Book One: Ptolemy Keraunos
Chapter One: The First Wars
Act I: Thrace
Scene One: A War Council
Keraunos looked at those assembled in the meeting chambers in Pella. His entire council was there, now it was time to begin. “Forty four years ago Macedonia was the greatest nation in the world; we controlled almost the entire known world. Now what do we control?” This was of course a rhetorical question; everyone knew that Macedonia didn’t even have the hegemony that Phillip created. Most of the Peloponnese had slipped away and the southern shore of mainland Greece, north of Pelop’s Island, had also slipped away. “Phillip made Macedonia a first among equals, Alexander made Macedonia great. It is time the sixteen pointed star rise again.”
At this point Zopyrus, the Hierophant, spoke up “My lord, should we not first consult the gods? Or at least go to Delphi and talk to the great Oracle there.” His priests had received a sign the other day and although it had not been fully interpreted it did not seem to be a sign that Macedonia should go to war with anyone.
“No Zopyrus, there is no time to consult the gods. We must figure out which way we should strike. I suggest I lead the First Stratos to Thrace to conquer what Phillip could not.”
Aristarchus spoke up “My lord I think it is my job as Grand Vizier to suggest a different path. Illyria is on our north western border, and they are threatening Macedonia proper. That is where we should cast our first blow.”
“Of course you would think that Aristarchus,” Hippolochos interjected, “everyone knows you have been on the war path to attack Illyria since you attained your post.” He bowed to Keranous “May I my lord?” When Keranous had given his assent Hippolochos continued “I think we should worry more about trade before we talk about any wars. We have the money at the moment to wage war with our current army of ten thousand but we do not know for how long that will last and our resources could be spread out better. And…”
“We could sit here and listen to you blither on all day about finances simply because you are the Royal Treasurer, Hippolochos but it does not change any thing.” Midas Pythied said with a sneer “Why should we worry about our northern bounds? Only barbarians live there, whither they be Illyrians or Dacians. No to the south is where we should look. Or maybe to Seleucia who are at war with Egypt.”
“Nonsense we have no way to get our force to Seleucia. We all know our navy would have to cross the Aegean four times to get all ten thousand men over there. Even if we did what if the war with Egypt goes on the side of the Seleucids? Or if one or more of their large armies remains in Galatia? No there are many questions and ways it could go wrong.”
“Is that so Kleitos? And I suppose as Chancellor you would have a better plan than myself, who oversees the army.”
“Yes Midas I do, we should ally ourselves with Epirus, and Alexander’s cousin, Pyrrhus, joining the war with these upstart barbarians who call themselves the Romani.” Kleitos Omirid looked at those assembled around the table. He knew his idea would not hold much weight, the Romani where too large and had too much lust for power and land, and more importantly he was the one to come up with the idea. He may have a gift for speaking but his words were spoken plainly and the slight hunch he was born with did not help either.
“I agree with my brother.” Melegar said “He should lead an expedition into Thrace and try to take what Phillip could not. It would be a good start and it would set up apart as better than Phillip and closer in league to Alexander.”
“No we should take full advantage of Pyrrhus’ war against the Romani. Take Epirus while he is away in the apoikiai if we are to take anything. I will have our priests look for signs favoring Epirus right away.” Zopyrus said butting in.
Pitholaos Xeonid took this time to make himself be heard. “No we should war with the barbarians. The Illyrians have always been the enemies of Macedonia and so shall they always be as long as there is a king who is not up to the challenge of crushing them once and for all.”
Ptolemy Keraunos had had enough of this, “SILENCE.” he bellowed. The one word cut through the air and all heads snapped to look at their king. Keraunos sat there for a minute relishing in the power he held. “Now, if any of you would stop bickering like old women over laundry maybe we could get something done. I have heard your arguments and I have weighed them. Everyone has their own idea that clearly benefits them in some way or another. Whither it is to right what you perceive as an old wrong or just a way to satisfy your lust for more power I don’t care.” Each of these nobles looked shocked. Then Keraunos’ cold gaze settled on Poseidippus, “Is the navy in any shape to bring war to the Seleucids once again?”
Poseidippus shook his head “No my lord, it is not large enough. We would have to over triple its size and considering we only have wood in the quality and quantity needed for ship building in the islands of the Aegean it would take us close to three and a half years to make it so, if we started trading wood to Athens and other ports near by that time could be cut by half but no more.”
“Very well. Midas, who can our army march on?”
“Well my lord, at the moment we could probably march on any one in Hellas. Pyrrhus is away with his army leaving Epirus free, but the fortifications at Epirus are daunting. The small alliances to our south could be invaded but if we move on them we should move now. Even Sparta would not be able to hold back our army. We could move against the Illyrians or we could march through Maedi lands to Thrace, but the supply lines might not be the best.”
“Very well we shall move toward Thrace. If we need more supplies we will take what we need from the barbarians. No more than we have to of course but they are barbarians.” With the final words the meeting broke up and everyone went their separate ways. Some to prepare for the upcoming war and others went home. Zopyrus, however, slipped away and headed toward the south and the Aetolian League.