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icarii
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bipolar says that all the time.
M.G. to Rome:
mutual protection. How many do you need?
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Micha
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Technical University of Ilmenau, Germany
Oct 2002
time: 06:35
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UPDATE - 320 to 315 b.c.
Middle East
Egypt
Facing a long war against the Persians, and now even against the Carthagians, the pharao is in bad need of new funds. So he decided to sell the Northern Egyptian island of Pharos with it´s mainland area for 8 talents to anyone interested.
During the past five years, the Persians have regrouped and launched a counter-offensive into the heart of Egypt.
The air was filled with the buzzing sound of the blades attached to the Persian war chariots´ wheels as they charged into the Egyptian infantry.
Survivors say it´s been a bloodbath of epic scale, as the chariots went through the endless rows of Egyptians like a hot knife goes through butter. Thousands met their fate during the few hours of the Battle of Raphia; Nine thousand horsemen used the breach to attack the Pharao´s troops from the inside, which killed the Egyptian morale as well as the core of their army.
It seems as if the Nile warriors took a defeat they won´t recover from...
In their retreat, they abandoned Tanys and almost the whole Nile delta. The entire siege weaponry has been left behind and thus captured by the advancing Persians. Citizens are now recruited as militia to build up a last wall of defense.
Persia
The victory of Raphia was a boost to the Persian morale. If the Egyptian lands can be reconquered, that might restore the great king´s reputation amongst his people.
The small investments into education and centralization show almost no effect. Wise men say an empire of this size needs much more funds to restructure its organization or to really improve the education of the lower classes.
Meanwhile, fivehundred men have been recruited to serve as a secret police and quell dissent. However, they cannot cover the whole empire in these low numbers, so they are only effective as the eyes and ears of the great king.
So they report that Mesopotamia is quite peaceful, while Phoenicia and Palaestina show some tendency to brake lose. With the Persian army garrisoned there, they won´t revolt openly, though.
The Asia Minor provinces fear a Lydian attack, the citizens there think they couldn´t face an invasion with the current defences. Fortunately don´t the Lydians know about that.
Some military leaders now receive a better training, while the state pumps a fair amount of money into social welfare. So far the effects are not that overwhelming, but it´s a start.
Tributes paid by Asia Minor add up to 6 talents, Assyria sends 1,000 swordsmen, Babylon adds 450 war chariots, Phoenicia contributes 14 new triremes. Another 1,500 horsemen were recruited from the Armenian tribes for free.
Greece and Asia Minor
Macedonia
Completely unexpected by the people involved, the Attic Federation has been reintegrated into the Kingdom of Macedonia! The actual reasons behind this drastic event were unknown, but suddenly the Macedonian flag was waving above the Akropolis.
Being unconcerned about the outside world, the citizens of Athens don´t care much. They were enjoying several public feasts and then continued their philosophical debates. Around the whole city, also including suburbs and farms, the giant wall was still being improved. Now the seven city gates have been fortified, while each of the watchtowers now is equipped with a deadly ballista weapon.
From those towers the guards had a great view on the new roads, broad enough for four chariots side by side.
In Macedonia, the annexiation was welcomed by the whole population, for it meant a further accomplishment in the traces of Alexander and Phillip.
In addition to the large sums being invested into peasant aid programs, the recent political victory was proving the king´s way to be the right. The Macedons admire their leader, some are even worshipping him in private shrines at home.
Many think that he was planning for something great to happen soon, since he still insists in not touching the giant gold veine sleeping deep beneath the city of Amphipolis.
Meanwhile, the army of Alexander has returned home, now securing the Thracian province against barbarian raids. Due to the lack of training and experience, the military efficiency has dropped by another 4%.
The fleet, however, was now equipped with specially trained naval combat troops. About 700 lightly armed soldiers are now sailing with the battlefleet, hoping to capture enemy ships.
A first naval combat occured off the Island of Lemnos, where thirteen Macedonian triremes on escort duty have been engaged by twelve Cretean warships.
Firing burning arrows at the Macedons, the Creteans managed to sink 4 enemy triremes from the distance. Then the real battle began:
Both using proved tactics from the first Persian wars, no side could really get an advantage. While the Macedons tried to enter their foe´s ships, the Creteans used their rams.
After five hours, not a single ship was left with intact oars, rendering all 21 warships unable to move; Three Cretean ships have been captured, though with heavy losses.
Fortunately a second Macedon convoy arrived, surrounding the scenery. Being encircled and unable to use the main weapon, the Cretean crews finally surrendered.
The Macedonian fleet has lost 4 ships, another nine heavily damaged and twelve enemy triremes captured in bad shape.
At Olynthos, the next friendly shipyard, the workers would be able to repair the damaged ships for 5 talents.
Lydia
Unable to fight the Pirate menace alone, Lydia has lent it´s 32 triremes to Macedonia. During the transfer, seven of these ships were sunk by Cretean raiders. Only one attacker could be sunk by the Lydian convoy.
The war with Persia is inevitable, but still a cold one. It appears as if the Lydians don´t feel strong enough to attack without allies, while the Persians don´t seem to be interested in taking back what is theirs. However, a century-old anti-Persian sentinent within the population makes peace impossible. One cannot say when war would erupt, but it won´t be too long till then.
Aegian Sea
Facing a first defeat in naval battle, the Creteans have bought the services of the Phoenician battlefleet. About 130 Phoenician ships have left Tyros and joined the sailors of Cnossos.
This is nothing unusual, as the fleet is unused by the Persians and the services being paid quite good.
The tyrant of Crete has sent an envoy to Pella, proposing peace at the current borders.
To back his proposal, he has ordered to attach 40 foot soldiers to each trireme, equipped with short bows, burning arrows and grapnels.
Black Sea
None of the promised troops from Macedonia have arrived yet, so the locals feel tricked, again. Scythian raids into greek farmlands are as common as the tides, and some Bosporian settlements even pay tributes to the Scythes in exchange for peace.
If the grain exports weren´t the only source of income for most of the colonies along the Black Sea´s coast, they would cease to supply their southern relatives.
The pact has been cancelled, and realtions to Persia are becoming better and better.
Italian peninsula
The nightly landing of 2,000 Roman swordsmen near the greek city of Neapolis, which was invaded by Samnite hordes, completely took the latter by surprise. The sleeping army was no match for the powerful Roman charge, although the Samnites tried to put up a fight instead of surrendering immediately.
The camp was completely obliterated, several week´s supplies have been captured.
On the dark side, the heavily armoured swordsmen, lacking both naval training and a port, had to swim to the beach. Several dozens of brave soldiers drowned in the dark waters of the Neapolitanian Bay.
With this "covert operation" the second Samnite war started.
Two Roman legions crossed the border, ordered to crush whatever resistance they find, while a third one secretely marched along the Adriatic coast in order to catch the enemy from the rear.
Especially at that coast, the Samnite resistance was stronger than expected. The towns of Sipontum and Argyrippa deployed militias and engaged the Legion II Italica. Though the 12,000 Romans managed to defeat the townsmen easily, it had serious impact on their schedule; More than five days were lost, but the entire coastal area of Samnium was brought under Roman control. At Cannae the Legion and the Magna Graecian garrison met, but due to a lack of orders that force didn´t join the Latin attack.
Legion III and IV have meanwhile entered Neapolis, which, abandoned by the Samnites, has placed itself under Roman rule. The harbour was still intact, which might help the trade in the young republic.
Further advancing southeast, those two legions finally encountered the gross of the Samnite army at Caudine Forks. There, the Romans found themselves trapped between two mountain passes, guarded by the Samnite army. Though there was no hope to win a battle in this situation, the two legions didn´t surrender. Instead, they set up a camp, resting and waiting for what was to come. Convinced of their victory, the Samnites didn´t attack. They relied on starving the trapped Romans. This was a terrible mistake, as they had to realize when the second Legion suddenly appeared in their rear.
With five days delay, their arrival was close to what would have been too late. Just-in-time, as Scipio would later say.
Many Samnites were drunk from the victory celebrations, most didn´t even wear their armours. All of them were caught off guard.
This all was more than equalling out their superiority in numbers.
The battle at Caudine Forks was hardly a fierce fight, more like a hunt. Especially after a part of the Legion had managed to capture the 3,000 horses of the Samnites, thus turning their cavalry into foot soldiers. During two days of battle, some 14,000 Samnites were killed, while Roman casualties were slightly more than 5,000.
It might have been a victory for Rome, but it could as well have become its worst defeat. Some called it luck, others destiny. However, it remained a silent victory for the two legions that had to be liberated from their trap...
The constant state of war and the sheer endless opportunities to test and practise new military tactics have increased the Roman war efficiency by 5%, while sacking countless Samnian towns and villages made up for 21 talents added to the treasury.
Corse, the small island off the Northern Italian coast, was now under total control by the Romans. A new shrine of Neptunus, god of the blue waters, is now adorning the town of Alalia, reminding the Romans of the cruel but also adorable power of the Sea.
The abundant iron ore deposits of Corse turned out to be a huge boost to the Roman war industry, reducing the actual cost of swordsmen by 2 talents per 1,000 men. Also a silver mine has been found, contributing a fair amount to the Republic´s coffers.
Meanwhile a week-long festival was being held in the capital, with chariot races making the civilians watch in awe the power of the Republic. Especially since the chariots were making their way through the streets of Rome, lacking a hippodrome or colosseum... 
Western Mediterranean
After the completion of the large harbour of Carthago Nova, the trade in the region was rising steadily, leading to prosperity and wealth.
While the work on the "Guardian of the West" wonder was going on, a Carthagian army was disembarked near the city of Cyrene.
The declaration of war had been issued with the first wave of arrows hailing upon the unexpecting defenders.
During the assault that followed, the city was set on fire; Whether it was ignited by Carthagians or Cyrenaicans cannot be said, however almost half of the city burned down, killing hundreds and annihilating a dozen talents of spoils of war.
When the defenders surrendered, they were brought to Carthage, where most of them were sold into slavery. Several hundreds have been bought by Roman patricians, too, which can be seen as a sign of both close cooperation and growing wealth in Rome.
The revenues of the slave trade, as well as the remainders of the treasury have allowed for a first group of war elephants to be bought, trained and equipped. Within the next year, they will begin their duty in the Carthagian Army, charging into the lines of their enemies. Who hasn´t seen the attack of war elephants can´t imagine the fear and horror they inflict on their pity opponents...
NPC orders / Events
- "Legion II Italica" lost 2,236 swordsmen; 558 horsemen; 1,924 foot soldiers
- "Legion III Latina" lost 82 swordsmen; 190 horsemen; 353 foot soldiers
- "Legion IV Augusta" lost 34 swordsmen; 211 horsemen; 645 foot soldiers
- "Samnite Army" lost 3,392 horsemen; 4,478 foot soldiers; 6,245 light infantry and retreated south
- "Macedonian Fleet" lost 13 triremes
- "Naval force" lost 54 light infantrists
- "Cretean Fleet" lost 12 triremes
- "Pharao´s Army" lost 341 war chariots; 558 horsemen; 16,705 foot soldiers
- "Army of Egypt" lost 835 war chariots; 3,554 horsemen; 420 swordsmen; 898 foot soldiers
- Carthage invested 40 talents into the "Guardian of the West" wonder
- Carthage has trained 100 war elephants (25 talents) and created the "Heavy Assault Brigade"
- Sparta trained 3,000 hoplites (27 talents) and added them to "Spartan Elites"
- Lydia trained 3,000 hoplites (36 talents) and added them to "Southern Army"
- Due to lack of orders, Magna Graecia has again banked it´s entire income
- Egypt has trained 9,000 light infantrists (45 talents) and added them to "Pharao´s army"
- Bosporian Greek payed 7 talents in tribute to the Scythian nomads; they also trained 1,000 foot soldiers (8 talents) and added them to "Crimean defence force"
- Crete has spent its entire treasury on Phoenician mercanaries
- new pirate navy formed: "Eastern Mediterranean Sea Pirates" consisting of 38 triremes south of Massilia
Last edited by Micha on 15-05-2004 at 23:47
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foolish_icarus
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the thievery continues
Nov 2002
time: 21:35
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ah. 
Macedonia to Egypt :
We will buy the land for 8 talents.
to Persia and Egypt :
All this unnecesary bloodshed. You were so close to peace, whatever happened to the prisoner exchange and the end of the fighting?
to the Moesian tribes :
What do you say to our plan?
Battle Orders
The Macedonian Fleet, Support Fleet, Lydian Fleet, and 80 triremes from the Attic Battle Fleet are to attempt to engage the Cretan Navies with the intent to burn, sink, or capture their vessels. A pitched battle on open water where our numerical superiority can come into play is preferable, if they go into any tight spots, send in only enough ships as can maneuver effectively, don't get caught in any traps. Possible tactics (fleet commander's discretion) include running the enemy ships aground, flanking and cutting off, setting fire to the enemy, multiple direction engagements.
Expenditures :
80 talents available
20 talents to Athenikia
8 talents to purchase Egyptian land
5 talents for peasant aid
5 talents to refit damaged ships
11 talents for military exercises and training of replacement recruits to keep morale high
31 talents for development of city of Pella, aquaducts to bring water for domestic supply (housing and sewer system started), industrial (mills and smithies) and agricultural (water for livestock and crops)
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bipolarbear
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of Persia and the Communist Party of Apolyton
Feb 2004
time: 22:35
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persia to MACEDON
You will have to pardon me comrade, but hte Lydians are becoming increasingly violent, and so my troops nubers will have to be temporarily increased to deal with this ominous threat.
Persia begins to alert the citizens of the provinces that border Lydia, of how to deal with the oncoming threat, and how to defend themselves using common tools, and guerilla tactics. Persia begns to prepare the region for invasion, by removing all important valubles, like royal gold and such.
Persian troops have been building and carefully mapping the locations of pungee pits along the Lydian border. The maps and a few careful copies of them are being carefully stored in secret places, so that they will not become an epidemic in the future.
Last edited by bipolarbear on 10-05-2004 at 09:23
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foolish_icarus
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the thievery continues
Nov 2002
time: 21:35
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Macedonia to Persia :
We have tried to foster peace between you and Lydia. We have tried to foster peace between you and Egypt. If you invade Lydia, whose side do you think we will be on? And we hardly think Egypt would recognize your claim to Pharos if we sold it to you.
and bp...check your PM box
Last edited by foolish_icarus on 10-05-2004 at 10:27
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All times are GMT. The time now is 05:35.
Apolyton Time is 00:35. |
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08-05-2004 00:17
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