Commando Howiezter
Banned
OTL was already a Ptolemy wank.....they lasted the longest in OTL, and inbreeding caused the latter ones to go bonkers a bit...
The Seleucids don't get enough love I think.....
168 B.C. and Egypt
- Thread starter Crusader FG.1
- Start date
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- Tags
- egypt hellenistic era
OTL was already a Ptolemy wank.....they lasted the longest in OTL, and inbreeding caused the latter ones to go bonkers a bit...
The Seleucids don't get enough love I think.....
Theat one and because of fuking incest and the big kove for Seleucids as a potential counterbalance of Rome.
Don't know about the others, but I love to read and learn about Ptolemaic state. People living there left more data on themselves than people from other Hellenistic states. And a cultural exchange between "Greeks" and Egyptians is fascinating as well...
But the state system (political, economical, military) built by Ptolemies (or at least partially inherited by them) in Egypt made this state collapse. By 168 B.C. (that's why chose the date) the history of that dynasty was over. Ptolemies could survive only as Roman protectorate, fighting against each other, wasting the potential of their realm and being eaten, chunked, piece by piece by the Roman Republic.
And since mid II century B.C. it seems they had no chance to reverse the decline. Either fights among family members, or problems with administration, degeneration of military settlers... and only Romans deciding who'd be the "king of Alexandria" who'd be the "king of Cyprus" or "king of Cyrenaica"...
Only two people had some minor chance to reverse it, one of them died in 145 B.C. winning his last battle and Cleopatra VII, who, if she she'd sleep with a mighty Roman, could use one Roman legions against the others...
Don't get me wrong, I believe Cleopatra was among the best of Ptolemies, if not the best of them, but she had really limited resources, and her bed was, sadly, the most... solid one.
Who do you mean by that?
P.S. I love the Ptolemies, too, and once toyed with an idea of the Ptolemaic Egypt somehow avoiding the decline, but that never worked out.
161 B.C. Egypt
Petosarapis' army (increased to 15 000 heavy infantry, thanks to Amyntas' troops) reaches Thebes. On the way there two emissaries arrives.
One emissary from satrap of the Upper Thebais, Perdikkas, asking of the purpose of Petosarapis' visiting south. Petosarapis appointed meeting with Perdikkas on the news of a civil war and unrest in Syria.
The other one from Hakor, a high priest of the Thebe's Ammon temple. Hakor was offering his support and his daughter, Nitocris as Petosarapis' wife. Hakor's emmisary entitled Petosarapis as a... "king". The satrap ordered not to be called like that... at least in public.
He appointed Hakor as an official 'epistates' of the king in Thebes. And he took the offer to marry priest's daughter.
161 B.C. Syria
Antiochus decides to stay in Ptolemais-Akko. He tries to increase his army. He still has supporters in southern Syria. He sends emissaries to the loyal cities, but they are reluctant to help him militarily, waiting for the clear winner of the civil war. The fact that the king is not there himself with his army, is not helping either.
Demetrius I quickly gathers an army of over 20 000 men and marches south, through Apameia and Damascus, getting rid of Antiochus' supporters or "convincing" them to switch sides. From Damascus he heads towards Ptolemais-Akko. Antiochus' lack of actions put him in a disastrous circumstances. Demetrius is getting closer...
160 B.C. Syria
Syrian troops are leaving Antiochus, realizing he's the one to lose.
Antiochus is still supported by his Egyptians. He moves south, towards Gaza and then Pelousion. He leaves a small garrison of mercenaries in Ptolemais.
Siege of Ptolemais-Akko. Demetrius surrounded the city. After two weeks mercenaries are convinced to surrender.
With Antiochus heading towards Egypt, there is another uprising in Palestine. Demetrius decides to fight Jews, proving them the shift of power in Seleucid Empire was "smooth enough".
160 B.C. Egypt
"Thebes talks"
Perdikkas with 10 000 heavy troops meets Petosarapis with over 15 000 of them at the gates of Thebes.
Petosarapis gains support from Perdikkas, he leaves him as a satrap of Upper Thebais. In exchange Perdikkas supports Petosarapis with half of his men.
Petosarapis appoints officially the high priest as a royal epistates for the city of Thebes, helping... or disturbing Perdikkas (depends on point of view) ruling the city.
"Wedding Ceremony in Thebes"
Over 25 000 heavy troops of Egyptian reformed army gathered watching Petosarapis' wedding with Nitocris. It was a huge ceremony and Petosarapis looked like a king.
At some point one of the soldiers shouted: "Long live the king Dionysius Petosarapis and his beloved wife, queen Nictoris!" 25 000 throats of a brave soldiers responded. According to Macedonian customs, known by everyone there, the army claimed Petosarapis as a king.
Petosarapis accepted army's choice. High Priest Hakor crowned his son-in-law for a king of Upper Egypt. Petosarapis invited him to Memphis for a proper enthronement ceremony.
After the wedding, as fast as possible whole army marched north to Memphis. The time was precious so they used every boat available. According to secret plans given by Petosarapis earlier, another 5 000 heavy infantry from Ptolemais under Amyntas, and 7 000 heavy infantry with 1 000 cavalry from Fayyum was already there. Together with Memphis garrison, 15 000 heavy infantry, 10 000 'lights' and 1 000 cavalry awaited at the temporary capital.
Within week 36 000 well-trained heavy infantry (15 000 Thorakitai and 21 000 Thureophoroi) with about 6 000 light skirmishers ("lights") and 1 500 cavalry accompanied king Dionysious Petosarapis and queen Nictoris enthronement ceremony. Egyptians, under their pharaoh, were ready for "the king of the north".
At the south, about 3 500 Thureophoroi troops, accompanied by 2 000 of 'lights' guarded southern border under Perdikkas, some 1 500 (500 Thureophoroi + 1 000 'lights') were deployed around Ptolemais and a moderate force of 1 000 lights and 500 Thureophoroi guarded Fayyum Oasis. Small 500-men Thureophoroi detachment of not ready for field trip (sick or in-training) were deployed on the city walls of Memphis.
Petosarapis called for 3 000 people from Thebais (2 000 Thureophoroi and 1 000 lights) to march north, strengthening Fayyum and Memphis.
With only 2 500 troops in Thebais now, Egyptian forces were stretched thin. Basically everyone available south of Delta was called to arms...
---
"Heavy troops" mean either Thorakitai or Thureophoroi. I guess main goal of the army reform was to turn all the settlers into Thorakitai. There was not enough time or resources to accomplish that. By 162 it was all done in about half - let's say the army looks like that:
Field army: 15 000 Thorakitai, 21 000 Thureophoroi, 6 000 light skirmishers, 1 500 heavy Macedonian Cavalry.
Fayyum: 1 000 "lights" + 1 500 Thureophoroi, Memphis: 1 500 Thureophoroi, Ptolemais: 1 000 lights + 500 Thureophoroi, Thebes: 1 000 lights + 1 500 Thureophoroi
Petosarapis' army (increased to 15 000 heavy infantry, thanks to Amyntas' troops) reaches Thebes. On the way there two emissaries arrives.
One emissary from satrap of the Upper Thebais, Perdikkas, asking of the purpose of Petosarapis' visiting south. Petosarapis appointed meeting with Perdikkas on the news of a civil war and unrest in Syria.
The other one from Hakor, a high priest of the Thebe's Ammon temple. Hakor was offering his support and his daughter, Nitocris as Petosarapis' wife. Hakor's emmisary entitled Petosarapis as a... "king". The satrap ordered not to be called like that... at least in public.
He appointed Hakor as an official 'epistates' of the king in Thebes. And he took the offer to marry priest's daughter.
161 B.C. Syria
Antiochus decides to stay in Ptolemais-Akko. He tries to increase his army. He still has supporters in southern Syria. He sends emissaries to the loyal cities, but they are reluctant to help him militarily, waiting for the clear winner of the civil war. The fact that the king is not there himself with his army, is not helping either.
Demetrius I quickly gathers an army of over 20 000 men and marches south, through Apameia and Damascus, getting rid of Antiochus' supporters or "convincing" them to switch sides. From Damascus he heads towards Ptolemais-Akko. Antiochus' lack of actions put him in a disastrous circumstances. Demetrius is getting closer...
160 B.C. Syria
Syrian troops are leaving Antiochus, realizing he's the one to lose.
Antiochus is still supported by his Egyptians. He moves south, towards Gaza and then Pelousion. He leaves a small garrison of mercenaries in Ptolemais.
Siege of Ptolemais-Akko. Demetrius surrounded the city. After two weeks mercenaries are convinced to surrender.
With Antiochus heading towards Egypt, there is another uprising in Palestine. Demetrius decides to fight Jews, proving them the shift of power in Seleucid Empire was "smooth enough".
160 B.C. Egypt
"Thebes talks"
Perdikkas with 10 000 heavy troops meets Petosarapis with over 15 000 of them at the gates of Thebes.
Petosarapis gains support from Perdikkas, he leaves him as a satrap of Upper Thebais. In exchange Perdikkas supports Petosarapis with half of his men.
Petosarapis appoints officially the high priest as a royal epistates for the city of Thebes, helping... or disturbing Perdikkas (depends on point of view) ruling the city.
"Wedding Ceremony in Thebes"
Over 25 000 heavy troops of Egyptian reformed army gathered watching Petosarapis' wedding with Nitocris. It was a huge ceremony and Petosarapis looked like a king.
At some point one of the soldiers shouted: "Long live the king Dionysius Petosarapis and his beloved wife, queen Nictoris!" 25 000 throats of a brave soldiers responded. According to Macedonian customs, known by everyone there, the army claimed Petosarapis as a king.
Petosarapis accepted army's choice. High Priest Hakor crowned his son-in-law for a king of Upper Egypt. Petosarapis invited him to Memphis for a proper enthronement ceremony.
After the wedding, as fast as possible whole army marched north to Memphis. The time was precious so they used every boat available. According to secret plans given by Petosarapis earlier, another 5 000 heavy infantry from Ptolemais under Amyntas, and 7 000 heavy infantry with 1 000 cavalry from Fayyum was already there. Together with Memphis garrison, 15 000 heavy infantry, 10 000 'lights' and 1 000 cavalry awaited at the temporary capital.
Within week 36 000 well-trained heavy infantry (15 000 Thorakitai and 21 000 Thureophoroi) with about 6 000 light skirmishers ("lights") and 1 500 cavalry accompanied king Dionysious Petosarapis and queen Nictoris enthronement ceremony. Egyptians, under their pharaoh, were ready for "the king of the north".
At the south, about 3 500 Thureophoroi troops, accompanied by 2 000 of 'lights' guarded southern border under Perdikkas, some 1 500 (500 Thureophoroi + 1 000 'lights') were deployed around Ptolemais and a moderate force of 1 000 lights and 500 Thureophoroi guarded Fayyum Oasis. Small 500-men Thureophoroi detachment of not ready for field trip (sick or in-training) were deployed on the city walls of Memphis.
Petosarapis called for 3 000 people from Thebais (2 000 Thureophoroi and 1 000 lights) to march north, strengthening Fayyum and Memphis.
With only 2 500 troops in Thebais now, Egyptian forces were stretched thin. Basically everyone available south of Delta was called to arms...
---
"Heavy troops" mean either Thorakitai or Thureophoroi. I guess main goal of the army reform was to turn all the settlers into Thorakitai. There was not enough time or resources to accomplish that. By 162 it was all done in about half - let's say the army looks like that:
Field army: 15 000 Thorakitai, 21 000 Thureophoroi, 6 000 light skirmishers, 1 500 heavy Macedonian Cavalry.
Fayyum: 1 000 "lights" + 1 500 Thureophoroi, Memphis: 1 500 Thureophoroi, Ptolemais: 1 000 lights + 500 Thureophoroi, Thebes: 1 000 lights + 1 500 Thureophoroi
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Edited/Deleted previous posts. I hope the numbers are counted down OK.
BTW: I'd need idea of a flag, ancient one, on white cloth some simple black sign... Is there someone who could suggest something? Or maybe a flag is too much... for the ancients
BTW: I'd need idea of a flag, ancient one, on white cloth some simple black sign... Is there someone who could suggest something? Or maybe a flag is too much... for the ancients
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