Philippos began to feel his age. His health were worsening and his brother was dead. No one knew properly how he was his brother, he didn’t show up in the family tree on the basileus’ side, but they were very close.
Philippos’ luck were not getting better, having started treatment for his sickness the doctor did a mistake while in a drunken stupor, and the basileus got castrated.
Speaking of luck, Egypt then declared war. They had twice the troops of Macedon,but the Seleukids had more than them, and both Rome and Carthage were close. So Philippos felt secure.
Then his heart stopped. It was now up to his son and heir Tauriskos II.
The war went well for a good while, but then the progress stopped with a series of bloody battles and defeats in northern Syria. Macedon held the line, but neither side was strong enough to progress, and Seleukids were otherwise occupied in the East with Maurya who had attacked.
As such, a peace agreement was made.
Mnesistrate, the consort of Tauriskos, were a martial mind and persuaded the basileus to let her accompany him on his campaigns.
Rome on their side asked for help in a future war against Carthage. Tauriskos wanted to keep both allies if possible, and refused to help, but kept the alliance with Rome.
Back at home, rumors spread saying Macedon was fallen from grace. A stupid idea, all the time Macedon won all her wars, but Tauriskos decided to calm the nobility with a glorious banquet.
Moesia was being stupid and wanted to wage war on Macedon’s long time ally the Seleukids. They were stronger than Moesia and Macedon combined and trusted friends. Tauriskos flatly refused.
Tauriskos was a cultured man and decided to use much resources to spread the arts around his country.
Then he went to war.
Greece were to be finally united under Macedon!
Rome also wanted to war, but on another front. Tauriskos joined.
Then disaster struck. While the war in Greece went well, a huge enemy army cornered Tauriskos’ army and the end result were a resounding loss. His consort was immediately blamed for the loss. A woman in a man’s world? It naturally was her fault.
