The Greater Greek Empire of the Cimmerian Bosporus (GGECB)

[Mygreatlord]

The Seleucids civil war and its most interesting developments

Shortly after our peace settlement with Tylis (see last post on first page), we found out that was an civil war going on in the Seleucids' realm. The bad thing about this war was, that it seemed that the rebels were taking over. Nevertheless we had sent all the mercenaries home and could not afford a major intervention in a war like this now.

Still something interesting happened. The Seleucid rebels guaranteed our independance!!! Now that is not too strange. However the international reaction was great. Diplomats and Heralds from all over the known world were amused and there lots of political cartoons about this incident ALTHOUGH the Seleucid rebels were a major power which would soon take over the whole Seleucid empire. This showed us that we are indeed a major player. We are playing in the Nations Championsleague. If you talk about us, you talk about Egypt and Rome!

This civil war had also some further implications. First, hand Egypt became independant, after having long been a tributary nation to the Seleucids. Second, after our most recent expansion we were now ranking 5h in worldwide national income charts.

There is no doubt that I do like it, as it enables me not only to buy sweet little slaves from Egypt, but also gives me to opportunity to recruit new troops for a new war.

 

[unmerged(59077)]

Major expansion, eh?

Congratulations, you're on the regular 20th c. ancient history curricula now, not only in specialist books.

 

[Mygreatlord]

My game is 100 years ahead by now but I am so lazy when it comes to updating. But hey, hundred years later and the GGEOFB is still alive

 

[rjf101]

Nice job! This game looks interesting...

 

[unmerged(129932)]

I had a game once where the Seleucid Rebels kicked the Seleucid Empire completely out of Asia. They only had one prov left, Rhodos, and the Rebels refused to conquer it. Through the length of the game, they never conquered it. Good times.

Good update.

 

[Mygreatlord]

I had a game once where the Seleucid Rebels kicked the Seleucid Empire completely out of Asia. They only had one prov left, Rhodos, and the Rebels refused to conquer it. Through the length of the game, they never conquered it. Good times.

Good update.

Well, in my game they pick themselfs up and have a standing army of more than 200'000 soldiers.

(although not much manpower left... but I guess that is no surprise when u have such a large standing army that has to be constantly reinforced)

 

[Kubelwagen]

So when might we see an update?

edit; three minutes later, egg on my face

 

[Mygreatlord]

The Three Western Wars and the Fast Second Pontus War

The Three Western Wars and the Fast Second Pontus War

Now we went to war with Daci and Illyria. It seemed to be the natural course of things, as our other 'neighbour', the Seleucid Empire, was our brother in arms. So only Daci and Illyria were an option. And Macedonia. But for attacking Macedonia we would need a basis, some bordering provinces. Daci and Illyria would be perfect.

This was the First Western War. People call it "Western War" because it was far away from our capital and the life of our citizens was only slightly affected by this war. This first war was also the least demanding one. Our glorious army went into Daci and their chieftain would soon kiss the feet of my strategos Leonidas Timolid, a guy whose ancestors once settled in our lands after beeing born in Sparta. Unfortunately, Leonidas becomes very angry when someone tries to kiss his feet...

...and he hurries on to Illyria which fortunately was allied to Daci (so, we had to make only one war to bring both down. ).

Well, now that we had brought down Daci and Illyria and formed a plattform from which we would be able to attack Macedonia. But first things first! There were still some minor Countries in our hinterland, which we would not tolerate any longer. So, I ordered Leonidas to kill the Heir of Pontus. It was easy as it seems the Kingdom of Pontus was only a rip-off of its old glory to this time. We completely annexed them.

Now I was looking at our huge war maps in the 'War Maps Chamber' of my Palace. It seemed obvious, that we had only one province that was directly bordering Macedonia. That does not seem to be much for an invasion and the needs of supplying such a large army as our (planned invasion force) may not be fulfilled by the infrastructure of that province. So I decided to take Thracia from Tylis (Second Western War). Once again, Leonidas overfullfilled my expectations. He did a really great job.

Now we had no more time to lose. We had few manpower ressources and I knew that war with Macedonia would be no bed of roses (well, maybe a permanent bed for their soldiers, 6 foot deep). I was sitting in my palace racking my brain. Leonidas was already in his seventies, and I was REALLY afraid he could die before he had defeated the Macedonian Army. Finally, I managed to pull enough troops together, mainly experienced cavalry from the previous wars. We declared war (Third Western War) and lost the first battle. Wisely, Leonidas had no problems retreating to our provinces. He knew that winning makes right and honour is nothing without glory. Soon thereafter, he managed to defeat the Macedonian Forces in a defensive battle. He invaded Macedonia but after another succesful battle was once again stopped by the Macedonian troops. Unfortunately, they were led by man similary skilled as Leonidas, the great Strategos of the GGEotB.

A war report:

We were soon losing another battle and it seemed, like our Cavalry was easily crushed by their heavy infantery with their long halberds. My temporary domicile was in Thracia, so that I could be informed about the ongoing war. Unfortunately we now had less troops than the Macedonians and they were laying Siege on Thracia! Before they main force arrived at Thracia I sent heralds to the Capital of the Seleucid Empire. They would help us out.

That really took a load off my mind. But then, I thought it was a mistake, as new developments would have seen us win anyway. A Civil war broke out in Macedonia!

This seemed to me the right time to make a peace offer. They would have to cede Thessaly to be able to deal with their interior problems. And they hastily agreed to this deal.

I, the Emperor, do love to look at this map. Except for the Seleucids we are - without a doubt - in every aspect the strongest nation east of Rome and north of Egypt.

What will I do now? Get rid of that Greek rag rug? Or colonize the West of the Black Sea (which I already have begun). Or will the Seleucids find themselves in another Civil War - a fact of that I could take advantage of? Or, another suggestion, will Rome allow us to become another major power? I guess it's too late now, but they may not like it. Illyria at least is their sphere of influence. And they even own Crete.

 

[unmerged(129932)]

I am interested to see how this plays out.

 

[unmerged(59077)]

Keep colonising. That's what Bosporus was all about, at the beginning, no?

But watch out for those Seleucids...

 

[Mygreatlord]

Keep colonising. That's what Bosporus was all about, at the beginning, no?

YES! I will do so.

But also Macedonia has to get down on her knees. We can't accept such a middle power threatening the most important province Thracia (which is some kind of a Bosporus watchdog). Moreover, it would certainly further strenghten our economy, if we got control over Greece and thus would even control trade beyond the Bosporus..

 

[Mygreatlord]

On The Edge Of Civil War

Although we succesfully managed to get rid of all external threats internal politics were changing faster than I had assumed. While I was on the front lines, I was not able to keep up with these changes and coming back to my palace I faced a number of problems, which would turn out to cost us the GGEotB two whole decades.

First of all there was a huge revolt risk in all provinces. I reorganised armies to be able to fight rebells as efficient as possible:

Unfortunately, besides the rebel problem, some problems with those uncivilised bastards and barbarians arose, which live at our borders:

But just after the last of these evil movements were finally defeated, new developments were catching all of my attention. I was sitting on my throne, eating a lovely rump steak when a herald sprinted right into the royal chambers and fell to my feet.
"Stand up", said I.
"Sir! Spies report that Aratid of Dalmatia might break away from our realm, declaring his independance."
I nearly chocked on my beaf. I was shocked. How could he? He had been a like a son for me! I said:
"Bribe the local police. They should make sure to imprision him without any public attention. Go now! They may give you fresh horses at the stables."

Still having the shock in my bones, I was trying to continue to eat. But then another herald came in. It was a local herald, a herald of one of my governors, I could see that from his coat of arms. He was walking slow and when he was in front of my feet, he only denoted a bow.

"What's up?", I asked angrily.
"I am Tantalos but I will speak in the name of two men: Menon Therid and Archidamus Eurypontid."
"My governors - well well, what do they want?"
"I fear the news might not be too joyful for you. Therid and Eurypontid are sure that u will allow them to give up the centralised tax collecting for the GGEotB. Their earnings are for them and not for you. Nevertheless, they might still follow you in war. Consider it. Otherwise, they might declare independance... "
"Treason!", I cried. "Guards - catch him! You will burn before the palasts of these governors will burn. How do you dare to come here and tell me something like this! Generals - may the armies move out!"

So I decided to make sure that my governors would see an approriate response for their enquiries.

Although this helped in the first place, more and more rebellions were arising:

Finally it happened. This time, I could not avoid it. A governor was breaking away from our realm and declaring independance. After the Royal Army defeated his forces, he fled to Macedonia. May he burn in hell for his disloyalty!!!

But this wasnt the worst. A civil war broke out. My nephew claimed the throne and the title of the Basileus. I was giving orders to imprision him. But his father, my brother, an influental governor and merchant killed the police forces who were meant to catch my nephew with his mercenaries. All of them. I was going ballistic/basileus!

Indeed, this was the time of revenge. Now I had a reason to kill all the people who claimed the throne illegaly and SO I DID! My troops were succesful and I was heavily rewarding the most succesful generals. They would never fall in my back, considering all the gold I gave them!

 

[Qorten]

Will you take advantage of the Seleucids being in a civil wa now that you're own is sorted out?

 

[Mygreatlord]

Will you take advantage of the Seleucids being in a civil wa now that you're own is sorted out?

When times seem convenient, I will further expand.

What you might not see on the picture, one of their factions in the Civil War is heaviliy overpowered, I think the rebels would take over. I am far too weak at this stage.

And: They are our friends, we are allied. But if they dont follow us in a war... well then we might take revenge later...

 

[unmerged(129932)]

Damn that is a lot of internal strife. You handled it very well, I think. Putting down rebellions and disloyal governors is always the best.

A very good update. Bravo! I await the Bosphorus' next move.

 

[Mygreatlord]

The statistician

Last night, a stranger asked for an audience. He was very simply clothed but had a noble face. He introduced himself as Statos, the Statistician. He is also a philosopher, he claimed, but that 'would be of no value for me'.

In fact, I think he was more of a business man. He intended to sell me some statistical tables and charts. He told me, he had been ruthlessly travelling around to gain all these information. He told me, he collected these information for the sake of it. But some unhappy accident cost him a lot of his money. Now, he has to find a way to keep being able studying and also to maintain his network of spies and scientists all over the known world. I looked at the tables and decided to make the deal. It seemed worth the money. Furthermore, I thought it might be advantegous to have a good relation with such a man. These are the tables, charted on the finest papyrus:

Following these tables, we are doing quite well - well except for our backward technology, maybe. o

 

[unmerged(59077)]

Well, you ARE from the Black Sea Barbarian Steppe, so backwards technology compared to Egypt is to be expected.

That was a very rapidly concluded civil war, too.