UPDATE - 310 to 305 b.c.
Middle East
Egypt
With the end of the war the people of Egyt rejoiced! They had fought bravely and finally Persia accepted their independance. Although tribute had to be paid, it was in fact a victory for Egypt. The Pharao himself couldn´t believe he was still alive, since the Persian army could have easily steamrolled Egypt within months.
Since the new territories to the north have been devastated during the decades of war, almost the entire treasury is spent on rebuilding those parts.
And since the Nile floodings have been extraordinarily rich these years, the food harvested is almost bursting the granaries, stimulating a fast population growth as well as higher exports.
Although Carthage hasn´t responded yet to the peace proposal, it is believed that the war was over. Neither side engaged in hostile actions, so the borders may stay at their current locations.
Persia
Celebrations occured throughout the empire when the news of the end of the Egyptian war arrived. The new border went straight north-south through a small village called Suez. The Persian city of Tanys now officialy belonged to Egypt, thus upsetting old nationalists who still remembered the old extends of the empire, but most people are simply happy that the war was over and the Egyptians admitted defeat.
When the tenthousand immortals were restored as the royal guard and the enormous amounts of Palmyran wine were distributed for free amongst the soldiers, the Persian world seemed intact again... With a loyal army and a national symbol to cling to the empire is slowly recovering from the disastrious invasion of Alexander´s army thirty years ago.
While the standardization efforts throughout Persia stimulate the economy, the people slowly begin focussing on their own lives again. It seems as if the wave of separatism is slowly dying down, thus fairly decreasing dissent.
The Phoenician mercanery navy - or better the remnants of it - has returned to Tyros. The sailors were rehabilitated and now the things are normalizing again.
Within this general relaxing mood nobody noticed the expanding secret police system. The agents were better trained and better paid, their numbers increased and thus the coverage increased. Every major city of the Persian Empire and most medium towns now had several agents assigned, all of them reporting important news and possible sources of discontent or smply toublemakers to Persepolis. This way the great king stays well informed about regional developements and can react quickly when needed.
Tributes:
12 talents from Egypt, 28 talents from all other provinces together
Greece and Asia Minor
Macedonia
With the peasant aid program still going and the ongoing work on the sewer system as well as the industrial infrastructure of Pella, the Macedonian population fullheartedly supports the war against the Pirates to the south and - most recently - also against the Barbarians to the north. Internal migration has been reduced, and the growing economy in the macedonian heartlands compensates the bad effects of the war so far.
Food is still getting more expensive due to the increasing population and the little farmland available in Greece. Athenian wise men say to finally solve the problem there are two possible ways to go: Either secure the fertile but endangered black sea coast to the north, or build up the Pharos territory in northern Egypt in order to obtain large amounts of cheap food from the flood farms of the Nile... The latter would mean to found a city there, which would cost some talents for the start but might be the more profitable approach in the long run...
As Alexander´s Army, now of course filled with the sons of the old veterans, marched west through Eastern Moesian territory, they were greated as heroes. Locals organized huge feasts for their heaven-sent allies. Negotiations with the chieftains of many tribes have in fact incorporated the whole territory south of the Danube river into the kingdom of Macedonia. Of course the population there is still barbarian and mostly independant, but the military presence of Greek troops should guarantee the king´s influence here easily.
Merging with the armed forces of the Eastern tribes the Macedons marched West to face the Western Moesians. Heavy resistance was met right after "crossing the border", where the lot of the enemy´s army was resting, supported by almost 7,000 Illyrian highlanders!
Although the resistance met was far fiercer than expected, the exhausted and poorly equipped tribal warriors were no match for the professional Macedon army.
Two corps of hoplites, each one six lines deep and a thousand men broad, equipped with large shields and four meters long lances made up for an invincible moving fortress for the native forces. Hundreds of brave warriors died assaulting the Macedon lines, when finally the remaining Moesians fled the battlefield.
With the rough mountaineous terrain and dense forests covering their retreat, the greek cavalry wasn´t able to hunt them down, so most made it to the coast where they invaded the Magna Graecian settlements of Lissos and Tragurion. Both towns have been overrun quickly, since no professional army was assigned for garrison duty there...
Aegian Sea
For the second time within few years the Macedonian navy sets sail south. This time the brave sailors could only man 104 triremes, a lot less than the last time. However, they now knew what to expect and the enemies were supposed to be similarily small in numbers.
When they reach the Island of Delos, the once mightiest harbour in the Aegian Sea, they encountered a small Cretean fleet consisting of two dozens of ships in bad shape.
Outnumbering the pirates five to one, the battle was swift and the victory sweet. All Cretean men have been slaughtered by the furious Macedonian sailors filled with hatred, seven black ships could be captured. Only four own ships have been sunk, a few other were slightly damaged. Nothing that couldn´t be repaired quickly, though.
As the fleet advanced southwards, the sea was calm and seemed abandoned. Not a single ship was met until the Cretean coastline was in sight.
Fishermen from the Island told the Macedons that the Phoenicians had returned home since their contract ended last year, obviously the Cretean tyrant couldn´t afford to buy their services for another battle.
So the Cretean navy has ceased to exist, the Macedons are the undisputed rulers of the Aegian Sea!
Italian peninsula
The recently aquired provinces of Umbria and Samnia are now being connected to the imperial road network. Aquaeducts deliver water from the mountain springs to the cities, and the farmlands are being expanded and the equipment modernized.
Although the military resistance has been crushed, those new areas are still unsecure for the republic.
Advisors say that either there need to be stationed large garrisons in expensive forts, or roman citizens should move there founding cities and thus spreading influence throughout the countryside.
Maybe the defeated peoples in those areas could even be allowed Roman citizenship in some way... ?
With twelvethousand fresh trained soldiers the four Roman legions, supported by the Elean garrison, crossed the border to Etruria.
After several years of de facto war the Etruscians have well fortified their armies, entrenchments have been manned and many traps have been spread some miled behind the border.
Due to the good military training of the Roman commanders the place of battle was scouted before any attack took place, so the fast cavalry ran into the deadly traps first, thus warning the main force.
The Etrurian tactic seems to be to divide and conquer. Almost every meeting of the two opponents resulted in the Romans being split and then attacked by hidden warriors from the flanks and the rear.
This way the entire Elean garrison has been annihilated, and the legion III has taken serious casualties. Its leader Marcus Aemilius had to retreat to Rome in order to reinforce his legion.
After some weeks, however, the Roman army has found means to counter these tactics. Along the coast they advanced quickly, taking every major settlement and thus looting about 23 talents for the emperor.
Fighting uphill set a halt to the Roman advance, since the Etruscians clearly had an advantage here. Also the city of Perusia is fortified too heavily to be taken by assault. Maybe some siege equipment could be added to one of the legions?
Meanwhile news arrive from Liguria:
The local leader speculates about joining the empire in exchange for help against the advancing Celtic tribes to the north. Also the Illyrians seem to be on the move again, thus forcing the Aquileians to move west into the fertile valley of the river Po. That area also looks promising as a possible site for a colony...
Western Mediterranean
News of the end of the Egypto-Persian war crossed the plans of the Carthagian counsil. Facing the Egyptians alone might overstretch the country´s abilities, so for now a ceasefire is set.
This allows the Carthagian Army to conquer a land connection between the Cyrenaican territories and the mainland.
Since the small stretch of fertile land along the coast is mainly covered with small farm villages, no real resistance was met. In fact the war elephants have been fed by the local population who watched in awe as the mighty animals arrived.
In Carthago Nova the first bronze plates have been added to the "Guardian of the West". Since copper is needed in vast amounts to make those plates, whole fleets of merchant ships went to Macedonia in order to purchase some. The overall amount is said to be worth 25 talents, just to cover the feet of the giant statue...
NPC orders / Events
- "Alexander´s Army" lost 115 horsemen; 240 hoplites; 341 foot soldiers; 830 light infantry
- "Eastern Moesian Tribes" lost 1,212 horsemen; 2,130 foot soldiers
- "Western Moesian Tribes" lost 1,115 horsemen; 2,344 foot soldiers
- new army "Illyrian highlanders", consisting of 6,680 foot soldiers
- "Ethruscian Army" has lost 1,425 horsemen; 8,965 foot soldiers
- "Army of Apulia" has been annihilated
- "Legion I Romana" has lost 510 legionnaires; 994 horsemen; 521 foot soldiers
- "Legion II Italica" has lost 495 legionnaires; 435 horsemen; 1,003 foot soldiers
- "Legion III Latina" has lost 455 legionnaires; 956 horsemen; 2,110 foot soldiers
- "Legion IV Augusta" has lost 326 legionnaires: 512 horsemen; 1,039 foot soldiers
- Cretean "Naval Force" annihilated
- "Cretean Fleet" annihilated
- "Cyrenaican Army" lost 71 horsemen; 2,880 foot soldiers
- Carthage paid 34 talents for the "Guardian of the West" wonder
- Carthage purchased copper worth 25 talents from Macedonia
- Magna Graecia lost control over Tragurion and Lissos
- Sparta trained 3,000 swordsmen (33 talents) and added them to "Spartan elites"
- Lydia builds 10 triremes (30 talents) and creates fleet "Lydian Fleet"
- Magna Graecia trains 6,000 hoplites (72t); 3,000 horsemen (42t); 3,000 foot soldiers (24t) and creates army "Adria garrison"
- Bosporian Greek train 1,000 hoplites (12 talents) and create army "Istros garrison"
- Crete trains 2,000 hoplites (24t) and adds them to "Cretean Army"
Middle East
Egypt
With the end of the war the people of Egyt rejoiced! They had fought bravely and finally Persia accepted their independance. Although tribute had to be paid, it was in fact a victory for Egypt. The Pharao himself couldn´t believe he was still alive, since the Persian army could have easily steamrolled Egypt within months.
Since the new territories to the north have been devastated during the decades of war, almost the entire treasury is spent on rebuilding those parts.
And since the Nile floodings have been extraordinarily rich these years, the food harvested is almost bursting the granaries, stimulating a fast population growth as well as higher exports.
Although Carthage hasn´t responded yet to the peace proposal, it is believed that the war was over. Neither side engaged in hostile actions, so the borders may stay at their current locations.
Persia
Celebrations occured throughout the empire when the news of the end of the Egyptian war arrived. The new border went straight north-south through a small village called Suez. The Persian city of Tanys now officialy belonged to Egypt, thus upsetting old nationalists who still remembered the old extends of the empire, but most people are simply happy that the war was over and the Egyptians admitted defeat.
When the tenthousand immortals were restored as the royal guard and the enormous amounts of Palmyran wine were distributed for free amongst the soldiers, the Persian world seemed intact again... With a loyal army and a national symbol to cling to the empire is slowly recovering from the disastrious invasion of Alexander´s army thirty years ago.
While the standardization efforts throughout Persia stimulate the economy, the people slowly begin focussing on their own lives again. It seems as if the wave of separatism is slowly dying down, thus fairly decreasing dissent.
The Phoenician mercanery navy - or better the remnants of it - has returned to Tyros. The sailors were rehabilitated and now the things are normalizing again.
Within this general relaxing mood nobody noticed the expanding secret police system. The agents were better trained and better paid, their numbers increased and thus the coverage increased. Every major city of the Persian Empire and most medium towns now had several agents assigned, all of them reporting important news and possible sources of discontent or smply toublemakers to Persepolis. This way the great king stays well informed about regional developements and can react quickly when needed.
Tributes:
12 talents from Egypt, 28 talents from all other provinces together
Greece and Asia Minor
Macedonia
With the peasant aid program still going and the ongoing work on the sewer system as well as the industrial infrastructure of Pella, the Macedonian population fullheartedly supports the war against the Pirates to the south and - most recently - also against the Barbarians to the north. Internal migration has been reduced, and the growing economy in the macedonian heartlands compensates the bad effects of the war so far.
Food is still getting more expensive due to the increasing population and the little farmland available in Greece. Athenian wise men say to finally solve the problem there are two possible ways to go: Either secure the fertile but endangered black sea coast to the north, or build up the Pharos territory in northern Egypt in order to obtain large amounts of cheap food from the flood farms of the Nile... The latter would mean to found a city there, which would cost some talents for the start but might be the more profitable approach in the long run...
As Alexander´s Army, now of course filled with the sons of the old veterans, marched west through Eastern Moesian territory, they were greated as heroes. Locals organized huge feasts for their heaven-sent allies. Negotiations with the chieftains of many tribes have in fact incorporated the whole territory south of the Danube river into the kingdom of Macedonia. Of course the population there is still barbarian and mostly independant, but the military presence of Greek troops should guarantee the king´s influence here easily.
Merging with the armed forces of the Eastern tribes the Macedons marched West to face the Western Moesians. Heavy resistance was met right after "crossing the border", where the lot of the enemy´s army was resting, supported by almost 7,000 Illyrian highlanders!
Although the resistance met was far fiercer than expected, the exhausted and poorly equipped tribal warriors were no match for the professional Macedon army.
Two corps of hoplites, each one six lines deep and a thousand men broad, equipped with large shields and four meters long lances made up for an invincible moving fortress for the native forces. Hundreds of brave warriors died assaulting the Macedon lines, when finally the remaining Moesians fled the battlefield.
With the rough mountaineous terrain and dense forests covering their retreat, the greek cavalry wasn´t able to hunt them down, so most made it to the coast where they invaded the Magna Graecian settlements of Lissos and Tragurion. Both towns have been overrun quickly, since no professional army was assigned for garrison duty there...
Aegian Sea
For the second time within few years the Macedonian navy sets sail south. This time the brave sailors could only man 104 triremes, a lot less than the last time. However, they now knew what to expect and the enemies were supposed to be similarily small in numbers.
When they reach the Island of Delos, the once mightiest harbour in the Aegian Sea, they encountered a small Cretean fleet consisting of two dozens of ships in bad shape.
Outnumbering the pirates five to one, the battle was swift and the victory sweet. All Cretean men have been slaughtered by the furious Macedonian sailors filled with hatred, seven black ships could be captured. Only four own ships have been sunk, a few other were slightly damaged. Nothing that couldn´t be repaired quickly, though.
As the fleet advanced southwards, the sea was calm and seemed abandoned. Not a single ship was met until the Cretean coastline was in sight.
Fishermen from the Island told the Macedons that the Phoenicians had returned home since their contract ended last year, obviously the Cretean tyrant couldn´t afford to buy their services for another battle.
So the Cretean navy has ceased to exist, the Macedons are the undisputed rulers of the Aegian Sea!
Italian peninsula
The recently aquired provinces of Umbria and Samnia are now being connected to the imperial road network. Aquaeducts deliver water from the mountain springs to the cities, and the farmlands are being expanded and the equipment modernized.
Although the military resistance has been crushed, those new areas are still unsecure for the republic.
Advisors say that either there need to be stationed large garrisons in expensive forts, or roman citizens should move there founding cities and thus spreading influence throughout the countryside.
Maybe the defeated peoples in those areas could even be allowed Roman citizenship in some way... ?
With twelvethousand fresh trained soldiers the four Roman legions, supported by the Elean garrison, crossed the border to Etruria.
After several years of de facto war the Etruscians have well fortified their armies, entrenchments have been manned and many traps have been spread some miled behind the border.
Due to the good military training of the Roman commanders the place of battle was scouted before any attack took place, so the fast cavalry ran into the deadly traps first, thus warning the main force.
The Etrurian tactic seems to be to divide and conquer. Almost every meeting of the two opponents resulted in the Romans being split and then attacked by hidden warriors from the flanks and the rear.
This way the entire Elean garrison has been annihilated, and the legion III has taken serious casualties. Its leader Marcus Aemilius had to retreat to Rome in order to reinforce his legion.
After some weeks, however, the Roman army has found means to counter these tactics. Along the coast they advanced quickly, taking every major settlement and thus looting about 23 talents for the emperor.
Fighting uphill set a halt to the Roman advance, since the Etruscians clearly had an advantage here. Also the city of Perusia is fortified too heavily to be taken by assault. Maybe some siege equipment could be added to one of the legions?
Meanwhile news arrive from Liguria:
The local leader speculates about joining the empire in exchange for help against the advancing Celtic tribes to the north. Also the Illyrians seem to be on the move again, thus forcing the Aquileians to move west into the fertile valley of the river Po. That area also looks promising as a possible site for a colony...
Western Mediterranean
News of the end of the Egypto-Persian war crossed the plans of the Carthagian counsil. Facing the Egyptians alone might overstretch the country´s abilities, so for now a ceasefire is set.
This allows the Carthagian Army to conquer a land connection between the Cyrenaican territories and the mainland.
Since the small stretch of fertile land along the coast is mainly covered with small farm villages, no real resistance was met. In fact the war elephants have been fed by the local population who watched in awe as the mighty animals arrived.
In Carthago Nova the first bronze plates have been added to the "Guardian of the West". Since copper is needed in vast amounts to make those plates, whole fleets of merchant ships went to Macedonia in order to purchase some. The overall amount is said to be worth 25 talents, just to cover the feet of the giant statue...
NPC orders / Events
- "Alexander´s Army" lost 115 horsemen; 240 hoplites; 341 foot soldiers; 830 light infantry
- "Eastern Moesian Tribes" lost 1,212 horsemen; 2,130 foot soldiers
- "Western Moesian Tribes" lost 1,115 horsemen; 2,344 foot soldiers
- new army "Illyrian highlanders", consisting of 6,680 foot soldiers
- "Ethruscian Army" has lost 1,425 horsemen; 8,965 foot soldiers
- "Army of Apulia" has been annihilated
- "Legion I Romana" has lost 510 legionnaires; 994 horsemen; 521 foot soldiers
- "Legion II Italica" has lost 495 legionnaires; 435 horsemen; 1,003 foot soldiers
- "Legion III Latina" has lost 455 legionnaires; 956 horsemen; 2,110 foot soldiers
- "Legion IV Augusta" has lost 326 legionnaires: 512 horsemen; 1,039 foot soldiers
- Cretean "Naval Force" annihilated
- "Cretean Fleet" annihilated
- "Cyrenaican Army" lost 71 horsemen; 2,880 foot soldiers
- Carthage paid 34 talents for the "Guardian of the West" wonder
- Carthage purchased copper worth 25 talents from Macedonia
- Magna Graecia lost control over Tragurion and Lissos
- Sparta trained 3,000 swordsmen (33 talents) and added them to "Spartan elites"
- Lydia builds 10 triremes (30 talents) and creates fleet "Lydian Fleet"
- Magna Graecia trains 6,000 hoplites (72t); 3,000 horsemen (42t); 3,000 foot soldiers (24t) and creates army "Adria garrison"
- Bosporian Greek train 1,000 hoplites (12 talents) and create army "Istros garrison"
- Crete trains 2,000 hoplites (24t) and adds them to "Cretean Army"
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