THIS IS ARMENIA!
In January 31 in the year 515 AVC, Gotarzes left this world to go by Ahura Mazda sides. Sarsamas, who mourned the little King’s death, took control of the monarchy in February. With a new King in place, new policies would soon emerge from the brain of Sarsamas. Being the equivalent of Mithranes in all domains, the Armenians had high hopes to see the Seleucids threat disappear. The first policy that Sarsamas established was to gain new tributes from countries in order to fill the coffer.
Eventually around September, the war between Rome and the Seleucids seemed to be a draw. Not knowing if he should enter in the brawl or stay aside from it, a weird idea crossed Sarsamas mind… What would a woman do in his place? Unable to find an answer to this question, Sarsamas slowly undressed himself in his room and put on a robe from his wife. He stared through the window and looked at the mountains. He had built dozen of buildings, but his most prized achievements were the numerous walls he had repaired. And at this very moment, Peucestas Asimid (the royal advisor) entered his room and found the King in a… Women’s robe…
Peucestas Asimid: “Majesty… is that… you?”
Sarsamas: (Maybe he doesn’t know it’s me… Maybe he thinks it’s my wife. Sarsamas tried to take a women voice, but failed miserably.) “No my dear, my husband went out to look at his troops…”
Peucestas: (Peucestas walked slowly toward the King, but stared at the floor in respect for the King). “Sarsamas… I know it’s you… What are you doing? Are you gone crazy! Hell, we were stuck with a kid before and now you’re dressing like a woman! What would the Armenians think if they would see you like this?”
Sarsamas: “I don’t know… It was just… Too tempting to try it on. By the way, if you could keep this to yourself, I wouldn’t mind sparing some money to make sure it doesn’t get out of this room…”
Peucestas: “His majesty his too kind, I shall keep this for myself, but for Ahura Mazda’s sake, please, don’t ever do it again!
Sarsamas: “Of course… By the way, I’m sending you on an assassination mission tomorrow… You are going to assassinate every Seleucid generals that could cause me some trouble.”
Peucestas: (He slowly shaked his head.) “Sure… My queen… Huh… I mean majesty…”
Before letting Peucestas leave Armenia, Sarsamas sent an emissary to his long time rival, the Seleucid. This new war would plunge Armenia into another war that would seal the future of the country, but also of Sarsamas reputation! Would he be remembered as a Conqueror? Or worse, as king who dressed as a queen! This war would be an excellent opportunity to get rid of Peucestas.
The plan for the upcoming war is simple. Sarsamas gave the lead of his 2 main armies to his 2 best’s generals. Manchihr Partatid will lead an expedition from Babylon to Seleucia in order to siege the capital and he will take care of the 1st main army of the Seleucid. The 2nd Armenian army will go to Commagene and try to defend the Armenian borders in the mountains. Last reports we had, there was around 60k Seleucids man who passed through our territory to wage war against Rome. Those 2 armies will each have 18 000 men, composed of 10k Heavy of infantry, 3k of archers, 3k of horse archers and also 2k more of horsemen. The other army will be composed of mercenaries, mainly light infantry in order to siege the Western part of the Seleucids Empire quickly. Once they have finish, they shall move to help with Commagene defense or engage any threats coming near the Iberians border.
(Damn, the maps i did looks so ugly. I'll try to put more then 2 mins making it next time)
Before long, the mercenaries that Sarsamas recruited were sieging every single province in the West part of Europe. His best general, Manchihr Partatid (9 martial), was going for Seleucia. He would eventually attack during the night with one of the 2 Armenia’s main army in order to offer a diversion to Peucestas. As the fight started, Xenophon was still sleeping and when his men came to his room, he never waked up… In fact, he had a dagger in his heart with a message on him: “My Queen shall rule the world!”.
The Seleucids soldiers didn’t think too long before going help their brothers in arms in the front line. They only thought that Armenia’s king was ruled by his wife. A country ruled by a women couldn’t win against the Mighty Seleucid empire (even if they are fighting also the Romans…)! What a bad night they had…
Soon after, Sarsamas sent some emissaries to Iberia. In the past, Armenia always looked at disrespect toward it’s neighbor, but under Sarsamas, he looked at them as brother of faith. Their men could probably take care of the Bosporan Kingdom and maybe Massilia if they would ever reach our lands.
While Manchihr was pursuing the rest of the Seleucids Army, Sarsamas invited the Armenians to a festival in honor of their god. Every family who had some soldiers would be given a goat. Armenians we’re happy and eventually, those news reached the soldiers ears and reminded them the reason for which they were fighting. In fact, this would help to calm down the people of the recent bad harvest.
As the war continued, the Bosporan Kingdom eventually stepped aside from the war, leaving Massilia and the Seleucid at the mercy of the Armenian’s fury.
When the first Armenian province falled to the Seleucid’s hand, Sarsamas sent his second best general at Commagene. Hidarnes Asinid (8 martial) eventually beat Kleandros (another Seleucid veteran) of the Seleucids Army.
Some days later, the Seleucids marched back to Commagene, but strangely, Kleandros never came on the battlefield. He heard from the prisoners he took that he was found dead with a dagger in his heart with a message saying: “Goats save the queen!”.
As the war was still raging, a revolt occurred in Adiabene. Manchihr forced his soldiers to march there and massacred a 20 000 regiments of peasants. Let the words be told, no Armenians would ever be allowed to revolt when the country is at war. Hidarnes on his side was still taking down the Seleucid. If Seleucia and Commagene were some of the greatest battle of this war, Antioch would become the Seleucids Waterloo. With an army of 21 500 men, the Seleucids lost three quarter of it, while Armenia only lost 2448 men.
Hidarnes chased down the remaining force in Cilicia and ended the last big army of the Seleucid. 1 year after this huge win at Antioch, nothing was left of the Seleucids. The peace deals would be in favor of Armenia, newly provinces were acquired and the Seleucid Empire would no longer claim the jewel of Armenia, Babylon!
Here’s now the big picture of Armenia after 46 years of play. I’m first in income, my manpower is empty and I’m in the fifth place for research point.
And Finally, the Armenian Kingdom at year 520 AVC:
