[EB AAR] Tales of the Hegemonia Athenaion:A Greek AAR

[johnhughthom]

Athens, the year of the one hundred and twenty fourth Olympiad.

A group of men sit around a large table in the garden of a modest dwelling. It is obvious the discussions are not going well...

Let me get this straight Chremonides, you wish me to agree to become the lapdog of one Makedone to avert the threat from another? King Areus of Sparta growled.

No Chremonides, Archon of Athens, replied with a sigh I wish you to accept help from a friend who has no wish to see Antigonos grow too powerful.

Pah, like I need assistance from a man with a title longer than his penis, who does he think he is kidding? He has no influence here in Greece, I accept help from those who face me and offer it. I accept help from a man who will stand and fight beside me, not a man who helps with money. That is not a man at all.

I will stand and fight beside you, Ptolemies money is a part of my help that is all.

No, he is a man with no honour, accepting his help is not the Spartan way.

Areus, the Spartan way is dead. You have what, one thousand homoi? That will not save Sparta. You need help, I need help. Agothokles, you need help too. When Antigonos overruns mainland Greece he will come for you to avenge your humiliation of Phillipos. What say you?

The old man glanced nervously at Areus who shook his head.No, it is not honourable to accept Ptolemies' gold.

What? Rhodes has traded with Egypt for generations, they have always been an ally to you. What has changed?

Agathokles looked at his feet, his face scarlet with shame.

I'll tell you Chremonides said Areus. I have his son, if Agathokles doesn't side with me an "accident" may befall him.

Chremonides shook his head wearily. What do you want Areus? You have obviously been plotting this moment, tell me your plan.

Areus looked at Akrotatos, his son and heir to the Spartan throne.

I'll tell you Akrotatos replied. You place your entire army under my command, my father takes the Spartan army and we march north. We burn any settlement in our way, meet Antigonus in battle and end the Makedone threat. Then we move east into Epirote territory and destroy Pyrrhos, we have been told he intends to attack Sparta. You will take your fleet, alongside Agathokles' fleet, and eliminate the Egyptian navy to enable us to invade Egypt after we have subdued Greece.

Chremonides sat with his mouth hanging open in a rather undignified fashion. Agathokles looked very uncomfortable, shifting in his chair constantly.

Well? Areus asked.

Chremonides just stared.

You have nothing to say? asked Akrotatos.

Gonatas is not the biggest danger to Greece, you two madmen are Chremonides finally replied. I can only assume you are both infected with the same illness. I don't know what worries me more, your lust for power and conflict or the fact you actually believe your plan to be feasible.
Areus and Akrotatos stood.

So, no room for compromise then. It's your way or not at all? asked the Athenian.

You have insulted me, my son and the whole of Sparta replied Areus. You will live to regret it. Come Agathokles, there is work to be done. The two Spartans and the Rhodian left without a glance back at Chremonides, who stared at the ground. How would free Greece hope to stand when they were so divided, surely this meeting had made Gonatos' task even easier.


One week later a messenger arrived from Sparta. Athens was officialy at war with the Spartan/Rhodian alliance. The second Pelloponnesian War had begun.

[johnhughthom]

Chremonides stood on the field of battle looking at the Spartan force twice the size of his own. What on earth was going through the mind of Areus, even if he won this battle losses on both sides would be grievous and that would only assist the Makedone Basileus. Areus had spoken of only trusting a man who would stand beside him on the field of battle, Chremonides had pledged to do just that, yet here they were, on opposite sides of the battlefield.

The pre battle maneuvering had enabled Chremonides to gain an advantageous position on the field.

It was lucky that he had, outnumbered as they were, the Athenians knew they had little hope of victory. They held formation as the much larger enemy force approached.

The two groups of skirmishers exchanged javelins, the Athenians had much the better of this exchange due to their elevated postition and the encounter was brief.

As the Spartan skirmishers withdrew, battered and bloodied, the Athenians moved to secure the flanks. This was necessary against the more numerous foe. The Spartan skirmishers would be allowed to recuperate behind the lines but the Athenians could have no such luxury.

The two lines of hoplites then moved together, a mighty clash of iron. bronze and muscle. Spartan and Rhodian stabbed at Athenian, Athenian jabbed back at those they had hoped would be allies.

The lines moved back and forward for hours as men lunged at thrust at each other then broke off to catch breath. After four hours of this the unthinkable happened, Spartan soldiers started to run from the enemy!

The king managed to group them together again and charge at the enemy.

Areus and Chremonides found themselves standing almost toe to toe. This wasn't how Chremonides had envisiged a battlefield shared with Areus to be. He didn't have time to dwell on it though as to lose concentration would have been to lose his life.

As Chremonides watched, a poor farmer from a town in Attica killed the King of Sparta.

He was a free man with more liberty under Athenian law than any of the Spartans he faced had. The man may or may not have voted for Chremonides as Archon, but that mattered not to the statesman. He was proud of the poor farmer, as he was proud of every man who had fought with him today. They had fought, not because they had to, but because they wanted to. At that moment Chremonides had a vision, a vision of every Greek in the world having the freedom to fight or not, as he saw fit. The freedom to decide who governed his city, the freedom to vote on laws and policy. He knew it was his destiny and he would fight for it to become reality. He would fight for the freedom of Athenian, Spartan, Rhodian and any other man who called himself Greek.
With the death of Areus the battle was won. Akrotatos had also been slain, the Spartans ran from the field, utterly beaten and humiliated. The battle had been won, perhaps the war too, but this was only the precusror to the real conflict. Athens would have to unite the free Greek cities against the Makedone threat, and they would have to do it not as tyrants, but as leaders of free men who fought willingly.
How could Chremonides bring the two warring factions together?

[O'Ciarain]

Looks pretty good, so far! I can't wait to see where this goes!

[SonOfAlexander]

VERY good... strong opening, liked the 'penis...title' remark, that stuck in my mind .
+rep, and I want to see more of this!

[johnhughthom]

Chremonides sat in his tent, an aide stood cleaning his arms and armour, when a Spartan delegation arrived.

Chremonides of Athens, Sparta unconditionally surrenders to you. Our homoi are decimated, our city defenceless, we beg you show mercy to our women and children. My name is Eudamidas, I accept responsibility for the actions of our King and ask you punish me, not my city
Chremonides shook his head slowly and ignored the delegation. The men stood there confused, unsure of what to do next when a prisoner was brought before Chremonides.

Sir, Agathokles of Rhodes surrendered to us with the entire Rhodian army.

This woke Chremonides from his melancholy and he rose and embraced the confused old man.

What in the name of the Gods were you doing on a battlefield at your age? Chremonides asked with a smile.

My men had no desire to fight Athens, if I hadn't come to the field with them they would never have fought and my son would be dead. I am sorry Chremonides, all this death is my fault. Had I been less selfish Areus would never have dared do this.

No my friend, this is not your fault. The only thing I respect more than loyalty to your state is loyalty to your family. You, he turned to ask Eudamidas where is the son of Agathokles? Is he well?

Yes, he is safe and well, we have treated him kindly. Not everyone in Sparta agreed with our Kings actions.

Chremonides looked at Eudamidas with less hostility than before. Of course, I shouldn't hold you all accountable for the madness of two men.

How do we proceed? Asked the Spartan nervously, do you intend to march on Sparta?

What would that achieve? No, I want you to return to Sparta and help rebuild the city however you see fit. I need Sparta, and the other free cities on my side willingly if we are to defeat Antigonos.

Chremonidas embraced Eudamidas, you are not responsible for what happened here today, the men who are, are dead. I embrace you as a friend of Athens, return to your home, rebuild your city.

And Antigonos? Asked Eudamidas.

Chremonides looked at the Spartan, then the Rhodian. Agathokles, you go with Eudamidas to Sparta, be reunited with your son. I will meet you both there in one month and we will discuss our future. What say you both?

Aye the Spartan and Rhodian replied in unison.

[johnhughthom]

Sparta, one month later.

As Chremonides arrived Eudamidas and Agathokles were already seated.

Greetings Chremonides, it is good to see you well Eudamidas said in greeting, Agathokles simply rose to embrace the Athenian.

Chremonides sat with a sigh, he had rode here quickly after learning Antigonos had arrived on Attic soil. Well my friends, what we decide here will guide the destiny of Greece. Will we become slaves of a Makedonian once again, or will free Greeks rule their own destiny?

I have spoken with the elders, it has been agreed we will change our laws to accomodate your "democracy," our homoi are all but gone, if changing our ways is the only thing that will please Athens we will do it. Eudamidas bowed his head, his shame at his cities capitulation and loss of honour obvious.

Chremonides narrowed his eyes, I think you misunderstand me Eudamidas, I have no desire to dictate to you how your city is ruled. I wish every Greek to have the freedom to choose, how can I then tell you how to run your city? If you, and every other Spartan, still wish to be run under a kingship, that is for you to decide. I simply desire friendship between Athens and Sparta, and every other Greek city.

What is your proposal then? Asked Agathokles

Put simply, a confederation of Greek City States. A Koinen Hellenon so to speak. A pact of mutual friendship and defence. Each state would have it's own laws, army and financial control, we would simply co-operate on mutual defence. Provide a solid, united front to the world and our enemies.
Eudamidas and Agathokles looked at each other in surprise.

My apologies Agathokles, I never even enquired how your son is asked the Athenian.

He is fine, thanks to you.

Good, that is good to hear. So, what do you think of my "Koinen Hellenon"?

How exactly would this work? Asked Eudamidas.

A council would be formed with representation from every free city, it would meet yearly to discuss matters of mutual co-operation and concern. Where we meet isn't important, we could build a dedicated meeting hall or meet in a different city every year. What matters is we work together as a unified Greek entity, but each city still has the right to decide it's own destiny. One man would be elected as "Hegemon" but he would be little more than a figurehead, he would have no more power than any other council member.

Chremonides sat back to allow the Spartan and Athenian to absorb his idea.

Agathokles nodded his head, Yes, this could work. If we can work together to defeat Antigonos we will show nothing can withstand a united Free Greece.

Eudamidas was equally enamoured with the idea. Genius, my friend, genius.

We are agreed then? Asked Chremonidas

Aye.

[johnhughthom]

Winter, the year of the one hundred and twenty fourth Olypiad

The Koinen Hellenon survived the first few months of life. The fledgling confederation was helped by Pyrrhos of Epirus' decision to attack the Makedone capital, Pella. Antigonos took his army from Attica northward to defend his homeland. This left Chremonides, Eudamidas and Agathokles time to work out the details of their new entities laws and treaties. A short constitution was devised:

Constitution of the Koinen Hellen

The Koinen Hellenon pledges to offer every free Greek the opportunity to choose how he wishes to live. Any free Greek anywhere in the world can claim to be a citizen of the Koinen Hellenon and he will be under our protection. Any free Greek city anywhere in the world can claim membership of the Koinen Hellenon and we will defend them from the evil intent of others. No free Greek under the Koinen Hellenon will be told how to live, no free Greek city will be told how to run it's own affairs. The Koinen Hellenon is a free Greek ideal, the Koinen Hellenon will endure.

Signed:
Agathokles of Rhodes
Chremonides of Athens
Eudamidas of Sparta.

Unfortunately Agathokles did not live to see the new confederation grow and prosper, he died at the age of 67.
Eudamidas was named new King of Sparta, though most of the governance of the city would be under the ephors, the Spartan King's main obligations now would be as representative on the Council of the Koinen Hellenon.

Chremonides was elected as Athens representative on the Council, he was also made Hegemon of the Koinen Hellenon in a decision taken by the three architects of the alliance.

It was decided the Council would meet every summer on Rhodes. The Hegemon would be a lifetime post, alternating between Athenian, Spartan and Rhodian. Eudamidas would be next in line, followed by Agathokles' young son.

A state of emergency was declared by the Council and control of the armies of all three cities was handed to the Hegemon. Unfortunately the Second Pelloponnesian War had left all sides weakened and the combined force would struggle to hold back a Makedonian onslaught.

A diplomat was sent to Pyrrhos and an alliance was negotiated, the Epirotes war on Makedonia had almost certainly saved the Koinen Hellenon from an early grave and it was hoped continued hostilities would give them much needed breathing space to rebuild and regroup.

The alliance was negotiated by a man named Odysseus, and he was currently en route to broker a ceasefire with the Seleukid Empire in an attempt to leave Gonatas isolated.

The first target of a fightback would most likely be Korinthos, and an agent was already in place, gathering intelligence.

The financial and trading agreements led to an economy where all three cities were intertwined, a weak year for one could be offset by a good year for another. The economy was slowly recovering from the Second Pelloponnesian War and it would take time to grow enough to sustain a larger army or any naval force.

There was also talk of intertwining of the families of the three architects of the agreement. All three of them had young sons and agreements were put in place for intermarriage between the three cities. Areus' young daughter was also still alive and it was felt marrying her into an Athenian or Rhodian family would strengthen the alliance.

The first year had almost been succesfully negotiated by the new grouping, the road ahead would surely be much more rocky...

[SonOfAlexander]

This is really going very well... excellent, I'd rep you again if I could

[Junius]

If I would say one thing right now about this AAR, it is that you should really look at your layout. In the text field it may look good, but always be sure to preview before you post. While the AAR may be good (I haven't read it fully yet) you hamstring yourself with a poor layout. Make sure there are clear breaks between paragraphs, right now it appears as a wall of text, which I can assure you is not easy on the eye or will help you win readers. Instead of just hitting enter once between paragraphs, go ahead and hit that bad boy another time. It looks a lot better.

See? Easier to read. A couple of tricks I like to use, though this is just personnal perference, is to [quote] the letters, and [center] the pictures. This just makes things look a lot neater, and make it easier to read. Also consider moving to a larger font, I know some readers complain about hard to read AARs. I have used font size 4, but I think size 3 is better.

It looks good, and I have not seen a decent Greek AAR in a while, so I look forward to reading this, and wish you all the best.

[johnhughthom]

I would like my pictures to be centred but I'm unsure how to go about it. Thanks for the advice fergusmck, I'll change the paragraphing now.

edit: that does look a lot less of a chore to read.

[johnhughthom]

The Council of the Koinen Hellenon, Rhodes. One year after the one hundred and twenty fourth Olympiad

16 men sat around a large table in Rhodes' biggest building, the representatives of Athens, Sparta, Rhodes and the other free Greek cities were to debate the year ahead.

Hegemon Chremonides rose to speak first. Free Greeks, we have rebuilt, recharged and reinvigorated long enough. After winter, in the next campaign season, we must go on the offensive against Antigonos. We have agents in Korinthos, Chalkis, Demetrias and Thermon and we must pick our target well. We cannot afford one misstep, any error could spell our doom. Before I tell you my opinion, I turn the floor to you.

The representative from Argos gave his thoughts, I believe we must start slowly, being ambitious too early would be suicide. Chalkis is ill-defended, Gonatas won't be able to take it back without assaulting Athens first. Of course if I were selfish I would say Korinthos as that city is an evil shadow upon my home, we feel her malign influnce every day. We must think long term however and taking Euboia would help put us on a firm footing.

The others nodded their heads in agreement.

Good, said Chremonides I was thinking the same. We are decided then, I will lead an assault upon Chalkis as soon as winter has been and gone. Has anybody any other pressing business?

Nobody made a move to speak.

Good, I ask you all to prepare your troops for the campaign season and pray to the Gods for their favour.

Chremonides left the room and the other representatives began to talk amongst each other, some still finding this cordial relationship hard to get used to.

[SonOfAlexander]

To center simply highlight all the text and click the centre icon

[Julius Barca the Great]

Very good AAR. Nice writing style, good Pictures, and an interesting storyline! Keep it up!

[johnhughthom]

The Council of the Koinen Hellenon, Rhodes. One year prior to the one hundred and twenty fifth Olympiad

It is two years since our last visit to the council, little has changed since then...

Chremonides rises from his seat to open the Council session. I have little news to report, Odysseus has sent word generous trade agreements have been negotiated with the African Phoenicians and a small city state in Megale Hellas some of you may have heard of called Rome. Also...

Wait a minute! a small man shouts, rising from his seat as he does. I may be new here but surely I'm not the only one who wonders what we are doing allying with Rome. Cries of here, here and nods from the men around the table.

We are not allies, replies Chremonides. It is merely a trade agreement.

It is still an agreement signifying we support the Romans who are at war with Pyrhhos, our most trusted ally. I appreciate how you rescued me and my fellow citizens of Chalkis from the Makedone yoke but this agreement makes it look like we support the good Greek men of Megale Hellas being ruled by barbarians! It makes a mockery of our constitution.

Eudamidas rose, Friend don't try to tell me or Chremonides what our constitution says, we wrote it. Read it carefully, it says any free Greek man or City may "claim" to be part of the Koinen Hellenon. Has Taras asked to be included? Do you know of any free Greek from that city who has asked for our protection? Until you do be careful of what you say.

The representative from Mykenae rose. You call Pyrrhos our most trusted ally, what has he done for us? For two years Gonatos has camped on Attic soil leaving us in a stalemate, our army cannot leave Athens in case he attacks, he will not leave unless there is a threat more grave. Has Pyrrhos supplied that threat? No he sits in Epiros brooding over his failings. Damn him I say, damn him to hell!

Chremonides tries to regain control of the Council. It is true, we are unable to do anything while Antigonos remains. We had hoped to have Korinthos under our control by now, that has proved too risky and the Makedon garrison there gets stronger the longer we have to wait. Still, it is not so long ago it looked impossible to avert a Makedone invasion, now they fear to attack us. They know we are strong as long as we are united, let's not take our frustrations out on each other. Antigonos will move eventually, then we will strike. Strike hard.

What of Rome? Asks the Chalkis representative.

What Eudamidas says is true, so long as Taras does not ask to become part of our confederation we have no quarrel with Rome.

That's not a proper answer.

OK, one day we will have to face Rome. Taras is a Greek city, they will ask for our aid. They will receive it.

[johnhughthom]

The Council of the Koinen Hellenon, Rhodes. One year after the one hundred and twenty fifth Olympiad.

Eudamidas stood to address the Council. Gentlemen as we all know Chremonides is stuck in Athens under seige with our army. He has already fought off one assault, but Antigonos seemingly has endless numbers at his disposal and the danger to Athens is very real. I am told Chremonides has taken to angry outbursts in frustration, while his son has been lost to a bout of melancholy. We can only hope they are strong enough to repulse whatever the Makedones throw at them.

The assault was led by a minor officer, not even a nobleman. This was obviously just an attempt to wear down the defenders, it is clear Gonatos knows taking the city will be bloody. He is prepared to wait.

The enemy approached the city with a seige engine, ladders and a ram, they would attempt to simultaneously scale the walls and knock down the gate.

They lost almost half their men simply approaching the walls, but still they came. Gonatos must have promised them a slow painful death if they ran, why else would they keep coming under such withering fire?

The men in the seige engine didn't even make it onto the walls, they all fell on the approach. The ladder carriers scaled on either side of the main gate and soon brutal, cramped hand to hand combat broke out.

Men fell off the walls due to the lack of room for fighting, and the Makedones failed miserably in their attempt to gain control.

The battering ram broke through the gate and phalangites, who had been waiting in reserve, poured through, only to be covered in boiling hot liquid which scalded bare flesh.

The men who survived were faced with hoplites covering the whole of the narrow street, spears pushed forward. As they moved toward them our Kretan archers on the walls unleashed a hail of arrows into their backs.

The enemy had no option but to retreat back through the gates, through more boiling liquid, and fled, another hail of arrows cutting even more of them down.

The victory was ours, though it was short lived. A few days later all routes into and out of the city were cut off by another Makedone army.

You are probably wondering, what was the point in all that? A simple "we won the battle but are losing the war" would have sufficed. To be honest I don't know why, I guess I have nothing else to talk about. Chremonides has our army, trapped in his city with him, until that is resolved we just wait. We can't afford to raise another army and there is nobody we can rely on for aid. We haven't lost yet though and there is always hope, Gonatos knows he will lose many men taking Athens. He has been shown how strongly we will resist. As long as Chremonides draws breath there is hope.

[SonOfAlexander]

Great seige battle!

[johnhughthom]

The Council of the Koinen Hellenon, Rhodes. One year prior to the one hundred and twenty sixth Olympiad.

As Chremonides walked into the Council hall the waiting Council members rose up to applaud, Chremonides hadn't been to Rhodes in three years but had finally succeeded in outlasting Gonatas.

No, friends, no. I don't deserve your applause. All I did was hide behind walls and force the Makedones into suicidal attacks on my city. The attacks were beaten back, but great generalship was not required, simply humility to know it was all we could do to defend. As some of you may know, humility does not come easily to me and I found it difficult. Those days are over now I say, we ARE ready to go on the offensive. Our cities, working together in trade, defence and agriculture have all been growing despite the crisis. We have proven working together makes us all stronger than we are individually. The fact that we have come through these tough times still united, still as one, shows that our Koinen Hellenon WILL endure.

I am sure I speak for every man here when I welcome you back, we have missed your leadership and guidance. The representative from Megalopolis proclaimed to applause from the rest of the Council.

Eudamidas stood to speak. I am sure many of you have plans for how to proceed, I hope you don't mind if I outline our options to save time. Our "allies" the Epirotes are currently approaching Thermon, no doubt they believe taking the city would give them control over all Aitolia. Which of course would give them control over Delphi. I don't need to tell anybody here that would be bad. He said, with typical Laconic understatement. We have already discussed Taras and the situation there has not changed. Sinope has been taken by Persians masquerading as Hellenes called Pontus and the Bosphoran Greek cities are under threat from nomad hordes.

Chremonides stood again, All these cities deserve our help, our support. Unfortunately we are only now in a position to help ourselves, much less others. We must carry the fight to Gonatas to secure the freedom of all our cities already united under the banner of the Koinen Hellenon before we can help our Greek brothers elsewhere. Korinthos should be our next target, freeing her will leave all of southern Greece united, safer than we have been for generations. Then we must move north, harry Gonatas at every step, give him no breathing room. So long as a Makedone rules in Pella, no free Greek will be safe.

Agreed, replied Edamidas. If Pyrrhos does take Thermon, though, helping the Aitolians would not hinder such a strategy overly. Delphi is important to all of us, we cannot stand idly by and watch it's neutrality overrun. Murmurs of agreement. All those in favour of Chremonides plan.

AYE!

[johnhughthom]

The Council of the Koinen Hellenon, Rhodes. One year after the one hundred and twenty sixth Olympiad.

The room was more crowded than usual, last year an envoy from a group of Greek cities arrived at the Council meeting asking for inclusion in the confederation. They were accepted into the Koinen Hellenon and representatives from Kydonia and a number of smaller cities had swollen the ranks.

Hegemon Chremonides opened the Council as was usual. Before we begin, I would like to ask Eudamidas for an update on the progress if Agathokles' son, some of you may not be aware that he choose to undergo the Spartan agoge. I had offered him schooling in the finest education system in the world, in Athens, but he wanted to be the first non-Spartan to pass the Agoge. As he will be your Hegemon after Eudamidas, it would be prudent for us to keep an eye on his progress.

Eudamidas rose to reply, It is not the Spartan way to comment on a boys progress until he has finished the agoge. He may pass well, he may barely pass, he may fail. We will know in two years time when he has finished.

A flicker of annoyance passed Chremoides face, Fine, keep your little secrets. Anyway to business. Welcome fellow free Greek men of Krete, it is good to see our ranks grow, and our group prosper. I hope you have already been reaping the benefits of inclusion in our rather exclusive club. Of course, beneficial trading terms and mutual defence are only part of the benefits. When you go to war, you will go with friends at your side. So I hope you are ready, we take Korinthos this year, the troops are ready, our agents are in the city ready to assist us. All that remains is to choose who leads the assault. As Hegemon and the man who repulsed two Makedone assaults on Athens, I am sure you will agree I am the obvious choice.

An uncomfortable silence.

The Argive representative stood, Chremonides, I speak for us all when I call you the father of the Koinen Hellenon. We all look to you for leadership and guidance. War is the business of younger men, it would be unfair of us to ask you to lead our armies. Indeed, it would be selfish and go against everything this Council stands for. I propose Eudamidas lead the armies, with your son second in command. All those in favour.

AYE!

Chremonides slumped in his chair, he had guided the Koinen Hellenon through it's dark and difficult beginnings. It was his dream, his vision that thought it up, it was his skill on the battlefield that gave birth to it. Now that it was coming out of it's infancy it seemed other men would gain the glory. He had no choice other than to nod his head and pretend to be greatful the burden of responsibility had been lifted from his shoulders.

[johnhughthom]

The Council of the Koinen Hellenon, Rhodes. Two years prior to the one hundred and twenty seventh Olympiad.

Chremonides sat as Eudamidas strode into the Council hall, eagerly chatting with new Council members. He watched as the new men fawned over their "liberator" privately seething at the glory stolen from him by the Spartan.

Ok, can we begin? Chremonides asked over the din. Welcome new members of the Koinen Hellenon, he continued when the noise subsided. Our little family is growing year by year, it is good to see so many new faces. I suppose the first order of business is for Eudamidas to tell us how he brought the Pellopennesos back under Greek control, Eudamidas. He gestured for Eudamidas to speak.

Thank you, Hegemon. The Spartan began. I decided that a single force assaulting Korinthos would lead to an unacceptable loss on our part. So, I sent half our forces north, hoping to get a reaction from the Korinthos garrison. They sent out a detachment to shadow us at which point our men immediately turned around and harried them all the way back toward Korinthos. At the same time I took the rest of the army and attack the city from the south. On my orders our agents inside the city opened the gates for us and we were able to force our way in from the north and south gates.

Chremonides sat stunned. The whole plan had been his, he had intended to take the city that way before the Council took the command from him. Eudamidas had asked for his advice before leaving the Council last time and it had been given freely. To turn around and shamelessly claim credit was a shocking move. Chremonides knew he could say nothing, it would be seen as sour grapes by the other Council members. Worse even was the fact that the men of the cities relieved from Makedone occupation saw Eudamidas as the sole architect of their freedom, his influence on the Council was now untouchable. The title of Hegemon meant nothing without support. As a further slap in the face, no mention was made of Doros, Chremonides' son, who had commanded the northern assault.

Eudamidas continued, As I gazed at the city walls, numerous defenders on the walls, I knew I had to show the defenders who they were dealing with.

So I took my regiment of Spartans and charged through the gates into the city, like a true leader I led from the front. I was the first man into the city, brave Rhodian hoplites followed me and my fellow Spartans.

We cut down all in our path like they were children. In short measure the walls were ours. The streets were narrow, luckily my agents were able to guide us through them, away from enemy troops. Indeed we even managed to ambush them, they saw some Argive hoplites, heavily outnumbered, down the street and charged. Euboian and Theban troops hidden in the next street charged from the flank and routed the enemy.

After that it was a simple mopping up operation and the city was ours.

Chremonides stared at the Spartan, he had mentioned every city who had taken part in the battle except the Athenians. The assault on the northern gate hadn't even been mentioned, though Chremonides knew it had faced stiffer opposition, having to fight both outside and inside the city. Eudamidas was trying to undermine Athens, trying to downplay the fact that it had contributed most men and all the intelligence, "my agents" indeed!

Chremonides stood, Congratulation Eudamidas, a battle well fought. As well as bringing many Greeks out from Makedone oppression, the taking of the Pelleponnesos gives us control of a number of important sites. Control of the Isthmos Causeway will make travel in southern Greece safer and trade will flourish.

The Isthmian Games will continue, free from Makedone interference.

As of course will the Olympic Games.

Finally, we need no longer fear those greedy Makedones stealing the statue of Zeus and bringing it to Pella.

All thanks to Eudamidas! cried the Olympian representative. All hail Eudamidas!

HAIL!

Eudamidas lifted his wine goblet with a smile at Chremonides, who managed to force one in return.

[johnhughthom]

The Council of the Koinen Hellenon, Rhodes. One year prior to the one hundred and twenty seventh Olymiad.

Chremonides sits at the head of the table, before him the rest of the representatives of the free Greek cities talk amongst themselves. Eudamidas has not arrived yet.

Chremonides rises, OK gentlemen, it appears our friend from Sparta will not be joining us this year. Let's get down to business. There is nothing new to report on the war with Makedonia, the Basileus' son is in Thessalia with a large army. It appears their failure to dent Athens defences has made them more wary. They await our move, being too aggressive at this stage would play into their hands. I know most of you would like the Aitolian cities under our banner, believe me so would I, they won't join us however unless we can prove we have the means to defend them. We must wait therefore... He looks to the door in surprise as Eudamidas enters, flanked by half a dozen men. Eudamidas, good to see you. What is going on here? You should know better than most only official free Greek city representatives are allowed in this room during a meeting.

Chremonides, my good friend. What kind of greeting is that to our newest members? Allow me to introduce the representatives from Thermon and the other Aitolian cities. Loud applause from the Council.

Chremonides stared at the men. They didn't look like they had just arrived in Rhodes and hurried to the Council chambers. He realized they had stood outside the room, waiting for the moment to enter that would make him look most foolish. As he came to this conclusion his face tightened and most of the Council saw it. It was interpreted as jealousy. Amongst the free men of Greek cities Chremonides was a legend, amongst those who mattered, the representatives of the Council, he was fast becoming a crotchety old man.

Eudamidas continued, As we now control Aitolia we need no longer worry about Makedone influence in the Pythian Games,

I am sure you have all heard the story of the Basileus' nephew forcing the other competitors to allow him to win the wrestling? Frowns from the Council members, they had not heard this story before, disgraceful behavour even for a northern barbarian. Chremonides smiled thinly, the story was nonsense, the young man had won fair and square. Most importantly, of course, we now control Delphi. Nobody, I am sure, can be unhappy about that.

Chremonides rose at that. Surely you mean we can defend Delphi. I for one have no wish to "control" it. What use is an oracle who does what man tells her. Without impartiality Delphi is of no more importance than any other site.

Of course, of course dear Chremonides. I simply meant control the region, control hostile forces coming into the region. I am a simple man, I connot contend with your Athenian learning. I am sure with your rhetorical skills you could make the Council believe any of my words to mean whatever you want.

Fine, then. Let us turn our attention to more mundane matters, like trade. I have had my scribes draw up our financial situation, you all have a copy in front of you.

The meeting moves on, Chremonides quietly seething at being made to look a fool, Eudamidas elated at once again taking some of the Athenians credibility away from him.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I will be slowing down now and the updates will come every few days. I have been off work the past couple of days and been able to play a lot of EB which is why there are so many updates in such a short period of time.