the Seleukid king are at war with the empire. Baktria and Parthia have declared an alliance and are helping each other to fight against the seleucids. The satrapy will be conquered soon by the king Arashk (Arsaces) and will keep warring against the seleucids.

Family.
Antiochos Theos - Faction leader
Berenice
Seleukos Ptolemaios (son of berenice) - 4 years old
Laodice
Antiochos Hierax
Seleukos Kallinikos - Faction heir

Map


Aproximate extent of the seleucid empire in 200 BCE. (We couldn't find any of near 250. And we were lazy enough not to make it until we start with the map.

~Jirisys ()