Makedonia dreamin' AAR

[Dog Fart]

Glad to hear it. What i like best about this aar is your mission on restoring Alexander's empire. That's what i always go for. And you beat the holy crap out of Rome with mostly levies. That shows you have skill.

[Stilgar CG]

Thanks again, Dirty_M. After today's update, you'll be less generous on praise with regard to my skills . I even suspect Alexander turned a couple of times in his grave after my recent achievments. But, I'll see the restauration of Macedon Empire through, nevertheless.

[Scutarii]

Very well done ME, and an epic, close battle at the end there. I'm surprised, but your Cilicians really gave a good account of themselves, 200+ casualties inflicted each. Kudos to them, but you'll have to get an army to replace it quick, looks like another big TSE army nearby might give you trouble.... Good luck.

[TM Is Back]

Nice update ME. Autch... that Tarsus battle really showed that one should never trust enemy Catatraps.

[Dog Fart]

That was a very good update. I especially liked how you smashed those silver sheilds. It seemed the had the same quality armour too. And you've got some pretty crafty looking generals too. Some of your units were getting rather elite. A shame about Tarsus though. Any plans on cold revenge?

[Balikedes]

That was a tough loss at Tarsus...your line troops didn't look like they would hold out as long as they did, especially those Cilicians, they had a good kill ratio!
Nice update.
Bal

[Dom9127]

Nice update, its always cool to see other peoples tactics especially when they are remarkably different from you own. (What idiot would have a majority Thorakitai, Thureophoroi Army? )

[TM Is Back]

Nice update, its always cool to see other peoples tactics especially when they are remarkably different from you own. (What idiot would have a majority Thorakitai, Thureophoroi Army? )

Me would
4 phalanx, 2-4 generals, some militia cav, And then Thureoporoi(And Thorakitai when playing GCS and not Bactria) to fill the rest

[Stilgar CG]

Thank you, guys. I see my failures bring about more reactions than my successes . But, I have no plans to loose another battle in the nearest future, sorry. The battle of Tarsus would not be that intense, if I would position my forces better. The good thing is that if one does not pay attention to details, the game will surprise or even punish you. That is why I still play this game and this mod.

Very well done ME, and an epic, close battle at the end there. I'm surprised, but your Cilicians really gave a good account of themselves, 200+ casualties inflicted each. Kudos to them, but you'll have to get an army to replace it quick, looks like another big TSE army nearby might give you trouble.... Good luck.

All that happens is usually for the best (strangely enough, also in real life). I moved the remainder of the Agis army (6-8 depleted units) in Antioch and in one turn had 6 units back to life and upgraded. With Antioch garrisoned properly, Damasos and his stack became more active.

Nice update ME. Autch... that Tarsus battle really showed that one should never trust enemy Catatraps.

Yeah, those Cataphracts routed 3 or 4 units almost single-handedly: the route they cause was beginning of the end indeed. And the bastards stroke the joint of two lines of defence - the most vunerable point .

That was a very good update. I especially liked how you smashed those silver sheilds. It seemed the had the same quality armour too. And you've got some pretty crafty looking generals too. Some of your units were getting rather elite. A shame about Tarsus though. Any plans on cold revenge?

Oh, yes! Macs Empire will strike back; that's a promise (well, actually, that's a fact already )

That was a tough loss at Tarsus...your line troops didn't look like they would hold out as long as they did, especially those Cilicians, they had a good kill ratio! Nice update.
Bal

Cilicians did very well indeed. I noticed before that they are pretty good at killing. The problem is they die fast as well .

Nice update, its always cool to see other peoples tactics especially when they are remarkably different from you own. (What idiot would have a majority Thorakitai, Thureophoroi Army? )

Perhaps, I use a bit too many Thorakitai in my armies. (Note, that army was outdated to some extent.) But, Thorakitai is one of the most versatile units. They are particulalry useful on flanks: AP missiles, decent melee stats, bonus against cavalry.

---
I plan to post an update by the end of the week. Best is yet to come.

[Dog Fart]

I'm sure it is. Things always get very turbulent once you've reached Syria. Keep an eye on those pontics though. They may not look very tough, but thats how they always get you.

[Scutarii]

Failures bring about more discussion than successes because the player rarely loses. And when they do so, its usually an epic, pitched battle (at least when involving full stacks).

[Dog Fart]

Not only that, but when you see someone screw up you can sit in chair and say,"Yup, done that before too."

[Stilgar CG]

Chapter 11. The dawn of Roman Empire (Part 1).

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Italy. End of 255BC.

The Macedonian army under command of Antipatros disembarks near Cannae. Soon Antipatros receives reinforcements – Italian infantry trained in South Italy. He marches then toward Cannae that is under the siege by roman army under command of Herennius Flaccus. Romans retreat. Macedonians pursue the enemy. Romans are finally cornered near Capua and stood no chance against Antipatros and his men. .



After this success, Antipatros orders his men to march South along the East coast to block the access to Cannae and Capua regions. Macedonians soon spot a large roman army blocking their path. Antipatros is not of a high opinion of the Italians under his command. He is also aware of the superiority of the Romans position. Therefore Antipatros decides to wait for the enemy move.



Rome was again the epicenter of the events in Italy. Roman army under command of Herennius Helvius had the mission to retake Rome. The city is garrisoned by a large Macedonian force under command of Agathokles. Agathokles army is short on infantry. Nevertheless, Agathokles takes the innitiative and order attack. Haven’t Agathokles learned a think about Romans after prolonged and bloody assaults of Rome? Has he gone mad to risk all in a foolish attempt to regain his status of the conqueror of Italy? Or, perhaps, he learned his lessons and knew very well what he was doing?!




The Agathokles’ plan was simple. He positioned his archers on the walls and in the main gate tower. He himself and a part of the infantry were to sally, take a position just in front of the main gate, and attempt to lure the enemy into fight near city walls, just within the range of Macedonian archers and onagers.



But Romans were in no hurry to attack. To lure the enemy Agathokles charged a group of enemy skirmishers and then fainted retreat. This risky maneuver cost lives of many of his bodyguards, but the enemy finally took the bait.



The enemy general was the first to attack: Raman cavalry charged the Macedonian left wing and so came into the range of fire of Macedonian archers.



“A-a-a-archers! Fire at will!”


Enemy cavalry was annihilated in a matter of few moments. The Roman general and a few of his men broke and fled in panic (oblivious to the world, indeed )


Romans soon overwhelmed a small Macedonian force that faced them, but casualties among Romans were mounting quickly. Macedonian archers and onagers crews were deadly efficient.


A unit of principies attempting to escape the death zone came under crossfire of Macedonian archers and slingers. The route of their retreat was marked by many dead bodies. The death trail it was, indeed.



Deserted by their general, Romans were marching back and forth trying to escape the Macedonian missiles, but also undecided to leave the battle ground and still eager to punish those few brave Macedonians who faced them outside the city walls.



To keep Romans “interested” Agathokles orders another group of his footmen to sally and face Romans. Thorakitai and Thracian mercenary met the approaching enemy with a rain of javelins.



Increasingly frustrated and desperate, Romans attack the Macedonians. After a short, but fierce melee, Romans route Thracian mercenaries.



But, the battle-seasoned Thorakitai stand their ground firmly and the last wave of Roman heavy infantry finally breaks against Macedonian shields and spears. Remainder of the Roman army, a group of skirmishers, retreated in a hurry.


The field in front of one of the gates of eternal city was paved with bodies of Roman soldiers.




This heroic victory by Agathokles put Macedonians into an unexpectedly favorable position. Although, Roman armies in the Poe valley still presented a serious threat, the cities of Arretium and Aruminium, the most significant Roman settlements in the region, were within Macedonian grasp.



Nevertheless, Macedonian had to acknowledge that the Army under Agathokles was too weak to start an offensive immediately. In contrast, Antipatros could march on and capture Ariminium, which was lightly garrisoned In this way, Antipatros captured an enemy settlement without compromising his main mission – to keep the pathway along the Eastern coast safe. Then, looting was another temptetion difficult to resist.




Roman response was quick and decisive. A Roman army marches toward Rome. Other two take positions near Arretium and Patavium. Romans could not afford loosing another city.



But it was not for them to decide. Gyras, the faction leader, the conqueror of Greece, decides to return to action. He gathers all the available forces and siege equipment in South Italy and sails for Sicily. Messana was first to fall.


Strangely enough, the city was garrisoned by a number of onager crews only. The battle was expected to begin with a duel between onagers crews. Romans took the bate and began firing at Macedonian horsemen, which were ordered to gallop back and forth in front of the gate, whereas the rest of the army was at a safe distance. Macedonian onagers fired directly at the enemy artillery and soon silenced them.





In 253BC Romans besiege Rome again. However, this time they face an army that matches the Roman army in both number and quality: Agathokles received reinforcements, and most importantly infantry.



Agathokles orders an attack. His plan was the same: to lure Romans into a fight near the city wall.


Romans had no intention to make the same mistake: they maneuvered and tried to keep their distance.



They haven’t succeeded in the beginning: onagers crew managed to get quite a few shots at the enemy.



Finally, Agathokles orders his men to sally and face the enemy in the field, even far from walls. Archers are ordered to join the battle as well.



Romans kept waiting for grass to grow, and only when Macedonians were upon them, Romans attempted an attack, which proved faint and was easily repelled by Macedonians. Romans were not in the mood and state to fight any longer. Their retreat soon degenerated in routing. Many Romans escaped.

[Scutarii]

Yay, an update. Very well played battle against the Romans when they besieged Rome the first time. A conventional battle would have resulted in your infantry being overwhelmed.

[Webba]

I enjoyed seeing your very interesting battles in this update, Magister. And, as always, its great fun to see the Romans getting bullied.

[TM Is Back]

That first battle of Rome.... well done ME... well done.

[Dog Fart]

Excellent screens as always ME. I especially like the pic where your Thracians took a Princepe charge. All that carnage laying around Rome. The Heroic Victory scroll always makes it worth while. Do you plan on keeping Italy? If not, keeping Sicily would make things interesting. Even if you let the Romans take Italy again. I'm glad to see an update again. Just curious, will you go into Armenia?

[Stilgar CG]

Thanks, guys. Romans have not used their succeses wisely, have they? I was not happy with my advances in both Italy and East, but I am on the offensive now on both fronts. I can see Romans running out of stacks (there are just 4 or so left) and TSE is spamming with light-infantry stacks (sign of weakness of TSE). So, I decided to keep Italy, after all. It is not that difficult to defend: I'll place 2 decent (but not "high-tech" stacks) in Poe valley to keep barbarians at bay (perhaps, we shall witness some entertaining battles against barbarians), one stack will be stationed in South Italy (also to cover Sicily), and I'll seal both Italy and Sicily from the sea (I have the strongest fleet in the game).
Then, I'll focus on taking TSE out. And, I am planning to blitz against Ptolemies. Therefore, next 2 updates - solely Rome, I guess. Then, news mostly from Eastern front.

[Dog Fart]

Once you've reached Media it might be a good idea to pool together some forces up north. It looks like Scythia is already getting too big for it's briches. Perhaps recreate another Jaxartes?

[Stilgar CG]

Once you've reached Media it might be a good idea to pool together some forces up north. It looks like Scythia is already getting too big for it's briches. Perhaps recreate another Jaxartes?

Dirty_M, thanks for the tip. The map you see is outdated: I haven't exchanged the map information with other factions for a while and do not have spies in that region . Most importantly, Armenia does not exist anymore. So, it's Pontus and then Scythia. Well, the funny think is that Pontus became very friendly, they are sending money gifts to me . So, I'll keep supporting Pontus as a buffer state, and I'll do the same with my good friends Thrace. But, I am already thinking of reinforcing my frontiers close to Scythia with better cavalry and archers. Big secret: I took Damascus, so I can train Syrian archers now. Soon I'll be able to train Creetan archers.

@TM: Cookies??? Tijd voor cookies (zomer) is voorbij. Ik heb twee woorden voor jou, TM. School en huiswerk!