A Unified Empire?

[Joriko]

A Unified Empire?
A Macedonia AAR
280 B.C. (474 AVC)

Alexander the Great​

Introduction:

This is the very first AAR I have written. I have been playing paradox games for a long time (you wouldn't know it from my game registrations because I lost the cd keys), so I think I'll do fine. I have a set of goals that are fairly simple. No world domination, no destruction of Rome, instead I have chosen to unify all the Greek nations and take back part of Alexander's empire. If I can't do all that, I at least want to take over the Seleucid Empire. I plan on doing a new section every in-game year, the exception being a period of boring years then I'll summarize. It's a gameplay AAR with it's focus on my strategy, enjoy.

Prologue:

At it's start, Macedonia is a fairly powerful nation. It's coastal which means it's easily defended by a strong navy, yet it has land access for easy expansion. All of it's bordering neighbors are smaller than it, and with the exception of Epirus, less powerful. To the north is free, uncolonized territory ripe for conquest and easy expansion.

For every advantage ;however, there is a disadvantage. Macedonia's ruler is mediocre at best. His Martial skills leave much to be desired. His charisma is terrible and consequently, his popularity is bad. Finally his deceitful nature allows corruption to flourish under his rule. Macedonia also has a slow manpower pool, which means when you start a war, don't rely on continual stream of troops. This puts it at a disadvantage to nations like Rome with large manpower pools.

Our Nation aside, Macedonia's neighbors are fairly weak. Epirus has the most troops, and Illyria has the most provinces. The most valuable provinces would be Archaea for it's stone, and Epirus for it's location near Rome. Macedonia is unique in that it's non bordering neighbors are two of the most powerful nations on earth. Rome is to the west, and The Seleucid Empire is to the east. This allows Macedonia to expand either direction and then use the captured nation as a stepping stool to the next superpower. (example: capture Rome, then use bases in Rome to attack Carthage.) My plan is to ally with Rome and while they guard the west, I attack the Seleucid Empire.

Goals
Unify the Greek nations, and retake Alexander's empire.

 

[Joriko]

Could a moderator change the thread title so it has "Macedonia AAR" in it?

 

[Joriko]

The First War: 474-476

I choose my national ideas right away to the trade bonus. My government system give me the bonus if I have two military and one civic idea, so I choose Horse Lords, Professional Army, and Civic Duty. I also pass the law "Service Guarantees Citizenship" to enhance my army's discipline.

What goods a trade bonus if your not using it? I went ahead and began foreign trading for items I do not have in my country and greatly strengthened it. Using the rest of my starting money I built 3 more regiments of Calvary to take my army up to the support limit, before marching it down to Argolis.

With my army prepared for invasion, I signed alliances with The Aetolian League to the North and Sparta to the South. Between us Achaen is squished. Next I used spies to fund foreign rebels and succeeded in cranking up the revolt risk to 10%.

The war was almost ready. I put my Chief Torturer in charge of my army. He's Martial skill is a tad bit lower than my royal treasurer, but he has better loyalty and traits.

It is now August. Despite the penalty, I decide to declare war on Achaea without a Casus Belli. The reasons for this are that Sparta also declared war and I wanted it first. My troops moved swiftly and in less than a month, I defeat their army killing 3,000, while only losing 12 men. The retreat to my town of Argolis and the sieges begin.

In order to get a head start, I assault the compound and succeed in weakening their garrison down to 800 men. Also, to deal with the army in Argolis, I call up the Aetolian League for help and they respond. Their large army moves into my territory and breaks the siege.

With their troops on the run, chased by my allies, I adopt a strategy of Assaulting the castle every month. The next assault brings the garrison down to 450.

Unfortunately, My ally overextends himself misses their army, and their capital comes under attack. I don't assist, knowing that a end to the war will also help. My ally catches up with the Achean army and wipes it out just as the siege of the Achean capital ends. The siege had lasted for 200 days, it's over.

The peace is full annexation of Achea. My troops manage to capture their ruler and his Polemarchos. I do not worry about the polemarchos as he is dying of the plague. I am curious what to do with the ruler however.

My allies have no end to war as Bithynia looks for a foothold on greece. They ask for military access which I decline. My allies also call for help, but I do not answer. I don't need another war yet. Instead I send my troops north to colonize. Illyria already has one colony and I want to keep it that way.

And just to keep rebels in check, I build three militia units to guard my new conquest.

 

[Joriko]

Civil Affairs (Literally):

As celebration for our victory our leader, Ptolemy Keraunos, slept with Chremonides' wife and she gave birth to a child. Oops. Ptolemy acknowledged the child and made him heir, which created a whole host of problems. Popularity dropped. The old heir, Meleager, became instantly disloyal. Ptolemy's wife became suspicious (and probably slapped him ), and worst of all, Chremonides, commander of my one and only army and chief torturer, became Ptolemy's rival.

Lysimachus (Hint: I swear this guy always rebels when you play as Macedonia), took advantage of the situation and declared his independence. He proceeded to control Achaea. Luckily, my 3,000 (3 regiments) militia were there to put it down, and after a tough fight, it ended. Lysimachus and the rebel army commander were captured and executed.

This however was only a distraction to the real threat, Chremanides. After the run-in with his wife, Chremanides would like nothing better than to see Ptolemy dead. And he's not alone. Not interested in power, instead he wishes Meleager to be ruler. Luckily, the majority of the government disagrees with him. The biggest issue is that my whole army is under his command and loyal to him, so I'm using that army. I'm keeping him busy fighting the new barbarian threat to the north (More than 17,000 barbarians have overrun Illyria and Epirus), while building a new loyal army in the capital.

I also resorted to other means. Despite Ptolemy becoming more popular due to winning the civil war, Chremanides, is loved by the people. To fix that, I attempted to smear his reputation. It succeeded but was discovered.

The army was ready by 477, I stripped Chremanides of his rank and titles, in an attempt to slowly pull him out of the picture, yet he refused to give up command. The new Chief Torturer is Themistocles Peithid.

 

[Joriko]

No comments, suggestions, writing advice?

 

[Joriko]

As Chremonides' popularity dissipates, the situation is defused and he allows me to remove him from command. He must go to jail for his crimes though, but he manages to escape to Pontus. Not content to let him live as a possible future threat, I send a assassin after him. He succeeds without being discovered.

As if to prove that better times are coming, several military advancements are made. We upgrade our Calvary, Heavy Infantry, and Missile Troops. The Basilius celebrates...without his pants...again , and another bastard is born. At least Ptolemy had the sense to criticize the news as rumors.

Thymotes, the first illegitimate child, has his first trait; Modest. The rest of the year is spent building up my armed forces. Our Ruler also sell the fort in Macedonia to pay off the debt.

Other News in 478:

Chief Torturer Dies, replaced by Phillip
Meleager is the only disloyal government official left. He is removed from his position and successfully imprisoned.

The year is 479, January. Ptolemy has another bastard (God help him), he says he's another rumor.

This year will be one of conquest as my army is finally completed. Time for Barbarians to die!

 

[Lofman]

Good work dealing with Chremonides without getting a civil war.

 

[Joriko]

Thanks. I was afraid that I wouldn't pull it off, but by damaging his reputation I managed to save the country.

 

[Joriko]

My armies destroy the barbarians in Paeonia and Maedi. Both are succesfully colonized. With the North secure, I turn my eye to the south. Sparta realizes this and offers to pay tribute for protection. I refuse, and in a shocking move they kill a member of my government. I immediately declare war.

My army devastates them, taking the capital and killing an army of 2,000 with only 20 casualties. Sparta is annexed and their Grand Vizier taken captive. I return the favor and have him executed.

The Years is now 482 and I pave the way for an invasion of Epirus with an assassination. I have successfully killed their leader...

 

[Coinneach]

Nice progress, though if you're worried about a lack of comments its because all us AAR readers are screenshot whores

 

[Joriko]

all us AAR readers are screenshot whores

I'll keep that in mind. Do you think I should start taking screens from here on out?

Also not exactly worried, just curious how I was doing for my first time...

 

[unmerged(125495)]

Will be following this... love these types of aars that just tell you what they're doing instead of bringing up a picture and backstory of every historical character you see.

 

[Joriko]

Despite giving Epirus every reason to attack me, their mission is to secure an alliance with me, which they attempt and is turned down. Instead I turn my attention to Illyria for expansion.

I move all my scattered garrisons comprising of 2 regiments each and combine them all to make two separate armies. One 6,000 strong, the other 4,000. Our leader, Ptolemy, leads the largest one, and Sosicles leads the second. If you remember, we also have a third army of 11,000 lead by Sosthenes. To lower the consequences of a civil war, I cut Sosthenes army down by 3,000 leaving him with 8,000, and the monarch with 9,000. To finish preparations, I draft 3,000 heavy infantry and combine them with Ptolemy's forces for a total of 12,000. Overall we have 24,000 troops.

As my armies are marching north to rendezvous for the invasion, Ptolemy divorces his wife and marries a younger lady. She's a foolish, ambitious err...fool. In addition to this, Ptolemy's sons have problems making friends, and a daughter become spoiled. He tries to cheer them up, and puts her in her place, respectively. With his new wife, and his family in order, Ptolemy becomes content.

The Year becomes 484 and with it, discontent. Four members of my government two high, and two low want different heirs to the throne. At least they all want a different heir so it's not a coordinated struggle. The two lower government officials are removed and replaced. I thought it wise to allow the higher members to keep there positions and give them titles to keep them happy.

I finalize my plan for the invasion of Illyria. I decide that I want the border provinces of Taulanti, and Dardania. For their allies Dacia, I plan on defeating any armies they may send and forcing them into a white peace. Their time will come, but not now. Prepared, I declare war on Illyria.

My largest army of 12,000 (Ptolemy's Army) marches on Taulanti, with orders to proceed through it to the Illyrian capital of Scodra. Sosthenes's army marches into Dardania.

Dardania's defending army is crushed and their leader captured. We lay siege to the city. Ptolemy also has success. Upon arriving in the capital, he immediately assault the city and takes it in one blow. During this success; however, Dacia manages to crash an army into our flanks. I use my third army to expel them from our territory.

Illyria offers a white peace which we decline. We're doing too well for that. Suddenly, Dacia and Illyria counterattack, and push Ptolemy back to our territory. I use my third army to take Taulanti while Ptolemy and Sosthenes assault Dardania. Illyria attempts to save Tualanti, but fails and the garrison falls. Dardania falls soon after.

I have what I want, but to make sure I get it, Ptolemy makes another go at the capital. Upon arrival, Ptolemy dies of old age. Farewell Ptolemy. Thymotes, Ptolemy's first illegitimate son, takes the throne as heir: age nine. The war must go on, and Sosthenes becomes the head of operations in Illyria.

I attempt peace, but even with our generous peace ( Illyria will cede Tualanti, Dardania, and Pay a sum of 45 gold) is rejected. They hope their allies can save them. Those dreams end as Sosthenes takes their final province and my other armies crush the sneaky Dacian troops near our new exploits. Illyria sends us an offer. It's the same as our earlier demands. I accept.

Macedonia at the end of the War

Unfortunately, we have a problem w/Rebels

My next target after crushing the rebels...Notice the mission.​

 

[Joriko]

I'm in the process of reloading some save games to get screenshots from the past. Since I'm going to be doing some editing anyway, Should I use a first person style or third (Our/Us as in Our nation) I did a bit of both in the latest update. Please let me know.

 

[Qorten]

If you want this AAR to be more of a history book style AAR then I'd say use 'Our Nation', if you want it to be gameplay use 'my nation'.

 

[Joriko]

gameplay use 'my nation'.

I'm going w/ this.

 

[comagoosie]

Nice progress, though if you're worried about a lack of comments its because all us AAR readers are screenshot whores

I would put it as visualization

We just need something visual to relate to what we are reading.

Anyways good start

 

[unmerged(80476)]

It's a shame that Rome doesn't have more powers like Macedonia; big enough to do something but not big enough to take on the world (yet ). How are relations with the Big Yellow Blob? I'd take over Thrace to stop them sneaking into Europe, whatever the case.

 

[Joriko]

My goal w/ taking Bithynia is partially that, but also to give me a foothold into the Seleucid Empire. That won't happen for a while though. The real kink in my plans is Rome. They have allied w/ Epirus which keeps me from taking them. In order to accomplish my original goals, I'd probably end up with a war with Rome. Instead I'll probably have to focus on the Egypt for expansion. Egypt is a mess right now, and sould be easy to pick off. My first goal although is to raise stability and lower my bad reputation.

 

[Enewald]

I shall be trying to read this AAR.
Not many Rome AARs left. o