Alright Guys, with your discussions on the thread have been able to launch the basis of a new TL. It's been a while since I have written one so I might be alittle rusty. But here it is anyway, it's only a little taste of whats to come only If by your Candor you want me to continue...
A MACEDONIAN IN THE WEST
Written By
Austin Ross
310 BCE: In Asia Minor, Ptolemy attacks the land of Cilicia which is owned by Antigonus. The Roman Republic also deals with renewed problems with the Etruscans, who are persuaded by the Samnites to rise against Rome. In the ensuing Battle of Lake Vadimo, the Romans under Fabius Maximus Rullianus defeat the Etruscans
309 BCE: In Asia Minor, Ptomley 1 Soter commands a fleet himself to conquer the coastal regions of Caria and Lycia from Antigonous.(POD) After being imprisoned by Cassander of Macedon for almost seven years within the citadel of Amphipolis, supporters of the Agread dynasty manage to bribe Glaucias into freeing the widowed queen Roxana and her son Alexander. Under the guise of simple merchants, they leave the navel base in via Holka and set sail westward, in order to flee from persecution. Fearing the king’s wrath, the would be assassain Glaucias commits suicide only to further enrage Cassander, who sends out a battalion of his loyal guard to find the rightful heir shortly after their departure to no avail.
The battalion is never able to find the missing Roxana, her son and their handful of loyal defenders. An entire year is almost spent of the heirs visiting various cities Greek Colonial areas of Magna Graecia and Sicily for the new home by December, the family decides on an affluent port city on the eastern coast of France…Massilia
Also in this year, Antigonous attempts to renew his alliance with Macedonian general Polypherchon in order to put Alexander IV’s half (illegitimate) Brother, Heracles on the throne. Cassander is soon able to lure the former regent to his side and has him murder Heracles and his mother Barsine. In Carthage, titular king Bomlicar attempts to overthrow the Council of Elders and establish a monarchy. He fails and Carthage becomes in fact closer to a republic. During this time of distress however, Agathocles, King of Sicily lands in North Africa in attempts to distract them from the Seige of Syracuse and almost succeeds in sacking Carthage. Finally in Rome, Lucius Papirius Cursor is appointed Dictator to stop the Samnites for the second time, and has a great victory over the tribe at Longula
308 BCE: Alexander IV and his defenders arrive in Massilia and are extremely well received. The Council of 600 learning of the exploits of his father, are eager to have the family of the Great King himself in their midst. They are given all the privileges of an aristocratic family as if the family had lived their for generations, truly becoming their own apoikai. Also in this year Ptolemy crosses from Asia Minor into Greece where he conquers Corinth, Sicyon, and Megara. In Rome, The Second Samnite War escalates when, Central Appennies tribes join the war against the Republic who manage to quell the uprising. The Etruscans sue for peace with Rome, which is met with several heavy conditions
307 BCE: Antigonus and Seleucus make peace in Babylonia, along them to consolidate their gains. In Egypt, Ptolemy founds the Museum and Library of Alexandria with aid from Demetrius Phalerus. Like Alexander IV’s father he also studied under Aristotle, and employs the museum with around 100 professors paid by the state. Demetrius Policretes re-establishes the Athenian constitution and becomes allies with his brother-in-law, the newly king Phyrrhus of Epirus. Hamlicar, general of Carthage, fails to take Syracuse and is captured and killed.
306-304 BCE: Alexander’s Travels. Alexander IV now at this time is around 16 years old and almost of age. Against direct wishes from his mother, the young prince sets sail with a crew of 25 men, most former merchants who initially traveled with Pytheas on the explorer’s original voyage, venture out of Massilia in the spring of 306 BCE. The Vessel itself to avoid the Carthaginian blockade of Hispania and the Pillars of Heracles, stick very close to land and only travel at night. With the ship being solidly built, designed purposely to brave the rough seas of the North Atlantic, and with having to make frequent stops to replenish supplies the voyage takes longer than expected. Finally the vessel reaches the shores of OTL Brittany in 305 BCE, where Alexander crosses the English Channel to reach the densely forested land of Southern Britain, selling westward until finally reaching the mines of OTL Cornwall
Alexander falls in love with the country and the Pretanni tribesman as they show him the complexities of the tin trade. After spending time meeting and establishing contacts with the Cornovii for a few months, the crew heads back Massila this time using an overland route, which proves to be much easier.
306 BCE: During the battle of Salamis, Melealus, brother to Ptolemy 1 Soter of Egypt is captured by Demetrius Policoretes of Cyprus. It is a crucial victory for Demetrius, as it not only consolidates his gain of Cyprus but it effectively breaks the Egyptian Navy. This gives Antigonus control over most of the Middle East, the Eastern Mediterranean, and control of the Agean Sea. Also in this year, Syracuse and Carthage effectively end the Third Sicillian War. The Peace Settlement divides the Island in half with Carthage rulling everything west of the Halycus River and Agathocles rules the Greek Cities east of the River allowing him to strengthen his rule. Antigonus also attempts an unsuccessful invasion against Ptolemy in Egypt.
305 BCE: Seleucus establishes Seleucis on the Tigris River as his Captial for his new Selecuid Empire. In Syria, Antigonus sends his son Demetrius to conquer the city-state of Rhodes which has cut off his armed support against Ptolemy. He shows ingenuity by creating new siege-machines in his rather unsuccessful attempt to take the city. Among these inventions are a battering ram 60 meters long which takes 1000 men to operate it; he also devises a wheeled siege tower named the “Helepolis” which stands 40 meters tall and 20 meters wide. The Siege of Rhodes earns Demetrius the title of Poliocretes(The City Besieger). Also in this year, Roman Consuls Marcus Fulvius Curvius Paetinus and Lucius Postumius Megellus decisively defeat the Samnites in the Battle of Bovanium to end the Second Samnite War.
304 BCE: Alexander IV and his crew return home to Massilia and are very well received. So much so Impressed by the Macedonian’s ability establish trade routes and make powerful alliances with the Gallic tribes, that the Council of Fifteen(Elected officials from the Council of 600) elect him as an Timouchoi(He is effectively one out of three presidents who hold the most power in the council of 600). This will set an amazing precedence within the Massilian Government and see dramatic consequences later on.
Also in this year, the citizens of Rhodes with support from Ptolemy of Egypt are able to finally lift the siege put in place by Demetrius Poliocretes. Antigonus then signs a peace treaty with the city-state declaring its autonomy and neutrality in his conflict against Ptolemy. Cassander of Macedon invades Attica and besieges Athens, Demetrius replies for the call for aid in kind and effectively drives Cassander out of central Greece effectively liberating Athens. The tyrant Agathocles takes on the title of King of Sicily, he will during his reign extend his influence into southern Italy and the Adriatic. Finally Seleucus 1 is defeated by King Chandragupta in an attempt to invade India.
303 BCE: As one of his first acts of Timouchoi, Alexander IV finds the Massilian military as hopelessly outdated as it still uses the Hoplite Phalanx of old. With the help of his close military advisors (Some of his supporters who escaped with him were soldiers in Alexander III’s army), he reorganizes the military into something that is truly fomidable. The new Masillian Phalanx as it is to be called is a much more flexible formation, separated in three lines instead of one. After hearing past reports of the first line effectively being broken by a single charge by Gallic Tribes, Alexander realizes that if there is a second line behind it, the situation, more often than not, can be retrieved. The third line is a reserve force, to be deployed wherever the line is in most danger of being breached. It has also been found that, instead of equipping the heavy infantry with a single thrusting spear, it is better to give them a couple of javelins in addition, as the javelins can help to break up the Gallic charge prior to impact. The new formation is supported by light troops (archers, slingers, and javelin men) and cavalry, and provides a flexible strike force. The New military, will also be drilled using the policy of creating professional soldiers used first by his Grandfather allowing them to make complex moves outside of most armies
Also in this year, Selecus 1 Nicator expands his kingdom throughout the realms of Persia and as deep into India. Chandragupta Maurya is able to halt the advance and a pact is created between the two leaders. Selecus agrees to Territorial concessions for exchange for 500 war trained elephants. In Greece, Cassander and Lysimachus persuade Selecus & Ptolemy to join in alliance against Antigonus.
302 BCE: Timouchoi Alexander IV is finally able to put his new phalanx to the test as he receives a declaration of war by the Council of 600 by stressing the need for Greek Unity against future Carthaginian and Gallic Invasions. In a few months, the old Hoplite Phalanx of the city-states are crushed and Massilia now rules over the cities of Emporiae, Agathe, Olbia, Antipolis and their surrounding territories.
Also in this year, keeping true with their alliance against Antigonus, Selecus invades Asia Minor from Babylonia, while Ptolemy attacks Syria and Lysimachus moves westward in into Asia Minor. Demetrius attacks Cassander’s forces in Thessaly in which are soundly defeated and Antigonus crowns their success by renewing the pan-Hellenic league. Delegates from all the Hellenic city-states(With exception of Thessaly, Messenia, and Sparta) met in Corinth and declare Antigonus and Demetrius as their protectors. However, Antigonus does feel his enemies closing in on him and a truce is made between the diadochi and the gains met by Demetrius are abandoned.
301 BCE: With the success made by Alexander’s campaign against the other Greek-City States in Gaul, the Council of 600 unanimously elects Alexander IV as King at the age of 20. Also in this year at the battle of Ipsus in Phyrgia, the armies of Antigonus ruler of all Syria, Asia Minor, Phoenicia and Judea with his son Demetrius Poliocretes are defeated by the forces of Lysimachus and Selecus. Antigonus is killed in the battle, which consolidates Cassander’s control over Macedonia and Lysimachus is able to add the greater part of Asia Minor to his possessions while Selecus now controls most of Syria. However Demetrius is allowed to hold onto a foothold in Greece.
300 BCE: King Alexander IV of Massilia announces his plan for an invasion of Gaul. The Plan is well received and during the course of this year, the military will be expanded for the mission.