The Mandala Stands Strong: An Ancient Timeline.
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The March West Part 1
Chapter 19: The March West
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THE MARCH OF EKAVEER, ALEXANDER IV AND EUMENES
History is a peculiar topic and is full of legendary figures, accomplishing legendary feats that are at times, impossible for us to even believe. One such event was the March West as it was known to the Hellenes and Persians. A grand army of 80,000 had been assembled in Kasthamandap by Ekaveer I of Nepala in support of his nephew. He appointed his wife, Thessalonike to be the regent of the empire with Anaxagoras, his son, to be the heir and left the capital of the Mandala with his army, Eumenes and Alexander IV of Macedonia.
Over the course of the next year or two, the Grand Army as it came to be known, accomplished a momentous task of marching through from all the way from the subcontinent to all the way to the land of the Hellenes, Greece itself; making Ekaveer and his army the first set of Asian warriors to set foot in Europa.
The Saga of the Grand Army, later written by the Romans, Carthaginians, and Hellenes all talk about this grand feat, and most of all, the commander leading them to battle.
***
Ekaveer looked at the army opposing him at the western edge of the Hyphasis. From what his nephew told him, the commander leading the enemy army was a man named Demetrius, who was the son of Antigonos, who had dethroned Alexander IV from the power and reins of the Macedonian Empire.
Ekaveer narrowed his eyes as he saw currents go by with intense speed. Going across the river with that sole bridge towards their side was a move for suicide, because Demetrius could afford to pick his troops one by one if he crossed the river on the bridge and the currents were just too fast to attempt landfall on the other side without killing a whole slew of troops.
He sighed and then smirked once again. The thrill of battle, was exhilarating. It had been more than a decade since he commanded an army, and the feeling like that of playing a match of wits with an army very refreshing. He whistled as the artillery pieces in his army started to open fire at the other side of the river. Men fell down in spades, and from the barking heard on the other side, it seemed that Demetrius had given the order for a retaliation. He could see the huge siege towers in the distance, it seemed that Demetrius had come with the intent of sieging out Kasthamadap itself.
However, Ekaveer’s position near the river was at the heights of a mountain range; where Demetrius, who ordered his own artillery to strike, didn’t really reach Ekaveer’s own forces in the mountain and Demetrius was quite stuck without a plan of action from the looks of it. He heard some distinct barking noises downwards and the Antigonid army slowly turned back and started to march towards the eastern Persian Satrapies.
Well, this wasn’t much of a battle at all in Ekaveer’s opinion, however he would take it. He would wait until Demetrius’s army withdrew to a good distance before crossing the river at all.
Demetrius Antigonous, son of Antigonous, who was the founder of the short-lived Antigonid Empire.
***
He knew there was a trap waiting to be sprung by Demetrius the moment he heard the damp quietness of the other side of the shore, with nary a single thought or wind, meaning traps had been laid about all across the path. He and his commanders looked towards the sides and the frontal paths once again, before Ekaveer dismounted his horse. He bent down and took a stone in his hand and carefully threw it into a suspicious looking grass field in the distance. The entire ground fell apart as the stone hit the field and collapsed under the weight of the medium sized stone.
That confirmed the suspicions of Ekaveer. Demetrius was about to launch a trap; but from where?
He grabbed his nephew and made him sit next to him. Alexander IV obeyed without question. Then he saw the hail of arrows falling towards them.
“Shields!” He shouted as the shields of the army went up and stopped the arrows. Ekaveer doubted the loss of men was anything substantial. However what worried him was the loss of horses.
The armored elephants he had with him, around 100 of them whinnied and became slightly angry as they shuffled about. He whistled at the commander of the Elephant Corps who looked at him from faraway. He nodded his head and the Commander turned backwards and slapped the elephants, and they ran wild.
The elephants rushed forward fading into the far distance where the eyes could not see the battle raging on in the distance. Slowly but surely, the army marched. In the distance, the screams of soldiers and roaring elephants were being heard tremendously for all to hear, and finally Ekaveer’s main force reached the battlefield to see around 9 elephants laying on the ground dead, however Demetrius’s troops seemed to be just around now grouping up to face the elephant threat when Ekaveer’s phalanx’s crashed and rammed into the rear of Demetrius’s forces.
Demetrius in the distance became very red faced, and after a few minutes of slaughter, much to Ekaveer’s satistfaction, Demetrius sounded the retreat.
The Battle of Hyphasis was over. The northern Indus was liberated from the Antigonids.
Ekaveer looked at his nephew and said “Are you ready nephew?”
“Yes I am uncle.”
“Good. You will need that confidence within you; the journey is going to be a long one. Now we march into Persia.”
***
Alexandria in Qataban, known to locals as Iskendaria (OTL Aden)
Seleucus, the now Emperor of the Seleucid Arabian Empire of the former Macedonian Arabian lands, was reading the reports sent to him personally when he found out about the defeat of Demetrius, the son of Antigonous, Seleucid’s enemy in the field of battle near the Indus Valley by the Nepala King. It seemed that Ekaveer was attacking the entirety of the Antigonid Empire to place his nephew, the legitimate heir of the Macedonian Empire back on the throne of the empire.
Seleucus smacked his lips in slight anticipation. This was an opportunity he could not give up.
Maharajah Ekaveer of the Mandala
It is my utmost honor to be writing to you. However I simply do not have the time for idle talk. Let us get down to business. News from my informants have arrived to Iskendaria about you wishing to install your nephew, the son of my late emperor, back onto the throne in Babylon and Pella.
With Egypt, Carthage and of course my empire in Arabia already in rebellion against Antigonous, I thought it prudent, if we could ally against the Antogonid Empire together and I shall support the ascension of Alexander IV to the throne of the Macedonian Empire; and all that it entails, granted that Alexander IV renounce all claims on my Arabian territories; comprising of the former Arabian Satraps. This is a golden chance for you, Maharajah of Kasthamandap, do not take this offer lightly.
Awaiting your reply,
Seleucus I Nicator of the Seleucid Arabian Empire
Seleucus I Nicator, the Emperor of All Arabia and founder of the long-lived Seleucid Empire in Arabia.
***
Zoilos of Bactria read the offer sent to him by the Maharajah of Kasthamandap and the Nepala Mandala as he smirked. He looked at his tribe and said “Men! Our time has come! The armies rallying behind the rightful heir march west, and the Prince is the son of Bactria as much as he is the son of Babylon and the Hellenes through his mother! I say we throw the support of Bactria behind the Prince and the Maharajah! What say you all?!”
“AYE!”
“Very well then! In the name of His Majesty Alexander IV THE DESIRED! In the Name of Her Majesty Roxana!”
“AYE!”
Bactrian troops and tribesmen later joined up and joined forces with the army of Alexander IV and Ekaveer making up for the loss of horses.
***
Hamilcar II of Carthage smirked as he saw the crowds of Carthage welcome him back to his capital, after being exiled and his homeland conquered by the Hellenes a few years ago.
He spread his arms and said “Carthage shall never bow down to another conqueror again! We Punics shall rise from the ashes of our old mistakes, and the nation shall flourish! Down with Antigonous! We fight for our Empire and our freedom!”
“FOR CARTHAGE!”
Hamilcar II the Restorer of Carthage.
***
Ekaveer allies with Selecus to defeat everyone else in return Macedonian empire will leave the subcontinent, Allowing Nepal to control and essentially create the first Pan Indian empire,
Then The new Macedonian and Selecus empire go to war over dispute, but Indian empire is not concerned
Hellenised Arabs, aggressive Carthaginians and Nepalese-aided vengeance, oh my. 
Any predictions?Hellenised Arabs, aggressive Carthaginians and Nepalese-aided vengeance, oh my.
I dare not make any prediction beyond craziness ensues.
Alexander III the Great lived longer. Alexander IV was murdered OTL.
Since Alexander IV is half Bactrians, yes the Bactrians are now aiding Ekaveer and Alexander IV.
Any thoughts?
Liberation of Bactria and Persian Frontier.
Chapter 20: Liberation of Bactria and Persian Frontier.
***
305 BCE
***
Ekaveer frowned at Zoilos and said “Are you sure the Steppe Nomads will aid us in return for gold and riches? I have heard of them being extremely cunning and not trustworthy at all.”
“Aye, they aren’t trustworthy, those scumbags.” Zoilos mumbled. “However for the right price, they will do as they are told.”
“What do you call them?” Ekaveer asked.
“We call them with a variety of names. Scythians, Barbarians, mercenaries…..take your pick.” Zoilos shrugged.
“*Sigh* Are they good warriors?” Ekaveer asked slowly as he paced around in the war tent.
“Well yes, those bastards don’t know when to stop really.” Zoilos muttered.
“Well good enough I suppose then.” Ekaveer rubbed his chin. “Will get them the gold, we will need all the help we can get.”
“Indeed. Have you answered that letter from Seleucus Ekaveer?” Zoilos asked as an afterthought.
“Well no. I showed the letter to my nephew, and he is currently mulling over it in the next tent with Eumenes.” Ekaveer answered.
“I wonder how he will respond?”
“Correctly I hope.”
***
“Young Master, what will you choose then?” Eumenes questioned as he looked at the letter sent by Seleucus, that backstabbing rat.
Alexander IV sighed as he shook his head. “I have no choice. He commands a great army and a great force. I shall have to accept it.”
“That is a wise decision; though I do not like it.” Eumenes grumbled.
“Neither do I Eumenes. However I must act alongside my uncle with prudence and not emotions.” Alexander IV murmured.
“Perhaps. Your father would have been angered to the high heavens if he found out his generals were miring the empire into civil war.” Eumenes angrily grumbled.
“I did not deny that did I?” Alexander IV grumbled back. “It is sad to see that only my father held back the rivalries between the generals and the Satraps.”
“Indeed.”
***
“Well I am glad you chose the pragmatic option, nephew.” Ekaveer stated as he galloped on his horse as the army marched forward in formation.
“I am too as well uncle….” Alexander IV mumbled as he rode his own horse.
“Well anyways, nephew, our next target is Areia in Haraiva. There, scouts have reported that Demetrius has made camp there. Once we reach there, we shall take the city and the eastern Satraps will be ours. After taking that city we can force Satrap of Daoi to join the war on our side like the manner in which we persuaded the Satrap of Sogdiana.” Ekaveer replied as e rode his horse towards the front of the lines.
“Areia? Why?” Alexander IV asked. “After that there is nothing but arid desert and mountains in the path into Persia. It is an important city I admit, but hugging the north or the south would be pragmatic won’t it?”
“We cannot let the Antigonids rest nephew, we need to get this war done with.” Ekaveer rumbled. “And we must take extreme measures to do so.”
“What?!” Alexander shouted. “You wish to march an army nearly 100,000 strong right into the heart of the desert and mountains all the way to Babylon? There is nothing in between but small valleys with nomads and bandits. Our army will die of starvation.”
“No it will not.” Ekaveer replied. “Zoilos has managed to make the food supply chain from Bactria and Sogdiana stronger by managing to assassinate the Satrap of Bactria and become Satrap himself and by installing his brother as the Satrap of Sogdiana. With those two lines behind us, the line from Kasthamandap itself becomes unnecessary for us. And of course, there is also the fact that Demetrius and Antigonous will expect us to come from the north or south, their center will be non-existent.”
“This is suicidal, uncle! Have you seen the topography of the area?”
“I haven’t. Your aunt has. I did extensively ask her to describe the lands perfectly to me, and I have faith in your mother……..and all the maps she had given to her by your father.” Ekaveer added with a slight chuckle.
“Seriously, uncle, are you seriously talking about this seriously?”
“Yes I am, unfortunately.” Ekaveer replied back this time seriously.
“In all honesty nephew, the march through the desert and the mountains will be hard and arduous, no one said it wouldn’t. However Eumenes, and Zoilos both agree with me that this march will catch Demetrius and Antigonous to off guard for us to not take advantage of it.” Ekaveer stated placidly.
“I cannot believe this uncle.” Alexander breathed out with slight anger.
“Perhaps.” Ekaveer replied back placidly once again. “However it is what is necessary nephew. Once in Babylon we group up with Seleucus, and Seleucus will then secure Egypt for you, as in accordance with our plans.”
“………Fine. How far we to Areia?”
“A few weeks at most.”
***
2 weeks later
****
Demetrius almost blanched as he saw the number of troops opposing him. He himself had around 60,000 men under his command, but to see nearly a 100,000 men was too great a challenge for even him to take on directly. No this called for cunning.
He turned to his men and said “ We encamp at the southern gates! There, numbers shall be useless in the small passes! This city is lost, but not the war!”
***
Well that was unexpected. Ekaveer thought as he looked at the retreating army. He sighed and shook his head. Well, at least the war was going on in a fast paced action.
***
Zurka, the leader of one of the most prominent Scythian tribes in the north of the mountains smirked as the translator read the message sent from Alexander IV.
“Well well well folks! We bask in riches it seems! To the south we go!” He roared as his warband roared in triumph back at him as well.
The Scythians were hired as mercenaries by Alexander IV and Ekaveer.
***
Ptolemy glanced at the messenger Seleucus had sent to him and asked “What does Seleucus want?”
“The Lord has contacted the young Lord Alexander IV. He had agreed to accept Arabian independence if Arabia allies with him. He has stated that he will offer the same to your domain in Egypt, should you accept the offer.” The messenger replied in a baritone voice.
“Well, I accept.” Ptolemy stated firmly.
“Very well.” The messenger bowed and left the hall.
Ptolemy sighed and rubbed his face as he looked at the setting sun and said “Oh Milord Alexander, if only you were alive once again……”
****
The City of Carthage.
Hamilcar II looked at the battle plans presented to him and stated “This does mean that the Ptolemaic Dynasty will sign a truce with us, if I am not mistaken?”
“Yes milord.”
“Good good.” Hamilcar II muttered. “Anyways, we need to consolidate our Sicilian holdings. The tribes and the Hellenes there are becoming restless. Send an army there to put any particular rebellions down and report back to me.”
“Of course milord.”
“Also, send out a peace feeler to Alexander IV. I hear he is marching westward with his uncle, a powerful King of the east. Anyways, our independence has been secured, and there really isn’t much he can do to change that.”
“What of Rome milord?”
“The Romans? The Samnites have been beaten by the Romans I have heard, making the central portion of the peninsula fall to the Latins. However, they are really only small fry at this point. I have Ptolemy, Seleucus, Antigonous, Cassander, Lysimachus and Alexander IV to contend with to make any moves against Rome.”
“Of course milord.”
***
Romans in the Samnite Wars.
***
***
305 BCE
***
Ekaveer frowned at Zoilos and said “Are you sure the Steppe Nomads will aid us in return for gold and riches? I have heard of them being extremely cunning and not trustworthy at all.”
“Aye, they aren’t trustworthy, those scumbags.” Zoilos mumbled. “However for the right price, they will do as they are told.”
“What do you call them?” Ekaveer asked.
“We call them with a variety of names. Scythians, Barbarians, mercenaries…..take your pick.” Zoilos shrugged.
“*Sigh* Are they good warriors?” Ekaveer asked slowly as he paced around in the war tent.
“Well yes, those bastards don’t know when to stop really.” Zoilos muttered.
“Well good enough I suppose then.” Ekaveer rubbed his chin. “Will get them the gold, we will need all the help we can get.”
“Indeed. Have you answered that letter from Seleucus Ekaveer?” Zoilos asked as an afterthought.
“Well no. I showed the letter to my nephew, and he is currently mulling over it in the next tent with Eumenes.” Ekaveer answered.
“I wonder how he will respond?”
“Correctly I hope.”
***
“Young Master, what will you choose then?” Eumenes questioned as he looked at the letter sent by Seleucus, that backstabbing rat.
Alexander IV sighed as he shook his head. “I have no choice. He commands a great army and a great force. I shall have to accept it.”
“That is a wise decision; though I do not like it.” Eumenes grumbled.
“Neither do I Eumenes. However I must act alongside my uncle with prudence and not emotions.” Alexander IV murmured.
“Perhaps. Your father would have been angered to the high heavens if he found out his generals were miring the empire into civil war.” Eumenes angrily grumbled.
“I did not deny that did I?” Alexander IV grumbled back. “It is sad to see that only my father held back the rivalries between the generals and the Satraps.”
“Indeed.”
***
“Well I am glad you chose the pragmatic option, nephew.” Ekaveer stated as he galloped on his horse as the army marched forward in formation.
“I am too as well uncle….” Alexander IV mumbled as he rode his own horse.
“Well anyways, nephew, our next target is Areia in Haraiva. There, scouts have reported that Demetrius has made camp there. Once we reach there, we shall take the city and the eastern Satraps will be ours. After taking that city we can force Satrap of Daoi to join the war on our side like the manner in which we persuaded the Satrap of Sogdiana.” Ekaveer replied as e rode his horse towards the front of the lines.
“Areia? Why?” Alexander IV asked. “After that there is nothing but arid desert and mountains in the path into Persia. It is an important city I admit, but hugging the north or the south would be pragmatic won’t it?”
“We cannot let the Antigonids rest nephew, we need to get this war done with.” Ekaveer rumbled. “And we must take extreme measures to do so.”
“What?!” Alexander shouted. “You wish to march an army nearly 100,000 strong right into the heart of the desert and mountains all the way to Babylon? There is nothing in between but small valleys with nomads and bandits. Our army will die of starvation.”
“No it will not.” Ekaveer replied. “Zoilos has managed to make the food supply chain from Bactria and Sogdiana stronger by managing to assassinate the Satrap of Bactria and become Satrap himself and by installing his brother as the Satrap of Sogdiana. With those two lines behind us, the line from Kasthamandap itself becomes unnecessary for us. And of course, there is also the fact that Demetrius and Antigonous will expect us to come from the north or south, their center will be non-existent.”
“This is suicidal, uncle! Have you seen the topography of the area?”
“I haven’t. Your aunt has. I did extensively ask her to describe the lands perfectly to me, and I have faith in your mother……..and all the maps she had given to her by your father.” Ekaveer added with a slight chuckle.
“Seriously, uncle, are you seriously talking about this seriously?”
“Yes I am, unfortunately.” Ekaveer replied back this time seriously.
“In all honesty nephew, the march through the desert and the mountains will be hard and arduous, no one said it wouldn’t. However Eumenes, and Zoilos both agree with me that this march will catch Demetrius and Antigonous to off guard for us to not take advantage of it.” Ekaveer stated placidly.
“I cannot believe this uncle.” Alexander breathed out with slight anger.
“Perhaps.” Ekaveer replied back placidly once again. “However it is what is necessary nephew. Once in Babylon we group up with Seleucus, and Seleucus will then secure Egypt for you, as in accordance with our plans.”
“………Fine. How far we to Areia?”
“A few weeks at most.”
***
2 weeks later
****
Demetrius almost blanched as he saw the number of troops opposing him. He himself had around 60,000 men under his command, but to see nearly a 100,000 men was too great a challenge for even him to take on directly. No this called for cunning.
He turned to his men and said “ We encamp at the southern gates! There, numbers shall be useless in the small passes! This city is lost, but not the war!”
***
Well that was unexpected. Ekaveer thought as he looked at the retreating army. He sighed and shook his head. Well, at least the war was going on in a fast paced action.
***
Zurka, the leader of one of the most prominent Scythian tribes in the north of the mountains smirked as the translator read the message sent from Alexander IV.
“Well well well folks! We bask in riches it seems! To the south we go!” He roared as his warband roared in triumph back at him as well.
The Scythians were hired as mercenaries by Alexander IV and Ekaveer.
***
Ptolemy glanced at the messenger Seleucus had sent to him and asked “What does Seleucus want?”
“The Lord has contacted the young Lord Alexander IV. He had agreed to accept Arabian independence if Arabia allies with him. He has stated that he will offer the same to your domain in Egypt, should you accept the offer.” The messenger replied in a baritone voice.
“Well, I accept.” Ptolemy stated firmly.
“Very well.” The messenger bowed and left the hall.
Ptolemy sighed and rubbed his face as he looked at the setting sun and said “Oh Milord Alexander, if only you were alive once again……”
****
The City of Carthage.
Hamilcar II looked at the battle plans presented to him and stated “This does mean that the Ptolemaic Dynasty will sign a truce with us, if I am not mistaken?”
“Yes milord.”
“Good good.” Hamilcar II muttered. “Anyways, we need to consolidate our Sicilian holdings. The tribes and the Hellenes there are becoming restless. Send an army there to put any particular rebellions down and report back to me.”
“Of course milord.”
“Also, send out a peace feeler to Alexander IV. I hear he is marching westward with his uncle, a powerful King of the east. Anyways, our independence has been secured, and there really isn’t much he can do to change that.”
“What of Rome milord?”
“The Romans? The Samnites have been beaten by the Romans I have heard, making the central portion of the peninsula fall to the Latins. However, they are really only small fry at this point. I have Ptolemy, Seleucus, Antigonous, Cassander, Lysimachus and Alexander IV to contend with to make any moves against Rome.”
“Of course milord.”
***
Romans in the Samnite Wars.
***
Babylon will be important, yup, but not the final battle. Any predictions?
Perhaps Ekaveer Dies in the battle, allowing for Thessalonike to take power and Conquer Most of India, If not all of it in order to secure the border of mandala
Young Alexander is far more measured than his father, thankfully. Better to make allies out of the people too far away for you to be able to squash easily than enemies.
Meanwhile, the core of the empire is up for grabs.
Though, the thing about mercenaries is...sometimes they don't know when to stop.
Meanwhile, the core of the empire is up for grabs.
Though, the thing about mercenaries is...sometimes they don't know when to stop.
Point to made yes, the Mercenaries and Scythians will be particular pains in the future despite them being allies.
And according to Cassander, Alexander IV had a very huge temper like his father, however it took a lot to reach that level, the patience which he inherited from Roxana. So it's a win win for Alexander IV. It would have interesting to see how he would have changed OTL if he had lived. Sadly will never know.
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