The Wars of the Greeks (or: the Hellenistic Age uninterrupted)

Skallagrim

Banned
Great update as always! Looking forward for the map that you promised ;)

Another great update! Hope there’s a map to visualize all this!

Thank you both! I'm planning to cap off the next update with a map of 100 BR, although I'll say in advance that it's just a simple little thing. Nothing like the maps @Sersor produces, is what I'm saying.


How exactly does Pontos' state structure differ from, say, that of th seleukids?

Well, for starters, it's a much smaller country. Beyond any organisational factors, this makes Pontos much easier to run. The main advantage Pontos currently has in an organisational way is a policy of meritocracy, whereas both the big players in the region are decidely not meritocratic. Besides this, the lack of decisive leadership among the Antigonids and Seleukids leads to stagnation of military strategy, whereas Pontos - having to catch up - is interested in creating a more efficient military.

Compared to OTL, Pontos was initially unable to flourish (which it did in OTL when the bigger players were engaged with Rome) because Antiokhos III was in a stronger position and also longer-lived.

But in OTL, once Rome actually won, the Pontic attempt to stay free of Rome was doomed. They had to conciliate, and when Mithridates VI tried to beat Rome, he lost. In this ATL, there is no Rome, and both threatening powers are instead weakening. The Mithridatic dynasty is hoping to exploit this, presumably by allying with one side against the other.

So ultimately, while organisation plays a role, historical circumstance is what makes the difference for Pontos here.


Nooo I want the Seleucids to do well. :(

I understand all too well. My admiration for Antiokhos III is no secret. However, the fact that "No Rome = Seleukids do better" is an oft-seen element of such scenarios plays a role in my decision to do things a bit differently here. (And also, I enjoy illustrating that getting all you wanted may end up weakening you in the end. Hence the successful conquest of Aigyptos having certain drawbacks as well.)
 
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