ROME DESTROYED IN 450 BC
- Thread starter robertp6165
- Start date
Now once Carthage's hold on the Pillars are broken...Is it possible that we might see the Carthaginians and the Etruscans compete for trade and possible settlemts for the Northern tin trade in Brition and the Amber trade in Thule?
Also...In a Timeline without Rome, how would contact between Han China and The Etruscan Leauge/Carthage would progress. Who would provide the most likley canidate to participate in active Trade in China? And who would be most likley absorb China's own technologies for their own benefits?
Could an Etruscan discover the art of Paper making on by itself while doing trade with the Celt's in Germany? It would be an cheap and effective way of transferring the wax codicies into an longer lasting material and an possible spark for an war against the Germanic tribes?
Have any Carthaginian or even Etruscan Mercants attempted to succeed were Hanno feld and find stronger colonies in West Africa? And what events would have to take place to push the Carthaginians southward to possible pick up the Ivory,salt, and Gold trades to the Medeterranien.
The Etruscan Religion was, like Christianity and Judaism, a revealed religion. An account of the revelation is given by Cicero(On Divination 2.50) . One day, says the legend, in a field near the river Marta in Teruria, a strange event occurred. A divine being rose up from the newly ploughed furrow, a being with the appearance of a child, but with the wisdom of an old man. The startled cry of the ploughman brought lucomones, the priest kings of Etruria hurrying up to the spot. To them, the wise child chanted the sacred doctrine, which they reverently listened to and wrote down, so that this most precious possession could be passed on to their successors. Immediately after the revelation, the miraculous being fell dead and disappeared into the ploughed field. His name was Tages, and he was believed to be the son of Genius and grandson of the highest God, Tinia (or Jupiter as he became known to the Romans). This doctrine was known to the Romans as the disciplina etrusca,
So in this TL, Could we see an more accepting Italy under Etruscan Rule with the analogues of Tages and Jesus(Assuming that his life might be differnet under an longer lasting Hasmonean Dynasty?
Also...In a Timeline without Rome, how would contact between Han China and The Etruscan Leauge/Carthage would progress. Who would provide the most likley canidate to participate in active Trade in China? And who would be most likley absorb China's own technologies for their own benefits?
Could an Etruscan discover the art of Paper making on by itself while doing trade with the Celt's in Germany? It would be an cheap and effective way of transferring the wax codicies into an longer lasting material and an possible spark for an war against the Germanic tribes?
Have any Carthaginian or even Etruscan Mercants attempted to succeed were Hanno feld and find stronger colonies in West Africa? And what events would have to take place to push the Carthaginians southward to possible pick up the Ivory,salt, and Gold trades to the Medeterranien.
The Etruscan Religion was, like Christianity and Judaism, a revealed religion. An account of the revelation is given by Cicero(On Divination 2.50) . One day, says the legend, in a field near the river Marta in Teruria, a strange event occurred. A divine being rose up from the newly ploughed furrow, a being with the appearance of a child, but with the wisdom of an old man. The startled cry of the ploughman brought lucomones, the priest kings of Etruria hurrying up to the spot. To them, the wise child chanted the sacred doctrine, which they reverently listened to and wrote down, so that this most precious possession could be passed on to their successors. Immediately after the revelation, the miraculous being fell dead and disappeared into the ploughed field. His name was Tages, and he was believed to be the son of Genius and grandson of the highest God, Tinia (or Jupiter as he became known to the Romans). This doctrine was known to the Romans as the disciplina etrusca,
So in this TL, Could we see an more accepting Italy under Etruscan Rule with the analogues of Tages and Jesus(Assuming that his life might be differnet under an longer lasting Hasmonean Dynasty?
Historico said:
I imagine they will compete for tin from Britain, if Carthage's hold on the Pillars of Heracles is broken, which is a big "if." However, there is no need for them to go all the way to Iceland (Thule) for amber. They can import it overland over the alps from northern Europe, just like the Romans did.
Historico said:
I think that either one of them having much in the way of contact with China is a remote possibility. They will probably receive trade goods from China via the Silk Road and seaborne trade route through Egypt. But trading directly...as in traveling to China...not likely.
Historico said:
Well, anything is possible, I suppose. But there is really nothing in this timeline that would directly cause this.
Historico said:
No
Historico said:
Hanno's account of his voyage did not mention that he found anything of much value during his voyage. This is undoubtedly why no further attempts were made. Nothing in this timeline changes that.
Historico said:
That's a possibility.
What started as a shameless bump...actually got a new Question working...With The Celts in Thrace are they still manafactuaring the Thracian Gold to the Greeks? And Could the Celts begin to absorb aspects of Greek cultures like their Acadamies and Science because of their new Proximity and without rome on their back?
An Second Celtic Powerhouse?
The original population of Noricum (mostly modern day Austria) consisted of Illyrians, who after the great emigration of the Gauls became subordinate to various Celtic tribes. It is in Noricum that we first hear of almost all the Celtic invasions, and was the starting-point of the attacks upon Italia in the early Roman Republic.
In approximately 200 BCE, an alliance of 13 of these tribes established the first Celtic Kingdom in Europe, supported by a Council of Elders of all the represented tribes. For a long time the Noricans enjoyed independence under this rule and carried on commerce with the Romans. In fact, from about 170 BCE the Noricans enjoyed the status of hospitum publicum with Rome (National hospitality, or friends and allies of Rome).
In the latter part of the 2nd Century BCE, the Taurisci tribe would call upon Rome for help against the migrating Germanic tribes, the Cimbri and the Teutones. Within the general proximity of Noricum, Consul Papirius Carbo led the Roman army to a crushing defeat at the hands of these Germanic tribes in 113 BCE. The victorious tribes continued to move west through Gaul and avoided Italia for another 10 years, but in 103 BCE, after other considerable victories their return to the region posed a serious threat to Rome. Roman superiority would be established, however, when Gaius Marius defeated the Teutones at Aquae Sextiae and Q. Lutatius Catulus defeated the Cimbri at Vercellae in 102 and 101 BCE respectively
country was mountainous and the soil poor, but it was rich in iron, and supplied material for the factories, forges and smithies in Pannonia, Moesia and northern Italia. The Norici, a Celtic tribe along the Danube, were among the world's first and greatest steel smiths. Noric Steel was famous throughout the empire, and a sword of this fine material and design was considered a veritable treasure in the time of Augustus. Other inhabitants were more apt to cattle-breeding than to agriculture, although it is probable that the Romans, by draining the marshes and cutting down timber and by increasing fertility, brought more farming to the region. Gold and salt were also found in considerable quantities. The plant called saliunca (the wild or Celtic nard) grew in abundance, and was used as a perfume.
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With Dealing with the Etruscan Leauge...are the rich Iron deposits enough for Etruscan annexation or assimilation? Would the Etruscans stay idly by as ab rather wealthy Celtic Provience stand by their gates...and being in much closer proximity than Galatia...Could influence the Gauls of the west to unite against the Carthaginans and Etruscans?
The original population of Noricum (mostly modern day Austria) consisted of Illyrians, who after the great emigration of the Gauls became subordinate to various Celtic tribes. It is in Noricum that we first hear of almost all the Celtic invasions, and was the starting-point of the attacks upon Italia in the early Roman Republic.
In approximately 200 BCE, an alliance of 13 of these tribes established the first Celtic Kingdom in Europe, supported by a Council of Elders of all the represented tribes. For a long time the Noricans enjoyed independence under this rule and carried on commerce with the Romans. In fact, from about 170 BCE the Noricans enjoyed the status of hospitum publicum with Rome (National hospitality, or friends and allies of Rome).
In the latter part of the 2nd Century BCE, the Taurisci tribe would call upon Rome for help against the migrating Germanic tribes, the Cimbri and the Teutones. Within the general proximity of Noricum, Consul Papirius Carbo led the Roman army to a crushing defeat at the hands of these Germanic tribes in 113 BCE. The victorious tribes continued to move west through Gaul and avoided Italia for another 10 years, but in 103 BCE, after other considerable victories their return to the region posed a serious threat to Rome. Roman superiority would be established, however, when Gaius Marius defeated the Teutones at Aquae Sextiae and Q. Lutatius Catulus defeated the Cimbri at Vercellae in 102 and 101 BCE respectively
country was mountainous and the soil poor, but it was rich in iron, and supplied material for the factories, forges and smithies in Pannonia, Moesia and northern Italia. The Norici, a Celtic tribe along the Danube, were among the world's first and greatest steel smiths. Noric Steel was famous throughout the empire, and a sword of this fine material and design was considered a veritable treasure in the time of Augustus. Other inhabitants were more apt to cattle-breeding than to agriculture, although it is probable that the Romans, by draining the marshes and cutting down timber and by increasing fertility, brought more farming to the region. Gold and salt were also found in considerable quantities. The plant called saliunca (the wild or Celtic nard) grew in abundance, and was used as a perfume.
***********
With Dealing with the Etruscan Leauge...are the rich Iron deposits enough for Etruscan annexation or assimilation? Would the Etruscans stay idly by as ab rather wealthy Celtic Provience stand by their gates...and being in much closer proximity than Galatia...Could influence the Gauls of the west to unite against the Carthaginans and Etruscans?
Rome Destroyed in 450 BC--Part Three: 250-200 BC
c. 250 BC--The Parni, a Scythian tribe from the region north of the Jaxartes River, move
south into Parthia. In India, Buddhists carve the first cave temples (Lomas Rishi).
249 BC--Agron comes to the throne of Illyria, which had been united under his father,
King Pleuratus, about two decades earlier. Under his rule, Illyria will rise to become a
great power, at least for a brief time, playing a pivotal role in the struggle for power
between Macedon and the Achaean League which will occupy most of the latter half of
the Third Century, B.C.
247 BC--Arsaces becomes ruler of the Parni, founding the Arsacid Dynasty.
245 BC--Aratos of Sicyon becomes Strategos of the Achaean League for the first time.
He will hold this post, with brief interruptions, for most of the next three decades. During
this time he will work toward the destruction of the power of Macedon and the
unification of all the Greek polei under the banner of the Achaean League.
246 BC--King Antiochus II of Lydia and Cappadocia is poisoned by his wife, Laodice.
He is succeeded by his son by Laodice, who reigns as King Seleucus II. Seleucus is a
weak individual, and it is not long before he is openly challenged by his younger brother,
Antiochus Hierax. Laodice will throw her support behind her younger son before too
long, and the Seleucid kingdom will fall into civil war. Also in this year, King Ptolemy II
of Egypt dies, and is succeeded by his son, who reigns as King Ptolemy III.
240 BC--Death of King Hamurabbi II of Babylon. He is succeeded by his son, who
reigns as King Nebuchadnezzar IV. Also in this year, the Etruscan League votes to admit
the Marsi, Paeligni, Marrucini and Vestini as members into the League. All of Italy,
except the Greek-held areas in the far south, is under the rule of the Etruscan League.
239 BC--King Nebuchadnezzar IV of Babylon signs a treaty of alliance with King
Ptolemy III of Egypt. Seeing the chaos in Asia Minor as the Seleucid Kingdom falls into
civil war, the two kingdoms begin preparing for war against the Seleucids. Also in this
year, King Antigonus II Gonatas of Macedon dies, and is succeeded by his son, who
reigns as King Demetrius II.
238 BC--The Parni, under Arsaces, seize control of the district of Astavene in northern
Parthia.
237-235 BC--Undeclared naval war between Carthage and the Etruscan League in the
western Mediterranean. Beginning in 237 BC, Carthage takes a more aggressive stance
versus Etruscan traders in what she considers her sphere of influence, and begins seizing
Etruscan ships on the high seas. In response, the Etruscans begin seizing Carthaginian
ships which venture into Etruscan waters. There are several clashes between Etruscan
and Carthaginian warships as a result, and it seems that an all-out war is inevitable. But
cooler heads prevail, and the two powers agree on a treaty in which each recognizes the
right of the other to trade with neutral powers in the western Mediterranean, while
recognizing the exclusive rights of each power to trade in certain ports. While the treaty
mainly favors Carthage, who gains many more “exclusive” ports than the Etruscans do,
the Etruscans do gain one significant plum...the exclusive right to trade at the Greek port
of Massilia, in southern Gaul. The Etruscans thus gain unimpeded access to the tin and
amber of northern Europe and Britain, as well as other valuable items.
238-230 BC--The Third War of the Diadochi: In 238 BC, hoping to take advantage of the
civil war between Seleucus II and his brother, Antiochus Hierax, in Asia Minor, King
Ptolemy III of Egypt and King Nebuchadnezzar IV of Babylon declare war on the
Seleucid kingdom. Egyptian and Babylonian armies move north into Asia Minor, and
advance rapidly against weak Seleucid resistance. By the end of 238 BC Antiochus
Hierax has been defeated and killed, and Seleucus II is under siege inside his capital of
Seleucia (the former city of Mazaca on the Halys River).
At this point, King Demetrius II of Macedon, who has no desire to see the Ptolemies of
Egypt become supreme in Asia Minor, declares war on Egypt and lands an invasion force
in the Troad in early 237 BC. He advances rapidly to the relief of Seleucus II at Mazaca,
but his army is defeated by the combined Egyptian and Babylonian hosts outside the city
and is forced to retreat to Sardis. Mazaca falls later that year, and King Seleucus II is
captured and put to death, ending the Seleucid Dynasty.
However, this does not end the war, as King Demetrius of Macedon remains in Asia
Minor for the next five years, fighting a see-saw campaign against the Egyptians and
Babylonians for control of the lands west of the Halys River. Despite repeated attempts,
King Ptolemy’s navy is unable to defeat that of Demetrius, and the Macedonians are able
to maintain their lines of supply and reinforcement.
The war would probably have gone on for a few more years, but in 231 BC, Aratos of
Sicyon brought the Achaean League into the war against Macedon, and King Demetrius
quickly sued for peace with the Egyptians and Babylonians. Those powers, which were
by now quite exhausted after almost a decade of war, accepted, and in 230 BC, the three
kings agreed on a treaty ending the war. King Demetrius of Macedon retains control of
Asia Minor north of the Taurus Mountains and west of the Halys River. Egypt takes the
former Seleucid lands east of the line of the Halys and the Taurus Mountains and west of
the Euphrates River. Babylon takes the remainder east of the Euphrates.
231-230 BC--War between Macedon and the Achaean League. Aratos of Sicyon,
Strategos of the Achaean League, decided to try to take advantage of Macedon’s
engagement in Anatolia during the Third War of the Diadochi by declaring war and
invading Macedon in 231 BC. King Demetrius of Macedon, however, quickly concluded
a peace ending the war with Egypt and Babylon and brought his army home to deal with
the invading Greeks. Demetrius also made an alliance with King Agron of Illyria, and the
Illyro-Macedonian army decisively defeated the Achaean League’s forces outside of Pella
in 230 BC. Aratos of Sicyon sued for peace following this defeat, and Demetrius
imposed harsh terms, demanding that the Achaean League acknowledge the overlordship
of Macedon and pay a heavy indemnity. Having little choice, the Achaean League
accepts these terms.
230 BC onward--Following the Third War of the Diadochi and the destruction of the
Seleucid dynasty, a rough equilibrium settles on the eastern Mediterranean. Egypt and
Macedon are both absorbed by troubles close to home, and neither has much power to
attempt to interfere in the lands claimed by the other. Babylon, too, will experience an
interlude of peace under rulers who are much more interested in building than in
expansion.
230 BC--King Agron of Illyria, celebrating his recent victory, in alliance with King
Demetrius of Macedon, over the Achaean League, drinks a huge quantity of wine and
dies of alcohol poisoning. His son, Pinnes, is a mere infant. Agron’s second wife, Teuta,
rules as regent. Under her rule, local tribal chieftains will once again reassert their
power, and Illyria will gradually fall apart.
235 BC--The Parni, under Prince Tiridates (brother of King Arsaces), seize the remainder
of Parthia, deposing the native Parthian dynasty. They will spend the remainder of this
century consolidating their rule in Parthia.
229 BC--King Demetrius II of Macedon is killed in battle with the Dardanians, a wild
tribe living north of Macedon. His son, Philip, being only nine years old, the rulership of
Macedon is taken by a cousin of Demetrius, Antigonus Doson, who rules initially as
regent but will, within two years, depose Philip and take the throne for himself.
228 BC--Aratos of Sicyon, Strategos of the Achaean League, has been scheming to end
the Macedonian domination of the Achaean League since the end of the recent war.
Seeing an opportunity with the death of King Demetrius II, Aratos forms alliances with
Queen Teuta of Illyria and the Celts of Galatia against Macedon.
225-221 BC--The War of Aratos: In 225 BC, the alliance of the Achaean League, Illyria,
and the Celts of Galatia declare war on Macedon. King Antigonus III Doson of Macedon
fights valiantly, allied with King Pyrrhus III of Epirus, against the combined armies of the
three neighboring powers, but to no avail. He is killed in 221 BC in battle against the
Illyrians, and Macedon is cast down. The Achaean League occupies the Greek cities
which had been ruled by Macedon, and large sections are annexed by Illyria and Galatia.
A Macedonian rump state, ruled by a puppet imposed by the Achaean League, is all that
is left of the once-proud Macedonian nation. Meanwhile, Philip IV, deposed son of
Demetrius II, flees to Macedon’s Anatolian possessions and establishes himself there.
222 BC--Death of King Nebuchadnezzar IV of Babylon. He is succeeded by his son, who
reigns as King Sargon III (Akkadian King Sargon being the first, and Sargon II of Assyria
being the second). Sargon will occupy his reign with great building projects in Babylon
and other cities of his empire, and the military power of Babylon will gradually begin to
fall apart during his reign as a result of a policy of “benign neglect.” In the short term,
this has little impact as Babylon’s neighbors are also in a state of weakness. In the long
term, it will prove disastrous. Also in this year, King Ptolemy III of Egypt dies, and is
succeeded by his son, who reigns as King Ptolemy IV. With the accession of Ptolemy IV,
the power of Egypt also begins a slow, steady decline as the Ptolemaic kings come
increasingly under the domination of corrupt court favorites who loot the treasury and
direct Egypt’s foreign and domestic policy ineptly for their own aggrandizement.
221 BC onward--In the aftermath of the War of Aratos, the victorious powers all find that
the lack of a direct Macedonian threat removes the urge toward unity and allows
centrifugal forces within their midst to begin tearing them apart. Queen Teuta of Illyria,
as mentioned elsewhere, is soon faced with increasing challenges from local Illyrian tribal
chieftains, who increasingly assert their own power over that of the Queen. The
assassination of Aratos of Sicyon in 220 BC, shortly after the end of the victorious war,
will lead to the breakup of the Achaean League by 210 BC. Only Galatia maintains a sort
of stability. The loose governmental system of Galatia...which is ruled by a committee of
three Tetrarchs who are elected by a Council of the Tribes which meets bi-annually,
proves resilient, and Galatia remains unified, although there are brief outbreaks of warfare
between the constituent tribes of the Galatian League. But Galatia is the exception to the
rule, and by the end of the century, a power vacuum exists in the Balkans which will
prove inviting to outside powers. It will be only a matter of time before a conqueror
arrives to exploit it.
221 BC--King Antigonus II Doson of Macedon is killed in battle against the Illryians.
Philip IV, son of Demetrius II who had been deposed by Antigonus Doson a few years
earlier, ascends the throne, but has to flee into exile in Anatolia. Philip will work toward
the restoration of the power of Macedon, but is handicapped by the lack of sufficient
resources in his remaining provinces and so is not immediately able to make war on his
neighbors. But given time, that might change...and Philip is a patient man.
220 BC--In India, the Maurya dynasty under Ashoka's son Bindusara expands to control
almost all of India.
219 BC--With the weakening of Illyrian royal power, Illyrian piracy in the Adriatic is
reaching epidemic levels, seriously impacting Etruscan trade in the region. In 219 BC,
the Etruscan League carries out a punitive expedition to Illyria in an effort to stamp out
Illyrian piracy in the Adriatic. The Etruscans defeat the Illryian fleet and burn several
seaport towns which serve as pirate havens. The Illyrian pirates are scattered...for a
while.
218 BC--Death of King Arsaces I of Parthia. He is succeeded by his brother, who reigns
as King Tiridates I.
211 BC--King Tiridates I of Parthia dies, and is succeeded by his son, who reigns as
King Arsaces II. King Pinnes of Illyria comes of age and assumes the throne of Illyria.
Unfortunately, the degeneration of royal authority which had begun under Queen Teuta
has progressed too far to reverse easily, and Pinnes will be a king with very little power.
207 BC--Second punitive expedition by the Etruscan League against Illyrian pirate bases
in the Adriatic.
204 BC--King Ptolemy IV of Egypt dies, and is succeeded by his son, who reigns as King
Ptolemy V. The decline of Egyptian power continues under Ptolemy’s inept rule.
201-195 BC--Former Macedonian king Philip IV takes advantage of the power vacuum in
the Balkan Peninsula and invades with the aim of re-establishing his rule over Macedon.
The disunited Greek polei and the weakened Illyrians and Galatians are powerless to
intervene, and the puppet ruler installed in Macedon is captured and executed. Philip
campaigns in the region until he has restored Macedon to it’s full former territorial extent
and re-established Macedonian hegemony over the surrounding states.
200 BC--The Andhras rebel against Mauryan rule and occupy the Indian east coast.
c. 250 BC--The Parni, a Scythian tribe from the region north of the Jaxartes River, move
south into Parthia. In India, Buddhists carve the first cave temples (Lomas Rishi).
249 BC--Agron comes to the throne of Illyria, which had been united under his father,
King Pleuratus, about two decades earlier. Under his rule, Illyria will rise to become a
great power, at least for a brief time, playing a pivotal role in the struggle for power
between Macedon and the Achaean League which will occupy most of the latter half of
the Third Century, B.C.
247 BC--Arsaces becomes ruler of the Parni, founding the Arsacid Dynasty.
245 BC--Aratos of Sicyon becomes Strategos of the Achaean League for the first time.
He will hold this post, with brief interruptions, for most of the next three decades. During
this time he will work toward the destruction of the power of Macedon and the
unification of all the Greek polei under the banner of the Achaean League.
246 BC--King Antiochus II of Lydia and Cappadocia is poisoned by his wife, Laodice.
He is succeeded by his son by Laodice, who reigns as King Seleucus II. Seleucus is a
weak individual, and it is not long before he is openly challenged by his younger brother,
Antiochus Hierax. Laodice will throw her support behind her younger son before too
long, and the Seleucid kingdom will fall into civil war. Also in this year, King Ptolemy II
of Egypt dies, and is succeeded by his son, who reigns as King Ptolemy III.
240 BC--Death of King Hamurabbi II of Babylon. He is succeeded by his son, who
reigns as King Nebuchadnezzar IV. Also in this year, the Etruscan League votes to admit
the Marsi, Paeligni, Marrucini and Vestini as members into the League. All of Italy,
except the Greek-held areas in the far south, is under the rule of the Etruscan League.
239 BC--King Nebuchadnezzar IV of Babylon signs a treaty of alliance with King
Ptolemy III of Egypt. Seeing the chaos in Asia Minor as the Seleucid Kingdom falls into
civil war, the two kingdoms begin preparing for war against the Seleucids. Also in this
year, King Antigonus II Gonatas of Macedon dies, and is succeeded by his son, who
reigns as King Demetrius II.
238 BC--The Parni, under Arsaces, seize control of the district of Astavene in northern
Parthia.
237-235 BC--Undeclared naval war between Carthage and the Etruscan League in the
western Mediterranean. Beginning in 237 BC, Carthage takes a more aggressive stance
versus Etruscan traders in what she considers her sphere of influence, and begins seizing
Etruscan ships on the high seas. In response, the Etruscans begin seizing Carthaginian
ships which venture into Etruscan waters. There are several clashes between Etruscan
and Carthaginian warships as a result, and it seems that an all-out war is inevitable. But
cooler heads prevail, and the two powers agree on a treaty in which each recognizes the
right of the other to trade with neutral powers in the western Mediterranean, while
recognizing the exclusive rights of each power to trade in certain ports. While the treaty
mainly favors Carthage, who gains many more “exclusive” ports than the Etruscans do,
the Etruscans do gain one significant plum...the exclusive right to trade at the Greek port
of Massilia, in southern Gaul. The Etruscans thus gain unimpeded access to the tin and
amber of northern Europe and Britain, as well as other valuable items.
238-230 BC--The Third War of the Diadochi: In 238 BC, hoping to take advantage of the
civil war between Seleucus II and his brother, Antiochus Hierax, in Asia Minor, King
Ptolemy III of Egypt and King Nebuchadnezzar IV of Babylon declare war on the
Seleucid kingdom. Egyptian and Babylonian armies move north into Asia Minor, and
advance rapidly against weak Seleucid resistance. By the end of 238 BC Antiochus
Hierax has been defeated and killed, and Seleucus II is under siege inside his capital of
Seleucia (the former city of Mazaca on the Halys River).
At this point, King Demetrius II of Macedon, who has no desire to see the Ptolemies of
Egypt become supreme in Asia Minor, declares war on Egypt and lands an invasion force
in the Troad in early 237 BC. He advances rapidly to the relief of Seleucus II at Mazaca,
but his army is defeated by the combined Egyptian and Babylonian hosts outside the city
and is forced to retreat to Sardis. Mazaca falls later that year, and King Seleucus II is
captured and put to death, ending the Seleucid Dynasty.
However, this does not end the war, as King Demetrius of Macedon remains in Asia
Minor for the next five years, fighting a see-saw campaign against the Egyptians and
Babylonians for control of the lands west of the Halys River. Despite repeated attempts,
King Ptolemy’s navy is unable to defeat that of Demetrius, and the Macedonians are able
to maintain their lines of supply and reinforcement.
The war would probably have gone on for a few more years, but in 231 BC, Aratos of
Sicyon brought the Achaean League into the war against Macedon, and King Demetrius
quickly sued for peace with the Egyptians and Babylonians. Those powers, which were
by now quite exhausted after almost a decade of war, accepted, and in 230 BC, the three
kings agreed on a treaty ending the war. King Demetrius of Macedon retains control of
Asia Minor north of the Taurus Mountains and west of the Halys River. Egypt takes the
former Seleucid lands east of the line of the Halys and the Taurus Mountains and west of
the Euphrates River. Babylon takes the remainder east of the Euphrates.
231-230 BC--War between Macedon and the Achaean League. Aratos of Sicyon,
Strategos of the Achaean League, decided to try to take advantage of Macedon’s
engagement in Anatolia during the Third War of the Diadochi by declaring war and
invading Macedon in 231 BC. King Demetrius of Macedon, however, quickly concluded
a peace ending the war with Egypt and Babylon and brought his army home to deal with
the invading Greeks. Demetrius also made an alliance with King Agron of Illyria, and the
Illyro-Macedonian army decisively defeated the Achaean League’s forces outside of Pella
in 230 BC. Aratos of Sicyon sued for peace following this defeat, and Demetrius
imposed harsh terms, demanding that the Achaean League acknowledge the overlordship
of Macedon and pay a heavy indemnity. Having little choice, the Achaean League
accepts these terms.
230 BC onward--Following the Third War of the Diadochi and the destruction of the
Seleucid dynasty, a rough equilibrium settles on the eastern Mediterranean. Egypt and
Macedon are both absorbed by troubles close to home, and neither has much power to
attempt to interfere in the lands claimed by the other. Babylon, too, will experience an
interlude of peace under rulers who are much more interested in building than in
expansion.
230 BC--King Agron of Illyria, celebrating his recent victory, in alliance with King
Demetrius of Macedon, over the Achaean League, drinks a huge quantity of wine and
dies of alcohol poisoning. His son, Pinnes, is a mere infant. Agron’s second wife, Teuta,
rules as regent. Under her rule, local tribal chieftains will once again reassert their
power, and Illyria will gradually fall apart.
235 BC--The Parni, under Prince Tiridates (brother of King Arsaces), seize the remainder
of Parthia, deposing the native Parthian dynasty. They will spend the remainder of this
century consolidating their rule in Parthia.
229 BC--King Demetrius II of Macedon is killed in battle with the Dardanians, a wild
tribe living north of Macedon. His son, Philip, being only nine years old, the rulership of
Macedon is taken by a cousin of Demetrius, Antigonus Doson, who rules initially as
regent but will, within two years, depose Philip and take the throne for himself.
228 BC--Aratos of Sicyon, Strategos of the Achaean League, has been scheming to end
the Macedonian domination of the Achaean League since the end of the recent war.
Seeing an opportunity with the death of King Demetrius II, Aratos forms alliances with
Queen Teuta of Illyria and the Celts of Galatia against Macedon.
225-221 BC--The War of Aratos: In 225 BC, the alliance of the Achaean League, Illyria,
and the Celts of Galatia declare war on Macedon. King Antigonus III Doson of Macedon
fights valiantly, allied with King Pyrrhus III of Epirus, against the combined armies of the
three neighboring powers, but to no avail. He is killed in 221 BC in battle against the
Illyrians, and Macedon is cast down. The Achaean League occupies the Greek cities
which had been ruled by Macedon, and large sections are annexed by Illyria and Galatia.
A Macedonian rump state, ruled by a puppet imposed by the Achaean League, is all that
is left of the once-proud Macedonian nation. Meanwhile, Philip IV, deposed son of
Demetrius II, flees to Macedon’s Anatolian possessions and establishes himself there.
222 BC--Death of King Nebuchadnezzar IV of Babylon. He is succeeded by his son, who
reigns as King Sargon III (Akkadian King Sargon being the first, and Sargon II of Assyria
being the second). Sargon will occupy his reign with great building projects in Babylon
and other cities of his empire, and the military power of Babylon will gradually begin to
fall apart during his reign as a result of a policy of “benign neglect.” In the short term,
this has little impact as Babylon’s neighbors are also in a state of weakness. In the long
term, it will prove disastrous. Also in this year, King Ptolemy III of Egypt dies, and is
succeeded by his son, who reigns as King Ptolemy IV. With the accession of Ptolemy IV,
the power of Egypt also begins a slow, steady decline as the Ptolemaic kings come
increasingly under the domination of corrupt court favorites who loot the treasury and
direct Egypt’s foreign and domestic policy ineptly for their own aggrandizement.
221 BC onward--In the aftermath of the War of Aratos, the victorious powers all find that
the lack of a direct Macedonian threat removes the urge toward unity and allows
centrifugal forces within their midst to begin tearing them apart. Queen Teuta of Illyria,
as mentioned elsewhere, is soon faced with increasing challenges from local Illyrian tribal
chieftains, who increasingly assert their own power over that of the Queen. The
assassination of Aratos of Sicyon in 220 BC, shortly after the end of the victorious war,
will lead to the breakup of the Achaean League by 210 BC. Only Galatia maintains a sort
of stability. The loose governmental system of Galatia...which is ruled by a committee of
three Tetrarchs who are elected by a Council of the Tribes which meets bi-annually,
proves resilient, and Galatia remains unified, although there are brief outbreaks of warfare
between the constituent tribes of the Galatian League. But Galatia is the exception to the
rule, and by the end of the century, a power vacuum exists in the Balkans which will
prove inviting to outside powers. It will be only a matter of time before a conqueror
arrives to exploit it.
221 BC--King Antigonus II Doson of Macedon is killed in battle against the Illryians.
Philip IV, son of Demetrius II who had been deposed by Antigonus Doson a few years
earlier, ascends the throne, but has to flee into exile in Anatolia. Philip will work toward
the restoration of the power of Macedon, but is handicapped by the lack of sufficient
resources in his remaining provinces and so is not immediately able to make war on his
neighbors. But given time, that might change...and Philip is a patient man.
220 BC--In India, the Maurya dynasty under Ashoka's son Bindusara expands to control
almost all of India.
219 BC--With the weakening of Illyrian royal power, Illyrian piracy in the Adriatic is
reaching epidemic levels, seriously impacting Etruscan trade in the region. In 219 BC,
the Etruscan League carries out a punitive expedition to Illyria in an effort to stamp out
Illyrian piracy in the Adriatic. The Etruscans defeat the Illryian fleet and burn several
seaport towns which serve as pirate havens. The Illyrian pirates are scattered...for a
while.
218 BC--Death of King Arsaces I of Parthia. He is succeeded by his brother, who reigns
as King Tiridates I.
211 BC--King Tiridates I of Parthia dies, and is succeeded by his son, who reigns as
King Arsaces II. King Pinnes of Illyria comes of age and assumes the throne of Illyria.
Unfortunately, the degeneration of royal authority which had begun under Queen Teuta
has progressed too far to reverse easily, and Pinnes will be a king with very little power.
207 BC--Second punitive expedition by the Etruscan League against Illyrian pirate bases
in the Adriatic.
204 BC--King Ptolemy IV of Egypt dies, and is succeeded by his son, who reigns as King
Ptolemy V. The decline of Egyptian power continues under Ptolemy’s inept rule.
201-195 BC--Former Macedonian king Philip IV takes advantage of the power vacuum in
the Balkan Peninsula and invades with the aim of re-establishing his rule over Macedon.
The disunited Greek polei and the weakened Illyrians and Galatians are powerless to
intervene, and the puppet ruler installed in Macedon is captured and executed. Philip
campaigns in the region until he has restored Macedon to it’s full former territorial extent
and re-established Macedonian hegemony over the surrounding states.
200 BC--The Andhras rebel against Mauryan rule and occupy the Indian east coast.
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Historico said:
Brennus the Celt was a chieftain of one of the Celtic tribes which had settled in northern Italy north of the Po River. He was defeated by the Etruscan League. Once defeated he retired north of the Po River. He never united the Celtic tribes there, or elsewhere.
Historico said:
The Etruscans are much more interested in trade than in conquest. The rise of a powerful Celtic kingdom in Noricum could pose a threat to the Etruscans which might lead to war, however. The bellicose Celts might very well decide that the Etruscan lands look appetizing and decide to invade, for example. Also, as for whether it will influence unity among the Gauls to the west, I don't know. There are already some forces there that are aiming in that direction...for example, the "Greek"city of Massilia is actually, by this time, more a "Graeco-Celtic" city than a true Greek Polei anymore, and the tribes of southern Gaul influenced by it are probably going to form a league in the next century.
an great end to a turmotulos century...Although I am dissapointed to see the end of the Secluids so quickly it will be interesting to see the Parthians take advantage of the Eastern Med weakend state and make an viavble Empire. Has the Magonoids been overthrown in Carthage yet? And will Hispania become an Carthaginan territory by the end of the Next Century? Could there been an possible clash between Carthage and Ptolmeic Egypt? And Will the Hasmoenean's be able to revolt against an stronger Ptolemeic Kingdom? Will the Galatains be able to take an advantage over the weakend sate of the Balkans and conqer it? And will the Etruscan league be strong enough to take down Illyria?
Historico said:
yes, the Parthians are probably going to do somewhat better than in OTL.
Historico said:
Yes, quite some time ago. The Carthaginians are a Republic and have been for at least a couple of centuries.
Historico said:
Yes.
Historico said:
Possibly. Although their interests don't normally clash...Egypt tends to focus on the eastern end of the Mediterranean, while Carthage is focused on the west.
Historico said:
Whether there will be an analog to the Maccabean revolt in the ATL depends on whether the Ptolemies decide to desecrate the Temple and try to stamp out the Jewish religion. I don't really see the Ptolemies doing that, as they were generally tolerant when they ruled Palestine in OTL.
Historico said:
No. Indeed, in the final years of the Third Century, BC, Philip IV established Macedonian hegemony over all the Balkan region, including Illyria and Galatia. Macedon is the big dog in the Balkans right now.
Historico said:
They would easily be strong enough to take Illyria down, if they decided to do it. But they are not interested in acquiring territory outside of Italy right now, and they have no wish to have to garrison Illyria. Probably they will launch more punitive expeditions against Illyrian piracy, and possibly support a strong Illyrian monarch who can control the local pirate chieftains.
G.Bone said:
Thank you...it's good to be back.
By the way, I am working on the next installment of the Hittite timeline now, and will probably have that posted by the end of the week. So there is more to come.