Hello again! 
As previously hinted today's diary will cover both the Greek Military Traditions and the general setup at the start of the game in the larger Greek region. We will return to other parts of the Greek world in future diaries. I will also start with a few words on the Diadochi and the Greek world at large at our start.
The Wars of the Diadochi:
As we move on to the eastern part of the mediterranean we approach what is perhaps the main conflict of the early part of Imperator:Rome, a conflict that does not involve the promising Republic in Italy at all.
In 334 BCE, a few years after the first Samnite War and some 30 years before the start of the game, Alexander of Macedon crossed the Hellespont and invaded the Persian Achaemenid Empire. Alexander would in short order conquer the empire in its entirety, and soon his rule extended from Greece and Egypt in the west, to the Indus river and Ferghana valley in the east.
However in 323, aged only 32, Alexander would die suddenly, in the city of Babylon.
After some consideration the generals present in Babylon itself proceeded to divide the empire between them in anticipation of one of Alexander’s heirs coming of age.
Almost immediately hostilities would break out between these successor rulers, a series of conflicts that would last far longer than the original campaign to conquer the empire by Alexander himself. The story of this great conflict could fill many developer diaries, and involve everything from securing Alexander’s widows, children, siblings and even his body itself, to treachery, assassination, and unlikely reversals of fortunes. This is a period of some of the most spectacular sieges, naval engagements and land battles of the ancient era. At our start in 304 BCE this conflict is still ongoing, the remaining factions are headed by Cassander in Macedon, Lysimachos in Thrace, Antigonus in Phrygia, Ptolemy in Egypt and Seleucus in Persia. There are no longer any remaining potential heirs by blood to the empire, and so these remaining generals have all begun proclaiming themselves kings in their own right. History knows them as the Diadochi, or successors.
Rather than retelling the wars of the Diadochi in their entirety we will get back to them when we focus on the various regions that the Successors rule at our start.
This diary is going to focus on the geographical region of Greece, in some ways at the periphery of the conflict, but in others at its very center.
Greek Military traditions will be used by all countries with a Greek culture as their state culture. Including all of the mentioned Diadochi kingdoms. Like with all Military traditions there are three different paths but you can choose to progress down either one at any time you unlock a new tradition.
Like with most things we show you numbers are still subject to change. The names for the paths are also not to be taken too literally. They are never shown in game and are just rough categories for us to work with internally.
The Greek can unlock 3 abilities. Raid City, and Border Forts are also present in the Italic Traditions.
In addition the Greek Military Traditions also unlock the Cavalry Skirmish ability. This is a togglable unit ability that increases damage dealt by Light Cavalry and Camelry, while also increasing the damage they take themselves.
Overall Greek Traditions provide a range of different bonuses to Infantry as well as a sprinkling of Cavalry and naval bonuses depending on what you prioritize.
Starting Tradition - Modernized Phalanx: Allows Phalanx
“Seleucid Path”
At the time of Alexander’s death Macedonia and the cities of Greece were entrusted to Antipater, one of his oldest and most experienced officers. A few years later Antipater was even declared the regent of the (by then rather theoretical) empire, and entrusted the care of the presumptive heirs to the empire, Alexander’s son Alexander and his incapable brother Philip.
Quite an old man, Antipater eventually transferred command of Macedonia in 319 BCE to another general, Polyperchon. His eldest son Cassander, himself a veteran of Alexander’s conquests, saw this as a threat to his own ambitions and allied with the enemies of his father. Eventually taking over Greece and Macedon by force. Well in control of Greece, Cassander would find that his father’s enemies soon became his own.
Greece may be far from the center of Alexander’s Empire but it is also extremely central to the wars of the successors. For a Hellenistic King the cities of Greece represent a political capital that few places in the world can match. They also possess considerable commercial wealth and could be a great source of manpower for the ever expanding armies of the Diadochi.
Cassander’s strategy in Greece has been to garrison the cities and place his own men in charge of important ones, such as Athens, or the great fortress of Corinth. This strategy has been quite unpopular with the Greek cities themselves but it has allowed him firm control over the many disparate factions and leagues in the region.
At the start of our game, Demetrius, son of Antigonus and co-king of our Phrygia has just landed with a big army in the Macedonian stronghold Chalcis, in central Greece. Fresh from the siege of Rhodes and conquest of Cyprus, his reputation precedes him. This is also not the first time that he is campaigning in Greece. Thus, when Demetrius promises freedom to all Greek cities many immediately drop the allegiance to Macedon and join his cause.
As our game starts, Cassander and his armies have quickly fled north while Demetrius is now consolidating his hold over Athens and Boeotia. As winter approaches there is a cessation of active hostilities of sorts, but it is not one anyone expects to last.
Starting Countries:
The mountainous peninsula in southern Greece is home to a great number of small city states. Macedonian overlordship is in living memory but the region was almost entirely freed by the Antigonid alliance in previous wars. Polyperchon, the Antigonid General in charge of the region, recently defected to Cassander and left the region to bring Alexander’s brother to Macedon.
The Peloponnesian cities largely remain independent and ungarrisoned ever since Polyperchon left. On the entrance to the peninsula from the north lies the city of Corinth, and its huge fortress, the Acrocorinth, which is still in Cassander’s hands. A small number of city states, primarily around Argos, have also remained loyal to Macedon out of their own interests.
Starting Countries:
There are still many more things to cover, both the in the Greek world and elsewhere. Next week I will be back to talk about Religious Omens, as well as perhaps another thing or two about the starting setup.
As previously hinted today's diary will cover both the Greek Military Traditions and the general setup at the start of the game in the larger Greek region. We will return to other parts of the Greek world in future diaries. I will also start with a few words on the Diadochi and the Greek world at large at our start.
The Wars of the Diadochi:
As we move on to the eastern part of the mediterranean we approach what is perhaps the main conflict of the early part of Imperator:Rome, a conflict that does not involve the promising Republic in Italy at all.
In 334 BCE, a few years after the first Samnite War and some 30 years before the start of the game, Alexander of Macedon crossed the Hellespont and invaded the Persian Achaemenid Empire. Alexander would in short order conquer the empire in its entirety, and soon his rule extended from Greece and Egypt in the west, to the Indus river and Ferghana valley in the east.
However in 323, aged only 32, Alexander would die suddenly, in the city of Babylon.
After some consideration the generals present in Babylon itself proceeded to divide the empire between them in anticipation of one of Alexander’s heirs coming of age.
Almost immediately hostilities would break out between these successor rulers, a series of conflicts that would last far longer than the original campaign to conquer the empire by Alexander himself. The story of this great conflict could fill many developer diaries, and involve everything from securing Alexander’s widows, children, siblings and even his body itself, to treachery, assassination, and unlikely reversals of fortunes. This is a period of some of the most spectacular sieges, naval engagements and land battles of the ancient era. At our start in 304 BCE this conflict is still ongoing, the remaining factions are headed by Cassander in Macedon, Lysimachos in Thrace, Antigonus in Phrygia, Ptolemy in Egypt and Seleucus in Persia. There are no longer any remaining potential heirs by blood to the empire, and so these remaining generals have all begun proclaiming themselves kings in their own right. History knows them as the Diadochi, or successors.
Rather than retelling the wars of the Diadochi in their entirety we will get back to them when we focus on the various regions that the Successors rule at our start.
This diary is going to focus on the geographical region of Greece, in some ways at the periphery of the conflict, but in others at its very center.
Greek Military Traditions:
Greek Military traditions will be used by all countries with a Greek culture as their state culture. Including all of the mentioned Diadochi kingdoms. Like with all Military traditions there are three different paths but you can choose to progress down either one at any time you unlock a new tradition.
Like with most things we show you numbers are still subject to change. The names for the paths are also not to be taken too literally. They are never shown in game and are just rough categories for us to work with internally.
The Greek can unlock 3 abilities. Raid City, and Border Forts are also present in the Italic Traditions.
In addition the Greek Military Traditions also unlock the Cavalry Skirmish ability. This is a togglable unit ability that increases damage dealt by Light Cavalry and Camelry, while also increasing the damage they take themselves.
Overall Greek Traditions provide a range of different bonuses to Infantry as well as a sprinkling of Cavalry and naval bonuses depending on what you prioritize.
Starting Tradition - Modernized Phalanx: Allows Phalanx
“Seleucid Path”
- Agema: Light Cavalry Discipline +15%
- Arms For Hire: Mercenary Recruit Cost Modifier -25%
- Phoenician Sailors: Ship Offense +15%
- Companion Cavalry: Allows Cavalry Skirmish
- Kataphraktoi: Heavy Cavalry Discipline +15%
- Thyreophoroi: Light Infantry Morale +15%
- The Hipparchos: Cavalry Morale +15%
- Finisher Bonus - Deep Coffers: Mercenary Maintenance -25%
- The Sarissa: Heavy Infantry Morale +15%
- The Tarentine Advance: Light Cavalry Defensive +15%
- Siege Craft: Siege Ability +15%
- Military Colonies: Allows Military Colonies
- Mine's Bigger Than Yours: Ship Defensive +15%
- City State Fortifications: Fort Defence +15%
- Centuries of War: Heavy Infantry Maintenance Cost -25%
- Finisher Bonus - The Silver Shields: Heavy Infantry Discipline +15%
- Veterans of the Great Campaign: Unit Starting Experience +15%
- Proud Shipwrights: Ship Construction Cost -25%
- The Nobility Ride: Light Cavalry Offense +15%
- The Victor's Spoils: Allows Raid City
- Peltasts: Light Infantry Offense +15%
- Specialist Infantry: Archer Discipline +15%
- Mastery of the Mountains: Light Infantry Mountain Bonus +25%
- Finisher Bonus - Combined Arms: Light Infantry Discipline +15%
Greece 450 AUC - 304 BCE
Macedonia, Epirus & Thrace
At the time of Alexander’s death Macedonia and the cities of Greece were entrusted to Antipater, one of his oldest and most experienced officers. A few years later Antipater was even declared the regent of the (by then rather theoretical) empire, and entrusted the care of the presumptive heirs to the empire, Alexander’s son Alexander and his incapable brother Philip.
Quite an old man, Antipater eventually transferred command of Macedonia in 319 BCE to another general, Polyperchon. His eldest son Cassander, himself a veteran of Alexander’s conquests, saw this as a threat to his own ambitions and allied with the enemies of his father. Eventually taking over Greece and Macedon by force. Well in control of Greece, Cassander would find that his father’s enemies soon became his own.
Starting Countries:
- Macedon: The original kingdom of Alexander, now ruled by the Antipatrid dynasty under Cassander. While thoroughly militarized, Macedon itself was never the richest part of Alexander’s empire. In recent years it has flourished under the rule of the Antipatrids, who have spent great resources on founding new cities, improving infrastructure and generally acting as is expected of Hellenistic Kings. In the years preceding our start date Cassander ordered the murder of the last heirs of Alexander, once entrusted to his father. This proved to be quite an unpopular move among the Greek cities but one that met almost no opposition from the other Diadochi.
- Epirus: More accurately the Epirote League. Led by the newly elected King Pyrrhus Accidae, a man who has been called the greatest military mind of his time. Pyrrhus is still young but would in time make a name for himself as a mercenary and adventurer. Pyrrhus feels he has a legitimate claim himself to the realm of Alexander and is sympathetic to the Antigonid cause. Epirus starts out unaligned and without alliances but many opportunities for expansion.
- Thrace: The realm of Lysimachos, a seasoned general of Alexander’s wars but perhaps less influential than most of the others we have mentioned. Thrace is aligned with Macedon against the Antigonids in Phrygia but its meager military resources are mostly spent protecting itself from the many tribes to its north and in the Thracian inland. Thrace starts allied with Macedon and with Odrysia as a vassal.
- Odrysia: Thracian tribal kingdom just north of Lysimachos domain. While technically a subject of Lysimachos it was just as often a rebellious enemy. Odrysia starts as a vassal of Thrace.
- Taulantia: Kingdom north of Epirus ruled by the famous warrior king who have fought Alexander the great, Antipater and eventually Cassander. Offered refuge to Pyrrhus and his mother when Cassander wanted them dead years prior. Starts unaligned and without allies
- Cavi: Small tribal vassal of Taulantia in Illyria.
- Paeonia: Tribal Kingdom in Upper Macedonia founded by a cadet branch to the Argead house of Macedon. Starts as a vassal of Macedon.
Central Greece
Greece may be far from the center of Alexander’s Empire but it is also extremely central to the wars of the successors. For a Hellenistic King the cities of Greece represent a political capital that few places in the world can match. They also possess considerable commercial wealth and could be a great source of manpower for the ever expanding armies of the Diadochi.
Cassander’s strategy in Greece has been to garrison the cities and place his own men in charge of important ones, such as Athens, or the great fortress of Corinth. This strategy has been quite unpopular with the Greek cities themselves but it has allowed him firm control over the many disparate factions and leagues in the region.
At the start of our game, Demetrius, son of Antigonus and co-king of our Phrygia has just landed with a big army in the Macedonian stronghold Chalcis, in central Greece. Fresh from the siege of Rhodes and conquest of Cyprus, his reputation precedes him. This is also not the first time that he is campaigning in Greece. Thus, when Demetrius promises freedom to all Greek cities many immediately drop the allegiance to Macedon and join his cause.
As our game starts, Cassander and his armies have quickly fled north while Demetrius is now consolidating his hold over Athens and Boeotia. As winter approaches there is a cessation of active hostilities of sorts, but it is not one anyone expects to last.
Starting Countries:
- Athens: Perhaps the most prestigious of all cities in the Greek world. Home to the Akademia founded by Plato. Under Cassander Athens was ruled by the Tyrant Demetrius of Phalerum. At our start Athens has just been freed of its Tyrant and has welcomed the Antigonid prince Demetrius Poliorcetes with open arms as the liberator of all greeks. In time this relation would grow a bit more sour but at our start Athens is closely aligned with the Antigonid cause in Greece. Athens start as a democratic Republic and a feudatory of Phrygia.
- Thebes: Once the leader of the Boeotian league and a power in their own right, Thebes was laid to waste by Alexander the great when he conquered Greece. As if to distance himself from Alexander Cassander has spent considerable funds on rebuilding Thebes to once again be a relevant power in the region, and a loyal ally to Macedon. Thebes begins as a feudatory of Macedon.
- Boeotia: Country representing the Boeotian League. As soon as Demetrius Poliorcetes landed in Chalcis, the Boeotian league switched its allegiance from Cassander of Macedon to the Antigonids in Phrygia. Starts as an ally of Phrygia.
- Aetolia: Small country representing the league of Aetolia. Often closely aligned with the Antigonids of Phrygia. At our start they have just entered into an alliance with Demetrius Poliorcetes.
- Euboea: Represents the Euboean league and controls the entire island of Euboea apart from the fortified city of Chalcis itself. Starts as a feudatory of Phrygia.
- Akarnania: Small country representing the league of Akarnania in western Greece. Positioned at the border of Macedon and Epirus the small league will have to rely on more powerful protectors in order to survive. At start Akarnania is a feudatory of Macedon.
- Megara: Small city state between Athens and Corinth. Home to the Megarian school of philosophy and logic. Declared for Phrygia when Demetrius freed Athens from its tyrant. Megara starts as a feudatory of Phrygia.
Peloponnesos:
The mountainous peninsula in southern Greece is home to a great number of small city states. Macedonian overlordship is in living memory but the region was almost entirely freed by the Antigonid alliance in previous wars. Polyperchon, the Antigonid General in charge of the region, recently defected to Cassander and left the region to bring Alexander’s brother to Macedon.
The Peloponnesian cities largely remain independent and ungarrisoned ever since Polyperchon left. On the entrance to the peninsula from the north lies the city of Corinth, and its huge fortress, the Acrocorinth, which is still in Cassander’s hands. A small number of city states, primarily around Argos, have also remained loyal to Macedon out of their own interests.
Starting Countries:
- Sparta: The largest, and most prestigious state in the Peloponnesos is Sparta. The kingdom is long past its heyday, and has not played any major role in regional politics for quite some time. Nonetheless, the containment of Sparta has been a goal of foreign policy for Macedon both under Alexander and later Cassander in this region. Like Athens, Sparta is the founder of Greek cities around the mediterranean and continues to play a role by getting involved in conflicts around them. Not long from our start date Sparta would send the prince Cleonymus to Italy to help Tarentum. Sparta starts out independent and allied to Tarentum.
- Argos: Republic that has historically been a major player in the region, and opponent to Spartan hegemony. Argos has been supported by Macedon to act as a close ally and strong loyal force in the region, a counterweight to the rise of other regional powers. Argos starts as a Feudatory of Macedon.
- Megalopolis: Small city state just north of Sparta. Heavily fortified by the Thebans 60 years prior, Megalopolis is the main city of the Arcadian league in which many of the central cities of the Peloponnese are organized. At start Megalopolis is in a defensive league with Azania, Mantinea and Stymphalia.
- Azania: Democratic Republic representing various small cities in the Peloponnese upland, most significantly Kleitor. At start Azania is in a defensive league with Megalopolis, Mantinea and Stymphalia.
- Stymphalia: Small city state next to Corinth and a member of the Arcadian League. At start Stymphalia is in a defensive league with Megalopolis, Mantinea and Azania.
- Mantinea: Oligarchic Republic in the central Peloponnese. Mantinea’s fortifications and strategic location has made it the scene of important historical battles more than once. At start Mantinea is in a defensive league with Megalopolis, Stymphalia and Azania.
- Troizen: Small city state on the tip of the Argolid Peninsula. Starts as a feudatory of Macedon.
- Epidauros: Small city state, and center of the Asklepios cult. Starts as a feudatory of Macedon.
- Aigion: City state in the northern Peloponnese, formerly the main city of the old and defunct Achaean league. Starts independent and unaligned.
- Patrai: City state in the northern Peloponnese. Would in time come to be a founding member of the Achaean league that came to encompass much of the entire region some time after our start date. Starts independent and unaligned.
- Elis: City state in the western Peloponnese, in its territory lies Olympia and Elis is therefore the host of the recurrent Olympic games. Elis starts as independent and unaligned.
- Heraia: Small city state in the upland beyond Olympia. Borders the Arcadian league but is itself unaligned at start.
- Messenia: Region formerly annexed and enslaved by Sparta. Messenia was made independent and fortified by the Thebans 60 years ago with the objective to keep Spartan power in check. At our start Messenia maintains a well fortified and firmly Anti-Spartan foreign policy. Starts independent and unaligned.
- Lepreon: Small city state in the fertile Triphylia region on the western coast of the Peloponnese. Starts independent and unaligned.
There are still many more things to cover, both the in the Greek world and elsewhere. Next week I will be back to talk about Religious Omens, as well as perhaps another thing or two about the starting setup.
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