Re: (EB) EMPIRE: Song of Peace and War
Intermission: The Great Generals of the 1st Era
It is almost impossible to bring up the subject of the 'First Golden Era' without first discussing the rise to power of the empire. Instrumental to these efforts were the great generals of the first era, who burned their names into the pages of history forever.
Emperor Antiochus II 'Theos'
The Emperor of the first era and the greatest general the world had seen since Alexandros Megas. He not only reunited Alexandro's empire, he also expanded it to twice the previous size, creating the largest empire the world had ever known. What is even more astonishing is the fact that he was not only a military genius, he was also a legendary administrator, reformer and a master of politics.
By reforming the army, he created the finest command structure in the world and increased training requirements for all troops, forcing generals to drill their troops to absolute perfection. In the political arena, he was a formidable opponent, often outmanoeuvring lords who wished to place him in an ill or compromising position. Like Alexandros Megas he was adept at winning the friendships of conquered peoples. In fact most historians agreed that the only reason it took him 20 years to create his empire while Alexandros only took 8 was because of the advancements in warfare. Troops could now be raised faster and were equipped in better equipment than before. Instead of a few large armies in his path, Antiochus II had to fight through several hundred.
He astonished the world by showing what a single man could accomplish. He was truly the most powerful man in the world and his achievements in all areas of rule would not be matched by any single person for nearly a thousand years.
Alexandros the Black
Alexandros the Black, cousin to King Antiochus was one of Antiochus' key generals. He was Lord commander of the Imperial armies, meaning he could overrule any general or High General on military matters except for the Emperor himself. Became Infamous for showing calculated brutality against particularly stubborn enemies and earned the Epithet of 'The Black'. He was very military minded and probably the second greatest general of the era, although some historians argue otherwise
Sarpedon
The Younger Brother of Antiochus, and Lord of the Sphere of Shadow. He was possibly the most feared man in all of the history of the Empire. Most people remember him as the dark spy master but it is known that he was also a great tactician and some say he was an even better general than Alexandros the Black due to his subtlety and extreme intelligence (matched only by Antiochus). He commanded his most famous battles in Asia Minor and Greece, laying low several armies despite a severe numerical disadvantage. Most famous of all was the Battle of Sinope, where his small army of 10 000 men was trapped between two huge Pontic forces. Sarpedon managed to outmanoeuvre and destroy both forces, killing 70 000 men and ending the Pontic Kingdom in a victory that was believed to have been "impossible".
Although master of the most dangerous organisation in the Empire, he was utterly loyal to his brother the Emperor and never attempted to take the throne.
High General Euphorion
High General Euphorion would eventually become known as the Scourge of Arabia. He butchered millions of Arabians in his war against the Sabaen Federation and turned South Arabia from a thriving civilisation of 2 million people to an empty land of less than 100 000.
High General Epikrates 'the Stubborn'
Disliked by the nobility but well liked by the soldiers serving directly under his command. He was known for his legendary stubborness, his utter lack of mercy, his unwavering sense of justice and punishment and he was often at odds with other nobles because of this. A very competent general who was particularly skilled at catching and destroying nomad armies (an impressive feat). Fought his first wars in Armenia before fighting in the north. He then returned to Armenia and guarded it until the fall of the North, when he was forced to march north again.
Although he was an unimaginative general, his victories were important and contributed greatly to the rise of the empire.
High General Apolloniketes
Perhaps the least well known of the great generals, Apolloniketes' rise to power are akin to legends of old. Abandoned in the Hykranian hills at the age of 8, he survived and eventually reached the minimal age for service into the army (12 at the time), his only chance of creating a better life. He quickly rose through the ranks and became a legion general at the age of 16 (the youngest in history), leading a legion of the 11th army through India. Despite successfully conquering the Indian cities, the 11th suffered horrendous casualties. The price of the conquest were the lives of 70 000 mercenaries. Only Apolloniketes legion survived intact and he was noticed by the King immediately, who promoted him to high general, sending him to Macedonia to stem the tide of the Romans in the first Roman-Seleucid War. In the war he led the rag tag forces of the Regional Macedonian army to no less than 6 great victories over the superior Roman forces. Eventually his rag tag army was recognised as an imperial army and named the 6th, the defenders of the west.
"The Imperial Histories, Volume 4"
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Originally Posted by Evalation
