Advanced Hellenistic Era NES

[bipolarbear]

Athenikia to Macedonia, Persia:
Play nice

How are we not playing nice? And you, the former emperor of China in a past life sure are one to be talking.

[foolish_icarus]

Macedonia Persia :

Your dynasty has a bad habit of attempting to destroy Hellas. Be wary--your power is not infinite. If you become a threat to us, we will end that threat. Let us indeed hope that we can "play nice".

[bipolarbear]

Persia to Macedon
We do not seek trouble with you. We are all about peace or something like that. Whilehistroy does have that nasty little habit of repeating itself, we ask you to judge us ot by the actions of our predecessors, but by those of us as we are now.

[foolish_icarus]

Macedonia to Persia :

Fair enough. So let's see...

Invading a nation with the intent to subjugate its people? Check!
Allowing insurgents to raise trouble in Lydia? Check!
"Not noticing" that a third of your fleet was engaging in piracy? Check!
Diplomatic hostility and a refusal to negotiate? Check!


You're absolutely right! Why ever were we concerned?

[Micha]

Ahh, finally the long envisioned Graeco-Persian war is dawning...

btw:

UPDATE STARTED

[foolish_icarus]

Graeco-Persian? Why, I thought it was going to be Graeco/Persian/Roman/Egyptian/Mediterranean-Carthaginian

[Micha]

hehe

OOC:
Due to a big european music event in istanbul, a surprise visit by a friend and some booze involved () I´ll have to delay the update for about 12 hours from now. Fear not, I have already completed calculations and plot, just the story has yet to be written....

Sorry...

[bipolarbear]

Persia to Macedon
Bottom line, the point of the game is to take over the world. We have no plans to invade you, we are busy with Egypt and defending ourselves from Lydia as it is. If you feel threatened then you are either paranoid, or just looking for an excuse to fight.

[foolish_icarus]

macedonia to Persia :

Yes, we Macedonian kings are a bit paranoid. Probably because of some venereal disease. Or the heavy drinking. Or the lead. Or the inbreeding. Or the fact that we tend to get assassinated at an alarming rate.

Any why are you acusing us? It's suspicious that you call this a "game". What game? What are you suggesting? What's wrong with looking for an excuse to fight? Lydia? Egypt? Invade?! What??!!!

Can't...stand it...Must...go have...orgy...

[bipolarbear]

Must.. Join..orgy...
Regarding your assasinations, maybe you should use these new things called "guards" or even more new are "food testers". Thye help tremendously.

[Micha]

UPDATE - 315 to 310 b.c.

Middle East
Egypt
The Macedonian purchase of the Pharos territory has brought enough money into Egypt to rise a new wave of militia. The Pharao has issued a peace proposal to the Persian great king offering one third of the annual Egyptian income each year in exchange for peace at the Suez border.

Persia
The Persian centralization program has reached a first milestone when the Babylonian measurement system and weighs were made pan-Persian standard. Although local traders still use their own systems, the standard one has to be applied as the official one.
Of course the loss of national idendity in the subjugated provinces led to an increase in dissent, especially in those with a far developed own culture, like Phoenicia.
Centralization of power means to take it from the local leaders and transfer it to the great king. That means the local Satraps won´t be too happy about the reforms. Royal secret police reports several "Anti-Persian sentiments" rising, a tendency that is obviously connected to the great king´s policy.

As breaking a mercanery treaty would end the Phoenician integrity, the fleet sent to Crete didn´t return home as ordered. Although the locals support this reaction, they cannot afford to anger the Persian empire and thus declared the mercenary fleet in question to be mutineers. However, Phoenicians won´t set sail to fight their brothers, so either the Persian great king rehabilitates the "renegades" or accepts the permanent loss of 130 triremes. Or even the loss of a whole province...

Despite this general development, the improving educational system is greatly helping the trade and especially the cultural wealth of the empire. For example Palaestina is recovering from the war effects and now has opened the first Persian theatre school in the region.
The locals demand an amphitheatre to be built, with estimated costs of about 35 talents.

Additional support for the great king comes from an unexpected side: The poor. Although not having any political influence, they provide the by far largest part of the population.
With not inconsiderable funds flowing into social welfare this demographic group is clearly loyalist. Unexpected it is, because exactly those people have ever been the big losers of the Satrapy system...

In Asia Minor, the peasants are being trained in guerilla warfare. Although most of the locals don´t care whether they are ruled by Persia or Lydia and thus won´t fight against either one, they enjoy the diversion that program is offering to their boring daily routine.

A big fauxpas was to use the almost holy "tenthousand immortals" as reinforcements for a war. The military commanders were shocked about this action, but of course didn´t dare to oppose the desicion. However most military leaders have lost their faith in the great king.

Lacking orders to attack the Persian army in Egypt has hold the territory it conquered so far and began fortifying. (Sorry bipolar, but I am dong what is ordered for a specific turn; you didn´t order an attack, so your army didn´t...)

Tributes:
Babylonia paid 800 war chariots in tribute; Assyria and Armenia sent 1,000 horsemen each; Palmyra sent 4 talents and finest wine; The Asia Minor provinces together paid 6 talents in tribute.

Greece and Asia Minor
Macedonia
With immense efforts put into the Athenian infrastructure the former Attic capital became the by far prettiest city in the known world. The streets are broad enough for several chariots to go side-by-side, and the white marble is shining in the sun. Travallers call Athens the "white queen of civilization", resulting in a further increase in tourism and immigration.
Since several months food is getting scarce in Athens, since the barren Greek mainlands aren´t producing enough for the more than 200,000 Athenian citizens. It´s not critical yet, but the local assembly should start discussing the issue soon...

Meanwhile the Macedonian capital of Pella became the recipient of large funding, facing a constant loss of population to Athens since the annexiation of the latter some years ago.
The new aquaeduct is supplying the city with fresh water from a mountain spring nearby, improving life quality significantly. Also connected to this improvement is the water supply system of the surrounding countryside. Especially famers benefit greatly from the innovation.
The planned sewer system and industrial infrastructure had to be delayed because of the immense building costs of the water supply sytem eating up the whole budget.

Compared to the infrastructural program in Pella, the peasant aid is low in cost. Due to the broad support for the royal policies throughout the empire the dissent is quasi none-existent, so additional peasant aid improves life quality for the affected farmers, but now has become a common thing. The people are used to the governmental aid, so they take it as granted.

The small island of Pharos plus the nearby mainland on the eastern mouth of the Nile river will now be Macedonian property. Its strategically favourable position as well as the good local conditions make it a great place for a trade port...

In order to stop the degeneration of the idle Macedonian army training programs have started, somewhat equalling out the lack of experience in real battle. However, they only stop the decrease in morale and organization for now and bring no improvement to effectivity as of now.
In Olynthos the 21 damaged triremes have been refitted and now provide another reserve fleet.
The main battlefleet has set sail to engage the Cretean pirates, while also escorting the gold shipment to Egypt.

Aegian Sea
The people watched in awe as 252 Macedonian warships slowly moved south through the calm Aegian sea. The three rows of triremes were the pride of the Greek navy, and regardless of one´s opinion about Macedonia, watching that armada go by was a stunning experience to everyone.

Even more awesome was the scenery when that Armada met the Cretean and Phoenician fleet. Pitch black in colour, the "pirates" as they were called were easy to spot, but somehow sailors lost heart when seeing those silent black raiders approaching.
Behind the black Cretean lines the silhouettes of the legendary Phoenician battlefleet stood out against the noon sun. Every sailor in the known world has heard the stories about the invincible Phoenicians.
Because of the Persian promises to hold back the 130 elite warships the Macedonians experienced a serious morale blow when they realized their presence.

For some hours the two fleets just stayed there facing each other, analyzing the opponent and making stirring speeches to the crews. Finally a horn was blown from the rear of the Pirate lines, and the largest naval battle of that time began.

Suddenly the air was filled with smoke. Burning arrows were exchanged, thousands, tenthousands of them. Dozens of ships flashed up, most of them burning down within minutes, sealing the fate of several hundred men. Then the Pirate ships opened a breech in their ranks; Through that breech, the eleven dozens of Phoenician triremes ran at an incredible speed towards the greek rows.
Then the Macedons saw what they had just heard of before:
Invincible they might not be, but far superior for sure. Made of ebony, the Phoenician vessels were able to resist fire for some minutes. Their darkish ships were exceeding the standard size of the Greek version, and the broad body looked much more sturdy than the smaller Macedonian ones.
When the bulky eastern armada ran into the first Macedonian line, almost one third of the Northern fleet was smashed into peaces. Although their tactics and numbers were good, they simply had to acknowledge the superior hardware and morale of the Phoenicians.

After this initial clash, the battle dissolved into several smaller fights, as parts of the fleets tried to surround the opponents and used the many little islands in the region as cover.
Here the Macedonians had an advantage, for they were used to shore battles. Especially the Attic fleet was doing a great job there.

Almost the entire cretean homefleet was sunk, while the Phoenicians still remained in good shape, though reduced in numbers. The macedonians were routed and in desperate need of regrouping. Only the Attic Fleet still held the lines, though also vastly decimated.

The next day both sides drew back. There was no clear winner, since neither party had enough power left to achieve a final desicive victory. It was a stalemate, though a very expensive one.
In the heat of the battle there haven´t been any real efforts to capture ships, since it was much more of importance to not get wasted oneself. Both sides fought furiously, leaving little that could be repaired. Many sailors were killed, most ships still floating were severely damaged; so the remnants of the once proud armadas made their way home.

Only a small group of Macedonian ships managed to make its way south to Egypt. There it delivered its freight and turned home, carefully avoiding enemy contact and thus heading for the Apollonia port.

Italian peninsula
Roman streets are famous for their remarkable quality. Now the via appia, leading from Rome to Capua, was extended to the big port of Neapolis, thus connecting the capital of the Roman empire with its second biggest city.
Now the trade flows freely within the rising Republic. With the further improvement of the port facilities, more ships can be served in Neapolis, thus increasing the overall trade significantly.

To stimulate the vital export trade routes to Carthage, Athens and Tyros in Persia, the senate has sent three convoys, each protected by a little battlefleet, to those destinations. Carrying tons of finest Italian goods, they presented a sample to the local traders. The mission was a full success. Each and every single part was sold within hours, and the demand wasn´t even supplied to a part.
On their way back, the trade vessels loaded vast amounts of the local special goods. Attic ceramics, Persian oriental wares and Carthagian ivory and gold. This was the beginning of a very profitable goods traffic...

With the help of the Elean Army, the three legions Rome sent to defeat the Samnites have completely surrounded the enemy.
The brave Samnites were not willing to go into slavery, they preferred dying in honour with a risen sword. With the fury of a wild animal, they fought until the last man. It was a bloody battle, but the superior Roman equipment and the better training of the legion´s soldiers have been a huge advantage for the troops of the young Republic.
Though it didn´t save them from serious casualties;

Now that the fight for Samnium was over, the last villages have been plundered, which resulted in 8 talents for the Senate. That very same Senate should now think about an old saying: "Warriors conquer land, but who cultivates it?"

Gaining more and more experience in battle, the Roman swordsmen have become a unique fighting force and are now called "Legionnaires"

Western Mediterranean
In Carthago Nova the scaffold of the giant statue was now up. It was a mighty construction entirely made of iron. The shape was clearly human, but in order to see details there was much more work to do.
The two sockets at the harbour entrance were enormous works of art. Masonry at its best! They will soon carry the weight of the whole statue, and ships entering the harbour would have to go beneath the "Guardian of the West". First bronze plates are expected to cover the naked bones within a few months...

Meanwhile the Carthagian army reach the Egyptian border town of Paraetonion. A local militia was soon defeated, even before the pride of the Carthagians arrived there: the one hundred golden war elephants. Those giant creatures were made drunk by feeding them booze, so they lost their natural timidity and openly attacked any opponent. On the backs they carried platforms, little forts, with archers firing at enemies from above. A single war elephant could turn the tide in a battle, but a few dozens were almost invincible!

NPC orders / Events
- war elephants are now also available to Persia and Egypt
- swordsmen now available to any country
- hoplites now also available to Magna Graecia, Crete and Bosporian Greek
- new unit: legionnaires (Rome)
- new unit: immortal (Persia)
- all Roman swordsmen trained into legionnaires
- "Tenthousand immortals" trained into immortals
- "Macedonian Battlefleet" lost 194 triremes
- Macedonian "Naval Force" lost 561 light infantrists
- "Cretean Fleet lost 59 triremes
- Cretean "Naval Force" lost 1,765 foot soldiers
- "Phoenician Mercanary Fleet" lost 84 triremes
- Sparta trained 1,000 horsemen (14 talents) and added them to "Spartan elites"
- Lydia trained 2,000 horsemen (28 talents) and added them to "Lydian Army"
- lacking orders, MG has again banked its entire income
- Carthage has spent 59 talents on the wonder "Guardian of the West"
- "Cyrenaican Army" has lost 225 horsemen; 484 foot soldiers
- "Heavy Assault Brigade" and "Cyrenaican Army" merged
- "Legion II Italica" has lost 971 swordsmen; 655 horsemen; 2,181 foot soldiers
- "Legion III Latina" has lost 888 swordsmen; 506 horsemen; 1,934 foot soldiers
- "Legion IV Augusta" has lost 912 swordsmen; 661 horsemen; 2,008 foot soldiers
- "Army of Apulia" has lost 451 horsemen; 1,556 foot soldiers
- Egypt has trained 11,000 light infantrists (55 talents) and added them to "Pharao´s Army"
- Bosporian reek have trained 2,000 horsemen (28 talents) and added them to "Army of Olbia"
- Crete has built 9 triremes (27 talents)
- "Samnite army" has been annihilated

[foolish_icarus]

Macedonia to Athenikia :

We are sorry the funds are not available this turn, they will be restored soon.

Macedonia to Persia :

It seems the price for the lands of Pharos has changed somewhat, 582 Talents should do
it, seeing as that is the price for the 194 triremes your deception cost us!



The Macedonian navy was a changed force, the sailors and captains were wary, always quiet when the battle with the Phoenicians was brought up. But those who remained also knew that they had survived, and they understood what it would take to destroy the pirate navy. The strong black ships would be helpless with their oar banks sheared off, which gave the more numerous, more maneuverable Macedonian/Athenian navy a potential advantage. That, combined with respect for the enemy but also a slow burning hatred, fueled the battle-tested navy’s efforts to prepare once again for battle.

Expenditures:
5 talents; peasant aid
4 talents; continue sewer and water system in Pella
45 talents; 15 triremes

Orders:

The infrastructure in Pella provides for an increased production of agricultural goods, textiles and pottery, metalworking, other businesses.


Attempt to promote FRIENDLY competitive pride in Pella, not envy or anger, just “Ha! Look, Athens we can do our own thing,” sort of feeling. Maybe get some local philanthropists to donate some money for some building or arena or something in Pella. If it doesn’t work, okay, don’t push to hard at it.


The new triremes, the Macedonian Battlefleet, and the Naval Reserve, combined with 8 triremes from Athens, are to sail to fight the enemy fleet again, using all available tactics and experience. Pump up their moral, have the populace give them lots of support, focus on the fact that “the first battle was bloody but it allowed for the current victory you are about to achieve”


Army of Alexander marches into Moesia! Because of the valor and honor the Eastern Moesian tribes have shown and the depravity of the Western Moesians, our army will support the Eastern Moesians. The Macedonian army is to defend the border against the Western Moesians while the Army of Alexander attacks with the Eastern Moesians.

[Micha]

Added the income adjustments I planned but forgot...

[foolish_icarus]

Orders Adjustment:

With 12 of the other 18 talents purchase and man 4 more triremes and include them in the attack fleet.

with the remaining 6 Talents open up more farms. Combined with the peasant aid and water projects this should help with the food problem.

OOC: And could I get a rough approximation of how many Moesian soldiers are left? I ordered the invasion with the assumption that they had killed some of each other off, which I might have to reconsider if the war has not favored the side I am aiding. Please consider the invasion order cancelled until I confirm it.

[bipolarbear]

Persian To Egypt
We will agree to your deal as long as we recieve those soldiers thta have been enslaved, and as long as we open up trade between each other.

The 2,000 immortals wil be returned to Ecbatana, along with the fine wines recieved from Palmyra, as a gift for their inconvenience.

Spending

30 talents on creating a national identity through symbols, icons, and using Persian celebrities, and of course the Satraps to endorse the new system of unity that values the individual and the greater society that the individual must actively partiipate in to achieve the all important progress.

10 talents on programs to help the poor become active functioning members in the Persian economy.

23 talents to improve the secrecy and effectiveness of the secret police force.

10 talents to begin plans for a stunning and safe amphitheatre in Palestinia.

6 talents to please, the people of Phoenicia, by finding out what their needs are and working cooperatively to fulfill those needs, in synch with the greater goals of the Persian Empire.

6 talents to increase the standardization of systems within the Persian empire. Things like mandatory road widths etc., regulations on commerce such as creating health codes for food, and programs to improve the safety of the work environment for the common working man and woman.