[EB AAR] The Legacy of Megas Alexandros

[Theodotos I]

Nice work with the extra pictures. Makes me think of Chirurgeon.

[Lysimachos]

Nice work with the extra pictures. Makes me think of Chirurgeon.

I like to use them to add a bit of colour to the pure textwork, but sometimes it's really hard to find something that feels right. It can occasionally take more time than the actual writing, so I'm more sparing than I would want to be...

[Lysimachos]

Chapter 23: Uninvited Guests

Late afternoon's sun follows the path of the mountain's slope, bathing the small valley with soft light. A few clouds travel across the blue dome spanning above.
A small column of smoke ascends from a fire over which a Bezoar Ibex, a wild goat, is roasting on a spit. The hunters, a hand full of young men, have erected some tents and have gathered around the fireplace, their horses grazing nearby.
The men are relaxing from the travails of the day, joking together and laughing, while they are waiting for their meal, the smell of which is in the air.
In the distance the sound of horses' hooves comes up the valley and one of the men with knitted brows attests: "We're getting company."
He stands up, grasping his sword belt and fastening it around his waist. The others fall silent, while watching two dozens of horsemen coming along the trail. One half of them is wearing heavy armor in fashion of the Hetairoi, while the other half are light troopers of the Galatoi, fierce warriors who by now live in central Asia Mikra for a generation and serve in the seleucid armies in significant numbers. The newcomers slow down and spread out over the glade.
Another of the young men struggles to his feet. "Stand aside, Gorgias, I guess they are here for me."
Kallinikos leaves the circle of his companions and addresses the one mounted stranger who has separated from the others, leading his horse in slow pace ahead.
"What is this about?" - "The Satrapes requests your immediate presence at Ipsos." declares the horseman.
"Well, then tell Apollonides I will come to see him as soon as I deem it fit." Kallinikos replies sharply and starts to turn back to the fire, as his interlocutor speaks up. "Obviously I didn't make myself clear adequately. You are to accompany me now."
The prince is struck with awe, as he hears the cold, unapologetic voice. "You... you do know who I am, don't you?" he demands incredulously.
"I well do," retorts the stranger confidently. "I come by order of the Satrap Apollonides Damaskenos who answers exclusively to the Basileus himself. You do not possess any authority over me and as long as you sojourn in the Satrapy of Phrygia - which you do now - you are bound to the orders of the Satrap. So, will you be so kind to mount your horse and follow me or do I need to make you do?"
Kallinikos helplessly and stunned with disbelief shakes his head, but then straightens himself.
"I decided to meet your master, but he... he'll better have a good explanation for this... this insolence!"

[Babagitta]

Very good job Lysimachos and I love the theme.

[Lysimachos]

Very good job Lysimachos and I love the theme.

Thanks! Always an honour to have renowned AARtists commenting

[Lysimachos]

Chapter 24: Hostage

Kallinikos enters the fortress of Ipsos, where Apollonides Damaskenos resides. His escort didn't exactly treat him as a prisoner, but their attitude still made clear that a deviation would not be tolerated.
He is led along a ramp up to the main structure situated in the center of strong fortifications. There the remaining soldiers follow a staircase into a dim hallway, lightened through some small openings in the massive wall.
Some meters ahead a man is standing near a window, beside him a small one-legged table has been positioned on which a carafe and a bowl with fruits stand. He turns around, revealing his face in daylight.
"Leave us alone," the Satrapes of Phrygia commands and his soldiers back off. "I welcome you, Seleukos. You are certainly aching to ask why I send my guards for you and rightly you do."
Hesitatingly Kallinikos takes some steps forward until he is only two arms length from the older man. "You are behind this," he states. "What were you thinking to make the king's son your prisoner?"
A slight smile shows on Apollonides' lips and vanishes again. "You are not my prisoner." The Satrap turns his attention to the fruit bowl beside him and with a gentle grip in two fingers he carefully raises a grape to the height of his eyes.
"I just had no option to leave any alternatives. All this - " his eyes meet Kallinikos' and his left hand describes a not too distinct circle - "serves your security."
He focuses again on the grape between his fingers and slowly pushes it into his opened mouth before he thoughtfully chews.
The last minutes Kallinikos somewhat fascinated and at the same time alienated watches the Satrap, being disrupted in his thoughts when Apollonides piercing glance again hits his eyes.
"And me. You see, tomorrow another guest will arrive at my modest halls." The Satrap steps closer to the window, pointing into the outside. "He will sojourn over there to the right, while your chambers will be there, in the wing to the left," now pointing in the other direction.
"This guest is here for you. His name is Lysimachos Sardikos. This may ring a bell to you. He is Satrapes of Lydia and a son-in-law of your uncle, Sarpedon."
The look on Apollonides' face now seems nearly expectant, but Kallinikos has found no way out of his confusion.
"What are you even talking about? Where is this going to lead to?"
Damaskenos sighs. "You see, I like being well-informed, so I have some of my own sources here and there. One of my sources in Seleukeia told me about something you too should be interested in. Your lovely uncle has forbidden the king's fleet to leave harbor. He is cutting his brother off from support. He has promised arabian chieftains to pay for the king's death."
Kallinikos is stunned with shock. "My wife, my son, are they safe? Is he going to kill me, too?"
Apollonides is raising his hands, trying to soothe the king's son. "Calm down, young one. They are safe and as long as they are, you are too."
Seleukos leans on the massive stone walls, searching for a hold. "Explain this."
"Sarpedon knows that he has too little support to make himself king, at least for now. Sarpedon needs a weak but rightful king to use as a puppet, something which he never could with your father but is confident to achieve with you or your son.
Your son is at Antiocheia and under the protection of Timarchos. Timarchos has nothing to gain from siding with Sarpedon, in fact as your brother-in-law he would be losing status, once Sarpedon or one of his sons would be king. So, Timarchos and Antiocheia will remain loyal and for now the city is untouchable for your uncle and as long as he can't get your son, he needs you alive.
And to achieve his goals he needs the support of people for whom choosing his side could be a real opportunity. People like Lysimachos Sardikos or..." Apollonides shrugs his shoulders and performs a waving movement with his hands.
Kallinikos glances up to him. "Or you." The Satrap nods. "Or me."

[Scutarii]

Very cool. The political scenes heating up, good way to represent all the internal conflicts the Seleucids had. And +rep for a great AAR.

[Lysimachos]

Thanks, I have a crown now:

Edit: Before I forget it: Thanks to all who have voted for this AAR in the competition. The count of nine votes has been repeated and I guess that is something to be proud of, despite not reaching the points. The competitors are not sleeping...

[Theodotos I]

Owned! No, seriously, it was good competing against you, old man. And you took third last time, so your story is shaping up to be a real contender. I love the last couple of updates. Thanks for the rep. However, I'm afraid I'll have to correct your rep comment. I updated my AAR twice in the first week of November, so according to my understanding of contest rules, I can enter it one more time. I'll see you there!

[Lysimachos]

Owned! No, seriously, it was good competing against you, old man. And you took third last time, so your story is shaping up to be a real contender. I love the last couple of updates. Thanks for the rep. However, I'm afraid I'll have to correct your rep comment. I updated my AAR twice in the first week of November, so according to my understanding of contest rules, I can enter it one more time. I'll see you there!

Old man? Those few decades between Lysimachos and Theodotos really count for nothing in the long run...
I haven't realized that you updated twice in November. I guess that was intention to slip into the next month... :hmmm:
By the way, I can lay back and wait, as this AAR still has a lot of months to go.

[Theodotos I]

Old man? Those few decades between Lysimachos and Theodotos really count for nothing in the long run...
I haven't realized that you updated twice in November. I guess that was intention to slip into the next month... :hmmm:
By the way, I can lay back and wait, as this AAR still has a lot of months to go.

Few decades! How old are you! It was just a slip of the tongue, I call a lot of my friends that, even if they're younger than I am. Yeah, the November update was part planned, part lack of time in October. I'll return to challenge you again, Jedi. . .

[Lysimachos]

I'm not really that old, I thought you refered to our account names and guessed that mine had be some decades older...
I hope you know the Jedi will unavoidably win in the end...

Chapter 25 will follow soon.

[Lysimachos]

Chapter 25: Encounter at the Baths



The eyes closed Andromachos is slowly floating in the water, enjoying the sun warming his body. It is a sound late morning and he firmly intends forming it into another sound day, a day of the small, the quiet pleasures of life.
His thoughts are not directed anywhere, but unstressedly revolve around things of beauty and leisure. After the bath he would do a bit of light reading and then perhaps a ride, not too far, though, as he would want to have returned to the palace shortly after noon for a refreshment, not too much, though, as an extensive meal would be a burden in the midday heat of these quite early warm days.
In the afternoon it would be time to pretend to do some governing until he is tired and would proceed with doing nothing till evening when he would sup with the boys, listen to some music and watch the dancers.
Ah, this day is going to be great, worthy to be named in the same breath with most of its predecessors, and there was nothing imaginable to disturb this vision.
Andromachos is approaching the edge of the pool. Staying in the comfortably temperated water for some more time could do no harm, could it?

"Excellency." Andromachos, who is floating near the edge and is not used to get attention unless he asked for it, hesitantly blinks up to a servant of moderate rank, standing almost right above him, illuminated by the beaming sunlight. "Hm?"
The servant leans downwards to whisper a short sentence to his lord, who suddenly whirls upward and with oaring arm movements holds himself upright. Andromachos is fumbling for words.
"Urr... eww... wha... What does that mean: he is here? Tha... That cannot possibly be possible..."
Another person moves into his sight, the beaming sun forming a glowing halo around his face and the polished cuirass at the edges gleaming from reflected light.
Andromachos is unable to make out the face against the glaring light, but he doesn't need to wait for the voice to rise to recognize his Basileus.
"Receive my greeting, cousin. I see you keep the Satrapy in good shape."
"Oh, urm, I'm very gracious you have noticed that, my king, but let me tell you, you have not seen Persepolis in her best season."
Abruptly Andromachos' comfortable bath has begun to become very uncomfortable and his great day is going to become awful. He is silently cursing the moment he left his bed.
"Tell me, Andromachos, whose side is the one of the Satrapes Persikos?" - "Oh, my lord, all the loyalties of Persis belong her rightful king. I... You know that I have not a single reason to seek treachery. My life is as fulfilling as it could be... well, actually it was until now... However, I have no ambition than to hold onto what I have here. Urm, uh, yes, exactly."
"This is good to hear, cousin. I have fought beside your father and I well know his qualities and his flaws and I have the impression you are a worthy heir to him," responds the king. "I trust your word, but now I have to demand your service. I need every man you can muster, I need grain and I need cattle and I would appreciate if I get them rather today than tomorrow."
The Satrap of Persis is helplessly oaring with his arms under water. "My king, I can call upon my Klerouchoi and I can levy Psiloi, but you know as good as I do, that all I have will be no match against what your brother's arsenals may provide."
"Pah!" Antiochos almost spits out. "He may have access to the finest smithies of the Empire and - oh! - he may be a Strategos in his office, a genius of desk-tactics, but he has yet to see a single battle, while I have lost count of mine!"
That could very well be true, Andromachos has to admit silently.
"Besides. I have not come completely alone from Arabia, although I had some choices to make and I've been told that some of my fellow passengers have not traveled as conveniently as on the travel there."
"Ah, oh, Basileus, I would be honored if you take my oldest son, Antiochis, with you, as a sign of my devotion to you and that, urm, there is no reason to doubt my loyalty."
The addressee nods approvingly. "Very well. Then my son Euphorion may stay here in Persepolis and learn the ways of the east."

[Hesus de bodemloze]

it looks like your AAR is going well. i still enjoy reading it.

[Lysimachos]

it looks like your AAR is going well. i still enjoy reading it.

Thanks! Haven't seen you around here for some time.

[Lysimachos]

Chapter 26: Amongst Colleagues

Lysimachos Sardikos is led to his host's private chambers. As he arrives, Apollonides arises from his seat to take his guest by the shoulders. "Welcome, dear colleague! You are looking good. I hope your journey went well. Come, have a seat with me."
"I thank you, Apollonides, for your hospitality. I'm fine and the journey to Ipsos not too far to enjoy it," answers the Satrap of Lydia and follows.
After sitting down Apollonides closely examines his counterpart. "Would you like to have a snack to refresh from the ride or perhaps something to drink?"
Lysimachos is a handful of years younger, a pair of lively, watchful eyes betraying an agile mind. A warm smile shows on his lips. "I have to thank you again, but I don't need anything at the moment. I would be honored to sup with you later, though."
Be careful, Apollonides reminds himself. He is a dangerous man, as dangerous as a beast of prey that is concealing its fierce brutality under its elegance and a beautiful fur.
The Satrap of Phrygia smiles back. "It will be my honor and a pleasure to do so." The games may begin, he thinks. "Perhaps the prince will join us, then."
A look of surprise on Lysimachos' face and Apollonides is not sure if it is true or well-acted. "He is here? Today?"
"Oh, yes, he is. But he won't stay for long." He pauses a moment, waiting for a reaction, which is not coming. "The regent, your father-in-law, has requested him to come to Seleukeia for an assignment of importance. We are right now preparing for his departure. The Royal Road will be secure for most of the way, but I send a strong body of cavalry with him, to make sure he will arrive his destination."
Another pause. "You certainly understand." A small statement, as such meaningless, but maybe implying the unspoken, maybe not. You can't trust anyone these days, can you?
Lysimachos slowly nods. His mind is working. Definitely he knows he's none the wiser than before.
The guest calmly answers: "It is good I'll have the opportunity to meet him again. I'm lucky I haven't come tomorrow."
"Yes, that is true. Very well," adds Apollonides, now considering to lead over to a nice, innocuous conversation about the latest development in mining business.

[Lysimachos]

Chapter 27: A Son's Duty

Kallinikos and his escort are riding at fast pace. His destination indeed is Seleukeia, yet he soon leaves the Royal Road, because first the Kleronomos Basileois has to head somewhere else, as he is not going to enter the Metropolis as a prisoner.
If the king is still alive, it is his son's duty to save his kingship.

Mighty walls rise into the sky. Antiocheia on the Orontes - western pearl of the Arche Seleukeia. The city is heavily guarded, squadrons of cavalrymen patrol the surrounding land. Alarming rumors have reached the governor's ear. Some say, the Basileus has died in Arabia and others that he has been arrested by his own brother, who tries to claim the throne. No news from the king's son have arrived for some time, who should be in Asia Mikra and the future is uncertain.
Only one thing is certain to Timarchos: Nikomachos, the Basileus' grandchild, lives in his house, the rightful heir, if father and grandfather fall to misfortune. So the governor knows, he who seeks the power has to follow the path to Nikomachos, and Timarchos made the decision to protect the child from whatever harm may come to him.

"Excellency! Excellency!" - "Yes, what is it?" Timarchos looks up from his work, stacks over stacks of papers, that are piling on his massive marmoreal desk.
"The prince has just arrive at the palace, sir," the messenger replies. A load is taken off Timarchos' mind. "Thank the gods he is alive! I reckon he will be seeing his family first. You can leave now, soldier."

"I'm glad to see your highness alive and well," Timarchos states. Kallinikos, his arm around the shoulders of his three year old son, looks up and rises. "So am I. And now I need your help, my brother."
The two of them retire to Timarchos' office and there the prince tells him about the past events. "And so," Kallinikos closes, "I owe my father to take an army to the Tigris. That is what I have come for."
His brother-in-law nods. "I have no confirmed report about his whereabouts, but word has he sailed to Persis. Though it is nothing more than hope, as today you can't trust any rumor."
He starts walking up and down the room. "You have to be aware that you can not be certain that the Basileus is still out there. So if it is your decision to confront your uncle I suggest you proceed carefully and try to gather supporters. It is of great importance that Sarpedon doesn't learn of your plans until you have reached northern Mesopotamia with its huge reserves."
"I am grateful for your help, Timarchos. It seems fate finally has decided to impose a great task upon me." Kallinikos is gazing off into the distance. "I hope it won't break me."

[Lysimachos]

Chapter 28: Gaugamela

Two riders are slowly moving through the busyness of the camp. They ride in silent, with disregard for the soldiers who are inspecting and repairing the equipment and preparing their meals.
When they have left the last tents behind Gorgias Dahaikos stops on a small slope, viewing to the south. "You know what this is, Kallinikos? Over there Alexandros fought the battle of Gaugamela." He is searching the surroundings. "I've heard here is an altar somewhere."
Seleukos Kallinikos catches up with his companion. "I dare to say it won't help us much, if you don't mind," he demurs.
"You're a croaker," Gorgias asserts, shaking his head. "If that was Alexandros' attitude, he wouldn't have won a battle on that very plain in front of us."
Kallinikos spurs his horse and exclaims: "I'm not Alexandros and am not going to change that! Now stop this!"

The two of them now are riding faster, in a curve across the ancient battlefield and then back in direction of the Royal Road.
The prince's forces have grown since he left Antiocheia behind, yet it is still a small army, but able to move quickly. Kallinikos doesn't plan an open confrontation, but through his armed presence putting pressure on those who haven't fully abandoned loyalty to their king.

He interrupts his thoughts and points southeast. "Look there, who's that?"
A single rider comes fast along the road and Kallinikos and Gorgias rush their horses to intercept him. "Stop your horse, stranger! Where are you going?" Gorgias calls out.
The newcomer firmly pulls the reins and brings his mount to a sudden halt. After a moment of hesitation he recognizes the king's son. "I'm coming for you, Strategos! I bring message from Seleukeia. The regent has ordered the army to prepare for march."
Kallinikos glances up, to the sky. "This can mean only one thing."
Gorgias sceptically looks at him. "No. It can't, actually."



The audience is attentively watching the actors performing on the stage the premiere of a new komoidia written by the famous babylonian politician and playwright Ikadion Anthemusias.
Yet not all who have come to see the play, here in the Thaumaton Theatron of Seleukeia, are lucky enough to be able to commit their full concentration to it, among them the poet himself.
A pressing matter has forced him to leave soon after the begin and now he is standing in the dim and chilly corridors below the terraces.
"I don't like the way you are gambling," Ikadion emphasizes with rarely known gravity in his voice. "I will keep my hands out of this, you understand?" - "So you are deserting me, too? I swear to you, you will see where this will get you once I've come back," retorts his guest with fury and hurries away with a quick turn.

[Kallum]

nice update love your writing style and use of pictures

[Lysimachos]

nice update love your writing style and use of pictures

Thank you