The Massaliot league. A Hellenistic period Massalia Timeline

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Sersor

Sersor

Great analysis dear @Shevek23 ! Thank you for your fine words and suggestions. You really help me and this ATL a lot.

Shevek23 said:
If the League is mainly Hellenizing in the way the Roman conquest of Gaul was Latinizing, then we have to have some serious conflict going on now
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Not entirely. Its also a blend of the social reforms of Ptolemaic Egypt ( Under a "democratic" instead of Tyrant approach) and the way that Romans gave citizenship to Italians during the social wars era. Another major factor that affects all that and helps the Greek- Gaul fusion is the Epicurean sect that supports the equality of people. Newer the less a civil war was really close in 248 BC if the political reforms under Nestor failed to pass( basically happened the opposite from what really happened in Rome OTL prior the social wars)


Shevek23 said:
They'd have to combine something of both the French and English approaches I'd think. Ruthless attempts to divide and rule might open up space in the form of devastating conquest and enserfment of loser groups, but only with the alliance of rival Native groups who could be expected to gradually, largely on their own terms, assimilate useful or interesting aspects of European civilization, and acquire what the Europeans regarded as cultivation, but also set the general terms of contact to a much greater degree than seen OTL in aggressive settler colonies. The settlers would not be nearly as able to shove the natives aside, and the best surviving colonies would be those who learned to make long-term, lasting alliances with Native peoples who would be drawn into their orbit, but only by letting themselves in turn be drawn into Native orbits.

This is the sort of fusion I've been hoping to find evidence of, and I fear largely looking in vain. I'm still hung up on the whole Bordeaux thing you see, which is much more like what English might do than French in North America. On the lack of Celtic names, on the lack of attribution to useful innovations to Celtic influence, on the lack of mention of strongly Gaulish though loyal districts in the Massilote heartland, etc etc.

So it is a bit heartening to be told, "don't worry, the Gauls are fine." But the only evidence one sees is that the devastating social wars I'd fear would result if the Massaliotes are in fact a one-sided Hellenization project--which the overwhelming number of specific citations of people and events hitherto seems to support--have not in fact taken place yet.

A hybridized Helleno-Gaulic Massaliote region would have some limitations that have not been mentioned yet (such as being somewhat alien and off-putting to "purer" Hellenes, which should have come into play by now) but also some big advantages--the author seems to be attributing these advantages to the League without as it were paying dues for them by acknowledging the likely side effects nor demonstrating the actual presence of Gauls in Massaliote high society--not even as thoroughly Hellenized model products of a French-style (19th century French I mean here) mission civilitrice transformation, let alone showing us Gauls who proudly retain Gaulish cultural traits suitably modified but definitely not Hellenic, nor Greeks who are adopting distinctly Gaulish ways.
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Its pretty much a combine French and English approach. We are in the same page more or less but for me this fusion will take some time. Honestly i think that this Greek-Gaul fusion is all ready going too fast rather slow. It takes time for Greek chauvinism to convert to a Greek-Gaul fusion. Its 52 years from the start of this ATL and we allready see Gaul temples of Epona builded and Gauls start to be granted citizenship. Tolosa and Massalia have big numbers of Gaul populations and the epicurean sect and Dynatoi company have all ready Gaul members. Sadly my limited English don't allow me to get really deeper on this subjects and thats why i choose this Fact/text -book/wiki approach.
 
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247-244 BC. Chartered companies
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    • Sersor

    Sersor

    247-244 BC

    With the control of trade in both Atlantic and west Mediterranean sea Massaliot League was stronger and wealthier than ever. This vast network sparkled a huge trade, economic and opportunity for people, boom. Every kind of trade and business throughout the Massaliot league had now its own guild. The purpose of the guild was no doubt to protect and advance the interests of the trade but in some cases, securing also the election of candidates for the federal council of the league. Most of the strongest “political” guilds were under the control of Palaioi or Dynatoi companies. Both Palaioi and Dynatoi companies were by now, pretty much political parties dominating the federal council. For years now both strategoi/episcopoi of the federal council were from this two parties. As they grew wealthier, those companies/political parties developed extensive administrations for their ventures, seeking more and more control and influence. This led to the foundation of the first chartered companies in history.

    Chartered companies were usually formed, incorporated and legitimised under a royal or, in republics, an equivalent government charter. This document set out the terms under which the company could trade, defined its boundaries of influence, and described its rights and responsibilities.

    the charters of the Palaioi and Dynatoi companies, given by the Massaliot League federal council allowed the two companies to:
    • Trade monopolies from new expeditions
    • Form “banks”
    • Own, and grant or distribute lands of future colonies/lands in Atlantic ocean.
    • Raise/sponsor military for new conquests under approval and control from the federal council.

    In return, the companies agreed to develop the territory they controlled, to allow free trade within its territory and give thirty percent of the profits to the common treasury of the Massaliot League.


    Carthage/Barcid Kingdom
    • in two small naval battles and one pitch battle Carthaginians repelled the Barcid kingdom.
    Bactria
    • Bactria attacked by the Seleucid empire. Although he commanded seven thousands horsemen, Diodotus I initially lost a battle on the Arius and had to retreat. He then successfully resisted a three year siege in the fortified city of Bactra, before Antiochus II finally decided to recognize the new ruler.
     
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    • 243 BC. The end of the Triandria alliance.
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    • Sersor

    Sersor

    243 BC

    • With the knowledge of major gold mines in modern day Las Médulas, an expedition of three tagmata under strategos Hermolaos, sponsored by Dynatoi company, went to conquer Astures lands in northern Spain and thus take control of Las Médulas gold mines.
    • King Ambiorux of the Allobroges tribe, a vassal of Massaliot League, died.
    • Druid Cativolcus new poem is the talk of the town.

    By place

    Crete

    The end of Triandria alliance.
    Years of tensions between Spartan settlers and local Cretan population lead to indirect Ptolemaic interference. With this support the Cretans manage to siege and conquer the two main settlements of Sparta in North West Crete. The Spartan king Cleomenes III, furious by this asks Alexander II of Epirus to help him against the Ptolemaic empire. Alexander II looking for an excuse to break the alliance with Ptolemy and expand his area of control in North Aegean, gladly accepts. Rhodes League, Syracuse and Massaliot League decided to stay neutral.
     
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  • Index
    • 242 BC. The conquest of Astures.
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    Sersor

    242 BC

    The conquest of Astures

    After a short siege, thanks to heavy use of advanced siege weapons, the city of Noega felt easily to Massaliot league. From there strategos Hermolaos marched to conquer the capital of Astures tribe, Asturica. In a pitch battle near Asturica the eighteen thousands army of Massaliot league crashed the twenty five thousands army of Astures and Cantabri tribes. The combined arms army of Massaliot league was no match for the local tribes who rooted after the heavy rain from Massaliot League crossbowmen’s,archers,mounted archers and artillery. more than fifteen thousands celtic warriors died and another six thousands sold as slaves. Massaliot league had less than one thousand deads and wounded. Shortly after Asturica felt to Hermolaos army.

    aQx287M.jpg


    By place

    Gaul
    • Cingetorix the new king of Allobroges, known for his conservatism and opposition to Hellenisation decided to close Rhone river to Massaliot League and join the Averni tribe loose confederacy.
    Greece
    • Without a declaration of hostilities and with support from Ptolemaic empire, Greek statesman, Aratus of Sicyon, who has gradually built up the Achaean League(vassal of Epirus) into a major power in Greece, makes a surprise attack on Corinth and forces the withdrawal of the Epirus occupation troops. Megara,Troezen, and Epidaurus also desert the Epirus King Alexander II.
     
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    • 241 BC. Eureka Eureka! Stirrups...
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    241 BC

    A new nomes establish in Astures, under Dynatoi company/federal council administration. New technologies introduced to exploit the gold mines.
    The technique employed was a type of hydraulic mining which involved undermining a mountain with large quantities of water. The water was supplied by interbasin transfer. At least seven long aqueducts tapped the streams of the La Cabrera district (where the rainfall in the mountains is relatively high) at a range of altitudes. The same aqueducts were used to wash the extensive gold deposits. More than 200 gold talents were extracted each year.

    εὕρηκα! εὕρηκα! / "Eureka! Eureka!"

    After falling from a horse, Archimedes came up with the idea of a set of paired stirrups attached to a hard saddle.
    Following the invention of paired stirrups, which allowed a rider greater leverage with weapons, as well as both increased stability and mobility while mounted, Massaliot League adopted this technology and developed a decisive military advantage…

    By place

    Greece
    • In a major naval battle* near Crete the smaller Epirus navy won a decisive victory against Ptolemaic empire mainly due to better ship crews.
    *Epirus and allies navy: one hundred ninety warships- Ptolemaic empire two hundred warships.

    Magna Graecia
    • Alexander II actions the last years were deeply unpopular within the Magna Graecia Greeks and their opinion became inflamed against him. Alexander II had so alienated the Magna Graecia Greeks, that after hearing about the war against Ptolemaic empire, they made a common cause with Syracuse and rebelled against him.
    Carthage/Barcid Kingdom
    • In another naval battle Carthaginians repelled the Barcid kingdom fleet.
    Pergamum
     
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    • Historyman 14

    Historyman 14

    Looks like Epirus is in trouble. Of course, this will help the Ptolemaic empire a whole lot as Epirus can't fight someone over a sea and deal with mass rebellion on the homefront.
     
    Historyman 14

    Historyman 14

    Sersor said:
    Any predictions?
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    Most likely pull out of the war to deal with issues back home. Or let the Spartans hang dry and make them do most of the fighting, letting the Spartans get own.

    The Ptolemaic empire might try and call on the League. They are neutral, but what with Alexander II did in burning a bunch of cities down of his dad death hasn't earn him much support, or anything like that.
     

    Aishio

    I hope Epirus survives it's my favourite alternate major power, maybe the epirotes can unite Sicily and what about Massalia helping the Epirotes that would be cool.
     
    240 BC. Bosporan Kingdom map
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    Sersor

    240 BC

    The Massaliot League federal council, furious by the actions of the new king of Allobroges, decides an invasion in their lands . An army of three tagmata(a total of twenty thousands troops) under strategos Hermolaos march against them.

    By place

    Bosporan Kingdom

    The new king of the Bosporan kingdom, Spartokos V( Spartocids hellenized Thracian dynasty) continued to expand his kingdom like his father Pairisades II. In two successful campaigns in 240-238 BC he conquered lands in the west from Scythian tribes and in the east from Sarmatian tribes.

    iJUO6ia.jpg



    Rome
    • After a successful expedition under Consul Tuditanus, Rome conquered the lands of Boii tribe in North Italy.
    South Italy

    The Megálē Hellás League.
    • A new loose League/Alliance, inspired from Massaliot League, formed between Syracuse and Magna Graecia Greek cities to deal with Epirus
    • The Samnite vassal of Epirus in South Italy also declared independence and allied with Megálē Hellás League.
    Northwest Africa/Carthage-Barcid Kingdom
    • After the Numidian mercenary leader Narawas defects to Hamilcar Barca, Numidian reinforcements (about 2,000 men) help him defeat the Carthaginians. Hamilcar pardons his captured prisoners, accepting into his army anyone who will fight Carthage, and exiling anyone who will not.
    Greece
    • In Crete the Ptolemaic army defeats the Epirus army in a major pitch battle*. Key role to the Ptolemaic victory was the new artillery divisions of the Ptolemaic army.
    *Epirus and allies: twenty two thousands - Ptolemaic empire: twenty thousands.
    • In a battle near Argos the Spartan army defeats the Achaean League army.
    Seleucid empire
    • Antiochus II sees the war between Epirus and Ptolemaic empire as the the perfect opportunity to invade the Ptolemaic lands in Syria.
     
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    • Aishio

    Why Alexander why?! Put some sense into your country!
    Well I can see the similarities between the starts of the two alexanders except the defeats of the second one. Why Epirus why?!
     
    239 BC. The Gallic wars
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    • Sersor

    Sersor

    239 BC

    The Gallic Wars

    The invasion of Massalia unites several Gaul tribes.

    A new alliance between Averni,Sequani,Allobroges,Bituriges and some smaller tribes is founded to deal with the Massaliot League. A massive army of sixty thousand under Catugnatix marched to Allobroges land to meet the Massaliot League army. Catugnatix marched for two days and made camp two miles behind Hermolaos, thus cutting off Hermolaos communication and supply lines. Unable to entice Catugnatix into battle, Hermolaos ordered a camp to be built near Catugnatix position.The next morning, after hearing that his troops outnumber Hermolaos troops three to one, Catugnatix assembled his troops and advanced towards Massaliot League camp. Hermolaos was victorious in the battle that ensued due in large part to the charge made by the Massaliot League cavalry that dominated the flanks. As a result, the whole Gaul center was surounded and thus broke their lines and began to flee.
    Most of Catugnatix sixty thousand men were killed. He and what remained of his troops escaped back to Averni lands. After that Hermolaos, burn to the ground Allobroges capital Vienne, to set an example. Hearing this news, Averni tribe fearing that they are the next in line tried to convince more tribes to join them against Massaliot League.


    Northwest Africa/Carthage-Barcid Kingdom
    • With the help of Zama mercenaries Carthage manages to repel Hamilcar Barca army.
    Greece
    • Epirus/Sparta and Ptolemaic empire ended their war in the same status quo due to other major threats.
    Syria
    • Damascus, after four months siege, falls to Antiochus II
     
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    • Aishio

    Oh such surprises go Epirus! Make a alternative Vercingetorix unite the Gauls and make him friend of Massalia that would be sick bro! This is awesome!
     
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