((avenge those who did wrongdoings against our shipping. Either Carthage want me to support the pirates, or you that isn't what you mean >.>))
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Announcement from Peukestas
It is with great joy that I, Peukestas, Satrap of Persis and Carmania, can announce that my wives have borne me two children this year! Phillina has given birth to my son, who shall be named Demetrius, while Azaze has birthed me a daughter, who shall be named Pareesa in honor of her heritage.
It is with great joy that I, Peukestas, Satrap of Persis and Carmania, can announce that my wives have borne me two children this year! Phillina has given birth to my son, who shall be named Demetrius, while Azaze has birthed me a daughter, who shall be named Pareesa in honor of her heritage.
On other note, Krateroses wife Amastris bore him a daughter. She will be named in honor of her mother Amastris.
What a strange feeling it was. It had been years since I had met a proper Macedonian woman. After leaving leaving Babylon at the death of Megas Alexandros, I've remained holed up in Anatolia, estranged from the rest of the realm and from true civilization. And even the Greek maidens of Sinop aren't on the same scale as Eurydice. The arrival of the elephants was amusing too, and it broadens my flock. Now that I'm related to Antipatros and Ptolemaios, I should be safe. I better hurry, though, it appears her labour has ended.
He strolled through the hallways of Comana, not too eager to see his child before it had been washed. Newborns are so dirty. He had to recognize it though, and even though it was another half-Persian whelp, it was his offspring and he intended to make sure the best happened to it. He casually opened the door, unannounced and saw half-asleep who still made a gesture towards him, to show the birth had gone without issues. Well, that was always good to know. he turned and watched the small thing he had to call his. A girl.
Your name shall be Laodice. May you grow strong and assist your family and honour the Gods and your Kings.
He left, having spent mere seconds in the company of his child. He had other matters to attend to.
He strolled through the hallways of Comana, not too eager to see his child before it had been washed. Newborns are so dirty. He had to recognize it though, and even though it was another half-Persian whelp, it was his offspring and he intended to make sure the best happened to it. He casually opened the door, unannounced and saw half-asleep who still made a gesture towards him, to show the birth had gone without issues. Well, that was always good to know. he turned and watched the small thing he had to call his. A girl.
Your name shall be Laodice. May you grow strong and assist your family and honour the Gods and your Kings.
He left, having spent mere seconds in the company of his child. He had other matters to attend to.
Dealing with savages. That is always ashaming. But now that they've seen the light, and that their ashes of their homes have been scattered by the wind, they ought to listen to me. I hope they understand Greek.
And that is another letter I hope will be most useful to us. It's making me nervous. Hopefully it will go well.
And that is another letter I hope will be most useful to us. It's making me nervous. Hopefully it will go well.
Restoration of Tyre
Antipatros’s degree on Tyre was warmly welcomed by all the Phoenician cities, and especially by Carthage the daughter of Tyre. Refugees and slaves returned to the city, rebuilding its economy and buildings. This was a great benefit to both Macedonians – and Carthage. This show of respect greatly increased the loyalty of Phoenicia, who benefitted from the degree and from the trade. However, it was seen as a sign of weakness by some…
Carthage took a largely neutral stance regarding the Crete dispute, even though it was argued that Ptolemaic envoys were trying to influence them. Carthaginian shipping continued to sail to both Greece and Egypt, and now to Tyre and Phoenicia, too. Carthaginian influence in the east was seen increasing due to the appeasement of both Antipatros and Ptolemaios. This was definitely not liked by all. But so far, Carthaginian intentions seemed to purely focus on trade relationships.
Many of the slaves from Tyre were sold to the neighboring regions, mostly to Mesopotamia and some to Egypt. Compensation was provided, but it was not deemed as enough by the Mesopotamian land owners. The wealthy landlords now had a grave shortage in slaves – which were instead being sold to Satraps for their vast construction and mining programs.
Revolting started along the Euphrates, threatening Nicephorion and causing disruption in the satrapy's taxation. Arkesilaos and his neighbor Laomedon had been mostly silent; neither had increased their armies unlike others. The Army of Syria was especially small. Thus, another unrelated revolt began. Judea had been largely neglected by Macedonians. It no longer enjoyed the autonomy Persians had given to the distinct people. Thus Judeans saw their chance and rose up and expelled most of the Macedonian garrisons, taking even Hierosolyma. The two revolts weren’t organized, and had no clear leader, but were a grave threat anyway.
[-15,000 to royal coffins for compensations]
[+5,000 trade to Antipatros, Laomedon, Ptolemaios]
[-50,000 Drachmae to Laomedon and Arkesilaos due to instability]
GM NOTE: Only a few hours short of the deadline…
To Archon, Satrap of Tylos and Mykia,
To my limited knowledge, I have yet to hear that you have reached Mykia. If you are interested in making a deal, I am willing to offer Drachmae in return for some of the lands still unclaimed, possibly the entire Satrapy, depending of your price.
Signed,
Peukestas, your friend, Satrap of Persis and Carmania
To my limited knowledge, I have yet to hear that you have reached Mykia. If you are interested in making a deal, I am willing to offer Drachmae in return for some of the lands still unclaimed, possibly the entire Satrapy, depending of your price.
Signed,
Peukestas, your friend, Satrap of Persis and Carmania
To Peukestas, Satrap of Persis and Carmania
With a payment of 50,000 Drachmae I agree to give up my position as Satrap of Mykia. I have no interests in those lands. However, I presume that the Regent will still have to approve of your new appointment.
Archon of Pella, Satrap of Tylos
To Seleukos son of Antiokhos, Satrap of Babylonia
I have forfeited my position as Satrap of Mykia. I no longer have a need for your financial assistance. Soon ships will arrive to Babylon bearing seamen and soldiers I have allowed to retire. Make sure they are treated well.
Archon of Pella, Satrap of Tylos
Τραπεζοῦς
To Krateros Satrap of Armenia
The council of Trapezous thanks you for your great donation. We will in turn offer you a tribute of 5,000 Drachmae a year. These military exercises sound like a rather odd idea, but we agree. We will establish a proper army of citizens for our polis.
With a payment of 50,000 Drachmae I agree to give up my position as Satrap of Mykia. I have no interests in those lands. However, I presume that the Regent will still have to approve of your new appointment.
Archon of Pella, Satrap of Tylos
To Seleukos son of Antiokhos, Satrap of Babylonia
I have forfeited my position as Satrap of Mykia. I no longer have a need for your financial assistance. Soon ships will arrive to Babylon bearing seamen and soldiers I have allowed to retire. Make sure they are treated well.
Archon of Pella, Satrap of Tylos
Τραπεζοῦς
The council of Trapezous thanks you for your great donation. We will in turn offer you a tribute of 5,000 Drachmae a year. These military exercises sound like a rather odd idea, but we agree. We will establish a proper army of citizens for our polis.
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To Antipatros, Regent of the Kings,
Archon of Pella, Satrap of Tylos and Mykia, has agreed to my proposal to buy the lands of Mykia from him, as he has no interest in those lands. I intend to expand the territory of the kings in the area, and hope you will approve of this agreement.
Signed,
Peukestas
Archon of Pella, Satrap of Tylos and Mykia, has agreed to my proposal to buy the lands of Mykia from him, as he has no interest in those lands. I intend to expand the territory of the kings in the area, and hope you will approve of this agreement.
Signed,
Peukestas
To Antipatros, the Regent of Macedonia
I write to you here today as widespread rebellion has erupted in Mesopotamia and Syria against the local Satraps. This has thrown the region into chaos and can cause great damage if not dealt with it, as such I have decided to write to you and ask for your blessing to deal with it, as the two local satraps Arkesilaos and Laomedon has done little to prevent this, or end this, having previously caused unrest among their people. As such I ask for your blessing to deal with the rebels in Mesopotamia and Syria should you and the Kings desire it, to allow me to gather my army and march into the regions, together with other Satraps should I call upon them and they answer. Furthermore I ask for the authority to deal with the local Satraps if they have proven to be inefficient and their actions, or lack of leading to this revolt.
- Seleukos, satrap of Babylonia
I write to you here today as widespread rebellion has erupted in Mesopotamia and Syria against the local Satraps. This has thrown the region into chaos and can cause great damage if not dealt with it, as such I have decided to write to you and ask for your blessing to deal with it, as the two local satraps Arkesilaos and Laomedon has done little to prevent this, or end this, having previously caused unrest among their people. As such I ask for your blessing to deal with the rebels in Mesopotamia and Syria should you and the Kings desire it, to allow me to gather my army and march into the regions, together with other Satraps should I call upon them and they answer. Furthermore I ask for the authority to deal with the local Satraps if they have proven to be inefficient and their actions, or lack of leading to this revolt.
- Seleukos, satrap of Babylonia
Kings came and kings went, and Persia remained. This was what Atropates dwelled upon as he stood in his palace and looked over the city. Gazaca was no Ectabana, but he had to make do. He could not return home any more.
Oh, he could visit, at the behest of his son-in-law. And he was not too displeased. He grew old, his hair was turning grey, and he was thinking more and more to his death. He prayed to Ahura Mazda himself to let him rest peacefully when his time was called.
But, he ruminated, he was still alive. For now. And for too long he had sat on the sidelines, content to watch the seasons past as the generals of Alexander squabbled over the ruins of his empire. The twin satrapies of Media had a duty to protect the people of their lands, and to ensure their survival. He had a son and a grandson to carve out a future for.
The old, cold eyes of the Persian looked up. at the setting of the sun. Darius, his old friend, had proven in the end to be weak. He would not be. He stared at the west for a fraction of a second more, before flicking his eyes to the north...
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2nd Quarter of the 115th Olympiad
(319 BCE)
(319 BCE)
A surprising year of stability and calm ensued after the brief periods of power struggle and open conflict. For once even Asia Minor stood silent. The only war which went on, without much intensity, was the Cretan campaign of the Ptolemaic armies. Minor instability had also started in Syria and Mesopotamia. However, it was only regarded as calm before the storm. By the year’s end, Regent Antipatros had fallen gravely ill. He was still clearly in power, but confined within quarters at Pella. Sooner or later a new regent would have to be chosen.
The work on the forts and roads of Greece continues. The Old general had previously used his own fund on the majority of these actions, but finally now the coffers of the Kings were used to fund the construction work, as he had the right to order so as the Regent. The majority of the focus was on the roads, which were expected to be completed the next quarter, along with the fortifications at Thermophylae.
[-50,000 to King Philippos III, both the fortifications and the road at 5/6]
Lysimakhos pushes forward with the construction of Larissa. More slaves, more marble and more colonists are acquired. The work is supposed to be finished the next year, making Larissa the capital the rich and vast Satrapy of Thrace deserves. In addition, the work on the road through Thrace continues, though at a slower pace, as effort is directed to the quick completion of Larissa.
[5/6 Larissa, 3/6 Thrace Road, -50,000 Drachmae]
On the other side of the Hellespont, Satrap Leonnatos directs the construction of his own, somewhat rival city. Alexandria on the Hellespont is mostly finished during the year, for the great benefit and glory of Phrygia. The prominence and control over Hellespont trade will surely create great competition between the cities. But at least merchants from distant areas profit due to both cities trying to attract them. Leonnatos mostly focuses on building a port, which gives him an edge, for now. The work on a lighthouse is also begun, but it will be completed only later.
[Alexandria on the Hellespont 6/6, -35,000 Drachmae, +5,000 trade]
Pergamon is another contestant near the Hellespont. The acropolis of Pergamon is to great extend built. New temples, new governmental buildings and other improvements and beautification are finished. The polis had quickly turned from a small backwater village to the true capital of the Satrapy of Lydia, and one of the most important trading hubs in the Ionian region. Satrap Menandros can be proud of his new seat of power.
[-50,000 to Satrap Menandros, Pergamon acropolis etc. finished, +5,000 trade, more bonuses in next turns]
Satrap Eumenes the Cardian turns his attention to the mines of Cappadocia, the main source of mineral wealth being the iron mines around Comana. More slaves are brought, along with a number of Greek specialists and experts amongst local tribes. The mines are expanded, news shafts built and more slaves put to work. In addition to iron, burning stone is found. Its uses aren’t very wide, however.
[-45,000 Drachmae, +10,000 income ]
Antigonos wanted to establish better foundries for weapons. This was done rather easily, as Greek and Lycian smiths go to work in Xanthos. However, a grave problem is the province’s lack of resources to be used. A great amount of iron and bronze is acquired – mostly from Phrygia, Cappadocia and Armenia. This mostly profits the Satraps there. Their hostility to Antigonos is represented by the high prices of the first batches of the needed resources.
[-35,000 Drachmae, +2,500 drachmae to Eumenes, Krateros and Leonnatos, +5,000 income]
Exploitation of the ground’s wealth was surely popular. Satrap Krateros instructed an expansion of mines in Armenia, putting new slaves to work. Due to the amount of money invested, results aren’t that great. Some wealth is also spent on the construction of the temple in Thaspia, which is quite surprisingly completed already that year.
[temple done, -25,000 Drachmae, +5,000 income]
Many of the coastal lands east of Trapezous were turned over to the polis. The promise of new land was now finally fulfilled, much to the joy of the citizens. They indeed agreed to the payment of tribute, expanded their army and in generally revived their economy. Thus even some of the citizens that had fled to Sinope started to return.
[-2,500 taxation, +5,000 tribute, +5,000 trade]
The region of the Tarsus represented one of the warmest regions of Near East. The estuary of the Tarsos river had a very moist soil and warm temperatures. The fertile land was deemed by Satrap Philotas to be perfectly suitable for the cultivation of Nile grass, or cyperus papyrus. Examples were acquired from Aegyptos, and the first seeds planted. Producing and marketing papyrus from a source other than Aegyptos and Syria would most certainly be a lucrative business. And even better, Philotas had a great source of materiel for his private library – and for his complex bureaucracy.
[-25,000 Drachmae, papyrus planted]
Satrap Ptolemaios wanted to attract further Hellenic migrants to Alexandria on the Nile. A decent number of people arriving from Greece – fleeing the perceived tyrannies installed by Antipatros. Some of the people are known anti-Macedonians, but they keep their mouths shut. Ironically, a number of people also arrive from Crete itself, and especially from the Western parts and from the cities sacked by Gortyn. In general the construction work of Alexandria progress at a quick pace. New housing is built, and the royal palace is almost finished.
[-40,000 Drachmae, 6/10 Alexandria on the Nile, +5,000 trade]
Atropates, the Satrap of Lesser Media, ordered a rather eccentric public campaign in his Satrapy. Officers of his army were sent to the cities, castles and villages of the satrapy, analyzing the work of local bureaucrats. Corruption had suddenly become a crime punishable with dead. A couple of dozen of bureaucrats are executed and replaced with new loyal ones. This however didn’t mean that they were any more efficient – quite to the contrary. In addition, many of the bureaucrats belonged to notable families, who were rather disgusted at the actions of the Satrap. Nevertheless, corruption wouldn’t be a problem from now on.
[loyal yet somewhat incompetent administration]
Peithon son of Crateuas, Satrap of Greater Media now had at his command a huge number of elephants. Wishing to keep these war beasts in a good condition, he ordered the construction of elephant stables in Ektabana and Rhagae. The mighty beasts would now be tended by Indian specialists in the prime conditions of the stables. This would enable Peithon to deploy the elephants at a faster speed, and to make sure that they would last long in his service. A very practical investment indeed.
[-25,000 Drachmae, elephant stables]
Peithon had also established a toll at the new castle of the Caspian Gates. This provided him with a decent new taxation income, but possible effects on the overland trade routes remained to be seen. Many however appreciated Peithon’s methods. The pacification and construction of the castle had reduced banditry along the trade routes, and one could travel from the Royal Road to Bactria without any trouble.
[+10,000 taxation income]
Satrap Peukestas decided to import a vast amount of slaves from the West for the opening of new mining shafts in Carmania. Slavery was quite much despised by the Zoroastrian priesthood and the traditional Persian landowners and residents, and Peukestas risked losing the support he had gathered from Persians in the Satrapy. However, the mining operations themselves are quite successful, as the amount of copper produced vastly increases, meaning that it would become a far more important resource in the region.
[-50,000 Drachmae, +10,000 personal income]
[-25,000 Drachmae, 3/6 Alexandro/Persepolis]
Archon of Pella, the Satrap on the island of Tylos, sold away his rights to Mykia. Many questioned the legality of such a move, but Archon didn’t care. He send a number of his soldiers and some of the ships to Babylonia. Most of them settled down in Alexandria in Susiana, or Susa proper. Some even went to Babylon. The fleet was also reduced, with many ships used for construction work in Tylos – or sold away to the desert tribes as furniture.
[-1,000 Hi, -25 triremes, -25 tetretes, 50,000 Drachmae from Peukestas to Archon]
Satrap Phrataphernes establishes a library in Hekatompylos. This, alongside with the vast work done in Alexandria in the Caucasus, means that Persian civilization and learning is all but forgotten. The building is all in all nice, representing the might of Phrataphernes and the wealth of Parthia. Attracting scholars and other learned men to Parthia might come to have an effect on the mostly nomadic Satrapy. Phrataphernes ends up giving his Greek wife to his son Pharsman, who celebrates a son named Phrataphernes with her.
[-25,000 Drachmae, nice library]
Atropates establishes an army for the northern frontier, levying a great number of Persians and northern tribesmen for the task. The upper reaches of Media are now surely safe. Eumenes instead recruits more Pontic Greeks into his phalanx taxis, and trains some of the Persian light infantry to fill the role of peltastai. Several warriors from the Byzeres tribe are recruited by Krateros, who holds “exercises” with Trapezous. Lysimakhos also drills his Thracian levies, who become more accustomed with the Greek way of making war. Ptolemaios also starts the construction of a vast new fleet, and recruits some cavalrymen. Some infantry units that had seen more action in Cyrene are made into a veteran regiment, enjoying greater pay. And finally new war ships are put to sea in Lydia, as Menandros cites the danger of Cretan pirates.
[+5,000 LI, +2,500 CAV to, -50,000 Drachmae to Atropates]
[+2,000 HI, -20,000 Drachmae to Eumenes]
[+2,000 Li, -10,000 Drachmae to Krateros]
[+25 triremes, +10 tetretes, - 40,000 Drachmae to Menandros]
[+5 penteres, +25 tetretes, +75 triremes, -100,000 Drachmae to Ptolemaios]
[+1,000 CAV, 2,000 HI become VI, -15,000 Drachmae to Ptolemaios]
GM NOTE: Laomedon, Olympias, Roxana, Naerkhos and Arkesilaos are now NPC. A great number of other characters are at a risk of a similar change.
Statistics, character list and map will be updated tomorrow. Orders due 10th of March, 20:59 GMT
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The Genesis of Pergamon
Satrap Menander stood at the edge of the raised platform, looking down upon his city from the recently built acropolis. He saw the city stretch out into the distance: the roads, the markets, the homes, and the fortifications, gradually giving way to tenements, farms, and then the wide expanse of temperate countryside. Pergamon was electric with activity, the streets strewn with citizens, the squares with market stalls, puffs of smoke drifting slowly away from houses and bazaars. Shifting his gaze back over his shoulders, the acropolis too was alive. Civil servants and priests; noblemen and officers; courtiers and courtesans. Menander's capital, only recently no more than a minor village, transformed to a major regional polis. What was once the idle dream of the Satrap was made reality - truly, the Gods were to thank for his success. Menander had dreams of founding a new capital since the early days of his Satrapy. In his days in Sardis, he had grown to loathe the city - its roads thronging with camels, horses and oxen from caravans on the Royal Road, its multitude districts and communities, all disorganised and poorly planned, its sheer...Persian-ness. Pergamon, with its clean Aegean air, its defensible terrain, its clear Greek city planning: for Menander, Pergamon was a home away from home. Indeed, the streets of Pergamon would not be alien to the citizen of Pella or Athens. It may be on the wrong side of the Aegean, but Pergamon was as Greek a polis as they come. In his relocation, Menander was also motivated by more strategic interests. Sardis could be easily threatened by an army marching up the Royal Road; moreover, Pergamon was closer to the Greek populations of the coast, his primary support base.
For Menander was ever mindful of both the past and the future. He did not let the present peace and prosperity mislead him. He remembered well the darkness of the Antingonid War: his eviction from Lydia, and his struggles to reclaim his rightful domain. The scars of the war may have faded with time, but Menander remembered well. In time, Antingonus, reclusive in the south, would experience the pain he had suffered. By Ares and Alexander, Menander swore it. And now, Menander recognised, that time, the time of war and pestilence, may finally be upon the peoples of Alexander's Empire. A foul, chill wind swept in from the Aegean, interrupting Menander's solitude. Dark clouds were emergent from the horizon. Antipatros' ill-health was borne on those winds. Menander, as did many others, retreated inside.
((Funnily enough I had a dream last night that antipater had died. Also, I'm opening bets on which day XVG will complain he hasn't received orders.))
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To Seleukos, Satrap of Babylonia
((Here I use Syria in this sense http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria_(region)#Syria, i.e including Mesopotamia.))
To Peukestas,
((Buy the land?))
((It's been okayed, but seriously, no satrap has any de jure 'rights' to his land; it's impossible for Archon to have offered the rights to Mykia to anyone else in any meaningful sense.))
As Arkesilaos, the Satrap of Mesopotamia is a personal friend of mine, I shall send troops to aid him in restoring order to his lands, and I will help him prevent further uprisings.
Therefore I suggest that Seleukos focus his efforts on restoring order within Syria.
Therefore I suggest that Seleukos focus his efforts on restoring order within Syria.