INNER FIRE
Small kingdom of Judea was contested for centuries between great Hellenic powers. Defiant inhabitants launched multiple rebellions against Ptolemies, Seleucids and Antigonids, but until 1st century BC they never managed to recreate kingdom of David and Solomon. But under Janneus Macchabeus Jews were able to finally enjoy few years out of Greek tyranny. But vacuum left by Anrtigonids was quickly filled by Egyptians, who around 95 BC finally subdued border kingdom.
But at that time Orentian power was already established in the region. Orentians were looking for opportunity to drive wedge between Egypt and Seleukeia, and since both empires coveted Judea, it looked like a perfect pretext to isolate allies. On the other side, Jews looked upon Orenta with hope, as Orentian administration in Syria was quite benevolent. Governor of the province, Hastos Baalid was an excellent man with political insight necessary for such crucial position. His continuous support for rebels in Judea forced Egyptian hand when Seleucids were unprepared for major conflict.
Egyptian offensive began in spring 88 BC, as powerful force smashed army led by Tigillas Napatera that tried to intercept them near village of Gibeon. it was powerful blow to Orentian military potential in the region and Egyptian forces quickly captured most of the major fortresses south of Damascus. Orentian response was especially weak as High Priest Bodastar died around that time. Fortunately for Orenta, various faction quickly agreed to compromise on his succession, and chose Ilbani Napatera, experienced and respected statesman for his succession. Although already old and ill, Ilbani was able to calm down firebrands and mount major defense efforts against Egyptians.
Egyptians surprrsed Orenta with effective use of War Elephants. Orentians themselves used those animals in warfare, but only as an auxillary forces in African zilas. In battle of Gibeon, epelhants completely smashed ranks of Orentian infantry, allowing mobile Egyptian units to penetrate. In petty act of revenge, as Orentians captured Nile Delta, they killed hundreds of captured elephants.
As Egyptians marched in Syria, Orentian attention was focused on Greece. Major Egyptian allies there, especially Egypt were crucial for Orentian strategy As regime in Alexandria offered no support for its allies, Orentian forces swiftly moved to capture Athens, and then proceeded to occupy Dodecanese.
In 86 BC governor Hastis finally stopped Egyptian offensive near Damascus. Reinforcements started to arrive to Syria and Egyptians found themselves overwhelmed in numbers. But their greatest defeat in this phase of war occurred near Alexandria itself, as Egyptian fleet was demolished when trying to break through blockade. Isolated from the world, Egypt soon came to regret their decision to attack.
War wasn't exactly easy for Orenta though. Theopublic never had opportunity to engage in major conflict in such distant realm and it's supply lines were overextended. Economic crisis and unrest prevented more armies to be sent to Syria Ilbani Napatra died in 84 BC and his successor, Tygillon was not as charismatic and capable as his predecessor. But slowly Orentian forces were able to enter Egyptian territory, although no major successes were achieved until 82 BC.
Weak leaders were plague of late Theopublic period. There was no shortage of talents in Napatera family, as it grew into six major branches, but patricians usually chose those less capable for High Priest office. Patricians themselves, entrenched in the past were ineffective and their only political skill was managing plabeians in capital. Militarists detested this state of affairs and many tried to change it not out of personal ambitions, but genuine concern for the Theopublic.
In that year, Orentian military was finally able to send major expedition towards Egypt itself. led by young Matten Napatera, Orentians surprised Egyptians by making landings in Nile Delta. Egyptians managed to mount successful defence of their capital, but Egypt’s economy was severely crippled as Matten secured territories down to Memphis. It seemed that only miracle can save Egypt from becoming another province of Orenta.
But miracle somewhow happened. In 81 BC, famine started spreading from Syria down to Africa. When greek-sponsored pirates threatened sealanes, Matten’s army was forced to retreat from the delta. In Cyraneica, Egyptian army was able to defeat starved Orentians and push them back to Carthage. As Orentian treasury was empty after years of warfare, public unrest began spreading. Tygillon was forced to make unpopular decision and make peace that was not as favorable as it was expected.
Brothers User and Matten Napatera were responsible for plan that many deemed reckless. Assault of Nile Delta was most ambitious amphibious operation of antiquity and resulted in major success, as Egyptian economy was severely crippled. That success was however reversed by infighting in capital, as their army wasn't supplied and reinforced for years. Both User and Matten after war entered politics as an war heroes, with only one aim - toppling the ruling class.
In Peace of Kandia, Egypt agreed to pull off the Greece and secede Dodecanese to Orenta. Rump Kingdom of Judea was restored, albeit both powers retained strong influence over it’s government. Athens were severely punished and their walls razed, but Egypt itself was saved. But Ptolemaic Kingdom now was only a shadow of it’s former glory. Instability, weak economy and constant internal turmoil turned once proud power into second-rate country, unable to threaten Orenta ever again. But for Orentians themselves, what was important was that Seleucid-Ptolemaic alliance was finally broken. Without that threat looming, Orenta was able to pursue further conquest uncontested. Final vestige of Greek independence, Crete, was finally annexed in 77 BC.
Peace of Kandia effectively turned Mediterranean into internal sea of Orenta. This allowed trade to flourish and improved communications between various arts of the Theopublic. Greek influence over west intensified. Around that time, School of Argo was founded and soon became major cultural institution in the country. In 70 BC Audral the Older published first major book on language, while two years later Cato of Rivia presented High Priest with his collection of dramas. Both men were later named as "fathers of Orentian language"
However, Orenta also wasn't free of internal problems. Exploitation of Greece and war spoils gave birth to new class of plebeian nobility, mostly of Italian and African origin, that sought reforms and rapid advance in society. Government tried to simply bribe them with land and empty offices, but what worked with tribal allies did not work with more diverse and organised group. This new nobility aligned mostly with militarists.
Tygillon and patricians were not strong enough to prevent their enemies from dominating the politics. Militarists were fortunately not unified camp; as every major general owned his own camp with distinct agenda. But High priest was not skilled diplomat and was unable to play one faction against another.
In provinces, regional governor’s power grew stronger. Many of them were former generals and possessed some degree of support in local Zilas. Provincial capitals in this period flourished as more tax money was poured into them, and new trade routes were established between east and west.
Orenta's thirst for slaves was endless. Even though victorious wars provided Theopublic with constant supply, there was always deficit of such commodity in internal markets. Slaves were most important part of Orentian economy. As stratification progressed, possession and number of slaves became symbol of societal status.
Encouraged by their successes in Egypt, generals sought new war - and they found one. Over last 100 years, there were new developments in the north. As Orenta and Egypt clashed, Seleucids defeated Sarmatian tribes in Crimea and recaptured what was once Greek Kingdom of Cimmeria. Sarmatias were close allies of Illyrians, the most strongest barbarian tribe on Orentian borders. Their migrations, pushed further by arrival of Germanic Vandales from up north, threatened stability in the region. Illyrian raids into Macedonia and Gallia intensified. In 75 BC they defeated retaliatory expedition of governor Mursul Euryponditd of Makedon, and executed five hundred Orentian soldiers.
Economic growth and advances in technology allowed more progress in military equipment. In late period of Theopublic, logistics became more and more sophisticated, while soldier in Zila started better, heavier armors. Ethbal was first to introduce heavy equipments to cavalry and such force proved decisive in Second Illyrian War. It was however only after war with Seleucids that heavy cavalry was introduced into all Zilas.
Two years later, two zilas undertook another expedition. Led by ambitious general Ethbal, Orentian soldiers employed devastating strategy. Their trail was marked with burned villages, vanquished fortresses and slaughtered women and children. With their own survival threatened, Illyrians were forced into unfavorable battles, in which they could not best Ethbal. Ethbal campaign led him right into Pannonian plains and it seemed that Illyria would be fully integrated into Orenta.
However, in 71 BC Ethbal was forced to retreat in anger. Around that time, Seleucid diplomats arrived to Orenta and threatened Theopublic with war should it not stop their expansion up north. There were many ready for such conflict, but Ethbal was viewed with fear and jealousy in capital, and government ordered his withdrawal. Ethbal’s soldiers returned with resentment towards Theopublic and it;s ruling class. Another civil war was brewing, and only Ethbal’s assassination in 68 BC prevented collapse of ineffective regime.
Orenta 70 BC.