[LUX INVICTA] The Katabasis

[Shaytana]

The Katabasis is the legendary tale of the Yavanas, the Indohellenic Heirs of Megas Alexandros. It is a tale of triumph and a tale of tragedy, a tale of hope and a tale of despair, a tale of joy and a tale of sorrow, it is the tale of the Light and Darkness of Man. It is the history of a Lost World, and a World that might have been. The Katabasis is the story of a Lost Dream, then Found again, then Lost to us as all dreams are.

Listen stranger to the great deeds of noble and cruel Men long fallen into Shadow!

[Shaytana]

A new AAR is coming and this time I will take great care to establish the setting and explain the history of how things came to be. Lux Invicta can be quite a bewildering setting, and as such I will endeavour to first provide a historical timeline, then proceed to describe the situation of the world at the very beginning of our odissey, before proceeding with the Katabasis.

So then on to the history...

[Shaytana]

A Concise Timeline of the History of the Known World - from 330 BCE to 141 BCE:

330 BCE: Megas Alexandros conquers Persia. Beginning of implementation of policies regarding Hellenic Colonization of the East. Parmenion appointed Satrap of Ecbatana, his son Philotas sent to Media to oversee the creation of Hellenic military colonies in the region.

319 BCE: Megas Alexandros dies, poison is suspected to be the cause of his death. He leaves behind several legitimate children by Roxana and Stateira, and several ilegitimate ones widely acknowledged to be his. His son Alexandros IV is blinded in an accident and following unrest he is taken by his mother and loyal retainers to Cyprus.

318 BCE: Diadokhoi crysis starts in earnest. Beginning of the division of the Empire.

312 BCE: Seleukos I Nikator and Ptolemy I Soter defeat Demetrius I Poliorcetes of Macedon in the Battle of Gaza. Beginning of Seleukid Era and creation of Arche Seleukeia.

305 BCE: Seleukos I Nikator founds Seleukeia on the Tigris, his new capital.

303 BCE: Seleukid Conquest of Sindhia. Chandragupta Maurya becomes a Seleukid vassal.

300 BCE: Founding of Antiocheia by Seleukos I Nikator, western capital of the Empire.

298 BCE: The Hieronid Agathocles of Syracuse unifies Sicily under his rule and marries Ptolemy's stepdaughter Theoxena. Kyrene is brought under Ptolemaic control.

292 BCE: Lysimachus, Basileus of Thrakia campaigns beyond the Danube, but he is defeated and taken prisoner by the Dacian king Dromichaetes. Lysimachus is set free after the marriage of Dromichaetes with Lysimachus' daughter. Hellenic influence over Dacia increases.

289 BCE: Agathocles of Siracusa dies and a succession struggle ensues. Mercenaries calling themselves Mamertines - The Sons of Mars, take over Messana and the Northeastern part of the Island.

287 BCE: Pyrrhus defeats Demetrius Poliorcetes and is proclaimed King of Macedon.

285 BCE: Ptolemy I Soter abdicates in favor of his son Ptolemy II Philadelphos. The Pharos of Alexandria is completed. Pyrrhus is driven out of Macedon by Lysimachus with Dacian help.

283 BCE: Antigonus, son of Demetrius Poliorcetes becomes King of Macedon in name only as Lysimachus controls the Kingdom. The Great Canal between the Red Sea and the Nile is reopened by Ptolemy II Philadelphos.

281 BCE: Battle of Corupedium: Seleukos kills Lysimachus in battle, but is assasinated by Ptolemy Keraunos. He is succeeded by his son Antiochus. Pyrrhus defeats the Romans at Heraclea and goes on to besiege Rome itself.

279 BCE: A Celtic Army under Brennus invades Greece. They defeat a Makedonian army under Ptolemy Keraunos but the Spartans temporarily hold Brennus at Thermopylae. Brennus retreats to the North only to defeat the pursuing Spartans in a battle near Mount Othrys. He then presses on and conquers Delphi, before retreating northwards. The Celtic hosts splits, and a Celtic Kingdom of Tylis is founded under Cerethrius. Part of the host moves Northwards to establish a kingdom in Pannonia, under Bolgios. Celtic Singidunum is founded. Brennus crosses the Helespont and overruns Bythinia.

Pyrrhus defeats the Romans at Asculum. Peace is negotiated, with Rome acknowledging his dominion over Magna Graecia.

278 BCE: Brennus is defeated by Antiochus Soter near Ankyra. He acknoledges Seleukid sovereignty and the majority of his Celts are settled in Galatia, many of the Celtic warriors taking up service with the Seleukid Basileus. Beginning of Seleukid policy of establishment of Celtic military colonies, from Asia minor to Bactria and Sindhia.

277 BCE: Daco-Celtic War, following Scordisci invasion of Dacia. Defeated, Bolgios King of the Scordisci marries Darava, the daughter of the Dacian King and retires to Singidunum. Beginning of the Daco-Celtic alliance.

276 BCE: Ptolemy II marries his own sister Arsinoe. They become known as Philadelphoi - Brother-Loving.

273 BCE: Ashoka the Great, Satrap of Sindhia defeats the Seleukidai in battle near Pataliputra. Following the Treaty of Taxila Eastern Sindhia becomes a quasi-independent kingdom under his direct rule. He marries the Seleukid princess Olympia as part of the peace negotiations.

272 BCE: The Spartans under Areus I defeat Pyrrhus in the Battle of Argos, and Pyrrhus is killed. Areus I is proclaimed King of the Hellenes, while Antigonos II Gonatus manages to regain the Macedonian throne. Following the Treaty of Corinth Antigonos II is acknowledged as King of Makedonia, while Sparta retains the entire Peloponesus.

270 BCE: Romans drive out the Mamertines from Rhegium and restore it to its Greek citizens. Mamertines retreat to Sicily.

269 BCE: Hieron II of Siracusa defeats the Mamertines near Mylae. The defeated Mamertines accept his sovereignty and Hieron II becomes King of the entire island.

264 BCE: Carthaginians invade Sicily. Hieron II asks for Roman support. Beginning of First Punic war. Hieron II acknowledged as King of Sicily by the Romans. Beginning of the Roman-Siracusan Alliance.

262 BCE: Supported by the Ptolemaic navy and army, Athens rebells. Antigonos tries to besiege the city but is defeated and forced to acknowledge an independent Athenian state. Eumenes I of Pergamum defeats Antiochus and founds an independent kingdom.

260 BCE: Qin overruns the state of Zhao. The Great Western Exodus follows, with several hundred thousand Zhao citizens migrating to the West, eventually making it into Central Asia and Bactria, where they become Hellenic subjects.

255 BCE: Diodotus, Satrap of Bactria rebells and establishes an independent Kingdom. His dominions are expanded with the help of Galatian and Zhao refugees military colonies.

246 BCE: Diodotus marries the sister of Seleucus II Callinicus as his dominion over Bactria is confirmed.

243 BCE: Agis IV reforms the Spartan state under a new Lycurgan model. The entire Peloponesus is turned into a militaristic state with all Hellenes gaining citizenship and with all young men being enrolled into the new Agoge system. A defensive alliance is formed with the Athenians against potential Makedonian invasion.

241 BCE: Carthage is defeated by the Roman-Siracusan alliance in the Battle of the Aegates Islands. The First Punic War ends, Carthage renouncing all of its claims on Sicily. Siracusan dominion of Sicily is confirmed. An Eternal Alliance Treaty is signed between Rome and Siracusa and a Roman legion, supported by Siracusan taxes, is stationed in Sicily.

237 BCE: The Parni King Arsaces invades and conquers the Seleukid Satrapy of Parthia. Seleukos II Callinicus is taken prisoner.

230 BCE: Attalus I Soter of Pergamum defeats the Galatian invasion of Pergamum. He marries the Galatian princess Berena and an alliance is formed between the Galatians and Pergamum.

228 BCE: Attalus I Soter and his Galatian allies defeat Antiochus Hierax near Tarsus. Anatolia and Cillicia are divided between Atallus and his allies.

227 BCE: Queen Teuta of Illyria acknowledges Roman overlordship. Illyria becomes a client kingdom of Rome.

223 BCE: Euthydemus I, Satrap of Sogdiana rebells against his Bactrian Overlord, founding a great Hellenistic kingdom centered around Marakanda. Part of his army is composed of Helleno-Zhao troops.

222 BCE: Antigonus III attacks Athens, but is defeated by a Spartan-Athenian coalition in the 2nd Battle of Marathon. Antiochus III marries Laodice the daughter of Mithridates II of Pontus and an alliance is formed against Pergamum and the Galatians.

219 BCE: Hannibal besieges Saguntum, an ally of Rome. Beginning of the 2nd Punic War.

216 BCE: Philip V of Macedon invades the Roman client state of Illyria. Beginning of the First Macedonian War. Hannibal defeats the Romans at Cannae.

215 BCE: Atallus I Soter of Pergamum occupies Antiocheia. Antiochus III sues for peace and acknowledges Atallus's conquests and regains Antiocheia in the following peace treaty. Philip V, with the help of his Dacian and Scordisci allies defeats a Roman army near Apollonia in Illyria.

213 BCE: Emperor Qin Shi Huang orders all Confucian writings destroyed. Renewed Chinese emigration to Hellenistic Central Asia, Confucian scholars find refuge in Marakanda.

212 BCE: The Celtic Kingdom of Tylis allies with Rome against Philip V of Macedon. Syphax, Numidian King of the Masaesyli allies himself with Rome against Carthage.

Antiochus III campaigns in India and establishes Seleukid control over the region. His campaigns see him reach Sri Lanka, and he is proclaimed Megas by his troops following the utter destruction of the army of a coalition of Southern Indian princes in the battle of Suvarnagiri. Meanwhile in the west, his sister Antiochia is married to King Xerxes of Armenia.

211 BCE: Sparta, Athens and Pergamum join Rome in their war against Philip V of Macedon.

209 BCE: Antiochus III conquers Hecatompylos, the Parthian capital and defeats Arsakes II in the Battle of Mount Labus. Arsakes II is forced into an alliance with Arche Seleukeia. Modu Chanyu, Emperor of the Xiongnu pushes into China, renewed Chinese emigration towards Central Asia.

208 BCE: Megas Antiochus III becomes titular Overlord of Bactria and Marakanda, receiving the submission of their kings. Seleukid princesses married to the heirs of Bactria and Marakanda.

206 BCE: Publius Cornelius Scipio defeats the Carthaginians at Ilipa and drives them out of Spain. Masinissa, the Numidian King of the Massylii joins the Roman cause, but is more concerned with fighting his fellow Roman ally Syphax.

Megas Antiochus's legendary campaign into China. Founding of Antiocheia Eschate. End of the Qin dynasty following capture of Emperor Ziying, last ruler of the Qin Dynasty, by Liu Bang, leader of a popular revolt. China is in civil war as the Seleukids enter it from the West and the Xiongnu attack it from the North.

205 BCE: First Macedonian War ends with Philip V emerging victorious in the 2nd Battle of Apollonia. Large parts of Illyria are ceded to Macedon.

Philip V conquers Crete and attacks Rhodes. Antiochus III campaigns in China.

202 BCE: Philip V conquers Rhodes but allows the local Apollonios dynasty, supposed descendants of Apollo to remain in power as his clients.

Roman victory in the Battle of Zama. Hannibal is defeated by the Roman-Siracusan-Numidian coalition lead by Scipio, now receiving the surname Africanus. End of the 2nd Punic War, marking the decline of the Carthaginian state.

Peace between Megas Antiochus and Liu Bang. Formation of the Great Seleukid Chinese Satrapy
of Antiocheia Escate.

201 BCE: Philip V conquers Chios and installs the Lysimachid prince Alexandros as a client ruler. He then invades Pergamum, in spite of a Roman ultimatum warning against it. Beginning of the Second Macedonian War.

197 BCE: Philip V marginally defeated at the Battle of Cynoscephalae. A peace is signed with Rome.

196 BCE: Megas Antiochus crosses the Helespont into Europe. War with Rome. The exiled Hannibal arrives at his court. Sparta and Athens fearing Seleukid conquest ally with Rome. A vast Hellenic coalition including Philip V joins with Rome against Megas Antiochus.

191 BCE: Megas Antiochus defeats a coalition army near Amphipolis, but is forced to retreat over the Helespont in order to deal with a Galatian threat to Syria.

190 BCE: The Allies defeat the Seleukid fleet at Eurymedon and Myonessus. Galatians besiege Antiocheia. Widespread rebellion throughout the Seleukid Empire. The Eastern Satrapies declare independence.

189 BCE: Megas Antiochus defeats the Romans in the Battle of Magnesia in a pyrrhic victory. He then turns his attention East against his rebellious Satraps.

187 BCE: Megas Antiochus is assassinated while praying in the great temple of Alexandros-Ammon in Seleukeia on the Tigris, on the orders of Antialcidas Parmenion, Satrap of Ecbatana.

185 BCE: Demetrius I Aniketos of Marakanda converts to Buddhism. His conversion to Buddhism and his reliance on a Confucian bureaucracy of Zhao origin is used by King Diodotus III of Bactria as a pretext to invade Marakanda in order to restore proper Hellenic rule. Diodotus III is defeated, taken prisoner and forced to become a vassal.

184 BCE: Demetrius I Aniketos campaigns in India.

182 BCE: Demetrius I Aniketos proclaimed Megas Basileus of India. Establishment of a new Empire ruled from the newly founded city of Demetria, near Ujjain. The Buddhist Demetrius I Aniketos rules India with the help of his Zhao Confucian bureucracy and the might of his Indohellenic armies. Hellenic and Gallic military towns are established throughout his dominion in order to maintain control.

180 BCE: Demetrius I Aniketos assassinated on the orders of Apollodotus I Soter, the Satrap of Taxila. Apollodotus I Soter proclaims himself Basileus of Sindhia taking control of the Western part of the Empire. Diodotus IV of Bactria regains independence, while Marakanda acknowledges Antimachus the second born son of Demetrius I Aniketos as King. Demetrius II, the rightful heir of the Empire rules over the East from his new capital at Pataliputra.

179 BCE: Philip V of Macedon campaigns against the Galatians. He famously dies leading a Hetairoi charge against the Galatian left flank in the Battle of Ancyra. Following his death his son Perseus makes peace with the Galatians, and reconfirms the Roman-Macedonian alliance.

177 BCE: Perseus marries the Seleukid princess Laodice before embarking on a campaign against Galatia.

172 BCE: Eumenes II of Pergamum asks for Roman help against Perseus. Beginning of Third Macedonian war.

171 BCE: Perseus defeats the Roman consul Publius Licinius Crassus in the Battle of Callicinus and proclaims himself Hegemon of the Hellenes.

170 BCE: Antiochus IV Epiphanes invades Egypt but allows Ptolemy VI to continue as a puppet ruler, as he is forced to return to Judaea to deal with a large Jewish Rebellion.

Eucratides Arianos the Satrap of Aria founds an independent Kingdom centered around Alexandria Areion. He marries the daughter of Antimachus Hephaistionos, the Satrap of Gedrosia and descendant of Hephaistion, Alexandros's favored companion. Gedrosia becomes part of the newly formed Basileia of Aria.

169 BCE: Perseus defeats the Romans at Tempe, the Roman consul Quintus Marcius Phillipus is captured, treated with the highest honors, and then released by Perseus.

168 BCE: A Romano-Hellenic coalition army led by Lucius Aemilius Paulus defeats Perseus at Pydna. Perseus is wounded and captured in battle as his Hetairoi cavalry failed to break the Spartan force on the Roman right flank. In spite of grievous wounds Perseus survives and is brought to Rome to take part in Lucius Aemilius Paulus's triumphal procession. Macedon becomes a Roman client kingdom with a legion stationed at Pella.

Ptolemy VI asks for Roman help against the Seleukids and Antiochus IV invades Egypt. As his forces camp outside Alexandria, the Roman ambassador Gaius Popillius Laenas presents Antiochus IV with an ultimatum that he evacuate Egypt immediately. Popillius draws a circle around the king with his walking stick and demands a clear answer before Antiochus leaves the circle. Antiochus withdraws from Egypt.

167 BCE: Angered by Seleukid Hellenization policies, the Jews led by the High Priest Mattathias ben Johanan rise up in revolt. Antiochus IV tries to suppress the revolt in blood, half of the population of Jerusalem being butchered.

166 BCE: Antiochus IV is forced to leave Judaea in order to deal with a Parthian invasion. Mattathias, dies and his third son, Judas Maccabeus is proclaimed king. The rebels rout the Seleukid army at the Battle of Beth Horon. Following another Seleukid defeat, at the Battle of Emmaus, Judas Maccabeus gains full control of Judaea, except Jerusalem still held by a strong Seleukid garrison.

165 BCE: Antiochus IV is forced to turn West to fight an Armenian invasion. Parthians are left to continue their advance unopposed. Following a great victory outside Antiocheia, Artaxias of Armenia is captured by Antiochus IV Epiphanes and is forced to recognize Seleukid sovereignty over Armenia.

164 BCE: Ptolemy VI Philometor is exiled from Alexandria by his brother Ptolemy VIII Euergetes and flees to Rome to ask for support support. Antiochus IV is assasinated on the orders of his chancelor Lysias who becomes Regent for his son Antiochus V Eupator.

Judas Maccabeus defeats Lysias at the battle of Beth Zur. Judas Maccabeus enters Jerusalem in triumph and purifies the Temple. He destroys the idols erected there by the Seleukids and restores the sacred service in the Temple.

163 BCE: Romans intervene in Egypt and partition the Ptolemaic Kingdom. Ptolemy VIII Euergetes receives Cyrenaica and Ptolemy VI Egypt. Lysias confirms Judas Maccabeus as King of Judaea. Timarchus Epigonos leads a rebellion against Lysias and establishes an independent kingdom in Media.

162 BCE: Judas Maccabeus lays siege to Acra, a fortress within Jerusalem that faces the Temple Mount still held by a Seleukid garisson. Lysias invades Judaea and defeats Judas Maccabeus at the battle of Beth-zechariah, and Judas is forced to withdraw to Jerusalem.
Lysias lays siege to the city but is forced to withdraw as the Seleukid prince Demetrius arrives in Antiocheia and claims the Seleukid throne with Roman support.

161 BCE: Timarchus occupies Babylonia. Demetrius defeats Lysias and sends an army under Nicanor to deal with Judas Maccabeus, but Nicanor is defeated in the battle of Adasa, near Beth-horon. Judas Maccabeus sends envoys to Rome asking for support.

160 BCE: Demetrius accepts the submission of Timarchus who is confirmed as Satrap of Babylonia, while the Parthian King Mithradates I invades Media. Judas Maccabeus defeats a Seleukid army in the Battle of Elasa. Rome intervenes on behalf of the Judaean King and Demetrius is forced to accept Judas Maccabeus as King of Judaea.

158 BCE: Demetrius invades Kapadokia and removes Ariarathes V from power who flees to Rome and asks for Roman support.

157 BCE: Demetrius rejects a Roman ultimatum to restore Ariarathes V on his throne. A Roman-Galatian coallition forces Demetrius to retreat from Kapadokia, and Ariarathes is reinstated.

155 BCE: Punicus the King of the Lusitani defeated in battle by Lucius Mummius accepts Roman sovereignty and Lusitania becomes a vassal kingdom. Menander, Megas Basileus of India completes the conquest of Lanka.

154 BCE: Menander campaigns into China and enters Antiocheia Eschate in triumph. His brother Alexandros is made Satrap of the Great Chinese Satrapy of Antiocheia Eschate. Capitalizing on the Rebellion of the Seven States, a Treaty of Eternal Friendship is signed with Emperor Jing of Han, confirming the borders of the Hellenic Satrapy of Antiocheia Eschate.

153 BCE: Romans try to install Alexandros Balas Seleukos, a bastard son of Antiochus IV by the Argeadai princess Olympia, as Seleukid Basileus. Demetrius is forced to withdraw from Antiocheia as Alexandros Balas is installed Basileus by a Romano-Galatian-Judaean coalition.

150 BCE: Cato urges the Destruction of Carthage following its war with Rome's ally Numidia. Demetrius defeats Alexandros Balas in battle outside Antiocheia, only to be assassinated by a Jewish mercenary upon entering the city in triumph. Alexandros Balas is restored as Basileus of Arche Seleukeia.

149 BCE: Third Punic War begins. Viriathus, King of the Lusitani proclaims himself independent from Rome.

147 BCE: War for Arche Seleukeia between Demetrius II and Alexandros Balas.

146 BCE: Carthage conquered by Scipio Aemilianus.

145 BCE: Demetrius II and Ptolemy VI Philometor defeat Alexandros Balas in the Battle of Antioch. Ptolemy VI dies in battle, while Alexandros Balas flees to Nabatea.

144 BCE: Parthians take control of Babylonia. Viriathus fights the Romans to a draw near Numantia. Following the Treaty of Saguntum Viriathus is confirmed as client king of Lusitania.

141 BCE: Beginning of Tocharian Exodus to Bactria. Demetrius II defeated in battle by Mithridates, King of the Parthians becomes his prisoner. Beginning of Seleukid Anarchy with several Seleukid princes proclaiming themselves Basileus.

[Shaytana]

A Concise Timeline of the History of the Known World - from 141 BCE to 1 BCE:

134 BCE: Epander, Megas Basileus of India conquers Burma and establishes the Satrapy of Epanderia Eschate. Atallus IV of Pergamum becomes a Roman vassal.

129 BCE: Antiochus VII Sidetes killed in the battle of Ecbatana by Menander Parmenion, now a vassal of Phraates II. Seleukid control over the East collapses entirely. Demetrius II recovers the throne of Syria with the support of Phraates II of Parthia.

128 BCE: Tocharians defeated by a Hellenic Coalition led by Alexandros Soter of Marakanda. Defeated Tocharians resettled throughout the Indohellenic states.

126 BCE: Seleukos V Philometor succeeds his father Demetrius II, asssasinated on the orders of Cleopatra Thea who acts as regent before having Seleukos V assassinated in turn. Cleopatra Thea and her son by Demetrius II, Antiochus VIII rule jointly.

124 BCE: Artabanus I of Parthia killed in battle against the Saka, after the Hellenic Kings of Marakanda, Bactria and Aria had allowed a new wave of Saka to pass through their lands into Persia. Kingdom of Sakastan founded in Eastern Persia.

118 BCE: Jugurtha becomes King of Numidia and begins expanding his kingdom throughout North Africa.

112 BCE: Roman-Numidian War begins. Jugurtha establishes a vast North African Empire.

111 BCE: Nam Viet collapses under a joint invasion by Epander of India and the Han Empire.

105 BCE: Jugurtha defeated in battle by a Roman led coalition, featuring Siracusan and Ptolemaic troops. Together with his vassal Bocchus of Mauretania Jugurtha acknowledges the sovereignty of Rome and Numidia and Mauretania become client states.

104 BCE: Alexandros II Aniketos of Marakanda establishes a vast Empire in Central Asia. His Empire stretches from Marakanda to China. Tocharians and Sakas play an important role within the military of Marakanda.

103 BCE: Tigranes II of Armenia proclaims himself King of Kings and establishes the Armenian Empire following his conquest of Atropatene.

100 BCE: Following Peasant Rebellions against Emperor Wu of Han, Alexandros II Aniketos of Marakanda invades China from the West and Epander II of India from the South West. Beginning of the legendary Katabasis of Alexandros II Aniketos to the Pacific.

98 BCE: Changan falls to Alexandros II Aniketos.

97 BCE: Ariarathes VII of Kapadokia becomes a vassal of Mithridates VI of Pontus. Various campaigns of expansion by Tigranes II of Armenia.

96 BCE: End of the Legendary Katabasis of Alexandros II Aniketos as he reaches the Pacific. Alexandros II weeps as he states that "There are no more worlds left to conquer". A new Alexandreia Eschate founded on the Pacific Coast, at the mouth of the Yellow River.

94 BCE: Legendary Hellenic expedition to Japan. A force under Hephaistion Epigonos, Satrap of the new Chinese Satrapy of Alexandreia Eschate lands in Japan. A whirlwind campaign sees Hephaistion subdue the western part of the archipelagos.

Tigranes II of Armenia turns Kapadokia into a vassal state, Pontus is forced to acknowledge this state of affairs.

92 BCE: A Roman anti-Armenian coalition under the generalship of Sulla fights Tigranes to a draw in Kapadokia. A second coalition army, under the leadership of Lucullus, mainly composed of Roman clients, Galatians and Spartans invades Armenia. Tigranes is forced to retreat to deal with this threat.

90 BCE: Mithridates VI of Pontus defeats Nicomedes IV of Bythinia, and occupies his kingdom. Nicomedes flees to Rome.

88 BCE: Roman Civil War between Sulla and Marius. The Scordisci of Singidunum under Bolgios V, attack Illyria and expand their dominions within the region. Mithridates receives the submission of the Hellenes of Asia Minor then invades Greece. He occupies Macedon, has himself crowned Megas Basileus in Pella before advancing South. He defeats a Spartan-Athenian army near Pydna. The Spartan King Areus IV is killed in battle refusing to retreat. The Spartan force rallies around their dead King refusing to forsake his body. The Spartans refuse to surrender and are killed to a man. Mithridates weeps as the body of Areus IV is brought to him.

87 BCE: Mithridates captures Athens. A new Spartan army is dispatched to guard the Isthmus of Corinth against Invasion. Mithridates shifts his focus towards Epirus.

86 BCE: A Roman-Siracusan Fleet under Sulla retakes Athens and lands an Army behind Mithridates's lines. A Spartan army under Areus V advances Northwards to link up with the Romans, only to be met by a returned Mithridates at Pagae. The Spartan King Areus V is killed in the ensuing battle.

Dardanians under Bardyllis III allied with the Scordisci invade Illyria.

85 BCE: Mithridates narrowly escapes an assassination attempt and is left incapacitated. His army under Archelaus is defeated at the battle of Orchomenus by Sulla and forced to retreat. Sulla is forced to march to the North West to face a Dardani incursion into Greece. A peace is signed with the Dardani King Bardyllis III near Lamia, and the Dardani are payed off.

83 BCE: Sulla returns to Italy and defeats Gaius Norbanus at the Battle of Mount Tifata. Mithridates VI recovers from his injury. The Seleukid Antiochus XIII Soter defeats Tigranes II Emperor of Armenia near Antiocheia ad Taurus. This battle is considered to be the beginning of the Seleukid Renaissance. A series of whirlwind campaigns follow.

82 BCE: Sulla enters Rome in triumph. Burebista becomes High King of the Dacians and starts building a centralized Dacian state. Antiochus XIII Soter wins the battle of Tarsos, establishes Seleukid control over Cilicia.

81 BCE: Sulla is Roman Dictator. Bardyllis III of Dardania and Areus Bolgios of Singidunum attack Dacia and are thoroughly defeated by Burebista. Bardyllis and Areus Bolgios are captured and ritually sacrificed by the Dacian king. Antiochus XIII Soter advances into Kapadokia, besieges Mazaka.

80 BCE: Sertorian War in Hispania. Quintus Sertorius defeats a Sullan army under Quintus Metellus Pius in the Battle of the Baetis river. Antiochus XIII receives the submission of Commagene.

78 BCE: Antiochus XIII campaigns in Sophene. Further victories over the Armenians.

76 BCE: Salome Alexandra assasinates her husband the Maccabean David III and becomes queen of Judaea, her baby son being relegated to heir to the Kingdom. She reestablishes the Sanhedrin and begins a policy of foreign expansion. Roman control over Illyria is reestablished.

75 BCE: Mithridates defeats a Roman Fleet in the Battle of Chalcedon. Antiochus XIII besieges Tigranokerta.

74 BCE: Mithridates defeats Lucullus in the Battle of Cyzicus. Fall of Tigranokerta to Antiochus XIII Soter. Tigranes II escapes to the East. Megas Basileus Epander III of India establishes his authority over the Malayan Peninsula, now called Epanderia.

73 BCE: Rebellion of Spartacus. Quintus Sertorius finally accepts peace. He remains in control of vast regions in Hispania. Antiochus XIII continues his dismantling of the Armenian Empire as he chases Tigranes II from province to province.

72 BCE: Mithridates marches on Athens. He defeats a Helleno-Roman coalition near Marathon, then turns West to face a new Roman army marching on him from Epirus. He routs the Romans at Amphissa.

71 BCE: End of the Rebellion of Spartacus. Marcus Licinius Crassus sent against Mithridates.

70 BCE: Marcus Licinius Crassus defeats Mithridates near Thermon, after the right wing of the Pontic army defects to the Romans. Mithridates is wounded but escapes with his life being hauled off by his bodyguards from the battlefield in spite of his protestations. Antiochus XIII conquers Kabalaka.

69 BCE: Mithridates stops the Roman advance in the Battle of the Helespont. Antiochus XIII defeats Armenian loyalists in a great battle near Artaxata. He advances into Atropatene.

68 BCE: Antiochus XIII turns south west and defeats an anti-Seleukid coalition army at Arbela, but is forced to march west as news of the Judaean Invasion of Syria by Salome Alexandra reaches his camp.

67 BCE: The Warrior Queen Salome Alexandra of Judaea is killed in battle near Antiocheia by Antiochus XIII Soter. Mithridates marches into Greece once more. Antiochus XIII campaigns against Judaea. In the East the Great Satrap Antimachus Craterus of Turpiana, a descendant of Alexandros's great general, defeats the Xiongnu at the Battle of Jushi.

66 BCE: Tigranes II negotiates peace with Antiochus XIII. He remains as vassal King in Armenia, Antiochus marries his daughter. He continues his campaign against Judaea. Pompey defeats Mithridates at the Battle of Pella, following the arrival of an allied army under King Deiotarus of Galatia to the rear of the Pontic Army. Mithridates barely escapes with his life.

65 BCE: Antiochus XIII besieges Jerusalem. Aristobulus II of Judaea sues for terms and is confirmed as client King of Judaea. Antiochus XIII Soter enters Jerusalem and the Jews pay lip service to him as a new "Messiah" after he confirms their freedoms and allows the Jewish state to continue on as his autonomous vassal. Pursued by the Romans, Mithridates flees to the Kingdom of Cimmerian Bosphorus, where his son Machares rules as Regent.

64 BCE: Pompey installs Mithridates VII as client King of Pontus before embarking on his expedition against Cimmerian Bosphorus. Following a decisive battle outside Panticapaeum, Mithridates flees and is killed by his own son who brings Pompey his head. Pompey executes Machares, and orders Mithridates's body sent back to Pontus to be interred with honors in the Royal Necropolis. Asander is made client King of Bosphorus.

63 BCE: Pompey campaigns in the Levant against the Seleukids, as Antiochus XIII is campaigning in the East. Aristobulus II ousted by Pompey and replaced with his brother Yohanan. Judaea comes over to the Roman side and is turned into a Roman client kingdom. 12000 Jews massacred on the Temple Mount by Roman troops as Pompey tries to secure Yohanan's power over Judaea.

62 BCE: Antiochus Theos, the Seleukid client king of Commagene is defeated by Pompey near Antiocheia. Antiochus XIII returns from his Eastern campaign only to find Pompey besieging his capital. Upon hearing news of a Galatian army under Brogitarus approaching from the North West, Antiochus XIII sues for terms. Pompey allows him to retain Syria and his Eastern conquests in exchange for renouncing all of his western claims from Cilicia to Kapadokia and recognizing Judaea as a Roman client.

61 BCE: Antiochus XIII Soter begins his Anabasis to Seleukeia on the Tigris. In a great battle near Dura Europos Antiochus XIII kills Phraates III of Parthia. The Parthians are in dissaray.

60 BCE: Antiochus XIII Soter enters Seleukeia on the Tigris in triumph after Philotas VIII Parmenion, the Satrap of Ecbatana opens the city gates without a fight and acknowledges Antiochus XIII as sovereign. King Asander of Cimmerian Bosporus expands his dominions on the Northern Shore of the Pontus Euxinus and comes into conflict with the Dacian King Burebista.

59 BCE: Burebista fights Asander to a draw near Histria. A Treaty of Friendship is concluded between the two Kingdoms, Asander marries Burebista's daughter Boriava. Antiochus XIII Soter campaigns in the East. Several Hellenistic Satraps including Timarchus III Epigonos acknowledge him as Megas Basileus.

58 BCE: Burebista expands his Dacian empire. The Gallic kingdoms of Singidunum and Tylis confirmed as clients.

57 BCE: Burebista's western campaign into Germania. Antiochus XIII besieges and conquers Hecatompylos.

56 BCE: Antiochus XIII Soter defeats Orodes II in battle near Antiocheia Margiana, but dies leading a Hetairoi charge against the Parthian Immortals. Caesar campaigns in Gaul.

49 BCE: Roman Civil War begins as Caesar crosses the Rubicon. Peace between Arche Seleukeia and Parthia, Antiochus XIV and Orodes II sign a Treaty of Eternal Friendship. Pompeian forces in Spain surrender to Caesar. Lucius Afranius pardoned, remains in control of Ilerda. Caesar appointed Dictator in Rome.

48 BCE: Pompey defeated at Pharsalus, flees to Egypt. Ptolemy XIII takes him prisoner and attempts to hand him over to Caesar. Pompey flees to the Court of Antiochus XIV. Caesar arrives in Egypt to link up with his Ptolemaic ally. Cleopatra VII becomes his mistress. A Roman-Egyptian force starts its advance towards Syria.

47 BCE: Caesar arrives outside Antiocheia only to find Antiochus XIV and Pompey had left the city. Caesar is forced to turn North West and march against the rebellious king Pharnaces II of Pontus who threatens Roman interests in Asia Minor. Caesar's army supplemented by a Galatian host destroys the Pontic army at Zela. Pharnaces II flees to Panticapaeum. Asander has him killed. The young Pharnaces III set up as king in Pontus as a Roman puppet.

46 BCE: Caesar defeats Antiochus XIV near Epiphania. Pompey dies in battle. Antiochus XIV retreats to Seleukeia on the Tigris. Caesar returns to Egypt, installs his mistress Cleopatra VII as Queen and exiles Ptolemy XIII to Kyrene. With the help of Juba, client King of Numidia Caesar defeats the Optimates at Ruspina and Thapsus.

45 BCE: Caesar campaigns against Antiochus XIV. Antiochus refuses to give battle and retreats East. A peace is negotiated with the Seleukid King accepting to pay Caesar large war reparations. Caesar returns to Rome.

44 BCE: Caesar assassinated in Rome. Dacian High King Burebista assassinated near Argidava.

43 BCE: Roman Civil War. Octavian and Marcus Antonius reconcile.

42 BCE: First and Second Battles of Philippi. Marcus Antonius and Octavian lead a coalition army of Romans, Makedones and Spartans to victory against Marcus Brutus. Marcus Brutus killed, Cassius flees to Antiocheia.

41 BCE: Marcus Antonius goes to Egypt to raise Ptolemaic support for a campaign against Syria. He is seduced by Cleopatra VII. Marcus Antonius becomes the tutor of young Caesarion. Rather than pursue the war against Antiochus he remains in Egypt with his mistress.

38 BCE: Marcus Antonius finally moves against Antiochus XIV. Herod the Great installed as King of Judaea. Antiochus XIV pays off Marcus Antonius and moves Northwards against Amyntas King of Galatia, now in control of Kapadokia and threatening to invade Syria. Amyntas defeats Antiochus XIV in battle near Mazaka. Antiochus XIV torn to pieces by the Galatians. Amyntas advances towards Antiocheia.

37 BCE: Amyntas besieges Antiocheia. Amyntas abandons the siege and campaigns in Armenia. Decaeneus, Priest King of Dacia institutes far ranging reforms trying to turn Dacia into a militaristic theocracy.

34 BCE: Artavasdes II of Armenia acknowledges Amyntas as sovereign. Amyntas campaigns East into Atropatene. Marcus Antonius arranges the bethrotal of his son by Cleopatra, Alexandros Helios to Berenice Seleukos.

32 BCE: War between Octavian and Marcus Antonius, as it is revealed that Marcus Antonius wishes to establish himself as Megas Basileus of the East. Amyntas Sovereign of Atropatene.

31 BCE: Marcus Antonius defeated by Octavian at Actium. Amyntas campaigns against Parthia. Alexandros III Seleukos joins Octavian in his war against Marcus Antonius.

30 BCE: King Malchus of Nabatea attacks Egypt in support of Octavian. Marcus Antonius commits suicide. Cleopatra VII and her children flee South into Nubia. Octavian reinstates Ptolemy XIII as client King of Egypt.

29 BCE: Octavian granted the cognomen Augustus. Amyntas defeats Phraates IV of Parthia near Hecatompylos. His Tindotae are said to have refused to emasculate the Parthian dead after considering them "not manly enough to be worth the trouble". The Galatian King enters Hecatompylos and proclaims himself King of Kings. 7 days later he is dead, in mysterious circumstances.

28 BCE: Cottius King of the Bastarnae, submitts to the Dacian King Decaeneus. Bastarnae resettled by Dacians on their Southern border. Augustus awarded with the imperium maius, becoming Supreme Commander of the Roman military. Livia Drusilla dies. Corocotta, King of the Cantabrians begins his campaigns of conquest in Hispania.

27 BCE: Augustus marries Alexandra Argead, a princess of the Cypriot line of the Argeadai. Azes I of Sakastan campaigns succesfuly against Parthia. Corocotta proclaimed High King in Numantia.

26 BCE: Cleopatra VIII Selene, the daugher of Antony and Cleopatra, marries Juba II of Numidia. Berenice Ptolemaios, daugher of Ptolemy XIII married to Bocchus III of Mauretania. The Ptolemaioi spread their influence across North Africa. Edicts of Amaravati issued by Archebios I Dikaios of India. A new state religion, a hellenic-buddhist-hindu mix adopted by the Indian dynasty. Corocotta overruns the Roman client state of Lusitania.

23 BCE: Augustus Princeps of Rome. Kandake Amanirenas, Warrior Queen of Nubia marries Ptolemy XV Caesarion and invades Egypt. Ptolemy XV Caesarion proclaimed Pharaoh in Thebes. Azes I of Sakastan conquers Susa, proclaims himself King of Kings. Augustus has to leave for Hispania to deal with the Cantabrian King Corocotta.

22 BCE: A Roman-Ptolemaic army defeated near Abydos by Amanirenas. The Katabasis of Ptolemy XV Caesarion to Alexandria begins. After being defeated and captured near Asaak, Azes I of Sakastan is forced to accept Parthian sovereignty.

21 BCE: Ptolemy XV and Amanirenas enter Alexandria in triumph. The Roman client boy-King Ptolemy XVI flees to Kyrene.

20 BCE: A Roman army under Lucius Cornelius Balbus defeated by Ptolemy XV Caesarion in the Nile Delta. Ptolemy XV and Amanirenas march Eastwards. Nabatea submits to their authority. Campaign against Judaea. Ptolemy XV installs his half-brother Alexander Helios as client King in Amman.

19 BCE: Augustus defeats Corocotta near Numantia and accepts his submission on lenient terms, in order to leave Hispania to deal with Ptolemy. Ptolemy XV enters Jerusalem in triumph, prays outside the Jewish Temple, to ingratiate himself with the Jews. An alarmed Alexandros III Seleukos assembles his army outside Antiocheia, only to be forced to march North to deal with a Galatian incursion.

18 BCE: Helleno-Chinese invasion of Korea under the Great Satrap Menander Aniketos of the Chinese Satrapy of Alexandria Eschate. Augustus assembles a vast host composed of armies from various Roman client states in order to deal with Ptolemy. Ptolemy XV enters Antiocheia in triumph as Alexandros III is occupied against the Galatians in the North.

17 BCE: A vast Germanic host led by the Sicambri king Melo invades Gallia. Augustus forced to reconsider his planned campaign against Ptolemy. Ptolemy XV accepts the submission of Cyprus and Cilicia. Alexandros III Seleukos forced to retreat to his Eastern domains rather than continue his war against Ptolemy and the Galatians.

16 BCE: A Roman army under Marcus Lollius is defeated by the Germans. Dacian King Scorillo and his allies, most proeminently the Celtic Kings of Singidunum and Tylis invades Illyria. Ptolemy XV campaigns in the Aegean, accepts the submission of Rhodes and the Antigonids of Crete.

15 BCE: Augustus campaigns against the Germans. Ptolemy XV allies with Scorillo against Rome. Dacians ravage Illyria and Dardania, Ptolemy conquers Isauria.

14 BCE: Augustus defeats the Germans in the Battle of the Upper Rhine. Melo and the remnants of his host flee to the East. Ptolemy XV Caesarion links up with his Dacian allies. Together they besiege Pella. A Roman-Helleno-Makedonian army under Leonidas IV of Sparta is defeated as it tries to relieve the city. Leonidas IV is captured and the Dacians sacrifice him to Zalmoxis, considering him a proper offering.

13 BCE: Augustus has to deal with a second Germanic host invading Southern Gaul. Pella falls, Ptolemy XV and Scorillo besiege Athens. The Kushan Yuezhi are allowed to pass into Sakastan by the Hellenic Kings in order to weaken the Saka state. Azes II defeats the Kushan Yuezhi and settles them as military clients. Beginning of Kushan Yuezhi influence in Sakastan.

12 BCE: Augustus defeats the Germans in Southern Gaul and moves East to deal with Ptolemy. Ptolemy XV enters Athens in triumph and is proclaimed Hegemon of the Hellenes.

11 BCE: Augustus wins a pyrrhic victory over a Dacian-Celtic army led by Zaxes, Scorillo's son near Apollonia. He is forced to reconsider continuing on into Greece. Troubles on the Germanic border.

10 BCE: Alexandros III Seleukos takes back Antiocheia from its Ptolemaic garrison. With Seleukid help, Alexandros Helios of Amman rebells against Ptolemy XV Caesarion. Herod the Great reinstated in Judaea.

9 BCE: Augustus marches against Ptolemy XV Caesarion. They meet in battle outside Ambrakia. Augustus only manages to win a pyrrhic victory after a Spartan force arrives from the South and attacks Ptolemy's army from the rear. Ptolemy XV withdraws Eastwards.

8 BCE: King Maroboduus of the Marcomanni invades Noricum. Augustus forced to turn North to deal with this threat. He narrowly defeats Maroboduus who retires to the North.

7 BCE: Augustus changes his strategy and lands with an army near Beirut. He receives the renewed submission of Herod and acknowledges Alexandros Helios as King of Amman. A Roman-Jewish-Ammanite force marches on Egypt.

6 BCE: Ptolemy XV Caesarion forced to retire to Egypt to defend it from invasion. His wife Amanirenas leads an army into the Sinai and is defeated and captured by Augustus. The Allies enter Egypt from the East. Ptolemy XV Caesarion fights them to a draw near Pelusium. Augustus is grievously wounded. The Peace of Pelusium is negotiated, Ptolemy XV Caesarion allowed to retain Egypt as a theoretical Roman client, renouncing all other claims outside Egypt. Augustus returns to Rome.

4 BCE: Herod the Great dies. Three Roman legions sent to Judaea to help his heir Herod Archelaus deal with rebellions against his rule. 10000 Jewish rebels crucified, permanent Roman garrisons established, paid by Judaean taxes.

3 BCE: Maroboduus builds a vast Germanic Confederation centered around Bohemia.

1 BCE: Arminius, King of the Cheruschi starts building a Confederation in North Western Germania.

[Martellus.]

Whoa.

That's a lot of history.

On a more serious note, this should be really interesting; I hope to see a recreation of Alexander's empire, or at least maybe some heavy-duty blobbing.

[richvh]

Octavian Augustus? Doubt he was ever referred to that way, especially as OTL he dropped the Octavianus from his name long before being granted the title Augustus.

[Shaytana]

Octavian Augustus? Doubt he was ever referred to that way, especially as OTL he dropped the Octavianus from his name long before being granted the title Augustus.

Alternate universe - alternate naming rules - not our Augustus - concise timeline - name used for ease of historical recognition - etc I would love to use Imperator Caesar Divi Filius Augustus but Octavian Augustus is instantly recognizable.

EDIT: I also think that I use that name variation ONCE (or thereabouts) in the whole post? Now that's serious nitpicking lol.

[Shaytana]

Whoa.

That's a lot of history.

On a more serious note, this should be really interesting; I hope to see a recreation of Alexander's empire, or at least maybe some heavy-duty blobbing.

I issued a roundabout warning about potential tragedy hehehe... The Indohellenic start in my current internal version of Lux Invicta is very perilous... although well I can alter it a bit aheeeeeeeeeeeem. (I am working on it now)

[richvh]

Alternate universe - alternate naming rules - not our Augustus - concise timeline - name used for ease of historical recognition - etc I would love to use Imperator Caesar Divi Filius Augustus but Octavian Augustus is instantly recognizable.

EDIT: I also think that I use that name variation ONCE (or thereabouts) in the whole post? Now that's serious nitpicking lol.

If you'd used a slash as a separator (Octavian/Augustus) I wouldn't have commented.

[Shaytana]

If you'd used a slash as a separator (Octavian/Augustus) I wouldn't have commented.

Lol ok, ultimate proof that I AIM TO PLEASE , I will edit the post and make that instance of Octavian Augustus go pooof.

[Shaytana]

A Concise Timeline of the History of the Known World - from 1 CE to 100 CE:

1 CE: Sapadbizes I establishes a small Kushan Yuezhi client kingdom within Sakastan.

5 CE: Cunobelinus of the Catuvellauni High King in Britain. Augustus's son by Alexandra Argead, Alexandros Julius Caesar campaigns in Germania and conquers Germania Inferior. Alexandra I Empress of the Helleno-Chinese ruling for her young son Alexandros Epander.

6 CE: Alexandros Julius Caesar campaigns against Maroboduus. Judaean Census, followed by Revolt and Birth of the Zealot movement.

7 CE: Alexandros Julius Caesar campaigns in Judaea. Siege of Jerusalem. 5000 Jews crucified. Herod Archelaus reinstated. Abgarus V, client King of Osroene rebells against his overlord Alexandros IV Seleukos.

8 CE: Abgarus V besieges Antiocheia, the city is taken by treachery. He receives the submission of Commagene and Adiabene, proclaims himself King of Kings.

9 CE: Alexandros Julius Caesar's pyrrhic victory in the battle of the Teutoburg Forest. 3 Roman legions decimated, Augustus exclaims: "such victories destroy an empire". Romans forced to retreat West of the Rhine.

11 CE: Artabanus II of Parthia comes to the aid of Alexandros IV Seleukos against Abgarus V. Artabanus defeats Abgarus V in battle in Atropatene. Empress Alexandra I of the Helleno-Chinese issues the Edicts of Alexandria Changana. A vast program of reform implemented within the Helleno-Chinese Satrapies. A strong theocratic meritocratic bureaucracy system is instituted. A state-run Indohellenic-Confucian religion is widely disseminated throughout the Empire.

13 CE: Abgarus V submits to Artabanus II and becomes his client, as a result the Northern part of the Seleukid domains become Parthian vassals.

14 CE: Augustus dies and is deified. He is succeded by his son Alexandros Julius Caesar. Alexandros Julius Caesar campaigns in Germania. He is unable to defeat Arminius in a field battle and retreats back to Roman territory.

18 CE: Maroboduus and Arminius ally and invade Roman territories. Alexandros Julius Caesar defeats Maroboduus in Noricum before turning West to face Arminius. Artabanus II of Parthia receives the submission of Armenia and Pontus.

19 CE: Battle of Lugdunum, Alexandros Julius Caesar wins a pyrrhic victory over Arminius. Artabanus's legendary whirlwind campaign through Anatolia. The Parthian King of Kings crosses the Helespont.

20 CE: Artabanus II enters Athens in Triumph after defeating an Athenian-Spartan army outside the city walls. The body of King Leonidas V is said to have been pierced by 42 arrows. Artabanus invokes the spirit of Xšayaršā the Great Achaemenid in a gigantic ceremony on the Acropolis and proclaims: "We have returned!".

21 CE: The First Great Crysis of the Empire: Greece North of the Peloponesus, with the exception of Pella, is controlled by Artabanus II, renewed Germanic attacks in the North, Dacians invade Illyria, and Lucius III Afranius, the great Magnate of Ilerda engineers a Spanish rebellion.

22 CE: Alexandros Augustus negotiates with Lucius III Afranius. Lucius III Afranius appointed Hereditary Governor of Tarraconensis. Artabanus II destroys a Spartan army on the Isthmus of Corinth, killing the Eurypontid King Eucleidas II. The Spartans die to a man. Artabanus invades the Peloponesus.

23 CE: Alexandros Augustus defeats the Germans in a 2nd Battle of Lugdunum and marches East against the Dacians. King Koson of Dacia assasinated by King Vorix of Singidunum during a banquet. Dacians retreat from Illyria. King Vorix of Singidunum becomes a Roman client and is reportedly paid handsomely for this deed. Artabanus II camps outside Sparta. The Spartan boy-king Leonidas VI comes to him unarmed and proclaims: "You might burn down our buildings, but you can not conquer our spirit. You can kill our men, but we can decimate your army and destroy your empire." Impressed by the boy-king Artabanus decides to leave Sparta alone and prepare his army for his confrontation with Augustus.

24 CE: Alexandros Augustus narrowly defeats Artabanus II in the battle of Argithea, as a result of the treachery of Arakhsh Surena, commander of the Parthian right wing. Artabanus forced to retreat.

25 CE: Artabanus retreats over the Hellespont, destroys a coalition army of Roman clients near Lampsacus. The client kings of Pergamum and Galatia captured and executed.

26 CE: Kujula Kadphises, the King of the Kushan Yuezhi and client of the Saka conquers Susa. Artabanus decides to march East. An indecisive battle is fought outside Tarsus between Alexandros Augustus and Artabanus. Peace of Tarsus signed, Artabanus renounces all claims on Roman client states.

27 CE: Rebellion of the Satraps of the Parthian Empire. Kujula Kadphises enters Asaak in triumph. Artabanus and a small loyalist army defeated by Kujula Kadphises near Ecbatana. Artabanus II flees to the court of Alexandros V Seleukos. Kujula Kadphises campaigns throughout Parthia attempting to be accepted as King of Kings by the rebellious Satraps.

30 CE: Alexandros V Seleukos moves against Kujula Kadphises in order to reinstate Artabanus II. Artabanus had offered him half of the Parthian Empire. Seleukid victory over the Kushan Yuezhi near Susa.

32 CE: Alexandros V Seleukos captures and executes Kujula Kadphises after defeating him in battle outside Asaak. Artabanus II assassinated by Alexandros V Seleukos after Alexandros reneges upon their agreement. Alexandros marches into Parthia trying to restore Arche Seleukeia control over the East.

34 CE: Alexandros V Seleukos assassinated by agents of Tiridates III of Parthia. Aretas V of Nabatea invades Judaea. The Judaean King Herod Antipas becomes a vassal of Nabatea.

35 CE: Sensing Seleukid weakness Aretas V besieges Antiocheia. Antiocheia falls. Aretas V proclaims himself Sovereign of the East. The Romans decide to intervene.

36 CE: Battle of Tyre. Aretas V surprises the Romans and Alexandros Augustus is killed in battle. The Roman Emperor is cut to pieces and fed to the dogs. Roman indignation follows. His son Alexandros II vows revenge.

37 CE: Alexandros II prepares for war with Aretas, a vast army is assembled.

38 CE: Punitive expedition against Aretas V begins. A Nabatean army is defeated near Beirut by the overwhelmingly superior force under Alexandros II. Nabatean captives are all cut to pieces, a caravan carrying some of these grisly remains is sent to Aretas. Alexandros II Augustus enters Jerusalem and angers the Jews by having a statue of himself set up in the Temple.

39 CE: Aretas V defeated in a great battle near Hebron. He flees East. Alexandros II proclaims himself a God, Neos Helios, has all of the prisoners executed, and to the horror of his generals drinks the blood of an executed Nabatean prince.

40 CE: Alexandros II captures Aretas V near Petra. Aretas V is tortured for several days, then cut to pieces and fed to pigs. Alexandros II believes he is not good enough to be fed to dogs. Alexandros II takes the young daughter of Aretas V, Salome as a mistress. As a result he spares Nabatea from utter destruction installing the baby-boy Aretas VI as King to the dismay of his generals.

41 CE: Alexandros II celebrates his Triumph in Rome. Alexandros II begins to turn Rome into a Hellenistic Autocracy. In contempt of the Senate he appoints his horse Bucephalus as a senator.

43 CE: Alexandros II begins a campaign against Britain. He defeats the Britons under Caratacus and Togodumnus. Several kings submit to him without a fight. Vespasian sent to subdue the South-West.

45 CE: A great Helleno-Chinese expedition under Epander Craterus, Satrap of Alexandria Changana, against the Xiongnu.

47 CE: Alexandros II campaigns against the Germans. Xiongnu defeated by the Helleno-Chinese, vast numbers are resettled in military colonies throughout the Empire.

50 CE: Yaziges settlement in Eastern Pannonia as Dacian clients.

56 CE: Alexandros II declares war on Parthia after Vologases I invades Armenia.

58 CE: Alexandros II conquers Artaxata, then marches East, the Parthian army retreats before him without giving battle.

59 CE: Alexandros II conquers Tigranocerta. Vologases I sues for peace. Alexandros II returns to Rome in Triumph.

60 CE: Alexandros II in Britain. He publicly rapes the two daughters of Queen Boudica of the Iceni. The Iceni rise up in rebellion.

61 CE: Alexandros II defeats the Iceni in battle near Viroconium. A dying, wounded Boudica is brought before Alexandros II who rapes her proclaiming that "she is receiving the favor of a God before her death".

62 CE: Parthians invade Armenia once more. An angered Alexandros II vows to see the treacherous Vologases I dead.

63 CE: Alexandros II defeats a Parthian army near Tigranocerta. He continues on East.

64 CE: Alexandros II besieges Hecatompylos. The city falls after a 2 month siege. Alexandros II has 1 in 10 inhabitants chosen by lot sacrificed to himself. He then chases Vologases into the East.

65 CE: Alexandros II catches Vologases I near Antiocheia Margiana. The Parthian King is ritualy sacrificed to the glory of the Divine Alexandros II. Alexandros II returns West.

66 CE: Alexandros II in Rome. Rome is consumed by fire. It is said that Alexandros declared: "Rome is consumed by my divine will, to be rebuilt as a vision of my Glory". The Jewish Revolt begins after Alexandros II orders the Temple be rededicated to himself.

67 CE: Alexandros II orders the heads of the statues of Roman Gods removed and replaced with his own. The Zealots are in control of Jerusalem. A Roman army under Cestius Gallus is nearly wiped out in the battle of Beth-Horon. Vespasian sent to Judaea.

68 CE: Alexandros II arrives in Judaea. 40000 Jews massacred at Jotapata. Gamla falls to the Romans, all of its inhabitants sacrificed to Alexandros II. Alexandros II vows to exterminate all Jews, as they have rejected his divinity, but is assassinated by conspirators lead by his mistress Salome of Nabatea. His last words are: "You can not kill a God".

69 CE: Year of the Four Emperors. The 2 year old Alexandros, the son of Alexandros II Augustus is kept safe by loyalists in Neapolis. Vespasian receives the support of the East, from the Ptolemaioi to Pontus to Makedon and Sparta. He emerges victorious, and allows the boy Alexandros to remain unharmed in Neapolis.

70 CE: Fall of Jerusalem to Titus. Rabell of Aqaba fights in support of the Romans in Judaea. The Kingdom of Aqaba is recognized by Rome as a client independent of Nabatea. The Rabellid dynasty turns Aqaba into a great commercial centre.

73 CE: Fall of Massada. Beginning of Jewish resettlement in the Sinai.

79 CE: Vespasian dies. Remembering the death of Alexandros II, his mocking last words are: "I think I'm turning into a God". Titus succeeds him as Emperor. Agricola campaigns in Caledonia.

80 CE: Saka-Kushan general Vima Takto rebells against Parthia. Vima Takto becomes King of all Sakastan. He receives the submission of Saka and Kushan alike. He captures Vologases II of Parthia in battle and has him executed.

81 CE: Pacorus II of Parthia accepts Vima Takto as an independent King of Sakastan. Domitian, Emperor of the Romans.

85 CE: Dacian Wars begin. King Decebalus of Dacia ravages Illyria and Dardania.

87 CE: Decebalus of Dacia destroys five Roman legions in battle at Tapae. Rome is horrified.

88 CE: Decebalus is bought off. His dominion over Pannonia and the Celtic client kings of Singidunum and Tylis is accepted. Rome pays a large war settlement.

91 CE: Decebalus creates a large Rhoxolani-Sarmatian client kingdom in the area of Moldova. He uses Sarmatians for his cavalry. Dacians raid Illyria.

93 CE: A Roman army largely composed of client troops and led by the Legio XXI Rapax is completely annihilated near Tylis by the Dacians.

96 CE: Domitian assassinated. Nerva is Emperor. Mahayana Buddhism appears in India.

98 CE: Nerva dies of a stroke. Trajan is Emperor. Trajan restores the powers of the Roman Senate. A system of state welfare taking care of poor children is implemented. Several other reforms including taxation reforms are implemented.

100 CE: Fourth Buddhist Council held in Pataliputra. Epander VII of India tries to create a new form of Buddhism subordinated to the State.

[Shaytana]

I want to make a clarification on the timeline - this is a concise timeline ignoring 99% of important stuff that is similar to our world, and some stuff that isn't obviously but I'm forging ahead faster to get it done hehehe. I still think that I'm giving too much detail. I am thinking I will switch to a much lighter version soon. I am a very crazy person ( I openly admit it hehehe) and I can think of ridiculous amounts of stuff about particular historical characters, developments etc so it would be just crazy to allow myself to ramble... I also have too many alternate history notes from my university days I can use = major potential timeline bloat.

I will try to be more concise yet explain how things came to be and give enough info to show the logic behind it all.

[Shaytana]

A Concise Timeline of the History of the Known World - from 100 CE to 200 CE:

101 CE: Trajan campaigns against Dacia. Tylis and Singidunum submit to the Romans. Second Battle of Tapae, Trajan defeats the Dacians, as a result of Sarmatian treachery. Abeakos King of the Sarmatians switches sides during the battle, overwhelming the Dacian right flank. He accepts Roman patronage. Revolt of the Satraps of Parthia, with Seleukid help Philotas XII Parmenion of Ecbatana defeats Pacorus II near Qom.

102 CE: The Romans win a pyrrhic victory outside Sarmizegetusa. Decebalus negotiates peace and Dacia becomes a Roman client. In order to restore his honor the Dacian King commits ritual suicide, his son Decebalus II ascends to the throne. Philotas XII wins a great victory near Arsakia Rhagae over Pacorus II, then enters the city in triumph and crowns himself King of Media.

105 CE: Philotas XII captures Pacorus II and has him kept as prisoner in a golden cage. He begins his conquest of Atropatene.

106 CE: Philotas XII completes conquest of Atropatene, campaigns against Armenia.

107 CE: Armenia divided into three lesser client kingdoms by Philotas, Sanatruk Arshakuni installed as client king in the East, the Artaxid Tigranes V ruling the West, and the Orontid Arsames III in the South.

108 CE: Philotas XII attacks Arche Seleukeia. The Seleukid army is defeated near Antiocheia ad Taurus, rather than march on Antiocheia, Philotas decides to march East towards Seleukeia on the Tigris.

109 CE: The Battle of the Bloody Shields fought near Dura Europus. With the rest of the Seleukid army in full rout, the Seleukid Argyraspides refuse to retreat defending their wounded Basileus Antiochus XVI Epiphanes against all odds. Impressed by their valor, Philotas chooses to leave the field to them.

110 CE: Philotas XII reaches Seleukeia on the Tigris. Antiochus XVI retreats before him choosing not to give battle. Philotas XII the Conqueror enters Seleukeia on the Tigris in triumph, proclaims himself Megas Basileus of the Hellenes and of the Persians vowing to restore Arche Makedonia. On that very night he is dead, chocking on a poisoned cup of wine.

112 CE: Kushan-Saka prince Kanishka elected King of Sakastan by the great lords of the Saka. He attacks Gedrosia and accepts the submission of Menander Hephaistionos, its Satrap.

113 CE: Trajan decides to capitalize on Seleukid weakness and attack Arche Seleukeia. A vast Roman led army invades Syria.

114 CE: Antiocheia falls after a siege of 8 months. Trajan allows its citizens to remain unharmed. He prays in the Temple of Seleukos for guidance.

116 CE: 2nd Battle of Epiphania. Overwhelmed by vastly superior numbers, the Seleukid Argyraspidai refuse to surrender and are killed to a man. The Roman client, Spartan King Pleistarchus II comments: "They died like Spartans." Seeing that all is lost Antiochus XVI Epiphanes leads his Hetairoi in a suicide charge against the Roman center. His Hetairoi are cut down, Antiochus XVI is captured after having suffered no less than 13 wounds.

Impressed by Seleukid valor, Trajan allows Antiochus XVI to remain as client king of Syria. 30 days later in a grand ceremony in Antiocheia, Antiochus decides to bend the knee, in order for the Seleukid dynasty to continue. The ailing Basileus takes his own life the next day proclaiming: "To save Syria I can kneel before a man once, but I can not live a life kneeling."

117 CE: Trajan campaigns in the East, and overruns Mesopotamia. Trajan dies of a stroke in Seleukeia on the Tigris, Hadrian appointed his successor. Kanishka extends the Saka-Kushan state, accepts the sumbission of Epander Arianos, the Satrap of Aria.

119 CE: Kanishka defeates Helias I the Basileus of Sindhia in a great battle near Jask. He overruns Western Sindhia and appoints Nahapana as Satrap.

120 CE: Kanishka campaigns in Arachosia. Fall of Alexandria Arachosia. Kanishka turns South to face a Sindhian army sent to recover Western Sindhia.

121 CE: Battle of the Indus, Kanishka defeats Craterus Antipater the Satrap of Taxila, leading the Hellenic coallition army sent to stop him. Kanishka decides to push on East.

122 CE: Kanishka conquers Alexandria on the Indus. He orders it razed to the ground, but before the city can be destroyed, the Miracle on the Indus happens - the Saka-Kushan King's legendary meeting with the Buddha. Kanishka converts to Buddhism. Various legends explain this episode in different ways, they all agree that Kanishka emerged radically changed from a religious experience. Kanishka abandons his plan to destroy Alexandria on the Indus.

123 CE: Kanishka accepts the submission of the Indohellenes of Western Sindhia. He is proclaimed Megas Basileus and calls himself Kanishka Alexandros Philhellene.

130 CE: Simon bar Kokhba, claiming to be the Messiah rebels against Rome. The Legio X Fretensis is completely destroyed by the rebels.

132 CE: A Ptolemaic army sent to supress the rebellion is destroyed in the Sinai by the Jewish rebels.

133 CE: Hadrian begins his campaign to subdue the rebels. Jewish towns are retaken one by one.

134 CE: Siege of Jerusalem. Alans raid the Caucasus.

135 CE: Hadrian dies during the siege. Antoninus Pius succeeds him. Jerusalem falls. A Statue of Jupiter erected in the Temple. New policies of Jewish resettlement in the Sinai and elsewhere. Simon bar Kokhba flees into the desert. Beginning of the Myth of his Expected Return.

140 CE: Kanishka acknowledged as "brother" and Sovereign of Sindhia by Apollophanes II Epander of India. Treaty of The Eternal Peace of the Buddha signed.

144 CE: Marcion of Sinope gathers a large following. He preaches that the wrathful God of the Old Testament was a separate entity to the Merciful God of the New Testament.

148 CE: Kaniskha "ascends to the Buddha". His son Huvishka Alexandros Philhellene proclaimed Megas Basileus, the Hellenic Kings of Sindhia accept him as Sovereign. Marcus Aurelius is Roman co-Emperor.

152 CE: King Asander V of Cimmerian Bosphorus defeats the Alani outside Tanais. He begins extending his dominion Eastwards vowing to reach the Caspian Sea.

156 CE: After a long succesfull war against the Alani, Asander V reaches the shore of the Caspian Sea. He orders a temple dedicated to Apollo-Boreas built on the shores of the Sea then returns West. The ecstatic prophet Montanus preaches in Phrygia. "The New Prophecy" later to be known as Montanism starts to gain adherents. Believers assert that Montanus is posssesed by God.

158 CE: Beginning of Sol Invictus worship in Rome.

160 CE: Asander V proclaims himself Emperor of Pontus and attacks the Roman client Sarmatian Kingdom. He is killed in battle by the Sarmatians near Tyras. His body is ritually shot with 100 arrows before being sent back to his son as a warning not to continue his father's policies.

161 CE: Antoninus Pius dies. Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus co-Emperors. Craterus Antipater, the Great Satrap of Andhra campaigns in Sindhia breaking the "Eternal Peace of the Buddha". He defeats Huvishka near Patala. Huvishka is killed in battle, trampled by elephants. Hellenic vassals rebel.

166 CE: Huvishka II defeated and killed in battle near Alexandria Areion. End of Saka-Kushan domination over the Hellenic Kingdoms of Sindhia. Marcus Aurelius campaigns against the Germans. Barbarians attack the Western borders of the Empire.

170 CE: Marcomanni raid into Italy. Reorganization of the European Imperial border regions into military provinces begins.

174 CE: Craterus Antipater, Satrap of Andhra executed by Apollophanes III Epander of India, on charges of treason. Revolt of the Southern Satraps. Craterus's son Menander Satakarni Antipater proclaimed Megas Basileus of the South.

177 CE: Christian persecutions throughout the Roman Empire.

180 CE: Abgar IX King of Osroene receives the submission of Sophene.

181 CE: Marcus Aurelius dies. He appoints his son Commodus as succesor. Following a narrow defeat in battle outside Pataliputra Apollophanes III Epander acknowledges Menander Satakarni Antipater as Megas Basileus of the South. Gothic attacks into Cimmerian Bosphorus. Commodus adopts Sol Invictus as the Patron God of the Roman state and Mithra as the Patron God of the Roman armies. Religious reforms are implemented in order to spread the two faiths. Roman military border provinces are forcibly converted to the worship of Mithra.

182 CE: A great conspiration against Commodus fails. His sister Lucilla exiled to Capri. Commodus persecutes the Christians.

184 CE: Abgar IX receives the submission of Adiabene, proclaims himself Emperor of Armenia. Septimius Severus sent against the Armenians.

185 CE: A Roman-Seleukid Army under Septimius Severus occupies Osroene. Abgar IX retreats East.

187 CE: Abgar IX fights the Romans to a draw outside Tigranocerta. A peace is signed, Abgar IX renounces all imperial ambitions and resumes rule of Osroene as a Roman client. The Hellen general Antimachus Epigonos appointed Military Governor of Amida. Septimius Severus sent to Hispania to quell a minor Lusitanian rebellion.

192 CE: Commodus dies while fighting as a gladiator in the Colosseum. Christian missionaries reach India. Septimius Severus hailed Emperor by his legions in Hispania. Clodius Albinus hailed Emperor in Britannia, while in Neapolis the Augustan magnate Alexandros is proclaimed Alexandros III with the support of Siracusa and the Italian legions.

193 CE: The Imperial Triumvirate. Septimius Severus, Clodius Albinus and Alexandros III reach a compromise and rule as co-Emperors. Severus is in control of Hispania and Africa, Clodius Albinus of Gallia and Britannia and Alexandros III is given control of the East.

195 CE: Alexandros III campaigns in the East attempting to extend Roman control in Mesopotamia.

197 CE: Alexandros III captures Hatra.

199 CE: Alexandros III captures Ctesiphon. He is acclaimed by his troops as "Megas Alexandros" but he openly refuses the title. He declares to his soldiers: "I am nothing but a man, you are the Great Ones!"

[Shaytana]

I've tried to be concise. Minimized the stuff I wanted to say for 100-200CE, yet I still think I should be even more concise in the future. In any case even in a concise form, those who read the historical timeline will have a better understanding of the Lux Invicta setting overall. Once I get to the gameplay you will see that the AAR will feature the reworked setting that will reflect this timeline 100%.

[tnick0225]

I'm enjoying the timeline so be as concise as you feel necessary

[Cèsar de Quart]

If "concise" means less humanity for the characters... please, don't. That Alexander II, what a rascal. Caligula, Nero and Domitian condensed, with a bit of Elagabalus thrown in, and with genuine military genius. Great character building!

By the way, Commodus died fighting a gladiator in the Colosseum? Oh my

I might be overly attached to the Julio-Claudian family, but... I missed the old, grumpy, stone-hard and cold Tiberius, as well as the scholar Claudius in there. You gave us a super Caligula, now I'd like to see a super Claudius! And don't make it Claudius II Gothicus! Seeing how you handwaved the whole Julio-Claudian family, it seems a bit out of place to have an Alexander III around there... but again, it's your timeline, and you're doing one goddamn mighty job!

By the way, I failed to note the birth and death of some guy that might be relevant: Jesus Christ. His birth happened around 2 bC and his death, around 30 or 33 CE

One dynasty I'd like to see handwaved are the Severi. I've always found them really uniteresting. If it wasn't because I think Caracalla's portrait is the single greatest piece of Roman portrait ever (except for Constantine's; that chin will rise and gain self-conscience someday), and that Elagabalus was awfully, hilariously nuts, I'd forget about them completely.

[Shaytana]

@tnick0225

Thank you! I'm looking into how I wanna go through the remaining centuries hehe.

@Cesar de Quart

Aye, I toyed with things and I put in recognizable elements of Roman emperors into mine. The baby boy Alexandros in Neapolis continued the Julio-Argead line. They bred quite a bit, and became magnates of the Empire, their main base being in Neapolis.

I didn't want to bloat the timeline with stuff that was similar to our reality and obvious stuff... so I didn't put Jesus and other obvious stuff in. I am not putting that stuff in the future either - I am just putting in stuff that's different from our own timeline and some stuff that gives the reader clues as to where he is in time - and well I'm also putting in all Roman Emperors so people clearly see how the Roman Empire progressed.

Severi are being addressed next timeline update. You will see that their history is RADICALLY different from our own. - and involves your beloved Hispania hehe.

[Shaytana]

A Concise Timeline of the History of the Known World - from 200 CE to 300 CE:


200 CE: Septimius Severus in Rome. He attempts to have himself proclaimed sole Emperor. The Senate refuses. Septimius Severus disbands the Senate. Clodius Albinus crosses the Rubicon to deal with Severus. Clodius Albinus enters Rome and forces Severus to retreat to Hispania. Clodius Albinus restores the Senate, embraces the Republican party and vows to restore Rome to a Republican system.

201 CE: Alexandros III refuses to accept Albinus's Republican vision. He proclaims: "Republics are not meant to rule over vast territories. The world can only be ruled by military Emperors and their armies. The army is the state and the Emperor is the head of the army." Alexandros III begins to assemble the armies of the Eastern clients to march against Albinus.

202 CE: Clodius Albinus narrowly defeats Septimius Severus near Massilia. Severus decides to retreat into Hispania.

203 CE: A Severan army under Quintus Afranius, the hereditary governor of Tarraconensis is defeated near Emporion. Clodius Albinus besieges Ilerda. Alexandros III lands near Tarentum with a huge Eastern army. He begins his march towards Rome.

204 CE: Clodius Albinus abandons the siege of Ilerda. His army is forced to march East in order to deal with Alexandros III. Alexandros III enters Rome. He proclaims before the Senate: "There is no Empire without the Army. Our State is the Army. We shall make that clear to everyone who would deny it." Beginning of his military reforms, further shift to a profoundly militarized Roman state. Alexandros III rededicates Rome to Sol Invictus and Mithra.

205 CE: The Battle of the Rubicon. Seeing the vast Eastern army arrayed against him, Clodius Albinus famously proclaims before the battle, in immitation of Caesar: "Alea iacta est." The Republicans under Clodius Albinus are narrowly defeated by Alexandros III's superior numbers after a heroic stand against all odds. The general Lucius Artorius, the bastard son of Abgar IX of Osroene is instrumental to Alexandros's victory. Leading the client Sarmatian cavalry he routs the Republican left flank and nearly captures Clodius Albinus. Clodius Albinus and the remnants of his army retreat into Gallia.

206 CE: The Battle of Lugdunum. Alexandros III defeats the Republicans, Clodius Albinus executes a masterful fighting retreat and manages to escape to the North.

207 CE: Alexandros III forced to turn South to deal with Severus who is marching unopposed into Narbonensis. He sends an army mainly composed of Sarmatian and Dacian troops under Lucius Artorius to Britannia to deal with Clodius Albinus.

208 CE: 2nd Battle of Massilia. Alexandros III wins a pyrrhic victory over Severus. Septimius Severus retreats towards Narbo. Lucius Artorius defeats Clodius Albinus outside Londinium. The Republican center refuses to surrender and makes a legendary last stand under the SPQR banner. They are overwhelmed by the Sarmatian cavalry. Clodius Albinus is killed grasping the banner. Sarmatian cavalrymen ride over his body repeatedly, trampling it into an unrecognizable shape. Lucius Artorius intervenes and puts an end to it. He orders an imperial funeral for Clodius Albinus declaring: "He was the last of the Romans." The remains of Clodius Albinus are cremated in the ancient Roman fashion, alongside his SPQR banner.

In Persia the death of Vologases V sparks the War of The Princes. His sons Vologases VI and Artabanus IV battle for power. In Estakhr, the Sassanid Ardashir I rebels.

209 CE: Lucius Artorius and his Sarmato-Dacian army campaigns in Britannia. He takes Eburacum from the rebels. Alexandros III and Septimius Severus fight an indecisive battle outside Narbo. Quintus Afranius wounds and nearly captures Alexandros III during the battle.

210 CE: Lucius Artorius campaigns against the Caledoni. He defeats the Caledoni in a great Battle South of the Wall. His Sarmatian cavalrymen sacrifice the Caledonian King Circennos to a Sword of Victory dedicated to the God of War. The Sword is thrust in the ground through the beating heart of the tied King. The Sarmatians present Lucius Artorius with the Sword of Victory. Lucius Artorius's legendary campaign beyond the Wall begins.

Septimius Severus and Alexandros III negotiate an agreement. Septimius Severus hailed as Emperor of Hispania renouncing all claims on the Empire proper. The wounded Alexandros III retreats to Rome.

211 CE: Legendary Expedition of Lucius Artorius beyond the wall. Caledonia is ravaged. Ardashir I expands his power in Persia.

212 CE: Lucius Artorius confirmed as Supreme Military Governor of Britannia. In order to assert complete control over the region Alexandros III begins a vast policy of Sarmatian and Dacian colonization in Britannia. Military colonies are established throughout the Island.

213 CE: Septimius Severus dies. He is succeeded by his sons Caracalla and Geta as co-Emperors of Hispania. On his deathbed he tells his sons: "Be harmonious, make sure to enrich the soldiers, and scorn all other men." Caracalla rules over Eastern Hispania and Geta over the Western part of the peninsula.

215 CE: The reforms of Alexandros III continue. All men serving in the Roman Army, including citizens of Roman client states are given Roman citizenship. Vachagan I becomes king of Caucasian Albania. Alexandros III sends a large fleet and army under the command of his son Lucius to Southern Erythrea in a bid to establish control over the Red Sea and Indian Ocean trade routes. The province of Erythrea Adalia is founded and a large Roman military presence dispatched to the region, spearheaded by the reformed Legio X Fretensis.

216 CE: Seeking to capitalize on Parthian weakness Alexandros III campaigns in the East. He is grievously wounded in battle near Nisibis while leading a cavalry charge to save surrounded elements of his light cavalry. Alexandros III lingers on for 3 days. Before his death he addresses his army telling his soldiers: "You are all my true children, and the Empire is yours, see that you do not squander it!" In spite of his prohibition against it his army acclaims him as Megas Alexandros before his death. Alexandros III dies with the chants of Megas Alexandros in his ears. His son Alexandros IV proclaimed Emperor.

217 CE: Alexandros IV campaigns against the Parthians. Sabellianism gains many addherents among the Christians. Sabellius argues that God is only One indivisible person, with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit being nothing but outward manifestations of Him in the way he revealed Himself to Man. In recognition of his great services, Alexandros IV appoints Lucius Artorius as hereditary military Governor of Britannia.

218 CE: Alexandros IV defeats Artabanus IV outside Ctesiphon. A peace treaty is signed, Alexandros IV marries the daughter of Artabanus IV in a grand ceremony in Ctesiphon. After the end of the festitivites, as the Sun rises, Alexandros IV orders the Parthian King and many Parthian nobles, including his wife sacrified to Sol Invictus. He proclaims: "I am the God come in the flesh!" The Massacre of Ctesiphon allows Vologases VI to become sole Parthian King of Kings. Alexandros IV begins the Roman Imperial practice of considering the Emperor to be "Sol Invictus in the flesh".

219 CE: Alexandros IV campaigns against Vologases VI but loses interest in chasing the Parthian King of Kings East. He retires West.

220 CE: Alexandros IV in Rome. His marriage to the Vestal virgin Aquilia Severa, claiming that their children would be "godlike on both sides of the family" causes outrage. Ardashir I campaigns against Vologases I.

221 CE: A great Black meteorite is brought to Rome and considered to be the Sacred Earthly heart of Sol by Alexandros IV, a great Temple to it is dedicated on the Palatine Hill. Continuation of policies persecuting Christians in favor of the cult of Sol Invictus.

222 CE: Three Kingdoms period in Helleno-China. Upon the death of the Reigning Empress Alexandra III, the Empire is divided between her three sons.

224 CE: Vologases VI defeated at the battle of Hormizdegan by Ardashir I. He kneels before Ardashir I and accepts him as Overlord and King of Kings.

226 CE: Ardashir I accepts the submission of the Satraps in a great ceremony in Estakhr. He is crowned King of Kings. Philotas XV, Satrap of Ecbatana famously proclaims: "May you be the Persian Alexandros." Official beginning of Sassanid Rule over Persia. The only Parthian Lord not to submit to his authority is Artabanus V, son of Artabanus IV who rules as Shah in Northern Kharesmia.

227 CE: First unification of Hibernia. Cormac mac Airt is High King of Hibernia. Tara is made capital of Hibernia.

229 CE: Ardashir I defeats a coalition of Saka princes in battle near Yazd. The Saka kings submit to him as King of Kings. Neoplatonism begins to gain great popularity in the urban centers of the Roman Empire.

230 CE: Reforms of Ardashir I. Ardashir tries to institute a new magi Zoroastrian bureaucracy subservient to the state throughout the Satrapies. Alexandros IV receives an embassy from Artabanus V inviting him to attack Ardashir I from the West while the Parthian monarch would attack from the North East.

231 CE: Alexandros IV and Artabanus V attack Persia. Ardashir I decides to deal with Alexandros IV first. An indecisive battle is fought near Nisibis, the Persian army decides to retreat from the field. Alexandros IV proclaims it a great victory and promises to build a Temple to Sol Invictus on the spot of the battle.

232 CE: Alexandros IV slowly advances into Mesopotamia. Several minor skirmishes are fought, as the Persians are trying to buy time to reform their army near Ctesiphon. Artabanus V besieges Hecatompylos. In command of the defense of the city is the Moabadan-moabad, the chief of the magi priesthood. After the magi refusal to surrender the city, a furious and embittered Artabanus V decides to embrace the worship of Angra Mainyu on the condition of the fall of the city. He makes a public promise to Angra Mainyu before his army, that he will sacrifice all of the magi priests to him if he manages to conquer the city. The city falls, after a section of the wall miraculously collapses. Artabanus V has all of the magi within the city sacrificed to Angra Mainyu. The Moabadan-moabad is burned alive, Artabanus V proclaiming: "Let us see if fire will cleanse you of sin!".

233 CE: Alexandros IV and Ardashir I fight another great indecisive battle outside Ctesiphon. Ardashir I decides to withdraw rather than risk defeat. Alexandros IV proclaims the battle to be another great victory. He camps his army outside Ctesiphon making little effort to besiege the city. He proclaims Sol will deliver him the city without a fight.

234 CE: Ctesiphon surrenders. Dariush Surena commander of the city garrison is bought off to open the gates of the city. Alexandros IV proclaims it a great miracle of Sol. A series of ceremonies is held in the city in the honor of the Sun Emperor made flesh. Historians note 30 days of debauchery and ritual orgies. Alexandros IV makes little effort to continue the war being content to continue his celebrations in Ctesiphon.

235 CE: Alexandros IV killed while relieving himself by several of his Persian mistresses, after having publicly sacrificed several of his bastard children to his own self. It is said that Sol Invictus made flesh died chocking on his own excrement.

A wave of attacks on the Empire's European borders begins. Lucius Verus II proclaimed emperor by the Italian legions. In Rome, Alexandros IV's widow Aquilia Severa, the former Vestal virgin is buried alive according to Roman custom. Her young son Alexandros V, safe in Antiocheia, is proclaimed Sun Emperor in the East. Maximinus Thrax proclaimed Emperor by the Germanic legions.

236 CE: Ardashir I expells the Romans from Ctesiphon. He turns East to deal with Artabanus V. Lucius Verus II and Maximinus Thrax come to an agreement to rule as co-Emperors. Maximinus Thrax campaigns against the Germans. Lucius Verus II prepares to deal with Alexandros V.

237 CE: Lucius Verus II forced to campaign in Africa after Marcus Antonius Africanus, a descendant of Alexandros Helios of Amman and Marcus Antonius, was proclaimed Emperor by the Carthaginian legions and accepted as such by the client kings of Numidia and Mauretania.

238 CE: Maximinus Thrax and his son are assassinated. Gothic attacks in the East. Lucius Verus II besieges Carthage. Ardashir I defeats Artabanus V in battle outside Hecatompylos, after several Parthian nobles and their troops switch sides and betray him. Artabanus V flees vowing revenge. Cyaxares, a descendant of Xšayāršā the Achaemenid appointed Satrap of Margiana. He is given a free hand to deal with Artabanus V, while Ardashir I turns South West to deal with a Saka rebellion. Troubles on the European frontiers.

239 CE: Lucius Verus II forced to compromise with Marcus Antonius Africanus in order to deal with the troubles around the European border. Marcus Antonius Africanus recognized as co-Emperor. He promises to attack Alexandros V.

240 CE: Instead of attacking Alexandros V, Marcus Antonius Africanus mounts a major expedition against Hispania. Alexandros Severus Emperor of Hispania defeats Marcus Antonius Africanus near Valentia. Marcus Antonius Africanus retires to Carthage. Mani starts preaching at the court of Ardashir I.

241 CE: Shapur I is King of Kings. Alexandros V lands in Italia.

242 CE: Shapur I invades Roman territories in the East. Many Goths settled in the Crimea as clients of the Asanderoi of Cimmerian Bosphorus.

243 CE: Faced with the great crysis on the borders of the Empire, Alexandros V and Lucius Verus II reconcile. Alexandros V publicly forgives Lucius Verus II for the murder of his mother, he proclaims it to have been "the Roman way".

244 CE: Shapur I besieges Antiocheia. Alexandros V relieves Antiocheia, Shapur retreats East. Alexandros V and Shapur I agree to an armistice.

245 CE: Lucius Verus II assassinated by Germanic emissaries. His legions proclaim his second in command Marcus Traianus II as Emperor. Alexandros V accepts him as co-Emperor.

246 CE: Marcus Traianus II campaigns against the Germans. Alexandros V occupies himself with the further institutionalization of the religion of Sol Invictus and the Imperial cult.

250 CE: A Gothic invasion under Cniva advances into Moesia. Marcus Traianus II marches against the Goths.

251 CE: The Goths under the Amali King Cniva defeat a Roman-Dacian-Sarmatian army near Tomis. Marcus Traianus II is killed in battle.

252 CE: Shapur I invades Syria. Alexandros V appoints Publius Licinius Valerianus as co-Emperor and sends him to fight Shapur.

253 CE: Valerian campaigns against Shapur I. Several minor battles are fought.

255 CE: Alexandros V persecutes the Christians. Valerian and Shapur I fight an inconclusive battle outside Dura Europus.

258 CE: Battle of Edessa. Shapur I captures Valerian. Valerian is degraded in many ways, including being used as a footstool for the Sassanid Emperor while mounting his horse. After Valerian offered Shapur a great amount of gold as ransom for his release, Shapur I forces Valerian to drink molten gold. He is then flayed and his stuffed skin is preserved in Ctesiphon, as a monument to Roman shame. Alexandros V appoints Valerian's son Gallienus as co-Emperor. Alexandros V survives an assassination atempt by a Christian soldier, only to be grievously wounded and become bedridden. It is widely considered the Emperor is incapable to rule.

259 CE: A series of Germanic invasions across the borders of the Empire. Gallienus marches North to deal with them. Berber attacks in Africa. Marcus Antonius Africanus killed by the Berbers in battle. His young son Marcus Antonius Africanus II is captured and married to the Berber Amanaya princess Calara, of supposed descent from Amun. Rebellion of Marcus Posthumus in Gaul, proclamation of the Gallic Empire. In Britannia, Maximus Artorius, declares himself Emperor of Britannia.

260 CE: Odaenathus declares himself Emperor of Palmyra. He overruns Judaea.

261 CE: Marcus Antonius Africanus II escapes his Berber captors. He is welcomed by the legions in Carthage and proclaimed Emperor. His abandoned Berber wife Calara gives birth to twins. Odoenathus accepts the submission of Nabatea.

262 CE: Odaenathus accepts the submission of Syria and campaigns in Cilicia.

263 CE: The Palmyrene Empire is recognized by Gallienus.

265 CE: Posthumus defeats Gallienus near Lugdunum and has him and the first born son of Alexandros V executed. The head of his son is sent to the ailing Emperor in Rome. Upon seeing the severed head of his son Alexandros V begins a miraculous recovery.

266 CE: Alexandros V sends emissaries to Maximus Artorius offering to make him full co-Emperor in exchange for an alliance against Posthumus. Odaenathus conquers Ctesiphon and proclaims himself King of Kings.

267 CE: Odaenathus is assassinated on the orders of Alexandros V. His wife Zenobia succeeds him and rules for her son Vaballathus. Maximus Artorius attacks Posthumus.

268 CE: Maximus Artorius defeats Posthumus near Lugdunum. He proclaims himself Gallic Emperor, besides his title of Emperor of Britannia. He has Posthumus executed and sends his head to Alexandros V. Alexandros V acknowledges his rule over Britannia and Gallia.

269 CE: Zenobia conquers Egypt. Ptolemy XXV of the Caesarion line flees to his relatives in Kyrene. Zenobia marries her son Vaballathus to his captive daughter Cleopatra. With Zenobia in control of Egyptian grain supply Alexandros V decides to sue for peace but is rebuffed.

270 CE: Vandals invade Pannonia. Alexandros V appoints Aurelian as co-Emperor and sends him to fight the Vandals.

272 CE: Nestorians and Manichaens thrive in Sassanid Persia after Shapur I issues his Edicts of Complete Toleration. Zenobia conquers Ancyra after defeating the Galatian King Samorix. Samorix becomes a client of Palmyra.

273 CE: Aurelian wins a pyrrhic victory over Zenobia near Nicomedia. Zenobia retreats East.

274 CE: Bahram I is Persian Emperor. His policies favoring Manichaeism results in a wave of Manichaean missionary activity. Manichaean missionaries are sent in all directions, including the Steppes. Aurelian fights an indecisive battle against Zenobia in Cilicia.

275 CE: Aurelian advances into Syria. Zenobia decides to sue for peace. A peace is negotiated in Epiphania. Zenobia retains Palmyra as a client, and renounces all actual control outside her kingdom. She retains the title "Empress in Palmyra".

276 CE: Aurelian returns to Rome and is hailed "Restitutor Orbis" - Restorer of the World. Alexandros V confirms him as "deus et dominus natus" - God and born ruler. A new program of reform is launched strengthening the position of Sol as Supreme God of the Empire. On the 25th of December, while celebrating the Dies Natalis Sol Invicti he is assassinated by a Christian centurion. Alexandros V begins a great campaign of persecution in response.

277 CE: The Christian Pope Felix I is sacrificed to Sol Invictus and the Divine Aurelian in reprisal. Remaining Christians are purged from the Italian legions. New programs favoring Mithraism as the religion of the military are instituted.

278 CE: Alexandros V appoints his second born son Alexandros VI as co-Emperor. Alexandros VI defeats the Burgundians and the Vandals in Rhaetia.

280 CE: Alexandros V is assassinated by a Christian senator, who carves a cross on his chest. Renewed persecutions follow. Alexandros VI appoints Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus as co-Emperor.

282 CE: Alexandros VI campaigns against Persia.

284 CE: Alexandros VI enters Ctesiphon in triumph, he has the preserved skin of Emperor Valerian cremated during a grand ceremony of remembrance.

285 CE: The Amanaya Berber prince Antonius, the son of Calara invades Egypt. He enters Alexandria in triumph and is hailed as Antonius Ptolemy son of Amun.

286 CE: Diocletian issues a series of military and adminstrative reforms. Maximian is appointed as his junior co-Emperor by Diocletian. Alexandros VI turns West to deal with Egypt.

287 CE: Briton vassal King Carausius revolts against Maximus Artorius. Artorius goes to Britannia to put down the revolt. Diocletian sees this as an opportunity to invade Gallia. Alexandros VI defeated and captured in the Sinai by Antonius Ptolemy. Antonius Ptolemy has his eyes put out and parades the blind Emperor throughout Egypt.

289 CE: Diocletian appoints another co-Emperor in the person of Constantius-Chlorus.

290 CE: Diocletian attacks Egypt. Siege of Alexandria.

291 CE: Carausius submits to Maximus Artorius, now only Emperor of Britannia. Alexandria falls, the Blind Emperor Alexandros VI is released and he embraces Diocletian, seemingly recognizing him without aid, proclaiming that he is not blind but sees through the eyes of Sol.

292 CE: Diocletian and Alexandros VI chase Antonius Ptolemy who retreats into the desert. Maximus Artorius assassinated. His son Maximus Artorius II marries a Sarmatian, Zyxara.

295 CE: The Sassassanid Narses I invades Syria. Alexandros VI the Blind marches an army out of Antiocheia to meet him. Battle of Antiocheia ad Taurus - Alexandros VI the Blind leads his heavy cavalry into battle and defeats the Persians.

296 CE: Constantius Chlorus invades Britannia. Maximus Artorius II negotiates a peace. Roman dominion over Britannia is restored. Maximus Artorius II confirmed as client High King of Britannia.

297 CE: Alexandros VI campaigns against Persia. Galerius is his second in command.

299 CE: Alexandros VI defeats and captures Narses and his harem at Satala. In a legendary episode Alexandros VI the Blind seemingly comments about the various qualities of the concubines of Narses in spite of his blindness. Narses is forced to sign a humiliating peace, paying immense war reparations and ceding vast territories.

[Shaytana]

Sadly I could not help myself, and I guess I can not be concise enough... although I will try in the future. In any case Alexandros Muad'Dib actually thought he needed more airtime... poor poor fellow. At least I'm getting closer to the beginning of our adventure hehehe.

[Padre Pio]

Wow, only a person with a deep background in history could have come up with this awesome backgrounder timeline. You must either be a history professor or a passionate student of history. I'm eagerly looking forward to reading the main story, this katabasis of the Indohellenic heirs of Alexandros, whoever they are.